Thank you to Mírian Daniela Marcelino da Silva for sharing so much great information! To learn more about this new series, please check out the LL.M. Spotlight Series page. Have great advice and a great story to share? Reach out!

1. What made you choose the law school LL.M. program you ultimately decided on?

When I decided to pursue an LL.M. in Taxation, I knew I wanted a program that was academically strong, practice-oriented, and welcoming. I had been living in Seattle for a few years already, and the University of Washington School of Law stood out, not just as the most respected law school in the region, but as a place where I felt I could truly grow.

I was certain about focusing on tax, and UW’s Graduate Program in Taxation offered exactly what I was looking for: a rigorous curriculum, a faculty with real-world experience, and the flexibility to shape my studies around my goals, including preparing for the Washington State Bar.

But what truly made UW the right choice was the sense of belonging it offered. I wasn’t just looking for a strong academic experience, I was looking for a community. A place where my background wouldn’t be a barrier, but part of what I contribute. UW gave me that. It gave me room to lead, to learn, and to build the legal future I had envisioned.

2. What was your favorite course in your LL.M. studies?
The two courses stood out to me were Constitutional Law with Professor Dean Falvy, and State and Local Tax with Professors Robert Mahon, Scott Edwards, and Gerald Swanson II. Constitutional Law reminded me why I pursued a legal career in the first place, it challenged me to think critically about power, rights, and justice. And State and Local Tax brought together everything I love about tax law: technical complexity, policy impact, and the chance to work on real issues affecting communities. Professors Mahon, Edwards, and Swanson each brought unique insights to the subject, making the class both intellectually rigorous and deeply engaging. Both courses helped me see the law not just as theory, but as something that shapes people’s lives every day, something you live and apply.

3. What was your favorite memory from your LL.M. year outside the classroom?
There were so many that it’s hard to choose just one. Competing in the finals of the ABA Tax Challenge, attending ABA and WSBA tax meetings with friends and mentors, organizing events, serving for two years as a Graduate Student Representative advocating for graduate voices at UW Law, and helping to create the Tax Law Society with an incredible group of peers—all of these moments were unforgettable. But if I had to choose, delivering the law school graduation speech was especially meaningful. Standing on that stage, reflecting on our responsibility as legal professionals to serve, to uphold justice, and to make the law live up to its promise, was a moment I’ll carry with me always.

4. What is one piece of advice that you have for 2025-26 international LL.M. students?
When I graduated from my LL.B. in Brazil at 21, I didn’t fully grasp the importance of networking. During my LL.M., I made a point to change that—and it made all the difference. Your future in law isn’t determined solely by what you know, but also by who knows what you know. Visibility matters. To build a successful legal career, you need to put yourself out there, strategically and professionally. I often say it’s 70% legal knowledge and 30% connections. Not everyone will have an opportunity to offer you directly, but everyone knows someone, who knows someone, who does.

My advice? Start networking early and do it with intention. Reach out to classmates, professors, alumni, and practitioners in your area of interest. Focus on building authentic relationships, not just a contact list. And just as importantly, be clear about your goals. Choose an LL.M. program that aligns with the career you want to build and select coursework that supports that vision. Talk to current students and alumni to understand what the program truly offers, not just on paper, but in practice. The year goes by quickly, so make every choice count.

5. Where did you study for your first degree in law (country, school)?
I earned my LL.B. from Faculdade de Direito de Vitória in Espírito Santo, Brazil, graduating at 21. It was the beginning of a journey that would eventually take me across borders, and into tax law.

6. What are your plans for after the LL.M.? (Or if not finalized, what field do you hope to work in?)
After the LL.M., I’ll be stepping into the next chapter of my career in tax. I’ll be working on complex legal and regulatory matters, continuing to grow as a practitioner and problem-solver. In the future, after gaining more experience, I also hope to teach State and Local Tax law alongside my practice, bringing practice into the classroom and helping shape the next generation of tax professionals.  In other words: I’ll be spending my time thinking about tax, working in tax, and, if all goes as planned, teaching tax too.

7. If you plan to take a bar exam, which one are you going to sit for? What made you choose it?
Yes. I plan to sit for the Washington State Bar Exam in July 2025. Washington has been my home throughout this journey, and from the beginning, I structured my LL.M. coursework to meet its bar eligibility requirements. Knowing that each jurisdiction has specific rules, I tailored my academic plan to qualify here.

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriandanielamsilva/

Beyond Non-JD Note: These stories and pieces of advice will be told by the people who chose to participate, with some light editing occasionally provided by me. Some participants reach out to me, while I reach out to some whose advice and journeys I think would be particularly good fits. Their advice, information, and positions may (sometimes) be different from mine. That’s totally okay! While I do try to vet information, be sure to double check advice with trusted mentors in your network, especially as it applies to your situation, goals, or profile.