Hi guys,
I'll finish Law double degree this year. Next session I'm planning on doing the GDLP or PLT Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
I'm interested in working in the US and I was just wondering if you guys know what the procedures and requirements are for Aus LLB students to practice as lawyers in the US?

Is our law degree recognized there?
Will I have to do any additional subjects?
I heard I might have to do the bar exam, does anyone know any more information about this?

Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

Upon admission in Australia you would most likely be entitled to take the California and New York Bar Exams. If you are looking at other states then you might need a US LLM or US JD which requires additional study! :)

If you have any further queries, please feel free to ask :)

Cheers,
Gregor

Hi,
Thanks for your reply I really appreciate it.
Just another quick question. I'm interested in the New York one, do you think its worth doing PLT/GDLP if I'm not planning on practicing in Australia? Or do you think it might still help me with the bar exam.
Also do you know of any Australian schools that help mentor/tutor Aus students interested in sitting the bar exam ?
Thanks again!
Cheers

I'm an American Attorney. The best way to obtain a license to practice law in the US, and obtain a job is:

(1.) It is required to pass the Bar exam. Almost all Americans do the following . We graduate law school in May, and take the Bar exam about July 30. It's a 2 day test. Almost all spend the entire 8 weeks between graduation and the Bar exam studying for the Bar examination. Almost all enroll in an 8 week preparation course, and study for about 6-10 hrs per day. A few different private companies offer the course. A popular one is "Kaplan" or "Bar Bri" It is difficult to pass the Bar examination without intense preparation. The Examination is 2 days. Day 1 = "multi-state." All states in US have same, multiple choice exam. Day 2 = State you are in. For example, California and New York have different day 2 exams. When you take a "Bar review Prep course" they will ask what state you want to prep for.

I do not know if the Bar requires that you obtain a US law degree. However, Many US law schools offer 1 year LLM programs specifically for foreign-educated lawyers seeking to work in the US. This would be much more valuable than an AU LLM.

In fact, I am looking to relocate and practice in AU. UWA offers such a course. I feel, as a matter of professionalism, that I would want such a course in order to perform well for my clients.
It may be possible to study for the Bar intensely for 8 weeks, and pass it, but you would not know much about US law.

It is wise to attend Uni in the State where you want to work. If you know you want to work in New York, attend school in New York. This way, you will meet professionals and form a network of people you know - important to help you obtain a good job.

Cheers,
Alex