Hi guys,

I have recently completed my LLB degree from an Australian University and will be able to practice as a registered solicitor soon.

I am interested in practicing law in the US, particularly, the Michigan or NY, Florida area. Can anyone advise me as to what I should do to enable me to practice law in the US having obtained my LLB degree from an Australian University ?

I know I am able to sit the bar exam straight away for New York but am unsure about what the procedure is to practice in Michigan or other states. Can anyone confirm whether I will need to do some further formal education in the US, such as LLM t or if our degree is recognised at all in this state?

Will I have to do any additional subjects?

I also heard there is a really good bar program for Aussie students wanting to practice in the US does anyone know what this is called?

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

bubz

i got your PM but have to reply here as it says I cant write you a reply as I have been blocked by you. I think you have actually clicked on some button by mistake so you might want to look into it.

Essentially, unlike New York, foreign law graduates are not eligible for admission in Michigan. The only way to be admitted would be complete a ABA accredited JD in the US. As far as I am aware, a US LLM would not suffice. I know some US universities will offer a year of credit for foreign law graduates but most of them are not T1 or T2. I am unsure whether LLB graduates are precluded from credit towards the US JD as some universities do not have the tradition of granting advance standing for undergraduate studies towards postgraduate studies.

Hope this helps - drop me a PM with your email if you want to discuss this further.

Cheers,
G

Hey G,

Thanks for your reply again. I have no idea how it blocked you I must have clicked on something when I was opening the last message. I think its fixed now?

What do you mean by T1 or T2?


Someone else has just responded to my post on another forum on this LLM website and has said the following:

"Many schools allow up to one year credit (toward the three year JD) for a foreign law degree if your foreign legal education qualifies under ABA Standard 507(a).

Standard 507 www.abanet.org/legaled/standards/2009-2010%20Stand states: "Advanced standing and credit hours granted for foreign study may not exceed one-third of the total required by an admitting school for its J.D. degree".

Thanks!

Hello bubz,

T1, T2 means Tier 1 and Tier 2. US Universities are generally placed in Tiers so T1 and T2 are the best.

I have heard that a number of US Law Schools will give a year off but this is mostly done by Tier 3 and Tier 4 schools. The more decent one I have heard of is Northwestern. In any event, you will probably have 2 take a 2 year JD in order to be admitted to Michigan!

Cheers,
G

Ok thanks!
2 years more of law.. hmm dont know if I'm willing to do that yet..

What do you mean by northwestern? Is it a law school?

yes :)