Hi

I am a South African with the following qualifications:

1. Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine (MBChB) (undergraduate, 6 year, full-time, residence medical degree)
2. Master of Medicine (MMed) (Psychiatry) (postgraduate, 4 year, full-time, resident specialist Psychiatrist degree)

I am currently completing two LLB degrees:

1. University of South Africa (UNISA) LLB degree(undergraduate, 4 year, full-time, distance education LLB degree)
2. University of London External Programme LLB degree (undergraduate, 3 year, full-time, distance education LLB degree)

I would like to find out about my eligibility to sit any US State Bar exam. I am aware of some of the issues surrounding distance education and have viewed various of the US State Bar websites, but still remain thoroughly confused.

My specific questions:

1. Would I be eligible to sit any US Bar exam with the above qualifications?
2. If not, what would I have to do to become eligible?
2. If not, would an LLM from a US university ensure eligibility?

Many thanks in advance.

Marc

Dear MarcHedi,,though you surely are very well qualified but as far as I know thez qualifications wud stil not make u eligibl 4 practicin law in th United States..
firstly not all US states permir foreign attorneys to write th bar exam and, upon passing th same, practice law (each state has a separate exam n eligibility requirements),,however sum states like New York, California n else do permit foreign attorneys to sit 4 th bar exam providd certain conditions r complied wit by th applicants..
NY Bar 4 instance requires an applicant 2 hv completed an LL.M. with at least 20 credits (check on tis..) wit a few compulsory courses on american law..
so bottom line is tht without an LL.M. u rili cant practice law in United States..
however wit ur qualifications (n if I may add, zest 2 learn) you seem 2hv a bright future in ur own country..you must realise tht u r at a crucial stage in ur life n must take reasoned decisions..jus becoz every1's goin 2 US is no reason 4u 2 go ther,,
second wat r th compellin reasons tht u've decidd upon 'practicin law' in United States,,i can understand if u just wanna go ther 4 an LL.M. n then perhaps cum bac,,bt y stay ther,,4 money, interestin job, dont like ur country or watever - bt get ur reasons straight..
Its an important decision, dont rush thru it..South Africa is a fast developin country n qualified ppl like u r imerative 2 accelerate th development..think ovr it..

Thanks very much for your well thought through reply. It is really refreshing to see someone who keeps a number of perspectives in mind when considering an issue.

I completely agree with your comments and, incidently, do enjoy SA very much. I do, however, have certain reasons for wishing to pass a US Bar Exam.

So, to return to the New York Bar, in your opinion, can I sit the NY Bar exam with a Columbia or NYU LLM and having completed distance-learning LLBs (UNISA, UoL)?

hi i have done llb from pakistan i just wanted to know if i do llm in usa would i be able to sit in NY bar or California bar exam???I am living in usa

Yes you would. Read this thread:

http://www.llm-guide.com/board/120 (Bar Exam)

It has all important information on bar exam eligibility.