I am a foreign trained attorney and 'am seeking information regarding books and materials necessary to sit for the NY bar exam. Also, I need to know if LLM graduates are exempted or barred from taking bar exams

Hello,
In reply to your enquiry, it is of the belief that it depends where you have obtained your LLM as well as where you are studying. If you have obtained your LLM or LLB in the UK then you are automatically eligible to sit the New York State Bar exam. However, I am not entirely ceratian as to the requirements from different countries. This is due to the fact that the New York Bar association tends to view the UK as a much more desired awarder. Good luck. Furthermore given the fact that you are a trained lawyer, if you have trained in a common law jurisdiction, then there is a possibility for eligibility without any further requirements. However, I do suggest that you contact the New York Bar association for more precise information.

This question has been addressed a million times on this board, do some searching around and you will find your answer. Or perhaps check the NY bar examiners website, www.nybarexam.org.

Thank you very much for your concern and reply but your answer is not addressing my question. My question is regarding the 'materials and books' that may be helpful on all the testing areas of law. Have been to the Ny bar examiners website and I know that am eligible to sit for the exam with my LLB. obtained from a Common Law jurisdiction.

Your original question also asked whether LLM students are exempted or barred from taking bar exams, that information can be obtained from the NY bar examiners site or by looking at other posts on this message board.

As for material helpful for studying for the bar that has also been addressed numerous times on this board and could be found by a simple search. Some people buy barbri materials on ebay while others prefer to spend more money and take the class. I recommend taking the class as the books alone provide no insight as to what is actually on the exam they just present every aspect of the law and just studying those books would be the worst possible way to study for the bar.

Thanks a million times again. Yes I am doing my own research as well but I joined this forum only today so am not familiar with previous discussion on this board .Moreso, before i asked the question 've taken the pain to peruse the discussions on the board but nothing specific is pointing to this question. Yes i plan to go thru barbri or kaplan but remember this only take place weeks before the exam .

Studying for the bar exam long before the exam is not a smart strategy. The exam is pure memorization and has nothing to do with understanding. Though you are not US educated it doesnt matter, JD students havent even taken all the subjects that are on NY bar, they learn a lot of stuff through barbri and just memorize it in the final 2 weeks before the exam.

I agree and disagree. Cramming for the NY bar in two weeks would not generally work, unless you are very, very smart. On the other hand, the poster is right---you need not study too long. You'll get burnt out. Most people spend the summer studying for the exam, at a measured pace, using the Bar-Bri materials. I wholeheartedly recommend actually taking the class, however, if only because I found some of the lecturers entertaining.

You misunderstood my post. Sure you learn a lot during the summer but the vast vast majority of what you learn happens during the last 2 weeks. Its very hard to memorize things perfectly when you are learning a new subject every other day or so. By the end of the fourth week I can guarantee that what you learned in the first or second week will not be completely memorized and there is definitely not enough time to go back and rememorize it. Once Barbri is over is when the real progress takes place. During the actual class the best you can do is hope to become familiar with all the material and memorize 30-40% of the material but the real memorization occurs toward the end. It may seem impossible at first but you will be surprised what your mind is capable of.

I agree to the extent that I found that most of the material "sunk in" in the weeks after the course ended and I reviewed it over again. The second or third time is always the charm . . .

I really find everyone contribution very helpful however, my situation is a peculiar one. I recieved legal education withing the common law jurisdiction about a decade ago but ventured to another trade since then hence; my need to study or familiarise myself with the materials ahead . I think i really need some reasonble time to aquaint my self with the 'Laws'. How long is BARBRI prep class ?

The class last 8 weeks. Check out www.barbri.com. Like I said its all about memorization, barbri can teach someone to pass the bar who hasnt even attended law school if they work hard enough. The bar really has little to do with understanding and everything to do with memorization.

I sincerely appreciate your openess and encouragement. I will surely check barbri out.