Hi,
I studied law in Germany but I didnt take the first state examination. Then after that I did a LLM in the USA where I took 25 credit units. I applied after the LLM for the BAR in NY and everything was ok until the last day were I called them to ask a question and they said I'm not admitted cause I don't fulfill all requirements to sit for the BAR because I didn't take the first state examination in Germany. They are using Rule 520.6(b)(1) against me. But that rule says, that you are allowed to sit for the BAR if you have a min. of 1140 hours of classroom studies (I have 5252), or min 20 credit units form an american law school (I have 25 through the LLM).
Does anybody have an idea for me?
They said I should hand in a petition to the court of appeals in NY. I will do that. But it still seems so unfair because they always said to me that I can take the bar and all my papers are ok. If I would have not called in to ask a question I would have first found out when I would have gone to the testing center at the day of the bar.
So if anybody has any expirience or any other advise on this I would be very thankful.

That's worrying. I know several persons who weren't admitted to the bar in their country (France) and who passed the NY bar last year after a 20-24 credits LL.M in a US law school. Unless they've changed their policy since last year...?

Has the Board of examiners specifically told you that you do not fulfill the requirements because "you did not pass the bar in Germany". Or were they more vague, saying something like "you don't meet all the requirements under rule 520.6"?
If the latter, perhaps it's your 25 credits which aren't enough: you need at least 20 credits of law courses. i.e if you've taken more than 5 non-law credits (business, economics, philosophy, etc.) or none of the courses which qualify as meeting the NY bar eligibility requirement of "two courses in basic U.S. law subjects", therein lies your problem.

In any case, you should contact the Career service of the law school you obtained your LL.M from and have them investigate for you.

Hope it helps.

I have 25 credits of bar related law courses. They say I dont comply with rule 520.6(b)(1). but I think I do. Furthermore they say I don't comply because I don't have the first state exam form Germanty. But the rules don't say anything about it.

If you didnt take the first state examination than you don't have a law degree from Germany (in other words: you didn't complete your law studies in Germany). I am actually surprised that you have been accepted for an LL.M. programme since normally law schools require a law degree. Therefore, the NY bar might have a good argument.

Good luck!

I don t have a very clear view over your situation.
Did u complete your studies in Germany?
Did you take basic courses in US Law ?

the 25 credits are enough to take the bar. A friend of mine has passed it the last summer after taking an llm at Harvard and without the italian bar. Sure he completed his law studies in Italy before takin the llm, but no italian bar admission was required and his experience is the proof.

The German system works as follows:
- At least 4 years of law studies - you get your law degree after passing the first state examination;
- In order to get admitted you have to work for at least 2 years including a clerkship at a court etc. - then you must pass the second state examination.

Therefore, I doubt that someone who has not formally received a law degree from Germany (which means passed the first state examination) would be eligible to take the NY bar exam.

thanks for all your advises.Well I didnt take the 1st state exam in Germany but I did an LLM in the S with 25 cretid units of bar related courses. So I just had law courses. And besides that I have 5252 hours of classroom studies in mu germna law school. the ny bar just needs 1140. so i dodnt really understand the problem.

I don't think that an LL.M. would be regarded as a substitute for a law degree from your country of origin. Of course, you can try to fight this decision but personally I doubt that you will be successful.