Hi All

I was wondering if anyone could possibly clear up some questions for me since there seems to be a lot of information out there with varying points of view and few new facts.

I am currently completing an LLB Degree through UNISA (University of South Africa) it is a correspondence University but requires that the degree be completed in a minimum of 4 years so is essentially a 4 year degree.

Does anyone know if based on the LLB from UNISA I would be eligible to write the New York Bar Exam?

I know that LLB degrees obtained from WITS (University of the Witwatersrand) allow a person to write the New York Bar exam without any problems.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

HI rabinowitz and erasmus
I have been reading your posts and wondered if you could shed any light on my issue. I am a UCT graduate with LLB having practised in SOuth Africa ( Transvaall and Cape Admissions) for about 10 years. Have been living in the US for 9 years and finally got my life together ( Risk management job of 9 years, US husband , baby etc) and ONLY NOW am ready to write my US bar. I live in Florida and this state does not have any reciprocity with any others- so even if I write the CA or NY bar exams I will not be admitted to practise here. However, unless I want to give up work and spend a lot of money, my best bet is to write the CA or NY bar exam and at least call myself a US attorney ( practise as an inhouse counsel is possible according to FL bar rules with an out of state admission). Doing a JD degree online at one point seemed like a good idea but if you look closer, most states require you to have an American Bar Association ( ABA) Accredited JD degree to write their bar exam and the online courses are not accredited by the ABA and neither will they become any time soon.

Here's my question: I would prefer to write the NY bar than the California ( latter I am pretty sure I can write) Reason being if I ever move, I would prefer to live in NY than CA. I sent my credentials in to the NY State Board of Bar Examniners and they came back saying I needed to do 20 semester credits (not sure of exact wording but means a year of full time study) in US Law courses. Now, I have heard of other SAfricans who did not have to do this. DOes anyone know if I could appeal this or anything about this onerous requirement. Thanks in advance for all your help or any other recommendations out there...