Practising US/UK law in Canada

ldncdn

56 101

Posted May 05, 2016 22:45

Hello all, so here's an intro to my background.

I am originally a Canadian citizen. I have an LLB from the UK and also completed the LPC. I'm starting an LLM in the US this fall and plan on taking the NY bar or California bar after graduation.

I've gone through to final interview stages with big UK firms in London but struggled to find a training contract (starting associate position) due to employers openly telling me they prefer EU candidates due to limited visa sponsorships. It's really disheartening, especially as the work visa restrictions keep getting stricter here. I am worried that this will happen again in the US after I graduate from my LLM, and am thinking about returning to Canada if I can't find employment in America.

I prefer not to take the NCA exams. Is it possible to find firms in Canada that have positions purely practising US/UK law?

Yes I've seen posts about the processes of taking the NCA but I'm interested in practising US law in Canada, rather than Canadian law. I've seen American qualified lawyers work in London on capital markets matters without a UK degree, so I'm wondering if this happens in Canada too. Thanks!

quote

AleksLLM

40 79

Posted May 07, 2016 14:38

Hi, ldncdn

...due to employers openly telling me they prefer EU candidates due to limited visa sponsorships.

I am curious, have you tried applying to the UK big law firms foreign offices in the EU but outside the UK?

Unlike the UK, most other countries of the EU do issue a so called Blue Card residence permit (a work visa issued without any labor market check ) that does not require a complicated visa "sponsorship" process. An offer , corresponding qualification and a salary above specified minimum is all what you need to qualify.
I am only not sure that an LLB holder would be considered as "high qualified" for that type visa, you have to check that, but LLM graduates are eligible.

I prefer not to take the NCA exams. Is it possible to find firms in Canada that have positions purely practicing US/UK law?

Yes I've seen posts about the processes of taking the NCA but I'm interested in practicing US law in Canada, rather than Canadian law. I've seen American qualified lawyers work in London on capital markets matters without a UK degree, so I'm wondering if this happens in Canada too.

You have a right to practice as a foreign legal consultant provided you have a permit from a bar in Canada, check here for example http://www.lsuc.on.ca/For-Lawyers/About-Your-Licence/Lawyers-from-Outside-Ontario/Foreign-Legal-Consultant-Permit/That is a possible way to practice foreign law in Canada.
I can not say anything regarding the market though. But I remember there was a Canadian here on this board who graduated Boston or Northwestern with a JD and worked in a Canadian big law firm.

Hi, ldncdn

<blockquote>...due to employers openly telling me they prefer EU candidates due to limited visa sponsorships.</blockquote>

I am curious, have you tried applying to the UK big law firms foreign offices in the EU but outside the UK?

Unlike the UK, most other countries of the EU do issue a so called Blue Card residence permit (a work visa issued without any labor market check ) that does not require a complicated visa "sponsorship" process. An offer , corresponding qualification and a salary above specified minimum is all what you need to qualify.
I am only not sure that an LLB holder would be considered as "high qualified" for that type visa, you have to check that, but LLM graduates are eligible.

<blockquote>
I prefer not to take the NCA exams. Is it possible to find firms in Canada that have positions purely practicing US/UK law?

Yes I've seen posts about the processes of taking the NCA but I'm interested in practicing US law in Canada, rather than Canadian law. I've seen American qualified lawyers work in London on capital markets matters without a UK degree, so I'm wondering if this happens in Canada too. </blockquote>
You have a right to practice as a foreign legal consultant provided you have a permit from a bar in Canada, check here for example http://www.lsuc.on.ca/For-Lawyers/About-Your-Licence/Lawyers-from-Outside-Ontario/Foreign-Legal-Consultant-Permit/That is a possible way to practice foreign law in Canada.
I can not say anything regarding the market though. But I remember there was a Canadian here on this board who graduated Boston or Northwestern with a JD and worked in a Canadian big law firm.

quote