Hi,

I received my LLB degree from the Open University. I am interested in taking the NYS Bar Exam. Based on the eligibility rules, distance learning courses lack eligibility. I am therefore looking into my options to make myself eligible. I have other commitments that prohibit me from studying a year in the USA. I have found one program, an LLM in International Law that provides a certificate in US Law to enable students to be eligible to take the US Bar Exam. This has confused me (and yes I have contacted the school, but am still waiting for a reply), as each State has different criteria, so I would assume it should be State specific (please correct me if I am wrong).

If anyone knows of further options that I could look into to make myself eligible, I would greatly appreciate hearing about it!

Hmmm...

This is difficult. I know for a fact that you will not be able to take the NY bar exam because you will not have fulfilled their substantive requirements. I think you want to look at rule 501. Just google it.

I am not sure about the CALI bar and distance learning but I know that things have changed in the States.

As far as I know, you will have to get those LLM credits to become bar eligible for any State bar.

Where have you applied to?

Cheers,

~Jitana

Hello,

You are quite correct. Your distance learning degree is prime facie ineligible for the New York bar examination.

Under NYSBOLE 520.6, a person whose degree lacks 'substantive' or 'durational' equivalency may cure one or the other, but not both, by undertaking an LLM from an ABA-approved law school physically attended in the United States. It is not possible to undertake a curing LLM, no matter what the subject matter, at a venue outside the United States.

The only path that would permit you to take the New York Bar Exam is to undertake an LLM at an ABA-approved law school where the instruction occurs in the United States.

Warm regards,

BARBRI International

I was compelled to reply to this post because portions of the earlier replies to this post are incorrect. If your foreign law degree was based on distance education it will bar you from qualifying to sit for the New York bar exam. An LLM from a U.S. law school, even if it is based on classroom study at a campus located in the U.S., cannot cure a distance education deficiency. The NY Board of Law Examiners considers degrees based on distance education to be both durationally and substantively deficient, and not curable by an LLM degree.

Hi, this was the program I was talking about: http://droit.u-clermont1.fr/sof/formation/idFormation/14214. The explanation is in French though.

Does anyone know of the best place to contact to get the most accurate information to see what my options are?

I appreciate all the help!

LLM Pro,

You information is *quite* different from what I was told by the office of the bar examiners.

As it is, many distance learning programmes in the UK have some in-house credits options -- where distance learners have the option (but are not required) to earn credits.

I have been told by the bar examiners that proof of attendance through a sort of "appeals" process may indeed satisfy the substantive requirements.

I'm doing some in depth research on bar eligibility for foreign trained attorneys and will post a link here. It was important to actually *call* the boards of bar examiners, as I have observed that one cannot get the full scope simply by reading the "Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admissions Requirements 2013".

~Jitana

Chenry,

1) The best place to start is by reading the "Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admissions Requirements 2013" found here:

www.ncbex.org/publications/‎

2) This will narrow your list down to a few States.

3) CALL the board of examiners offices (they are all usually quite helpful) and ask them about your specific case.

4) If your LLM is from a Maryland University, it is my understanding that as of 2013, you *will* be eligible to sit for the bar exam in that State.

Good luck!

~Jitana

PS: It is important to note that you will *not* get all the information you need by simply reading things online. You must be proactive. Get the name of the person giving you the information and *always* follow up with an e-mail as insurance.

Chenry,

1) The best place to start is by reading the "Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admissions Requirements 2013" found here:

www.ncbex.org/publications/‎

2) This will narrow your list down to a few States.

3) CALL the board of examiners offices (they are all usually quite helpful) and ask them about your specific case.

4) If your LLM is from a Maryland University, it is my understanding that as of 2013, you *will* be eligible to sit for the bar exam in that State.

Good luck!

~Jitana

PS: It is important to note that you will *not* get all the information you need by simply reading things online. You must be proactive. Get the name of the person giving you the information and *always* follow up with an e-mail as insurance.