Hi,

I am trying to get my career going and am facing some up-hill battles. I am currently doing a GDL/LL.B in the UK, and next year I will either do the LPC in the UK, or an LL.M in Temple - Japan.
My main problem (I think) is work authorisation. I am only allowed to work in Japan at the moment, but I am not/don't speak Japanese... (long story).
I will probably be unable to sit the NY bar, which I understand to be the international standard, because I did not fulfill the length of legal education required.
I will however be able to sit the DC Bar.

So I am wondering if anyone could me how much of a chance I would have of geting a job in Japan with a Transnation LLM from Temple, an LL.B from the UK and a BA from UCLA, and qualified in DC!

Any input would be much appreciated,

Thanks, and happy easter!

A bar qualification somewhere is better than no bar qualification anywhere, so one would think it would be marginally useful to take the bar in DC. However, it probably is not helpful enough to justify the expense and time required to study for and write the bar exam.

On the "prestige" scale, you should know that the DC bar is not considered difficult. It is an easy jurisdiction to waive into if you are bar qualified in another US jurisdiction; however, the DC bar qualification is not generally helpful for qualifying in other jurisdictions if you do not actually practice in DC.

Basically, if you do not plan to practice in DC, do not bother qualifying there. My answer would probably be the same even if you did qualify for the NY bar but did not think you would practice in NY. No bar qualification is useful if it goes unused. The only thing such a credential could prove in Japan is that you have a good command of English. I hardly think you need a test to prove that!