Hello everyone,

My name is Nino. I am writing this post because I have a question regarding the New York Bar eligibility for foreigners who have completed their full law school cycle in a foreign country.

My case: although I was raised in the US for most of my life, I am only a French citizen. I have completed my French “licence” (LLB) (3 years). Due to being in France, the diploma is civil law based.

This year, I am finishing my LLM in International Business Law (1 year) which is a dual degree from a French university (first semester) as well as an Irish university (second semester). As a result, it is international law and thus also common law.

I am aware that in order to take the NY bar, my studies have to be "both, durationally and substantively equivalent to a program of study at an approved law school in the United States […]” (Section 520.6 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals)" - NY Bar Exam - Foreign Law School Study

My question: before asking the NYBE if I’m eligible or not (and wait about 6 months), I was wondering if anyone has any insight to my case. Maybe someone has had the same experience.

Are my studies substantively equivalent? Normally, I know that with just a French LLB, it would not be seen as equivalent. However, due to having an Irish LLM, I am in a grey zone where I am unsure.

Sorry for the long question.

Thank you!

Nino

Hi, Nino. To my knowledge, only those with a LLB from common law countries (f.e., a LLB from a UK uni) makes a person eligible for taking the NY bar without studying in the US. 

[Edited by gatsond on Apr 23, 2023]

Hello Gatsond,

Ok, thank you for you reply!

No, you would not meet the qualifications at present. You need a 3 year LLB degree in common law that qualifies you to be admitted to practice in the jurisdiction you completed it in. You can send in your application to the NYBE/BOLE and they will give you a decision on what you need to "cure" your credentials. At very least you will need an LLM from a US law school, although you may need to be admitted in France first. Other states like DC may let you take the bar with only the US LLM. Good luck.

Hello everyone,

My name is Nino. I am writing this post because I have a question regarding the New York Bar eligibility for foreigners who have completed their full law school cycle in a foreign country.

My case: although I was raised in the US for most of my life, I am only a French citizen. I have completed my French “licence” (LLB) (3 years). Due to being in France, the diploma is civil law based.

This year, I am finishing my LLM in International Business Law (1 year) which is a dual degree from a French university (first semester) as well as an Irish university (second semester). As a result, it is international law and thus also common law.

I am aware that in order to take the NY bar, my studies have to be "both, durationally and substantively equivalent to a program of study at an approved law school in the United States […]” (Section 520.6 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals)" - NY Bar Exam - Foreign Law School Study

My question: before asking the NYBE if I’m eligible or not (and wait about 6 months), I was wondering if anyone has any insight to my case. Maybe someone has had the same experience.

Are my studies substantively equivalent? Normally, I know that with just a French LLB, it would not be seen as equivalent. However, due to having an Irish LLM, I am in a grey zone where I am unsure.

Sorry for the long question.

Thank you!

Nino