I earned my first law degree and a Master in the Dominican Republic in 2002 and 2005, respectively. I graduated with honor and I practiced law in my country for approximately 4 years until April 2005, date in which I migrated to the United States. Also, in January 2009 in NY I earned a Paralegal Certificate with a GPA of 3.9.
Actually, Im interested in attending law school in the United States, and my goal is to practice law in New York or to work at the United Nations. Ive been doing research about the requirements to apply to law school for some time, but I need some guidance from someone with experience because Im confused about what is the best thing to do to accomplish my professional goals. Below are my questions:
1. Are there any disadvantages of holding just a Master degree instead of a JD?
2. What are the job opportunities in New York for a foreign lawyer after completing a Master?
4. Do you think a foreign lawyer who enrolls in a Master program has any possibility of passing the Bar exam after attending a Bar preparation course?
5. I dont know if I should include the Paralegal Certificate I earned as part of my application (JD or LLM) because someone told me that a Paralegal Certificate is considered not too good for those who are already lawyers.
Thanks a lot,
D.

It's difficult to respond adequately to your questions. I will give you one data point, and hopefully others will respond to you as well and you can evaluate more than just my response.

1. I don't want to say there are disadvantages to holding an LL.M. and your Dominican Republic law degree compared to having a J.D. in addition. A lot can happen between the time you decide to apply for and start a J.D. and the time you actually receive the degree and write the bar exam. If you do incredibly well in your J.D. program, then it is an obvious benefit, whereas, if you do incredibly poorly, then you probably should not have undertaken the course. It is difficult, therefore, to say what is best for you. However, if your goal is to practice law in New York, I think it is safe to say that having a U.S. J.D. would be helpful.

2. I can't respond to this question. Again, it would be safe to say that there are more opportunities for J.D.'s than for foreign lawyers.

4. Yes, while the pass rate for New York is lower for foreign trained lawyers (i.e., 45-55%), it is possible. I absolutely recommend taking a bar review course.

5. I don't think any respectable admission officer would consider your success and great GPA in your paralegal course as a negative. Bear in mind that, if you're applying to J.D. programs, then none of the applicants has any experience more significant than your paralegal education or perhaps some past experience working in a law firm as a secretary or legal assistant. In addition, however, if you're applying to LL.M. programs in the U.S., I have to think it could only be an advantage for you, considering the high proportion of foreign trained lawyers (like you) applying.

Edited for grammar and general confusion.

Hello,
Thanks a lot for your answers! You clarified some points and pointed out important issues that I have to consider when making a decision.
Sincerely,
Dileiny.

hello.. I am also in the same situation as you are; I am a US citizen but raised in Colombian and attended Law school there. I came to Miami 3 years ago and got a job as an immigration paralegal. I loved the job, because it was not secretarial at all, I had to reserach, interact with clients and learned a lot about this field. Then somebody tod me about the LLM and the possibility of taking the NY bar or any other jurisdction that accepts foreign attorneys. I was accepted alrady at UM,but I am undecided, because I don´t see clearly the job expectations a foreign lawyer could have in the US. However, I think it could work out for me if I continue working i n the immigration field and decide to start my own practice in Miami, focusing on Venezuelans and Colombians immigrants. what do you guys think about having an LLM to continue working just in the immigration field? is it too restricted? Thanks!!!

Hello,
Thanks a lot for your answers! You clarified some points and pointed out important issues that I have to consider when making a decision.
Sincerely,
Dileiny.