I have studied an LL.B and my LPC here in the Uk and my fiancee and I are considering moving to the US - we are undecided on the state as he has numerous offers. I am currently working as civil servant but would like to practise law if we moved to the US. What would I need to do and LLM or just the bar exam?? I may sound a little bit thick on this subject but I have only just started researching it as a possibility and could do with somewhere to start assessing how plausible a move it is. How easy is it to study here from UK? and do US offer law jobs where you can work and study towards practising at same time?
Any advice greatly appreciated!

Hi...
If you have completed a 3 year degree in Law (single major) from London, Oxford or Cambridge Uni then you are eligible to appear for the NY Bar Exam straightaway. If you have completed your LLB from any other English Uni then *most* probably you are eligible to appear for the NY Bar. (NY Bar site mentions only the above mentioned Unis, I am *assuming* that any other Law degree from UK would suffice as long as its full-time, recognised in UK, etc). If you have completed a double major degree (e.g. Law & Business), then you would have to ask them to assess your degree status etc. You can prepare for the NY Bar in the UK either through attending lectures (mostly video recordings of lectures) in London or by correspondence courses (mostly CDs etc). The former costs around £2700 and the latter around £3000. If you contact Barbri in the UK, they will be able to advise you regarding your eligibility for NY (and othe Bar exam). All this info is regarding NY Bar. It is the easiest to qualify for as a Law grad from UK as there are no other requirements. Other states California etc allow foreign law students to appear for the Bar if they have completed an LLM from an accredited Law School in the USA. Yet some other states have additional requirements such as enrolled in the Bar in your home country and/ or some years of experience. Not sure about the position of US law firms regarding work and study options for the Bar (am still a student :) ).

Good luck!!!

hi, i graduated from the uni of dundee with a 4yr law degree in english law (2.1), and i am doing a LLm in Trinity College, Dublin. I would like to go to the states as well and have noticed a few courses in dublin that offer training for the New York Bar exam. Does anyone know how difficult it is? and what would be the chances of getting a good? Furthermore, would anyone know if there are oppurtunities to work as a paralegal for a year in New York? cheers, gerard

Hi Gerard,
From what I hear, its pretty difficult (NY & Cal Bar Exams are the two of the toughest ones), but that does not mean its not possible. I believe Barbri Uk and other programmes here train you for it. Dunno much about the job market to be honest. I am guessing you won't face much of a problem working as a paralegal but not sure the US gov is going to grant you a visa just to work as a paralegal.

Ah, btw had a query myself. I see that you are pursuing your LLM from Dublin. I am in my final yr of LLB at Warwick (graduating in a coupla months) and I am interested in doing an LLM in either in the field of tax, commercial law etc or in IP and patents (have to make up my mind!!). Was hoping to hear a bit more of first hand experience from you regarding studying and living in Dublin. In particular, how does it compare with leading Unis in England and how challenging is the LLM course?

Hope you can address my queries. Sorry I could not be of more help myself.

Cheers!!

the LLM in Trinity is not too difficult to be honest, it is not in a specific area and you can choose from numerous subjects. There are courses in the subjects you have mentioned and the teaching is of a very high standard, plus trinity is a top uni and carries alot of weight in the UK and America. Hope that is of help

Gerard

Hi Gerard,

Thanks for the info. I shall definitely bear it mind when I apply for my LLM next year. Good luck with your Phd. programme.

Cheers

Guys,

what about US imm laws?

Imagine a foreing lawyer with NY bar wants to practice in NY.

Isnt he required to receive some permit from the gov-t before he starts his career ?

hello!
This is a different kind of question but thought some of you might be able to help. I am thinking of applying to law school in the U.S., but want to know what the options are if I do decide to return to the UK later on? If graduating from the US with a JD do you have to do just the BVC to practice as a barrister here, or a conversion course and BVC? Or is there some kind of a course especially for people trained in law in another country? Am pretty clueless on this, so any advice would be very helpful!