How can an American attorney/JD qualify to practice in the UK? Is it easy to get a job in the UK with a US JD but a UK LLM?

The short answer is that to qualify in the UK if you are an American attorney is not too difficult. You would have to take the QLTT-qualifying lawyers test. See the law society website for details www.lawsociety.org.uk

You should also consider whether you need the QLTT. If you are planning to appear in Her Majesty's courts then you'll need the QLTT, equally if you are going to immediately become a partner in an English law firm.. but if you are planning to do largely advisory and transactional work at below partner level then do you need the QLTT? In addition, there are a lot of US law firms in London who may be interested in employing American attorney's over here without the QLTT.

If you are starting off in your career and relatively newly qualified then there is an argument that doing the QLTT may enhance your attractiveness to both US/UK legal employers located over here. In addition, a LLM in a specialist subject of commercial interest could increase your attractiveness to employers over here as well.

Hope the above helps

Dr. Alan Riley
Director LLM Programme
City Law School,
City University, London
Electronic Mail: alan.riley.1@city.ac.uk

Thank you very much.

Hall jctex. You emailed me using this site's email address. For some reason I cannot reply-so can you email me on my University account and I will endeavour to reply to your email.

Dr. Alan Riley
Director LLM Programme
City Law School
City University, London
Electronic Mail: alan.riley.1@city.ac.uk