Hello all,
I grew up in New York, but chose to do both my undergraduate and graduate studies outside the US. I did an undergraduate international business degree in Montreal and then an LLB in London. Now I have been accepted to an LLM program in NY.

I have heard it's really hard for international lawyers to get work in US law firms, even if they do an LLM and pass the NY Bar. But what about Americans who just did their 'JD' in a different common law country?

I would really like to hear 'real life' stories from any Americans who have followed this same route.

I feel like I should be desirable as I have essentially the same academic background as an American law graduate--a 4 yr undergraduate degree and a law degree from a common law country, plus I'll have an LLM from a top American university. And I won't have to sponsored. And I have international experience and foreign language skills.

Anyone out there who can understand where I'm coming from and wants to share his/her experience with me???

Thanks!
-American abroad who plans to come home

Good luck with that. Should have went for a JD if you wanted to practice here.

Personally, I agree with Sdevante. You would be disadvantaged when compared with local JD students. However, have some advantage when compared with foreign lawyers who have passed the Bar Exam. A little in between i guess!

Hey eg...

I'm in the same position as you. i dont think it'll be to helpful.

So nobody has successfully completed an LLM in the US after an LLB in England and passed the the NY Bar and then found a job (anywhere in the world but practicing NY law)? I know somebody has.....

I am in the same shoes. What I'll say is, it is difficult, but not impossible, and if you cannot stand the difficulty, you can do solo practice in NY. The difficulty will be faced in the initial stage of practice, but after some years of practice, Law firms will look at your experience more than they look at your education. The old American saying is (even though I am no American): first of all, get pass the door, then you will find out where the master bedroom is. Hope this was helpful. Ngange

eg329,

Could you tell us a little about your educational background and work experience? Where did you go to uni? What kind of marks did you get?

If you have strong grades and some work experience, it should be possible to crack into the New York legal scene with an LLM.