I have a really big problem.

I have a UK law degree (LLB) from a top 10 UK university and immediately thereafter met an American girl and followed her to the US where I did an LLM, and then a full JD from a Tier-1 law school. I managed to get a very small parttime legal job working for a solo practitioner who does "general law." Surprisingly, he agreed to sponsor me for an H1B visa duiring my one year OPT (optional practical training). I've been in this parttime job for going on 3 years now. It's parttime because there's hardly any work coming into this solo practice.

The problem is - the job only pays about $20,000 per year and I have over $80,000 of student loan debt (includes some UK debt converted from UK pounds!). Also, the lady dumped me and I have very little opportunity of obtaining a green card once the H1B expires. Finally, I'm finding it hard to find alternative employment - not one interview from numerous applications in the past 2 years despite the fact that my resume really gives no indication I need sponsorship.

In the meantime I have tried to increase my marketability and job opportunities by taking the New York bar exam in July 2004, the California bar in Feb 2005 (which is now 3 bars I have including my first one - Colorado), as well as the exams for admission as a UK solicitor which I just found out I've passed.

I'm finding it hard securing a position back in the UK. Small firms are not interested in lawyers with predominantly US experience and in any event don't pay more than $20,000 anyway (in cost-of-living terms) - even if I got such a job I'd be earning the same as I am right now (in cost-of-living terms) but for fulltime 45hr+ weeks, and still unable to meet the minimum monthly repayments on my loans. Large firms, while they have written back saying they're impressed with my 'qualifications', tell me I lack marketable experience, being either big firm work or the right type of work from a niche firm.

So, with 7 yrs of legal education, 2 three yr law degrees and an LLM, all from top UK and US schools, dual US/UK qualification (licenses), admissions in Colorado, New York, Cal, and now England, and fluency in English and another western EU language (German), I cannot find a job to save my life.

Is there something I'm doing wrong, or is this normal for a lot of folks. I don't really care about having some prestigious law job, just want to be able to pay off my debts and have enough left over to pay a mortgage etc.

Take it easy bro - tough times never last. Am sure you will get something soon. As they say - Biglaw doesnt happen overnight!
Btw, have you tried a professional careers advisor? Sometimes, thats what you need to be able to "package" yourself well.
All the best. Cheers mate!

PS: Most firms like Linklaters and Allen & Overy are currently hiring multi-lingual LLM graduates with a knowledge of competition law to work in some European offices (Germany inclusive, I think). If you took Competition Law in school, go for these opportunities. You can get details from the websites of the Law firms and the pay is out of this world...

Sorry to say this but u r completely fucked..it's a hopeless situation..

CHILDREN LEARN THIS LESSON:
One is an utter fool to make career/educational choices on the sole basis of a relationship/love.

Whoooaaaa......now that's enough to bring me out of retirement from LLM Guide!!!!

Sorry to say this but u r completely fucked..it's a hopeless situation..

CHILDREN LEARN THIS LESSON:
One is an utter fool to make career/educational choices on the sole basis of a relationship/love.

Hm bardiva* you are so young to have already retired- it looks like you only joined in Oct 2005! ;)

Part of the problem is that big law firms either seem to hire through the internship/traineeship track, or lateral hires - with whom they can be very particular in terms of previous experience. So your *story* makes you an unusual case in that you stick out from the usual hires. Law firms always like to hear a story that makes sense. not necessarily one involving your personal life, but that's my guess. I think the problem is going from solo practitioner experience -> a large law firm despite your impressive qualifications. Maybe transition through a smaller but well known firm there? As the other poster said though I wouldn't give up, and it's gonna take time. Good luck with the job search- it's about as fun as finding a place to live. never fun.

Laugh out Loud Sgrl!!!
******* ******* *******
?UnderemployedLawyer?

Id have to repeat the same advice I gave you here http://llm-guide.com/board/7767/last
Although your story surely does change. Is this how you get your kicks?

I feel as though Im wasting my time typing this post. But its a slow day for me. Just finished 30 MBE Contracts and for whatever its worth, heres my $0.02.

Im disappointed though and I wouldn't let it go. One second, you have a green card, the next you dont. Be consistent. There are those here, who really need honest input.

How can you not know how much you really make? $5000.00 is a bit of a big difference (plus or minus benefits). Does your resume/cover letter speak one thing and when you are interviewed you speak another thing?

For the serious at heart. These two books from Amazon (on interviews) appear to be good. 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions & 101 Smart Questions to Ask on Your Interview.