Hi.

I am a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in the Philippines. After graduation I left the country to come to the US to marry my fiance. So, i was not able to take the Philippine Bar Exam. Now, I am living Maryland near Baltimore City.

I wanted to be a lawyer in the US in the future. I have inquired into the NY Bar Exam on Foreign Legal Education but its not clear to me if they would allow a foreign law graduate who is NOT a lawyer to sit for the bar.

I wish to know if I have any chance to qualify for the NY Bar Exam even if I am not a lawyer and if there is any possible remedy to the same.

Your thoughts are deeply appreciated. Thank you very much! :) May God bless you all.

Philippine Law Graduate (LL.B.)

Thank you very much for that significant info Harsha. I am not registered in the Bar back in the Philippines because I was not able to take the Bar Exam since a week after graduation, I immediately flew here in the US. I just have completed the 4-year LL.B. degree.

So, if I study LLM program at any ABA Approved Law School in the US, would that give me any chance to sit for the NY Bar after completion of the study?

I really appreciate your thoughts about this.

Thank you very much.

Anytime!! :)

Yup,definitely!!
That would give you a perfect chance,so don't delay,apply for the program...this is the perfect time to apply..get ready with things and apply ASAP!!

Gud luck!!

Thank you very much for that significant info Harsha. I am not registered in the Bar back in the Philippines because I was not able to take the Bar Exam since a week after graduation, I immediately flew here in the US. I just have completed the 4-year LL.B. degree.

So, if I study LLM program at any ABA Approved Law School in the US, would that give me any chance to sit for the NY Bar after completion of the study?

I really appreciate your thoughts about this.

Thank you very much.

That's so nice of you Harsha. I am very pleased by your information. I'm very happy to know that.

If you don't mind, how did you know that?

Thank you :)

Hahaha- I am a recent law graduate from India.I joined LLM here in US as soon as I finished my Bachelor's in Law..I also skipped the bar exam and didn't register in the local bar back home...

That's so nice of you Harsha. I am very pleased by your information. I'm very happy to know that.

If you don't mind, how did you know that?

Thank you :)

Hahaha! That's great! It's really good to know that you're an Asian! I have some brothers and sisters in India from the organization Junior Chamber International.

If that's the case, then i might to apply for an LLM Program at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

So, you are presently studying an LLM program? From what school or State? Di you also take the TOEFL Test as required for foreign applicants where English is not there primary language? If you don't mind :)

Wow! That's great Harsha!

It's good to learn that's TOEFL is not a must if English is the primary language used in academic institutions. We used English as the medium of instruction from day care, elementary, high school to college programs. Well, I hope to qualify for the TOEFL waiver. If not, then I need to take the test. Was it difficult? Hahaha! :)

Did you submit a foreign evaluation form online at the NYBOLE website? I did submit mine but I think I need to submit the required documentation first before they start reviewing it.

Thanks :)

Oh that's so great of you to have the TOEFL waiver :)

So, where did you submit your law school transcripts and class ranking? To the New York State Board of Law Examiners or to the law school where have your LLM?

What do you mean by "class ranking"? Do you mean the grading system? Since in the US education system, 5 is the highest grade while 1 is the lowest WHILE the Philippines, 1 is the highest grade while 5 is the lowest.

Thank :)

Thank you very much Harsha for this very detailed and useful information and thoughts. I deeply appreciate it :) Is it okay to post some more questions when something pops up in my mind soon about NY Bar and LLM? Hahaha! Seems like I'm abusing already LOL! :) I hope you don't mind :)

Dhanyavaad Harsha :)

I've researched that in google to say thank you in your language. I hope its correct :) I am really happy with your info :)

Thank you very much Harsha :)

Oh that's good so that I don't need to have my law school convert my grades to US GPA grading system :)

By the way, what kind of transcript do i need to submit to NY Bar? The law transcript that includes my Political Science Degree or just my law degree?

Oh by the way, have you applied for financial aid or you are a scholar?

Thank you :) I'm sorry If I have a lot of questions :( I just wish to learn more about this matter before taking any steps further.

Oh that is good! Thank you for that :) I appreciate it so much!

What field in LLM are you pursuing this time? What are your plans after completing it?

I tried to call the NY State of Board of Law Examiners but the answer is just automated. I wish to talk directly to its office staff to inquire further about some matters regarding NY Bar Exam eligibility requirements.

By the way, what legal system you have in India? In the Philippines, we have mixed Civil Law and English Common Law.

That's awesome!

I always wish to work with the UN. I might want to take up International and Comparative Law in the LLM.

As of now, I am still searching for a job here in Maryland particularly in Baltimore Area. I have a degree in Political Science and Master in Public Administration.

I always dream of working with the Federal Government in the future :) Hahaha!