Foreign lawyer in the US? You don't need LLM.


smartguy

Golden words, Kem.
My smart and simple advice to international lawyers: don't waiste $30,000!
Come here, pass the Bar and start your own practice.
Be your own boss, grow and succeed and you'll have friends all over the world... for free :-)

Golden words, Kem.
My smart and simple advice to international lawyers: don't waiste $30,000!
Come here, pass the Bar and start your own practice.
Be your own boss, grow and succeed and you'll have friends all over the world... for free :-)
quote
rockierzh

Hi, "smartguy", you are really "smart". I only have one question:

for foreign lawyers without exposure to the US legal system, how to prepare the CA bar exam? Please share with us some of your ideas in the bar review. Tons of thanks.

Hi, "smartguy", you are really "smart". I only have one question:

for foreign lawyers without exposure to the US legal system, how to prepare the CA bar exam? Please share with us some of your ideas in the bar review. Tons of thanks.
quote
smartguy

You don't need any exposure to US law. I assume you are all here as smart as me. My advise is simple: purchase BarBri study materials and study 8 hours/day with it for 2-3 months and you'll pass this exam.Trust me: you don't have to have any practical legal experience in the US to pass this exam.

You don't need any exposure to US law. I assume you are all here as smart as me. My advise is simple: purchase BarBri study materials and study 8 hours/day with it for 2-3 months and you'll pass this exam.Trust me: you don't have to have any practical legal experience in the US to pass this exam.
quote
rockierzh

I really hope so as I have heard about a lot of comments as to the difficulty of the bar exam, in particular the required practical experience. If all we need is just Barbri, life could be much more easier. Thanks a lot , man.

I really hope so as I have heard about a lot of comments as to the difficulty of the bar exam, in particular the required practical experience. If all we need is just Barbri, life could be much more easier. Thanks a lot , man.
quote
IntLaw

This discussion board was so much informative and fun too at the same time. Thanks all and thanks SmartGuy for being the 'de facto' host.

This discussion board was so much informative and fun too at the same time. Thanks all and thanks SmartGuy for being the 'de facto' host.
quote

Thank you smart guy for all the information in here. So, first, the CA Bar, after that MA Bar.. because I'm living in MA. Keep in touch.
KG

Thank you smart guy for all the information in here. So, first, the CA Bar, after that MA Bar.. because I'm living in MA. Keep in touch.
KG
quote
olivia

If I attain an LLB from the University of London through the 2 year full time external program, can I still be admitted to CA without an LLM? Thanks.

If I attain an LLB from the University of London through the 2 year full time external program, can I still be admitted to CA without an LLM? Thanks.
quote
Kira

Hi everyone,

I have a question: what if I have LLB (3 years) but I got it on-line (distance learning) - can I sit for BAR in any states?

Thanks a lot....

Hi everyone,

I have a question: what if I have LLB (3 years) but I got it on-line (distance learning) - can I sit for BAR in any states?

Thanks a lot....
quote
smartguy

my answer to both of you ladies: remember CA admits foreign ATTORNEYS (no matter what foreign jurisdiction you're admitted in), NY admits foreign legal graduates with 3 years equivalent law degree from common law countries. Even if your law degree is from UK, I wouldn't be so sure about online (correspondence) studies and I incline to say no rather than yes just because it wouln't be substantially equivalent to 3 years JD degree program in any of the US ABA accredited law schools. You'd have to submit your diploma for evaluation to NY Board of Law Examiners. see more here: http://www.nybarexam.org/
I hope this helps.

my answer to both of you ladies: remember CA admits foreign ATTORNEYS (no matter what foreign jurisdiction you're admitted in), NY admits foreign legal graduates with 3 years equivalent law degree from common law countries. Even if your law degree is from UK, I wouldn't be so sure about online (correspondence) studies and I incline to say no rather than yes just because it wouln't be substantially equivalent to 3 years JD degree program in any of the US ABA accredited law schools. You'd have to submit your diploma for evaluation to NY Board of Law Examiners. see more here: http://www.nybarexam.org/
I hope this helps.



quote
IntLaw

SmartGuy,

Thanks! One more question.

I am from India and India is a commonwealth country and the legal ed is based on British Common Law system. It is also a 3 year LLB course. Can I sit for NY bar with the Indian LLB degree?

SmartGuy,

Thanks! One more question.

I am from India and India is a commonwealth country and the legal ed is based on British Common Law system. It is also a 3 year LLB course. Can I sit for NY bar with the Indian LLB degree?
quote
smartguy

I would think you can as all Israeli law graduates are allowed to take NY exam and Israel is even not purely common law country.. All you have to do is to send your legal credentials to NY Board of Law examiners for evaluation. They are the authority to determine whether to allow you to sit for NY bar exam or to study LLM.
Good luck!

SmartGuy,

Thanks! One more question.

I am from India and India is a commonwealth country and the legal ed is based on British Common Law system. It is also a 3 year LLB course. Can I sit for NY bar with the Indian LLB degree?

I would think you can as all Israeli law graduates are allowed to take NY exam and Israel is even not purely common law country.. All you have to do is to send your legal credentials to NY Board of Law examiners for evaluation. They are the authority to determine whether to allow you to sit for NY bar exam or to study LLM.
Good luck!

<blockquote>SmartGuy,

Thanks! One more question.

I am from India and India is a commonwealth country and the legal ed is based on British Common Law system. It is also a 3 year LLB course. Can I sit for NY bar with the Indian LLB degree? </blockquote>
quote
IntLaw

Thanks SmartGuy. U r very helpful, as always!

Thanks SmartGuy. U r very helpful, as always!
quote

Smart guy,
I'm living at MA. Taking the Cal Bar would asure my MA Bar? I mean, having the Cal Bar would be like a requirement to take other state Bar exams.. like MA Bar?
Thanks a lot!! a lot a lot!!
KG

Smart guy,
I'm living at MA. Taking the Cal Bar would asure my MA Bar? I mean, having the Cal Bar would be like a requirement to take other state Bar exams.. like MA Bar?
Thanks a lot!! a lot a lot!!
KG
quote
smartguy

Smart guy,
I'm living at MA. Taking the Cal Bar would asure my MA Bar? I mean, having the Cal Bar would be like a requirement to take other state Bar exams.. like MA Bar?
Thanks a lot!! a lot a lot!!
KG

I don't think CA bar will help you a lot with MA bar except the following:
1) With CA license you'd be able to practice federal law (immigration, bankruptcy, TM, patents, SS etc) outside of CA throughout the US.
2) You may want to check if MA has reciprocity with CA meaning whether MA admits CA attorneys without bar exam which i seriously doubt.
3) Most of the states require its bar applicants to take MBE as part of their bar exam so there is a slight chance that MA will recognize your MBE score taken in CA for MA bar exam purpose and you will not have to take it twice.

<blockquote>Smart guy,
I'm living at MA. Taking the Cal Bar would asure my MA Bar? I mean, having the Cal Bar would be like a requirement to take other state Bar exams.. like MA Bar?
Thanks a lot!! a lot a lot!!
KG</blockquote>
I don't think CA bar will help you a lot with MA bar except the following:
1) With CA license you'd be able to practice federal law (immigration, bankruptcy, TM, patents, SS etc) outside of CA throughout the US.
2) You may want to check if MA has reciprocity with CA meaning whether MA admits CA attorneys without bar exam which i seriously doubt.
3) Most of the states require its bar applicants to take MBE as part of their bar exam so there is a slight chance that MA will recognize your MBE score taken in CA for MA bar exam purpose and you will not have to take it twice.


quote
Kira

Hi guys,

Does anybody know if it is possible to be sat for BAR (in any state) after LLM distance studying?

Thanks a lot for any suggestions...

Hi guys,

Does anybody know if it is possible to be sat for BAR (in any state) after LLM distance studying?

Thanks a lot for any suggestions...
quote

Dear Smartguy and Others,

I seek some advice.

I am an Indian National with 30 years of practice in India.

I wish to practice law in US. As per what I read in this Newgroup, one doesn't need to do LLM in order to take the Bar exam. And I believe this applies only the states of NY and CA.

1. Would a non US resident be allowed to take this bar exam?
2. After one clears the exam, what are the possiblities of getting hired by a Lawyer who can provide an H1B visa, to stay and practice in US?
3. Could you refer me to websites of CA and NY Bar association?

Thanks a bunch,
Singh

Dear Smartguy and Others,

I seek some advice.

I am an Indian National with 30 years of practice in India.

I wish to practice law in US. As per what I read in this Newgroup, one doesn't need to do LLM in order to take the Bar exam. And I believe this applies only the states of NY and CA.

1. Would a non US resident be allowed to take this bar exam?
2. After one clears the exam, what are the possiblities of getting hired by a Lawyer who can provide an H1B visa, to stay and practice in US?
3. Could you refer me to websites of CA and NY Bar association?

Thanks a bunch,
Singh
quote
lawgirl7

I think that the state bar registration will require a social security number as per new rules. I don't know when that's going to take effect, but I know that the State Bar of California requires a social security number for registration which becomes your registration number. Not sure of other states' requirements but I'm only speaking for myself.

I think that the state bar registration will require a social security number as per new rules. I don't know when that's going to take effect, but I know that the State Bar of California requires a social security number for registration which becomes your registration number. Not sure of other states' requirements but I'm only speaking for myself.
quote
smartguy

I think that the state bar registration will require a social security number as per new rules. I don't know when that's going to take effect, but I know that the State Bar of California requires a social security number for registration which becomes your registration number. Not sure of other states' requirements but I'm only speaking for myself.

SSNumber has nothing to do with immigration.
SS will allocate SS number to foreigner if he can prove he is required to provide one. See SS website for details.

<blockquote>I think that the state bar registration will require a social security number as per new rules. I don't know when that's going to take effect, but I know that the State Bar of California requires a social security number for registration which becomes your registration number. Not sure of other states' requirements but I'm only speaking for myself.</blockquote>
SSNumber has nothing to do with immigration.
SS will allocate SS number to foreigner if he can prove he is required to provide one. See SS website for details.
quote
Vika

I don't think CA bar will help you a lot with MA bar except the following:
1) With CA license you'd be able to practice federal law (immigration, bankruptcy, TM, patents, SS etc) outside of CA throughout the US.

Smartguy, can I ask you to give me reference as to where can I find more info about eligibility to practice federal law?
Thank you

I don't think CA bar will help you a lot with MA bar except the following:
1) With CA license you'd be able to practice federal law (immigration, bankruptcy, TM, patents, SS etc) outside of CA throughout the US.

Smartguy, can I ask you to give me reference as to where can I find more info about eligibility to practice federal law?
Thank you
quote
smartguy


Smartguy, can I ask you to give me reference as to where can I find more info about eligibility to practice federal law?
Thank you

see this overview of "federal bankruptcy law practice exception":
http://www.phillipsnizer.com/pdf/Article-ChaitmanBusBnkrptcy10-02.pdf
#search='attorney%20allowed%20to%20practice%20federal%20law'

I will look further for more info.

<blockquote>
Smartguy, can I ask you to give me reference as to where can I find more info about eligibility to practice federal law?
Thank you</blockquote>
see this overview of "federal bankruptcy law practice exception":
http://www.phillipsnizer.com/pdf/Article-ChaitmanBusBnkrptcy10-02.pdf
#search='attorney%20allowed%20to%20practice%20federal%20law'

I will look further for more info.
quote

Reply to Post

Other Related Content

Working in Big Law: What is it Really Like?

Article Oct 23, 2018

The paychecks are lavish, but the work can be punishing