Hello there.
I see the previous post of similar subject was quite popular so i hope to acquire many words of wisdom from you here.

I am from the UK and have an LLB and am now going to Oxford University to do their LLM (BCL). After which i would like to work in the USA in a decent firm earning a decent wage.

Should i think about a USA LLM? and even if i did, in a top 20 law school, what are law firms likely to say of my credentials....?

Note that i didnt do my LLB at a top tier institution but i did come top of my class with a first class classification.

Some thoughts on my particular situation or words of general advice for people in similar situations would be great because it seems there are quite a few of us out there trying to break into the US legal market.

My reasons for wanting to work in the USA are family based before anyone asks.

I am an American with an MBA from a top European School, Graduate degree from Columbia, and finishing an LLB up in London (part time).

In my experience working for a multi-national company, law in the US is very school focused. It is not unusual for people to make a snap judgement about you in 10 seconds if you went to a 2nd or 3rd tier law school in the US. You foreign degree will in some ways give you and edge - the school won't factor in to the typical tier system of US schools lawyers use here so you will probably be treated well or extremely well in interviews, especially if you get an LLM from a top US school or a school Americans at least think is solid (Obviously Oxford fits this mold)

Having work in London for four years now I think I have a good feel for both cultures (I spend 1/4 time in the US and travel monthly for work there and also to Asia) - dont underestimate the American focus on 'elite' schools vs. the (in my opinion) UK focus which is more on interview skill, experience, and work ethic.

I know of a few UK LLBs in our US operations that obtained the New York Bar and that gives them good credibility with all but the most elitist law school graduates in the states - with Oxford on top even people that went to a top ten law school here in the US will probably respect you and not give you a hard time in interviews etc.

It is sad in a way the US market is so elitist but it is just the way it is - even today I see Columbia opening doors for me because of perception, even though in reality in many ways my UK LLB has been far, far more work then my US graduate degree from the school.

Good luck!