I'm a resident of Pakistan and I would like some help regarding my future. I'm a first year student of the University of London (external program) LLB in my university (University College Lahore) After competing my degree, I intend to travel to USA, hopefully to practice law since its kinda been a dream for me. I'd like help regarding as to what I should do upon arriving in states? I've done extensive research regarding this matter and I'm confused somewhat. I've read that I need to complete an LLM from an ABA Law school which I have no problem with, but I've also heard that external LLB plus LLM will not allow someone to sit for the NY Bar. I'd like very much if you could help me on this matter, my uncle lives in White Plains and I will be staying with him. My father has been a top class advocate in pakistan for over 30 years now, I'm reasonably confident that I'll get good grades in my degree, I just need help as to what I should do after that. Thank you very much.

Hey,

I understand you have done extensive research but I fail to understand how you have come to a conclusion that an external LLB plus LLM will not allow someone to sit for the NY Bar.

To the best of my knowledge, I am positive an LLM will qualify you for the Bar.

A Masters program in an ABA approved school, post your LLB from Pakistan should definitely make you eligible to sit for the Bar in NYC & California (and a few other states) (provided you take certain specific courses during your LLM- your Law school will guide you regarding this)

Ensure you maintain good grades during your LLB, you have your whole LLB to boost our CV.

Hope this information helps!

All the best.

I'm a resident of Pakistan and I would like some help regarding my future. I'm a first year student of the University of London (external program) LLB in my university (University College Lahore) After competing my degree, I intend to travel to USA, hopefully to practice law since its kinda been a dream for me. I'd like help regarding as to what I should do upon arriving in states? I've done extensive research regarding this matter and I'm confused somewhat. I've read that I need to complete an LLM from an ABA Law school which I have no problem with, but I've also heard that external LLB plus LLM will not allow someone to sit for the NY Bar. I'd like very much if you could help me on this matter, my uncle lives in White Plains and I will be staying with him. My father has been a top class advocate in pakistan for over 30 years now, I'm reasonably confident that I'll get good grades in my degree, I just need help as to what I should do after that. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much for the reply. I've read mixed responses about external LLB plus ABA LLM not being sufficient for NY Bar. Please notice that its external/distance degree, not an internal/on campus one.
Again, thank you for the help and attention.

If your intention of doing an LLM in the US is to take the bar exam only 3 states in US would allow foreign lawyers to take the bar Exam without any prior practice experience or immediately after your Law( LLB /JD )

New York
California
Georgia

Any university that you choose to do LLM will also offer to train you meet the requirements of the bar exam that you want to appear.

You also have option to pursue a 2 year JD for foreign trained lawyers which will allow you to take the bar exam in any of the state in the US but its double the cost of an LLM.

I hope this information helps you.

So distance LLB plus LLM will be enough? Phew, that's a relief. Thanks a ton, God bless. Also, I forgot to mention but I've worked in several law firms as a helper/paralegal.
Double the cost? Hahah, seems like that won't do it for me. Also, which job (part time) can I get with my LLB Degree? My uncle owns a few subway franchises but I'd like a job which is related to Law.

Prior work experience in the sense you must be enrolled at the bar + practice law .

Prior work experience in the sense you must be enrolled at the bar + practice law .

If your intention of doing an LLM in the US is to take the bar exam only 3 states in US would allow foreign lawyers to take the bar Exam without any prior practice experience or immediately after your Law( LLB /JD )

New York
California
Georgia

Any university that you choose to do LLM will also offer to train you meet the requirements of the bar exam that you want to appear.

You also have option to pursue a 2 year JD for foreign trained lawyers which will allow you to take the bar exam in any of the state in the US but its double the cost of an LLM.

I hope this information helps you.

I was waiting for this. :P Like I said, mixed responses. Someone please give me a final answer? I've tried to contact the NY bar but no avail.

I was waiting for this. :P Like I said, mixed responses. Someone please give me a final answer? I've tried to contact the NY bar but no avail.

I was waiting for this. :P Like I said, mixed responses. Someone please give me a final answer? I've tried to contact the NY bar but no avail.

I think that the NY bar is pretty clear on their site; Cali on the other hand is not :p
And even NY, does not clarify whether an external LLB could be compensated by a US LLM :p

You can call NY Bar administrators using this number: +1-518-453-5990. They will be able to clarify the issue

If the goal is to practice in the US, an LLM will be next to useless because very few LLMs get hired by US law firms (e.g. from Harvard Law LLM Class of 2014 less than 10). Somebody already mentioned the 2-year JD -- that would give you better chances of landing a job in the US, with the added benefit of taking the bar in all the states.

JD is pretty expensive like someone pointed out. Plus, the only cheap JD school near me l is Cuny LAW school and they don't offer a 2 year program.

Bump.
I've decided that I'll do a JD program from CUNY law school, its cheap and really close to where I live.
My worries are : I've heard that the legal industry is dying in the states? In Pakistan, just pass the bar and you can join a firm and earn cash. What happen if I pass the bar exam in NY? Will I get a sure fire job, and what are the chances of me being unemployed?

Even within the JD programs you should choose the highest-ranking school you can get admission to since employment outcomes improve as you move up the rankings. With the oversupply of JD grads it won't make much sense to study if your degree won't land you a job anyway.

If you're set on CUNY, you can check their employment outcomes at http://www.law.cuny.edu/career/employment-statistics.html

Even within the JD programs you should choose the highest-ranking school you can get admission to since employment outcomes improve as you move up the rankings. With the oversupply of JD grads it won't make much sense to study if your degree won't land you a job anyway.

If you're set on CUNY, you can check their employment outcomes at http://www.law.cuny.edu/career/employment-statistics.html

Even within the JD programs you should choose the highest-ranking school you can get admission to since employment outcomes improve as you move up the rankings. With the oversupply of JD grads it won't make much sense to study if your degree won't land you a job anyway.

If you're set on CUNY, you can check their employment outcomes at http://www.law.cuny.edu/career/employment-statistics.html

Passing the bar, doesn't it like guarantee you a job there?

.... Then I'd rather practice in Australia. :/ Sorry for wasting your time and thank you for the replies. Have a good day.

I agree with what law01 said. Passing the bar exam simply isn't a guarantee of employment.

That's why it's important to look at the employment outcomes of the school you plan to attend. Generally, the higher up the school is on the rankings (e.g. US News http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings?int=992008), the better your chances of getting a law firm job.