There are a lot of posts relating to the chances of anyone other than a J.D. from a top school getting a job in the U.S., so sorry in advance for the repetition.

My situation is that I am Canadian; I did a PhD in the US, briefly worked there and returned to Canada. I went to a so-so law school and had good grades and I worked at big firms for a few years up here. I was really working on small files for small clients, my income taxes are incredibly high (as are all taxes in Canada), everything is more expensive and I hate the health care system up here (I'd rather pay because then I might get something for my money). I realized I should have stayed in the US.

I applied to a few firms in NY, but have not heard anything. I want to do an LLM in IP law from Columbia.

My question is do you think that a PhD/Canadian lawyer and patent agent with an LLM might be marketable in the US?

Thanks in advance.

Yes you are marketable in the US. Your problem is your timing. No one is getting jobs in NY at this time. The 2009 grads are just hoping that their offers which were deferred last year will turn into actual jobs this fall. The 2010 grads are accepting offers which are deferred for 12 or 15 months and the 2011 candidates are upset because that means this years grads will be taking next years jobs.
Network network network. Your skills sound very marketable...but you're going to have to find a "personal connection" that can help you land a job in this market.