I graduated from the SCUPS(Southern California University for Professional Studies) last June and got JD. This is a correspondence school but not an accredited school. I studied in Korea by distance learning. I took a California bar exam this Feb and now I'm waiting for a result.
If I pass the bar exam and hence get a license, I 'd like to focus on my specialty and study that for one year. so, I'm thinking of applying for LLM this fall.

I studied social studies at university in Korea and i have no work experience. The reason I decided to go to LLM is that the "brand name" is important in Korea and graduating from an unaccredited school is a handicap to me in finding a good job. so, I need to get into a top law school.

i'm in LA now. Before I apply for LLM, I should decide whether i have to come back to Korea to earn money (I taught English in Korea while preparing for a bar exam) or get a job here as a law clerk or secretary.
1. Is it helpful to get a job as a law clerk or secretary in the states for getting working experience?
2. In my situation, is it possible to get into a top law school if I get a good tofel score? which shool can i apply for?
3. after finishing the LLM, i'd like to get a job in California and get a work experience and then come back to Korea.
will it be possible to get a job in law firm? i mean, will LLM make a difference and give me a help?

Thank you for reading this~~
i'm looking forward to your reply.

First of all, you need a first degree in law in order to apply to an LLM...does a JD from a NOT accredited school meet that requirement??? i'm not quite sure...I suggest that you find that out first.
Secondly, some work experience is necessary...then, the toefl score isn't everything...you can score 300 but t won't take you anywhere only with that.

anyway, good luck!

Congratulations on receiving your JD and your recent completion of the California Bar Examination. Because you have a correspondence law degree, you need to determine what schools would accept such a degree for admission to the LL.M. program. I seriously doubt that a top tier school would accept your degree, but there are other solid law schools that might. What is your immigration status? If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, I believe that you can receive a one year work permit after you graduate from your LL.M program. If you are licensed in California by the time you graduate, given your Korean language skills, you might be able to get a job with a small to medium sized firm in California. I practice criminal law in Southern California and have been told that immigration law is an up and coming area of practice. Good luck.