AmLaw on the coming law firm hiring crisis: The big firm market is heading toward a hiring and retention crisis unlike any other.

http://www.law.com/jsp/tal/PubArticleTAL.jsp?id=1202428236375

Has anyone with Indian LLB degree ONLY has taken CA bar?

Hi NRI,

You said"
some Universities like Howard University in Washington DC, prepares its LL.M. students very well to pass the DC Bar Exam in first attempt after LL.M. in Comparative Law."

I am considering to go to Howard next year, but I am not sure they will allow me to pick the American general law courses which is definitely qualified to take DC Bar Exam. If I am selected for comparative law, can I take DC Bar Eaxm? Can a LL.M student in comparative law take DC Bar?
I thought only the American general law student who has got 26 credits can take DC Bar Exam.
How can I find the relevant info?

Thank you so much!!!
Any info about my quesiton will be highly appreciated.

Mathematically, your prospects are as follows: 0 + 0 = 0.00

and....why would you send your resume to that certain Mr. Gulati (why does he need to see anybody's resume and personal information to answer such an evident question?).

I have earned my LL.M. (International & Comparative law) from Southern Methodist University and also passed the New York State Exam in July 2007. I found it extremely difficult to find a job in the U.S., despite my excellent credentials. I was working for a reputed MNC in India and also secured 1st Rank in my LL.B program.

However, on comming back to India, I found the job propsects, extremely good. I secured a position in the same company company 2 levels up and my salary was trebled.

The bottomline - In India, your US degree, is reallly coveted and acts as an escalator to reach the top position in your career. Whereas in US, you will either not get a job, or else you will be working in a small immigration firm, filing papers and filling in forms at a meagre salary. I would prefer the former :):)

The US legal market booms. 300 new jobs in May.

http://www.biglaw.org/news/show/3386/us-legal-sector-gains-300-jobs-in-may

Hi All,

I am an Indian attorney, just passed CA bar. My moral character determination is pending. I would appreciate suggestions on how to start my career here in US. I would need a H1 sponsor too as I am on Dependent visa. I am thinking to start doing some pro-bono work till I get my license.

Any suggestions on how to go about it now.

Can anyone tell me honestly, how is the job market for international students with an LL.M. shaping in the US. I know the situation was very bad last couple of years back, but is the market reviving now? I have some LL.M. offers from some of the best law schools in CA and I am waiting for responses of the ivy-league ones. But I need to know about the job market before I make any decision.

@ ac2930: Congrats on getting the admission offers. I can understand the fix you are in. Spending so much money with no promise of return is just dreadful. Even though I was most keen on a US LLM, I applied to UK because of the economic situation and cost factor.

One of my good friends, and senior completed her LLM from Harvard and she couldn't find any jobs. She is one the top three students at the best institution in our country (the one all magic circle firms flock to for recruitment) and a gold medalist. She had accepted a job offer from Clifford Chance before going for her LLM. Inspite of having a dream job offer, she was keen to work in the US (she isn't very fond of living in the UK.) All the law firms told her that her credentials were excellent, but they were not hiring right then and she should check back in a year or two. Thankfully, she is working with Clifford Chance, so she can to pay off her loan and her LLM is not a burden.

Unfortunately, not all of us have the cushioning of a reputed law firm job after our LLM, so it would be wise to consider all these things before jumping the gun. However, I must add that for all the unsuccessful stories, there are a few successful ones as well. Who knows, you might be able to ride through the storm and come out a winner.

All the best.

I think one who's working in an international law firm in its own country has more chance to find a job in the US after an LL.M.

hello all..

i have done five year law course from a recognized university of India and have a work experience of 5 years in corporate. I am also pursuing a recognized course of Company Secretary. My fiance is on a H1 visa and i will be shifting to US post marriage. I am trying to explore the future in the same field. I would appreciate if any one can help me with the following queries.
1. Do i need to do Masters to work in US or i can directly appear for CA or NYC bar exams
2. Can i take up the bar exam on H4 visa status ?
3. which would be the better option in LLM and Paralegal certificate course.
4. i understand that in order to work in US, i would need a work authorization/sponsorship, how are the job opportunity in terms of sponsored jobs for a LLM / Paralegal certificate holder.
5. are there any special courses which can be opted by a foreign student and can avail a work authorization?

kindly help.

My 2 cents on this post are as follows:

1. To work in the US long-term you are realistically going to need to pursue a JD. In this economy (likley to continue this way for the next 4-5 years) and with the current glut of highly qualified attorneys, foreign attorneys will have a VERY hard time. Many JD graduates from decent schools (those in the top 30 or 40) do not have jobs despite having been very aggresive in their pursuing potential employers.

2. Only get an LLM (as opposed to a JD) if you know for certain that you will be returning to your country. If you are lucky and are coming form an elite business oriented law school (i.e. Harvard, Columbia, NYU) and are from the "right" country (i.e. a country with which certain global firms are currently doing a lot of business (Brazil for instance) you might find temporary employment as a "foreign associate".

3. NY and California Bars are very difficult (i.e. 30% passage rate) if you do not take the required first year law courses. As an LLM you will not take all the first year courses and hence have a good chance of failing the Bar.

4. The US legal market is extremly competitive, the most competitive market in the world. Attorneys are paid more (at the high end) than anywhere else, but the competition is tremendous.

Most people will ignore this post regardless of the difficulties and likley pursue and LLM in any case. Perhaps, however, you will remember this post once you have completed your LLM in the US and cannot find decent employment. Best of luck.

I know there has been a lots of discussion in the past about job prospect for Foreign Attorney in the US. I am still going to post this question, as every one's circumstances is different.

I am a qualified UK solicitor, specialising in employment law and discrimination. I am in the process of applying to be licensed as a Special Foreign Consultant in DC. I started looking for employment a week ago, and found that there is practically no demand for my expertise. I guess the down side is that I have no US working experience. So, I am thinking of applying for the LLM in Howard U.

Would a LLM help me to gain employment in the US? As it is a lot to invest, I believe next year it will cost $28,000 for fees.

Alternatively, should I just take the DC Bar exam?

Any thought and opinion or experience is appreciated.

Try to take the DC bar.

what you plan to specialise in LLM?

If you are physically located in DC, you could:

(a) Visit more than one of the law schools in the DC area. Talk with faculty, staff, and quite importantly their LL.M. career advisors. Explain your situation and ask their advice.

(b) At different DC area LL.M. programs, also talk with current LL.M. students, and find out what sorts of career decisions they are making.

(c) Contact people from the UK who hold US LLM degrees and who work in DC (or the city in which you want to live and work). Ask them their experience. You can find out who these people are through the LLM programs in DC (they can put you in touch with their alumni). Also, you can check Westlaw, Martindale-Hubbell, Lexis, and other online databases on which you can search for lawyers/attorneys.

(d) Contact some headhunters (legal recruiting firms) in DC. Ask their opinion.

(e) When making a decision, take into account the credibility of those who offered advice.

Good luck!