Hi,
I needed to know how good the job market is in the states. I am an Indian and plan to pursue my LLM from a good law school in the US. Though, I am told that as per the rules I will be eligible to write the bar for NY, California and Florida.
But am still unaware about how good the job scene is? I mean do forgeiners like me get absorbed real fast? or do you have to really hunt around?
Any suggestions are welcome
Thanks

I'm in the same position as you - a foreigner interested in studying for an LLM in the US and working there afterwards. What sort of LLM are you interested in. I'd like to do sth in international trade.

let's hope we get sum positive answers

Hi Norah,
I am interested in an LLM in corporate law, however, I really want to study Public International Law as well, so I might just combine both these subjects and do a general LLM.

I am from India and in my final year at Law School, am thinking of working for 2 years before I apply to the US.
What about you?

I too is keen to do LLM in corporate law from good collge and settle in US can some can tell me of good college and chance for job after LLM I have done LLB from India and now working in a law firm

Hi,
I needed to know how good the job market is in the states. I am an Indian and plan to pursue my LLM from a good law school in the US. Though, I am told that as per the rules I will be eligible to write the bar for NY, California and Florida.
But am still unaware about how good the job scene is? I mean do forgeiners like me get absorbed real fast? or do you have to really hunt around?
Any suggestions are welcome
Thanks

We've kind of moved past this topic already. For starters try revisiting http://llm-guide.com/board/7854/last

You may find some useful information( articles/links etc) @
http://www.livejournal.com/users/llm_girl/

As per eligibility for the Florida bar exam as an LLM graduate, read the entry made at 6:22PM - Information for Foreign Lawyers.

Read here for California's requirements to sit for the bar exam:
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/sf_legal-edu-outside-us.pdf

Getting a LLM in the United States doesn't automatically qualify you to take the California bar. It is not impossible, but you must meet all of the requirements and the California bar must determine that all of your legal education is sufficient (from your home country and also the LLM). An LLM definitely helps though.

As far as the job market, I am currently a American LLM student at NYU. From what I've found in being here, there are many foreign LLM students who want to stay here and practice, and not many jobs for foreign students. Most all American law firms want attorneys with JDs. You can increase your chances of gettting a job by passing a bar exam in the United States (California or New York being the most desireable), but it still doesn't guarantee a job. The legal job market in the US is very competitive right now and it has been tough to get a good job for several years now, even for American JD students. I have seen some jobs for foreign LLMs in New York, but they are either a short-term program (say 3 months in the summer) or they are unpaid.

All of that being said, I am sure it is not impossible. But it will be very difficult.

Hi , I am from Golden gate university, san francisco, california. i am doing a llm here. it's a general llm in US legal studies. The california bar does permit foreign lawyers to sit for the bar exam but you need to complete the required credits that are similar to the JD students. I did a graduate in law and a masters in law from nepal in commercial law. I am still in the first semester but what i have learnt till date that the law schools actually prepares their students for the bar exam in terms of their reputation too. so i would suggest first to go for a llm. Once you have one the options are wide open. Besides, the job oppertunity for foreign lawyers still seem slim. However, there is a great scope for those interested in llm in patent, IP, Commercial etc. I would say NO for criminal law and civil law.

I think you'd better go back to your home country and work in an international law firm which is less competitive than in U.S.
Although you get paid less than in U.S., but it's better to be in your motherland.

i don't think you're allowed to take the Florida bar as a foreign attorney, N_sharma. I know that 16 states let you take their bar exam, including CA, NY and AZ. But definitely not Florida.

You are right about Florida. However the rules in AZ have changed. They no longer accept foreign attorneys (even if you have the LLM). How do I know? I am one of the rocks the builders' rejected!

i don't think you're allowed to take the Florida bar as a foreign attorney, N_sharma. I know that 16 states let you take their bar exam, including CA, NY and AZ. But definitely not Florida.

oh, didn't know about this revision. thanks for letting me know! but surely they let you in via reciprocity rules, or even thats a no-no? anyhow, since new york and california are two states that most foreign lawyers will (in comparison to other states) find jobs suited to their past backgrounds, if at all, I think those are the best options as far as taking bar exams are concerned. agreed, it may be hard to pass these tests, but its not impossible.

People,

I now this looks bleak and has been covered before. But what do you think really are the chances to secure a job if you graduated from a Top 5 / Top 10 LL.M program and made some networking ?

Let's say NYU - what are the chances and what programs are better to secure a job ?

TAX LLM = very good, but mostly for J.D's ?

Corporate LLM = Good, but too many students ?

Trade Regulation with IP concentration = Any jobs for this market ?

Thanks, let's open this discussion....

I think chances of getting a job in the US are not many. Not only because of the slow down in the economy this year but also because it has always been extremely difficult. You need to be lucky. However, I think that people with a corporate background (who also network) have some opportunities to get at least interviews. To go further than that you need to have worked for a very well know firm in your country which hopefully has participated in big cases with a US law firm. You need that the partners of your former law firm or big clients you have interacted with, help you in the process by making connections with the law firms in the US where you intend to apply for a position. Persistence might also lead you to find a job.

Thanks very much. From your answer I gather that it would be best to study a corporate LL.M if my primary goal is to somehow secure a job in the states... which it is.

The job market is close to impossible right now with the credit crunch and all the economic slow down. I would recommend not counting on finding a job and if you do, well you are very lucky.

In terms of what you will have to do to find a law firm job - just about everything (suckup to everyone, send thousands of e-mails, climb building, cross rivers, etc). This was my experience coming from arguably the best LLM program in the country.

Peace.

The job market right now is downright atrocious. Lots of JD's from good schools without job offers, so it seems very unlikely that a lot of LLM grads will get jobs. Just so people don't spend a fortune on something expecting it to be easy finding a job afterwards. This is not the case now, and it has never really been the case. I got a job afterwards, but it paid crap money, and I was happy to move home this summer and make close to the big bucks without having to bill an insane amount of hours.

However, good luck to all you! You may get lucky.

Unless you pass the bar, you might get an internship and only if you have previous experience. Your university will love you the first weeks while they get all your money, later they will tell you that you need to go back to your country and get a job.
I agree that you have to be realistic and not think that you will get a job instantly... they will tell you at the University that your LLM is an opportunity to enhance your knowledge... that is it! Nobody will help you find a job.... and taking the bar is not that simple either... lots of requirements and endurance, check the NCBEX website to see exactly how many states will let you sit as a foreign lawyer with an LLM from USA , not too many as far as I could interpret, NY and DC that is it.

can anyone else shed light on finding a big firm job after LLM? i'm contemplating doing the LLM in a top 15 school (and hope to graduate top 25% of the class or higher) starting 2009... but if the prospects are so bleak, then I may reconsider..

The best way to find out about that is to contact law firms/companies you are interested in and ask them whether they would be interetsed in you + I would advise you to check job postings for LLM grads online and at your University.

My understanding is that finding a job with a LLM is incredibly hard for foreigners now, and possibly it will be so in 2009-2010..

I want to make a LLM because I am thinking of going to my home country upon graduation.