Hi everyone! In your home countries would people consider the NY Bar to be more valuable than the CA Bar, or vice versa? It would be even better if you are from Asia, as I am looking to find a job there after my LLM. Thanks!

I think the NY bar qualification is more valuable internationally (and in Asia) because NY law is used more often in cross-border contracts.

NY contract law is preferred as a choice of law provision. California arbitration law is also a preferred choice of law provision. Both have value for overseas counsel, especially if they’re in the ADR space. The NY bar is arguably easier at the moment, although they might change it back to the “old” NY bar exam in a few years and abandon the Uniform Bar Exam. The California bar exam is notoriously tough. You might need an LLM to take either exam, depending on your qualifications right now. If you want to take the NY bar, register with the BOLE and get your paperwork and permission in order now, because sometimes it takes those people a year to grant the permission to sit the exam and they might impose additional requirements like taking an LLM.

I wonder if the BOLE is still reviewing those requests, since their office is closed. I do hope they are working remotely. My file was complete by the of February but I haven't received a reply yet. I am a solicitor in the UK and did an LLM in the US back a few years ago.

I wonder if the BOLE is still reviewing those requests, since their office is closed. I do hope they are working remotely. My file was complete by the of February but I haven't received a reply yet. I am a solicitor in the UK and did an LLM in the US back a few years ago.

[Edited by jwpetterchak on Apr 14, 2020]