Hi all,

Is anyone aware of an online/distance LLM that enables graduates to sit for the NY bar exam? I know Berkeley has one that gives access to the CA bar exam, but not the NY one.

Thanks

An LLM in and of itself does not qualify one to sit the New York bar. They'll look primarily at your first law degree to see how it stacks up against ABA-accredited JD programs, and they'll tell you if you need additional study.

However, if they do ask you to pursue additional study, I'm pretty sure online programs will not cut the mustard.

[quote]No credit is allowed for distance, correspondence or external study or for an on-line program or course.[/quote]
(from the NY bar website.)

No - See Rule 22 NYCRR 520.6

§ 520.6 Study of Law in Foreign Country; Required Legal Education
. . . .
(b) Legal education. The applicant must satisfy the educational requirements of either paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision.
. . . .
(2) The applicant shall show admission to practice law in a country other than the United States whose jurisprudence is based upon principles of English Common Law, where admission was based upon a program of study in a law school and/or law office approved by the government or an authorized accrediting body in such country, or of a political subdivision thereof, and which satisfies the durational requirements of subparagraph (1)(i)(a) but does not satisfy the substantive requirements of subparagraph (1)(i)(b) of this subdivision, and that such applicant has successfully completed an LL.M. degree program at an American Bar Association approved law school in the United States meeting the requirements of subdivision (b)(3) of this section.
. . . .
(3) An LL.M. degree shall be satisfactory to qualify an applicant otherwise meeting the requirements of subsections (b)(1)(ii) or (b)(2) to take the New York State bar examination provided the following requirements are met:
. . . .
(v) all coursework for the program shall be completed at the campus of an American Bar Association approved law school in the United States, except as otherwise expressly permitted by subdivision (b)(3)(vii);
. . . .
(viii) No credit shall be allowed for correspondence courses, on-line courses, courses offered on DVD or other media, or other distance learning courses.