Hey People.
Does anyone know the advantages of passing the gruelling bar exam either in NY or California, if a person has been already accepted into a Law Firm directly after his LLM? I know the obvious reason is eligibility for private practice (duh!). But what if one just wants to work in the US for a couple of years after LLM and return back to his country of origin? Does passing the bar exam increase your chances of finding employment immediately after graduation? This is just a hypothetical question, the answer to which would serve as a guidance to many prospective LLM applicants, like me, who dont wish to settle in the US permanently but nevertheless would like work for a couple of years to recover their huge investment. Ur answers would be highly appreciated.
Cheers!

My question is, what kind of work will you do in a law firm without having passed an American bar exam? Work as a foreign consultant? I for some reason thought must firms wouldn't hire anyone without a license, but I guess if they have some foreign relations or you have some special skills you can get job. Seems unlikely though, but I don't have much experience in the LLM job hunting process.

As far as I know, law firms that have some sort of foreign/international lawyer program usually dont care whether you've passed the bar in the US. The length of these programs are usually 9 months, and the law firm expects the foreign lawyers to come back to their countries thereafter. I can't say if the law firm will ask you to take the bar in case of an extension. (I believe they do).
I think if you want to stay in the US more than one year you should take the bar. I would definitely increase your chances to get a job (even for a couple of years).
Regards.

I discuss this very question here:

http://www.llm-guide.com/board/31962/last/#last

In sum, I would say three things:
1) Qualifying for the bar does not make it more likely that you get a job (most firms hire people before they have the qualification and expect you to sit it either before or during work);
2) Don't sit the bar without having secured a job (or a strong chance of a job) first; and
3) You don't need the bar to work in a US firm but it will influence the quality of work you get especially in litigation.

Hi Varnieri and Flygirl

How do I get a 9 month foreign associateship. I have never heard of these. I don't want to take the bar but I do want some US work experience. Any advice appreciated.
Thanking you

Hi guys. There is a good blog entry on job hunting
http://www.llm-guide.com/blog/9/93/job-hunting-season

The foreign associateships are hard to get (for example, I got offered a full-time position but rejected for the foreign associateship). They only take people from countries where the firm has an office or business connections. You will be competing against people who have LLMs from the US and possible also the bar. Good luck!
I think Sullivan and Cromwell has one.

I know White&Case, Cleary Gottlieb, and Steptoe & Johnson also have those international/foreign associateship. Take a look at their website for more details about it.

Thanks flygirl and Varnieri! Appreciate the tips

I discuss this very question here:

http://www.llm-guide.com/board/31962/last/#last

In sum, I would say three things:
1) Qualifying for the bar does not make it more likely that you get a job (most firms hire people before they have the qualification and expect you to sit it either before or during work);
2) Don't sit the bar without having secured a job (or a strong chance of a job) first; and
3) You don't need the bar to work in a US firm but it will
influence the quality of work you get especially in litigation.