Hi,

I am from India and intend to move to USA. I have done LLB from India and have been practicing law for over five years now. Here are few questions that I have before pursuing for this:
(1) If I do LLM from USA, would I be eligible to do a job here.
(2) How difficult/easy would it be for me to get a job here after finishing LLM.

Thank you.

(1) If I do LLM from USA, would I be eligible to do a job here.

(2) How difficult/easy would it be for me to get a job here after finishing LLM.

Thank you for such a prompt reply.

I need to clarify one more thing on my first question. I was talking to a friend of mine recently and this is what she told me:

"After finishing LLM one can practice law in few of the USA states only. Some states require you to have JD degree from USA itself. Also, in some states you will not be eligible to even take bar exam if you haven't done JD from here"

Let me know how you infer this.

Thank you again.

It is very hard for a LL.B. graduate from India, as one of the main challenge is to get a work visa. Studying for the LL.M. is very expensive and you will be frustrated, after spending so much money ad effort and not getting a job.

If you are able to study in the top 10 law schools in the US, there may be some chance to get a job, but still not very easy.

Most LL.M. Programs in the US are money making schemes for lot of law schools. Most of the career service office of the law school give the least priority to help the foriegn LL.M. students and they will probably say that LL.M.'s are supposed to go back to their home countries.

If you are getting a full scholarship, then I would suggest to pursue your LL.M., at least you will not loose your money, in pursuing, the LL.M. degree.

I would consider, it is a miracle, if a person gets a good job as an associate in a reputed lawfirm with a LL.M. :) :)

Gupta,

It's very simple. We have 50 states in the United States. Each state has its own requirements for admission to the bar. Only a very few states accept an LL.M as meeting the legal education requirement for admission. Basically, unless you have a JD, you will only be able to obtain a law license in a few states, California and New York being the main ones.

The main problem is obtaining a work visa. After the LL.M, you can get a one year work visa. After that, you will need to be sponsored for a visa. This is a very difficult process.

Did you know that because you are a licensed attorney you are eligible to take the California bar examination without any further legal education in the US. Something to consider.

Thank you for th reply.

Taking just the CA bar could be another option. Would certainly save me a lot of time(may be) and money. For this option, I believe I will have to come to USA first and study and take the test. I am not sure if I could take it from India itself.

You can study for the test in India if you want. Many bar review courses allow you to take the course online. You can also come to California on a tourist visa about 75 days before the exam and attend a bar review course live with other students. You would need to find a place to live if you did this though. You have to take the exam in California at one of several locations.

I would suggest buy the barbri books on ebay and study on your own in India and then take the exam.

If your intention is to be a U.S. licensed Attorney, take the New York Bar, cheaper to take costs about $250, whereas California bar is about $500. The prerequsites for taking the New York Bar is pretty easy. I think the California Bar entails lot of paper work.

But wouldn't New York require an LL.M while California, because OP is already an attorney, would not. The savings is not having to spend the money for an LL.M.

Not necessary, if you are from a common law country. India is a common law country.