The Ultimate Question.

USlaw22

7 13

Posted Feb 13, 2009 03:23

Can Foreign-Qualified experienced LLM lawyers PRACTICE in any state in the USA?

I'm a Pakistani 18 year old about to embark on my llb degree and here is my plan; please let me know what you think...;)

1. Do my L.L.B from Pakistan or the UK - 3 years or 5 years if i do a 2 year bachelors.
2. Do my L.L.M from the UK - I dunno how long this is gonna take, maybe 2 years - can someone tell me?
3. Practice for 2 years in Pakistan
4. Immigrate to the USA to work there.

Is this possible? any advice will be much appreciated especially if its good ;) thx, cause Im about to start my career.

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jasonjb

22 43

Posted Feb 13, 2009 07:16

I believe you can take the NY and California Bar exams with an LLM from the US only. But, you'll need to check this. I can't imagine that an LLM from the UK would be sufficient.

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isradv

55 109

Posted Feb 13, 2009 07:25

If you wish to take the NY bar exam, you don't need to have LL.M degree, your LL.B will do.

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Ph0b0s

10 20

Posted Feb 13, 2009 11:47

Hi all,

Which bar exam can an international student take with an LL.M degree ?

Thanks in advance.

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Jackross

42 83

Posted Feb 14, 2009 05:28

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USlaw22

7 13

Posted Feb 15, 2009 12:23

hey,

Thanks for the info! - I think I'll just do an integrated B.A/L.L.B from LUMS (Which is a university in Pakistan) and then practice in the capital for a year or two and then apply to the NY or CA Bar test. Doing the L.L.M would just be a waste of time and money......

BUT one further question, - Will I be able to, after passing the NY/CA Bar test, give Bar tests for other states?

Thanks alot all! Really appreciate this forum and all those who contribute. :D

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mav09

48 95

Posted Feb 15, 2009 17:49

hey,

Thanks for the info! - I think I'll just do an integrated B.A/L.L.B from LUMS (Which is a university in Pakistan) and then practice in the capital for a year or two and then apply to the NY or CA Bar test. Doing the L.L.M would just be a waste of time and money......

BUT one further question, - Will I be able to, after passing the NY/CA Bar test, give Bar tests for other states?

Thanks alot all! Really appreciate this forum and all those who contribute. :D

My dear friend,
In your first post you mentioned that your objective is to practice in US, if that is so, then you should look at doing a JD in US rather than pursuing an LLB degree from your country.
You are entitled to sit for the bar in two states namely NY and CA only if the bar committee treats your LLB degree equivalent to the US JD as in the tenure and quality of education. This is highly subjective and depends from one case to another. Please check the respective websites of both the NY and CA bar for specific details.
Merely clearing the bar exam will not ensure you any job in the US. Practice of law is usually territorial in nature and does not have global application, therefore Pakistani LLB won't be of much help if you aim to work and practice in US.
Hope you take a well informed decision.
All the best

<blockquote>hey,

Thanks for the info! - I think I'll just do an integrated B.A/L.L.B from LUMS (Which is a university in Pakistan) and then practice in the capital for a year or two and then apply to the NY or CA Bar test. Doing the L.L.M would just be a waste of time and money......

BUT one further question, - Will I be able to, after passing the NY/CA Bar test, give Bar tests for other states?

Thanks alot all! Really appreciate this forum and all those who contribute. :D</blockquote>
My dear friend,
In your first post you mentioned that your objective is to practice in US, if that is so, then you should look at doing a JD in US rather than pursuing an LLB degree from your country.
You are entitled to sit for the bar in two states namely NY and CA only if the bar committee treats your LLB degree equivalent to the US JD as in the tenure and quality of education. This is highly subjective and depends from one case to another. Please check the respective websites of both the NY and CA bar for specific details.
Merely clearing the bar exam will not ensure you any job in the US. Practice of law is usually territorial in nature and does not have global application, therefore Pakistani LLB won't be of much help if you aim to work and practice in US.
Hope you take a well informed decision.
All the best

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USlaw22

7 13

Posted Feb 16, 2009 10:24

Right, thanks! Where can I find out whether the CA/NY bar recognizes the law degree that I will be pursuing - do I have to e-mail them?

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Jackross

42 83

Posted Feb 17, 2009 23:35

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andybanks

1 1

Posted Mar 11, 2009 10:01

I've been trawling these forums for a while.. perhaps someone can answer the following question. I have an LLB in Scots Law and an LLM in International Law, but have not qualified as a solicitor (in Scotland this requires the Diploma in Legal Practice). Although it seems from most of the content on this site that I would qualify for the NY bar without further study, when filling out the application I am confused by the following requirement. It asks for documentary proof that you have completed the educational requirements to practice law in your home country. Since I haven't completed the Diploma, I can't provide this proof. Can I ignore this part and hope that they will accept my degree based on prior experience or some kind of list of accepted degrees?

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