...as an experienced UK lawyer, is an LL.M worth applying for or would a Bar Exam Prep course be just as useful?

I read that the LL.M is not that respected over in the US, even if it's from a prestigious college, so my wife and I want to know what would be the least costly option to look for work as a lawyer in New York.

Also the University of Buffalo has a cheap LL.M (about $20,000). Is this university worth attending?

Hope you're not that right, as is my will to spend good money in a LL.M from a well-known university here in the US...anyway, I think you could find out many good schools granting generous merit-based scholarships and/or financial aid...it also depends on which subject you want to focus...as you seem to be pretty new on this site, it could be useful to give a look to some law school rankings avaliable above...hope it helped! good luck