Hi there,

Between all this ups, downs and economic speculation within the US of A, does someone knows for a fact how this is affecting the current legal market up there? I am a Mexican licensed attorney considering to aim for an LLM and as many, eventually sit for a bar exam in Cal or NY, etc, etc I am 30 years old, so I am probably no longer large firm material, although Ill still dare my chances; otherwise maybe try to get a job for small firm for a while and then fly solo The plan looks good in the paper but I would like to hear (read) updated wisdom in this regard.

Does it worth to relocate my family, put my career on hold, along with the financial effort? Are there really chances????

Thanks!

B.A.

Legal market is feeling the recession just like almost everything else. Some firms are not hiring and are actually laying people off, although some firms and practice groups are hit harder than others. If you have GREAT credentials and decent experience you will get a job regardless of the market. Just be aware that real estate, corporate finance, and capital markets are slow right now. If you do something like bankruptcy, criminal work, or immigration and you are not intent on living in LA or NYC you should do great. Lawyers in smaller towns make great livings as generalists, and being bilingual is a great asset for some practices.

I appreciate your feedback miker. Speaking of immigration law, which is an area that I am interested at, I wonder if you or any of the discussion board attendees have reference of an LLM program focused on that area. I have searched throughout LLM Guide and at least here all leads to international law programs that some how review immigration topics, however I would prefer to find something more specific.

Thanks again for your comments, best regards.

B.A.

Hi, I am a lawyer from India, having a practice of 10 years. I wish to do my LLM from US in the field of Mediation/Alternate Disputes resolution. Still looking for the answer to what does it mean "License to practice". Does it mean that i cannot be a mediator if i dont obtain a license from the Bar. I do not wish to concentrate my practice into litigation.

Any guidance from someone

Thanks

"Licensed to practice" in the US means taking and passing a state Bar Exam, which will then give you a license to practice law. In America, you CANNOT practice law without this step. Additionally, each state has its own requirements for allowing an applicant to sit for (take) its Bar exam. I would suggest you first look at the ABA Charts like the one here: http://www.abanet.org/legaled/publications/compguide2005/chart3.pdf to determine where your credentials might allow you to take the exam, and then look more specifically at that state's requirements.

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