DL LMM for a foreign sudent

Hi,

I`m a Russian lawyer wishing to obtain a LLM degree from reputable US/UK university by DL.

I have searched the US DL LLMs and come to conclusion that I can not sit for a US Bar exam with US DL LLM.

Then I turned my attention to UK LLMs. However, it seems that situation is the same with them.

So, is there any LLM that can allow taking a bar exam in US? UK?

Any suggestions?

Tx a lot.

 

No.

There is one D/L accredited US LL.M., in international taxation, but in general, those states that allow foreign lawyers to take the Bar exam if they have an LL.M. will not be satisfied with this degree.

There may be some states that will allow you to take the Bar without further education based upon your Russian law license. You will have to contact the Bar examiners of the target state to determine that state's requirements.

 

As you state, generally an US LLM does not premit one to take the bar exam in any US state. I recall someone did this in Texas a few years ago however. I don't know what the circumstances were though. Certainly it is unusual.

California permits foreign law graduates to take the bar, but only from "common-law" juridictions". Russia is, if I am not mistaken, a "civil law system".

In California, an American LLM would exempt one only from the "first year law examination" (the baby bar).

From: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/sf_legal-edu-outside-us.pdf

"Law students who received their legal education outside the United States must establish their eligibility to take the California Bar Examination by showing they have successfully completed the equivalent of two years of undergraduate studies and four years of legal studies in the United States.

Law study completed in a foreign state or country where the common law of England is not the basis of jurisprudence can only be recognized towards the general education requirement
and will not be considered as credit toward satisfying the legal education requirements contained in the Rules.

Law students who have received an LLM degree based on substantive classes from a law school approved by the American Bar Association or accredited by the Committee will be exempt from the requirement of taking and passing the First-Year Law Students' Examination"

"http://www.calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/sf_legal-edu-outside-us.pdf"

My understanding is that a foreign law graduate from a civil law juridiction would have to obtain a first law degree (which can be done by correspondence) to qualify for the California Bar exam. The first law degree can be from any "common-law" jurisdiction, including the UK or SA.

An LLM is not sufficient and unnecessary. A non-US LLM would not even lead to an exemption from the baby bar.

 

Tx for your input.

I also think that JD is what I need now.

 

Keep in mind that in the US each state determines the qualifications for its bar. California is possibly the only state in which one can qualify for the bar with a DL degree.