Hello I am new here, I actually was conducting a search on good ole' google and came across this forum, and what do you know I am actually going through the registration process for the UoL LLM by DL and all the information I have gathered from here seems to help me in making up my mind if I want to undergo this course or not. Okay, I have an LLB (non US, five years old) and I currently work in the US as a paralegal. I think one of my main reasons for pursuing the LLM is because I want some kind of elevation from my paralegal status into something a little bit more academic, lot less mediocre and with a lot more respect (from attorneys, the job market, etc) and I think an LLM may give me that. However, I may be wrong, I suppose this is where my question lies. Will this aid me in the way which I seek? I can see that most of you have US J.D's, ABA or non-ABA approved, and all sorts of other wonderful qualifications but mine, is a bit more tepid, much respect to my alma mater but in the US, anything that is not US based and Not ABA approved cannot hold water especially in the job market today. So I just need some sort of career advice anyone can offer. Thank you. Oh, and I am also pursuing the course for my personal fulfillment, where I come from an LLM goes with an LLB, like peas in a pod, I think I am about the only one from my graduating class who has not gotten her LLM degree yet.
Correct me if I am wrong, but Nigeria is a common law jurisdiction, isn't it? Some states, notably California, are open to Bar applications from persons receiving their law education from foreign common law jurisdictions. You could obtain a LL.M. from an ABA accredited law school (two semesters full time) and be eligible to become an American lawyer. Alternatively, if you are admitted to practice in Nigeria, several states might permit you to take their Bar exams without further education. Another idea is that, if you are licensed in Nigeria, you could become licensed here as a Foreign Law Consultant. It is NOT necessary to be a U.S. citizen. Lawful presence in the U.S. is generally all that is required.
Yes, you are right, Nigeria is a common law jurisdiction. I almost added that into my response but I did't want it to seem as if I was stating the obvious. Hence my interest in wanting to obtain my LLM from the UoL. And I am also licensed to practice in Nigeria, I went the whole nine yards with my study. I just did not and still do not find it easy to do anything with my qualifications. I have met road blocks from attorneys, recruiters, HR etc. (I assume the economy is to blame, I don't know) Most times I get attorneys that I work for recite to me that I may have the LLB but the JD is what really matters in the US. And since I spent six years of my life going to school to get that I am not ready to do it full time for three years. The LLM is solely my way of knowing I fulfilled my academic obligation to myself and to somewhat assume the "foreign law consultant" status since it helps that I got further study. In the course of my interviews I passed up an associate's bio who had LLB from SA and an LLM from Emory so that gave me the idea to do this. Anyway, I am open to any suggestions, as you can see I need help career wise. If you can point me to the right committee/ association or website, I'll be much obliged. Thank you.
California and Washington State both allow foreign attorneys to take their Bar exams as do several other states. You may well already be qualified to become an American lawyer even without an LL.M. The law license is the thing. How you get it or even what state it's from are much less important considerations than having it. Go to the ABA Section on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar at www.abanet.org for a complete but unofficial listing of each state's requirements. One other thing...I know of at least one Canadian attorney who received an accredited J.D. from the University of New Mexico after only 1-1/2 years of study instead of the usual three years. An American J.D. program might very well give you advanced standing for your Nigerian LL.B. Don't sell your degree short! Good luck!
LLB Ok, let me get this straight. California will permit individuals holding a LLB from the UK to practice [write bar entrance exams] law in their state. Thanks,
Re: LLB Yes and no. Generally speaking, not with JUST an LLB, but with additional legal education (such as an LLM in US Legal Studies, for example.) http://www.malet.com/Bar%20Admission/state_bar_of_california.htm http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/sf_legal-edu-outside-us.pdf http://www.ggu.edu/school_of_law/academic_law_programs/llm_jd_programs/llm_us_legal_studies
No, not necessarily. California will allow ATTORNEYS from foreign jurisdictions to take the Bar exam. The Bar authorities will examine degrees from foreign countries to see if they are equivalent to an American J.D. Bottom line: You can find one page explanations at www.calbar.ca.gov under "bar exam". Correspondence degrees are treated differently from resident degrees. Every non attorney applicant must satisfy their two-year prelegal education requirement.
