A better route to practicing law in the U.S.

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by SouthernGent, Sep 19, 2011.

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  1. Right now I think only California, Georgia, and New York are the states that will allow a person to sit for the bar with a foreign JD/LLB and US LLM.
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    There are others. The National Committee of Bar Examiners publishes an annual freely downloadable Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements (PDF).

    This is an area that can be very tricky. Once a state potentially interests you, be sure to speak with their state bar examiners to get the real deal.
     
  3. Laterbloomer

    Laterbloomer New Member

    Virginia is one of the few states that still allows a person to read the law. Is this a possibility for you?
     
  4. corry1222

    corry1222 New Member

    is this still active? I am doing UOL LLB (External) and working as contract and compliance manager at a legal department in a MNC. My boss actually encouraged me to complete my law degree and sit for the bar exam as she said I have a potential to be a lawyer. I am an immigrant and moved to US around 1.5 year ago. I started my LLB before my move so it makes no sense for me to give it up now and get a JD. I am living in WA state and after checking the guide provided by Steve, I am still a little confused.

    Are graduates of foreign law schools eligible for admission? YES
    If graduates of foreign law schools are eligible for admission by examination under your rules, are any of the follow required?
     
  5. corry1222

    corry1222 New Member

    is this still active? I am doing UOL LLB (External) and working as contract and compliance manager at a legal department in a MNC. My boss actually encouraged me to complete my law degree and sit for the bar exam as she said I have a potential to be a lawyer. I am an immigrant and moved to US around 1.5 year ago. I started my LLB before my move so it makes no sense for me to give it up now and get a JD. I am living in WA state and after checking the guide provided by Steve, I am still a little confused.

    Are graduates of foreign law schools eligible for admission? YES
    If graduates of foreign law schools are eligible for admission by examination under your rules, are any of the follow required?
    Additional education at an ABA-approved law school ....YES (I can take the 1 year LLM at UW which is a ABA approved school)
    Practice of law in foreign jurisdiction......YES (My LLB is a qualifying law degree which would allow me to practice law in the UK but it requires LPC and training contract/ pupillage before being licensed as a solicitors or barrister, my question is how do we define "practice of law"? Does it mean actively practicing law as a licensed lawyer or just "eligible to practice law"? )

    and then ......i saw this.

    If a foreign law school graduate obtains an LLM or other graduate law degree from an ABA-approved law school, is the graduate then eligible to take the bar exam on this basis alone? The answer is Yes.

    Under the supplemental remarks, it states that "Applicant with a foreign law degree that would qualify the applicant to practice law in that jurisdiction is eligible if an LLM "for the practice of law" is obtained from an ABA-approved law school.

    It looks like if I get my LLB then obtain an LLM from UW will allow me to sit for the bar exam in WA.

    I just need a second pair of eyes confirming what I am reading.

    Thanks!
     
  6. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Looks good for you, Corry, but as I said before, once a state potentially interests you, be sure to speak with their state bar examiners to get the real deal.
     
  7. corry1222

    corry1222 New Member

    Thanks, Steve. I will check with state bar examiners before enrolling LLM.
     

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