Online Education to become Attorney

I'm sorry, I should clarify. One with a one year LLM in U.S. common law would also have to have a foreign three year LLB from a foreign country as well. The bar review courses I mentioned typically run several weeks Monday through Friday six hours or so a day and are intense. I agree, if one were to have just a one year LLM and a weekend review, they'd be toast on the Bar exam. Peacfulchaos2001 described an "ungodly amount of dedication" and that's absolutely true. I studied a good 400 to 500 hours for the Bar after having completed three years of study. But again, 90% of the Bar I'd covered in the first three semesters of law school, probably 75% in the first year. This is why I think a one year intense LLM in common law would almost certainly cover virtually everything a person wanted to know for the Bar.

I also agree with Peacfulchaos2001 that I'd think very few 18 year olds would have the maturity and experience to self study their way through a UofL LLB. For a driven 20-, 30-, 40-something who wanted to be an attorney and had not the wherewithal to take three years off for law school, though, I could see the DL LLB from London plus an online LLM in U.S. common law being a feasible and relatively inexpensive way to become qualified to sit for the Bar and make a mid-career switch to being an attorney. The London LLB is perhaps the most economical degree from a famous university in the world.

 

I agree. For a "seasoned" individual I would go so far as to say that it's the best route. With the cost of tuition soaring and UoL name it's a pretty good deal.

 

Actually, you are correct. I read the information wrong, I got a call today from University of Southern California about the admission. I was curious about the brochure, but I required to enter my information. You need either a JD or LLB in law for the admission. The admission representative asked me if have an LLB, I said no. But since the LLB in Law from University of London for ~ $18,000.00 plus an LLM from University of Southern California for ~$50,000.00 still a good deal. The best part you can study in 4 years instead 7 years in the U.S Educational System and ~$300,000.00 plus.

 

Yeah, not so fast.

Admission to UofL directly as a US High School graduate is not like walking into "Central Community College" and filling out a form. It requires some college credit or at least a few AP courses

The UofL has a PDF detailing entrance requirements for students from virtually every country.

Here's how it all lays out:

Academic Requirements

To satisfy the entrance requirements for the LLB (and for Individual Modules) you must:

normally* be aged 17 or above by the 30 November in the year of registration and
satisfy the University’s General Entrance Requirements.​

Successful applicants applying to one of our full first degrees (e.g. / BA / BSc / LLB) or Diploma of Higher Education programmes must normally satisfy:

General Entrance Requirements (category G within our Qualifications for Entrance Schedule) and
specific programme requirements where applicable (e.g. Mathematics competency) and
English language requirements.

This document provides details for the USA (PDF Page 52-53)
http://www.londoninternational.ac.uk/sites/default/files/entrance_qualifications.pdf

Category G (four options)

1. Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations of the American College Board,
provided at least two full, non-overlapping, subjects are passed at grades 3,
4 or 5 (with the exception of Studio Art). Please note Microeconomics and
Macroeconomics, which individually must be passed at grade 3,4 or 5, are
valued as half a full subject each

2. Advanced Placement (AP) of the American College Board: International
Diploma

3. Associate degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution

4. 30 credits from a Regionally Accredited Institution. Additionally applicants
must hold the US High School Diploma or an acceptable equivalent

 

Thanks for the update Tekman. I too filled out the inquiry form, and got a call from a lady rep. Probably the same one that spoke with you. :shocked1: At any rate, I told her that I was a Nicaraguan attorney and was interested in the LLM program. She was impressed about my English skills (did not tell her I was an ex-pat), and asked what degrees I had. I told her that I have a Licenciado en Derecho (LLB equivalent), and had been practicing law for several years (I used a friend of mine as a reference point, he is a real attorney in Nicaragua). She told me that this is fine, I just needed to get a transcript/degree evaluation done. She then mentioned that several Mexican, and Argentinian students went this route; their Latin American degrees where validated to be equal an LLB or a J.D. Therefore, one could be admitted to the program with a Licensiado en Derecho (BA in Law).

No here is the kicker, and I can speak about Nicaragua only, studying in Nicaragua is dirt cheap. Several private universities charge on a monthly basis instead of a per-credit basis. Prices range from $75.00 to $200 a month (all figures are USD). La Universidad de Centro America (the University of Central America), commonly known as UCA has an LLB program that can be done online. Of course you must speak Spanish, but it can be done. And the price, $150 a month! And this is from a Jesuit University, a well regarded university in Nicaragua and in Central America. It is a part of the Jesuit University Consortium, where Boston College, Georgetown, Fordham, and several others are part of. As-a-matter-of-fact, you could take classes at these universities, since UCA has partnership agreements with all Jesuit Universities. A hidden gem indeed.

Cost breakdown: Total cost of LLB degree (provided one is starting from scratch) $7,500 for the five year program. Add another $1500-$2000 for books and supplies, and you could have a law degree for under 10K.

On a side note, several other local universities offer Licenciado en Derecho (Law degree) as a second career. This is aimed at those that already have bachelor's degrees, the program can be completed in two years. My wife is doing this with Universidad del Valle. Universidad del Valle has a law degree for career changers, and the price is $2,500 for the entire program. So she is doing it, and hopefully then get an LLM degree when we get back to the states. Possibly at Nova or St. Thomas University in Miami.

 

Very cool, Kool!

Please keep us posted on your wife's progress. It reminds me of following Steve Foerster's wife's travails with the Nottingham LLB (not quite sure I got the school right) and then her LLM at George Washington.

 

After I complete my Ph.D; I might take this route for continuing education. I do not want to practice law full-time, but since my current position in Cyber Security Consulting. Eventually I want to do the Cyber Security Forensic, so a technology/cyber/intellectual property law degree might promote my career.

 

Since the UK recognizes the PG Certificate in Law for people who already have a bachelors degree but wish to make the leap into the legal profession this makes me wonder if you can do all of what has been described with the PG Cert.

 

Private law study still works. And on-line options are doubled.

I note there are still seven states -- pretty much the same ones as 20 years ago -- that accept private study with a lawyer to qualify to take the bar. CA, ME, NY, VT, VA, WA, WV. I'd love to know how many people actually try this, how the requirements by state may vary, and the pass rate. (Back when I used to follow these matters closely, the numbers were very low in California -- typically fewer than ten a year.)

Also: the number of states that accept on-line law degrees as qualifying to take the Bar has doubled, from one (California) to two (add Minnesota).

 

Thanks Novadar, she is due to graduate within nine months or so. At first she was struggling a bit with the Spanish, however, things have since improved and she is enjoying the experience tremendously. Total we have paid thus far to the university: $1,375.00 plus $345.00 in books, not bad for one year of education. And the second year is following the same route. Albeit a bit higher, we've projected that the second year will end up costing around $1,500 and another $400 or so for school supplies. Again, not bad. She wants to practice law for at least a couple of years here in Nicaragua, and then navigate the waters of an LLM program. We'll see, and I will surely keep you all posted. I've told her to create a blog about her experience, maybe it will help someone looking for an affordable accredited degree. I understand that the lack of Spanish skills is a barrier to some, nevertheless is a great opportunity for others.

 

That would be a remarkably good deal and plan. I for one would love to have "LLB, London, LLM, USC" on my vita. $300K plus might be a bit high on average, but certainly possible. The debt load can be crushing for law school, my brother- and sister-in-law are both attorneys in a huge metro, both attended law schools ranked in the top 10%, one is in a firm, the other works for the AG's office, yet several years after graduation they stil haven't been able to afford more than a modest apartment suitable for the average undergraduate because of the massive debt they carry, which is far more than the average home price in the U.S.--Heavy price to pay to get into a profession.

 

UK LLB + US LLM + bar review

I regret that I disagree. I passed the Cal Bar first time with a US JD AND I have a UK LLM. The Cal Bar exam is loaded with con law, civil procedure, UCC, criminal law and procedure, torts, wills and trusts, remedies, and community property. None of these subjects are taught in a UK LLB course in a way relevant to a US bar exam. By which I mean, criminal law in the UK and in the US, even though they both have common law roots have diverged profoundly. Similarly, UK con law is completely irrelevant to US law (fundamentally: for example if one chooses to remain silent when arrested in the UK, this silence can and will be used against you as proof of guilt).

This does not mean that it's not possible to pass a US bar with the above education but to call it excellent preparationt is profoundly mistaken.

 

Sure, I said that in another post. Of course there are things a UK LLB would not cover, such as U.S. Constitutional Law, Civ Pro, etc., a point I made previously on this thread. But of course, those would be covered, almost certainly in toto, in a one year U.S. LLM for foreign-trained lawyers--in fact, that's pretty well the point of such programs. Ergo, problem solved. If you took the Cal Bar or any bar, you know that virtually everything covered in the MBE is covered in the first two to three semesters of law school anyway--which would pretty much be in alignment with the material covered in that LLM. Go back, take a look, I covered this point, we're in agreement.

 

My gears have been turning out of curiosity at this entire idea (UK LLB - US LLM (or not).

It seems that UK LLBs on the ground can sit for the NY Bar without an LLM. It is not entirely clear but the language seems to imply that LLBs by Distance can as well. I cannot find a definitive yes or no.

To answer your question Neuhaus the PG Diploma does not satisfy NY requirements since it is not a "first degree in law".

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/careers/students-and-graduates/resources/guides/american-bar-examination.pdf

"The New York Bar does consider holders of qualifying UK University Law degrees as eligible to sit their Bar Examinations without first obtaining the JD or LLM. Whilst successful candidates are immediately eligible to practise as an associate attorney, there is no guarantee of employment – most US law firms would look for related legal experience."

"New York State does not accept holders of the Graduate Diploma in Law as eligible for the Bar Examination. Such students, to qualify, would need to complete some further study at an ABA-approved law school in the US and from 2012-13 have needed to complete a US LLM."

 

I love it when the answer to a question is so direct.

 

"Law degrees obtained by way of correspondence, external, internet or self study do not qualify an individual to take the New York bar examination."

NYS BAR EXAM ELIGIBILITY

 

Thanks. That is listed under a different section than the rules for "foreign" students.

I found some discussion on another board that in California at least one student completed an external LLB from Northumbria and in conjunction with a US LLM will be able to sit. He received an NACES equivalency for his LLB that it was equal to a JD and the CA Bar confirmed to him directly that once he "cured" his LLB with a LLM he could sit. Right now he is in the LLM program at Florida Coastal School of Law. At least that's what he posts. LOL.

 

I came across this gem during all of the searches related to a UK LLB + US LLM.

Cardiff University in Wales has a structure in place to recruit highly motivated US high school students who know they want to be attorneys.

I recall when I was in High School (in the 80's -- Totally Tublar) the thought of going to law school in England crossed my mind. Clearly with no internet back then there was very little chance of finding much less researching such an option without knowing someone who had done it. If only......


The Benefits:

Study at one of the best known British Law Schools, a member of the “Ivy League” Russell Group comprising the top 20 universities. Take advantage of the world class legal education on offer.
Obtain a prestigious degree - three years of Law School leads to the award of the LLB degree (Bachelor of Laws).
Save time * come straight from High School and qualify as a lawyer in the USA sooner.
Save money - tuition fees of around $15,000 are far below those of most USA Law Schools and the cost of living in Cardiff is low.
Study abroad to enjoy a ‘life experience’ in a friendly and stimulating environment.
Gain the reward of professional qualification.

Cardiff Law School