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Europe, USA or Canada

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Sam_Sam

Joined: 07 Aug 2007
Posts: 2
Europe, USA or Canada
Wed Aug 08, 2007 06:17 PM
Hi guys
I am Swiss guy in my last year of the BLaw (LLB) study at University of Zurich. I have already completed my BBA in Switzerland and have work experience as a researcher for three years now (in the field of Public Administration).
I am intending to emigrate to Canada in a few years and I am wondering what would be the best choice in order to get a good job in Canada: Complete my MLaw here (in Switzerland) and attend a LLM program in the US or complete MLaw in Switzerland and attend a LLM program in Canada. Anyway is there any need of an completed LLM to get a good job in Canada?
Should I take the bar exam in Switzerland first before emigrating?

Thanks for your help,
Sam
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Sam_Sam

Joined: 07 Aug 2007
Posts: 2
Europe, USA or Canada
Fri Aug 10, 2007 06:49 AM
I guess an LLM in the US + the statebar exam in the state of New York after looking for a job in Toronto would be the smartest choice. Do you guys agree?
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Sean78

Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 23
Europe, USA or Canada
Tue Aug 14, 2007 01:00 AM
It's tough to get a law-related job (especially to practice as a lawyer) in Canada with foreign law credentials. There are lots of posts on this board about that issue which you should read. Unless you want to teach or do research at a university (which typically requires a PhD), the LLM does not take you very far in the Canadian job market. It is certainly an asset, but being called to the bar in a CANADIAN province is what 90% of law related jobs in Canada will require. Unfortunately, getting called to the bar in Canada typically requires CANADIAN legal education at the LLB level and agian, there are lots of posts on this web site about the frustrations of trying to get foreign legal credentials recognized... Canada likes to think of itself as welcoming but ask any European trained lawyers doing an LLM in Canada and wanting to stay after and they are told to nearly do the LLB all over again. It is really exclusionary. Good luck! Hope this helps.

ps - I'm assuming you are IMMIGRATING to Canada not EMIGRATING!!!
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