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Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney

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tanay0903

Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 22
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Thu Sep 18, 2008 01:52 AM
very interesting topic..i am an indian law graduate and plan to do my llm next year and look for a job in the US in the following year. I just wanted to know if the job prospects are higher in case of someone who has done a specialised LLM as for instance in international trade law or the like? When is the best time to apply? Which universities are the best from the job point of view? Is it essential to pass the bar to secure a job? Someone please provide clarity on these issues!
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prajithakaladhar

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 1
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Sat Jan 24, 2009 07:09 PM
Foreign Attorney looking for a job in USA for placement with some Law Firm. What all he needs to do to qualify for law firm job: LL.M. or Bar Exam or both. Which LL.M. Course of which University will take him to job fastest way.
Whether without any course work I can work in a law firm on a temporary basis
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nicemanin


Joined: 05 Aug 2008
Posts: 181
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Sat Jan 24, 2009 07:20 PM
What i have observed so far that US law firms prefer US JD with some work ex... I am sure that LLM (from top law schools) with Bar exam may give some chance to get temporary job that can be converted to permanent job... I am not sure of it to say that LLM+Bar Exam will land you with a job...

[Edited by nicemanin on 24 Jan 2009]
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Baby_Luck

Joined: 21 Dec 2008
Posts: 116
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Mon Jan 26, 2009 06:25 PM
I agree. Right now a LLM and a license will not guarantee a job in the US (unless a foreign atty is going to have a solo-practice)...

There has been a lot of layoffs at law firms in the US, and, as a result, there are a lot of qualified JDs with experience who will be (or are) looking for jobs. lawshucks.com/layoff-tracker/#rolling . JD grads are and will be looking for jobs as well.

LLM grads can not compete against JDs with exp or JD grads (in my opinion).

[Edited by Baby_Luck on 26 Jan 2009]
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Baby_Luck

Joined: 21 Dec 2008
Posts: 116
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Mon Jan 26, 2009 06:30 PM
To get informed on many issues in the US (law firms mergers, layoffs, interesting lawsuits, etc.), I read the Wall Street Journal Law Blog. blogs.wsj.com/law/ . I recommend it.

[Edited by Baby_Luck on 26 Jan 2009]
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atkins

Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Mon Jan 26, 2009 06:37 PM
Simple answer: Not good.

I am a practicing attorney and a partner in a law firm. Some generalizations and a market snapshot: The market for new grads looking to join large firms is not so good.. Many existing large-firm corporate lawyers are transitioning to a bankruptcy practice to tide them over. Many mid-size firms are struggling. Firms with niche practices are generally doing fine. Solo practitioners may be doing fine, depending upon their practice areas. Firms in smaller cities, while affected by the recession, will be fine, as well.

I know a Harvard LLM who proceeded to earn his SJD from a top school. He is eking out a living taking teaching gigs wherever he can find them and practicing solo. Not worth it, in my opinion.

[Edited by atkins on 26 Jan 2009]
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Christ-Choice

Joined: 10 Dec 2008
Posts: 54
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Mon Jan 26, 2009 07:12 PM
''I am a practicing attorney and a partner in a law firm...''

Whadday great lawyer, with great amount of time and statistics.

Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him.
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Baby_Luck

Joined: 21 Dec 2008
Posts: 116
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Mon Jan 26, 2009 07:29 PM

[Edited by Baby_Luck on 26 Jan 2009]
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nicemanin


Joined: 05 Aug 2008
Posts: 181
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Mon Jan 26, 2009 07:34 PM
Christ-choice... Is it possible for you to put some more light on this topic?... i am confuse as whether the present job market support LLM students from Harvard,Yale,Nyu,Stanford or is there any chance for others..?

[Edited by nicemanin on 26 Jan 2009]
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Christ-Choice

Joined: 10 Dec 2008
Posts: 54
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Mon Jan 26, 2009 09:14 PM



[Edited by Christ-Choice on 26 Jan 2009]
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Christ-Choice

Joined: 10 Dec 2008
Posts: 54
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Mon Jan 26, 2009 09:19 PM
'' i am confuse as whether the present job market support LLM students from Harvard,Yale,Nyu,Stanford or is there any chance for others..?''

My friend, the job market does for the very good ones and your country matters too. Last weekend, both the Columbia LLM Job Fair (designed for LLM candidates from three of the schools you mentioned) and ISIP (designed for LLMs at NYU and other schools) were held in New York. Yes, top firms (law and non-law) from all over the world were there - despite the economic crisis.

According to a friend, who's currently an LL.M candidate, the fair he attended was crowded (with employers and job seekers) and more than 6 of his classmates are returning to New York next month for second interviews at some of the firms.

Just Praise Him and all will be well.

[Edited by Christ-Choice on 26 Jan 2009]
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chitzenitza

Joined: 31 May 2008
Posts: 3
"Bloody Thursday" for US law firms
Fri Feb 13, 2009 03:00 PM
Yesterday, 1,000 (!!!) people were laid off by US law firms like DLA Piper, Goodwin Procter, Holland & Knight, Dechert, Bryan Cave, Epstein Becker & Green and Cozen O'Connor.

Some legal media like the WSJ Blog (blogs.wsj.com/law/2009/02/12/21209-the-darkest-day…) say it was the worst day ever for big law firms. Some talk about the "Bloody Thursday" for US law firms (www.abajournal.com/news/bloody_thursday_layoffs_al…).

If you read through layoff trackers like www.lawyrs.net/news/tag/Layoffs you will not argue that there's little chance of finding a job in a US law firm for foreign lawyers in the next months or even years.

[Edited by chitzenitza on 13 Feb 2009]
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Christ-Choice

Joined: 10 Dec 2008
Posts: 54
Bloody Thursday for US firms
Fri Feb 13, 2009 06:23 PM
The reality remains that entry-level associates are not being laid-off. The economic crisis present firms with opportunities to clear out deadwood (non-performing partners/departments/senior associates) and restructure firm-performance criteria.

Foreign lawyers with top credentials (including a great LLM from a great school and country of origin) will always get a job, particularly at the entry level and this still attracts a lot of dollars ($$$$$$$). Oh, Praise Him at the thought of this!

I have LL.M friends who just got offers in the last few days with Vault 5 law firms and others on this board, such as Santa 2009, have confirmed call-back interviews for LLM candidates at their firms (www.llm-guide.com/board/57200/last/#last). So we should hear about more offers soon.

Friend, top schools always strive to provide their candidates with opportunities. This year alone over two hundred employers (ISIP and Columbia Fair together) provided such opportunities to the present crop of LL.M candidates at these good schools.

Praise Him for His Kindness.

[Edited by Christ-Choice on 13 Feb 2009]
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Sdevante

Joined: 25 Nov 2008
Posts: 102
Bloody Thursday for US firms
Fri Feb 13, 2009 07:43 PM
Didn't read a single post other than the very first one... but just a consideration for foreign trained lawyers.

We (the U.S.) are in the Second Great Depression so to speak.... highly qualified U.S. J.D. students aren't getting jobs right now. Anyone who thinks otherwise doesn't live here or is one of the few lucky people to have gotten jobs. Think about that before spending the money to come here, if your intent is to try to stay here.
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Christ-Choice

Joined: 10 Dec 2008
Posts: 54
Bloody Thursday for US firms
Fri Feb 13, 2009 07:51 PM
Saint, you've said this before and evidence exist to the contrary.

He's got Florida in His hands.
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chitzenitza

Joined: 31 May 2008
Posts: 3
Bloody Thursday for US firms
Mon Feb 16, 2009 07:39 AM
AmLaw on the coming law firm hiring crisis: The big firm market is heading toward a hiring and retention crisis unlike any other.

www.law.com/jsp/tal/PubArticleTAL.jsp?id=120242823…
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IntLaw

Joined: 22 Jun 2005
Posts: 63
Bloody Thursday for US firms
Mon Feb 16, 2009 08:09 AM
Has anyone with Indian LLB degree ONLY has taken CA bar?
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JaneHeller

Joined: 28 Feb 2009
Posts: 3
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Wed Oct 21, 2009 10:20 PM
Hi NRI,

You said"
some Universities like Howard University in Washington DC, prepares its LL.M. students very well to pass the DC Bar Exam in first attempt after LL.M. in Comparative Law."

I am considering to go to Howard next year, but I am not sure they will allow me to pick the American general law courses which is definitely qualified to take DC Bar Exam. If I am selected for comparative law, can I take DC Bar Eaxm? Can a LL.M student in comparative law take DC Bar?
I thought only the American general law student who has got 26 credits can take DC Bar Exam.
How can I find the relevant info?

Thank you so much!!!
Any info about my quesiton will be highly appreciated.
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Comandante

Joined: 16 Mar 2009
Posts: 32
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:32 PM
Mathematically, your prospects are as follows: 0 + 0 = 0.00

and....why would you send your resume to that certain Mr. Gulati (why does he need to see anybody's resume and personal information to answer such an evident question?).
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gkh_2005


Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 71
Job Prospects in USA for Foreign Attorney
Fri Oct 23, 2009 08:28 AM
I have earned my LL.M. (International & Comparative law) from Southern Methodist University and also passed the New York State Exam in July 2007. I found it extremely difficult to find a job in the U.S., despite my excellent credentials. I was working for a reputed MNC in India and also secured 1st Rank in my LL.B program.

However, on comming back to India, I found the job propsects, extremely good. I secured a position in the same company company 2 levels up and my salary was trebled.

The bottomline - In India, your US degree, is reallly coveted and acts as an escalator to reach the top position in your career. Whereas in US, you will either not get a job, or else you will be working in a small immigration firm, filing papers and filling in forms at a meagre salary. I would prefer the former :):)
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