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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Peruvian Lawyer

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smartguy


Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 97
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Peruvian Lawyer
Mon Jun 27, 2005 07:34 PM
I would think you can as all Israeli law graduates are allowed to take NY exam and Israel is even not purely common law country.. All you have to do is to send your legal credentials to NY Board of Law examiners for evaluation. They are the authority to determine whether to allow you to sit for NY bar exam or to study LLM.
Good luck!

SmartGuy,

Thanks! One more question.

I am from India and India is a commonwealth country and the legal ed is based on British Common Law system. It is also a 3 year LLB course. Can I sit for NY bar with the Indian LLB degree?
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IntLaw

Joined: 22 Jun 2005
Posts: 62
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Peruvian Lawyer
Tue Jun 28, 2005 05:46 AM
Thanks SmartGuy. U r very helpful, as always!
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KarenGuilianna

Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 2
Re:
Tue Jun 28, 2005 05:29 PM
Smart guy,
I'm living at MA. Taking the Cal Bar would asure my MA Bar? I mean, having the Cal Bar would be like a requirement to take other state Bar exams.. like MA Bar?
Thanks a lot!! a lot a lot!!
KG
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smartguy


Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 97
Re: Re:
Tue Jun 28, 2005 10:48 PM
Smart guy,
I'm living at MA. Taking the Cal Bar would asure my MA Bar? I mean, having the Cal Bar would be like a requirement to take other state Bar exams.. like MA Bar?
Thanks a lot!! a lot a lot!!
KG

I don't think CA bar will help you a lot with MA bar except the following:
1) With CA license you'd be able to practice federal law (immigration, bankruptcy, TM, patents, SS etc) outside of CA throughout the US.
2) You may want to check if MA has reciprocity with CA meaning whether MA admits CA attorneys without bar exam which i seriously doubt.
3) Most of the states require its bar applicants to take MBE as part of their bar exam so there is a slight chance that MA will recognize your MBE score taken in CA for MA bar exam purpose and you will not have to take it twice.
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Kira

Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 3
Re: Re: Re:
Thu Jun 30, 2005 04:19 PM
Hi guys,

Does anybody know if it is possible to be sat for BAR (in any state) after LLM distance studying?

Thanks a lot for any suggestions...
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IndianLawyer

Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1
Indian Lawyer
Thu Jun 30, 2005 06:42 PM
Dear Smartguy and Others,

I seek some advice.

I am an Indian National with 30 years of practice in India.

I wish to practice law in US. As per what I read in this Newgroup, one doesn't need to do LLM in order to take the Bar exam. And I believe this applies only the states of NY and CA.

1. Would a non US resident be allowed to take this bar exam?
2. After one clears the exam, what are the possiblities of getting hired by a Lawyer who can provide an H1B visa, to stay and practice in US?
3. Could you refer me to websites of CA and NY Bar association?

Thanks a bunch,
Singh
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lawgirl7

Joined: 30 Jun 2005
Posts: 1
Re: Indian Lawyer
Fri Jul 01, 2005 07:18 PM
I think that the state bar registration will require a social security number as per new rules. I don't know when that's going to take effect, but I know that the State Bar of California requires a social security number for registration which becomes your registration number. Not sure of other states' requirements but I'm only speaking for myself.
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smartguy


Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 97
Re: Re: Indian Lawyer
Tue Jul 05, 2005 08:43 PM
I think that the state bar registration will require a social security number as per new rules. I don't know when that's going to take effect, but I know that the State Bar of California requires a social security number for registration which becomes your registration number. Not sure of other states' requirements but I'm only speaking for myself.

SSNumber has nothing to do with immigration.
SS will allocate SS number to foreigner if he can prove he is required to provide one. See SS website for details.
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Vika

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 4
Re:
Wed Jul 06, 2005 05:28 PM
I don't think CA bar will help you a lot with MA bar except the following:
1) With CA license you'd be able to practice federal law (immigration, bankruptcy, TM, patents, SS etc) outside of CA throughout the US.

Smartguy, can I ask you to give me reference as to where can I find more info about eligibility to practice federal law?
Thank you
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smartguy


Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 97
Re: Re:
Wed Jul 06, 2005 07:59 PM

Smartguy, can I ask you to give me reference as to where can I find more info about eligibility to practice federal law?
Thank you

see this overview of "federal bankruptcy law practice exception":
www.phillipsnizer.com/pdf/Article-ChaitmanBusBnkrp…
#search='attorney%20allowed%20to%20practice%20federal%20law'

I will look further for more info.

[Edited 10 Sep 2006 by Admin]
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smartguy


Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 97
Re: Re: Re:
Wed Jul 06, 2005 08:06 PM
...

[Edited 04 Sep 2007 by Admin]
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smartguy


Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 97
Re: Re: Re: Re:
Wed Jul 06, 2005 08:09 PM
here is a quote from the CA business and professions code. I bet you have the same provision in MA:

), a person engaging in the business or acting in the capacity of an immigration consultant who is not an active member of the State Bar of California, but is an attorney licensed in another state or territory of the United States and is admitted to practice before the Board of Immigration Appeals or the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, shall include in any advertisement for services as an immigration consultant a clear and conspicuous statement that the consultant is not an attorney licensed to practice law in California but is an attorney licensed in another state or territory of the United States and is authorized by federal law to represent persons before the Board of Immigration Appeals or the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
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british-american

Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 4
Foreign Educated but Not Foreign Attorney: What to do??
Mon Jul 11, 2005 03:21 AM
I am a British self-employed immigration consultant in Canada. I want to strengthen my practice by becoming a lawyer: I am looking at either the JD program by Concord in California or the LL.B at the Univ of London.

Either way, I want to be admitted to the California Bar after my legal education.

The problem is: with an LL.B from London, will the CalBar require more education from me before I sit the exam? Does that mean I will probably need a LLM?

If so, is it possible to do an LLM in one year full time or two years max part-time?

What to do? What to do?

Thanks,
Brit-Am
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priyaksaxena

Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 9
Re: Foreign lawyer in the US? You don't need LLM.
Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:07 AM
Hi,
i am lokking for some student loan here in Texas. i want to take admission in SMU, Dallas Texas. i am on H4 and my husband is on H1. is this possible? mind he is not a citizen of USA. would appreciate a reply. thakns
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british-american

Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 4
SMART GUY is WRONG?
Wed Jul 13, 2005 04:27 AM
I just got a message from CalBar...even with an LLB from a UK university, if I do not article in the UK and become a fully-fledged member of the Law Society, I WILL HAVE TO DO an LLM or further legal study in order to sit the California Bar:

From: "Esperida, Norma"
>To: "Garreth XXXXXXXXX"
>Subject: RE: Committee of Bar Examiners Question
>Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2005 12:00:42 -0700
>
>Dear Mr. XXXXXXXXX,
>
>No; a 3-year LL.B undergraduate degree from England is not considered an equivalent of a Juris Doctorate degree earned in the United States. Usually, it will only enable an applicant to satisy the pre-legal education requirement, and establish eligibility to take the FYLSX. Under this scenario, an applicant will still be required to complete an additional 3 years of law upon passing the FYLSX. Completion of an LLM degree at any American accredited law school will only enable an applicant to satisfy the FYLSX requirement and receive credit for an additonal one year of law study; hence, he/she will still be required to complete 2 more years of law study thereafter to qualify for ther GBX.
>
>
>Norma Florentino Esperida
>Section Chief
>Eligibility
>Office of Admissions
>State Bar of California
>(213) 765-1510
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jas

Joined: 11 Jul 2005
Posts: 6
Re: SMART GUY is WRONG?
Fri Jul 15, 2005 08:52 AM
Hi! Iam an indian law student.
I am planning to sign my articles in a leading law firm of India so as to be eligible to sit for the UK Sol. exams.I would like to know whether this UK Sol. qualification would help me in securing admission in a good LLM university.
Also what would be my job prospects after LLM?
Further,i would also like to know as to which LLM is better with respect to the costs and also carreer wise..
Thanks.
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jas

Joined: 11 Jul 2005
Posts: 6
Re: Re: SMART GUY is WRONG?
Fri Jul 15, 2005 08:59 AM
Also, from the discussion board i have got to know that u do not require to do LLM if u want to sit for the California bar exam.However, what would be my carreer prospects if i do qualify as an US attorney without doing my masters in law in any good international law firm?
Basically, is the qualification as an US attorney good enough without an US LLM to get a good job anywhere in the world?
Also,what standing does a US LLM degree hold in carreer oppurtunities?

Thanks.
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smartguy


Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 97
Re: Re: Re: SMART GUY is WRONG?
Mon Jul 18, 2005 05:03 PM
I know it sounds like we are shopping for easiest jurisdiction to get in but I guess we can rename this discussion board to "Foreign lawyers in the US? You don't need BAR EXAM!!!"
MA went far beyond both CA and NY. Check out Section 6.2:
mass.gov/bbe/barapprulesaug2002.pdf
I am moving to Boston :-)
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gur

Joined: 14 Jun 2005
Posts: 9
Re: Re: Re: Re: SMART GUY is WRONG?
Mon Jul 18, 2005 06:57 PM
hi smartguy,

I have already troubled u many a times. Really sorry to disturb u, but since u seem to have a better view about the position of jobs for foriegn LLM students in USA.. I request you to answer these, once again:

1. If JD students can get a job without passing their BAR Exam, why is it difficult for LLm studnets to get a job (eitehr be it legal associate, para-legal, reasearch -assistant)?????

2. Also I dont get one thing: I presume that not all JD or LLM students pass tehir Bar Exam, but still they end up getting some jobs in law-firms???? and most of these students prepare for tehir BAr Exam while they are working in Law-firms....So I would liek to know as to what kind of legal jobs do tehy get into and their salary and stuff????

3. Is it difficult to get into mediocre-law firm or small-law firm ....coz atleast I am not expecting big-gains out of my LLM degree...but a legal-aassociate job in a small-firm would also do??

4. Also what are the important areas of laws that the firms would look for???

so these r my major queries...if anybody has answers to this..plz do post it.......i am sure it would be helpul to many otehr students...(well the reason behind asking these questions is that most of teh foriegn studnets take some loan to complete their LLm's in USA and so inorder to repay this laon, we have to find a job finally.)
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NILESH

Joined: 08 Sep 2006
Posts: 1
Re: Re: Re: Foreign lawyer in the US? You don't need LLM.
Sat Sep 09, 2006 09:36 AM
Yes, i agree with u, but i think that i can have a big chanse to find job with higher salary with degree from ivy-leaque? isnt it?
By the way, do u really think that mya language skills will not increase after one year in USA.?
Because i am planning to admit US ivy-leaque next year......
If i am not mistaken, LLM students must have a lot of practice ( i mean English)
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richardvf

Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Posts: 184
Foreign lawyer in the US? You don't need LLM.
Sun Sep 10, 2006 05:55 AM
Although dated, this is a great thread started by Smartguy. He is absolutely correct. If you are a lawyer in your home country, common law or civil law, it doesn't matter, you can take the California bar exam and become a California lawyer without any further legal education. You do not need a JD or LLM to take the California bar if you are a lawyer in your home country. You do not need to be a US citizen or permanent resident to take the California bar. However, if you go this route, it will be almost impossible to get a job with a large law firm. If you want to start your own practice, work for a mid sized or small law firm, or work for the government this may be an option for you.
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xtne23

Joined: 11 Sep 2006
Posts: 1
Foreign lawyer in the US? You don't need LLM.
Tue Sep 12, 2006 07:42 AM
Hi richarddvf,

You're right. This is a great thread satrted by smart guy. I've known that you don't need to be a permanent resident or a US citizen to take the CA Bar. But after being admitted after passing the Bar, would you know if a lawyer would still need a working visa if he intends to practice on his own and not work for a firm? I plan to take the bar July next year so I'm trying to see employment options after passing...
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richardvf

Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Posts: 184
Foreign lawyer in the US? You don't need LLM.
Wed Sep 13, 2006 05:38 AM
I am not an immigration lawyer, but I am fairly certain that you would need some type of work authorization to open your own law parctice in California. You might want to ask an immigration attorney about getting a work visa once you pass the bar.
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Lisha

Joined: 31 Oct 2006
Posts: 1
Foreign lawyer in the US? You don't need LLM.
Wed Nov 01, 2006 02:44 AM
To all foreign lawyers in the US (including myself): I hope we all agree on one thing that LLM will never replace JD degree.
If you intend to practice law in the US with LLM you have to understand that you are "handicapped" (class B if it sounds better) from educational point of view.
If all you want from LLM is to be able to sit for NY bar exam, i think i have good news how to save admission headaches and $25,000 tuition + another $10,000 for living expenses.
Here is what you can do:
Stage One: Get admitted to your home Bar.
Stage Two: Take and pass California bax exam as attorney admitted in foreign jurisdiction.
Stage Three: no no no, just two.
Congratulations. You saved $35,000, one year of your life, admission headaches AND you can call your self US attorney now.
Questions?

Hi there, I do have 1 question for you:
Can you give me more studying tips and/or materials?
Really appreciate those,
Regards,
Lisha
[Law graduate from Civil Law System]

[Edited 01 Nov 2006 by Lisha]
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worldisavillage

Joined: 21 Jan 2006
Posts: 2
Foreign lawyer in the US? You don't need LLM.
Thu Nov 09, 2006 04:49 AM
Hi SmartGuy!

I am a lawyer from Brazil moving to NY. I am enrolling myself in International Law Courses at one of those LLM offered by NY Universities. Please give me some advise, what is the best field to work in NY for a foreigner-lawyer like me? Which field do I have more chance?
Thanks for your help!!!!
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