<p>This might be a stupid question but can someone tell me the difference between a JD and an LLM, which one is necessary to practice law, and which one to do first?</p>
<p>A J.D. is the first degree in law. It used to be known as a LLB, which was a bachelor's degree in law. However, lawyers who went into other fields, notably teaching, found that others didn't understand that this "bachelor's" was an advanced degree and therefore didn't get the salary increments given for such degrees. So, a generation ago, LLB was replaced with the name J.D. for doctor of jurisprudence (in Latin, which is why the initials are reversed.) This is the degree you get to become an attorney. </p>
<p>A LLM is a master's degree. Usually you have to have a J.D. or its equivalent in a foreign legal system to go for a LLM. Most lawyers do not have them. The only field in which they are quite common is tax law.</p>