I am a French law student currently completing my last year at uni in France. My home university offers a few partnership in the US allowing to graduate with an LLM from an American uni. Although these universities are not among the best ranked uni, it is still a great opportunity to be able to study in the US for one year and graduate from an American university (allowing to then pass the NY bar).
My university has three partnerships
1- Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland
This is the most established partnership of my uni (for instance I was told by my director of masters that they have to renew the partnership with St Louis so although they advertise my current masters as having a partnership in St Louis I am not very sure it’s even an option).
I would join the LLM in U.S. & Global Legal Studies and probably take in addition the Certificate in International Business Law
Current rankings :
Best Law School (US News) : 62 (and I think they are like 12 or 13 in International Law)
National rankings (US News) : 37;
Time Higher Education : 34 th (US College Rankings 2018) ; 158 th (World University Rankings 2018)
I think it’s position in the general rankings is pretty solid (158 worldwide is quite decent), but in the “Best Law School” rankings of US News its position is very average, last year it was 57th…
I don’t think I will enjoy living in Cleveland, mostly because of the weather, and I have some concerns safety-wise (although somebody told me that the campus was safe)…
2- Tulane University, New Orleans
This partnership kinda exists but it seems to be quite a hassle to obtain a “free of charge” LLM. Basically you have to attend a 20 days seminar that will be hold in Paris (location is ok for me but I am doing an internship during the seminar…).
When it comes to the rankings :
Best Law School (US News) : 51 (better)
However:
National rankings (US News) : 46;
Time Higher Education : 71 (US College Rankings 2018) ; 351-400 (World University Rankings 2018)
I think I could enjoy living in New Orleans that seems to be a very interesting and cultural city. The campus is apparently pretty safe as well as the neighboring area. But overall New Orleans is quite dangerous. The weather will obviously be nicer than in Cleveland and student life seems more lively than CWRU.
3- St Louis University
rankings are not really worth mentioning, I was told it was not safe because the uni is located downtown. Nonetheless I would definitely go there if I don’t have my first choice.
My goal is to pass the NY bar so an LLM in the US is mandatory. I don’t know if I should prioritize a “reason” choice (CWRU) or an emotion driven choice (Tulane).
Any opinion on both of these Uni (or even St Louis) ?
I grew up in New Orleans and went to Tulane law school - years ago. I took the Louisiana Bar (Civil Code like France!), then DC. Later I studied for the NY bar exam and passed it (worked for a Wall St firm and then in house). You may want to check to see which LLM program might help you with the NY Bar exam and confirm it meets NY requirements: http://www.nybarexam.org/Rules/Rules.htm#520.6 I see this on Tulane’s website: International Students’ Eligibility to Take State Bar Exams in the US
Many international students who attend our LLM program are interested in taking a US bar exam. Each state in the US has its own eligibility requirements, and prospective students are urged to check eligibility requirements at www.ncbex.org. Many Tulane LLM students work toward eligibility to take the New York or Louisiana bar exam.Tulane has an International and Comparative Law program that might be of interest and useful as you move forward. I think it is a strength of Tulane. To pass the NY Bar you most likely will benefit from taking a specific prep course (e.g. Barbri). New Orleans is a city and you just have to be mindful - I have never had an issue over many years. Great food, culture and a joie de vivre spirit are easily found in New Orleans. I suggest you try to learn more about various aspects of your options - if you would like more Tulane info or to connect with the law school admins, I would be happy to try to help you.
Hi, thank you very much for your reply! I would love to study in Tulane, climate seems to be pleasant all year long, the culture in New Orleans, the food…
Thank you for the info regarding the possibility to pass the New York bar, I had no idea about it. I genuinely thought that all LLM programs offered to foreign students in universities in the US were designed to allow them to pass the bar.
I found this on Tulane’s website :
“Because the Introduction to American Law course is offered only in the summer immediately preceding the start of the fall semester, all LLM candidates whose first law degrees are from schools outside the 50 United States must arrive at Tulane by late July.” http://www.law.tulane.edu/tlsAcademicPrograms/index.aspx?id=1700
"For graduates of Tulane’s LLM program who wish to fulfill the coursework eligibility requirements of the Louisiana bar, the Law School offers the opportunity to enroll in up to 14 credits over one or two semesters at a reduced tuition rate. All courses are taught on an in-person basis; we do not offer a distance-learning alternative. "
“The American Law LLM External link program is designed to give internationally trained attorneys an understanding of the fundamental principles of U.S. law and the American Legal System. Students are also given an understanding of the practice of law in the United States. Students must take 14 units of coursework in American Law subjects including Constitutional Law, Corporations or Business Enterprises, Intellectual Property, Evidence, Federal Civil Procedure, Uniform Commercial Code, Taxation, Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, and Civil or Common Law Property, and are free to complete the additional 8 units via electives. This degree satisfies the U.S. law requirements for international students who wish to sit for either the Louisiana or New York bar exams.”
If you want to work in NY, I would go to Tulane. SLU places well in the St. Louis area and ok in the Midwest, but Tulane is definitely much stronger in NY.
You mention safety concerns for all three cities. Just to alleviate the stress of that aspect of your decision…if you would feel comfortable studying in Paris, you should feel comfortable studying in any of these locations. They have the same issues as any other large city, but armed with common sense and situational awareness you could receive a wonderful education and safe experience. Good luck in your journey!