<p>I am about to begin my LLB Law Degree at University in Britain and I am a British student. I intend to begin my career in the US as a lawyer. If possible I could use some advice as to how to go about this. Once I have completed my law degree, should I go on to complete the LPC (Legal Practice Course - in order to become a solicitor) or BVC (Bar Vocational Course - in order to become a Barrister) in England. Or would it be best to start a new course in the US? If so, what are these course/s and what do they entail? Any information would be appreciated.</p>
<p>To practice law in American, you must pass the bar examination and meet the requirements of the particular state in which you intend to practice law. Passing the bar in one state does not mean you can practice law in any other state. Each state has its own bar. </p>
<p>To sit for the bar examination, most states require you to have completed a three year law degree at an accredited US law school or the equivalent. Some states will let you take the bar after studying under a licensed attorney, but that is a lengthy process.</p>
<p>I would suggest you determine in which state or states you intend to practice law and go to the websites of those state bars to find out their requirements.</p>
<p>Here's some info on admission to the New York bar:</p>
<p>520.6 Study of law in foreign country; required legal education. </p>
<p>(a) General. An applicant who has studied in a foreign country may qualify to take the New York State bar examination by submitting to the New York State Board of Law Examiners satisfactory proof of the legal education required by this section.</p>
<p>(b) Legal education.
(1) The applicant shall show fulfillment of the educational requirements for admission to the practice of law in a country other than the United States by successful completion of a period of law study at least substantially equivalent in duration to that required under subdivisions (d) and (e) of section 520.3 of this Part, in a law school or schools each of which, throughout the period of the applicant's study therein, was recognized by the competent accrediting agency of the government of such other country, or of a political subdivision thereof, as qualified and approved; and</p>
<p>(i) that such other country is one whose jurisprudence is based upon the principles of the English Common Law, and that the program and course of law study successfully completed by the applicant were the substantial equivalent of the legal education provided by an approved law school in the United States; or</p>
<p>(ii) if applicant does not meet the durational equivalency requirements of subdivision (b)(1) of this section but has at least two years of substantively equivalent education, or if applicant does not meet the substantive equivalency requirements of subdivision (b)(1)(i) of this section, that applicant has successfully completed a full-time or part-time program consisting of a minimum of 20 semester hours of credit, or the equivalent, in professional law subjects, which includes basic courses in American law, in an approved law school in the United States; or</p>
<p>(2) The applicant shall show admission to practice law in a country other than the United States whose jurisprudence is based upon principals of English Common Law, where admission was based upon a program of study in a law school and/or law office recognized by the competent accrediting agency of the government of such other country and which is durationally equivalent yet substantively deficient under subdivision (b)(1)(i) of this section, and that such applicant has successfully completed a full-time or part time program consisting of a minimum of 20 semester hours of credit, or the equivalent, in professional law subjects, which includes basic courses in American law, in an approved law school in the United States.</p>
<p>(c) Proof required. The applicant shall submit to the New York State Board of Law Examiners such proof of compliance with the provisions of this section as the board may require.</p>
<p>You find find further information here: [url=<a href="http://www.nybarexam.org/Rules/Rules.htm#520.3%5DRules%5B/url">http://www.nybarexam.org/Rules/Rules.htm#520.3]Rules[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Several US law schools offer a LLM degree in comparative law that is only open to students with foreign law degrees. Contact US law schools with a LLM in Comparative Law for the best & most accurate advice.</p>
<p>Thank you both for your help. I'll take action on what you've suggested.</p>
<p>In order to practice in a United States court room, you must have passed the bar, and usually have a JD from an aba accredited law school. There are alternatives to getting a JD, but they are not universal to all states.</p>
<p>To be honest, I think it would be easiest for you to begin working for a top international firm in the UK (Latham & Watkins, for example) and then ask to be transfered to a US office in NYC, DC, etc. I have family who have done the opposite (after graduating from HLS) and been transferred to Frankfurt and Paris, and then worke their for 10+ years.</p>
<p>Although NY allows foreign law degree holders to take the bar exam after earning an LLM, and California allows foreign law degree holders to take the bar exam directly, without any American law degree, most other states require a U.S. JD degree. That said, NY or CA might be your top options. </p>
<p>If you want to practice in NY, look at the firms you're interested in and look at the biographies of the attorneys to see what others in your shoes have done. The safest route is to follow up your LLB with an American JD degree. Of course that is expensive and time-consuming. But of you get into a solid U.S. law school, it will position you much better to get into a good job here in the States.</p>
<p>Of course, if you are able to land a position in London (or elsewhere) at a firm such as Latham, Skadden, Davis Polk, or the like, then a U.S. JD degree will likely not be necessary. But remember, to practice in NY you will still need an LLM.</p>
<p>The bigger challenge if you go the LLM route would be, assuming you're a British and not a US/Canadian citizen, getting an H1B for work, not getting into the bar (Canadians have a special category called TN I believe). Then after 4-6 years you have to get sponsored for a green card which is another can of worms. It's probably easier to work for a British firm that does business in America and get transferred here. An L1 work transfer visa is much easier to get.</p>
<p>Of course, as someone who intends to go to law school, I feel compelled to disclose that I'm not an immigration attorney and you should really consult an immigration attorney on that matter.</p>
<p>Here's a link to some information about foreign lawyers who wish to be admitted to the California bar: <a href="http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/Outside-Ed-Qualif.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/Outside-Ed-Qualif.pdf</a></p>