Llb In England: Practicing Law In The Us?

The United States has one of the most extensive legal services sectors in the world, making it an attractive prospect for UK-qualified lawyers. However, the transition is not straightforward, as each US state has its own requirements for lawyers intending to practise within its borders. While some states have an admissions process for foreign attorneys, others require a full Juris Doctorate from an accredited US law school. The New York Board of Law Examiners, for example, performs an Advance Evaluation of Eligibility, requiring three years of education focusing on common law. Once evaluated, lawyers must prepare for and pass the highly rigorous bar examination. Other options for UK lawyers include practising in New York or California, the only two states with an admissions process for foreign attorneys, or completing an LLM at a US university, which can lead to temporary employment in US law firms.

LLB/JD double degree

The LLB, or Bachelor of Laws, was once the first professional law degree in the United States. However, in the 20th century, the Juris Doctor, or JD, emerged as a competing first professional degree. Today, US law firms look for a JD when hiring associates, and a UK LLB is not considered equivalent.

For UK students with an interest in practising law in the US, some British universities offer an LLB/JD double degree in partnership with Columbia Law School in New York. This four-year bachelor's program confers both an LLB and a JD, enabling graduates to practise law in the US without needing to take a conversion course.

However, it is important to note that the process of becoming a lawyer in the US varies by state, and each state sets its own requirements for foreign-trained lawyers. While some states have implemented the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), which allows lawyers to practise in multiple UBE states, other states have different processes for admitting foreign-trained lawyers to the bar.

Additionally, the job market for lawyers in the US is highly competitive, with nearly a million practising lawyers in the country. To increase their chances of gaining employment in the US, foreign law graduates may consider completing an American LLM program at a school like Harvard or NYU, though permanent positions are still difficult to obtain.

State-specific requirements

The process of transitioning from practising law in the UK to the US varies from state to state. While it is not mandatory for states to create a specific foreign-trained lawyer pathway, several states have developed state-specific regulations to more swiftly admit foreign-trained lawyers to the bar. These include states with cities that act as international business and legal hubs, such as New York and California.

New York

The New York Board welcomes foreign-trained lawyers to directly sit the bar, provided that they completed their legal education in a system that focuses on the study of common law, as is the case with the UK's LLB programme. The New York Board of Law Examiners performs an Advance Evaluation of Eligibility to determine whether a degree is acceptable and transferable, looking for three years of education primarily focusing on common law. This process can take up to 12 months. Once the evaluation has been made, UK lawyers will need to prepare for the highly rigorous bar examination, which can take up to 12 months of preparation.

California

California is another state with an admissions process for foreign attorneys. However, specific requirements for this process are unclear.

Other States

Some states have opted to put in place the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), which, once passed, qualifies the lawyer to practice in all UBE states. There are currently 41 UBE jurisdictions, including Colorado, Connecticut, Arizona, New York, and Washington. For most other states, a full Juris Doctorate from an accredited US law school is required to practice law.

US Master's in Law

The process of transitioning from practising law in the UK to the US varies from state to state. While the US legal system is based on common law, which is similar to the English legal system, each state has its own requirements for lawyers intending to practise within its borders. Some states have created pathways for foreign-trained lawyers to be admitted to the bar, while others have not.

To determine whether a degree is acceptable and transferable, the New York Board of Law Examiners performs an Advance Evaluation of Eligibility, looking for three years of education focusing primarily on common law. This evaluation process can take up to 12 months. Once the evaluation has been made, UK lawyers will need to prepare for and pass the rigorous bar examination, which can take up to 12 months of preparation.

If a UK lawyer is unsuccessful in passing the bar examination, they may be encouraged to complete a US Master's in Law (LLM). The Master of Laws (LLM) degree is a one-year programme typically including 180 students from around 65 countries. LLM degrees offer specialisations in various fields, including European Public Law, Environmental Law, Corporate Law, and Criminal Justice. LLM graduates can go on to become lawyers, law professors, judges, diplomats, politicians, and more.

In the US, some of the top schools offering the LLM degree include Harvard and NYU. While it is difficult to obtain a permanent position with only an LLM, it is not impossible. Some foreign law graduates have been able to find employment in the US after completing an American LLM programme, although many of these positions are temporary.

US work experience

The process of transitioning from practising law in the UK to the US depends on the state in which you intend to qualify and the specific qualifications they require for 'foreign-trained lawyers'. While the US legal system is based on common law, creating similarities between the two countries' legal systems, each state has its own requirements for lawyers intending to practise within its borders.

Some states are very strict and require a law degree from an ABA-accredited law school to take their bar exam. Other states are more open to foreign-trained lawyers. New York and California, for example, have developed state-specific regulations to more swiftly admit foreign-trained lawyers to the bar. New York, in particular, welcomes foreign-trained lawyers to directly sit the bar, provided that they completed their legal education with a focus on the study of common law, as is the case with the UK's LLB program. To determine whether a degree is acceptable and transferable, the New York Board of Law Examiners performs an Advance Evaluation of Eligibility, looking for three years of education focusing on common law. This process can take up to 12 months.

Once the evaluation has been made, UK lawyers will need to prepare for the highly rigorous bar examination, which can take up to twelve months of preparation. If you are unsuccessful, you may be encouraged to complete a US Master's in Law (LLM). An LLM can give you a little bit of name recognition as a foreign lawyer, but transitioning directly from an LLB without work experience is challenging.

If you are interested in qualifying in the US and have yet to select a university program, consider the double degree LLB/JD four-year bachelor program that selected British universities offer in partnership with Columbia Law School in New York. A dual degree offers students the opportunity to receive both an LLB and JD after only a four-year program.

UK LLB recognition

The LLB, or Bachelor of Laws, is an undergraduate law degree that is common in most common-law countries. The LLB is a primary law degree and serves as the first professional qualification for legal practitioners. The LLB curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the legal system and its function, as well as to impart essential legal knowledge and research skills.

In the United States, the LLB is no longer offered as a degree. Instead, US universities have introduced bachelor's degrees in legal studies, which include courses in constitutional law, tort law, and other related areas. Despite this, the United States continues to be a popular destination for UK-qualified lawyers seeking to practice law abroad. This is due in part to the similarities between the US and English legal systems, both of which are based on common law and rely heavily on precedents.

The recognition of a UK LLB in the US depends on the specific state's requirements for 'foreign-trained lawyers'. While some states have created pathways to facilitate the admission of foreign-trained lawyers, others have not. New York and California, for example, have developed regulations to allow foreign-trained lawyers to more easily sit for the bar examination. The New York Board of Law Examiners performs an Advance Evaluation of Eligibility, requiring three years of education with a focus on common law. Once evaluated, UK lawyers can prepare for the rigorous bar examination, which can take up to twelve months of preparation.

It is important to note that US law firms may not recognize a UK LLB in the same way as UK firms. They often seek candidates with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, which is the standard professional law degree in the US. As a result, some foreign law graduates opt to pursue an American LLM program or a JD degree to enhance their credentials and improve their career prospects in the US.

Additionally, some UK universities offer double degree LLB/JD programs in partnership with US law schools, allowing students to obtain both degrees in four years. This can be a valuable option for students interested in practicing law in the US.

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