Can you practice law with an international law degree?
Asked by: Jasper Stanton | Last update: June 11, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (29 votes)
Some states allow foreign lawyers to apply for bar admission based on years of law practice and/or a qualifying foreign law degree (typically involving legal education in English common law). However, most states require foreign lawyers to obtain an LL. M. degree (or equivalent) from an ABA-accredited law school.
Can I work anywhere with an international law degree?
International lawyers practice all over the globe. American lawyers can be assigned to an overseas office of a particular firm or corporation, a foreign office of an international organization or a US consulate or embassy in a foreign country.
Do law schools accept international degrees?
Yes, international students can go to law school in the US. Many law schools in the US are willing to accept students from other countries and allow them to pursue legal education in their schools.
Is an international law degree useful?
Excellent Salary Opportunities
An international lawyer at the top of their game, who is drafting a trade agreement between two countries for example, can expect to earn an excellent salary upwards of $175,000 a year, while the median average salary is $122,960, and the outlook for growth 4% a year.
Can I go to law school with an international studies degree?
There is no pre-law curriculum in the United States; essentially law schools will take you regardless of your major if your grade point average and law board scores are high enough.
How to Choose a Career in International Law?
Do international lawyers go to law school?
However, most states require foreign lawyers to obtain an LL. M. degree (or equivalent) from an ABA-accredited law school. For example, in Washington state, foreign lawyers can meet the supplemental legal education requirement with an LL.
Which states accept foreign law degrees?
Most states do require a J.D. degree for a US law school in order to sit for the bar exam. There are some states which do allow foreign law graduates to sit for the bar exam, including New York, California, New Hampshire, Alabama, and Virginia.
Who hires international lawyers?
The available career paths for an international lawyer can be broken down into law firms, federal government, corporate counsel, international organizations and nonprofit groups.
Do international lawyers go to court?
By providing their representing party with information in regards to their legal rights, they will recommend the best outcome for their case. During this time, they may also have to represent their clients in court with plausible evidence pertaining to their specific case.
Which is higher JD or LLM?
LawyerEDU defines the JD "as the initial, postsecondary law degree necessary to sit for the bar examination and practice as a lawyer in a US jurisdiction," and the LLM as "a secondary degree for lawyers who have achieved their JD and passed the bar exam, and who are interested in a focused, specialized course of study ...
What is the best major for international law?
What Major Can I Pursue to Study International Law? Most bachelor's degree programs that touch on international law issues award a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Studies or a B.A. in International Relations.
What is the cheapest law school in the US?
The cheapest law schools in the US are the University of the District of Columbia law school and the University of North Dakota law school, which are cheapest only for in-state residents.
Does Harvard have international law?
Harvard Law School offers three types of classes in international legal studies: foundational courses, advanced courses and seminars, and “capstone” seminars.
Does international law pay well?
International Lawyer Salary. $79,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $131,000 is the 90th percentile.
What type of lawyer makes the most money?
Patent Attorney Salary
Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.
Do US law schools accept international degrees?
Law schools in the United States will accept international students from across the world. If you are an international student, you may want to think carefully about whether or not a US Law degree will be useful for you in your future career plans.
Is it hard to get a job as an international lawyer?
It's not easy to land a job, but here are the essential networking tips to help you reach that goal. Every year, thousands of students enter law school with the hope of someday practicing international law. It's one of the most popular practice areas among both U.S. students and foreign attorneys studying in the U.S.
Where do most international lawyers work?
International organisations like FIFA and the United Nations, as well as non-profit organisations like Amnesty International, are all places where one can find employment. Other frequent career paths for graduates include working for companies with overseas locations or serving as a government lawyer.
Where do international lawyers make the most money?
- Australia – Average Annual Salary (AUD 119,278)
- New Zealand – Average Annual Salary (NZD 84,047)
- Netherlands – Average Annual Salary (EUR 65,000)
- Ireland – Average Annual Salary (EUR 77,148)
- Switzerland – Average Annual Salary (CHF 140,000)
- Do's.
- Don'ts.
What exam do international lawyers take?
If you have been fully admitted to the practice of law in any U.S. or foreign jurisdiction, you are qualified to take the California Bar Examination without additional legal education.
Do embassies hire lawyers?
A legal career with the U.S. Department of State can take many forms including Foreign Service Officer, Foreign Service Specialist, Civil Service, Local Employment in U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
What is the hardest bar exam in the US?
Which bar exam is hardest? California is considered by many to be the most difficult bar exam. It has a relatively low pass rate and a relatively high minimum passing score and covers a lot of state law.
What is the average salary for a lawyer in the US?
How much does a Lawyer make in USA? The average lawyer salary in the USA is $110,224 per year or $52.99 per hour. Entry level positions start at $88,290 per year while most experienced workers make up to $170,294 per year.
What is the best state for international lawyers?
The primary issue you may face is which state bar exam to take. Based on your online research, top states can be New York, Washington, and California. Generally, the best state to take the bar exam in, especially for foreign lawyers, is, of course, New York.