Can you use an LLB in America?

Asked by: Graciela Grant  |  Last update: October 14, 2023
Score: 4.9/5 (40 votes)

There is no course or process you can go through to start practicing law in the US, with your LLB and LLM degrees. In order to practice law in the US, you must be admitted to the bar of a state. Not all states allow foreign trained attorneys/law graduates to take their bar exam.

Can I use my LLB in USA?

In almost all cases, the ABA must first review and approve your foreign law degree. This can take a year or more. You can sit for that state's bar if the ABA gives you a nod of approval and you meet the state's other requirements. Only Vermont recognizes foreign law degrees with any regularity.

What is LLB equivalent to in USA?

Studying law in the United States

The first LLB degree in the United States was awarded in 1820 by Harvard University. In 1902, the Harvard faculty suggested the JD degree be awarded, but the university didn't accept it until 1969. By 1971, the JD replaced the LLB throughout the country.

Can I use a law degree from the UK in the US?

Yes! UK lawyers can typically transfer their education to the US if they have completed a program of education focused on English common law for at least three years.

What can I do after LLB in USA?

Study Options after LLB in USA
  • LLM (Master of Laws)
  • JD (Juris Doctor)
  • Master's degrees in Law/Legal Studies.
  • Legal Certificate.
  • Master's in Public Policy.
  • Master's in Criminal Justice.

How to become an Attorney in the US (w/ a foreign law degree)

34 related questions found

Why did the US get rid of the LLB?

Why did American law schools move from the LLB to the JD? Because many government positions and many foreign countries treated an LLB as a bachelors degree and failed to recognize that it represented three years of post graduate study beyond a bachelors degree.

How many years is LLB in USA?

As a law student, you can expect to spend at least three years in law school. Full-time students typically complete their studies within three years, while part-time students take up to five years.

Does the US recognize foreign law degrees?

Yes. However, most jurisdictions require holders of foreign law degrees to have an additional legal degree, such as a J.D. or LL. M., from an ABA-accredited law school in the United States.

Can UK trained lawyers practice in US?

If you are successful in the bar exam you can then successfully apply for admission to the State Bar Association for practice. Since each state has complete discretion in the process, some states have developed state-specific regulations that target admitting foreign lawyers (UK lawyers) to their bar.

Can you practice law in New York with a LLB?

In general, you are eligible to take the bar exam if you have a qualifying law degree that is durationally and substantively equivalent to a JD degree in the US. A full-time, three-year LLB degree in common law countries (e.g. Australia, England, Hong Kong) should usually suffice.

Does Harvard offer LLB?

Harvard Law School - 3 years and 5 Years LLB course.

Is LLM a qualifying law degree in USA?

Subject to the rules in each jurisdiction, in some U.S. states, internationally educated students who earn an LLM degree may become eligible to take the bar exam. An LLM can help you specialize and extend your credentials in a specific area or field of practice.

What is LLM equivalent to in USA?

LLM in USA is an abbreviation of Legum Megister (a Latin word) which means Master of Law. Students are required to complete at least 24 units while studying in the USA.

Is Kim Kardashian a lawyer?

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Is LLB from India valid in USA?

Depending upon which college you studied in, the New York Bar may recognize your LLB, making you eligible to write the NY Bar exam. Clearing the NY Bar exam will entitle you to practice law in New York.

Can you use a law degree in another country?

For the most part, yes – although you may well be required to take an exam to prove your comprehension of the new legal system you're moving to practise in. If you wish to move somewhere in the EU, you must join a bar or law society in the country you're moving to.

Can a lawyer from another country work in USA?

If you want to practice law in the U.S., you have three main options as a foreign-trained attorney to prepare to sit for a bar exam: LLM, traditional JD, or an accelerated JD. Your choice depends on what type of law you studied, your experience, your budget, and your ultimate career goals.

Can I practice law in the US with an LLM?

Foreign trained lawyers who wish to remain in the United States and practice law here are advised to obtain the JD degree rather than the LLM degree. The JD degree will enable candidates to take the bar examination in every state while the LLM degree may qualify them only to take the bar exam in a few states.

Do US lawyers make more than UK?

Higher Income

Typically, Associates in US firms are better paid than their peers in UK firms and despite recent efforts by Magic Circle firms to close the pay gap, the recent US Associate salary hike, which has been widely reported in the legal press, has widened this gap even further.

Is LLB equivalent to JD?

What is The Difference Between LLB And JD Degree? Both the JD and the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) lead to legal practice accreditation. The LLB is for individuals who are just starting out in law school, whereas the JD is for those who already hold a degree.

Will my degree be recognized in the US?

A common question from international students is, “Will US employers accept my degree from abroad?” We're here to give you a deeper look into this. The short answer is, yes, the majority of US employers will accept your international degree.

Where can I practice with a UK law degree?

If you qualify as a solicitor, you can work in a number of different legal practices, including:
  • high street solicitors' practices – typically offering the widest caseloads covering criminal, family, probate and business law.
  • local and national government.
  • large organisations with in-house legal teams.

Is LLB an undergraduate degree in USA?

Bachelor of Laws (abbreviated as LL. B., LLB, or rarely Ll. B.) is an undergraduate law degree. In most common law countries (with the exceptions of all Canadian provinces except Quebec, and the U.S.), the LL.

How long is a Harvard law degree?

The J.D. degree requires three years of full-time study, and new students begin their studies only in the fall semester of each year. Apart from for practicing lawyers, we have no part-time, distance, on-line or summer programs. Does HLS offer any part-time or summer programs?

How long is an LLM in USA?

Typically a one year program, the LLM serves as an introduction to the US Legal System and is most often requested of applicants to the bar who were educated in or practiced outside the US.