Can you work in Europe with an American law degree?

Asked by: Veda Renner  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 5/5 (3 votes)

You can work for U.S. multinational companies
While work depends on the setting, American lawyers find work overseas working in the office of a U.S. law firm or as an attorney in a law firm abroad. American lawyers may also work for U.S. multinational companies as the local legal liaison overseas.

Can a US lawyer practice in Europe?

No, not directly. With U.S. legal qualifications, you must go through some kind of “conversion” process or course in Europe. It's the same in the other direction. The conversion pathways will differ from country to country.

Can I use my law degree in Europe?

In theory, yes, you can study law in Europe, graduate from law school there, and then sit for a US bar exam. If you use BarBri or Themis, and study very slowly and carefully, you may just pass.

How can an American become a lawyer in Europe?

They must pass the first State Examination (or Staatsexamen, often as part of a university law degree), followed by two years of practical training including rotations at civil and criminal courts, an administrative authority and a law firm, called the Referendariat.

Can you use a US law degree in other countries?

The short answer is No. Each country has their unique specifications for legal practitioners, and lawyers from one jurisdiction must go through a process of converting or requalifying to the local jurisdiction. The process usually involves some kind of restudy or re-examination with the professional legal societies.

CAN YOU PRACTICE LAW IN AMERICA WITH A FOREIGN LAW DEGREE? | #attorney

32 related questions found

Can an American lawyer work in France?

That's why many of the people who successfully take the bar exam that can be taken, for example, by—if you have a U.S. bar, you're registered as a U.S. lawyer and you're admitted to the bar in one of the jurisdictions in the United States, you can be allowed to apply for a membership in the French bar.

Can a US lawyer practice in Germany?

Foreign lawyers can only practise in Germany in accordance with the principles explained in Question 3. Without permission, lawyers cannot advise, in particular on German law, and represent clients in German courts.

Is a US law degree valid in UK?

"Assuming you have a US law degree, to qualify as a solicitor in the UK you must pass a US state bar exam and gain two years of common law practice experience. ... Many US trained lawyers working in London go ahead and qualify even if they do not plan to practice English law.

Can American lawyers work in Sweden?

Unlike many other countries, there is no lawyers' monopoly for practising law in Sweden. This means anyone with or without legal qualifications may practise law and offer legal services to the public.

Can you practice law in Europe with a JD?

4 attorney answers

A J.D. would be largely worthless in Europe or any foreign jurisdiction. Now, if you attend a top rated U.S. law school and graduate in the top 20% of your class, have some foreign language skill and previous...

In what country do lawyers make the most money?

Switzerland -260,739 USD: Switzerland is at the top of our list of countries that reward their lawyers the best. With an average annual salary of $260,739. The lowest salary for a Swiss lawyer is $120,279 and the highest salary is $414,058 per year.

What degree do you need to be a lawyer in Europe?

A Master's degree in European Law (LL. M.) is an ideal option for those who wish to study Law, but don't want to remain intellectually confined to only one country. If you want to work with legal problems surrounding one of the most complex and important socio-economic entities, then a European LL.

Is law in demand in Europe?

There is a high demand for qualified lawyers to work in the EU institutions. Most legal roles are involved in developing EU legislation, but if you have exceptional linguistic skills, you could also apply to be a lawyer-linguist.

Can lawyers work internationally?

In fact, more and more large law firms offer their mid-level associates the opportunity to work abroad for several years. Also, many law firms are involved in some type of international work, so a large number lawyers to need to employ comparative legal skills and cross-cultural understanding.

Can I move abroad with a law degree?

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.

How much do lawyers make in Sweden?

Salary Recap

The average pay for a Lawyer is SEK 805,027 a year and SEK 387 an hour in Sweden. The average salary range for a Lawyer is between SEK 554,122 and SEK 1,003,478. On average, a Master's Degree is the highest level of education for a Lawyer.

Can I study law in English in Sweden?

Top universities and colleges in Sweden offer great English-taught Master of Laws (LL. M.) degrees to choose from. Many universities in Sweden offer study programmes taught in English.

Can a foreigner practice law in Sweden?

​​​The legal profession is regulated in Sweden. This means that an advocate/jurist with foreign degree, who wishes to work on the same basis as someone with a Swedish degree, must obtain such a qualification.

Can you practice law internationally with a JD?

You can indeed. I only have one law degree,* but I am admitted to practice in five different jurisdictions.

Can American lawyers practice in Scotland?

We welcome applications from qualified lawyers from all over the world who are interested in requalifying into Scotland. All solicitors re-qualifying from another jurisdiction can apply to undertake the Qualified Lawyers Assessment.

Is it better to study law in England or America?

Put quite simply, the US is more expensive than the UK and probably always will be. Although scholarships, student grants and loans are available, if the cost of an LLM is the main factor you have to consider – the UK is the cheaper resource. US law schools are known for their costly expenses and program conditions.

How much do lawyers make in Germany?

The national average salary for a Lawyer is €81,909 in Germany. Filter by location to see Lawyer salaries in your area. Salary estimates are based on 37 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Lawyer employees.

Is law school free in Germany?

Is law school free in Germany? Many public universities in Germany offer quality education to citizens and international students free. So, if you enroll in a law program in public law school in Germany, you can study law for free in Germany.

How long is law school in Germany?

Study Law in Germany

Obtaining a German Law Degree To earn a law degree in Germany, students must take two state exams and go through a 6 year long curriculum.

Can a US lawyer practice in Spain?

Lawyers must be registered with a bar association to practise. ... Once a lawyer is registered with the local bar association he or she can practise as lawyer anywhere in Spain.