How can I practice law in the US from Canada?
Asked by: Kitty Herman | Last update: January 29, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (4 votes)
To practice law in the U.S. from Canada, you must meet the specific admission requirements of the state where you wish to practice, which usually involves passing the bar exam, potentially completing an LLM at a U.S. law school, fulfilling character & fitness, and obtaining a work visa (like a TN visa), as U.S. law is state-regulated, with some states (NY, CA) being more accommodating to foreign-trained lawyers than others.
Can a Canadian practice law in the US?
A foreign lawyer cannot provide legal services in the United States without being admitted to at least one state's bar. Exceptions may exist in some states for example, where foreign lawyers may apply for a license as a foreign law consultant. How do I prepare for the bar exam?
Which states recognize Canadian law degrees?
Regarding Canadian-educated and Canadian-trained applicants, each state in the United States has its own bar admission requirements. Currently, states which accept our law degree as "equivalent" to an American law degree are New York and Massachusetts.
Which US states accept foreign law degrees?
Most states require a J.D. degree from 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.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
How to Become a Lawyer: Step-by-Step Guide in 5 Minutes! (2026)
How much do the top 1% lawyers make?
The top 1% of lawyers earn well into the high six figures to millions annually, with top "Big Law" associates hitting $400k+ quickly, and partners/specialists (like patent attorneys) exceeding $500k-$1M+, depending heavily on location, firm size (Big Law pays most), and specialization (corporate, IP, tax). Entry-level salaries at top firms can start around $215k+, while partners in successful firms can earn $500k to over $1M.
Is law going to be replaced by AI?
No, AI won't fully take over law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks, increasing efficiency, and augmenting lawyers, making tech-savvy lawyers more valuable, while lawyers who don't adapt risk being left behind; AI handles data analysis, contract review, and research, but human judgment, contextual understanding, and complex argumentation remain essential for client counsel and strategic decision-making, shifting the focus to higher-value work and potentially changing billing models.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What is the easiest state to be a lawyer in?
Easiest Bar Exams to Pass for First-Time Takers:
Utah: Utah had the highest first-time pass rate in July 2023, with 94% of first-time takers passing the exam. (It's pass rate dipped to 69% in February 2024, but this is still higher than most other jurisdictions.) It also has a low passing score of 260.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
How can a Canadian legally work in the US?
There are several categories of USA work visas that Canadians are eligible to work under:
- H-1B Visa Temporary Work.
- TN Visa – NAFTA Professional (now CUSMA)
- L-1 Visa – Employee Transfer.
- O-1 Visa – Extraordinary Skills Visa.
Is a JD a doctorate in Canada?
The Canadian JD is an undergraduate common law degree, similar to a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), that provides the legal education to qualify to practice law in Canada.
Do American law firms hire Canadians?
The ease of the TN Visa has also driven US firms to look toward Canadian hires during the past year. Compared to other visas, it's a short processing time, then you gather a few documents, pay $50 at the border, and you can start working right away. It's a pretty seamless visa process compared to other countries.
How hard is it for a Canadian to get a job in the USA?
A Concise Response: Generally, Canadian citizens must obtain a visa to legally work in the United States. Although the procedure may appear complex, a variety of visa options are accessible, and tailored to distinct professions and employment scenarios.
Is the LSAT the same in Canada and the US?
These letters help them build out a picture of you as an applicant and inform their decision. Your letters of recommendation requirements will, in most cases, not be any different from American applicants. Taking the LSAT in Canada is exactly the same as it would be taking it in the United States.
Do Canadians working in the US pay Canadian taxes?
As a Canadian resident, you get taxed on your worldwide income, regardless of where it came from. This means you'll have to declare all foreign and domestic income on your personal tax return.
How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?
To earn $500,000 a year as a lawyer, you need a strategic combination of specializing in high-paying fields (like corporate, IP, or plaintiff-side personal injury/class action), mastering business development through robust lead generation (SEO, PPC, referrals), and potentially moving into leadership roles like Big Law equity partner or becoming a renowned expert/mediator in a niche, leveraging strong marketing and scalable firm operations rather than just billable hours.
What is the hardest bar to pass?
1. California
For starters, the cut score (the score needed to pass the test) of the California bar is 1390 out of 2000, which is 40 points above the national average. The California bar exam is given twice a year over two days and is made up of the following components: Five essay questions (60 minutes each)
What is the #1 law firm in the US?
There isn't one single "number 1" law firm, as rankings vary by criteria (revenue, number of lawyers, prestige); however, Kirkland & Ellis consistently ranks #1 for revenue, while Baker McKenzie often leads in lawyer headcount, and firms like Latham & Watkins, DLA Piper, and Covington & Burling also appear at the top of different lists for size, revenue, and reputation.
Did Joe Biden ever pass the bar?
Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, despite graduating in the lower portion of his class. He practiced law before entering politics, serving as a lawyer and later becoming the 27th President of the United States, and the first President with a law degree from a non-"T-14" law school in a century, notes Law.com.
What was Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Did Hillary Clinton pass the bar?
Hillary Clinton took both the Washington DC and Arkansas bar exams. While she passed the Arkansas Bar Exam, she did not pass the bar exam in Washington DC. That did not stop her, though! She went on to practice in the intellectual property field in Arkansas and has since become a leading political figure.
Is it worth it to be a lawyer in 2025?
Pursing a Career in the Legal Field
For those considering their future in the legal profession, a juris doctor degree remains a valuable and worthwhile investment in 2025. While it requires commitment and careful planning, the opportunities that come from earning a JD extend far beyond the traditional role of attorney.
What percentage of lawyers make $500,000?
A small percentage of lawyers earn over $500k; while the median salary for lawyers is around $150k-$170k, the top 10% earn over $239k, but reaching $500k+ usually requires being a top partner in a "Big Law" firm, specializing in high-value areas like corporate or IP law, or having a very successful practice, notes the BLS and Legal Brand Marketing.
What is the 30% rule in AI?
The 30% rule in AI is a practical framework that says you should start by automating roughly 30% of your repetitive tasks—the ones that eat up time but don't require human creativity or judgment. This focused approach delivers the biggest ROI while avoiding the chaos of trying to automate everything at once.