How can I practice law in USA from India?

Asked by: Tyler O'Hara DVM  |  Last update: December 25, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (63 votes)

Indian lawyers need to complete an LLM from an ABA-accredited law school to qualify. Additionally, they must secure a work visa, such as an H-1B, and find sponsorship from a U.S. employer. Alternative roles like legal consulting and compliance are also available for those not pursuing a full legal practice.

Can I study law in USA from India?

Ans. Yes, you can pursue LLM in the USA after completing your LLB in India. However, you must match the eligibility criteria of the university you choose.

Which US 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.

What is the easiest bar exam for foreign lawyers in the US?

Texas and New York administer the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE®), while California has its own, state-specific bar exam. The Texas Bar is now one of the most accessible US bars for foreign attorneys who are licensed to practice in their home country or who have a first professional degree in law from a common law system.

What are the requirements to practice law in the US?

The general requirements for admission to the bar are similar throughout the fifty states. An applicant must have good moral character, be a resident (or employed) in the state, have graduated from an accredited/certified law school, and pass a bar examination .

How To Become A Lawyer In USA After Doing Law From India | Ft. Ms. Susanah Naushad | Letter of Law |

35 related questions found

Can an Indian lawyer practice in the US?

Can a foreign lawyer give counsel in the United States? 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.

What are the 4 types of laws in the US legal system?

When researching the law, it is important to remember the four main types of law: constitutional, statutory, administrative and case (common) law.

What is the hardest bar exam in 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.

Can an Indian lawyer give the New York bar exam?

New York Bar Exam

One of the most popular bar exams for foreign-trained lawyers, including Indian lawyers. Indian lawyers can qualify with an LLM degree from an ABA-accredited law school or, in some cases, directly with their Indian law degree. The New York Bar allows more flexibility for foreign applicants.

Can you practice law without passing the bar in USA?

There are four (4) states, New Hampshire, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Washington where an attorney may practice law, and become a judge, without taking the State bar exam. Three (3) other states, California, Minnesota and Utah are giving serious consideration to likewise eliminating the requirement to take the bar exam.

Can I give the California bar exam from India?

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.

How long is law school in the US?

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. Graduating from law school is an impressive achievement for many aspiring lawyers.

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.

Which LLM is most in demand?

Have a look at some of the most popular LLM programs below!
  • Master of laws in Administrative Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in National Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in Economic Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in Jurisprudence.
  • Master of laws in Human Rights Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in Dispute Resolution Studies.

What is the salary of LLM in USA?

How much does a Llm make? As of Jan 21, 2025, the average annual pay for the Llm jobs category in the United States is $142,663 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $68.59 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,743/week or $11,888/month.

Which country accept Indian law degree?

The Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC)& the NCA recognises all Indian Law degrees with the most commonly accepted degree being the LLB degree. The NCA exam can be taken online through the official site (https://nca.legal/exams/online-exam-rules/). Complete a law degree (LLB) from an Australian Institution.

Is LLB from India valid in the USA?

On positive evaluation certificate of the said concerned State the said Indian lawyers become authorised to take the Bar Exam of the said US State . They become attorneys of the said State of The US and can appear and practice law in the courts in the said State of US.

Which state has the easiest law bar exam?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

What is the lawyer's salary in India?

The Average Salary of a Lawyer in India

Salaries can range from low to high, depending on the practitioner's experience, skills, degree, and specialization. In India, the average yearly salary for a lawyer is around Rs. 5.70 Lakh to Rs. 7.86 Lakh.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?

Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!

What is the easiest state to become a lawyer in?

Going by the 2021 bar exam passing rates, Wyoming has the easiest bar exam to pass. However, we don't really get the full picture by just looking at the passing rates. Each state's bar exam can differ in difficulty and content.

How many times can you fail the bar USA?

Most states allow 2-4 attempts of the bar exam, but about 35 states, including California, New York, and Florida, don't have any limits on the number of times you can take the bar.

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.

Is India a common law country?

In the same way, the legal system also considerably received an Indian touch; it was not a simple transposition of the common law model, but developed through admixture with an autochthonous background (Nariman, 2006). However, both Nariman and Galanter identify the Indian legal system as primarily a common law system.

What is the hardest law to practice?

Family law is also considered one of the most challenging areas to practice. Many attorneys think it's the hardest law to practice because of the emotionally charged nature of divorces, child custody, and adoption cases.