Validity of the B.A, LL.B (Hons.) degree from an Indian National Law University in the United States
I very recently graduated from a National Law University with a B.A.L.L.,B. (Hons.) . I joined the University under the Foreign National Category as I am a U.S Citizen. I wanted to seek clarification regarding the forum discussion previously posted on your website about whether this degree is valid in the United States to work as an associate as well as whether I shall be eligible to take the bar exam.
The New York State Bar states the following for eligibility for foreign law school study:
Foreign Law School Study – Successful completion of a program of study at a law school outside of the United States that is both durationally and substantively equivalent to a program of study at an approved law school in the United States, and if required, successful completion of an additional program of study at an approved law school in the United States. (Section520.6 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals) (See also, “Foreign Legal Education” section of this website)
Applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review the eligibility rules in Section 520.6 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors at Law before applying to sit for the bar examination. It is the responsibility of each applicant to be aware of the eligibility requirements and to demonstrate their compliance with the requirements of the Court Rules. (http://www.nybarexam.org/Eligible/Eligibility.htm)
My questions are :
Do National Law Universities with a 5 year integrated law program fall under the specifications given on the NYSbar website.
What is the validity of the B.A, LL.B (Hons.) degree and what are the jobs available to students like me.in the United States.
4 Replies
I dont think that you can just practice there with an Indian LLB but I’m not sure.
If I understood correctly you need to
1. pass the NY state bar exam,
2. maybe also complete law school, or a masters’ degree or equivalent in the US.
I don’t know if you can do 1. without 2.
You can apply to Corporate Law houses, there in US for absorption. The degree is quite accepted for that purpose. Many of your alumni have been working in US Law firms with the same BALLB degree, they can best answer your questions. As far as Court practice/litigation is concerned, one with a law degree from other nations must have to complete a higher qualification in the United states (from any recognized university there in US) and subsequently clear any of the State Bar Exam(the court/state You intend to practice). It is mostly a one year process (if you prepare for your bar exam along with your LLM studies as well as clear your bar exam as soon as you pass out).
Best of Luck!
Thanks Random Lawyer. But do US law firms in practice not end up asking for joiners to have passed a US bar exam?
I guess sometimes for their India practice they might pick a completely non-US law person, but usually they’d want at least some US Law qualification presumably?
what i have understood in due course as my daughter too is doing integrated program BALLB, that for practicing in US one needs to do a 2 yr J.D.coursepla