米国弁護士になろう！

Many Japanese graduates of LL.M. programs in the US take the state bar exams in New York and California. In recent years, however, attorney registration requirements and eligibility to take the bar examinations in New   York have become stricter.

One significant change concerns the credits to be acquired during the course of LL.M. study as part of the requirements for admission to the bar exam in New   York.

In the past, other than 2 or more courses on the foundations of American law, the New York State Board did not require bar exam applicants to take any particular course so that LL.M. students who wish to take the New York bar exams were relatively free to choose the their subjects in law school.

However, if you completed your LL.M. after 2012 with the intention of taking the bar exam after 2013, you must obtain at least 24 units during your course of study, of which the following courses must be included:

(1)   legal ethics (2 or more units)

(2)   legal research & writing (2 or more units)

(3)   foundations of American law (2 or more units)

(4)   exam questions in the New   York state bar exam (6 or more units)

In addition, applicants applying for admission to practice in New   York State after January 1, 2015 will be required to perform 50 hours of pro bono work.

In the future, apart from New York, attorney registration requirements and eligibility requirements to take the bar examinations in other states are likely to change as well.

So, what are you waiting for? Get the latest information on the different state bar exams and prepare for the US Bar Examinations now!