LLMs and the Bar

An LLM degree alone will likely not qualify someone to sit for the bar exam. Rather the combination of foreign legal education, foreign legal practice, and completion of additional educational credits within the United States will qualify them to sit for the bar exam.

New York State Bar

LLM students interested in gaining admission to the bar after completion of their degree most commonly seek admission in New York State. 

To sit for the New York Bar Exam, LLM students must complete an online Foreign Evaluation Form and submit other required documentation such as transcripts.

The Board will only review your Foreign Evaluation Form when ALL of the required supporting documentation is received by the Board. It is your responsibility to ensure that the documents are received by the Board. You can find details about the required documentation in the Foreign Legal Education Handbook. The decision will be sent to you by email. You will also be contacted by email should the Board have questions regarding your Foreign Evaluation Form or the documentation submitted.

• Required Documentation includes:
  • Official Transcripts
  • Degree Certificate
  • Proof of fulfillment of the educational requirements for admission to the practice of law in the foreign country.
  • Accreditation.
  • LL.M. Certificate of Attendance Form

If the law school transcripts, degree certificate, or any other paper submitted is not in English it shall be accompanied by an English translation that is duly authenticated or includes a statement by the translator setting forth the translator's 9 qualifications and certifying that the translation is accurate. 

LLM students interested in taking the July bar exam, must complete the Foreign Evaluation Form and all Required Foreign Documentation by October 1 of the year proceeding the exam. Students interested in taking the February bar exam, must complete the Foreign Evaluation Form and all Required Foreign Documentation by May 1 of the year proceeding the exam.