1. New York Bar Exam
WEBINAR June 2017

2. Who Can Establish Eligibility
Common Law Graduates in traditional three-year classroom LL.B. programs can be eligible without extra requirements in an LL.M. program.
Others need an LL.M. to “cure a deficiency”:
Civil Law Trained in three year or more “first degree” in law classroom-based programs
Non-traditional common law: two year university or conversion courses PLUS completion of training contract and bar admission
Some may not be eligible, even after the LL.M., IF:
- First degree in law is different from the standard in the home country so that the BOLE finds it “deficient” in both substance and duration

3. BOLE Website Homepage: http://www.nybarexam.org
Tab for Eligibility information:
Tab for Foreign Legal Education: tion.htm
Tab for Forms:
Before completing the Foreign Evaluation Form you are required to create a BOLE Account using a valid address.

4. All must submit requests by October 1, 2017 for July 2018 exam.
BOLE website – Request for evaluation of Foreign Academic Credentials. Submit on-line form.
Submit required documents.
Expect a minimum of 6 months before you have a decision
If you don’t receive a confirmation after submitting all your documents you may want to contact BOLE to be sure they have all they need
All foreign-educated applicants – even if the LLM is not needed for eligibility – must submit credentials for evaluation

5. Response to Expect:
Students who qualify for the New York Bar based on their first degree in law will be informed they are eligible to sit for the exam.
Students who qualify based on the combination of their first degree in law PLUS the U.S. LL.M. : “not eligible” based on either a durational [less than 3 years] or substantive [not common law] “deficiency” BUT YOU CAN CORRECT ONE “DEFICIENCY” WITH U.S. LL.M. meeting certain requirements.

6. Eligibility based on U.S. LL.M.
Take 24 credits in LL.M. Degree instead of 20; no additional tuition charge for full-time students.
No more than 4 summer credits
All courses must be “classroom” courses. Graduate Independent Research and Global Teaching Fellowships excluded; externships and most practicums are okay.
All credits done in the US.
Students must complete LL.M. within 24 months.

7. 12 credits in Approved Courses:
U.S. Legal Research, Analysis and Writing [2 credits – summer, fall or spring; AND
Professional Responsibility Law in the U.S. [2 credits – summer, fall or spring]; AND
Choice of: Foundations of American Law OR Introduction to U.S. Constitutional Law OR Introduction to U.S. Legal System OR Introduction to U.S. Civil Procedure [2 credits]
PLUS

8. 6 additional credits Must be in subjects tested on the NY Bar Exam
See List of approved courses on the Graduate Programs website’s New York Bar exam information page

9. Can I complete these requirements along with a specialized degree?
General, IBEL, ILS: Yes
Securities & Financial Regulation, Taxation: Yes, with planning
National Security, Environmental, Global Health: Yes, but difficult – consult with your advisor.
What if I also want a certificate?
International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution; Human Rights; WTO; Refugees/Humanitarian Emergencies: Yes, with planning
International Taxation: Talk to the program director.
Others: Difficult.

10. Remember: The LL.M. is a busy year!
Consider how important the NY Bar is for your particular goals
Understand the job market and likelihood of success on the exam
Do not try to take on too much: E.g., degree, certificate, MPRE, NYLE, Pro Bono requirement…you SHOULD NOT try to do it all during your LL.M. year.
When it comes to getting a job in the U.S., it is competitive. The NY Bar may not be the main factor in an employer’s decisionmaking.

11. Register for the Exam During April 2018 for the July 2018 exam
On-line registration
$750 non-refundable fee
Must also request Georgetown to submit your LL.M. transcript, submit your Certificate of Completion and Handwriting Sample. Done after April and submitted after graduation!

12. Pro Bono Requirement
50 hours of Law-related pro bono work, with programs or entities that aim to improve access to justice, are engaged in the representation of low-income or disadvantaged individuals or provide government services in furtherance of these objectives

13. Pro Bono Requirement
Candidates can take the exam before completing pro bono requirement
Must complete it before being sworn in as member of NY Bar
Pro bono work can be done in the U.S. or outside of it.
New York has FAQs to assist you. ionreqs.shtml
Pro Bono Supervisor, not Georgetown, completes the required form.

14. Uniform Bar Exam
The NY Bar decided to adopt the Uniform Bar Exam starting with the July 2016 test
Candidates are also required to take an online course on New York Law and pass a separate, 50-question multiple choice exam on New York Law.
You do not need to do this before you take the bar exam. We recommend you do not worry about the NYLC and NYLE until after you have taken the NY Bar Exam, and do not try to do it while you are doing the LL.M.

15. Skills Competency Requirement - future
For applicants who qualify for the bar examination based upon having attended an ABA-approved law school and having satisfied the requirements of section or based upon their foreign legal education alone under section 520.6, this requirement will first apply to those who commence their legal studies after August 1, 2016. 
As to foreign-educated applicants who are required to complete an LL.M. program at an ABA-approved law school in order to sit for the bar examination under section 520.6, the new requirements will apply to those who commence their LL.M. program after August 1, 2018. 
A copy of the Notice to the Bar announcing the New Skills Competency Requirement and the newly enacted Section of the Rules of the Court of Appeals  For the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors at Law is available at: FAQs for New York’s Skills Competency and Professional Values Bar Admission Requirement are available at:

16. QUESTIONS?????