• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Bar Exam Toolbox®

Get the tools you need for bar exam success

  • I Failed!
  • Tutoring
  • Courses
    • Writing Help: Essays/PT
    • MBE Help
    • Self-Study Program
    • Options – California
    • Options – UBE
    • Options – FYLSE (Baby Bar)
  • Bar Exam 101
  • About
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Login

Preparing for the Bar Exam as a Foreign Lawyer

June 9, 2017 By Sara O'Connor 8 Comments

Preparing for the Bar as a Foreign LawyerWhether or not you have already practiced law in your home country, you may be considering sitting for the bar in one of the states of the United States of America this upcoming exam season. To help you navigate this important decision, this article briefly outlines the benefits of passing the bar and things you should consider when choosing a bar exam study program.

There are Great Benefits to Passing the Bar as a Foreign Lawyer

Perhaps you, like many international law students, are pursuing a Master of Law (LLM) degree. If you fall into this category, congratulations on seeking or obtaining this wonderful achievement!

To hopefully state the obvious, you likely already know that, while this impressive law certification has global credibility and allows individuals to obtain a niche specialty through advanced legal study, obtaining an LLM will not allow you to actually practice law as an attorney. As such, you may be interested and eager to sit for the bar so that you can practice law, perhaps in the area your LLM focused on!

Of course, your end goal does not need to be practicing law in a specialized area of law (or in any area of law, frankly) in order to want to sit for the bar. Perhaps you understand that passing the bar will look stunning on your resume, regardless of whether or not you want to work in the United States, your home country, or in another country altogether! Passing the bar shows that you are capable of navigating at least the basics of the law in the United States, which is no small feat. Further, it shows that you are able to work hard, remain accountable, master new concepts, and read and write at least moderately well in the English language – all of which are attractive qualities many employers look for when wading through their applicant pool for new hires.

Regardless, you never know what your future holds, and passing the bar gives you the freedom to practice law in at least one state in the Unites States. Moreover, once you pass the bar in one state, you may be able to practice law in another state without taking that state’s bar exam, depending on what is referred to as its “reciprocity rules.” Needless to say, this opens up your job prospects and opportunities, which is never a bad thing!

You Can Pass the Bar Even if You Did Not Study Law in the United States

As a foreign lawyer preparing for the bar, you may be concerned that law students trained in the United States have a significant advantage over you. Do not let this fear stop you. While a test written in English is certainly initially easier for U.S. trained students, everyone who wants to sit for the bar needs to spend a significant amount of time studying and preparing for it. You may find that you are better equipped for this than your American counterparts!

Regardless, like American law students, foreign lawyers should consider taking a bar review course to prepare for the bar. Several are available, so you want to make sure to study the differences before financially committing.

In considering what bar prep program is best for you, if you really struggle with English, you may want to study longer and wait until the next bar season. To be clear, when I say “English,” I mean American English as opposed to British or Indian English. You will be tested in American English, and there are some differences between the three when it comes to legal terms of art.

Ideally, you can get ready this season, so consider purchasing a program that offers recorded videos. With recorded lectures, you can always listen to a lesson again if a particular section was too difficult to get through the first time. That said, listening to lectures is a passive study method, so don’t rely on them too heavily. You want to use approximately half of your study time with proactive study methods, such as taking practice essays or completing sets of multiple choice questions.

Additionally, consider purchasing a program that offers one-on-one tutoring (we offer such a program, so check it out!). While programs with a one-on-one component are beneficial for all bar applicants, they can be particularly helpful for foreign lawyers and English as a second Language (or ESL) applicants. For example, our tutors find that video chats with ESL students work really well, because tutors can pick up on non-verbal cues that indicate a student is confused. This allows for real-time communication about an issue, so that you can hammer the issue repeatedly and from different angles if necessary until it makes sense. Other programs without this individualized component keep chugging along through new material, whether or not you are ready for it! Further, while some programs offer written feedback on essays (and this is something you really should look for in any program you choose), having all of your essays go to one tutor helps you identify common themes and areas to improve upon across all subject matters, which can save time and help you make improvements across the board.

The Change in California from a Three-Day Exam to a Two-Day Exam

If you are taking the bar exam in California, you should already know that the exam is being scaled back from a three-day exam to a two-day exam. The differences are talked about in greater detail here, but I wanted to note a few things for you foreign-trained attorney to consider.

  • First, this change may help you, because the performance test has been substantially reduced. Instead of two 3-hour performance tests (PTs), there will only be one 90-minute performance test. This means that the weight given to the writing portion will substantially reduced, which will really help those of you that are not entirely comfortable reading quickly in English (and, frankly, many of your English-only speaking counterparts may enjoy this change for the same reason!).
  • Second, because the PT section is smaller, the MBE section is going to carry more weight. This is great if you are better at taking multiple choice questions than answering essays. However, because correct answers can turn on a single word or phrase (consider, for example, “shall” versus “may” and “intentionally” versus “accidentally”), you have to reach each word carefully before filling in your answer sheet.
  • Finally, because you were educated or practiced law outside of the United States, you need to file paperwork that exempts you from having a Social Security number if you do not have one.
  • To find out more about the requirements for foreign applicants to sit for the California bar, click here.

To conclude, I remain incredibly impressed by students who not only take the bar, but brave a foreign language in order to obtain their professional goals. I tip my hat to you and praise your drive and determination. Best wishes on your incredibly impressive journey. My colleagues and I are here to help if you need it! To learn more tips on taking the bar when English is your second language, check out these other helpful posts:

  • Preparing for the Bar as an ESL Student
  • Selecting the Right Bar Review Course or Tutor
  • How to Navigate Law School as an ESL Student
  • Taking the Bar as a Foreign Lawyer
  • What are Bar Exam Graders Really Looking For?

Ready to pass the bar exam? Get the support and accountability you need with personalized one-on-one bar exam tutoring or one of our economical courses and workshops. We're here to help!


 

About Sara O'Connor

Sara O'Connor is a law school tutor and bar exam tutor for the Law School Toolbox and the Bar Exam Toolbox.

While in law school at Duquesne University School of Law, Sara received the Outstanding Appellate Brief Award in her Legal Research & Writing course and served as a tutor for their nationally-ranked Legal Research & Writing program. She also served as a Law Review Associate Notes and Comments Editor, received a Cali Award in Administrative Law, competed on Mock Trial teams (one of which became Quarter Finalists),coached a high school team that went on to become District Champions and Semi-Regional Champions, and graduated third in her class.

After graduating, Sara practiced law for several years at K&L Gates, LLP in the areas of commercial disputes, insurance coverage, toxic torts, and product liability. However, she could not resist the temptation to teach and found herself serving as a Bar Prep Tutor, Trial Advocacy Adjunct Professor, and an undergraduate and law school mentor and adviser. Sara has since left Biglaw to devote herself to her two passions -- working with students who know their worth and potential but may need assistance reaching it and showcasing her artwork throughout the North East.

Sara regularly blogs about law school, the Bar exam, and the practice of law.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica de Kock

    10.17.18

    Hi there, I’m a South African student about her law degree (my second degree). I want to know I can do all do the preparation for the bat exam in South Africa, and then only come across to the US to actually write the exam? Is that possible or do I need to physically be in the US for some of the preparation?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Greiner

      10.17.18

      Hi Jessica,

      Great question! You can study for the bar while abroad and come back to take the exam, but it would be a good idea to know where you want to practice and think about which bar you will take, etc. Feel free to contact us with more specific questions!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        10.19.18

        Hi Elizabeth, thanks for your response! I’m interested in taking the New York Bar. So if I were to use your services for all of the content while abroad, could I then just arrive in New York a few days before I’m due to write, or do I have to be there physically for any additional testing before the exam?

        Reply
        • Elizabeth Greiner

          10.20.18

          Hi Jessica,

          If you can send us an email using our contact form that would be the best way to talk about your specific situation! https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-tutoring-contact-form/

          Thanks!

          Reply
  2. Carla Couto

    02.17.19

    Hello, I’m a Brazilian lawyer and I’m looking for a course that can prepare me for the bar exam in California. But I wanted to know if a foreign lawyer is capable of just taking a prep course and pass the exam. Would it be better if I did a LLM here in the US and then study for the bar exam? I’m worried that if it will not be enough to buy a course and try to prepare for the exame. I don’t know anyone that has been through this process.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Greiner

      02.17.19

      Hi Carla,

      It depends on the individual situation of the student, but we do have content on the issues that foreign bar takers face. Here are some examples: https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-29-taking-the-bar-exam-as-a-foreign-trained-attorney/ and https://barexamtoolbox.com/five-concerns-foreign-bar-takers-have-and-how-to-combat-them/. If you’d like more information on our bar review courses, you can contact us at: https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-tutoring-contact-form/.

      Reply
  3. SUCHETA SAHA

    01.25.23

    Hello, I am an Indian Lawyer living in US (not licensed to practice in US) and preparing to pursue llm in California . Along with it can I take preparation course for clearing bar exam of California so that after completing llm, immediately I clear bar exam . If it is possible please provide me which course is best for me to clear California bar exam.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Greiner

      01.26.23

      If you’re interested in tutoring please contact us through our bar tutoring form: https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-tutoring-contact-form/

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let us know you are not a spammer! * Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.

Primary Sidebar

  • Podcast
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Us

Want to pass the bar exam? Of course you do! We’re here to help. You’ll find lots of helpful free content at Bar Exam 101, in the Bar Exam Resource Hub, and on the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast. For more hands-on help, take a look at our courses and workshops and bar exam tutoring options. Please get in touch with any questions!

Recent Posts

Leave no Bar Exam Subject Behind

Leave No Bar Exam Subject Behind

When you hear about the bar exam, it is usually described as this broad and intense whirlwind. How can you prepare to succeed in this massive … [Read More...] about Leave No Bar Exam Subject Behind

Podcast Microphone

Podcast Episode 220: Listen and Learn — Exceptions to the Warrant Requirement

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing Criminal Procedure -- specifically, … [Read More...] about Podcast Episode 220: Listen and Learn — Exceptions to the Warrant Requirement

Evidence Lessons from Famous Cases

Evidence Lessons from Famous Cases

There is a lot of evidence law you need to know for the bar exam. How can you remember it all? I once heard someone quickly recite all of the hearsay … [Read More...] about Evidence Lessons from Famous Cases

Podcast Microphone

Podcast Episode 219: Quick Tips — Breathing Exercises for Test-Day Anxiety

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Quick Tips" series, we are talking about how to use breathing techniques to get … [Read More...] about Podcast Episode 219: Quick Tips — Breathing Exercises for Test-Day Anxiety

What I Did to Manage My Stress During Bar Prep

What I Did to Manage My Stress During Bar Prep

Studying for the bar exam can be an incredibly stressful and anxiety-inducing experience. There are lots of tips and tricks floating around about how … [Read More...] about What I Did to Manage My Stress During Bar Prep

Need to Pass the Bar Exam?

Sign up for our free weekly email with useful tips!

Footer

  • Podcast
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • I Failed!
  • Tutoring
  • Courses
  • Bar Exam 101
  • About
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Login
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Refunds
  • Contact

Copyright 2023 Bar Exam Toolbox®™