Foreign Student wanting advice regarding a JD and US visas

JDApplicant
Thu, 24 Dec 2015 22:02:30 +0000

I do not have an LLB, I just finished the first year of NZ law school before moving to the US. Dean granted a certificate of proficiency for the one year of law school I finished so that I wasn’t leaving Auckland law school with nothing and could maybe work in my favor in to getting into an accelerated JD. Certificate of Proficiency application for first year law https://cdn.auckland.ac.nz/assets/law/for/future-undergraduates/documents/LAW-01%20pdf1%20(2).pdf
The reason I chose not to finish an NZ law degree was that several expat lawyers, law schools and recruitment agents advised that a JD was much more of an asset to have instead of a foreign LLB and US LLM. Even though New York is one of the few states that does allow foreign graduates to sit the bar, I was advised big firms still favored a JD (unless a foreign graduate had at least 4 years experience at a top firm and/or could apply to be transferred), that to be a state and/or federal prosecutor a JD is required and quite simply foreign LLB’s just weren’t as valued as a JD. Since a JD is a graduate degree unlike a LLB, any non-law degree was needed prior (preferably awarded in the US as it would make it easier to get a permanent US visa). A permanent visa would be needed to get any type of US law school funding, scholarships and/or financial aid otherwise I would have to pay for law school in full. Since arriving in New York, I have been able to remain working as a legal analyst on two J1 visas before I submitted a green card application in June 2014. The one thing I underestimated was how hard and long the green card process is, I will be starting a JD next fall most probably on a F1 student visa because I do not want to delay law school any longer. Whether I practice in New York or New Zealand I know a JD is the best, most adaptable law degree for my career and I have no regrets about not finishing an LLB. But while I have worked with numerous immigration lawyers on getting a green card, any foreigners who are in a similar position with any knowledge, advice or suggestions regarding a JD or visas is very welcome. Ideally I would like to work full-time and go to law school at night so any visa or loophole that allows for this, that I may not know about would be helpful.