Dual Degree Law programme with Columbia (LLB/JD)

Hiya

I'm an incoming law undergraduate student at a university that offers a competitive dual degree programme where you study 2 years of your law degree at your home university in the UK and then another 2 in the US at Columbia Law School ultimately coming out with an LLB degree and simulatinously a JD Degree.

Has anyone done this and even if you have not would you recommend this?

Reply 1

Blayze

I had a friend who did so; the main issue he had at the time is the funding of the US years (he had a rich enough background that he was fine with the fact it was "only" £70k a year). Then realistically, I'm not sure how competitive you would be as against other US lawyers - qualifying in two jurisdictions from scratch would mean that you spend a long time essentially just training. In reality, you'd probably need to just pick one of them to focus on and then transfer later, but if that's the case then the original degree hasn't greatly helped you.

Reply 2

Stiffy Byng

I add that you can take the Bar exam in many if not most states of the Union if you have an English law degree. I know a few Brits who are partners in law firms in NYC and don't have JDs. They have law degrees from English universities. I don't even have a law degree and I could, if I wished, take the Bar exam in California (but not in New York).

PS: My kid brother plays Dungeons and Dragons and he says that he was once attacked by a Simulatinous Cube. Sounds rough.