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Re(1): Transfer to ABA JD program?

Posted on January 21, 2002 at 04:29:57 AM by George Pappas

Victor,

You are correct, one can transfer a UOL degree for credit at an ABA law school's JD program. Based on my conversations with a few ABA Law schools, the UOL London LLB would transfer no more that the first year's credit of a three year JD full time program. In fact, I believe the ABA has a rule which puts a cap on how much credit a US ABA law school can accept. So it's really not an individual law school policy, but an ABA policy which these law schools must follow if they don't want to jeopardize their ABA status as "approved law schools."

So the next question is why not do it? Cost is a major reason, and the fact that the LLB is in fact a JD excepting US Civil Procedure, US Constitutional Law and US Professional Responsibility. All the other major subjects - except for case law and statutory differences - cover the same black letter law. In fact, I would argue that the LLB is at least a rigorous from the University of London relative to most US ABA law schools. I would also argue that several other British University law degree (external) programs (they know who they are) are not worth the paper their degree is printed on. So, why should we have to pay thousands of dollars just to review subjects we have in essence already passed? That was a hard fact to swallow despite the fact that one would eventually earn a JD, and more debt.

JD programs are also very limited in their course offerings if you work full time, so you may have to give up your source of income - not a pleasant prospect.

The ABA LLM is a good compromise, especially when at least 10 US States will permit you to take their bar exam with the ABA LLM.

These were sound enough reasons for me, and others. I have no regrets.

I would like to hear from others about this issue? Let's get a couple of view points on this issue from others.

George Pappas
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