Practicing Law Abroad After US Law School Forum

[TopLawHopeful]

Hi guys,

I'm an undergraduate student in the United States, and I am looking to go to law school immediately after I graduate.

My ultimate goal is to work as a lawyer in Australia, preferably in a major city like Sydney or Melbourne. I do not have Australian citizenship, nor do I have any professional connections there. (I studied abroad there for a semester, and I really fell in love with it.)

Is it feasible to start a career in the Australian legal industry after getting a US JD from a top-tier school? Or should I apply directly to top Australian law schools, such as UMelbourne (whose program happens to be ABA-approved), in order to have a fighting chance? What can I do to make myself more competitive? Should I do a study abroad in law school? Really, if anyone has any comments that are relevant to this matter, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks!

[DougieFresh]

Why don't you take some time off after undergrad and move to Australia? Many people fall in love with countries they visit on study abroad, new friends, new culture, new foods, parties, road trips, a big vacation. Working in a place is quite different. Also, if you've never been abroad for an extended period of time, you should try that out. 3 months is quite different from a year or two years or a life time.

Don't rush your way into law school. Once you have $200,000 in debt it's pretty hard to go on around the world vacations.

[guano]

Go to law school in Australia. It makes the immigration process easier

[indo]

Go to law school in Australia. It makes the immigration process easier

Great Advice. why go to law in USA if you want to practice in Australia ?

[guano]

Go to law school in Australia. It makes the immigration process easier

Great Advice. why go to law in USA if you want to practice in Australia ?

The real point I wanted to make us that Australian immigration policies are fucking tough, but the requirements are significantly lower for people who study there

[NYstate]

Go to law school in Australia. It makes the immigration process easier

Great Advice. why go to law in USA if you want to practice in Australia ?

The real point I wanted to make us that Australian immigration policies are fucking tough, but the requirements are significantly lower for people who study there

This is very solid advice. OP can't just move to Australia. Like foreign nationls entering the US, OP can go to Australia as a student; but OP can't immigrate to Australia without complying with their strict laws. I have no clue whether OP will actually be able to work as a lawyer in Australia as a US citizen.

[TopLawHopeful]

Go to law school in Australia. It makes the immigration process easier

The problem is that the cost of law school in Australia for international students is obscenely high (often upwards of 120k/yr.) I would have to take on an extra 100k+ in debt. :\ And with the not-so-great legal job market in Australia, there's a good chance that I'd never be able to pay it back.

And yeah, I acknowledge that immigration standards for those looking to live in Australia are very restrictive. This unfortunately makes the predicament I'm facing ever the more challenging.

[banjo]

Given the international tuition at Sydney/Melbourne and the starting salaries in Australia (not to mention the difficulties of the immigration process), going to law school in Australia would be a catastrophic mistake. Study hard for the LSAT, get a scholarship from NYU, and consider the Melbourne-NYU dual JD. Otherwise, consider working as a lawyer in the US for a few years to see if you can find an opportunity to move.

ETA: OP, I am not sure what you mean when you say Melbourne is ABA-approved. That does not sound right. I could be wrong, but I think you need to do more research on this.

[guano]

ETA: OP, I am not sure what you mean when you say Melbourne is ABA-approved. That does not sound right. I could be wrong, but I think you need to do more research on this.

I'm pretty sure it is wrong because the ABA doesn't (currently) accredit foreign institutions, though they are considering doing so in the future.
It is LSAC approved, which is not the same thing

[Mick Haller]

Is Australia immigration really that tough? I know it's not super easy but compared to places like Japan and Europe it seems relatively lenient in admitting immigrants. They still have the point system, no?

[Mick Haller]

As a general rule, I think law is a really poor field for anyone wishing to live abroad. Something high tech or a top MBA seems more practical.

[TopLawHopeful]

As a general rule, I think law is a really poor field for anyone wishing to live abroad. Something high tech or a top MBA seems more practical.

Yeah, I'm coming to realize that. :\ Thank you!

[guano]

Is Australia immigration really that tough? I know it's not super easy but compared to places like Japan and Europe it seems relatively lenient in admitting immigrants. They still have the point system, no?

It's harder than the US

[partypajamas]

are other countries really that hard? im looking at scandinavian countries and germany....

[guano]

are other countries really that hard? im looking at scandinavian countries and germany....

Every country is different. Some are harder, some easier. Do some research