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Hi guys, Im just asking here to see what the general knowledge is on whether international students who gain an American JD can work in the US. Do you know the immigration barriers one in this situation would have to overcome? I am asking as a Canadian who has been accepted to many (tier 2) schools in the US, but the only thing that scares me is that I won't be able to work in the US upon graduating. I do know some people in my circumstance who have ended up working, but Im not sure if this can happen in all states. I am aware that states like California and New York are a little less regulated. But if i went to say....Oregon, would I be able to work there?

Also, I am particularly interested in Environmental law (but also criminal and IP), but most people in this field work in the public sector. Since I don't have American citizenship, would it be too difficult for me to land a government job in the US? Should I instead focus on legal training that would put me in the private sector?

Any insight is helpful, thanks guys.

You have to do really good in law school cuz shitlaws won't pay your working visa. Your only exit options are probably mid/big law firms or corporation.

baboon309 wrote:You have to do really good in law school cuz shitlaws won't pay your working visa. Your only exit options are probably mid/big law firms or corporation.

Those are some pretty bold assumptions.

OP, I think it all depends on what you want to do, and how talented your grades make you appear. If your skill set makes you valuable to an employer, then they will most likely do what it takes to keep you. I'm not overly (read: not at all) familiar with this process though, so what you might want to consider contacting firms located in the states where you would like to work.

macattaq wrote:

baboon309 wrote:You have to do really good in law school cuz shitlaws won't pay your working visa. Your only exit options are probably mid/big law firms or corporation.

Those are some pretty bold assumptions.

OP, I think it all depends on what you want to do, and how talented your grades make you appear. If your skill set makes you valuable to an employer, then they will most likely do what it takes to keep you. I'm not overly (read: not at all) familiar with this process though, so what you might want to consider contacting firms located in the states where you would like to work.

How valuable can a 1st yr associate be? Only big firms will spend extra time/money to hire international students. In fact, it isn't that much hassle for them cuz they've been doing it for many years. For shitlaws, first,they can get cheaper domestic labor with same credentials. Second, it's gonna be a big pain in the ass for them even if they decide to hire you. Most of small firms(not just law firm) do not have experience on hiring foreigners.

It is going to definitely depend on your expertise and whether or not you can land a job (or find someone that you want to marry while in law school who happens to be a US Citizen. . .) The job, as you know, has to sponsor you, but they also have to be able to prove that they need you and that they have tried to find a USC who can do the job (kind of like what is req'd in Canada, but a little less strict on the labor cert. . .)

Most govt based jobs do require citizenship, but that is not universal and depends on the security clearance level of the job you want as well as the nature of the job itself. . .

I just did a quick search of http://www.usajobs.govfor attorney positions and it is nearly random which jobs require citizenship and which include "nationals. . ." as eligible candidates. All of the immigration related ones require citizenship and army related ones tend to as well. . .take a look over there.

Thanks for the links. Ill definitely check them out.

lol, the marriage idea may not be too bad But im not gonna bank on that cause the last thing i want to do is spend more thousands on a marriage right after law school lol. Unless of course I can make some sort of "indecent proposal." Kidding of course...

baboon309 wrote:

macattaq wrote:

baboon309 wrote:You have to do really good in law school cuz shitlaws won't pay your working visa. Your only exit options are probably mid/big law firms or corporation.

Those are some pretty bold assumptions.

OP, I think it all depends on what you want to do, and how talented your grades make you appear. If your skill set makes you valuable to an employer, then they will most likely do what it takes to keep you. I'm not overly (read: not at all) familiar with this process though, so what you might want to consider contacting firms located in the states where you would like to work.

How valuable can a 1st yr associate be? Only big firms will spend extra time/money to hire international students. In fact, it isn't that much hassle for them cuz they've been doing it for many years. For shitlaws, first,they can get cheaper domestic labor with same credentials. Second, it's gonna be a big pain in the ass for them even if they decide to hire you. Most of small firms(not just law firm) do not have experience on hiring foreigners.

TN visas cost very little (a couple hundred dollars for 3 years), and as a canadian OP could be on those indefinitely (or at least until NAFTA is repealed). H-1B and green card sponsorship is far more expensive, and employment-based green card sponsorship would be extremely difficult if the legal market does not recover swiftly. (e: although it's not so expensive that I would say no smallLaw firms would be willing to sponsor someone).

OP, nobody really knows how the hiring process would go for you. It would likely be more difficult though. You should talk to career services offices at some schools about this (although take what they say with a grain of salt), and some firms who do OCI at the schools you were accepted to. For more information you should also consult a US immigration attorney.

Thanks for the help. Ill look into it. I have read about the renewable work visas, they dont seem to be much of a burden at all. But especially for New York and California, Im hoping Id not have a terrible time since Id rather work in the US than Canada anyways (not just because of the weather lol).

macattaq wrote:

baboon309 wrote:You have to do really good in law school cuz shitlaws won't pay your working visa. Your only exit options are probably mid/big law firms or corporation.

Those are some pretty bold assumptions.

OP, I think it all depends on what you want to do, and how talented your grades make you appear. If your skill set makes you valuable to an employer, then they will most likely do what it takes to keep you. I'm not overly (read: not at all) familiar with this process though, so what you might want to consider contacting firms located in the states where you would like to work.

I have friends -- albeit in journalism, not law-- in this situation. Some of them had to just go back home while some had terrific luck. It certainly is a combination of luck and performance. Luck in finding a firm willing to sponsor you and performance because obviously, they would need a motivation to do so. I know of someone from Europe who went to law school, did really well and got a great job offer. I am sure the issue of the visa came up. Also, there are firms/companies for which the visa is not an issue but then there are others which choose not to deal with it at all. There is no yes or no answer here, really.

Most government jobs seem to have citizen or permanent resident requirements, from what I can tell.

macattaq wrote:

baboon309 wrote:You have to do really good in law school cuz shitlaws won't pay your working visa. Your only exit options are probably mid/big law firms or corporation.

Those are some pretty bold assumptions.

OP, I think it all depends on what you want to do, and how talented your grades make you appear. If your skill set makes you valuable to an employer, then they will most likely do what it takes to keep you. I'm not overly (read: not at all) familiar with this process though, so what you might want to consider contacting firms located in the states where you would like to work.

...It's not exactly wrong, considering foreigners can't get any US government backed loans. No IBR. I guess if you can foot the tuition bill yourself it might be alright. JDs are a lot more appealing abroad though given their rarity. No idea why you want to work in the US if you get a JD here and can access foreign markets.