how to become a lawyer in france with a us bachelor's degree

by Dr. Shyanne Schowalter V 7 min read

First, students attend a three-year Bachelor of law program (called “Licence de Droit”). This is followed by a two-year Master of Law program (LLM), and finally a three-year or more Ph. D. in law. Can a US lawyer practice in France? With your american background you can get into american or British Law firms located in Paris.

Full Answer

How to become a lawyer in France?

After three years of actual regular practice in France, they may apply for the title of avocat and be registered in a French bar association. However, it is possible for them to establish professional residency as soon as they register in a bar; there is no longer a requirement for a previous internship.

Can I become a lawyer with a foreign law degree?

Foreign-trained lawyers can gain admission to the bar in 34 other jurisdictions as well, all with varying rules. In almost all cases, the ABA must first review and approve your foreign law degree. This can take a year or more. You can sit for that state's bar if the ABA gives you a nod of approval and you meet the state's other requirements.

How to become a lawyer?

Head to our degree database to view the leading online law degrees, all properly accredited, to help you become a leader in the legal profession. With the right education, you’ll have a strong understanding of the legal profession and be prepared for the bar exam, the most important test to become a lawyer.

How do you become an avocat?

On completing this training, law students must pass the Certificate of Aptitude for the Legal Profession (CAPA) examination. They then take an oath before the Court of Appeal and register in the bar association of their choice. Only then do they have the right to the title of avocat [fully qualified lawyer].

image

Can an American lawyer practice in France?

Jonathan Wohl: First of all, you're absolutely right. Most of the American firms here—and there are many, many American law firms in Paris—the great substantial majority, if not almost the total legal staffing, is done by French trained lawyers, French nationals.

Can a foreigner become a lawyer in France?

After registering with a French local Bar association, foreign lawyers can practise in France as lawyers. Foreign lawyers who choose not to apply to be admitted to the French Bar or who fail at the required exam can only advise on the law of their country as foreign legal consultants.

Can you work in Europe with a US law degree?

You can work for U.S. multinational companies While work depends on the setting, American lawyers find work overseas working in the office of a U.S. law firm or as an attorney in a law firm abroad. American lawyers may also work for U.S. multinational companies as the local legal liaison overseas.

Can a US law degree be used internationally?

In fact, more and more large law firms offer their mid-level associates the opportunity to work abroad for several years. Also, many law firms are involved in some type of international work, so a large number lawyers to need to employ comparative legal skills and cross-cultural understanding.

Are lawyers in demand in France?

Even more eye catching is the growth figure of the number of foreign lawyers working in France, which is 7.1% per year on average over the past 10 years. So the prospects are really rather good for those of you dreaming of working under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower!

How hard is the French bar exam?

This exam is pretty tough — even for French students — and requires a very good level in French because there is a writing exam and an oral exam. This exam is scheduled once a year from September to December, it requires at least a master degree in law and it is limited to 3 attempts.

Can a US lawyer practice in Germany?

Foreign lawyers can only practise in Germany in accordance with the principles explained in Question 3. Without permission, lawyers cannot advise, in particular on German law, and represent clients in German courts.

Can I work in the UK with a US law degree?

"Assuming you have a US law degree, to qualify as a solicitor in the UK you must pass a US state bar exam and gain two years of common law practice experience. Then you can complete the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (far easier than a US bar exam).

How do I become an EU lawyer?

They must pass the first State Examination (or Staatsexamen, often as part of a university law degree), followed by two years of practical training including rotations at civil and criminal courts, an administrative authority and a law firm, called the Referendariat.

Is a law degree transferable to other countries?

This means that their legal system is characterised by case law, which is when laws are developed through judges and court decisions, not a codified system like in civil law. Because of this, it's relatively simple to transfer your degree between countries.

Can American lawyers practice in the Netherlands?

If you want to practice law in the Netherlands, you must be registered in the National Register of Lawyers (Landelijk Advocaten Tableau, LAT) kept by the Netherlands Bar Association (Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten).

Can a foreigner become a lawyer in France?

There are no restrictions on French avocats hiring lawyers from EU or EEA member States or Switzerland. Other foreign lawyers must be admitted to practise law in France before they could be employed as lawyers.

How many years does it take to be a lawyer in France?

Earning a Law Degree in France First, students attend a three-year Bachelor of law program (called “Licence de Droit”). This is followed by a two-year Master of Law program (LLM), and finally a three-year or more Ph. D. in law.

Can a US lawyer practice in France?

With your american background you can get into american or British Law firms located in Paris. They might need some lawyers even if you are not a French attorney. The other law firms are focused on french or europen law.

How much do French lawyers make?

The average pay for a Lawyer is €87,024 a year and €42 an hour in Paris, France. The average salary range for a Lawyer is between €59,901 and €108,476. On average, a Master’s Degree is the highest level of education for a Lawyer.

What is the difference between English and French law?

English law is considered to be in the grouping of common law systems, while French law belongs to the loosely defined civil law systems [2] . However they are both still part of a Western European tradition of law and so distinctiveness should not be exaggerated.

How much does law school cost in France?

The tuition fees as of the 2020/2021 academic year are: 2,770 euros per year at the Licence level.

Is France good for law?

France is appealing to most law students because of the opportunity to get a higher education around important academics as well as get one of the best international education there is. A lot of French law Universities are also some of Europe’s and the world’s best law universities.

When was the legal profession established in France?

Accessing the legal profession in France. The access routes to the legal profession were established by the Act of December 31, 1971 , as amended by the Act of February 11, 2004 , as well as by the Implementing Decree of December 21, 2004 on professional education for lawyers.

What are the requirements to become a lawyer?

Candidates must prove that they meet all the requirements to be a fully qualified lawyer in their country of origin; and that, when required, they have completed a legal internship, besides university studies and professional qualification or competency examinations.

How many EDAs are there in France?

Students who pass the examination take a professional education program, practical in nature, offered by a law school. There are 15 EDAs in France that offer initial and continuing training. The Implementing Decree of December 21, 2004 changed the rules on the initial training of lawyers.

What is the standard route for law school?

The Standard Route. It is necessary to pass the examination for entry into a Law School (EDA), which universities administer as part of the Institute of Judicial Studies (IEJ), as a condition of access to the profession.

How long is the French oral exam?

Two oral tests : an approximately twenty-minute report, on a subject drawn at random by the candidate on the French civil, criminal, or administrative procedures, or the French legal system and an approximately fifteen minute interview with the examination board, focusing on professional regulations and ethics.

Does the Conseil national des barreaux take into account candidates' professional experience?

This means that the Conseil national does not take into account candidates' professional experience or degrees.

Does the Conseil national take into account experience?

This means that the Conseil national does not take into account candidates' professional experience or degrees. In addition, by virtue of a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ARM) lawyers registered with the Québec bar are required only to take an examination assessing their basic knowledge of French Law.

A law degree can smooth the path to practice and help students gain admission to the bar

Becoming a lawyer in an overseas country is not easy, but it can be well worth the reward. In mainland Europe, the legal services markets are diverse and dynamic, with a wide range of career opportunities on offer.

Practicing law in the Netherlands

The main route to practicing law in the Netherlands starts with a three-year undergraduate law degree, followed by a doctorate degree or master of law, then a legal apprenticeship for another three years.

Practicing law in Spain

To access the legal profession in Spain, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a university in addition to a master’s degree, such as an LL.M. Then, you will need to carry out a supervised internship in a law firm, or the legal department of a company in Spain. You must also pass an aptitude test, which Spain’s Ministry of Justice runs annually.

Practicing law in Germany

In order to practice law in Germany, lawyers need to go through a two-stage qualification process.

Practicing law in France

The standard route to practicing law in France is studying at law school and taking an examination.

What are the best courses to take to become a lawyer?

Some courses you can expect to take while earning your J.D. are: 1 Constitutional law 2 Courtroom procedures 3 Criminal law 4 Civil law 5 International law 6 Torts 7 Property and real estate law

What is the last step to become a lawyer?

The last step in becoming a lawyer is passing the bar examination. You will need to pass the bar exam for whichever states you would like to practice law in. For example, if you want to practice law in New York, you will need to pass the New York State Bar Exam.

How much does a lawyer make?

Average lawyer salary. The average salary for a lawyer in the United States is $70,336 per year, though some salaries range from $14,000 to $201,000 per year. Salaries may depend on experience level, field of legal practice and a lawyer's location.

What are the majors in law school?

However, some of the most common undergraduate majors include criminal justice, English, economics, philosophy and political science. Spend your undergraduate time taking classes related to the area of law you think you would like to practice.

What is the next step after a bachelor's degree?

After earning your bachelor's degree, your next step is to take the LSAT. It consists of five multiple-choice sections that cover topics such as reading comprehension, critical thinking and argumentation. It is administered at a testing location on a specific date through electronic tablets.

What is the first day of the multi state bar exam?

On the first day, you will complete the Multi-state Bar Examination, and the second day consists of a written exam portion. After completing the test, the state's bar examiners will consider your test scores along with your educational background, character and ability to represent others in legal matters.

How to Become a Lawyer

Becoming a legal professional takes time, so it’s best to break it down into smaller steps. Here are the recommended steps to become a lawyer…

What Does a Lawyer Do?

First, let’s start with the various tasks performed by lawyers. Then we can move into the education. Lawyers provide advice and recommendations to clients of all type regarding their legal options and rights. They are versed in the laws of their area, and use this knowledge to represent individuals, businesses, organizations, or groups of people.

Lawyer Education Requirements

How long is law school? That’s a common question that is a big concern for many aspiring lawyers and people wondering how to become a lawyer. The education of a lawyer is long, complex, and requires an advanced education from a top-class institution.

Required Licensing & Certification for Lawyers

You’ll have to pass a test to become a lawyer, which means passing the bar exam. After completing your law degree, you can’t just jump into the career of a lawyer. First, you need to complete the bar exam, the final hurdle for how to become a lawyer. It’s one of the most difficult exams you’ll ever take, so you’ll need to be prepared.

Career Outlook

If you are thinking of becoming a lawyer, you probably want to know how much does a lawyer make. Lawyers, as you may know, have a reputation as one of the most high-earning professions in the world. While much will depend on your skills and your chosen profession, it’s reasonable to expect a high lawyer salary.

Start Your Law Career with the Right Education

If you want to become one of the best lawyers in the world, you need the right education. Head to our degree database to view the leading online law degrees, all properly accredited, to help you become a leader in the legal profession.

How long does it take to get a foreign law degree in Vermont?

In almost all cases, the ABA must first review and approve your foreign law degree. This can take a year or more. You can sit for that state's bar if the ABA gives you a nod of approval and you meet the state's other requirements. Only Vermont recognizes foreign law degrees with any regularity.

What to do if you don't become an attorney?

If You Don't Become an Attorney. You can also use your foreign law degree in a number of ways without becoming a fully-admitted state bar member. One common option is to become a foreign legal consultant (FLC). An FLC is a foreign-trained lawyer who has set up a limited practice in the U.S. Thirty-one states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S.

How many hours of LLM do you need to sit for the bar in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has permitted foreign-trained students with LLM degrees to sit for the bar since 2012. The degree must include 700 minutes of instruction per semester credit hour and must be completed in no less than two 13-week semesters.

How long is the bar exam?

The bar exam typically takes place over two days. The first day is a multiple-choice test covering laws that aren't necessarily unique to any one state. The second day's test focuses on the law in the state in which you want to practice.

What is FLC in law?

An FLC is a foreign-trained lawyer who has set up a limited practice in the U.S. Thirty-one states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have foreign legal consultant rules in place.

What are the requirements for a law degree in Georgia?

Georgia imposes two requirements: You must have received your education from a school that was sanctioned or recognized by your foreign government, and you must also be admitted to practice law there. Washington requires that the law school you choose for your LLM degree must be approved by the Board of Governors.

Is it easier to get into the bar in California than in New York?

Like New York, the California State Bar has relatively liberal admission standards for foreign lawyers. In fact, it might be even easier to sit for the bar exam here than it is in New York.

image

Articles 97 and 98 of The Decree of November 27, 1991

  • University professors, and members of certain legal professions, such as magistrates (Article 97) are exempt from the diploma requirements, the theoretical and practical training, the CAPA, and the internship. Legal counsel for companies or labor unions, law office employees, and certain other judicial professionals are exempt from the theoretical and practical training and the CAPA…
See more on cnb.avocat.fr

Article 99 of The Decree of November 27, 1991

  • European nationals are exempt from the practical training and the CAPA if they meet certain conditions regarding education and professional practice, but they may, in certain situations, be required to take an aptitude test. Applications should be addressed to the Conseil national des barreaux. Candidates must prove that they meet all the requirements to be a fully qualified lawy…
See more on cnb.avocat.fr

Article 100 of The Decree of November 27, 1991

  • Non-European nationals are exempt from the practical training and the CAPA if they meet the education and professional practice requirements, but they are required to take an examination assessing their knowledge of French law. Applications should be addressed to the Conseil national des barreaux. This assessment examination comprises: 1. Two writt...
See more on cnb.avocat.fr

Association Obligations

  • Establishment of professional residency within the jurisdiction of the district court where they are established. Lawyers must have an office that they either own, rent, or sub-let.
See more on cnb.avocat.fr

Administrative Obligations

  • Lawyers must make a declaration at a business procedures center within eight days of starting their activities. The business procedures center will report this information to the social security fund for non-salaried workers, the tax center, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), and the Social Security and Family Allowance Contribution Collection Office (U…
See more on cnb.avocat.fr

Professional Obligations

  • Payment of fees to the Bar Association, the National French Bar Fund (CNBF), the Conseil national des barreaux , and the URSSAF. They must also plan for professional insurance and insurance against operating losses, as well as supplementary retirement payments.
See more on cnb.avocat.fr

Accounting Obligations

  • Keeping accounts using the dual account system. The National Association for Administrative and Tax Assistance (ANAAFA) assists lawyers with their tax obligations.
See more on cnb.avocat.fr