how to become a lawyer in germany

How do I apply for law school in Germany?

• Finish your university studies.
• Pass the First State Exam (Erstes Staatsexamen)
• Complete a two-year legal traineeship.
• Pass the Second State Exam (Zweites Staatsexamen)
• Register with the Bar.

Full Answer

How to work as a lawyer in Germany?

There are several ways of working as a lawyer in Germany: as a self-employed lawyer with your own office, in a partnership with one or more partners or as an employee in a law firm.

How hard is it to get into law school in Germany?

the German admission system is very strict and it applies to every lawyer, regardless of the nationality, including European citizens.

How to become a lawyer with a foreign law degree?

Master of Laws (LL.M.) Rechtswissenschaft für im Ausland graduierte Juristinnen und Juristen – LL.M. for lawyers with a foreign law degree. The course duration is for 12 months and intake is done as per the Winter/Spring and Summer is the intake period. The universities listed in the table are the top universities to pursue legal studies.

Why study law in Germany?

Higher education costs in Germany are heavily subsidized and lesser compared to US tuition costs. Germany’s unemployment rates are lower than many other European countries. International students get a good chance to seek employment after studying for the Law degree and completing both of the exams.

Can a foreigner become a lawyer in Germany?

Foreign lawyers from EU member states can work in private practice as a foreign lawyer in Germany. After practising in Germany for three years, an EU lawyer can apply to be admitted as a German lawyer (Directive 98/5/EC on qualifications of lawyers (Qualification of Lawyers Directive)).

How do you qualify as a lawyer in Germany?

In order to actually practice law in Germany, one has to complete a two-year legal training (aptly described as an “apprenticeship” model) before being eligible to take the German bar exam. To conclude, an average German law student spends seven to 11 years to complete studies and to be admitted to the bar.

Is law hard in Germany?

Becoming a lawyer is rather easy, but it takes time and dedication. Becoming a successful lawyer is a completely different story. Doing something like the guys in John Grisham's books is highly unlikely in Germany. You become a lawyer by passing two legal state exams.

Are lawyers in demand in Germany?

The good news first - there are no unemployed lawyers in Germany. So in a sense they are in demand.

Is law a good career in Germany?

M., Germany is a great place in which to forge or further a law career. It's Europe's largest economy and holds significant economic and political influence among EU countries, and beyond. This means employment prospects can be excellent, with the country's economy and job market currently booming.

Is law school free in Germany?

The Cost of Law School is Affordable Undergraduate study in Germany is free at public universities ever since the introduction of a new law in 2014. Although public universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg reintroduced tuition fees in 2017, most public universities across Germany have tuition-free education.

How many years is law in Germany?

6 yearObtaining a German Law Degree To earn a law degree in Germany, students must take two state exams and go through a 6 year long curriculum.

Can I study law in Germany in English?

Top universities and colleges in Germany offer great English-taught Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) degrees to choose from. Many universities in Germany offer study programmes taught in English. Before starting a programme, you need to have a basic knowledge of the English language.

How much are lawyers paid in Germany?

A person working as a Lawyer in Germany typically earns around 7,270 EUR per month. Salaries range from 3,350 EUR (lowest) to 11,600 EUR (highest). This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Lawyer salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location.

What is a lawyer called in Germany?

RechtsanwaltThe official professional title of a German lawyer is Rechtsanwalt (male) oder Rechtsanwältin (female). Only fully qualified German lawyers who have passed both legal exams are entitled to refer to themselves as “Rechtsanwalt” or – in short – “Anwalt”.

How do I become an international lawyer in Germany?

If you have completed a law degree in a member country of the European Union or the European Economic Area or in Switzerland, you can complete a two-year legal internship (Referendariat) in Germany – and then apply to practise as a lawyer after successfully completing the Second State Examination.

Is law a good career in Europe?

In Europe the legal job market is extremely competitive. On top of that, job opportunities drop tremendously without the recognition of your academic diploma, no matter how impressive your persuasion skills are.

What is a lawyer called in Germany?

RechtsanwaltThe official professional title of a German lawyer is Rechtsanwalt (male) oder Rechtsanwältin (female). Only fully qualified German lawyers who have passed both legal exams are entitled to refer to themselves as “Rechtsanwalt” or – in short – “Anwalt”.

How many years is law in Germany?

6 yearObtaining a German Law Degree To earn a law degree in Germany, students must take two state exams and go through a 6 year long curriculum.

Can an American be a lawyer in Germany?

It's easier to practice law for an American in a place like Belgium or Germany because they allow foreigners to practice their own law, even though they are resident lawyers in those particular jurisdictions.

Can Indian LLB practice in Germany?

Only very rare exceptions can make it in the legal world without the titles, especially within law. Now that you cannot get your law diplomas recognized anywhere in Germany, you have to earn a local law degree in Germany to make you a successful qualified jurist or advocate.

How long does it take to become a lawyer in Germany?

If you have completed a law degree in a member country of the European Union or the European Economic Area or in Switzerland, you can complete a two-year legal internship (Referendariat) in Germany – and then apply to practise as a lawyer after successfully completing the Second State Examination.

What is the role of a lawyer in a court case?

Lawyers are strongly involved in advice and analysis work long before presenting their plea before the court. They have to process and promptly submit numerous documents. Especially in large international law firms, younger lawyers initially perform duties similar to those of clerks before they receive their own cases. Contact with clients begins sooner in smaller law firms.

Does Germany have a defence lawyer?

In Germany, every defendant has the right to a defence lawyer. The lawyer has an obligation to represent the interests of his or her client. In a defence case before a criminal court, for example, this means achieving the mildest possible verdict or, at best, an acquittal – even if the lawyer is aware of the client’s guilt.

How many years of practical training is required to practice law in Germany?

The first is a theoretical exam, from which, if you pass it, you go on to two years of practical training in various branches of the legal system.

What does it mean to study law in Germany?

Studying law in Germany means that you have to take a state examination at the end. This examination is the same independent from your university. This mea

How long does it take to get a criminal law degree?

The cases are written in the style of legal opinions. The second requires 2 years of practical training at courts, administration and law firms with the main focus on law firms.

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

The cases are written in the style of legal opinions. The second requires 2 years of pra. Continue Reading. Becoming a lawyer is rather easy, but it takes time and dedication.

What is the qualification for a judge in Germany?

This qualification is obtained by passing the so called second state examination, which you can do after a sort of clerkship, which in turn you can enter when you passed the first state examination after studying law at a German university or to some extent foreign universities that offer specific German law education (e.g. Geneva or Lausanne).

How many points do you need to be a partner in a law firm?

Having >= 9 points ( vollbefriedigend) in both exams is the magical key to all large law firms.

Can a German lawyer speak Dutch?

A German lawyer speaking Dutch as a foreign language, for example, would not be able to practice law in the Netherlands off the bat ( not being familiar with Dutch law), and would also not have the necessary formal qualifications to be allowed to do so.

How long does it take to become a lawyer in Germany?

Study Law in Germany – Key Facts & Benefits. To become a professional lawyer in Germany, you must undertake two examinations and study law curriculum for 6 years. After 4 years of undergraduation, students must take the first state examination.

How much does an attorney make in Germany?

A. An attorney, on an average, earns EUR 16,300 per month in Germany . The salary of lawyers in Germany largely depends on the experience and the highest level of qualifications they have obtained in the field of law.

What language is LLM taught in?

LLM in Dispute Resolution, Translation Criminal Justice & Crime Prevention, European and Comparative Law is taught in English language. The intake period is for 12 months. Courses are taught in French and German language. Also, the courses are delivered in collaboration with foreign universities.

What is the largest law school in Germany?

The Faculty of Law at Ludwig Maximilian University is one of the largest in Germany. It offers a wide range of law courses along with the option to qualify for international and European business law after the Staatsexamen (First State Examination) or an equivalent foreign degree.

What are the specialised courts in Germany?

The specialised courts, on the other hand, include Administrative law courts (Verwaltungsgerichte), Labor law courts (Arbeitsgerichte), Social law courts (Sozialgerichte), Financial courts (Finanzgerichte), and Constitutional law courts (Bundesverfassungsgericht). In this article, you will get familiar with the benefits of studying law in Germany, ...

What are the courts in Germany?

The ordinary courts in Germany hear matters related to civil, criminal, family and marriage laws and include Local Courts (Amtsgerichte), Regional Courts (Landgericht), and Higher Regional Courts (Oberlandesgerichte). The Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof) is the highest court in the German ordinary jurisdiction system.

What is Germany's government?

Germany is officially referred to as the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) and holds political and economical influence on all other EU countries. Germany’s democratic government enforces a system of law based on the principles described in the ‘Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany’.

What are the requirements for LLM?

Each state requires a very thorough background check, a lengthy application, a professional responsibility exam, a licensing exam (“the bar exam"), fees, etc. One must be licensed in at least one state in the US or one is merely someone who has a degree but is not an attorney who can practice law.

How many years of college do you need to get a bachelors degree in France?

In France, for instance, a Bachelors degree is only 3 years and Masters is only 5 years (this doesn’t include “prepa”). In the U.S, it’s typically 4 and 6 years.

Can I become a lawyer in Germany?

No. While there is the odd program regarding certain international legal issues, these programs may get you some degree but none that qualifies you to become a lawyer in Germany. If you want to do a normal German program, be aware that this will be entirely in German and deal with German and EU law. You might get into some class giving you a sneak peek over the Atlantic, but you really learn nothing of use for becoming an attorney in the US. Both legal systems are extremely different.#N#If you have a foreign degree however you may be eligible to obtain a US LL.M. degree in one year. That's what many German lawyers do as additional qualification. Some states (in particular New York and California) allow you to take the bar exam based on that degree (which some German lawyers also do for the challenge, while they will usually admit that they do not feel comfortable advising in that jurisdiction - a few of them told me, if someone asked them to advise on NY law they'd run away as quickly as possible). I know two colleagues working in the US who have a full German qualification and bar admittance and afterwards did a full J.D. program and bar exam for their bar admissions in the US. This is probably one of the most insightful mixes of legal background you can get, but certainly not the cheap option (considering the full German qualification will take you six years).#N#Then again there are states that allow you to take the bar exam based on self studying as well. If you want to save on the cost, you may rather want to consider that. Studying law in Germany or any other civil law jurisdiction will be a great expansion of your horizon as a lawyer, but it won't make you a capable US lawyer.#N#You may rather want to look in academic options in other common law countries, like England or Australia as what you learn there will really be helpful in the US as well.

Is a European degree more valuable than an American degree?

A European degree (in the USA) is either equally as valuable as an American degree or it’s less valuable. I cannot think of a situation where a European degree is preferred over an American degree for any particular job.