i am a lawyer in the us, how can i be a lawyer in nigeria

by Lavonne Gaylord 4 min read

(1) Have complete a law degree of an approved university. (2) Have completed the course of professional training at the Nigerian Law School. (3) Have produced a qualifying certificate to the Benchers (4) Have been enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court.

Full Answer

Is being a lawyer in Nigeria a walk in the park?

For Jessica, it was a rude awakening that being a lawyer in Nigeria is not a walk in the park – a totally different experience from her university days, “Law school was hellish. Being in Lagos campus had its pros and cons. We always had a lot of tasks, deadlines and many other things going on at the same time.

How do you become a lawyer?

Alison Monahan wrote about legal careers for The Balance Careers. She is a lawyer and founder of The Girl's Guide to Law School. Most lawyers in the U.S. follow a typical path to practice: law school, then the bar exam, plus a few additional requirements. But some law professionals are trained abroad.

How do I become a foreign-trained attorney?

All other foreign-trained attorneys must complete a Master of Laws (LLM) degree program that meets certain qualifications before they can sit for the bar exam.

How to become a lawyer in Ghana without LLB?

If you do not have an llb u need to get one, at the University of Ghana its a two-year postgraduate degree, then to the Ghana School of law for another two years.

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Can an American lawyer practice in Nigeria?

Who can practise law in Nigeria? The provisions of Section 2 and 24 of the Legal Practitioners Act provides that: only those whose name is on the roll of the Supreme Court are qualified to practise as a lawyer in Nigeria. The implication of this is that a foreign lawyer cannot practice as a lawyer in Nigeria.

Can a foreign lawyer practice in Nigeria?

Legal Practice by Foreign Lawyers without Enrollment in Nigeria is Unlawful – NBA. The Nigerian Bar Association has issued a press release reiterating that that practicing law in Nigeria without being enrolled to practice is illegal.

Can a US lawyer practice in another country?

Practicing law in a host country depends on local regulations; many countries will not recognize U.S. bar admission. U.S. attorneys may only be able to practice U.S. law or work as an associate with a local attorney. In some countries, there may be no restrictions while in others you may not be able to practice at all.

Can you study to be a lawyer in another country?

The Ability to Work Internationally Some countries, such as India, only allow nationals of the country to become lawyers. However, most countries will allow foreign nationals to practice law if these individuals have a LLB (Legum Baccalaureus) degree, which is offered by many universities globally.

How can I become a lawyer in Nigeria?

To become a lawyer, you must have the qualifying certificate from Nigerian Law School by passing the Bar Examinations and be ascertained by the body of Benchers to be a “Fit and Proper” person. To become a lawyer, you must go for NYSC. You must have been called to the Nigerian Bar.

What are lawyers called in Nigeria?

Barrister and SolicitorHence, a legal practitioner in Nigeria, is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria upon being called to the Nigerian bar and has powers to practice in any part of Nigeria.

What type of lawyer can work in any country?

The truth is, lawyers work in and are admitted to practise in jurisdictions, which by their nature are local. In other words, being an international lawyer is not just another type of lawyer, like an employment lawyer or a criminal defence lawyer.

How do I become an international lawyer?

Eligibility criteria for LLM course in international law:Qualifying exam: A LLB degree or equivalent exam from a recognized university.Minimum marks: The NLUs require a minimum of 50% marks or its equivalent for general/PwD categories; SC/ST categories need 45% marks.

Which is the best country to practice law?

Top Countries to Study Law inUnited States. The United States is one of the best countries to study law in. ... United Kingdom. Another excellent country to study law is the United Kingdom. ... Australia. Australia makes an excellent destination for a Law degree. ... Singapore. ... Canada.

Can I study international law in Nigeria?

List Of Best Universities To Study International Law & Jurisprudence. Now let talk about the list of top best institution in Nigeria to study law, this list is for the federal universities, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) University Of Ibadan (UI)

What is the No 1 law school in the world?

1. Harvard University (Harvard Law School)

Do international lawyers get to travel?

One of the most appealing aspects of working as an international law attorney is the opportunity to travel to many places and meet many nations since the very nature of international law jobs often requires lawyers to fly out to various destinations to meet with clients or represent them in court.

What are the courses required to become a lawyer in Nigeria?

Law students take compulsory courses such as Nigerian Legal Method, Nigerian Legal System, Law of Contract, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Law of Tort, Commercial Law, Law of Evidence, Company Law, Land Law, Law of Equity and Trust and Jurisprudence. Other courses which are electives are Labour Law, Law and Medicine, Intellectual Property Law, Tax Law etc. A law student must obtain at least a pass grade in each course to obtain a LLB degree. Faculties of law in most Universities offer basically the theoretical aspects of law although there are usually Moot and Mock Committees organized by students to intimate themselves a little about the practice of law. The main vocational training for prospective lawyers is given at the Nigerian Law School.

How much do senior advocates of Nigeria pay?

For instance, Senior Advocates of Nigeria are required to pay #50 000; legal practitioners of at least fifteen years pay #25 000; legal practitioners of five years or more standing but less than ten years post call pay #10 000 while those of less than five years pay #5 000.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do you have to pass the multistate exam to become a lawyer?

Most states require that you pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam as well. Law school studies in the U.S. are rigorous, and students come out with a specific set of skills and a knowledge set that helps them study for and pass the bar.

What is the process of becoming a lawyer?

Becoming a lawyer in the US is a complicated process, particularly for foreign nationals. One of the most important steps in the process is the bar exam. A bar examination is a test intended to determine whether or not a candidate is qualified to practice law in a specific jurisdiction.

How long is the bar exam?

The bar exam is taken in several parts over at least two days. Most states will dedicate one day to the Multistate Bar Examination, a multiple choice exam covering topics not specific to the law of any one state, such as Contracts, Torts, Property, Constitutional Law, and Evidence.

Can foreign lawyers sit for the bar in New York?

In New York, one of the jurisdictions most open to foreign lawyers, this would allow foreign lawyers to sit for the bar without being forced to complete any further law school study in the US. Fortunately for anyone taking the bar as a foreign lawyer, preparing for the bar exam is a typical—if daunting— challenge.

Foreign lawyers in Canada: How to become Accredited by the NCA?

Many foreign-trained lawyers find themselves unable to practice law in Canada because their credentials are not recognized.

What is the National Committee on Accreditation?

The National Committee on Accreditation (or NCA) is a standing committee of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC). According to the FLSC website:

The NCA Assessment

Internationally trained lawyers can apply for the NCA assessment at any time, even prior to coming to Canada (citizenship and residency are not looked at during the assessment process). FLSC identifies the following formalities that are necessary in order for the NCA assessment to be processed:

After the Assessment

Each application is looked at on an individual basis, evaluating candidates’ experience and qualifications, the length of the program and subjects of studies, academic performance, the type of legal system where education was acquired, and other similar criteria.

The NCA Exams

Applicants that received their NCA assessment can register for the NCA examinations. Each examination follows an open-book, paper-and-pen, pass-or-fail format, and lasts approximately 3 hours. Candidates must pre-register for each exam session, and they can do that as early as 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the exam.

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State-Specific Regulations—New York

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The New York Board of Law Examiners administers the New York bar exam and has dedicated requirements just for foreign-trained lawyers who want to practice there. A foreign-trained lawyer will fall into one of two categories in this state: Their foreign educations will transfer to the U.S. system, or they won't. Education will us…
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California Requirements

  • 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. Foreign-trained lawyers who have been admitted to practice law in a jurisdiction outside the U.S. are often eligible to take the bar exam in California without completing any additional requirements. A for…
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Other States

  • 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. Only V...
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Go Back to School If Necessary

  • Completing the specified graduate education in your area of study should be high on your priority list in the states where only an LLM is required. The states that allow foreign-trained attorneys to sit for the bar exam after earning an LLM require specific courses and subjects covered, so look up the requirements in each state before settling on an LLM program. Some states offer acceler…
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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. Most states require that you pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam as well. Law school studies in the U.S. are rigorous, and stude…
See more on thebalancecareers.com

If You Don't Become An Attorney

  • You can also use your foreign law degree in a number of ways withoutbecoming 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. Virgin Islands have foreign legal consultant rules in place. There are also …
See more on thebalancecareers.com