Legal Question in Immigration Law in New York

I have graduated in Law from Indian university and practising in one High Court in India for last fifteen years. By virtue of the Indian Constitution the official language of the High Court and Supreme Court is english. For multiple reasons I am willing to practice law and settle in New York. It looks for that purpose regsitration with the New York Bar is mandatory and so I have to sit for Bar Exam. It is not clear to me what subjects in which approved leagal education institution is to be studied. Also it appears that as a foreign lawyer I am entitled to practice Indian law in New York without studying any further but I am yet not certain about type of visa required for practising as foreign lawyers and also what other formalities are to followed for that purpose.

So I request advice on:

(i) Whether I am really entitled to practice as foreign lawyer in New York without taking any further eucational courses or not; if yes, what kind of visa I require and what other formalities in this regard are required to be satisfied. If no, what exact procedure is to be followed for the purpose.

(ii) If I have to get registration of the New York Bar, what exact A to Z procedure I will have to follow.

Elaborate suggestion on this issue is welcome. Also I need lawyer who can handle this entire matter till I settle there.


Asked on 1/20/10, 8:20 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Luba Smal Smal Immigration Law Office

You should determine your visa eligibility, first of all. Do you have a job offer from a law firm in USA offering you a job AND a green card or a work visa?

If you have no close family relations in USA who could have petitioned for you, you have to rely on an employment visa.

Without an appropriate visa, you can't move to and practice law in USA.

As to taking NY State bar, you may want to look at the NY State bar website for basic information and eligibility, and can also contact them directly regarding the form of the exam, application deadlines, times, etc.

If you�d like to schedule a confidential telephone or email legal consultation, need advice or help, please let me know and I�d be glad to help you. Contact email address: Attorney [@] law-visa-usa.com or LubaSmal [@] yahoo.com . I offer legal consultations and can assist in matters of the U.S. federal immigration law to clients from all 50 States and internationally.

Note: The above response is provided for legal information purposes only and should not be considered a legal advice; it doesn�t create an attorney-client relationship. If you would like to request a follow-up confidential advice on your specific situation and regarding U.S.A. immigration-related issues, we can offer a paid consultation by telephone or email to clients from all States and globally. Please visit our website http://www.law-visa-usa.com/contact_us.html for more details.

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Answered on 1/26/10, 10:25 am
Antoinette Wooten The Wooten Legal Consulting, PC

I have read your e-mail and must inform you that if you intend to practice law in New York and want clarification as to whether you will be allowed to practice �Indian Law� in New York you must contact the following association They will be able to tell you which steps to take in order to be able to practice law in New York.

The New York State Bar Association

One Elk Street

Albany, NY 12207

Tel: 518-463-3200

Please remember that even if you are practicing "Indian Law" you will be working in a foreign country and must abide by the local laws of the US.

As for your immigration issue you have two routes, if you intend to practice law in New York then you will need either an H1-B visa which you would need if you are working for a law firm, and they will be able to sponsor you.

On the other hand, if you intend to work for yourself you will need to get a �Green Card� from the immigration service of the US. In order to get the green card you must be sponsored.

Patricia Martin-Gibbons

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Answered on 1/26/10, 1:55 pm


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