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You are here: Experts > Jobs/Careers > Lawyers > Careers: Law > JD in UK
Expert: Bryan Chant, Esq. - 10/22/2009
Question
Hello. Thank you for volunteering!
I am 25 years old and nearing the end of a grueling JD course. I went to law school because I thought I would have options- namely, I wanted to move to London. I am in love with London because (1) I love the history in a way that is hard to express in words and (2) I loved living in the compact city. I went on a study abroad program (three actually, in highschool, college, and post-grad) to London and struggle to stand being away from it.
Strange right?
But therein lay a problem. I wanted to do this to get back to London. Now I am finding I would have to do a job I would not like to do that (securities law or tax law are in demand). I feel defeated because I gave up history to do this to get back, and now I see how hard it really is. I feel like I am being pinched at all ends. I know it seems odd that I love a place so much, but I cannot imagine living elsewhere. But it seems unnatural to keep killing myself doing something I hate to get their.
So, I am wondering if you have any advice on how to turn my JD into work in the UK. I am very serious about moving. I have gotten into several MA programs over the years but have never been able to get funding to do them. I do not qualify for a Tier 1 as the UK does not recognize my JD as a valuable degree. So I am left with looking for a job that will issue a Tier 2 visa. Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Very few people empathize with this problem.
Thanks!
Jen
Answer
Jen,
Thank you for your question. Having spent time in the UK, I certainly understand how you feel.
Your situation is complicated by the fact that you would need a work visa for the UK. As you say, therein lay the problem: it can be quite difficult to obtain a work visa in the EU without prior employment or internships lined up.
With the J.D., I suspect that your law school has graduates in London or other EU cities. It would be a good idea to contact them and ask about how to get started in the area. If you are not interested in international business law areas, I would recommend personal and business immigration law because that can be practiced anywhere but still relies on your US legal training. You should also consider non-legal areas if you simply want to get back to the UK.
One other idea would be to work in the United States for a few years and attempt to take the UK solicitor's examination. I do not recall the exact details but several years ago I recall there being examinations in cities like Chicago and New York. There is a BARBRI-like course for interested applicants. The other thing you should consider is that the employment situation is equally tight in the UK and it can be extremely difficult to get internships to become fully qualified.
Good luck!
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