USA law school application, study, career information

            In June 25, 2007, love Cen Xiaoshe

 

The number of America lawyer high, the first in the world. America population only accounts for less than ten percent of the world's population, but the number of lawyers the lawyer number seventy percent of the world. Many outstanding talents American politicians and businessmen are famous law school graduates, such as former president Clinton, USA.

Lawyer occupation not only high status and high income, is the dream of many young people.

Enter the USA law school is the first step in realizing this dream.

The number of American formal law school is not much. American University has more than 4000, however, American lawyers association only officially recognized the 185 law schools, much less than the business school and the school of medicine. In USA, if you want to participate in the examination for the qualification as a lawyer and attorney, must be the law school graduates. America lawyers association to USA law school called "lawyer occupation gatekeeper", the college is divided into four levels, and an annual assessment, to ensure the quality of.

In China foreign army, into the USA law school to become a new popular choice. I do not have what experience at that time, just because of luck is good to read American law school, it changed the life of. Recall, I am very grateful also have a lingering fear: thanks to go on.

Now, I will go to school must know some things written USA law school, is divided into four topics: three degree America law school; how to apply for China students; school all see result; after graduation examination and employment law. Not the wise remark of an experienced person, just for my brother, sisters as a reference.

 

Three kind of degree one, USA Law School

    1．J.D.-Legal education USA students

The core of education American law school legal education system for three years, after graduation, called J.D., the name is Judiciary Doctorate. Directly translated into Chinese is "doctor of law". In fact, it is a foundation degree American students legal professional (basic degree).

USA law school did not like the Chinese as law four years of undergraduate education. Learning USA undergraduate professional, to get an undergraduate degree certificate after application of J.D. law school. After being admitted to learn professional knowledge of law. Therefore, in accordance with the USA education system, J.D. is the education of undergraduate students; in accordance with the law of professional, only to Chinese university undergraduate law education, law professor American most basic knowledge.

Before twentieth Century 60 years, a lot of American University will be the degree is called LL.B. (Bachelor of laws), call and Britain, Chinese countries. 60 years later, it was renamed the "doctor" the word "J.D. " in the name, listen to a lot of. In fact, studying for a doctorate in America other professional schools usually four or five years or even longer. The doctorate of law than the ordinary graduate degree, such as the master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, is a year long only, not Americans really dr..

According to the requirement of enrollment USA law school, undergraduate students want to apply for the law school admission, must submit the application materials in the four semester will be prepared and, including in difficulty, competition is quite fierce "law school admission test" (LSAT, called Law School Admission Test).

Because the degree of language requirements, basically is American students pursuing, few foreign students can apply for a chance. Generally speaking, in the big American law school admission of six per year, seventy students studying for an J.D. degree. Can be admitted are USA best university graduates can be admitted, non America students usually every year only a few. (Chinese students how to apply for J.D., see the specific content of below - two, China students how to apply.)

Read J.D. in America law school, a year tuition of $30000, plus the cost of living, every year to spend 4-5 million dollars. A total of 3 years to spend about $150000. Even for many USA students, is not a small number. The law school is always provided some scholarships, but very few, to each student to provide the full cost. Usually, the good law school, every student can get 1-2 million dollars per year scholarship. Most of the students are more or less on loan to read the book. Graduated more than $one hundred thousand in debt, many law school is a common thing. But after graduation, if successfully find a job in New York's big law firms, also can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Therefore, many American parents is Nabe Uritetsuya would like to send a child to law school.

After admission, J.D. students read very hard, than other professional doctoral time energy also many, known as the "doctor", is be worthy of the name. The degree also has the gold content.

American law school student has a common saying to describe the life of three years J.D.: "the first year was scared to death, second years third years dead tired, dull to die." The first year courses, each student must repair the basic knowledge of law, such as the constitution, criminal law, property law, contract law and civil law. The course content is very wide, let a lot of people a sense of not from the heart. Second years, the change of the curriculum to some more, such as the evidence collection, business transactions, tax law and company law. At the same time, the course content are more in-depth, students need to spend more energy and time to pass. In the third year, students can relax a bit, can choose according to interest more fine deeper or higher degree courses, lectures.

J.D. education is the credit system. Each take courses, students can accumulate credits. Three years after the credits can graduate, don't need to write a long dissertation.

Because of the legal education in the three years of strong practicality, general American students received J.D. degree will directly participate in the state bar exam, and then engaged in the practice of lawyer work. American lawyer, almost all judges, university professors are J.D. graduation, even the Supreme Court justice Dou Qing color is J.D..

Although there are more high than J.D. degrees, theory, such as: LL.M. (Master of law) and J.S.D. (Doctor of laws), but few Americans to read. LL.M and J.S.D. for foreign lawyers and scholars to read. Some Americans, their J.D. is generally in the University of reading, in order to improve the grades, they may to a famous university to read LL.M.. Can be absorbed in the study of J.S.D. Americans very rare.

   2．LL.M.--America law school graduate education

America law school and a one-year LL.M. education, its spelling is Master of Law, the "master of law". China students usually according to euphony will LL.M. this degree nicknamed "old rascal".

In theory, LL.M. is higher than J.D. a hierarchy. In American eyes, but few people care too much about this comparison. There are some for USA J.D. students to learn specific LL.M., such as intellectual property, real estate, international trade, is higher than the level of J.D.. However, such USA students less and less, mainly is the work of a few years of lawyers return to head to continue reading further.

In practice, most read LL.M. are already has the law bachelor's or master's degree students in other countries. LL.M. is mainly to help the foreign students have a basic understanding of USA legal system, but unlike Dr J.D. that further legal. In recent years, the law school admissions American increases the amount of LL.M., some colleges and universities a year for more than 100 international students, individual law school got more than 400 international students or even a year.

Usually, a LL.M. student, only very few people can get the good half or full scholarship. Most LL.M. students will not get a penny from American law school scholarship, can only pay their own tuition fee. Utah's LL.M. tuition fees for one year more than 8 dollars, it is very cheap. The other school, the average tuition to 20000 to $30000, plus living expenses, a year to spend at least 40000 to $50000. The law school American will almost invariably this project as his Qian Shu. Therefore, in the eyes of Americans, J.D. time and money invested is three times that of LL.M., the gold content is actually higher than LL.M..

To obtain a LL.M. degree there are generally two kinds of ways. One is the credit system, as long as enough fixed credits can graduate school of law, USA usually only for LL.M. "Fundamentals of law" and "America research method of law" the two introductory class, if you want to earn enough credits to class with J.D., difficulty is very great. The two is the system requirements, selected less credits can be, and writing a thesis allowance credit, through to graduation. Most of the LL.M. are choosing to graduate the first approach, one can learn various subjects USA laws, to escape the difficulties in English writing paper.

For reading in the USA law school China LL.M., read a Book nine months there is no way to grasp the essence American method, but can master a method of query USA legal resources. There are 50 states plus the federal American, a total of 51 sets of laws, coupled with the relevant interpretation, case, system complexity, hierarchy too much, will let us continental people dead don't know, S


WH{yLXPbbs.taisha. If there is no formal training in law school, almost impossible to quickly find the correct legal need.

In USA domestic market demand of LL.M. is very small. LL.M. graduates (non American) is very difficult to find a job in USA. Most of the LL.M. will choose to return. (about LL.M. career, see the specific content of below - four, after graduation and Employment: the bar exam.)

LL.M. can also continue to apply for J.S.D. in the same school of law. (details see below 3)

If your LL.M. is particularly good results, there is also a good way, that is converted to a J.D.. Americans usually don't understand why foreign students after reading LL.M. going to look J.D., because the theory on LL.M. than J.D. high level. In fact, foreign students light read LL.M. almost unable to find work in American, if read J.D. can be found in the basic work. Through LL.M. J.D. some of the benefits more than the direct read J.D: LSAT can not test; test ahead of time the lawyer; don't show up to three years of financial proof; don't worry about the visa issue; most of the credit for LL.M. can turn the past, only need to read two years can J.D. graduated. However, not every America law school offers LL.M. J.D. chance, only a few law school allowed to do so. Moreover, every year only give one or two LL.M. such opportunities, require applicants for each course examinations are the best.

3 J.S.D.--Education of doctoral students America Law School

USA law school also offers the J.S.D. degree education of 3-5 years, the full name is Judiciary Science Doctorate, namely "JD" degree. The degree of doctor of law degree Chinese similar, more emphasis on academic, apply for a higher threshold, is be worthy of the name of the law, American eyes.

Applicants should at least get a law degree, have lawyer qualification or relevant legal experience. In general, the school will give priority to obtain a master's degree in law or LL.M. applicants.

Most USA School of law makes clear a regulation, only LL.M. students in this school can continue to apply for J.S.D.. A few America provisions of law school, as long as the American any law school made LL.M. students can apply for admission to the J.S.D.. In theory, not in the America won LL.M. students can apply, but in practice few accepted.

The schools generally require applicants to have "already" can do academic research English and ability of writing his doctoral dissertation, won't you into the doctoral program to teach you how to write papers. Therefore, schools generally require the applicant to provide at least one academic paper (paper is due to a different school requirements vary), it is best to master's degree thesis or published in law journals and academic papers. It is quite difficult in USA published legal papers. For foreign students who spent a year studying for an LL.M. in America law school, if you want to read and preparing for the application, it is not so easy.

Applicants should provide a detailed research plan, for their future academic research during the PhD of programmatic planning, doctoral dissertation topic specific chapters, summarizes the research significance of their own, the already available information, introduces the research results have been made about the. This research project will be the main basis of the Review Committee for review.

Applicants should find their own guidance law professor agreed. Professor American law school are generally very busy, they usually do the knowledge is the real thing themselves, students do not need to do to help, no students will study successfully take forcible possession of. Therefore, they are less willing to time doctoral students, unless, students and their research direction is. Even if the admission committee hope admitted one applicant, however, if the teacher did not agree with the professor, the applicant cannot be admitted.

In USA 185 formal law school, enrolling in J.S.D. school is on the increase, but only about 20, compared with more than 4000 University America, this number is very few. J.S.D. annual intake of each school is not much, usually only 3-5. General can apply all over the academic research ability of super high foreign students. America students rarely spend time and money into this very difficult to get the degree.

However, once the applicant is admitted, American law school often provide a full scholarship, but also provide all kinds of help research facilities and opportunities. J.S.D. do not have age requirements, generally speaking, American law school will be the general provisions of 3 to 5 years to through the doctoral dissertation. Just finished doctoral dissertation and pass the oral exam to graduate, as the need for additional courses, depending on the circumstances.

Most J.S.D. degree who may choose to engage in teaching work. Of course, because it has specific areas of the law made a special study, can also go to the professional law firm job.

 

How to apply for the two student, China

Chinese students apply for USA law school, best first have a look USA each university in the rankings on US News. Hc ~m1; but, basically USA each University School of law, even if is ranked in the top tier schools, will inform the ranking on the students themselves is reference significance. This school is ranked according to the input and output of the. "Input" refers to the school J.D. students LSAT scores and admission rate, so taking a school students less, threshold high, ranking will be more in front, like always win at Yale Law School, Harvard Law School, Yale is because not many students. "Output" refers to the graduate students can earn much money. But the two and international students do not have what relation, because these are the DR J.D. W6pw L) Ye (mainly American students) as the calculating unit.

At the same time, the law school has different strengths, and some in the aspects of intellectual property rights are relatively strong, and some in the company law is relatively strong, and in the context of international law is relatively strong. Each applicant can combine their own interests to choose the school.

The law school also has students their own style and characteristics, the applicant should also avoid. For example, Yale Law School as one of the world's best law school year, enrollment are few, and, in general is to recruit a teacher and doctor in other countries, has been admitted to an associate professor. Also, Harvard Law School, pay attention to reputation, personal applicant school work experience and research ability, graduate application advantages of larger, had admitted to a society of Yale University doctoral graduates. Moreover, Stan Dhamma school generally require more than two years work experience. Therefore, prior to application, the applicant to law school website for specific information, and keep in touch with the admission staff.

Generally speaking, no matter which to apply for school, procedure and application materials are the same. As for the application to which degree, China students usually have two choices.

1The direct applicationLL.M.

LL.M. learning time of only nine months, without writing academic papers, can also participate in USA bar exam. For those who are not very rich, but also not too much debt China students, is usually a better choice. If the back Chinese development, LL.M. plus American lawyer qualification, its competitiveness is not worse than J.D..

If you are Chinese reading is legal bachelor or master of laws, you can directly apply for LL.M.. If you have China lawyer qualification, and do not have a law degree, it is not impossible to apply for LL.M., but you have to do some explanation and packaging work, let America professors believe that you have the same level of education law.

To prepare and submit materials are as follows:

1.  Qualification: Bachelor's degree of law is the most basic, higher degree is not required, but can sometimes help. Master, doctor of law degree or Associate Professor, professor can help the applicant to obtain better law school's favor.

2.  University Academic Achievement: the general applicant, undergraduate GPA to be 3 or more, and for the top 10 law schools, GPA3.3 is essential. In 2006, the Yale University law school admission average GPA is 3.80 - 3.95; Stanford University law school admission average GPA is 3.65 - 3.90.

3.  English: only needs TOEFL (TOEFL) results, does not require LSAT scores. The USA law general provisions, TOEFL scores can not be less than 550, the elite is not lower than 600. In theory, the TOEFL 600 points or more, all America law school can apply for the LL.M. But, in fact has been accepted USA top 10 law school China students, TOEFL scores are above 630 points.

4.  Resume: not too long, not more than two pages. Generally include Education (Education), Honors & Scholarships (honor and scholarship),Academic experiences:published articles & research programs (academic experience: the published articles and research project), Professional experiences (Professional), internships & part-time jobs (internships and part-time work), extracurricular activities (extracurricular activities), competition & social positions (competition and social functions) project. If ever there to foreign exchange of experience will be better.

5.  Chen Shuxin (Personal Statement): This is one of the most important, should be based on personal experience a) b) c) personal perception value, d) and what makes the out of the ordinary and other elements of your. Some law schools also require applicants to provide Statement of Purpose (AIM), should be based on personal experience a) b) c) the main academic interest and already has the experience and have the basic elements, and more academic. Some law schools also require applicants to provide Research Proposal (research project), should be based on the a) b) the structure background C) the main content and can predict the conclusion d) method of E) main references. I suggest you to search on the Internet about business and law application website, for exampleWww.EssayEdge.comAnd so on, or search using www.google.com also can find a lot of fan model.

6.  Letter of recommendation (Letter of Reference): usually requires at least able to provide two letters of recommendation, able to comment on your academic ability and the occupation ability, by Professor and superior companies may write. The best is to find three people to write for you, is a famous teacher, one is familiar with your teacher, a college leadership or law school leaders, such as president or vice president, this will show your strengths from different angles. It's best to look for a foreign teacher of experience, if he and you apply for the school had contact, so much the better.

7.  Work experience: generally not clear requirements, have work experience have bad influence will not. Berkley (Berkeley law school) used on work experience of language as "We do not penalize such applicants (we do not penalize such applicants)". In general, have work experience can add.

8.  Interview: most schools do not need to Chinese student interview, but if there is a good chance for interview. A few schools began to send people to interview in Beijing, Shanghai Chinese, some schools require a phone interview, some schools do not require. 　

Usually, the law school in December 31st each year or second years in January 31st to accept the closing date for application materials. Generally speaking, the sooner the better send for.

Second years of February to early 5, the school will send out the admission notice date.

   2．Direct applicationJ.D.

If you got J.D. degree in American law school, easier to find a job in America local law firm. Therefore, the direct application of J.D. than LL.M to apply directly for a lot of.

If you are in the domestic undergraduate or masters are not legal, so you'd better read a J.D., so that the sorts of a legal person. As in the time of undergraduate professional, USA law school also does not have what specific requirements. But if there is some students in the field of politics, in economics, sociology, history, philosophy and so on, it will help them to learn in the school of law. In recent years, high-tech tide impact on the areas of law, has certain science and engineering background of the students are very popular.

The application of J.D. and other procedures for applying to graduate school study about. The biggest difference is, the applicant does not take GRE, also known as the "postgraduate entrance examination", but also need to take LSAT, is that "the law school admission test". School of law does not require work experience, so the discrimination capability of the applicants can only see LSAT scores and usually grades. Due to various countries and various school undergraduate is different from the standard, LSAT as a unified exam achievement is particularly important.

Knowledge of LSAT is not admitted students, but on their reading ability, logical reasoning ability and written expression ability. The examination has five parts, understanding and logical analysis each accounted for two of the total part of reading, writing part. Besides writing, other parts have taken the form of multiple choice.

America held four times a year LSAT examination, were held in June, October, December and February. Also in Canada and a few countries are also provided with test. At present the examination in the mainland China held two times, respectively in June and December. The examination sites by the overseas examination center of Ministry of education, unified arrangement in Peking University. The LSAT score, five years so, prepare to go to us to study JD degree domestic candidates can apply before five years in any examination. For college students, English foundation is good in one or Sophomore can participate in the LSAT test.

Law school base LSAT requirements of the score is 150 points, for the top 10 law school average score of 165 points or more. And Chinese successfully entered the top ten American law school applicants, mostly in the more than 170 points.

The LSAT score, is only the first step in the law school admissions J.D.. Other application materials and the application of LL.M. are the same (see details of the above 1), the same can not be less, and be more competitive advantage.

Usually, if you want to apply for American University law school J.D., began to study the University School of law in August of each year, choose their own interest in school. September start preparing the application materials, submit the application materials in October or November, or before the December June in LSAT test.

In addition, many schools American by Joint Degree (joint degree program). In general, the MBA / JD (MBA and JD joint degree), MS / JD (Master of Science in engineering and law, joint degree). However, we must at the same time to two college of application, are admitted to attend.

To want to apply for J.D. China students, LSAT is not the most difficult of one pass, the most difficult is the visa. Basically, get American law school admission notice, American embassy officials is the first question to ask you "after graduation will remain in the American", if you answer "will remain in the America", you have the tendency of migrants, usually don't get a visa. If you answered "don't stay in American, I hope to return to the China", the visa officer usually do not believe, because every American knows, with J.D. degree, easier to find a job in American law firm, annual salary of hundreds of thousands of dollars, almost no Chinese can refuse the temptation. So, no matter how you answer, are not easy to get a student visa to come to the America, can only take the admission notice to do.

Therefore, most of the USA read J.D. Chinese students generally to read a LL.M. because outstanding achievement to J.D., or read during LL.M. after legal U. S. to apply for J.D. visa, avoid this off.

At present, most of the America law school, usually every year sixty or seventy J.D. students, the non USA students are usually no more than ten (generally five or so), and Chinese students normally does not exceed three (sometimes only one). Have a great relevance and visa problem.

However, I believe that, with the Chinese strong national strength, America on Chinese attitude will gradually change, was admitted America law school J.D. will also get a student visa more easily.

 

Three, during the study: all want results

Many of my classmates during Chinese study in America school has a breathless feeling, some people say: "if what I learn in China, I'm afraid I have taught."

One reason for this feeling that we should use legal English thinking had never used before, but this is not the main reason. In USA school China people English is good, after a period of time to improve, and soon there will be no language barriers.

Even for the English proficiency of students American, law school is American all university all professional of the most hard. This is because, any professional graduate students, graduate students, undergraduates USA in society when looking for a job, the employer will only the result as "an" important reference factors, for example, for business school students, employers may consider working experience and so on, for the other students, employers may consider social activities and so on, but, for law school graduates, employers are considered "the most" important reference factor is the usual exams. Even if you usually take part in many social activities, the number of articles published in law, if you don't do well in exams, you are going to find a good job.

Employers value examination because American law school education system usually is similar to actual lawyer business of professional training to the students.

USA legal multitude, impossible for anyone to learn all the law in the law school. School of law is not intended to students to memorize some legal terms, but mainly develop their analytical skills, so that they understand the operation mechanism of the legal system, familiar with the legal thinking method.

In American, judge green. Most of the law school students only when lawyers, lawyers to service customers, to meet customer demand, basic training must be learning from positive and negative two, how to carry out the different direction of attack and defense. So, America law school professors are a class on the first tell you of a case after the fact, then asked: "if you are the plaintiff, what would you do that?" "If you are the defendant, how would you advocate?"

If you stand in the position of the plaintiff or the defendant answered, the professor will continue% pushy questions.

A class down, then you are not necessarily able to hear the standard answer professor "".

The professors is such a lawyer thinking training of students. This way is usually the first conclusion (customer to conclusion), from the conclusion, it is anti dialectics.

When the examination, Professor of the subject is generally the real case analysis, students. Therefore, the law school and the employer believes, can achieve good results in the exam students can also break through in practice. This is any other professional are not practical relevance of American University.

Not only the job achievement is so important, if you read J.D. who think their law school reputation is not big enough to transfer to another school of law in second years, but also to see the results. Your scores at least row class before ten can be transferred, some schools have explicit requirements for the front of the class five will accept transfer request you.

At the same time, if you LL.M. after graduation to turn to their law school J.D., but also to see the results.

If you LL.M. after graduation to continue to pursue J.S.D., but also to see the results.

In short, no matter you graduated from law school in American do what, the most important factor is the - grade.

Therefore, at the American University, students in other professional wind scenery light dance, only law students stay up hard reading; other students went to the bar to toast each other, students in the library only law school in writing of case analysis; other students take the package tour, only law school students into the ready for the examination for the qualification as a lawyer......

LL.M. as long as a year to three years, J.D., and J.S.D., what time the thesis defense through what, when bitter days to end. Later, these become the lawyers people regardless of how high fees, also feel feel at ease and justified, if people complain, they will be in the right and self-confident to ask a question: "when I read, never had a good nights sleep, do you?"

In order to find a good job, not only have good grades, and academic performance. School of law, the University America published over 300 academic journals. During the study, if can give law journal his law school work as editors, for very helpful to find a job after graduation. If published academic articles in these journals, the better. But the article is very difficult, usually have to wait a few months or a year.

For J.D. students America law school, every summer internship opportunities directly decide the future work is good or bad. The first year of the summer, we usually go to law firm Externship, can earn credits, but not to earn money. Second years summer vacation, we tend to do Internship, not only can earn money, and do it well, third years will receive the employer's letter of appointment (offer). This is the bridge to employment. Students can understand the law career is how to return a responsibility, to understand their original areas of interest whether on their way. On the other hand, hiring a lawyer of the party can also understand the strength of the students.

 

Four, examination and employment after graduation: Lawyer

America law school J.D. who graduated in May after the first thing is to prepare for the bar exam.

America bar exam is conducted by the states. Only the immigration service can cross state case, other professional only lawyers to practice in the state. If you want to other state practice, must the other law license state then pass.

For American law school LL.M., after graduating in May, if the home, would not choose to take the bar exam, if want to stay USA seeking work or want to return in the future development of multiple weapons, will remain in the USA to take the bar exam.

According to the America law, non American LL.M. students can only participate in the New York and California bar examination. Usually, everyone to participate in New York state examination, after employment opportunities, and examination of low threshold: (1) New York candidates must have the background of Elementary Education Law (USA students have enough J.D. degree, Chinese students must be in the Chinese at least take a degree, Bachelor of law if the Chinese undergraduate not legal but has a master's degree in law can), the same degree can also be, but need certification. (2) the examinee must in American law school has had at least one degree, which satisfies the condition of LL.M.. If the Chinese never studied law, only China lawyer qualification, the LL.M. degree, and in the America generally, submit some explanation files can also be to take the bar exam. However, if the Chinese not read the law, not through domestic bar exam, just in America obtained LL.M. degree, generally not to take the bar exam, must read a J.D. degree in America can. (3) the examinee must produce the original transcripts and English translation, the best candidates national notarization. (4) the New York state bar examination committee will make a course list, only on which at least two classes can to take the bar exam. Generally speaking, as long as the American law school read LL.M. and J.D., are able to satisfy this condition.

New York state bar exam two times a year, once in July, once in second years in February. Graduate of LL.M. and J.D. usually in mid May, most likely in 7 at the end of the bar exam, score usually come out in November, take the lawyer qualification license to work. If at the end of 7 does not pass, February of the following year can take the examination again.

To test USA most lawyers will attend the classes, usually two months, costs about $2000. Cram schools and school in close cooperation, the May schools, classes on campus. If foreigners don't state bar, it is necessary to go to the other states in the specified class, classroom listening to tapes, watching teaching videotape. About life, exam preparation, cram know-how, examination record I've written "New Oriental" one article in the west.

To be fair, USA bar exam admission rate of overall than China bar exam high. New York and California is the lowest admission rate of the state, more than 60%. When I attended the 2002 July New York state bar examination, admission rate is 55%. If the Americans, if you read the J.D. general test in law school, one can cross the border, because most of the examination content have learned. However, for Chinese LL.M. students, but not so easy. Most of the content of class never studied, and the language barrier and the time is limited, not a not too easy to work hard to pass the exam.

Finished the exam, will face the employment problem, in fact, before the exam, will be planning to. Employment related to school ranking. So every school very much. The first class of the school of law is likely to teach you how to write resume (Resume and cover letter) and the accumulation of human relations (Networking).

Many people think of USA lawyer, think of their high income.

Indeed, recent J.D. graduates starting salary rising American law school. According to the "Washington Post", in New York, San Francisco and Washington and other large city, School of law graduates average starting salary of $one hundred and twenty thousand to $one hundred and forty thousand. But this only reflects the big city and big law firms, in fact, only about ten percent people a year of law school graduates to such environmental work, they are often the best law school graduates. Another ninety percent of the people in other regions or the work environment, a lot of people to the government departments, or non-profit organizations work, income may be far below this level. The best American law school J.D. students to do one or two years judge assistant, this is not high income jobs, but very exercise person, this experience for future lawyer occupation will be very helpful.

After a couple of years, lawyer, income is very high. In America attorney general, money is the ordinary people of several times. Some corporate lawyers and lawyers earn is astronomical. USA people say "the ordinary law I, mid-range lawyer yachting, super lawyers play a plane." Americans hate lawyers, but also love the lawyer. "The times" published an article entitled: "lawyers in the rule America?" which presents a proposition, counsel (trial lawyer) of the article is American politics quadrupole, mean America those engaged in collective action is the role of lawyers America push for development. In America, most rich lawyers are collective lawsuit. Tobacco companies, car companies, drug companies are very afraid of collective action. If there is no collective action, American would not have so much of the industry standard. However, this case is carried out according to the risk agency way, before did not get a penny lawyer fees, lawyers must first to invest millions or even tens of millions of dollars to prepare all kinds of work. A lawyer of high returns, but also work very hard, but also great risks. However, these people Yanre income basically is aimed at USA lawyer native speaking.

Chinese if students get the J.D. degree in USA School of law, passed the bar exam, Nive out of ten can find work in USA law firm. Initially unable to find large law firms can be done in a small, a few years after the experience to. Want to stay in America not so difficult.

But to really do a good lawyer is not so easy, difficult is not the law itself, but the language. China J.D. do lawyers in the American, light has a license for litigation cases, local strong still can't do, because the procedure is a typical civil, criminal, language requirements are too high, must be very eloquent, rapid response. Even if English is good, without the support of culture, it is difficult to cause bigger and better.

Basically, China J.D.'s best result is: find the international major suit law firm, in the first USA headquarters work for one or two years, then please they will be sent to Hongkong, Taiwan, Beijing, Shanghai division, take America salary. However, the attorney general to find ABC (American born Chinese, refer to the America born Chinese), because they are Americans, English better, it is "the person on one's own".

China if students in America law school got only LL.M. degrees, even if passed the bar exam, is also not easy to find work in American law firm. The best result is in the USA some immigration business law firm in Chinese immigration related business.

Most of the LL.M. returned to the Chinese. Some in some America law firm in Beijing, Shanghai branch, salary is not America level, but also the high income Chinese lawyer. Some in some large-scale international enterprise legal adviser. Some in government agencies. Some returned to the ph.d..

Get J.S.D. in America law school Chinese, if find a job in USA law firm local, than the LL.M. advantage, but the advantage inferior than J.D.. However, if in some professional law firm, has some strengths. Most of the J.S.D. is more interested in academic, graduating looking for faculty at the American University. However, as a professor at the American University high wages, high status, many Americans seek but fail to get, Chinese have a space for one person must also be a serious effort. Many of the J.S.D. steering America outside the English speaking countries such as the UK, as a professor,, Hongkong, Singapore, after all, PhD American in the world that can be used. Some people just go directly back to the Chinese university law school. Want to remind everybody is, going back to China university teaching, at least to get J.S.D. or J.D. in the American law school, light has a LL.M. chance is not too large.

 

Epilogue: the embrace of the motherland

From 1980 up to now nearly 30 years, in American law school Chinese mostly back to China, only a small part is extremely outstanding and luck is very good people in the USA.

I have a lot of friends. In my communication with them, I feel deeply, their economic life is very rich, cultural, spiritual life is very depressed, always yearning is still return to the embrace of the motherland. For example, a man my partner in a Washington law firm, the house was bought several buildings. However, several famous leading law school he time and China university to keep in touch, often make fun of their cry: "let me do a part-time professor at your school, you do not give me a penny, I just want to have a look back, also want to do something."

In my opinion, law is the science of man, a China legal person in USA no matter how successful is always somewhat wronged their own culture and spirit, not a feeling of exaltation upon fulfillment. At present, China economy is rapidly rising period, good English and understand USA legal person actually not much, if returned to China, can put up a bridge for China and the world of communication, personal life will be rich, happy.

However, everyone has everyone's fate, there is absolutely no way is the best for all concerned. As long as you are happy, that is your best choice.

For those who want to stay in the Chinese American student, I want to remind you of some small: America at present the comparative lack of patent lawyers and tax lawyers, with backgrounds in science and technology and the digital interested friends can work towards it. The tech boom in recent years is a challenge to the traditional USA legal knowledge, but also create new employment opportunities, as is compared originally saturated job market for example, the protection of intellectual property rights on the Internet, the protection of the privacy of people, the government and the public on the new media such as Internet regulatory review web site content, use the law to constraint electronic commerce and so on. Even if you only do immigration lawyer in America, don't feel ashamed, immigration lawyers also have good or bad. Whether you are in the America good or bad, your name is always Chinese. If you can't win glory for the country, do not for the country.

For Chinese students who want to return home, I want to remind you of something: if there is a chance, best can be in USA work for a few years, exercise your English skills and legal professional skills to return again. However, do not think that took a degree in America law school, or get a American lawyer, or in the USA law firm has several years of work experience, back to the Chinese you are and how great. Basically, Chinese and USA conditions completely different, legal system and legal language is completely different, after you learn in American knowledge may come back completely sent within a short period of time not to use, you China peers science used in Chinese this piece of land is not necessarily less than you. Most importantly, many of the success or failure of the matter has nothing to do with the knowledge, but by the heart, tolerance, luck, character comprehensive decision. Therefore, you should come back to the motherland with a humble heart, don't be arrogant back at your mother's shortcomings.

No matter choose to stay in USA returned to Chinese, we in the American law school books are not in vain. That kind of self transcendence if can become a pillar of future life, is the greatest blessing our.

 

This paper America income "Ivy. Chinese snail - American law school note" one book,

Law Press in 2007 September first edition, ISBN978-7-5036-7620-8