I'm a law graduate from a law school in Manila, Philippines and I'm currently preparing for the New York State bar exams. Just like what most people tell me who have gone before the exams in Albany, the bar candidate should be truly prepared - intellectually, spiritually and emotionally. One does not go there unarmed to the teeth. Think of the all the expenses that may be incurred before the judgment day. For foreign law school graduates like me who are qualified to take the bar exams, the path to the practice has been made more difficult. Though there may be similarities in the legal principles, I have discovered in my readings that there is more to what our learned legal eyes can see. Read. Read some more. You will be surprised that one cannot just sit in Albany without having a self-study, in-depth if possible, of all the legal theories employed in the American legal system before enrolling in those bar review courses. For my part, I'm planning to give myself a year or two before I submit my application with the Board of Law Examiners (BOLE).
The results of the July 2010 New York bar exams will be released this early November. It may come out to be an early gift for the holidays but for some, it's going to be as gloomy as the grave on All Soul's Day. For foreign law graduates, passing the New York State bar exams has never been a bed of roses. A ton of sacrifices spent on pricey bar exam reviews, stressed out nights reading those bulky review materials and travel expenses (assuming one is not a resident of the U.S.) with the agony of waiting for the results could be summed up in one word - CARDIAC. One can only hope for the best.
For foreign law graduates who are interested in applying for the bar exams in New York, you may visit the New York State Board of Law Examiners (BOLE) for information at
http://www.nybarexam.org/.
