Looking for Guidance: Moving to the U.S. to Practice Law as a Foreign Lawyer

Hi everyone,

I’m a foreign-trained lawyer and currently a partner at a law firm. However, I’ve been planning to move to the U.S. for over a year now to pursue personal and professional growth. Unfortunately, the law firm I’m with isn’t growing further, and I feel the need to explore new opportunities.

Here’s a bit about my background and goals:

I hold an LLB from the University of London and a BBA. I want to sit for the bar in California or New York and eventually practice law in the U.S. I don’t currently have a U.S. visa, and pursuing an LLM isn’t financially viable for me right now. I have had an option to pursue masters in Criminal justice system due to my BBA. My Questions: How is the experience of practicing law for a foreign-trained lawyer in the U.S.? If I pass the bar, what’s the best visa option for me to work in the U.S.? Would an H1B be suitable, or is there something better? Any advice for navigating this journey without an LLM? Are there any success stories or advice from others who’ve taken a similar path? I’d love to hear from anyone who has gone through this process or has insights into the U.S. legal field for foreign lawyers. Any tips or resources would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!