NY Bar

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After graduating current law school program, I am going to take New York Bar examination.  The period I can focus on studying for the exam is extremely short, two months plus a couple of days.  It would be one of my toughest experience in my life.

Why am I taking the exam?  Actually, the answer is not so clear.  In the past, Japanese corporate lawyers used to study abroad, mainly in US in order to introduce the most advanced legal system in the world to Japan.  After they finished law school program for a year, which is specialized for foreign students, they tried New York Bar examination before they visit local law firm before starting their internship.  I've heard the reason why they choose NY bar was that it is relatively easy for foreign students to pass, partly because the percentage of multiple question is larger than other states.  I understand it is pretty tough for us to compete with native people in writing essay.  However, even after passing the exam, Japanese lawyer usually do not work the cases as a NY state lawyer because the actual regulation is so complicated that it is hardly possible for them to advice the actual case.  Some law firms do not allow its attorneys to disclose their NY license in their website or business card.  Although the experience to challenge the exam gave them basic US law knowledge, I could say that NY bar license is not practically useful for most Japanese lawyers and this understanding is still going nowadays.  However, this is kind of "custom" for Japanese lawyers who study in US and most of them try it, though it is not uncommon that Japanese lawyer, who passed notoriously difficult bar exam,  do not pass NY bar exam.

What will happen if they do not try NY bar?  I do not think there is penalty or suction.  However, I think it is very easy to show coworkers when I return Japan that I studied hard in US.  Without NY bar, I should demonstrate high English skill for that purpose.  Of cause I know that is more practically helpful for my carrier, but it would be pretty hard, almost impossible for me.  That's why I will take the exam.  I have to admit I only have negative motivation for the test.