Law School at 40?
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Anonymous
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Considering law school at 40. I’ve done the math and financially would be better off than staying in my current job, even with the 3-year earning gap.
Kids are in elementary school, and my partner is a partner at a medium size boutique. He seems to think I would be able to find a similar firm where I could WFH a few days a week, work 1-2 nights a week and a weekend a month…which is what he does. Does he just have a really good set up or is this for real? |
Anonymous
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Law school is extremely intense both in terms of academics and mental health. I would not go unless it's been a lifelong dream of yours and you have the financial means and help at home to slog through the next 3 plus years.
Most lawyers I know do not WFH more than a couple of days a week but my sample is not that extensive. |
Anonymous
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A) have you taken the LSAT to see what your chances of admission are?
B) do you have money to pay for it or is this going to require substantial loans? And is there a decent law school near you (assuming you don’t want to move). C) Why does your DH think you’ll land one of these firm jobs out the gate as a newly minted attorney? It really depends on the tier of school you go to and how well you do (e.g. top of your class, law journal, etc.) And keep in mind we could be headed for a recession depending on how this next administration goes with tariffs and whatever else. I graduated in 2009 and it was a brutal time for new lawyers because there were job offers getting rescinded/firm lay offs and we were competing with more experienced attorneys for even entry level jobs. |
Anonymous
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No. No. No. no. No.
What you are describing in terms of your future employment options is pure fantasy. |
Anonymous
| Thank you - good advice. Yes, I can slog through law school. Not worried about that. Just don’t know how unusual my partner’s situation is. |
Anonymous
Sounds somewhat realistic. You will need to do well in ls. If you don’t grade on to law review try to write on if you can—high grades and law review will help you keep your options open job-wise. The more flexible, relaxed positions do tend to pay less, though. Especially as you are starting out. Be aware of that. Oh, and try to enjoy law school. I actually loved it. |
Anonymous
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A) yes, high LSAT. Confident I will get in to my school of choice.
B) yes C) yes, he does Agree 2009 was a really bad year for legal market. |
Anonymous
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It's really hard to say without understanding the assumptions that are going into your calculations with regard to your future earnings potential.
A large amount of attorneys are looking to flee the federal government. It's unclear what effect that might have on the job market. |
Anonymous
| If it's about money, there are much better ways to make money and end up way ahead. If it's about your wanting it, go for it. |
Anonymous
| Good point about potential flight if fed attorneys |
Anonymous
I’d be looking to start at $150K and work upwards from there over the rest of my career. |
Anonymous
| If you’ve run the numbers and they work, go for it. I’ve worked at law firms, local, state and federal gov. All were pretty flexible except the local gov. All had reasonable work expectations except the big firm. |
Anonymous
| I'm surprised your lawyer dh thinks there should be two stressed out lawyers in the family! Not worth it imo. Not everything is about money. |
Anonymous
Eh, hard to imagine this will affect the job market 4+ years from now (I’m a fed who just made the last post). |
Anonymous
My current career is also stressful/long hours so we’re already there lol |