Law School at 40?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

If this is your dream and you have the ability to get accepted to a law school near you and the means to pay for it without jeopardizing retirement savings, kids’ 529s etc., then go for it. Life doesn’t end at 40 and you court still have 20+ years working when you get out. The fact your DH is an attorney also means you have someone to bounce stuff off when you study and to hopefully help with connections.

I was the first in my family to even graduate college (did well on the LSAT and got scholarships to law school). It was much tougher for me to get internships and letters of rec early in because I didn’t have the connections some of my peers did (e.g. it’s nice when a family member already works at a law firm and knows lots of other attorneys).

Also, what area do you think you want to practice in?

[Anonymous]

Are you looking at a top tier law school? How much will it cost and how much do you make now? From a financial perspective this does not seem to make sense. Also, while you may be able to obtain that type of job eventually, new associates need to put in a lot of work to prove themselves in the beginning. And you will be a 43 year old competing with 25 year olds?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If this is your dream and you have the ability to get accepted to a law school near you and the means to pay for it without jeopardizing retirement savings, kids’ 529s etc., then go for it. Life doesn’t end at 40 and you court still have 20+ years working when you get out. The fact your DH is an attorney also means you have someone to bounce stuff off when you study and to hopefully help with connections.

Also, what area do you think you want to practice in?

Yes, I’m pretty excited about and feel ready for a change. I’m open to which practice area. I find most things interesting, so I’d pick whatever could give me the most flexibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you looking at a top tier law school? How much will it cost and how much do you make now? From a financial perspective this does not seem to make sense. Also, while you may be able to obtain that type of job eventually, new associates need to put in a lot of work to prove themselves in the beginning. And you will be a 43 year old competing with 25 year olds?

Yes, have done the math. Of course I will be competing with the 25 year olds but he thinks that will be an advantage in a way. So many of the babies they interview just lack basic work skills. So many of the K to JDs need training in work culture and how to practice, whereas I’d only need the latter. Also, I’ve paid my “child bearing years” tax, which while unfortunate, would be an advantage for me over a 25yo female. ☹️

[Anonymous]

This is a terrible idea but you sound like you’re doing it regardless. Enjoy throwing away $300k, I guess.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]This is a terrible idea but you sound like you’re doing it regardless. Enjoy throwing away $300k, I guess.[/quote]

I’m not doing it regardless and am interested in input. Can you please say more about why it’s a terrible idea?

[Anonymous]

only if you actually want to practice law and have a reason to want to increase your earning potential now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a terrible idea but you sound like you’re doing it regardless. Enjoy throwing away $300k, I guess.

I’m not doing it regardless and am interested in input. Can you please say more about why it’s a terrible idea?

Because it’s very very expensive. in addition it the tuition you’re forgoing 3 years of earnings. for most 40 year olds that means at least 500k.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why you'd do this. Pay is not *that* high considering the hours, the fact that as a new associate you really have to prove your worth so pressure is intense, you won't have down time on weekends, at night... Who wants this at 40 if they don't actually want to be an attorney but just want to earn more? There are other ways without the time investment in law school and subsequent tough job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:only if you actually want to practice law and have a reason to want to increase your earning potential now.

Yes to both. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you looking at a top tier law school? How much will it cost and how much do you make now? From a financial perspective this does not seem to make sense. Also, while you may be able to obtain that type of job eventually, new associates need to put in a lot of work to prove themselves in the beginning. And you will be a 43 year old competing with 25 year olds?

Yes, have done the math. Of course I will be competing with the 25 year olds but he thinks that will be an advantage in a way. So many of the babies they interview just lack basic work skills. So many of the K to JDs need training in work culture and how to practice, whereas I’d only need the latter. Also, I’ve paid my “child bearing years” tax, which while unfortunate, would be an advantage for me over a 25yo female. ☹️

Congratulations on having such a supportive husband, but he is being naïve. You will be 20 years older than the majority of new hires, a woman, and a mother. The only way for you to successfully compete with all of that going against you in the eyes of your (largely male)!superiors would be working harder than everyone else to prove everyone wrong. That’s not easy to do. Is that really how you want to spend the prime of your life?

[Anonymous]

You seem determined - good luck. I know things have changed a lot over the years but when I practiced, I had a similar arrangement to your dh as an associate (at a big law firm). However, I was on a reduced schedule, worked in a niche area and had great relationships with my clients and the partners I worked for.

I didn’t have that arrangement on day 1. I needed to build those relationships and earn trust. I also had been practicing for years at that point. I would be surprised if a first year associate would have that much autonomy. If a partner needs something done that night, the associate (you) would have to get it done. You will have no ability to negotiate deadlines etc for several years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you looking at a top tier law school? How much will it cost and how much do you make now? From a financial perspective this does not seem to make sense. Also, while you may be able to obtain that type of job eventually, new associates need to put in a lot of work to prove themselves in the beginning. And you will be a 43 year old competing with 25 year olds?

Yes, have done the math. Of course I will be competing with the 25 year olds but he thinks that will be an advantage in a way. So many of the babies they interview just lack basic work skills. So many of the K to JDs need training in work culture and how to practice, whereas I’d only need the latter. Also, I’ve paid my “child bearing years” tax, which while unfortunate, would be an advantage for me over a 25yo female. ☹️

Congratulations on having such a supportive husband, but he is being naïve. You will be 20 years older than the majority of new hires, a woman, and a mother. The only way for you to successfully compete with all of that going against you in the eyes of your (largely male)!superiors would be working harder than everyone else to prove everyone wrong. That’s not easy to do. Is that really how you want to spend the prime of your life?

Thanks, this is good perspective

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You seem determined - good luck. I know things have changed a lot over the years but when I practiced, I had a similar arrangement to your dh as an associate (at a big law firm). However, I was on a reduced schedule, worked in a niche area and had great relationships with my clients and the partners I worked for.

I didn’t have that arrangement on day 1. I needed to build those relationships and earn trust. I also had been practicing for years at that point. I would be surprised if a first year associate would have that much autonomy. If a partner needs something done that night, the associate (you) would have to get it done. You will have no ability to negotiate deadlines etc for several years.

Thank you - these are really helpful details.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a specific law school (or 2) in mind? Setup an appointment with their law school advisor to discuss your situation. Perhaps they could put you in contact with a recent grad where you could get their input. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Did you take the LSAT recently? In comparison, the MCAT is only good for a couple of years.