Law School Now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you a troll? No one would suggest going into debt for law school when you say you can't even live on your current salary.

You will get stuck doing slip-and-falls or insurance defense for a crappy solo for $45K and no benefits. And you'll owe more than $100K on top of it.

Troll? No. Not sure where that came from. But thanks for the reality check. I am not getting my MBA because I don't want to go into debt and an MBA is just a vague degree like my BS in Business Admin. I should have gone with Computer Science, but that was along time ago and I can't look back. I just need to know what I need to do now to grow and get more money. A law degree is a vocational, technical degree so with that...and my current background I was thinking I could go further than some recent graduates.

So you can afford law school without taking on debt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The legal job market is terrible and will be even more competitive for a 39YO single mother who is looking to be a first-year associate.

Did you take the LSAT? You probably won't get into a T14. I'm sure you're smart and capable, but most people who take the LSAT don't get into a T14.

You'll be stuck going to Catholic or AU for sticker price. Terrible idea at any age, much less at 36 with a baby on the way.

If you want to further your education, think about what professional certifications might help you. Project Manager. Or APR.

I look 24 If that is any consolation, but in all honesty thanks. I will look at some other options. I never planned on doing anything but Criminal Law. I am a hustler, and I would have clients all day everyday. But that is just me. I know this Bankruptcy attorney that is killing it. Hey I would do that. I am more about the money than anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you a troll? No one would suggest going into debt for law school when you say you can't even live on your current salary.

You will get stuck doing slip-and-falls or insurance defense for a crappy solo for $45K and no benefits. And you'll owe more than $100K on top of it.

Troll? No. Not sure where that came from. But thanks for the reality check. I am not getting my MBA because I don't want to go into debt and an MBA is just a vague degree like my BS in Business Admin. I should have gone with Computer Science, but that was along time ago and I can't look back. I just need to know what I need to do now to grow and get more money. A law degree is a vocational, technical degree so with that...and my current background I was thinking I could go further than some recent graduates.

So you can afford law school without taking on debt?

If I don't buy a house in Florida. I would only have to take on a little debt. $20K at the most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you a troll? No one would suggest going into debt for law school when you say you can't even live on your current salary.

You will get stuck doing slip-and-falls or insurance defense for a crappy solo for $45K and no benefits. And you'll owe more than $100K on top of it.

Troll? No. Not sure where that came from. But thanks for the reality check. I am not getting my MBA because I don't want to go into debt and an MBA is just a vague degree like my BS in Business Admin. I should have gone with Computer Science, but that was along time ago and I can't look back. I just need to know what I need to do now to grow and get more money. A law degree is a vocational, technical degree so with that...and my current background I was thinking I could go further than some recent graduates.

So you can afford law school without taking on debt?

If I don't buy a house in Florida. I would only have to take on a little debt. $20K at the most.

But like the other guy said. I am only going to go if I get an amazing score on the LSAT. I have been studying.

[Anonymous]

If you were a hustler then you wouldn't need school to pull in at least 200k.

#learntoplaythegamelegally

[Anonymous]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323320404578213223967518096.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jmaureenhenderson/2012/06/26/why-attending-law-school-is-the-worst-career-decision-youll-ever-make/

http://nymag.com/news/features/law-schools-2012-3/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/business/09law.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you were a hustler then you wouldn't need school to pull in at least 200k.

#learntoplaythegamelegally

Not to mention if OP wants to work for herself, it'll take a good deal of time to actually make a profit. You don't just "hang out a shingle" and start earning big bucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you were a hustler then you wouldn't need school to pull in at least 200k.

#learntoplaythegamelegally

You always need money. I am going to start making moves, but not everyone makes it, and if the things I have planned don't work out...I just though law school would be a legal hustle.

[Anonymous]

OP, no. I teach at a good law school. You have no clear idea of legal practice and what you want to do. Criminal defense attorneys rarely rake it in. You will not graduate and magically turn into Alan Dershowitz. You make as much now as you would as a prosecutor -- many years into your career. Much less starting out.

Please don't. See if you can find something in your field that pays better. If not, live farther out, where your budget will work for a 2BD.

[Anonymous]

So you are looking at 1) staying in your current field, moving to Tampa, buying a house and a baby, no family

or


2) Going to law school, staying in DC, living in an apartment?, +20k of debt and a baby, with family.

Neither sounds too solid. I am a non-attorney in the legal field and I currently have attorney's in my department (corporate) working as temporary paralegals. No benefits, paid time off, nada. They are hourly employees with a lot of debt. That's how bleak the market is here.

I recently updated a friend's resume. She is an experienced attorney who was making 70k in Florida. She isn't even getting interviews here. 70k in Florida is looking very good right about now.

I'd look for a third option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323320404578213223967518096.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jmaureenhenderson/2012/06/26/why-attending-law-school-is-the-worst-career-decision-youll-ever-make/

http://nymag.com/news/features/law-schools-2012-3/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/business/09law.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

These were pretty good. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

OP if you are good at sales you can make a FORTUNE.

What kind of sales are you in? It seems like you would be better served by looking at your own industry and then seeing whaty you need to do to maximize your income - perhaps a change of company or industry is all you need?

[Anonymous]

OP cronal defense attorney make less than you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you are looking at 1) staying in your current field, moving to Tampa, buying a house and a baby, no family

or


2) Going to law school, staying in DC, living in an apartment?, +20k of debt and a baby, with family.

Neither sounds too solid. I am a non-attorney in the legal field and I currently have attorney's in my department (corporate) working as temporary paralegals. No benefits, paid time off, nada. They are hourly employees with a lot of debt. That's how bleak the market is here.

I recently updated a friend's resume. She is an experienced attorney who was making 70k in Florida. She isn't even getting interviews here. 70k in Florida is looking very good right about now.

I'd look for a third option.

I could move home...Which is what I was considering. I just feel like my mind is wasted all day on maintenance work. I get into a job, I clean it up, straighten it up, get it on the right course, build the business and then comes maintenance...taking care of the business I have built. I am a builder, not a maintenance man. I was also thinking about consulting. I just know where I am now is not what is hot on the streets, and I need to burn up these streets. Sometimes I wish I could just get laid off with a 6 month severance package so I could really go out there and do what I want (a string of new business ventures). I am scared and keep holding onto this idea that I need a job. Now that I got knocked up...I am probably trapped forever.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I am going to go ahead and just take law school off the radar.

What I do find interesting is that while maybe you guys are right...most people just want to tell you not to do something rather than go for it.

Again, you are probably right, but no one at all looked at anything positive. I guess that is part of the reason why I am so lost.