Late in life law school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lawyer here, and the people I know who went later in life did very well-- academically and in terms of finding jobs. The added maturity and work ethic helped. Plus, they really wanted to be there, rather than having no other idea what to do with their liberal arts degree (hand raised).

But, some words of caution. The job market in law is soft, and big law firms are not lining up to hire 50 somethings. You have a goal that sounds worthwhile, but be very wary of law school debt. If you start 200k in the hole, you won't be able to do the type of job you want. I would only do this if I went state school/very minimal debt. Another option is to kill the LSATs, and go to a lesser school on an academic scholarship. You don't need a Harvard degree to practice disability law. You don't want your job choices limited by your debt load, and you don't want to be 70 and paying off student loans.

I would intern for a small firm/solo practitioner in your field of choice before you commit. Legal services volunteer is another option. Real life law is not like The Good Wife, so make sure you know what you are getting into this is a tough area of law with a high burnout rate.

Also, be aware that you can be a disability advocate for clients filing for SSI (including kids) without a JD (or any formal training) until the case reaches federal court, which is a small percent of cases. Many good disability advocates practicing before SSA do not have a JD. You might strongly consider going this route.

This is a good, thoughtful response. Before you go, however, you need to have a plan. What are your goals? Then talk to the people who do that type of work - just informational interviews should be sufficient. Then, read some of the various "law school scam" blogs. They will help you to understand the extent to which there is a vast oversupply of lawyers and the importance of having a well thought out plan, plus no or minimal debt.

Agree with all of this.

[Anonymous]

My pediatrician went to law school well into her 40's. I'll never forget the day a letter arrived with a law firm letterhead addressed to "the parents of Larlo Jones".

My mother just about lost her shit that I did something really bad, which wasn't out of the norm to begin with.

I do believe the current skills you have could be marketable with the added law degree.

[Anonymous]

Maybe look into being a paralegal in a disability law firm?

[Anonymous]

Only do it if you can eat the cost of law school, and then expect your salary to be no more than what you currently make.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you have a clear reason for wanting to become a lawyer.

I'd also ask yourself if you truly want to undergo the law school experience at this stage in life. As you may have heard, it's pretty stressful . But if you really like academic learning and you are up for the intensity of law school, you might even enjoy it. It's really a personal thing.

Look very closely at the finances. The type of lawyer that you seem to want to become at this stage is not going to be a big money-maker. If you can swing the cost of law school (and not earning a salary in the meantime) and you are not doing this with expectations of making $$$, I say, go for it. World still needs committed lawyers, passionate about what they are doing.

[Anonymous]

Do not go...no jobs! It was a lot cheaper to go in the 1980s...schools much cheaper.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who did this at 50. She will have crushing debt for the rest of her life.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am at a two year non-law program late in life that ties into my current career, but allows me to consult in a related way. I get a tax break, which helps but if you are switching careers, even that will not be available. It's hard work, but not as stressful as the MBA I earned late 20s.

I would talk to a school and ask to speak to some who went the non-traditional path. Have a coffee with them and ask some in-depth questions.

[Anonymous]

Are you in DC? Go work on the Hill or go lobby for disability rights. You will save yourself the time and money!

[Anonymous]

My mom did this and was happy (but years ago). Your maturity and life experience will definitely help when working, although I imagine law school and job hunting will not be fun (never are). I love practicing law but it is not a good fit for everyone. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lawyer here, and the people I know who went later in life did very well-- academically and in terms of finding jobs. The added maturity and work ethic helped. Plus, they really wanted to be there, rather than having no other idea what to do with their liberal arts degree (hand raised).

But, some words of caution. The job market in law is soft, and big law firms are not lining up to hire 50 somethings. You have a goal that sounds worthwhile, but be very wary of law school debt. If you start 200k in the hole, you won't be able to do the type of job you want. I would only do this if I went state school/very minimal debt. Another option is to kill the LSATs, and go to a lesser school on an academic scholarship. You don't need a Harvard degree to practice disability law. You don't want your job choices limited by your debt load, and you don't want to be 70 and paying off student loans.

I would intern for a small firm/solo practitioner in your field of choice before you commit. Legal services volunteer is another option. Real life law is not like The Good Wife, so make sure you know what you are getting into this is a tough area of law with a high burnout rate.

Also, be aware that you can be a disability advocate for clients filing for SSI (including kids) without a JD (or any formal training) until the case reaches federal court, which is a small percent of cases. Many good disability advocates practicing before SSA do not have a JD. You might strongly consider going this route.

+1 to all of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe look into being a paralegal in a disability law firm?

I went back to school and got my Masters in Legal Studies. I was a litigation paralegal for many years. I loved it! I was able to spend way more time with our clients than the attorneys could. In our firm, attorneys rarely had time to work directly with clients outside of hearings. I handled the intake interviews, research, investigation, and discovery, kept clients informed throughout the process, prepared them for hearings, drafted documents, worked with doctors and insurance companies, provided attorney support during hearings, mediations, and depositions, ..... It was very, very stressful. I worked long hours. I could (would) not have done it with young children. But I loved it! I felt like what I did really made a difference.

I made about $90,000 a year including my bonus working in Memphis, Tennessee. Consider the paralegal route at least initially. You don't need a Masters to do it. You can start out working in a law firm as administrative support and work into a paralegal position if you find you like it. Before you spend money on law school, work in a firm. Something like 75% of attorneys hate their jobs. In my firm it was more like 50%, but that's still a lot. And I made more as a Paralegal than some of the new attorneys.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 46 and have been a therapist since I was 24. I always had a pull to become a lawyer, and having kids with special needs has made me impassioned about disability law. I didn't do it as my first career because I really wanted a career with a lot of flexibility while my kids were young. My youngest is about to go off to middle school and I have been thinking more and more about going to law school. I'd go in-state and try not to borrow money to go; even still, is this a crazy idea? Would anyone hire a new bit late-in-life lawyer?

My aunt did the same thing in the 80s and is now a judge in her 70's. She's had an interesting career. Cool example but I don't want to use one story as justification.

Thanks for sharing your opinions.

Go for it! I'm another mom of a special kid and you'd probably make a great disability lawyer.
Cut them off at the knees please (the bad guys that is).

[Anonymous]

What about being an advocate for parents? You wouldn't need a law degree.