Am I crazy to consider law school in my mid-50s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, this is the OP. I started this thread in 2018! It's closing on four years ago! I read through it because there was an encouraging post on it I liked and remembered.

For anyone curious, I had a family crisis, which derailed me for a while, but things are better now, and I'm going to school to become a paralegal. The classes are easy, and it seems interesting enough. I hope being a paralegal is more challenging. It's far too late for me to go to law school now, sadly, and I don't have the $300K it would cost to attend Georgetown or a similar school I would likely have attended in my 20s.

Re-reading this thread, it's surprising to see all the lawyers blithely accepting age discrimination as the way it is, while at the same time it's illegal discrimination, yes?

Doesn't your law license require you to uphold the law? You're all saying it's OK to break the law, and isn't that technically a violation of your license?

I don't know, just asking, as it seemed surprising from this perspective.

OP, nobody sets out to discriminate. At least very few people do. It happens more in the "We need people who fit into our culture" type of environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, this is the OP. I started this thread in 2018! It's closing on four years ago! I read through it because there was an encouraging post on it I liked and remembered.

For anyone curious, I had a family crisis, which derailed me for a while, but things are better now, and I'm going to school to become a paralegal. The classes are easy, and it seems interesting enough. I hope being a paralegal is more challenging. It's far too late for me to go to law school now, sadly, and I don't have the $300K it would cost to attend Georgetown or a similar school I would likely have attended in my 20s.

Re-reading this thread, it's surprising to see all the lawyers blithely accepting age discrimination as the way it is, while at the same time it's illegal discrimination, yes?

Doesn't your law license require you to uphold the law? You're all saying it's OK to break the law, and isn't that technically a violation of your license?

I don't know, just asking, as it seemed surprising from this perspective.

Good for your for finding a path and not giving up.

FWIW, Alan Greenspan did not finish his PhD until he was 51. So, follow your dreams (smartly, of course). It is never too late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always wanted to go to law school. Got derailed after college into another career, then had kids and SAH for a lot of years. Kids in high school now, soon college. I can afford in-state tuition at local, not very prestigious law school, but would it be worth it to start now? I'd be almost 60 when finished -- what then? I took the practice LSAT and did very well on it, FWIW. I've always been interested in law and politics. I am healthy and hope to work into my 70s. Is this just a crazy idea? Will it be a waste of time/money? BTW, no one wants to hire me in my old field. I'm too old, skills too rusty. Age discrimination is alive and very well.[b]

What makes you think someone will want to hire you in your new field? You’ll be competing with 20-somethings and the law culture is not known for being kind—just the opposite.

[Anonymous]

I got my Phd in my late 30s/early 40s and encouraged a friend who is about 10 years older to do law school. She would have been in her late 40s at that time, I think. Anyway, whe loved law school itself althougth it was challenging. However, she didn't pass the bar either time she tried. She said her brain was too old to retain all the info needed for the bar. I encouraged her to try again but she said she would have to spend 6 months not working, only studying and it would be too costly for her family in terms of money and emotional support. She has the degree but is working as a social worker, her former profession. I think she kind of regrets doing it (I think it saddled her with loans). That said, I'm still of a "never too old" mindset. Just weigh the costs before jumping in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, this is the OP. I started this thread in 2018! It's closing on four years ago! I read through it because there was an encouraging post on it I liked and remembered.

For anyone curious, I had a family crisis, which derailed me for a while, but things are better now, and I'm going to school to become a paralegal. The classes are easy, and it seems interesting enough. I hope being a paralegal is more challenging. It's far too late for me to go to law school now, sadly, and I don't have the $300K it would cost to attend Georgetown or a similar school I would likely have attended in my 20s.

Re-reading this thread, it's surprising to see all the lawyers blithely accepting age discrimination as the way it is, while at the same time it's illegal discrimination, yes?

Doesn't your law license require you to uphold the law? You're all saying it's OK to break the law, and isn't that technically a violation of your license?

I don't know, just asking, as it seemed surprising from this perspective.

OP, nobody sets out to discriminate. At least very few people do. It happens more in the "We need people who fit into our culture" type of environment.

Intent is not a required element of discrimination, and "people who fit into our culture" has a long history as cover for intentional discrimination and a prime source of unintentional discrimination. Obviously, cultural fit *is* important, but anyone who is in a hiring role needs to look hard at whether "cultural fit" is covering up or enabling discrimination at their organization.

[Anonymous]

OP, the good news is that a lot of companies are realizing that hiring older admin assistants and paralegals is the preferable way to go, because they STAY. Enough companies have been burned over and over hiring 20s admin assistants, only for them to leave after only 1-2 years, that they're now focusing on older hires for that role. Older admin assistants/paralegals are not interested in growing a career and climbing the ladder in their 50s. They want a job that is enjoyable and stable, pays at least decently, provides insurance if needed, and will see them through to retirement. They're not interested in job-hopping. So going the paralegal route in your 50s would play right into that.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t read the whole thread but have you considered education? There are tons of roles that need to be filled right now and classroom teacher is just one. Age will not be an issue. I have been teaching high school for 13 year and one of the most influential and special coworkers I have had was an Ed tech in her 60’s, former stay at home mom, whip smart, masters in Biology. She changed a lot of teenager’s lives. And mine, too. Educators with life experience, patience, and passion are always needed! Just a thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, this is the OP. I started this thread in 2018! It's closing on four years ago! I read through it because there was an encouraging post on it I liked and remembered.

For anyone curious, I had a family crisis, which derailed me for a while, but things are better now, and I'm going to school to become a paralegal. The classes are easy, and it seems interesting enough. I hope being a paralegal is more challenging. It's far too late for me to go to law school now, sadly, and I don't have the $300K it would cost to attend Georgetown or a similar school I would likely have attended in my 20s.

Re-reading this thread, it's surprising to see all the lawyers blithely accepting age discrimination as the way it is, while at the same time it's illegal discrimination, yes?

Doesn't your law license require you to uphold the law? You're all saying it's OK to break the law, and isn't that technically a violation of your license?

I don't know, just asking, as it seemed surprising from this perspective.

For real? Acknowledging age discrimination isn't the same as committing it. No one advised anyone to break the law. Saying that age discrimination is real and that it is unlikely to change fast enough for you isn't saying it's okay to break the law. Upholding the law doesn't mean that I, personally, have to bring age-discrimination suits against companies that discriminate (indeed, I would not have standing). I hope your critical reading and thinking skills improve as part of your coursework.

[Anonymous]

While I can see the POV of the responses here that someone in their fifties should not waste their time on obtaining a law degree - Kim Kardashian is in her early-40’s & is pursuing a future career in law.

She has already passed the baby bar + is currently doing criminal advocacy work.
No one is criticizing her because of her being middle-aged and no one is saying that she is too old to be vying to be a bona fide attorney.

Could be because she still looks very young.
So if the OP looks a decade or so younger > then she too can be more successful in her future in law vs. her peers?!

[Anonymous]

OP----Go for it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I can see the POV of the responses here that someone in their fifties should not waste their time on obtaining a law degree - Kim Kardashian is in her early-40’s & is pursuing a future career in law.

She has already passed the baby bar + is currently doing criminal advocacy work.
No one is criticizing her because of her being middle-aged and no one is saying that she is too old to be vying to be a bona fide attorney.

Could be because she still looks very young.
So if the OP looks a decade or so younger > then she too can be more successful in her future in law vs. her peers?!

It might be that Kim K has some advantages that most don’t. Just a few advantages to relieve the worry...!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I can see the POV of the responses here that someone in their fifties should not waste their time on obtaining a law degree - Kim Kardashian is in her early-40’s & is pursuing a future career in law.

She has already passed the baby bar + is currently doing criminal advocacy work.
No one is criticizing her because of her being middle-aged and no one is saying that she is too old to be vying to be a bona fide attorney.

Could be because she still looks very young.
So if the OP looks a decade or so younger > then she too can be more successful in her future in law vs. her peers?!

People fully acknowledged it would be fine if you have money and time to burn.

[Anonymous]

If you have a passion for it, you should do it. Life is short so why not? You will have a lot of advantages being older in law school. The main advantages are maturity and perspective. I went to law school with a man in his 60’s…. He LOVED it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I can see the POV of the responses here that someone in their fifties should not waste their time on obtaining a law degree - Kim Kardashian is in her early-40’s & is pursuing a future career in law.

She has already passed the baby bar + is currently doing criminal advocacy work.
No one is criticizing her because of her being middle-aged and no one is saying that she is too old to be vying to be a bona fide attorney.

Could be because she still looks very young.
So if the OP looks a decade or so younger > then she too can be more successful in her future in law vs. her peers?!

I personally think Kim K. is deluding herself if she believes she can have a career as an attorney.
By the time she passes the exams & gains some experience as an apprentice, she will be close to fifty.
Lucky for her, she has a ton of money to burn and will not be in lifelong debt.
Also she lives in CA where a law school degree is not necessary.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not , going to school at later stage of your life is like being young again. I have three AADegree, 2 bachelor degree, finishing my 3rd Master degree and accepted into law school for next year and I am 57 years old and started up my own business and now having those master degree (MBA, MST, MSLaw) allowed me to run a successful business and. Ow I am attending a law school online so that I can provide both taxation and immigration services at federal level and as long as you pass the bar in California by attending law school, you can practice at those federal level services.

If I can do it. And I am pretty stupid, then you can do it. And know with each degree , you realize how stupid you were and you will recognize your inner darkness and how each class is like a candle of light shining through your darkness within and brightens you . Go to school and challenge your self and you will see the power of being wealthy within .

Good luck,