Late in life law school?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Don't waste your money. Is there a non-profit you can get involved with that addresses those needs? That might satisfy.

[Anonymous]

Go for it.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would just caution that the 80's were a far different time for law school graduates. It was much easier to find a job than it is now.

[Anonymous]

DO NOT DO THIS.

[Anonymous]

The market for law school grads is not good right now. It doesn't sound like a good idea.

[Anonymous]

I can almost guarantee you that there is some other way you can find to work in that area that is more likely to be rewarding, both economically and emotionally than going to law school. Look for a nonprofit and find out what they need-- maybe you can transition to social work, maybe you can work or volunteer somewhere else and find a niche, but starting law at 50 when there are so many under and unemployed lawyers does not seem like a good plan. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm 50 and want to go to law school. My husband says it's a bad idea. Too many lawyers in this world already. And job market not great.

[Anonymous]

I would think it would take too much time away from your teenage son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT DO THIS.

+1000. The odds of being employed in your area of passion and being happy with it after law school are freakishly tiny. My idealistic self went to law school and am human misery where my career is concerned.

[Anonymous]

I did the opposite. Left my law practice in my 40's and now I'm a therapist in my 50's. So I wouldn't rule it out if this is your passion. Do your homework, though. Law school is expensive and the market isn't what it once was. If you're interested in public interest law (it sounds like you are) then realize that racking up debt will limit your options.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't sound like you can afford to go, and chances are you may not get a return on your investment if you do go. Also sounds like you expect to take a low paying job after graduation, rather than a firm job. What does your husband think? I'd only go at your age with lots of money in the bank and if I could pay cash. I've known some non-traditional students. For one ended up great, the other is hiding out of the US to avoid his student loans.

[Anonymous]

There are a LOT of reasons NOT to do this. (1) law school is extremely expensive; (2) law school is a huge time commitment; (3) job prospects are dismal; (4) you will spend the bulk of your time in law school learning areas of the law that are COMPLETELY unrelated to your area of interest; you will be lucky to take one class focusing on disability law, if that; (5) if you do get a job working in disability law, you will likely get paid very little at the beginning, certainly not enough to justify the enormous expense of law school; (6) being an entry level lawyer SUCKS; you will do basic grunt work that is barely above the intern level. It could be very difficult for someone at your age and at your stage in your professional career to take such a step back; (7) you will need to be ready to take direction from people your age; this could be very difficult; (8) to do well in law school, you have to be ready to treat it like a full time job. Most law students are right out of college and can devote themselves to it 100 percent; this will be very difficult to do with a family. Your nights and weekends will no longer be your own, you will need to be ready to sacrifice a lot of time with your family; (9) you will need to devote at least 2 months of your life to study for the bar; (10) most lawyers really don't like their jobs, what makes you think you will be any different? Pretty much no lawyer went into school expecting or planning to be miserable in their career; they were just as bushy eyed and optimistic about it as you are. What makes you think you are any different?

[Anonymous]

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.

[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.

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.