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

[Anonymous]

You're crazy to go into law regardless of age.

[Anonymous]

I know two older women who went to law school (both were in their 40s). One got a job with the federal government, but she was very well connected politically and got her foot in the door that way. The other never got a job as a lawyer, and ended up selling real estate (and this was at a time when the law business was booming).

I agree with those who say to do it if you want the experience, but I wouldn't count on finding a paying job in the field.

[Anonymous]

Ummmm, nope. I’m 55 years old and have been practicing for 30 years. No way I’d go to law school now. It’s grueling and too much money. Then, you risk having trouble finding a job as a lawyer. If I left my law job now I’d have a hard time finding a job and certainly a job paying what I make. It’s just not worth it. I’ll be ready to hang it up in 5 more years. It’s gotten really boring and monotonous too. I only work as a lawyer now for the money.

[Anonymous]

OP, I teach at a "T14" law school and each year we have a handful of students who are in their 40s, 50s and even 60s. They do fine, and have all gotten jobs. That said, the job market at less "elite" schools is tougher. I agree that going to law school at your age makes little sense if you see it as a way to make money, but if you can afford the tuition and can potentially afford to take a lower-paying public interest job, you will have decent options.

My spouse just went back to school (not law school) at age 50 -- we will see how he does!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't the annual tuition at a school like American or GWU $56ish so the full program is about $160K, not $100K?

I would go to my local in-state school, so tuition is very cheap.

I love how the school websites bury the tuition fees. It took me several minutes to locate the tuition and fees for Georgetown U. law school, my alma mater. Base tuition is $62,244 without books and other fees and if you require room and board it is $91,700. I don't know who would waste that kind of money today. When I went in the mid-late 80s, the tuition was a little over $10K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: I'll give you the other point of view. If this is something you've wanted to do your whole life, AND you have clear and realistic goals for what you want to do with a law degree, AND you won't be going into debt - then go for it.

What's the alternative - you spend the next 20 years still wishing you'd done this when you were young?

But I would only do this if it won't hurt you financially, and you know what you are going to do with the degree. Otherwise you will be just like the miserable 25 year old law grads except also facing age discrimination.

Don't become a paralegal unless it's what you actually want to do, or unless you really do need the $$.

Interesting point of view. I am going to look into paralegal work. Law school at my local in-state school would be affordable, and no, I would not go into debt, but I'd likely never make the money back either. I have at least 15-20 more years of working though, so I'd like to do something interesting to me.

I have no experience as a paralegal, so not sure I'd get a job! But perhaps I can take classes at my local CC? My fear is that it might not be challenging enough? I have a master's degree in another field and about 15 years of experience working in that field.

I'd always thought I'd be a litigator, but maybe I've watched too much TV! Just gave up my dreams young. My best friend went to law school and hated it, so I thought I would too, even though we're not at all alike intellectually. Another friend loved (and still loves) practicing law, but I didn't meet him until I was well into my career, and it was too late by then to change fields. Wish I had.

What is your other degree in? Can you use that to leverage a position in law that combines the two? That way when you get your JD and pass the bar, you are not "a new lawyer with no experience," but an experienced ____ who now also is authorized to do the legal end of the work. Example areas: patent, medical malpractice, tax, environmental, etc.

[Anonymous]

Go only if you would be willing to pay for the schooling and then never actually work as a lawyer, at least for pay.

[Anonymous]

I went to Stanford Law School; graduated in the '80s. I had a couple of classmates who were in their 50s -- interesting, smart, friendly people who had raised kids and had considerable success in other careers before law school. They were always prepared for class -- because they never went out drinking the night before -- and they brought to our class discussions a much-needed measure of humility and wisdom -- something that the rest of us -- mostly in our 20s or early 30s -- sorely lacked. They've both had good experiences practicing law, though not with big firms -- they had no interest in that (evidence of their older and wiser perspective). So, can you go to law school in your mid-50s? Sure, but you've got to go to a pretty darned good school (which is, BTW, the same advice I give to 20-somethings, including my own DS). That doesn't sound like it's in the cards for you, OP, given your financial situation and ties to this area.

So, what is it about law practice that calls to you? Do you want to be the zealous advocate? The trusted and discreet advisor? The wise mediator who helps to cut through problems and find common ground? There are lots of other jobs where you can play that role; a few examples -- fundraisers are advocates and so are hospital ombudspersons; guidance counselors are trusted advisors and so are financial planners; divorce mediators help people in life transitions get on with the next chapter. All of these jobs would require you to start by doing research (another aspect of law, of course), interviewing folks who do these jobs and maybe shadowing a few of them. Then, you could move on to volunteering in one of two positions. You might need to pursue a certificate program or master's. I have law school classmates who have segued to some of these careers, following this exact path. Perhaps this would work for you, but, no, don't go to a mediocre law school. Nobody should do that.

HTH and best of luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your end goal here? Are you looking to make money? Or is this more for personal fulfillment? If it’s the latter then go for it.

This.

[Anonymous]

I’m a late 50s woman lawyer. Did law school in my early 20s. But took a number of years off being SAHM taking care of very disabled child.
1. Law school is a lot of work. Lots of reading, writing, revising. I guess they don’t spend as much time in the actual library now, due to computers, but it’s a lot of work.
2. I knew so many couples that separated due to the insane stress. Even at a “not top tier” law school, the stress is killer. And time away from your spouse will mount up.
3. The bar exam adds another whole layer of studying and stress.
4. In the DC area, people with law degrees are a dime a dozen. You’ll be competing for entry level jobs with folks from top tier schools who likely have had clerking experience in summers etc.
5. The good news is that women lawyers don’t have to wear hose in court anymore. During menopause I thought I would die wearing hose to court in the DC summers. Threw them out and realized the young women weren’t wearing them either. Ha ha.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: 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.

Skills discrimination, too, it sounds like.

[Anonymous]

The sad truth is that a lot of people don't think as well at 50 as they did at 20 OP. And forget about trying to find a job in the law. This market is saturated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Stanford Law School; graduated in the '80s. I had a couple of classmates who were in their 50s -- interesting, smart, friendly people who had raised kids and had considerable success in other careers before law school. They were always prepared for class -- because they never went out drinking the night before -- and they brought to our class discussions a much-needed measure of humility and wisdom -- something that the rest of us -- mostly in our 20s or early 30s -- sorely lacked. They've both had good experiences practicing law, though not with big firms -- they had no interest in that (evidence of their older and wiser perspective). So, can you go to law school in your mid-50s? Sure, but you've got to go to a pretty darned good school (which is, BTW, the same advice I give to 20-somethings, including my own DS). That doesn't sound like it's in the cards for you, OP, given your financial situation and ties to this area.

So, what is it about law practice that calls to you? Do you want to be the zealous advocate? The trusted and discreet advisor? The wise mediator who helps to cut through problems and find common ground? There are lots of other jobs where you can play that role; a few examples -- fundraisers are advocates and so are hospital ombudspersons; guidance counselors are trusted advisors and so are financial planners; divorce mediators help people in life transitions get on with the next chapter. All of these jobs would require you to start by doing research (another aspect of law, of course), interviewing folks who do these jobs and maybe shadowing a few of them. Then, you could move on to volunteering in one of two positions. You might need to pursue a certificate program or master's. I have law school classmates who have segued to some of these careers, following this exact path. Perhaps this would work for you, but, no, don't go to a mediocre law school. Nobody should do that.

HTH and best of luck, OP!

Thanks for this post, PP! Very positive and helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The sad truth is that a lot of people don't think as well at 50 as they did at 20 OP. And forget about trying to find a job in the law. This market is saturated.

I've decided not to pursue law school. Thanks for all the posts, pro and con. I think I can manage the stress, reading, work, etc., but I decided it will impact my family in a negative way that's not worth it. I'm looking into paralegal programs, but without a lot of enthusiasm. I think I'd be bored. Maybe I'll brush up my skills and go back into my old profession, but that's TBD. I really want to go to law school, even a low-tier one, but it's not going to happen. I have a friend who is a public defender (has been for 30 years), and she loves her job. I guess I'd like to be her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: 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.

Skills discrimination, too, it sounds like.

Not really, but no thanks for the post. It's age discrimination. If you aren't over 50, you have no idea. I have so many friends who have lost their jobs in their 50s, to be replaced by younger, cheaper people. Until it happens to you, you won't believe it, but ask anyone over 50 and they know someone this has happened to.