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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I've been a middle school English teacher for 15 years and am interested in a career switch to education law. Just in the "what if..." fantasizing stage now. I'm 40 years old with 2 elementary-aged kids. Anyone know someone who has made this career switch? I know a few who have gone the other way, from law to teaching. I figure if I specialize in education, then my teaching years are relevant and not just a complete do-over. Especially in terms of special ed law.

Can anyone speak to the job market for lawyers in the education field in this area? Do education lawyers work for larger firms? for the fed govt? for themselves? for school systems? How much money could I expect to earn? My family would stay in our MCPS (down county) house, so I'd want law school and eventual job location to be nearby.

How realistic is it to gradually take some courses while still teaching full time? We have to do continuing education / professional development courses anyway. Any decent online courses -- at least to try out first and see if I like it?

Any other advice for trying to see if this pipe dream has potential?[/quote]

[b]Do education lawyers work for larger firms? for the fed govt? for themselves? for school systems?  [/b]All of the above except large firms since education law doesn't make it rain enough for big firms.

H[b]ow much money could I expect to earn? [/b] People who get into education field are most likely doing it for public interest and not to make money.  Chances are 100k at best by mid career.

[b]My family would stay in our MCPS (down county) house, so I'd want law school and eventual job location to be nearby.[/b]  You have several school choices in this area but the general rule for law school is to pick the ones with the highest ranking, which is Georgetown.  However, since you already identified a specialty area to focus on, it won't hrut as much to look into specific programs and see which school has a better network in special education law (I also see some disability law in this one too).  American in general has the better reputation of being a public interest school--BUT DO NOT GO THERE IF YOU'RE PAYING STICK PRICE.

[b]How realistic is it to gradually take some courses while still teaching full time?[/b]  Going to law school is not just about taking some courses here and there--it is a lifestyle choice.  You'd be required to take several core areas of law during your first year (or first few semester if part time)--torts, contract, crim, civ pro, property, constitutional, crim pro.  Theoretically, the rest of your career lies on how well you perform in those courses as you'd be graded on a scale with the rest of the students.  However, since you already have a specialty area in mind, it won't matter as much, but you'd still want to do your best.  Next comes the law school activities, the most prestigious ones being moot court and law review.  Again, you may forego those opportunities if you already have an area in mind, but you'd need to hustle and bustle your ass off to network with potential employers.

[b]Any other advice for trying to see if this pipe dream has potential?[/b] Speak with actual attorneys/firms/organization that have a presence in special ed law, again, I think disability law is one good area to explore.  You might also want to look into seeking out lawyers who work for the department of education or local government education deparments.  Also, ask yourself why you want to be come a lawyer.  If it's just a fantasy, then don't do it.  If a law license is a barrier of entry for some career goal of yours, then go for it.  [/quote]

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