Law school for dad past age 40?
Any advice on an already over-educated male going to law school past the age of 40? Is this a crazy idea, would I have to get into a top school to make it, what are the opportunities out there? What's the job market like?
Aug 30, 2016
Parent Replies
Yes, you are crazy. The job market for lawyers is poor compared to the cost of a law degree. And unless you have a large amount of money on your hands to pay cash, you'd have to take out loans. Check out http://www.lstscorereports.com/
You're not crazy ... but why do you want to do it? You need to realize that law, for the most part, is a business. If your desire is to save the world, I hope you have a lot of money saved up, because those jobs (even if you can get one) do not pay a lot. And the competition for federal/state/county jobs (which do pay a decent salary -- albeit a pittance compared to private practice) is tough.
Law school is expensive, and job prospects are not great even for graduates of T14 schools. You would probably face hidden age discrimination in the job hunt, since firms want eager associates who will buy into the idea of working horrendous hours to prove their partnership value, not people who have families and soccer teams to coach and school plays to attend. Yes, everyone, I know there is a lot of blah, blah, blah out there about quality of life, and I don't believe a word of it. If things are are so wonderful, why do I get hundreds of applications from people working in Big Law every time my agency advertises an entry level position?
Anyway, only you can answer the question why do it?
I loved law school. But working at a law firm is no fun. Super stressful, horrible hours, misplaced priorities. Big firm lawyers typically end up cancelling (at the last minute) every: vacation, dinner party, soccer game, birthday party, etc. They make a lot of money but have little time to spend it. They don't see their kids enough and miss out on the important milestones. Some people thrive on it, I don't. All I want is to be to succeed at my job while being able to pick up my son from school and do his homework with him. But my job doesn't want to make any accommodation that would allow me to do this. I'm now trying to figure out how to succeed at motherhood and being a lawyer at the same time. I feel like I'm failing at both. The though of doing what I'm doing for another 20 years makes me want to vomit.
Yes, I'm financially successful. We own a gorgeous home in the hills. But I'm stressed out all the time and constantly worry that the rug is going to be pulled out from under me.
If there's a way for you to go to law school without incurring a ton of debt I'd say go for it. You will probably love the intellectual challenge. But if you come out saddled with debt that requires a big firm job to pay, you will probably regret it.