Question for the OT Lawyers - School Later in Life

I knew a chick that tried to be a broadway actress for a while, then went to law school. She married a federal judge in North La., so I guess it worked out for her.

Not me but there were many in class with me. Worth it for them, as they were stalled in their present careers. A lot of people will tell you not to go to law school now due to the job market, but if it is your passion and you are a hard worker, you will be fine. If you are just bored and want to try something different, then law school is a huge risk. I definitely would not take on significant debt to go to law school in my 30s. You should look at schools with night programs, like Loyola NO. In a night program most of your class will be older students.

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Did any of our fine attorneys here begin law school in their 30’s?

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I did.

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Looking back was it worth it?

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Yes.

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Would you do it again?

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No.

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job market

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This is talked about a lot.

Is it starting salaries are down bad? Or you'll be working at Starbucks bad??

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Homeschool or gtfo.

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If you get a scholarship...yes
If you have to go in 200k debt...no

Where would you practice?

Things are better than they were, but they'll never be like they were pre-recession.

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Did any of our fine attorneys here begin law school in their 30’s? Or know anyone that did?

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I started when I was 30 in 2000. Totally worth it (1) for me and (2) at that particular time and place, but I offer these caveats:

1. My 2L summer was the last before the bubble. We had 22 summer associates that year, 11 got offers, seven accepted (including me), and six started together with one taking a year clerkship first. The next year, the summer class was less than half that, and I think only 1 got an offer.

2. I went to a private school, which together with my age differentiated me from the other local grads looking for jobs in the area. In general, the legal job market has changed dramatically since I graduated.

3. Beyond the job market, the legal industry has changed a lot and will continue to evolve. Some % of lawyers TBD will be replaced to an extent by algorithms and outsourcing.

4. Loans will be with you forever unless someone else pays your way or pays it off afterward. Rare is the first-year associate who makes enough money and keeps a managable lifestyle to pay them off. Few get jobs like that in the first place, but they all have the debt regardless of their salaries.

5. My first year I met several 2Ls and up who "didn't want to be a lawyer" and weren't sure what they were going to do when they graduated. If you not sure, don't do it.

I wasn't quite that old, I graduated law school when I was 29, but I had worked in a completely different field for 4 years between undergrad and law school.

I don't think it necessarily makes you a better student, but there is some pressure and b.s. that comes along with your 1L year that maturity and life experience help you navigate.