re: Question for the OT Lawyers - School Later in Life

quote:

---

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

---

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.