Should I become a lawyer?

Question

Here's the skinny: I'm 25. I made good grades in school and went to college for a time before I dropped out. I have a relatively successful career in Marketing, but it isn't exactly what I pictured myself doing for the rest of my life. I have an aptitude for logic and details as well as public speech and communication in general.

I am not currently enrolled in college. But, here we go. I've always been interested in law.. but never really -really- considered it as a career path before. However, I'm getting older.. have a family.. and am, to a certain degree, unfulfilled by my current career path. Also, I'd like to make more money. Though, by the time I actually graduated law school, my salary would probably be comparable to a recent law graduate.. probably a bit more.

So, what are the chances of me going back to school and making it? Would it take me more than 7 years, could I do it in less? Is there a such thing as a"happy" lawyer? Anyone go to law school "later" in life?

Answer 1

I agree with the third poster that you'll be 40 years old in 15 years, regardless of what you do with your career path. A few questions to consider.

How many units do you need to finish college? Can you finish these at a junior college / community college (cheaper) and then transfer to a university and go to school at night (or can the hours you work in your current career be changed to accommodate school in the morning). Buy used books if possible.

You can go to school part-time at night (yes, even ABA law schools have this option) but it will take 4 years. This way, you won't have to take as many loans.

Also, take the LSAT. If you do well enough in college and with the LSAT, you may be able to get a full (or partial) scholarship / fellowship at law school - apply for many scholarships, local, national, etc. When you're at law school, make sure you buy used books.

What type of lawyer do you want to be? Most lawyers do not make the $125K starting salary that's touted (those are the ones who are "required" to work 12-15 hours per day) - they typically earn 40-50K, especially without experience (these are the ones who work only 8-9 hours per day unless one is preparing for trial).

If you can save up enough money so that you don't have to work while going to school (or at least only work part-time), that is ideal. Plus, you can be a law clerk after your first year so you can learn more about the law.

Yes, people can go to law school later in life. Many have chosen it as their second career (I know someone who graduated college, worked for 10 years, then went back to law school).

P.S. A higher starting salary usually means that more is expected of the first year associate - no life outside of work. A lower starting salary - especially in smaller cities - usually means that they expect you to have a life and the attorneys in the smaller cities are more laid back.

Answer 2

Don't do it, you will regret it. One, you will accumulate a lot of debt. Two, it wil not be fun dealing with the stress of law school and the stress of a family. More than one long term relationship fell apart in law school, including divorce. You will not have money coming in while in law school, if you do have money it will be from your spouse, who will resent you. You will have to live in the law library studying. Your age, although not that old, will be a strike against you if you are going for the high paying jobs, employers will think you were not serious about the practice of law. Even if you were younger you still would have to go to a top law school and/or finish high in your class and maybe make it on a law journal to get a shot at the big bucks, it is a big gamble, and even if you get the job you would never see your family.
You most likely will end up fighting for a $40,000 job out of law school with over $100,000 or more in law school debt and that would be after 3-7 yrs. of higher education.
If you are willing to go back to school go into a career where this is a shortage or demand for your skills, you will be employed and well paid for your investment of time, money and sweat, we need more lawyers like we need more Ebola Virus. Look at the med field, for example, pharmacists make more that attorneys and there is a huge shortage, they will pay off your school loans and give you signing bonuses. If you are good at marketing/sales check out being a pharmaceutical rep, they can make big $$$. I am shocked how much dentists make. I would rather be a dentist with the worst grades, from the worst school than a lawyer in the top half of my class from a top ten law school, at least the dentist will be well paid and employed.

Answer 3

Should I Become A Lawyer

Answer 4

Don't do it.
If you have a relatively succesful career already, follow thru with it and don't even consider the law.
Unless you are a top grad from a top ABA school, you will have a hard time getting a job. Good firms don't look at "late bloomers" and career switchers. Remember too, you're going to have to borrow a LOT to get a JD, then take time off for bar review.
Even if you did manage to get a job, that's when hell starts. You will have to bill 2,000 hours per year to keep your job, meaning you will have to work 3-4,000 hours. You do the math.
No birthdays, no vacations, no weddings, no seeing your kids at school plays. All that goes away for 7-10 years until you make partner.
There's already too many lawyers, too many rats trying to bite at the same piece of cheese, and every year the cheese gets thinner and thinner.
I am so happy to be out of the business, it hasn't been a profession for a long time.

Answer 5

Don't become a lawyer. I work for them and they are some of the most unhappy people I have ever met. Not to mention to $100,000 plus in student loans you will have. I was considering becoming an attorney as well, I got my Paralegal degree and now that I am in the legal field and working for attorneys, I know that it is not for me. I mean, after spending years in school and so much money in student loans, new law school grads only make about 60K a year. It isn't worth it. You have to be a big boy in a huge corporate law firm to make real money. Find you happiness and money else where!

Answer 6

OK! You're 25. In 15 years you'll be 40. You'll be 40 whether or not you get a law degree. Let's assume you live to age 70.
At age 70 you can look back on a long and rewarding law career, or be still kicking yourself for not having followed your derams
So, if you have the drive, the balls and the determination, and the willingness to be strapped for money for a couple years,
what law school will you be attending?