Law school or not? This is a question... Forum

[icecreamn4y]

Hi,

This may sound like a silly question, but I'm sincere to ask...If it is really silly, please treat it as entertainment...

When you guys are talking about your legal jobs, I'm asking the question whether or not to go to law school..

My personal situation:
1. early 40 years old (I know, pretty old to go back to school). Mother of a young child.
2. with a BA in English and MS In IT.
3. I have been working in IT field for about 12 years, and recent pay is around $120k to $130k/year.

The trigger to think about going to law school:
1. I have been thinking about it 10 years ago, however, the busy life made me postpone it forever.
2. I have been striving in my current field to reach a higher level, however, there is no breakthrough yet.
3. I have been suing others in a lawsuit this year, and I researched, studied myself, and drafted lawsuit myself. It was praised by opposing counsel, by informally criticizing me of asking a professional attorney to draft my lawsuit while representing myself in court, which was actually a compliment for me. The case is pending in court.
4. I can get better income from legal field (this may be my disillusion).
5. I like researching, case citations, writing arguments, logic analysis.

The ideas I am still debating:
1. It looks like lawyers generally have a very busy life style which I dislike. The goal of my life is to reach my highest potentials, make more money, enjoy life and even be able to help the poor to make a positive difference to the world. However, if I have to sacrifice too much to be a lawyer, I have to think carefully about it.
2. The lawyer's income is not really that high, I'm talking about the general. If I invest 3 years of time in law school, and 3 years tuition, even going to a state university for lower tuition purpose, I still need to invest about $150k-$180k minimum for tuition, not mentioning the loss of my regular job. If I still keep it, the 3 years salary income would be around at least $360k. Plus the tuition, it would be at least $500k investment in law school. From the financial perspectives, and ROI, it may not worth it...

People told me:You got to choose whatever you like, you are passionate about, not concern too much about the financial return from it! It's much easier to say than to do it! Very few people really are doing what they are passionate about, at the same time, without worrying the finance, and still live a decent life they like! I like traveling and am passionate about traveling around the world, seeing the beautiful scenery, history, and eating yummy food. However, in the real world, I got to have strong financial basis to back up my passion and dream! Practically, people choose the career/job from the job satisfaction (a good pay, decent job title, the difference you make at job and good balance of family life, etc.). Therefore, when I am thinking of legal career, I definitely DO NOT disregard financial return, actually it will be a major factor for me to think about it. And the good balance of family life and career. Since I'm a single mom, and a very good mom, I'd like to be there for my son's all events, sports, piano, graduation... I'm not sure the field of legal would actually do good for a good family life. Besides, my current pay in current field is around $120k - $130k annually and I don't know if I can even at least match my current pay out of law school. After 3 years, I may be able to reach $130-140k in my current field.

There are tales about working in the big IT companies as legal counsel, like the counsels in Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc., with not only good pay, but also, bonus and stocks (the stocks may worth million), and with my already strong IT background, and with a law degree, however, I don't how much the chance would be... esp. if I choose a state university for low tuition purpose. The school is not bad though, in Washington DC metro area, with opportunities to work in DC area law firms or government agencies too.

I also have good sense of business, may have a focus on business, insurance, tax, intellectual property law fields. Don't know how these fields work. I may also want to work for a big bank, insurance company, or big IT company as legal counsel with these focus areas.

I don't know too much about insiders' information, like the actual pay in legal various fields, how much you like/dislike your daily job, etc. I'd like to get some insiders' opinions so that I can make a better, informed decisions.

I already got the LSAT prep books and considering return them...

Your genuine feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Br3v]

I have been working in IT field for about 12 years, and recent pay is around $120k to $130k/year.

See below

I have been suing others in a lawsuit this year, and I researched, studied myself, and drafted lawsuit myself. It was praised by opposing counsel, by informally criticizing me of asking a professional attorney to draft my lawsuit while representing myself in court, which was actually a compliment for me. The case is pending in court.

Not a good reason to go to law school

It looks like lawyers generally have a very busy life style which I dislike [. . . ]However, if I have to sacrifice too much to be a lawyer, I have to think carefully about it.

See below

I already got the LSAT prep books and considering return them...

Doesn't look like law is what you want. If it's your dream go for it. But best case scenario out of law school you will make 160, only 40 more than you make now with no debt.

[Johann]

sounds like you got a good thing going. not sure why you'd change that up.

[pattonthicke]

I have been working in IT field for about 12 years, and recent pay is around $120k to $130k/year.

See below

I have been suing others in a lawsuit this year, and I researched, studied myself, and drafted lawsuit myself. It was praised by opposing counsel, by informally criticizing me of asking a professional attorney to draft my lawsuit while representing myself in court, which was actually a compliment for me. The case is pending in court.

Not a good reason to go to law school

It looks like lawyers generally have a very busy life style which I dislike [. . . ]However, if I have to sacrifice too much to be a lawyer, I have to think carefully about it.

See below

I already got the LSAT prep books and considering return them...

Doesn't look like law is what you want. If it's your dream go for it. But best case scenario out of law school you will make 160, only 40 more than you make now with no debt.

And even that is unlikely. OP, dont go!!!

[jbiresq]

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=189981

[McAvoy]

If financial security, mental health, and general happiness are important to you, then I'd say don't do it.

[B.B. Homemaker]

don't do it.

+1

[pancakes3]

If it's your dream go for it.

There are absolutely no scenarios where it would be advantageous for a single mother in her 40's to quit her 125k/year job to go to law school - Yale included. None. At all.

[Caesar Salad]

If it's your dream go for it.

There are absolutely no scenarios where it would be advantageous for a single mother in her 40's to quit her 125k/year job to go to law school - Yale included. None. At all.

Idk, maybe if someone was miserable. If it also turned out that three years later that person ended up with a job that they loved which also met their financial needs then you could definitely say retrospectively that law school was a good idea and provided and advantage. I'm sure there are probably other extremely narrow cases that would make sense as well.

But yeah as long as your job is not intolerable I would probably say why?

[crit_racer]

Don't do it. You will regret it. It's uninteresting, financially disastrous, and stressful. Maybe if you were single and in your 20s, but even then I'd be inclined to keep the good job you have.

-biglaw associate

[Manteca]

Don't do it. It sounds like you have a good thing going. I'd be happy to be in your shoes.

[pancakes3]

If it's your dream go for it.

There are absolutely no scenarios where it would be advantageous for a single mother in her 40's to quit her 125k/year job to go to law school - Yale included. None. At all.

Idk, maybe if someone was miserable. If it also turned out that three years later that person ended up with a job that they loved which also met their financial needs then you could definitely say retrospectively that law school was a good idea and provided and advantage. I'm sure there are probably other extremely narrow cases that would make sense as well.

But yeah as long as your job is not intolerable I would probably say why?

Kid to feed + being well compensated for her current miserableness + 90% chance that law is going to pay less and induce more misery = indefensible to go to LS.

OP, consider this forbes article as an uncannily prescient crystal ball:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2 ... el-income/

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

Given your current salary, and what you're looking for in a job, law is the wrong choice.

[Emma.]

Absolutely do not go to law school.

[mvp99]

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=189981

[jbagelboy]

(Aren't 0Ls not supposed to post in Legal employment?). You're getting solid advice here but you should take the thread to another subforum.

[Shaggier1]

The only way this becomes financially prudent is if you make it to big law. Even then, assuming no debt (which is a big assumption), it will take a while to make up for the 360K in lost income after 3 years of law school. Probably around 6-7 years. Counting law school, that means it will take at least 9 years to break even, absolute best case scenario.

If you are comfortable letting this transition eat up 9 years of your life and career, consider these two points:

1) This really is a best case scenario. Odds are you end up like the LARGE majority of law students, meaning you have tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and you didn't come anywhere near a big law job. In this - much more likely scenario - you are likely to take a BIG financial hit. And you might hate the work.

2) Big law really can be terrible. Especially if you have a family. It is very rarely fulfilling, and almost always all-consuming.

If I was you I'd do my own IT consulting on the side until I had enough business to go out on my own. But seriously do not go to law school.

[Caesar Salad]

If it's your dream go for it.

There are absolutely no scenarios where it would be advantageous for a single mother in her 40's to quit her 125k/year job to go to law school - Yale included. None. At all.

Idk, maybe if someone was miserable. If it also turned out that three years later that person ended up with a job that they loved which also met their financial needs then you could definitely say retrospectively that law school was a good idea and provided and advantage. I'm sure there are probably other extremely narrow cases that would make sense as well.

But yeah as long as your job is not intolerable I would probably say why?

Kid to feed + being well compensated for her current miserableness + 90% chance that law is going to pay less and induce more misery = indefensible to go to LS.

OP, consider this forbes article as an uncannily prescient crystal ball:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2 ... el-income/

Yeah I likely agree. As I said to OP, I don't see why she should go. If she were able to provide a reason, then that would deserve some consideration. I was just replying to your point that "there are absolutely no scenarios" when, although extremely narrow, there certainly are some. Wasn't saying that the OP fit them, and wasn't honestly saying it probably makes sense to gamble that you end up with a comparable outcome. Those scenarios would require basically the ability to see the future.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone who can earn six figures outside of law should not go into law.

[Scotusnerd]

Don't. Also you posted in the wrong section.

[PeanutsNJam]

120k a year? I mean I hope you've been slowly investing over the past 20 years and built up a solid portfolio. If you feel like you've hit a glass ceiling, take 500k out and spend the next 3 years starting a business. Infinitely more exciting and fulfilling, IMO.

[Colonel_funkadunk]

120k a year? I mean I hope you've been slowly investing over the past 20 years and built up a solid portfolio. If you feel like you've hit a glass ceiling, take 500k out and spend the next 3 years starting a business. Infinitely more exciting and fulfilling, IMO.

PNJ ill miss you during this tough ban of yours

[chem!]

OP - don't do it.

PM me if you want my full opinion.

[TheSpanishMain]

If it's your dream go for it.

There are absolutely no scenarios where it would be advantageous for a single mother in her 40's to quit her 125k/year job to go to law school - Yale included. None. At all.

I agree with this. There is no defensible reason to go to law school.

[Blockofcheese]

I just had a conversation like this with a friend yesterday. Everyone has given great advice here IMO.

Personally, I think if you need to be "talked into" law school, that should be the biggest red flag hitting you smack in the face that you shouldn't be going. If you can't say without a shadow of a doubt that you want to be an attorney, you shouldn't be going to law school. The job market/cost/lifestyle are all important things to consider, but if you aren't even 100% sure this is what you want to do then you shouldn't even be considering any of those things.