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I went to law school a few years ago. I did well and left in good standing, but did not finish the degree. Nearly every school requires one to complete a JD in six years. If I went back, I would not be within that space unless my time away was exempted (which I don't think it would be). While this would be an easier question to ask my original institution, I have moved far away and have a family now, so transferring credits might be the most financially feasible thing for us.

Ignoring whether you think I could get back into law school (that'll be my problem), what happens to someone like me? I cannot imagine I am the first person who wanted to go back after needing some time "in the real world" to figure that out. Do I really need to start over to "reset" the six-year clock?

Based on some quick searching it looks like some schools will waive that six year requirement for "extraordinary circumstances." That suggests it is a matter of discretion, rather than some ABA requirement. If going back to your first school is an option, it can't hurt to ask them about it.

That said, it sounds that your family situation prevents you from going back to your first school. Whether or not you can transfer credits will probably depend on the particular schools you are applying to (i.e., they might let you come in as a transfer student with ~30 credits under your belt and let you wrap up early). You are probably better off biting the bullet and writing to admissions offices to see what they will do for you.

If your goal is to be hired through oci, you might wasn't to repeat 1L. Employers may be skeptical about hiring someone who hasn't been in law school for the best part of a decade, even if your prior grades were excellent.