Thinking of returning to Law School

[kribit]

I wasn't sure where to put this, but I'll ask here anyway.

I'm thinking of returing to school after several years. My kids are going to school in September and I've always had an interest in law. Anyway, has anyone returned to school after being out for so long with a young family? (I'm in my mid-30's) I'm the type of mom that focuses everything around my kids and am a little hesitant that school will take away from them too much. My DH said to go for it, and I really want to but I'm not sure how I'm going to juggle everything.

I guess I'm not sure what I'm looking for, perhaps just throwing the idea out there for others that have similar stories to share (and not necessarily law school stories...any type of school).

thanks

 

[Darcy03231]

I've worked in the legal field for over 20 years. Law school is very demanding and requires a big time committment, not to mention the financial committment. Depending on where you go, you're looking at $80,000 and up. I would research the market in your area. Where I live the field is saturated with lawyers and they are having a hard time finding jobs. Many are taking paralegal work just to have a job. At one time I toyed with the idea of going to law school and ultimately decided against it. It would take too much time away from my family and financially, wouldn't end up benefiting us all that much. Perhaps something else in the legal field, such as being paralegal, would interest you. Its still in the legal field but wouldn't be as tough as law school to get through. If you already have a degree it wouldn't take you long to get either as hopefully most of your general ed credit would transfer and you would just have to take core classes.

 

[jillyjoey]

I am an attorney but did not have a family or husband when I did. However, several people I work with did exactly as you would be doing and they survived.

#1 I really think it depends on where you choose to go to law school since all our different. Talking to people that went to other law schools, I think mine was more time-consuming due to necessary requirements that they did not have

#2 First year is the hardest -- plan to spend LOTS of time reading and studying.

#3 By the 2nd semester -2nd year I finally figured out to conduct my law school day as a regular business day -- this seems to help.

#4 Studying for the bar exam --- painful to say the least.


Law school is a big commitment, so is the practice of law and the pay is not as good as it appears -- those big paying jobs require lots of hours and virtually no family life -- that is why you always see hundreds of applications for every state/gov't job. My best advice to you is be sure you are committed. I would guestimate that half of my graduating class is no longer or never was in the practice of law. It can burn you out. I still love the law but after doing 15 years of criminal work -- I am quite the pessimist and sometimes just want to throw it in. The only good thing I can say -- job security.

 

[jillyjoey]

If you already have a degree it wouldn't take you long to get either as hopefully most of your general ed credit would transfer and you would just have to take core classes.

Totally depends on the law school. At mine -- the people with paralegal degrees probably had a leg up on the rest of us -- but they still had to take the same amount of credits as the rest of us. On that note, my best friend had went to law school at another school for one year -- she could not transfer those classes -- but she did Am Jur the classes she had to take again.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I have also looked into the possibility of going to law school. I don't know what school/s you are looking into, but you might want to consider a part time program, which may be a little less demanding time-wise.

Good luck in whatever you decide!!

 

[kribit]

Perhaps something else in the legal field, such as being paralegal

My husband also recommended this. I do have an undergrad already, so going the paralegal route would probably be much easier for me and probably easier to get a job, but I'm not sure I'd be happy with that.

I guess I'm getting a little restless and I'm not really sure what I want to do. The problem is I have so many interests. DH bought me "What Color is Your Parachute" to be funny, but I think I really need it. I have seriously been all over the map on what I want to return to school for. It's been anywhere from Law to Art History to Nursing. It appears I'm answering my own question though.... I think my husband would be mortified if we racked up $60k worth of tuition bills for me to say "I have a Law Degree." I'll really have to think long and hard about whether this is important enough to me.

 

[jillyjoey]

I think my husband would be mortified if we racked up $60k worth of tuition bills for me to say "I have a Law Degree." I'll really have to think long and hard about whether this is important enough to me.

Here's is another consideration -- if you have the money to pay cash -- good -- if you have to borrow -- don't.

I had to finance college and law school by myself. Scholarships helped with college but not law school -- I will be 55 before my education is paid off and at $800 a month that's not chump change. My friend, who is 55 (coincidence isn't it) -- just paid her's off in January.

 

[kribit]

I had to finance college and law school by myself. Scholarships helped with college but not law school -- I will be 55 before my education is paid off and at $800 a month that's not chump change. My friend, who is 55 (coincidence isn't it) -- just paid her's off in January.

You are definately helping me...thank you. Congratulations on your success by the way. I'm honestly not sure I have the intestinal fortitude and I think that is primarily the reason I posted the question. Perhaps I was "hoping" that someone who doesn't know me personally would help me with the decision or show the real downsides. My family and friends are ultra supportive and would never "rain on my parade" so to speak.

We would absolutely not be taking our retirement savings to pay for my degree. It would be out of pocket and loans, and I'm certain we wouldn't qualify for any type of educational assistance (my dh does quite well).

I have a lot to ponder.

 

[bellarella]

Way too many people go to law school for the wrong reasons. Some realities of the profession:

As rule (yes there are exceptions, but I wouldn't *plan* on being one):

1. Law school rankings do matter for high paying legal jobs. People care where you went to school -- even a decade or more into your career it can make a big difference in hiring decisions. Once you get out of the top 50 or so schools, you will be fighting an uphill battle on school reputation for most "plumb" legal jobs.

2. Lesser ranked schools don't cost that much less than higher ranked schools. Your debt will be just as bad but your ability to find the job to pay it off will be diminished.

3. The majority of legal jobs pay lousy. The notion of a 6 figure legal job being the norm is a myth. If you live in a big city and you went to a top 25 law school you can get that sort of job. Otherwise, many legal jobs start in the $30,000 range for new graduates.

4. There really is no such thing as a "lifestyle" firm. If you are working for a firm there will be constant demands on your time. Working full time is usually working time and a half. Working "part time" is usually working full time.

Assuming you aren't already independently wealthy and can look at law school as recreational, you really need to make a serious commitment before you start to go to the best school you can, get the best grades you can, and then figure you are going to either have to do "hard time" for the first 3-5 years after to pay off the loans, or be paying them well into your kids college careers. The way the legal education system is currently set up, there are way too many schools graduating way too many students. The number of attorneys being graduated out paces demand for their services.I know way to many people who graduate from 3rd or 4th tier law schools with $60-100,000 in debt and then find that it takes them a year or more to land a job that pays $30-45,000. Many of them gave up and worked as paralegals instead because the work was more readily available. Those that went to top schools wound up with good offers from big firms, but were working 50-80+ hours a week. They usually burned out after a couple of years (but were able to pay off their loans).

Sorry to paint such a bleak picture, but if you aren't able to finance a law school education without loans, it's good to know what you are getting into.

 

[Motherofboys]

This may sound stupid, but have you taken the LSAT in the past year? I know quite a few people who thought law might be an interesting field to go into but after taking the LSAT they realized it's not the kind of "thinking" they enjoy.

If it something you always wanted to do, then I think you can do it. I had 2 little ones when I started law school and had 2 more during law school. I went full time and graduated on time, but it was A LOT of work. Plus you're competing against people who can devote their entire day to studying (curved grading, law review, etc). That being said, I still managed to do well in school and found a job w/i six months of graduating. So it is definetly possible.

Taking the bar is also a huge committment, I literally gave up all free time for 6 weeks of intensive studying. I was lucky b/c I was able to study at work, so that helped alot.

Just my 2cents, hope that it helps in your decision

 

[dawn8226]

My advice is to do a lot of research. Talk to lawyers in your geographic area (I think most are happy to talk about law school with you). Find out what the legal job market is like. If you are interested in the law but aren't sure whether you want to do law school you should certainly consider being a paralegal (then you could see if law school is something you really want to do). Law school is so expensive, so make sure you are really sure this is what you want to do. I have a lot of friends who have decided being a lawyer just wasn't for them since we graduated from law school in 2004. I love my job and wouldn't want to do anything else, but then I don't have the traditional trial lawyer type of job that most people think of when they think of a lawyer. So also consider some of the other things you can do with a legal education. Just because you have a law degree does not mean you have to work for a firm and be a litigator.
I also forgot to add that you can certainly do law school and raise a family. I went to a top 25 law school and I am a single parent. I did not have any help with my child because I went to school far away from family and friends. Granted there were activities I could not be as involved in as I would like because I had other priorities, but it can be done. You just have to be committed and want it bad enough. My being a single parent also made me want a non-traditional law career, I didn't want to work at a big firm and never see my child.
Good Luck.

 

[dwelty]

It is interesting to me that not one of these posts really address the most important issue, and that is the impact of this on children. My Mother and Father both worked full time jobs, both were home by 5:30 every day, and my Mother's job was not near as demanding as law school. My Mother and Father were both loving caring parents, and spent "quality" time with us, however, both my Brother and I resented the fact that they were absent for a large part of the day.

My wife and I have made careful financial decisions in order for one parent to be home (And avaliable) when the kids get home from school. You only have a few more years with your kids before they are up and out, there are plenty of years left for school. I think the "you can have it all" notion is a myth.

 

[kribit]

My wife and I have made careful financial decisions in order for one parent to be home (And avaliable) when the kids get home from school. You only have a few more years with your kids before they are up and out, there are plenty of years left for school. I think the "you can have it all" notion is a myth.

thank you...

 

[jillyjoey]

Way too many people go to law school for the wrong reasons. Some realities of the profession:

As rule (yes there are exceptions, but I wouldn't *plan* on being one):

1. Law school rankings do matter for high paying legal jobs. People care where you went to school -- even a decade or more into your career it can make a big difference in hiring decisions. Once you get out of the top 50 or so schools, you will be fighting an uphill battle on school reputation for most "plumb" legal jobs.

2. Lesser ranked schools don't cost that much less than higher ranked schools. Your debt will be just as bad but your ability to find the job to pay it off will be diminished.

3. The majority of legal jobs pay lousy. The notion of a 6 figure legal job being the norm is a myth. If you live in a big city and you went to a top 25 law school you can get that sort of job. Otherwise, many legal jobs start in the $30,000 range for new graduates.

4. There really is no such thing as a "lifestyle" firm. If you are working for a firm there will be constant demands on your time. Working full time is usually working time and a half. Working "part time" is usually working full time.

Assuming you aren't already independently wealthy and can look at law school as recreational, you really need to make a serious commitment before you start to go to the best school you can, get the best grades you can, and then figure you are going to either have to do "hard time" for the first 3-5 years after to pay off the loans, or be paying them well into your kids college careers. The way the legal education system is currently set up, there are way too many schools graduating way too many students. The number of attorneys being graduated out paces demand for their services.I know way to many people who graduate from 3rd or 4th tier law schools with $60-100,000 in debt and then find that it takes them a year or more to land a job that pays $30-45,000. Many of them gave up and worked as paralegals instead because the work was more readily available. Those that went to top schools wound up with good offers from big firms, but were working 50-80+ hours a week. They usually burned out after a couple of years (but were able to pay off their loans).

Sorry to paint such a bleak picture, but if you aren't able to finance a law school education without loans, it's good to know what you are getting into.

Can't say it better than this -- all true. People use law school to escape reality once finishing college. Too many lawyers -- too few jobs.

Honestly -- if I had to do it over -- I probably wouldn't have went to law school -- considering the salary v. loan repayment.

 

[Motherofboys]

I spent more time with my kids during law school then I did when working full time. My classes were usually around 4 - 6 hours a day and I would devote time to studying while my kids were napping or sleeping. I went to law school so I could have the career I always wanted and so we could afford for my husband to stay home. That way we were able to finally "have it all".

 

[dwelty]

I spent more time with my kids during law school then I did when working full time. My classes were usually around 4 - 6 hours a day and I would devote time to studying while my kids were napping or sleeping. I went to law school so I could have the career I always wanted and so we could afford for my husband to stay home. That way we were able to finally "have it all".

If you were in full time law school, and were able to get all of your studying done during nap time, you are a better student that most.

I truly commend you and your husband for finding a way to make this work, however, based on the feedback from most of the other Law students that posted here, you are the exception and not the rule.

 

[vhoffman]

Um....not to hikack this thread, but wonder what the job outlook is like for paralegals? DH is currently laid off and it just doesn't look like he's going to get anywhere after 4 months of not even a call back to the 200+ resumes he's sent out. He was advised to go into a different line of work (currently a computer design engineer). Well, what about going back to study for paralegal training? He'd qualify for job retraining, he's considered a displaced worker, since his job was sent to India. (hey, I dare you to flame that one!).

What would we live on in the meatime? Depending on how long it would take, he could have been part way there by now. I wanted to work pt as a substitute teacher, but some ***** decided to report us to CPS for a totally unfounded charge, its still under investigation (they drag their feet), so I'm afraid to even apply for such a job, don't know what it would turn up. Come to think of it, what would that turn up if dh wanted to work in the legal field? He could get through school, then what about a background check? A fine mess we're in, all we did was lead quiet, ordinary lives, until they were turned upside down by circumstances. Well, a vent, now back to the OP's topic--

just wonder what it would take to get in and go through paralegal training?

 

[crisi]

I'm going to school for my bachelors. I work full time, have two kids and have spent the past three years doing this. Its an easy school and an easy program and I am so ready to be done it isn't funny. At one time I thought I'd go to law school after this, but the reality is, I'd make LESS as a lawyer than I do now, law school would cost us $100,000 I'd rather put to my own kids college - and it would be very difficult to work, have kids and go to law school.

People do it - so if it means a lot to you, go for it.

 

[Motherofboys]

I went to law school full time, but I was not working too. Most schools that are top tier have limitations on how many hours you can work during your first year. I know I wouldn't have been able to juggle family, law school, and working even part time. I agree that my experience is not typical, my classmates and professors thought I was looney But I worked really hard and being a good reader and writer gave me a leg up (Don't want to sound like bragging)

I think we are all pretty much in agreement that if it's something that you really want - go for it, but know ahead of time what you are getting into I really believe that it's possible to do if you are willing to work hard, stay focused, and have a supportive husband and family. Good luck on making your decision!

 

[flipflop]

I worked for 5 years post-undergrad and then I went to lawschool full-time and graduated in 2005, 1 week after giving birth to my triplets. I went to a higher ranked (not the very top - probably the bottom of the top 1/3) 2nd tier school and am employed at a top-tier firm. I have $55,500 in loans (I paid nothing out of pocket and received no help with tuition from anyone - but did have a $7,000 a year scholarship). I had several "back-to-school moms" in my class that went to school full-time, worked part-time (as another poster mentioned there is a cap on this), and had families at home. I was always amazed at how they juggled things. I find with myself, the more I have to juggle, the more productive I am. I think the women (and men) I went to school with who had more going on then full-time studies had better time management skills.
This, however, does not mean that I disagree with the other posters who very accurately discussed the legal profession as a whole, the demands of studying, or the importance of the ranking of the school (or grades to compensate for school).

For me, I knew I wanted to go to law school and had for a long time. I had made myself wait b/c I wanted to be certain that it was the right decision and one that I was ready for and commited to. I would not have been satisfied with my life, if I had not achieved this goal for myself. I agree with the other posters who said you need to make sure this is what you want and that you are committed to it. If you are, then go for it. I studied for the bar with 7 month old triplets at home. It can be done if that's what you decide you want for yourself.

I can "have it all" - a fulfilling a career and a wonderful family. But everyone's idea of "having it all" is different. You need to decide what "having it all" means to you.

Best wishes!