Hi Everyone,

I just wanted some advice or guidance. I am currently a legal assistant and my entire life I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer, however, after working in the filed for the past 5-7 years it has deterred me from wanting to achieve that goal. I am 30 now and wanting more than what a position as a legal assistant or paralegal can provide.

If you could go back and make the decision to be a lawyer, would you do it again? Any advice, suggestions or comments would help.

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I went to law school at 31 and it was definitely worth it for me. It’s allowed me the kind of financial freedom that I could never have dreamed of being the first person in my family to go to college.

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I went to law school as a 41 year old (15 years after immigrating to the US) and i have no regrets other than wishing to have gone much earlier. I couldn’t go earlier because i am an immigrant who had to learn the language, get graduate degrees, and work my way to law school. I went to law school full time while working 20 hours a week. I had (and still have) three children but I can’t claim anything about their lives during law school except for covering finances and hanging out with them during weekends. As A1 stated above, in addition to financial benefits that came with it, i got to understand how the country works. It is still difficult for me to comprehend how i got from small town in one of the poorest countries in the world (and at best with middle of the road economic status) to a partner at AMLaw 100 law firm. That is what legal education did for me.

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I am also an immigrant. Your story is inspiring! I hope to be in your shoes someday!

helpful

Yes, I would choose to go to law school if I had a do-over. Becoming a lawyer has taught me about the invisible norms and rules that underlie American society.

Also, law school (somewhat) levels the playing field since everyone takes the same classes 1L year. Starting with the same base of knowledge shows you that you can hold your own, which is empowering as a woman of color often interacting with white men and women who doubt the intelligence of people of color.

Even if I didn’t practice, I would go to law school because of its intellectual challenge and immense practical use.

It’s never too late. I’ve heard of women in their 60s going to law school.

Practice presents different challenges, including widespread discrimination and abusive work cultures. Try to get into the best law school you can, and work with the highest caliber of lawyers. Aim for in-house, government, public interest, or academic jobs—not law firms.

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I went to law school at 34. I was dirt poor and so I served in the military for the GI Bill, went to college and then to law school. I have always known I wanted to be a lawyer. I wish I had done so much earlier and taken out student loans instead of serving in the military.

Assuming you will be an attorney of color, you may have to contend with issues of prejudice. It comes with the job. In addition, you may also have to contend with age discrimination. I wouldn’t wait any longer if I were in your shoes.

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I originally went to law school to be a public defender. It’s my second career but my objective was to really help the indigent community. There were so many pro se litigants coming into the courts (landlord-tenant, consumer debt, family law, criminal, foreclosure defense, other civil litigation matters) as defendants, and they were being railroaded with very few pro bono lawyers available to advocate for their rights. I wanted to make a difference in the community, and I believe I have.

What keeps me in law is the drive to help take someone’s pain away. I realize that I am just one person, but if I can help a litigant navigate the court system and deal with opposing counsel - resulting in a win and/or help a low income litigant get their life back, I’ve done my job.

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No. Given what I know of many attorneys nope. Many, not all, but many attorneys get lost in their role and become something and someone they never intended to become.

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I agree with you that many change. But the changes are not all bad. I was raised in a Christian home and was naive on the nature of people and how systems work. I saw the goodness in everyone. Several of my mentors advised against me going to law school because they believed it will change me and rob me of that goodness and naivety, which they thought the world needs. But I’m very glad I did not listen. I have changed and now see the world and people for what they are, more able to read people, lies, and protect myself from people who would try to use me. In law school and in legal practice, you will meet all manner of people who are good, great liars, malevolent, self-centered etc. But being in this rough arena will actually sharpen you and force you to grow in a different way if you are going to survive.

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