Should I Go To Law School?

[geebensis]

I hate posts like this, but what the hell.

Here's the deal. I'm a semi-unemployed IT pro. I'm making some money these days, but nothing like where I was a year ago. And my gut tells me that the opportunities to restart my tech career are fading fast.

Cut to the chase:

1. I'm almost 40 years old
2. I have a family
3. I'm certain I could score a 165 or better (I'm shooting for 170+) on the LSAT
4. My gpa as an undergrad sucked. Really sucked. I mean, this was in the days before "grade inflation". Also, I worked 50 hours/week to pay for a grueling computer science degree, while my parents took turns dying on me...
5. I've got the money to pay for law school and three years without working, although I'd have to sell the grossly inflated house I'm in right now and maybe tap a little of my 401k money.
6. My wife would almost certainly divorce me (why? I don't know. I think she would prefer I take a job as a greeter at Walmart. Her most recent comment was "I'm not going to pay your way through law school...")
7. In five or ten years I'd be making the money I made a year ago. And I'd be AARP material...

That's it. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Mike

[Kamika]

1. depends..

if you like to study and you're sure youd be able to do it .. do it..

But also you'll be pretty old once you're finished..

maybe a wal mart greeter aint so bad?

[geebensis]

6. Whippersnapper...

Zip it before I start telling you ALL about my angina

Mike

[theivoryqueen]

2. good question

If you want to go to law school, and you like the intricacies of the law... go! Any other reasons are moot. Do what you want with your time here on earth - make sure you are doing exactly what you want to do.

[BlueEyedSon]

3. I'm EXACTLY in your shoes, and I have NO IDEA what to do.

Glad to see you are feeling inspired.

I was thinking about an MBA, but only half-heartedly so far.....

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. No don't go for the money or the job

It's a recipe for failure and a guarantee you will end up as a greeter at Wal Mart with a JD.

If there is some passion for the law or some area, then do it..but starting salaries for first year lawyers probably aren't any better than what you are making now (around 40K) unless you are tops in your class in one of the top 10 schools and that is for 1800 billable hours (twice as much work)

[curse10]

5. I love law school

but that's just me.

And you aren't too old :-) We have several people that are 40+ in my 1L class :-)

[geebensis]

7. Does everyone laugh at them behind their backs?

...not that that would make a damn bit of difference with me. One of the joys of very, VERY early middle age is complete apathy about the judgement of others.

[curse10]

8. No!

I consider two of the "owls" (Older, wiser, law, students) my friends and I'm 25 :-)

[maveric]

9. If I say Yes will you give me free legal advice in the future?

:silly:

[geebensis]

11. I'll give you free legal advice NOW...

...why wait for that silly old degree and admission to the bar?

[trof]

10. 6. My wife would almost certainly divorce me

Seriously?
Do you care?

[geebensis]

14. Yes, and yes

I care, but to be honest, if it's what I decide for myself I won't let anyone or anything stop me.

[MikeG]

12. It is really hard to outsource attorney jobs. They have to

be licensed locally. Lawyers, doctors and security guards have safe jobs.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

13. go to law school

ditch the wife
pierce your ear
get a red corvette
cruise it around

[geebensis]

15. Thanks everyone...

I've been thinking about this for a few months now, and I'll be able to tie myself up in knots over it for months to come.

I'm signing up for the June (?) lsat, and just for yuks I'm going to apply to a few schools.

If I get accepted, well, then the real decision making fun starts.

Mike