I am 49 years old in remission for breast cancer and now I would like to go to school for a career since my previous business I was working with for 26 years is so darn hard there is a waiting list to get in a company. I want to study aw. I could graduate with honors and highly popular all that pretty much doesnt matter unless you already have the resources and know the right people because age does make a difference in even gettting your interview opportunity.

I did a degree in legal studies, graduating in 2008, and wanted to go on to law school, but lawyers were looking for jobs as paralegals, so remained. Love what I do (at nearly 70) using medical knowledge I've had from all medical fields I've had, but wondered if going back to law school now is an option. I would NOT BE IN IT for the money or prestige. The knowledge would be the reason, and serving communities who don't have access to the law in a meaningful way would be the reason.

I'm 65 years old. I passed the Minnesota bar exam on my first attempt after graduating law school in 1979. My daughter is getting married next year and moving to California. My wife and I plan to follow the kids out there. I'm studying for the California bar and having the time of my life! "Yes we can!"

I am 48 years old, I am accountant with work experience in Accounting and tax for around 20 years now. I have no plan for retirement. I am thinking of going to Law school and want to be a Tax Lawyer for the rest of my life. I am not interested in joining big firms I can do better on my own as independent practitioner. any suggestion?

Hello:
I am 73 years old, have a Bachelor's of Science degree (1976), 2 certifications (Learning Disabled Education and Mathematics). I completed 30 years of teaching in 2006. I am thinking about going to law school [I want to get involved in government law]. Am I too old? Is it impossible to consider? I am a very young 73. Still work at this time. I do have a retirement plan (from State of Alabama) and receive Social Security with Medicare.

Thank you all for the inspirational post. I am 56 years old and working on my undergraduate degree and want to go to law school. I will earn my law degree at 62. I want to work in civil rights law and government sector. That's a heck of a challenge for me but I eat, breathe, and sleep wanting to be a civil rights attorney. Understanding the long hours, The discrimination that may exist. I also understanding wanting to help people. And believe that this is my life's calling, I understand that never been afraid of a challenge on obstacle.

I have you all beat. I have two Masters Degrees in Business Management (3.9 GPA) and a Bachelor Degree in Health Administration Services (4.0 GPA). I am a Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives. I am now retired and want to do more. I have always wanted to get a degree in Law. Is it worth it?

I am 67 yrs young,and twice turned down an offer to have law school paid for by an in law. I have 2 yrs of college but finished it in 1975. I have very recently decided to attend law school, but for the dumbest reason you could imagine. I am retired so i have the time. I can do this, i have no doubt, but the reason,this dumb reason. I cannot find an attorney to handle a case for me concerning civil and human rights along with guiding me on how to file criminal,charges against.......! Really! I have as far back as i can remember wanted to be an attorney and/or a journalist. Dumb or Do it?.

All:

I'm a 55 year old male and my 30 year old son who is pursuing his PHD in education is encouraging me to return to school for a JD degree. He understands that I wanted to be an attorney as a young man, but I had family obligations to care for so I couldn't attend. I've never really been unemployed and have had a full career. I also make a good living in aerospace contracts. I do believe holding a JD degree would increase my opportunities and income even at this age. However I do realize that I may not finish until I am 60 years old and not sure how long I want to work full time. Ideally I would like to work part time and travel. I assume a JD degree would offer me a great low 6 figure salary to work my own schedule and travel. I welcome any feedback.

I don't recommend law as a second career if you are going toward BigLaw, if it is even a question in your mind. You should be extroverted and charming or exceptionally well connected and preferably both - that helps even if you aren't older, but is more important if you are. I put off law school till my late 30s because another impressive opportunity had presented itself after college. I was a young-looking 39 when I graduated from a Top 15 school, pre crash. I was lucky to land my BigLaw firm summer associateship and I worked like a dog to get my offer (none of the other older students I knew even got an offer). In law school it helps to fit in; for older students this can be harder. In BigLaw junior associates need mentorship and political connectedness while working long hours; I suspect I didn't remind partners of themselves when starting out, but instead came across as an independent and experienced professional, but one who wasn't quite a peer and couldn't go to partner meetings. As new associates came in year after year and got mentors, I began to fade into the woodwork. Continued high bonuses for great reviews didn't translate into anyone caring enough to give me those reviews. I got little opportunity for career development or high-profile work. Discrimination is real, and may not be intentional. Don't cut against your own grain because when working those hours it is hard to try to fake it and pretend to be someone you're not. There are exceptions, and, again, if you have the right personality you can manage it. Keep in mind especially if you're female: If you're 40, by 50 you'll be competing with folks still in their 30s with the same experience level. It's not impossible, but it might be hard.

I am 60. Graduated with honors from law school. I'm taking the bar exam next week. I know I'm at a huge disadvantage as it discriminates against age.

I am a 44 year old women looking to go to school for criminal justice program for my associated degree. I am just wondering if its a waste of time or if I will be able to find a job at my age after school.

screw all you haters. Some people have the skills even from a bottom tier law school to be successful. I know plenty of attorney's that went to mickey-mouse law schools that do fine. I wouldn't want to work for a big firm or for the "in" attorneys. Maybe some people are just fine opening a small business making small change. I have met top school grads. Most of them aren't hustlers. Hustlers with a degree. Now those are the sharks to watch for.

Hey this is great! I'm 55 and I was worried about my age. My niece is a counselor at Emory U and she told me not to worry about my age. But prepare for the Lsat. HELP!

hello.
I am woman of 49 years of age, i have spent many working years within the fields of the following = Mental health, care work for the elderly and disabled, child care, Own construction company, Law and property.
I have taken a few years out from work due to my own personal health matters and now looking into Re-studying my law and barrister qualifications.
due you feel i am to old for this new career change within my chosen path.
Many Thanks
Davina

I am 26 years old and would be 27 when I start studying law next year via a distance education institution (University of South Africa). I am graduating with bachelors degree in Accounting at the end of the year, a course that I did not enjoy at all. However, I have always known that I wanted to study law with an eye to go into politics at some point in my life. The comments on this post, at least most of them, have been very encouraging!

I'm currently 34 yrs and currently pursuing an MBA degree. I prepped for the LSAT last yr but was juggling to much, and didn't take the test. Either way, last year I did an internship for a US Congressman and rally began to enjoy my work. I helped those who really needed it, and kicked away people who were only trying to beat the system. If i get into law school next year I'll be 35. I currently work in the finance dept for a fortune 500 company and I'm not sure about pursuing a law degree. I'm sure if I work in law I'll be dealing with plenty of scum who have $$ and wont be able to help others who need help due to lack of finances. One parent says "do what makes you happy" and the other one says "Show me the $$$$"

The comments are of no help to me! Some say yes, and others say go for it! I have a B.S. in Business, and began graduate classes in education. It was during the graduate classes when I decided I really didn't want to be with kids all day! Especially those of today's privileged little monsters who have been feed with the golden spoon of the brats who have have no idea of what it is to work. I am a retired police officer who was injuried and forced to retire. I loved working in the law field. Unfortunately after a very long marriage I was left behind for a school employee who was childless and had inherited a rather large inheritance! I decided to forgo the lawyer route as I had done nothing to necessitate paying for one! Remember the saying about self representation, and having a fool for a client??? I prepared and filed all of the necessary paperwork myself. That was the easy part. When it came time to appear in court, I did so pro se, while she had representation. After succumbing to her attorneys ploy of not exactly being truthful, which resulted in me getting angry, I decided to take the opportunity to see if I wanted to really get back into the law field. After turning a thirty minute hearing into a nine and a half hour process, the judge admonished me for the manner in which I conducted the procedure, then complimented me and stated I would have been a good attorney. After starting to feel like maybe I could conduct the entire divorce, the judge popped my bubble by telling me I should consider getting an attorney before I irritated him further, and be found in contempt for speaking out of turn, and outburst when I felt the other lawyer was intent I ally misrepresenting the truth! I took his advise, and was given the house, cars, and child support. In retrospect I am sorry I did not retain an attorney from the beginning. The divorce became very adversarial, leading to a nasty relationship with my ex, and making it hard on my children. After all of that, I realized I am not too old to learn! I am rather sure that I would be able to do the necessary studying, and do well in law school. I don't know how I would pay for law school, or if I could obtain the loans necessary. I was told if I were to work in a needy PD or ADA officer for ten years, my loans could be forgiven. Still, three years law school, and ten years work, would place me in a position of dying before I could pay off my bills! Seriously, am I crazy to be considering undertaking such a goal? I really do love the legal system. Does anyone know of a law school that gives geriatric scholarships??

I'm unemployed and just ran across my 42nd birthday couple months ago. I LOVE to debate-- about whatever and recently started considering studying law. I don't have any college degrees (been but obviously didn't finish) so this would be a huge accomplishment for me. ALL the comments here have helped tremendously. Thanks.

This post was truly inspirational. I am considering law school in the next couple of years, however, I am 38 years old, and I was thinking maybe I am too old.
Thanks to GWSmith, Stratton Gee and Lemondlaw for adding value to this post

I just turned 50 and am a pharmacist, have always wanted to be an attorney - but with 2 children I felt the only option for me was to just graduate in Pharmaceutical science and feed my children. Now the years have past and I want to go to law school. Who says I have to work for anyone but myself, being a pharmacist in the health care law.. big opportunity I feel and who knows maybe I can stay with my company and just move into their law department.. Am I crazy? Kim

I am 54 years old just graduated with a B. S. in Criminal Justice, I have always wanted to go to law school, I am retire from the Post Office after 25 years. Do you think it would be crazy for me to start Law School at such an older age?

I I have graduated from a Law School, have a law degree. I worked in a court setting for over thirty years. I am now retired and not interested in practicing .. However, I am interested in getting my license. I have the time to study at my own pace is this a big risk?.

How about this idea? Get out there and scratch for the business?

A lot of lawyers, especially the elitist ones, expect business to be poured out over them like honey.

I'll get and close my own business, thanks.

I'm 41 licensed psychotherapist and I'm considering going to law school probably next year. Doing my research.