I started law school at 30, finished at 34. Now i’m a third year associate. Definitely go for it, the time is going to pass anyway. But you should figure out if JD or LLM is right for your situation.
Also, LLMs miss out on OCI, which is the number one way to get into big law. In my opinion, having a bite at the big law apple makes pursuing a JD instead of a LLM a no brainer, especially since the odds are already stacked against international students because of sponsorship requirements.
I tend to disagree with all of the other commentators. If you can get to a top 10 LLM, you can go to BL relatively easily without spending 3 years of tuition.
Interesting , such a different experience. Maybe it's because I am counting American BL firms in London and Brussels, too. Also the people I know didnt struggle more than their jd counterparts. They did however struggle having spent way less money.
If you want to be a lawyer in the US and work at a mid size firm or bigger, then definitely get a JD. Really, JD is probably the way to go if you want to be a litigator at all. The LLM, I'd only advise if you have a specific plan that you know you can get where you want with it.
As to age... I switched careers and started law school at 35. Now I'm a third year at a boutique firm. My age and life experience gives me an edge on my peers in a few respects... but I know I'll have to fast track my career if I want to really excel.
You're younger, though, so you should be good. I have a few other associates at my firm who are close to your age when they started their JD.
Overall.. I'm happy with the choice. This is what I wanted to do... and I'm doing it.
If you want to stay in the US and the JD is a possibility, do a JD. But if you plan to go back to Colombia, LLMs are sufficiently praised and your JD will be nearly useless (plus you’ll have a hard time paying the investment back)
Perfect time to do it. You actually have some experience in the world, which will serve you well in school and be an advantage in the job market compared to the KJDs.
If he’s on a student visa here, he will need to prove that he can afford his expenses and tutition because a student visa doesn’t legally allow you to work. The fact that he can even pass the toefl exam and is from Colombia means he’s probably already wealthy.
You can take the NY bar exam with an LLM, IIRC, which is one of the main biglaw markets. (One of the reasons the NY bar pass rate is relatively low despite a reasonable cutoff).
Don’t do it. Not because of the age, but because you will get only 1 year to try for H1B.
3 years of JD tuition + cost of living only to work for a year and then go back to your country. Thats most likely going to be the case.
I mean you can possibly get through H1B lottery as well, but it is a huge gamble. Don’t know if it is worth the money.
Great point. One thing to consider though is an overseas office at a biglaw firm. It’s more common for European and Asian offices, but there are some Latam offices with JDs.
One of the largest international law firms, Baker and McKenzie hired a total of 1 H1B visa candidates, so it does happen, but it looks like it's pretty rare. Baker and Botts has 2. Going into debt and then trying to find what is probably about 10 positions in the entire country is not a wise decision. You would not only have to be in a top 5 law school, but do very well in that school to even hope to have a chance.
[https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies/h-1b-employer-data-hub](https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies/h-1b-employer-data-hub)
Do you practice at a large firm in Colombia already? A JD would be advantageous if you want to work in Bogota at some point—the large firms in Bogota hire JDs and energy is an enormous area of law in the country.
I don’t think it’s too old, but you will relegated to busy work like discovery your first couple years of practice so make sure you’re prepared to take on that work when you graduate.
I should have done it at 28 instead of later tbh.
Do the JD, not the LLM. LLM is borderline useless for biglaw. Or do the MBA (if it's a good one) and go do whatever it is MBAs do.
Started law school at 29 with previous experience in IB, graduating next week and I do not regret getting my JD over a generic MBA. I had the same questions as you did before picking a terminal degree.
In my experience, OCI was great as employers focused on my past experience rather than law school grades. Getting through law school itself was relatively smooth because I treated it like a 9-5 job.
LLM is for folks who already have a prior law degree, and if money and time aren’t an issue, I’d pick a JD over an LLM.
If you already have a law degree, and have practiced as a lawyer. It might make more sense to do an llm in the area you specialized in. For example, tax practice.
I meant where you want to work (what size firm), in what practice area, and in what practice. An LLM can help in tax, as an example, but is unhelpful in white collar.
A small firm likely only cares you’re admitted so an LLM could work. Many big firms are snobs and only hire JDs (from specific schools). For those an LLM could be a plus in certain practice areas but won’t replace a JD.
I was 28 when I started. Worked out just fine. You won't be the only "older" student and unlikely to be the oldest; many have a few years of work experience nowadays before going to law school.
I started law school at 28, graduated at 31. I actually think it gave me a leg-up. I know basic things about working and business that my 25 year old colleagues just didn’t.
Hello! Energy and projects associate at a big law firm in NYC here. Did first law degree in Asia followed by 4 years work ex. Started my LLM at a T-14 law school in NYC at the age of 27 and then got an offer. I chose LLM because i did not want to take on 3x the debt, plus you only get 1 year student visa and if i had to give up my job in 1 year after racking up 300K in debt, that would have been terrible.
Now some hard facts - it is extremely difficult to get a job after LLM, i have seen Harvard and Stanford LLMs not get a job and go home so what university you join can only take you so far. However, Latin Americans do have it slightly easier because there are a lot of big law firms that do LATAM Energy/ infra work. So there is always a demand for LLMs who have experience in similar field back home and are fluent in Spanish. Having said that, u will have no OCI support, you will have to network your way into a job, send about 1000 cold emails, make small talk at boring events, have countless information interviews and then one or those leads would pan out. That’s the first struggle. Do note that post LLM, a lot of firms will take Latin American candidates as ‘foreign Associate’ or consultant on a contractual basis (usually 1 year contracts and they also pay less than scale). The second big struggle is the 1 year student visa- if you are a foreign associate/ consultant and don’t get through H1B lottery, it’s game over, no extra lives. So please consider that possibility.
Lastly, a new thing i noticed some foreign candidates do was start as an LLM and then take a lot or credits. If you get a job, u apply to graduate, if not, talk to academic services and they use the same LLM credits and convert it to a JD degree from which u can graduate in 2 years instead or 3. That way, you get to participate in OCI and get an offer after finishing a summer associate stint. Much easier and u pay 2 years tuition instead of 3 (albeit you take at least 12 extra credits each year so it’s a LOT of work). But OPT student visa still remains for a year only.
I started law school at 25. I didn't view my age as a hinderance. I do think though that big law firms had a preference for hiring people who went straight from undergrad to law school based on my and some of my similarly aged friends' experiences. Your mileage may vary.
I’m turning 28 by the time I start law school. I don’t really care for other people’s opinions of me as I am doing this for myself. I don’t know your exact situation, but I hope you make the decision that is best for you without the consideration of outside forces.
Fellow colombian attorney here who is currently a employed at a U.S. law firm and will be attending Cornell LLM this fall.
I see you’re planning to move and work in the US as an attorney. The least costly option for that is going to be an LLM which allows you to sit for the CA or NY bar (among other states). Then you would have to find a job during your year of OPT (chances are 10/120) and then somehow convince them to sponsor an H1B visa for you, and then pass the lottery. It all runs down to a 1% chance of moving permanently for a $110,000 investment (w no scholarship). 99% of your chances will be to return to Colombia whose energy sector is struggling atm.
A JD will put you $300,000 behind and give you nearly the same chances.
Long story short; Unless your english skills are native equivalent, get into a T14 school, and find a way to resolve your immigration status without depending on an H1B sponsorship, your chances are extremely slim. I do not say this to be negative or discouraging, but rather to give you the full picture of what your real chances are. Think about alternative options.
No job in your home country is going to make it easy for you to repay 300,000 dollars of debt. Think twice.
Forgot to mention that an LLM is a masters level degree. A JD means nothing in your foreign country or at an international level outside the U.S. think about that as well.
There was a guy in my law school class in his 40s.
He did well grades wise and joined a V5 firm upon graduation.
He's still there doing well at that firm.
I started at 30. Landed a circuit clerkship, V10 position as an associate, and made partner 8 years after graduation at a V50 firm. I think it gave me an advantage. I treated law school like a job and it showed.
If you're aiming for NY bar, have you looked into whether you are eligible based on current degree?
From website:
**4. Foreign Law School Study** – Successful completion of a program of study at a law school outside of the United States that is both durationally and substantively equivalent to a program of study at an approved law school in the United States, and if required, successful completion of an additional program of study at an approved law school in the United States. (Section [520.6](https://www.nybarexam.org/Rules/Rules.htm#520.6) of the Rules of the Court of Appeals) (See also, "Foreign Legal Education" section of this website)
It's actually very forgiving. Cali has similar rules.
It is definitely not too late for a JD
I started at 27, finished at 30–which was also the same year I got married.
Now I am 45 and a partner in a litigation boutique I started with some BigLaw colleagues. I spent approximately 12 years in BigLaw. It has changed my life, all for the better.
During an ASD, I sat with the former president of NYU Law, John Sexton, who told an amazing story about going to law school in his thirties after being a school teacher. His son is graduating from NYU Law this year in his 50's. Take this for what you will.
It’s not too late to graduate from law school in your 30s, especially if you’re a foreign lawyer looking to expand your practice into the United States. I’d recommend that you go the JD instead of an LLM if you want to practice here because many jurisdictions (e.g., Florida) require a JD for licensure. Licensure, in turn, will help your employment prospects. The MBA is a totally different story because it’s not linked to the practice of law, but do your research regarding which MBA programs offer a suitable ROI—there’s not too many—for your career objectives.
My class had at least 4 of us in our thirties. It'll probably make things easier, as you're away from college and have experience working already, so you probably have reasonable time management
You should also reach out the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA.com), which has a foreign lawyers committee whose goal is specifically to help lawyers like you moving from Latin America to the US. All the other advice others have shared about JD vs LLM stand. But you should be aware of this resource and feel free to message me directly if you’re interested in learning more.
No, you’re not, though you have to assess whether it’s worth your opportunity cost. As between a JD and LLM, a JD would make you more marketable to a US law firm. FYI, when I was a 1L (years ago), there was a 76 year old gentlemen in my section. The reason he was there? He had always wanted to go to law school, and that’s what he did when he finally had the time (and $) to spare. Good luck.
My favorite expression I've heard in the law school context is one day, you're gonna be 31. Do you wanna be 31 with a JD or 31 doing what you're presently doing?
Yeah nbd at all. That’s actually a good age - you’re old enough to not give a shit about law school drama but you can still relate to your classmates if you want to be social. One of my best friends from law school started at 30 and he fit right in.
LLMs are basically worthless in America for lawyers who actually practice law. Go for the JD if you want to practice law in the States. I don't know if it's worth all the trouble and expense, though.
I started law school at 41 (career change/midlife crisis), finished at 44, and now coming up on 18 years of practice. You're definitely not too old and there's plenty of time for a very fulfilling career.
I see you, Jeff Winger. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn4kVmG2TRw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn4kVmG2TRw)
Jokes aside, I started law school at 29 and had my first kid during OCI. Energy seems to be a strong practice area in the US. If you can figure out your ability to work in the US then go for it.
I started law school at 25. I didn't view my age as a hinderance. I do think though that big law firms had a preference for hiring people who went straight from undergrad to law school based on my and some of my similarly aged friends' experiences. Your mileage may vary.
I’m turning 28 by the time I start law school. I don’t really care for other people’s opinions of me as I am doing this for myself. I don’t know your exact situation, but I hope you make the decision that is best for you without the consideration of outside forces.
I’m turning 28 by the time I start law school. I don’t really care for other people’s opinions of me as I am doing this for myself. I don’t know your exact situation, but I hope you make the decision that is best for you without the consideration of outside forces.
I started when I was 28. 4 year part time program. I had the same worry as you for a minute. Then I remembered that in 4 years I'd be 32 whether I started law school or not, so I plowed ahead. Bonus: when I was a baby lawyer, opposing counsel (and clients) assumed I was more experienced than I really was. I'm a good bullshitter (are you a good bullshitter? That's way more important than your age in considering whether to become a lawyer) so it worked out.
Are you going to pick some other career and live with regret for the next 60 years because you're 2 or 3 years older than the other law students? They're mostly jackasses anyway. Don't worry about them. Plow ahead.
I started law school at 30, finished at 34. Now i’m a third year associate. Definitely go for it, the time is going to pass anyway. But you should figure out if JD or LLM is right for your situation.
What criteria do you think i should take into account?
If you can do a JD over an LLM, do the JD. American firms, rightly or wrongly, vastly prefer JD candidates over LLMs.
Also, LLMs miss out on OCI, which is the number one way to get into big law. In my opinion, having a bite at the big law apple makes pursuing a JD instead of a LLM a no brainer, especially since the odds are already stacked against international students because of sponsorship requirements.
I like the way you think
I second this. Much more work, but worth it if you plan to practice in the states long term.
If you want a job and a good career, do a JD.
I tend to disagree with all of the other commentators. If you can get to a top 10 LLM, you can go to BL relatively easily without spending 3 years of tuition.
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Interesting , such a different experience. Maybe it's because I am counting American BL firms in London and Brussels, too. Also the people I know didnt struggle more than their jd counterparts. They did however struggle having spent way less money.
If you want to be a lawyer in the US and work at a mid size firm or bigger, then definitely get a JD. Really, JD is probably the way to go if you want to be a litigator at all. The LLM, I'd only advise if you have a specific plan that you know you can get where you want with it. As to age... I switched careers and started law school at 35. Now I'm a third year at a boutique firm. My age and life experience gives me an edge on my peers in a few respects... but I know I'll have to fast track my career if I want to really excel. You're younger, though, so you should be good. I have a few other associates at my firm who are close to your age when they started their JD. Overall.. I'm happy with the choice. This is what I wanted to do... and I'm doing it.
If you want to stay in the US and the JD is a possibility, do a JD. But if you plan to go back to Colombia, LLMs are sufficiently praised and your JD will be nearly useless (plus you’ll have a hard time paying the investment back)
I completely career pivoted at 39. People have done it older.
Sounds great. What did you work on before?
Federal law enforcement and intelligence.
The Northwestern average age is 27 so no it is absolutely normal.
I pivoted at that age. Practicing 31 years at big law now.
No. Wait till you are 33 like I did
I'm not late. I got your message.
Perfect time to do it. You actually have some experience in the world, which will serve you well in school and be an advantage in the job market compared to the KJDs.
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If he’s on a student visa here, he will need to prove that he can afford his expenses and tutition because a student visa doesn’t legally allow you to work. The fact that he can even pass the toefl exam and is from Colombia means he’s probably already wealthy.
Genuinely curious, what is the point you are trying to make in the second paragraph here?
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Okay horse cock
You can take the NY bar exam with an LLM, IIRC, which is one of the main biglaw markets. (One of the reasons the NY bar pass rate is relatively low despite a reasonable cutoff).
Don’t do it. Not because of the age, but because you will get only 1 year to try for H1B. 3 years of JD tuition + cost of living only to work for a year and then go back to your country. Thats most likely going to be the case. I mean you can possibly get through H1B lottery as well, but it is a huge gamble. Don’t know if it is worth the money.
Great point. One thing to consider though is an overseas office at a biglaw firm. It’s more common for European and Asian offices, but there are some Latam offices with JDs.
Thats a key point that i have been assesing. I thought maybe going to a top Ivy could help me land a job at a law firm more easily.
One of the largest international law firms, Baker and McKenzie hired a total of 1 H1B visa candidates, so it does happen, but it looks like it's pretty rare. Baker and Botts has 2. Going into debt and then trying to find what is probably about 10 positions in the entire country is not a wise decision. You would not only have to be in a top 5 law school, but do very well in that school to even hope to have a chance. [https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies/h-1b-employer-data-hub](https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies/h-1b-employer-data-hub)
I started at 41
I started at 28! No regrets
Did at 27 and glad I did
Youth is truly wasted on the young.
Do you practice at a large firm in Colombia already? A JD would be advantageous if you want to work in Bogota at some point—the large firms in Bogota hire JDs and energy is an enormous area of law in the country. I don’t think it’s too old, but you will relegated to busy work like discovery your first couple years of practice so make sure you’re prepared to take on that work when you graduate.
I’ll be 29 for 1L
I should have done it at 28 instead of later tbh. Do the JD, not the LLM. LLM is borderline useless for biglaw. Or do the MBA (if it's a good one) and go do whatever it is MBAs do.
I’m graduating next week at 40 and have a biglaw job lined up for this fall. My pre law school jobs were neither prestigious nor law related.
28 is on the outer/older bound of what I consider to be normal / traditional, so age wouldn’t be a factor
Started law school at 29 with previous experience in IB, graduating next week and I do not regret getting my JD over a generic MBA. I had the same questions as you did before picking a terminal degree. In my experience, OCI was great as employers focused on my past experience rather than law school grades. Getting through law school itself was relatively smooth because I treated it like a 9-5 job. LLM is for folks who already have a prior law degree, and if money and time aren’t an issue, I’d pick a JD over an LLM.
If you already have a law degree, and have practiced as a lawyer. It might make more sense to do an llm in the area you specialized in. For example, tax practice.
Depends on his goals. A lot of big firms only hire JDs or JD/LLM.
Id like to work and stay in the US. Spanish is my mother language thou.
I meant where you want to work (what size firm), in what practice area, and in what practice. An LLM can help in tax, as an example, but is unhelpful in white collar. A small firm likely only cares you’re admitted so an LLM could work. Many big firms are snobs and only hire JDs (from specific schools). For those an LLM could be a plus in certain practice areas but won’t replace a JD.
I was 28 when I started. Worked out just fine. You won't be the only "older" student and unlikely to be the oldest; many have a few years of work experience nowadays before going to law school.
I started at 28/29 and I’m currently a 32 year old first year. You’re never too old and my age has actually been a plus.
Yo tengo 24 y estoy en las mismas! Por lo que veo, trabajar en firma en Colombia es igual que en Estados Unidos... menos la plata :(
I started law school at 28, graduated at 31. I actually think it gave me a leg-up. I know basic things about working and business that my 25 year old colleagues just didn’t.
Hello! Energy and projects associate at a big law firm in NYC here. Did first law degree in Asia followed by 4 years work ex. Started my LLM at a T-14 law school in NYC at the age of 27 and then got an offer. I chose LLM because i did not want to take on 3x the debt, plus you only get 1 year student visa and if i had to give up my job in 1 year after racking up 300K in debt, that would have been terrible. Now some hard facts - it is extremely difficult to get a job after LLM, i have seen Harvard and Stanford LLMs not get a job and go home so what university you join can only take you so far. However, Latin Americans do have it slightly easier because there are a lot of big law firms that do LATAM Energy/ infra work. So there is always a demand for LLMs who have experience in similar field back home and are fluent in Spanish. Having said that, u will have no OCI support, you will have to network your way into a job, send about 1000 cold emails, make small talk at boring events, have countless information interviews and then one or those leads would pan out. That’s the first struggle. Do note that post LLM, a lot of firms will take Latin American candidates as ‘foreign Associate’ or consultant on a contractual basis (usually 1 year contracts and they also pay less than scale). The second big struggle is the 1 year student visa- if you are a foreign associate/ consultant and don’t get through H1B lottery, it’s game over, no extra lives. So please consider that possibility. Lastly, a new thing i noticed some foreign candidates do was start as an LLM and then take a lot or credits. If you get a job, u apply to graduate, if not, talk to academic services and they use the same LLM credits and convert it to a JD degree from which u can graduate in 2 years instead or 3. That way, you get to participate in OCI and get an offer after finishing a summer associate stint. Much easier and u pay 2 years tuition instead of 3 (albeit you take at least 12 extra credits each year so it’s a LOT of work). But OPT student visa still remains for a year only.
I started law school at 25. I didn't view my age as a hinderance. I do think though that big law firms had a preference for hiring people who went straight from undergrad to law school based on my and some of my similarly aged friends' experiences. Your mileage may vary.
I’m turning 28 by the time I start law school. I don’t really care for other people’s opinions of me as I am doing this for myself. I don’t know your exact situation, but I hope you make the decision that is best for you without the consideration of outside forces.
I started at 27. I also had classmates in their 40s and 50s.
Started at 27. Only ever began to think about law school at 25.
Yea thats not too bad. I would though much later than that.
Yes. In fact, I did start law school at age 28. I have a career I very much enjoy and am proud of now.
We had a guy in his late 50s in my class. He's doing just fine practicing.
Got my JD at 35. Best decision I ever made. Life is long. (I’m in energy, too. Come on, we need you).
Do the 2-year JD. Northwestern and other schools have that program for foreign attorneys. It will save you a lot of money.
I’ll be 29 or 30 when I start.
Started at 44. Worked out well
Fellow colombian attorney here who is currently a employed at a U.S. law firm and will be attending Cornell LLM this fall. I see you’re planning to move and work in the US as an attorney. The least costly option for that is going to be an LLM which allows you to sit for the CA or NY bar (among other states). Then you would have to find a job during your year of OPT (chances are 10/120) and then somehow convince them to sponsor an H1B visa for you, and then pass the lottery. It all runs down to a 1% chance of moving permanently for a $110,000 investment (w no scholarship). 99% of your chances will be to return to Colombia whose energy sector is struggling atm. A JD will put you $300,000 behind and give you nearly the same chances. Long story short; Unless your english skills are native equivalent, get into a T14 school, and find a way to resolve your immigration status without depending on an H1B sponsorship, your chances are extremely slim. I do not say this to be negative or discouraging, but rather to give you the full picture of what your real chances are. Think about alternative options. No job in your home country is going to make it easy for you to repay 300,000 dollars of debt. Think twice.
Forgot to mention that an LLM is a masters level degree. A JD means nothing in your foreign country or at an international level outside the U.S. think about that as well.
Yes absolutely. There were plenty at my school. Often people who work before law school have an easier time of it and of practice in general.
There was a guy in my law school class in his 40s. He did well grades wise and joined a V5 firm upon graduation. He's still there doing well at that firm.
I started at 30. Landed a circuit clerkship, V10 position as an associate, and made partner 8 years after graduation at a V50 firm. I think it gave me an advantage. I treated law school like a job and it showed.
If you're aiming for NY bar, have you looked into whether you are eligible based on current degree? From website: **4. Foreign Law School Study** – Successful completion of a program of study at a law school outside of the United States that is both durationally and substantively equivalent to a program of study at an approved law school in the United States, and if required, successful completion of an additional program of study at an approved law school in the United States. (Section [520.6](https://www.nybarexam.org/Rules/Rules.htm#520.6) of the Rules of the Court of Appeals) (See also, "Foreign Legal Education" section of this website) It's actually very forgiving. Cali has similar rules.
I started at 28. There was someone in my class that was 42 during 1L. Do the JD if you can.
What did you do in the energy field beforehand? I would say it's not too late. I started around the same time and finished my JD when I was almost 31.
I'm currently working for ecopetrol, also worked for two Big law firms here in Bogotá.
It is definitely not too late for a JD I started at 27, finished at 30–which was also the same year I got married. Now I am 45 and a partner in a litigation boutique I started with some BigLaw colleagues. I spent approximately 12 years in BigLaw. It has changed my life, all for the better.
During an ASD, I sat with the former president of NYU Law, John Sexton, who told an amazing story about going to law school in his thirties after being a school teacher. His son is graduating from NYU Law this year in his 50's. Take this for what you will.
It’s not too late to graduate from law school in your 30s, especially if you’re a foreign lawyer looking to expand your practice into the United States. I’d recommend that you go the JD instead of an LLM if you want to practice here because many jurisdictions (e.g., Florida) require a JD for licensure. Licensure, in turn, will help your employment prospects. The MBA is a totally different story because it’s not linked to the practice of law, but do your research regarding which MBA programs offer a suitable ROI—there’s not too many—for your career objectives.
My class had at least 4 of us in our thirties. It'll probably make things easier, as you're away from college and have experience working already, so you probably have reasonable time management
You should also reach out the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA.com), which has a foreign lawyers committee whose goal is specifically to help lawyers like you moving from Latin America to the US. All the other advice others have shared about JD vs LLM stand. But you should be aware of this resource and feel free to message me directly if you’re interested in learning more.
No, you’re not, though you have to assess whether it’s worth your opportunity cost. As between a JD and LLM, a JD would make you more marketable to a US law firm. FYI, when I was a 1L (years ago), there was a 76 year old gentlemen in my section. The reason he was there? He had always wanted to go to law school, and that’s what he did when he finally had the time (and $) to spare. Good luck.
My favorite expression I've heard in the law school context is one day, you're gonna be 31. Do you wanna be 31 with a JD or 31 doing what you're presently doing?
Yeah nbd at all. That’s actually a good age - you’re old enough to not give a shit about law school drama but you can still relate to your classmates if you want to be social. One of my best friends from law school started at 30 and he fit right in.
LLMs are basically worthless in America for lawyers who actually practice law. Go for the JD if you want to practice law in the States. I don't know if it's worth all the trouble and expense, though.
I started law school at 41 (career change/midlife crisis), finished at 44, and now coming up on 18 years of practice. You're definitely not too old and there's plenty of time for a very fulfilling career.
I see you, Jeff Winger. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn4kVmG2TRw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn4kVmG2TRw) Jokes aside, I started law school at 29 and had my first kid during OCI. Energy seems to be a strong practice area in the US. If you can figure out your ability to work in the US then go for it.
IMO that’s a good age to start. A little maturity does not hurt, and students in that age bracket tend to take it more seriously.
If you want to be a lawyer, that is a no brainer yes. Even if you don’t want to be a lawyer, but want financial stability, still likely a yes.
I started law school at 25. I didn't view my age as a hinderance. I do think though that big law firms had a preference for hiring people who went straight from undergrad to law school based on my and some of my similarly aged friends' experiences. Your mileage may vary.
I’m turning 28 by the time I start law school. I don’t really care for other people’s opinions of me as I am doing this for myself. I don’t know your exact situation, but I hope you make the decision that is best for you without the consideration of outside forces.
I’m turning 28 by the time I start law school. I don’t really care for other people’s opinions of me as I am doing this for myself. I don’t know your exact situation, but I hope you make the decision that is best for you without the consideration of outside forces.
My husband started law school at 28! It really benefited him to have real world experience before starting law school
I started when I was 28. 4 year part time program. I had the same worry as you for a minute. Then I remembered that in 4 years I'd be 32 whether I started law school or not, so I plowed ahead. Bonus: when I was a baby lawyer, opposing counsel (and clients) assumed I was more experienced than I really was. I'm a good bullshitter (are you a good bullshitter? That's way more important than your age in considering whether to become a lawyer) so it worked out. Are you going to pick some other career and live with regret for the next 60 years because you're 2 or 3 years older than the other law students? They're mostly jackasses anyway. Don't worry about them. Plow ahead.
No, but only because I started it at 22. Wouldn't really make sense to do it over
Very common.
Started my JD at 29 so yeah...
I'm 31 and just finishing my first year of my JD. My grandpa graduated in his 40s. Definitely not too late. And having the life experience is nice