Is becoming a lawyer a reasonable career change for someone who just turned 40?

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Thoughtful Mind

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Having an undergrad degree with average marks, would going to law school to become a lawyer be a reasonable career change for someone who just turned 40? Is it hard to get clerkships? I don't plan to go to an elite college, the money just isn't in the bank to do so.
How are older legal students perceived? How do law firms view 40-somethings who just passed the bar?
 
I hope it's not a totally stupid plan ... because I am working on it myself.
First, you have already figured out that the top tier schools aren't interested in taking "students of non-traditional age" (because their research shows that you are less likely to give money to their school, because you have fewer productive years to work with your degree).
Second, as I understand it, getting a clerkship isn't hard if you are willing to work in the outlying counties.
I say GO FOR IT. The way things are going nowadays, you can always put your law degree to work ... if only in self-defense.
 
whether reasonable is how deperate u want to be a lawyer, and wish to give up your work experiences in the past 20 yrs

u realise that u have start over again, from the bottom finanicially, with the lots of studies in the next few yrs and money to sustain you in the interim. You must have savings and an understanding spouse.

law clerks dont pay well, and you being at age 40 are not the first choice of law firms to hire you. They prefer to train someone young and stay with the firm longer, and can work harder without too much family obligations.
 
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