How to Become a Lawyer After 30: Breaking Into the Industry

Haven’t you heard 30 is the new 20? Although you may not feel as though you’re in your twenties anymore, you are definitely far...
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Haven’t you heard 30 is the new 20? Although you may not feel as though you’re in your twenties anymore, you are definitely far from the end of your career. Most people think that once they’ve turned 30, their working life should remain the same and a career switch isn’t in the cards for them. This is not the case, especially when it comes to the law profession.  Becoming a lawyer is a long process that requires a Bachelor’s Degree followed by Law School. That’s eight years of schooling! If you’ve got the stamina it takes to go to school for that long, then you can definitely break into the industry after the age of 30.

Prerequisite

If you’ve already got your Bachelor’s Degree in any subject, you can go to Law School. There is a common misconception that you must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a law-related field in order to get in, but this isn’t always the case. Although having a law-related degree makes you a better candidate, it isn’t required for a number of law schools.  This, of course, is good news for those of you who are over 30 and already have your schooling done you can go ahead and start prepping for your LSAT. Just be sure to check with the school you are interested in attending for specific requirements. If you haven’t finished your undergraduate studies yet, acquiring a degree online is a simple way to complete your undergraduate studies at your leisure. You can work at your own pace and take as many classes that you can handle. If you’re working towards getting into a program, the good news is you can apply as a mature student.

Tests

There are two standardized tests that are unavoidable when it comes to studying law—the LSAT and the state Bar exam. The LSAT is designed to test the skills needed in order to succeed in your first year of Law School and determine how well you would perform on the Bar exam. The LSAT measures your skills in critical reading, verbal reasoning, and analytical skills. Your LSAT score determines whether or not you can attend law school and which law schools you can attend. Ivy League schools tend to accept students with higher scores on their LSAT exams than state schools. The Bar exam is taken once you’ve graduated. Passing the Bar is the only way you can practice law in the state you desire to practice. You can take the Bar exam over and over until you pass.

Cost

One of the reasons why students believe that Law School costs a lot is because they don’t take a break in between going for their undergraduate degree and going to Law School. Those of you in your thirties are probably established with a career and you’re looking for a change. The debt that you’ve accumulated for your undergraduate degree is more than likely paid down or even paid off. The average annual cost of tuition for law school ranges from $22,160 to $69,116. As an adult with responsibilities, taking part-time schooling is definitely affordable, especially if the classes are available online.

Specializing

Once you’ve passed the Bar, you can open your own business and run your own law firm. The next decision you’d have to make is deciding what area of law to specialize in. For instance, you may choose to become a Los Angeles cannabis lawyer and specialize in the laws and protocols of the legalization movement. If you want to do this, you may find that working as a paralegal or intern for established firms such as McAllister Garfield to gain experience while you study. Or you can choose another path like corporate law where you can work on patents or work as a personal injury lawyer. Whatever option you go with, be sure to have a solid plan to work with experts or get some sort of experience even during the course of obtaining your degree.

Market Yourself 

If you’re in business for yourself or working for a smaller lesser-known firm, it is important to market yourself. Pair your firm with a marketing agency that is knowledgeable in law marketing. These firms will teach you marketing tactics for the law profession that you didn’t learn in law school to bring in new clientele and market your firm efficiently. For instance, personal injury lawyer marketing has become very competitive with firms making attention-grabbing jingles, creative commercials, and even making use of online tools to bring potential clients to your site. When you’re ready for this step, be sure to work with an established marketing agency like Nettra Media to ensure you get the highest return on your marketing investment. Whether you’ve decided to open a small firm or be in business for yourself, choose a specialty like cannabis law where you’ll always have work due to ever-changing laws and regulations. Investing in marketing is essentially reinvesting in your own firm. Just be sure that you choose a marketing agency that specializes in law marketing. Age is just a number. The years will fly by, and before you know it, you’ll be a successful practicing lawyer.

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Nathan Gardner is a graduate of University of Washington in Seattle. He is a contributing writer for Urban Tulsa, and a freelance writer for several other online publications.
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