Is It Too Late in Life to Become a Lawyer?

Many people make drastic career changes in their lives. Perhaps you’ve worked in the same career for several years and have finally decided it is not what you are passionate about. Good for you. The first step towards improving your life is identifying that you want to make a change.

Becoming a lawyer is a huge step though, particularly if you have no formal legal training. Most legal professionals start young, studying at college for a law degree and spending a long time working their way up in the profession. It can take several years of education and apprenticeship before a lawyer ever speaks in a courtroom.

Does this then mean it’s too late for you to follow your dreams? You might be thinking you shouldn’t bother wasting your time and should just settle down and continue in a job that brings you no joy.

But life is too short not to pursue your passions, and if you are committed enough then you can achieve anything. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in your thirties, forties, or are a full blown senior citizen. If you want it enough, nothing can stop you. There will be hard work and late nights ahead, but there’s no reason you can’t succeed. To get you started on your career journey, here are four tips to help you become a lawyer.

Get educated

Law firms will generally only take on employees who have had legal training, and signing up for a course of education should be your first step. You could enrol in your local college and work towards a law degree, but this might not be practical, particularly if you have family commitments and a full time job to navigate. Fortunately, there are other options these days. You have the option to study for a law degree online, allowing you extra flexibility and freedom in your life.

Make law your life

It’s not enough to just follow the curriculum for your legal degree. Law should become your life. Even before enrolling in law school, you should start brushing up on the basics. Find out what it’s like to be a practising lawyer and learn important terminology such as the difference between an indictment and a conviction (see indictment meaning here). Spend your free time reading books and watching films about law and by the time you get to your first interview, you’ll be a lot more knowledgeable.

Find a mentor

Do you know anyone who works in the legal profession? If so, this is the perfect opportunity to pick their brains and find out what you have in store. They’ll be able to provide you with expert advice on how to succeed in your career and tips for passing your law exams. If you don’t know anyone, don’t panic. There are plenty of online forums or even local groups for legal professionals.

Get experience

If you have the time and can afford to work unpaid while studying, getting any experience in a law firm can be invaluable. Scout out local law firms a find out if there are any apprenticeships or training schemes taking on new applicants.