Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider a law career, late 30s

36 replies

8oClock · 07/05/2021 20:48

I'm up for a reality check here and AIBU is the best place for genuine opinion!

I do not have a current 'career' at all, I'm 37 and life has been a bit dysfunctional if I'm truthful. I had an awful childhood but married my DH 4 years ago, feeling more settled than I ever have done and I've been treated for PTSD and I'm delighted to feel recovered now.

Due to my childhood, I didn't finish secondary school but in my mid 20s I completed an arts degree. I excelled in the academic part of the degree, graduating with relative ease with the highest grade a student had passed with, and at graduation I was surprised with an academic achievement award.

I had never considered myself remotely academic but it gave me a huge boost of confidence! I've always wanted to embark on a proper career but been lost as to what to pursue and have just drifted really.

I recently helped a friend navigate probate for her family member as she couldn't afford solicitor fees and, being somewhat emotionally objective, I enjoyed the process and gaining knowledge (as well as supporting my friend) - also when DH and I bought our house I was fascinated with the process and enjoyed reading and understanding the legalities of the purchase.

Because of these experiences, am I being incredibly naive to think I could even consider studying law? It's a world away from an arts degree and I have never considered myself bright enough. But still, I feel pulled towards it.

At my age, is it far too late to embark on a career, let alone law? I admit I feel a bit ridiculous even considering it and I can't bring it up with anyone else for fear they'd laugh at me!

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 07/05/2021 20:52

It’s not too late. Perhaps see if you can talk to lawyers in those and other fields to see what it’s really like.

whatisheupto · 07/05/2021 20:53

Go for it OP!! It's a brilliant degree to study and to have and it wil open up all sorts of career pathways for you!

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 07/05/2021 20:54

Perhaps read about the path to becoming a legal executive which is a non uni option for law.

Fluffingheck · 07/05/2021 20:57

Why don't you ask round at some local law firms and ask if you can do some work experience? Law firms aren't always the nicest places to work, and it would give you a much better idea of what would be expected of you. You could then apply for a job as a paralegal, and study part time to qualify as a legal executive. You don't need a law degree to do that, and in lots of firms you will get paid for the job you do, not necessarily based on having a degree.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 07/05/2021 20:57

It's absolutely not late.

Have you checked what is needed for law career? I agree with pp to have a look at the legal executive route as well.

Flowersandjellybeans · 07/05/2021 21:04

If it’s something you are super passionate you should go for it... but just be aware it’s a very competitive market in terms of law grads looking for training contracts / pupillages.

Plus even with a postgrad law fast track you’re still looking at a couple of years of no income, but if you’re considering it i guess it’s not a problem.

Have you looked at different routes to becoming qualified? I saw a very interesting ad for a Coop Solicitor apprentice thing (not what is was called), where you work part time and train part time and eventually become qualified over a slightly longer period.

Original poster
8oClock · 07/05/2021 21:06

Thank you for the encouraging replies! I was expecting a dressing down awaits .

I have researched routes into becoming a qualified solicitor, legal executive and/or paralegal and all the routes seem appealing! I'd love to gain work experience but I assumed I wouldn't get a foothold/be given a chance anywhere without any relevant qualifications at my age. My self esteem, although much improved, isn't the most reinforced so I keep talking myself out of it before taking further steps, but then I don't want to regret anything and it keeps nagging at me.

Thanks again for the advice, much appreciated!

OP posts:
SchrodingersImmigrant · 07/05/2021 21:06

The apprentice thing is awesome but there are so few the entry criteria are a wow.

Also I know you already did a degree, bit you might want to speak with jnies about entry requirements. Access to HE might be needed. Which isn't that bad.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 07/05/2021 21:07

Unies not jnies😂

Original poster
8oClock · 07/05/2021 21:11

@SchrodingersImmigrant

The apprentice thing is awesome but there are so few the entry criteria are a wow.

Also I know you already did a degree, bit you might want to speak with jnies about entry requirements. Access to HE might be needed. Which isn't that bad.

I'll look into apprenticeships, but I can imagine the completion is incredibly tough. I'd understand employers preferring a younger applicant with a much more traditional background/fresh from education.

I completed an Access to HE prior to being accepted onto my degree, so hopefully that is worth something...

OP posts:
DidgeDoolittle · 07/05/2021 21:14

I have 2 sons who have just qualified as lawyers. One has a law degree,but the other has an arts degree.

You first have to do a law conversion course (GDL) if you don't have a law degree. This is one year.

Everyone then does the Legal Practice Course (LPC). This is another year.

Then you do a training contract with a law firm for 2 years.

You can either pay for the 2 years at law school yourself (very expensive) or apply to a law firm for a training contract, and they will pay for your law school fees.
Training contracts are very hard to obtain, but not impossible. Lot of competition.
It really helps if you have spent time at a law firm and done lots of work/voluntary work. They like you to understand that practicing law is about people.

Both my sons spent time on other jobs before applying to study law. This was in their favour when applying.

Good luck.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 07/05/2021 21:18

There will be a change from lpc to SQE. I think next year's are starting SQE rout

Original poster
8oClock · 08/05/2021 08:07

I'll see if I can find any volunteering in a relevant field, I hadn't considered that. Thanks so much again, I really thought I might just be being ridiculous to consider it!

OP posts:
Quickchangeartiste · 08/05/2021 08:22

Just to encourage you, I have a friend , 63, who qualified as a lawyer about 3 years ago, having had a career in IT.
She now has a small but successful practice, mainly in wills and executory, and mediation.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/05/2021 08:25

@8oClock

I'll see if I can find any volunteering in a relevant field, I hadn't considered that. Thanks so much again, I really thought I might just be being ridiculous to consider it!
You seem to have done your research i am pretty sure you saw then that being mature student is common😉
Original poster
8oClock · 08/05/2021 08:28

@Quickchangeartiste

Just to encourage you, I have a friend , 63, who qualified as a lawyer about 3 years ago, having had a career in IT. She now has a small but successful practice, mainly in wills and executory, and mediation.
That's incredible and very inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing.
OP posts:
goldenlilliesdaffodillies · 08/05/2021 08:32

I am late 40's and re-training in a different career on a MA course (not law). I would say if you have the passion- go for it! It will be a challenge but- it's not too late.
I have a friend who re-trained in law in her 40's- she did a law conversion course from an arts related degree and is now a successful lawyer.
Good luck OP- you never know until you try and may regret it if you don't. You have many working years ahead of you- do something you enjoy.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 08/05/2021 08:33

Go for it if it interests you. Law is also a good solid background for many other areas should you want to move on.
Not all law is stupid hours so find the bit that interests you that fits with your life.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/05/2021 08:50

Just a wuick add.

If you go the full corse route not GDL, make sure it is a qualifying degree.

I've actually met someone who did Law combined with business and were surprised later it wasn't a qualifying degree🤦 It even said it though.

Flowers500 · 08/05/2021 08:59

Don’t do the full law degree—very long and doesn’t automatically get you where you need to be. I would go for legal executive in your position (or maybe some high street lawfirm training contracts) and start by doing a GDL with master’s (so you get the funding)—if you are worried about it being a bit too much in the deep end then do it 2 years part time. Otherwise it is extremely intensive.

PlanetMJ · 08/05/2021 09:00

The open university do a graduate law conversion course for people who already hold a degree in another subject.

Ohnomoreno · 08/05/2021 09:02

In all honesty is consider something with slightly lower barriers to entry. It just ends up being very expensive to train and not earn in later life. Fine if you can afford it. What about project management or testing? I've worked in both and find them quite interesting, and the qualifications are relatively short term, albeit also quite expensive.

korawick12345 · 08/05/2021 09:02

What subject was your degree in and from which institution?

RampantIvy · 08/05/2021 09:08

There are quite a few lawyers who post on mumsnet. @Xenia can you advise?

Hk24498 · 08/05/2021 09:10

When I studied there were people in their 50s - so no, you aren't too late. I practice in the areas you describe, I love and hate my job in equal measures! The legal side I love. The client side - love/hate. Some clients are great, others can be very challenging. If you have self esteem issues working in a law firm is very very hard - the pressure of doing well, providing yourself, and challenging clients aren't a good mix!

Swipe left for the next trending thread