Anyone here retrained as a lawyer later in life?
I'm currently 30. I'm thinking of retraining to become a solicitor after I've paid off my mortgage as it gives me a bit more flexibility financially. I intend to finish paying off my mortgage when I'm 33. Is that too old to be thinking of retraining?
I currently have a maths degree so I should be able to do the law conversion course - LLB for Graduates. I'm confused on the timing for this as well as I thought it was a 1 year course but I've seen a few universities advertise this as a 2 year course despite it being full-time.
I'm really keen at the moment but don't know if I'm kidding myself with how competitive the job market probably is for solicitors and how many younger law grads there will be.
It would be nice to get some legal work experience in the meantime but I know that's hard to come by. Any advice or stories would be really appreciated.
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Anyone retrained as a lawyer - is 33 too old?
careerchange202024 · 27/05/2022 21:27
1Wanda1 · 27/05/2022 21:37
I went to law school to do the GDL aged 30, then the LPC. I did have a training contract before I started, otherwise I wouldn't have started as too expensive and too much risk of never qualifying and having wasted all that money. I'm now over 10 years qualified and a partner in a City firm. It was hard - I was a single parent to primary school aged children when I started. But it has been very gratifying to build a solid career and 30 is no age at all really. I certainly wasn't the oldest at law school! Go for it.
OublietteBravo · 27/05/2022 21:48
Have you considered patent law? You need a STEM degree, so it could be right up your street.
butimjayigetaway · 27/05/2022 22:15
I began a GDL at 28 but gave it up when I realised I did not want that workload or pressure.
I don't think there's an age too late for anything really. If you can, you want to, and you can make a go of it, do it.
You might have to talk yourself up in the application but it's possible. End of the day the institutions want the fees. My school did the free of charge LLB after the GDL. But I can imagine a training contract is what's difficult to get at that age, given it's oversaturated.
Theuserwithnoname · 27/05/2022 22:24
My DH decided to retrain early 30s and wasn't the only "mature" trainee in his year. He's now six years qualified and works for a top regional firm. I'm also a lawyer and some of the best trainees and lawyers I've worked with have come to the profession as a second career. Our last three trainees have retrained from another profession so it definitely wouldn't hold you back. I think DH found it challenging balancing full time work, study and personal life and he just about emptied his bank account paying for it but assures me it was worth every minute and penny spent. If you think it's for you, definitely go for it.
careerchange202024 · 27/05/2022 22:26
I've seen a few job adverts for trainee patent attorneys but that was way back when I wasn't considering going into law. I know that it's to do with intellectual property but that you don't need a law degree? What is the job like? And the pay?
OublietteBravo · 27/05/2022 21:48
Have you considered patent law? You need a STEM degree, so it could be right up your street.
careerchange202024 · 27/05/2022 22:26
I've seen a few job adverts for trainee patent attorneys but that was way back when I wasn't considering going into law. I know that it's to do with intellectual property but that you don't need a law degree? What is the job like? And the pay?
OublietteBravo · 27/05/2022 21:48
Have you considered patent law? You need a STEM degree, so it could be right up your street.
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