Can I study law after graduation?
Asked by: Miss Myrtis Torphy | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 5/5 (24 votes)
Yes, you absolutely can study law after graduation, and it's a common path, often through a 3-year Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a graduate Juris Doctor (JD) program, allowing graduates from any bachelor's discipline to enter the legal field by studying core subjects and then taking bar exams. Pursuing law after another degree can offer more maturity and focus, and there are many specializations available, from corporate to criminal law.
Can I go to law school after graduating college?
Acknowledging this, the State of California permits those with an AA or AS degree, or a minimum of 60 bachelor degree-applicable units from a regionally accredited college, to meet pre-legal education requirements and apply for the study of law.
What's the quickest you can become a lawyer?
The shortest time to become a lawyer in the U.S. is around 6 years, using a 3+3 accelerated bachelor's/JD program, or 5-6 years with a fast-tracked JD, plus bar exam prep and passing, but an intense, year-round 2-year JD after undergrad is the fastest law school period, though 3 years is standard, with the absolute quickest involving California's Law Office Study (with a 4-year apprenticeship) or some states' bar exams requiring fewer prerequisites, but these are less common.
Is it worth going to law school at 40?
Yes, going to law school at 40 can be very worth it, offering advantages like valuable life experience that enhances studies and career fulfillment, but it requires careful consideration of career goals, financial investment, and time commitment, as older students often find rewarding second careers, leveraging past skills for a new path in law. While you're in the minority, older applicants are common, and their diverse backgrounds enrich the legal field.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Law School
What is the lowest paid lawyer?
There's no single "minimum" lawyer salary, as it varies wildly from $50,000 in public interest to over $200,000 for first-year associates at Big Law firms, depending heavily on location (big cities pay more), firm size (Big Law pays much more), and specialization (corporate/IP pay more than family law or non-profit work). Entry-level salaries in public service often start around $50k-$70k, while large private firms in major markets can offer $200k+ right out of law school.
How difficult is law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?
Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.
Is law going to be replaced by AI?
No, AI won't fully take over law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks, increasing efficiency, and augmenting lawyers, making tech-savvy lawyers more valuable, while lawyers who don't adapt risk being left behind; AI handles data analysis, contract review, and research, but human judgment, contextual understanding, and complex argumentation remain essential for client counsel and strategic decision-making, shifting the focus to higher-value work and potentially changing billing models.
What age is too late for law school?
It's never too late in life to apply to law school.
Do lawyers make $500 an hour?
Yes, many lawyers, especially those with experience or in specialized fields in major cities, can and do charge $500 or more per hour, though rates vary widely, with averages often in the $200-$400 range, while less experienced lawyers in smaller areas might charge much less. Rates depend heavily on practice area (corporate, litigation), location (DC, NYC are higher), experience, and firm size, with senior partners in big firms reaching significantly higher rates than junior associates or solo practitioners, notes PracticePanther.
How old is the youngest lawyer?
The youngest lawyer is generally considered to be Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother Peter's previous record, though she'll be sworn in and licensed in March 2025 after turning 18, as most jurisdictions require lawyers to be 18. She accelerated her education, starting law school at 13 while in junior high and graduating early.
Which type of lawyer is easy?
The easiest law to practice is often considered to be estate planning. This involves helping clients prepare for the distribution of their assets upon death or incapacitation, making it relatively straightforward compared to other legal fields.
What disqualifies you from law school?
What disqualifies you from law school often involves dishonesty, serious criminal history (especially crimes of moral turpitude like fraud), significant financial irresponsibility, or academic misconduct, all falling under the "character and fitness" evaluation, though a single minor issue usually isn't a bar if disclosed honestly and explained well; failure to disclose, lying on the application, or misrepresenting facts is often a more significant reason for denial or later disbarment.
How did Kim Kardashian become a lawyer?
But Kim Kardashian did not graduate from law school. Instead, she endeavored to complete the study requirements of California's Law Office Study Program (LOSP) to be eligible to take the California Bar. This is a process we at Esq. Apprentice call legal apprenticeship.
Which college is best for law after graduation?
List of top colleges in India
- National law school of Indian University, Bangalore.
- ILS law college, Pune.
- University Law college, Bengaluru.
- Government law college, Mumbai.
- School of Excellence in Law, Chennai.
- L.E. Society's Law college, Bengaluru.
- CMR Law College, Bengaluru.
- The National Law Institute University, Bhopal.
What percentage of lawyers make $500,000?
A small percentage of lawyers earn over $500k; while the median salary for lawyers is around $150k-$170k, the top 10% earn over $239k, but reaching $500k+ usually requires being a top partner in a "Big Law" firm, specializing in high-value areas like corporate or IP law, or having a very successful practice, notes the BLS and Legal Brand Marketing.
Is it worth it to be a lawyer in 2025?
Pursing a Career in the Legal Field
For those considering their future in the legal profession, a juris doctor degree remains a valuable and worthwhile investment in 2025. While it requires commitment and careful planning, the opportunities that come from earning a JD extend far beyond the traditional role of attorney.
Which 3 jobs will survive AI?
Which Jobs Are Safest from AI and Automation?
- Health Care: Nurses, doctors, therapists, and counselors.
- Education: Teachers, instructors, and school administrators.
- Creative: Musicians, artists, writers, and journalists.
- Personal Services: Hairdressers, cosmetologists, personal trainers, and coaches.
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?
As of late 2025, Kim Kardashian is generally reported to be richer than Taylor Swift, with her net worth boosted significantly by her SKIMS brand, pushing her fortune to around $1.9 billion, while Swift's wealth is estimated at $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. Kardashian's business ventures, especially SKIMS' high valuation, have recently placed her ahead, though these figures fluctuate.
How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?
Michelle Obama took the Illinois Bar Exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a common experience even for successful lawyers. She initially failed the bar, which was devastating, but she persevered and passed, later working as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady.
Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?
Yes, $400 an hour is a significant rate for a lawyer, often reflecting experience, specialization, and location, falling at the higher end of average rates ($100-$400+) but can be standard or even considered a "deal" for highly specialized work in major cities, while being quite expensive in other areas or for less complex cases. Factors like the firm's size, location (big city vs. rural), the lawyer's expertise (e.g., corporate, IP vs. family law), and case complexity greatly influence this rate.
What kind of person excels in law school?
The personal qualities that law schools value include maturity or life experience, emotional intelligence, an ability to get along with different kinds of people and communication skills, she says.
How many hours a day is law school?
Going to class
You will likely have 15+ hours of class per week—anywhere between an hour to three or four hours per day. Although it may seem obvious, attending class every day (absent an illness or other very important reason), is key for your success in law school.