Is it worth going to law school at 55?

Asked by: Dr. Zoe Jast  |  Last update: November 5, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (60 votes)

It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under 25, about 1 in 5 are 30 or older and a much smaller proportion are over 40. Many older law school graduates build fulfilling second careers that draw on preexisting skills and experiences.

Is 55 too old to go to law school?

It's Never Too Late

You absolutely can go to law school and be very successful if you're over 40. It's never too late! First, and most importantly, you have had time to get to know yourself. You have gained perspective and know what is important to you.

How to get into law school as an older adult?

Strategies for Applying to Law School as an Older Candidate

Older law school applicants should adopt a detailed and strategic approach to their applications: Showcase unique experiences – Mature candidates should position their career change or late pursuit of law as a strength.

Do law schools prefer older applicants?

It's never too late to apply to law school. Law schools appreciate older applicants for their life experience and well-defined career goals.

Who is the oldest person to go to law school?

While only a small percentage of law students are above the age of 40, there have been several successful older graduates. In fact, Alice Thomas graduated from the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law at 79 years old, proving age is truly just a number when it comes to law school!

Can you change career & become a lawyer in your 30s, 40s or 50s? #LOCKDOWN Legal Mentoring - Day 10

36 related questions found

At what age do most people become lawyers?

What is the Average Age of Lawyers in the U.S.? The average age of attorneys in the U.S. is 46.3, according to the same Zippia report. More than 67% of the U.S. attorney population is 40 years or older. Only 4% of the attorney population is 20 to 30 years old.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

What is the hardest year in 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.

What is the average age of law students in Canada?

Even though the average age of law students in Canada is 25 years old, no law school has set up an age limit which prevents older people from enrolling. In fact, many law schools accept a wide range of students from different backgrounds.

Can you go to law school and work full time?

Even though the American Bar Association (ABA) dropped their 20 hour a week work limit for full-time law students, many law schools themselves typically limit how many hours a law student can work per week, making it impossible for a professional to keep a full-time job while also attending law school.

What is the best law school for older people?

Top 10 Law Schools for Older Students
  • Yale University Law School. Acceptance Rate: 9.7% ...
  • Harvard University Law School. ...
  • Columbia Law School. ...
  • University of Chicago Law School. ...
  • New York University Law School. ...
  • University of Pennsylvania (Carey) Law School. ...
  • University of Virginia Law School. ...
  • Stanford University Law School.

How difficult is the LSAT?

This process is not only time-consuming but can be very expensive as well. So yes, the LSAT is hard, and it is designed that way. It's not so much a test that requires a student to remember random facts, but instead, it is a test that showcases a student's thought process.

Are less people going to law school?

When first-year enrollment rises or falls in sequential years, those effects multiply. Today, overall JD enrollment has roughly stabilized at a level not seen in over 40 years. Compared to the peak in JD enrollment in 2010 (147,525 students), overall JD enrollment was down 20.8% in 2023. Line chart with 2 lines.

How to become a lawyer at 52?

At the age of 50, you may be eligible for certain programs designed for non-traditional or mature students. These programs often offer flexible schedules and part-time options to accommodate your existing commitments, such as work or family. Selecting the right law school or program is a critical decision.

Is 55 too old to go back to school?

No, 55 is not too old for college. Attending a college or university and earning a degree comes with no age limit. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), more than 500,000 postsecondary students were aged 50 to 64 in the fall of 2021.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

Is 55 too late for law school?

It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under 25, about 1 in 5 are 30 or older and a much smaller proportion are over 40.

What is the easiest law school to get into in Canada?

University of New Brunswick – Faculty of Law: Located in Fredericton, UNB Law primarily offers the JD and the MBA/JD programs. With its high acceptance rate, lower LSAT and GPA requirements, but a smaller number of first year students, these make UNB Law one of the easiest law schools to get into in Canada.

Is law school hard in Canada?

Law school is hard – and that's a fact. But before you count how many sleepless nights you may have in the future, you must first prepare your Canadian law schools' requirements. This might be the initial obstacle you would have to face in achieving your dreams of becoming a lawyer.

Is law school harder than med school?

Each path demands extensive education and a commitment to rigorous training before becoming a qualified professional. Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.

What age do most finish law school?

Very few receive their law degree before the age of 23. That is because most people graduate from high school at 17 or 18. Those who go directly to college typically graduate around age 21 or 22. Law school usually takes two years, so the earliest age of getting a law degree would be 23.

What is the hardest subject in a law degree?

Some of the hardest classes in law school, according to current and former students, are:
  • Constitutional Law.
  • Civil Procedure.
  • Contracts.
  • Federal Courts.
  • Federal Income Tax.
  • Administrative Law.
  • Partnership Tax.

How can a lawyer make 500k a year?

How can a lawyer make 500k a year?
  1. Create an SEO for Lawyers Strategy.
  2. Build a Solid Law Firm Website.
  3. Write Engaging Attorney Content.
  4. Start a Lawyer PPC Campaign.
  5. Register Your Law Firm in Relevant Listings and Directories.
  6. Engage in Reputation Management for Lawyers.

What field of law is most in demand?

Which Legal Fields Are in Demand?
  • Intellectual property law. ...
  • Family law. ...
  • Immigration & naturalization law. ...
  • Real estate law. ...
  • Contract management. ...
  • Compliance. ...
  • Labor and employment. ...
  • Corporate transactions. Also known as mergers and acquisitions, or M&A, this work navigates the buying and selling of companies and their assets.

Can lawyers make 300k a year?

Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for attorneys in the US is just over $125,000. The highest-paid lawyers (10% of the legal workforce) make over $208,000 However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500,000 or more per year.