What jobs can I get without law school?

Is 27 too late for law school?

No, 27 is not too old for law school; in fact, life and work experience gained by that age are often seen as advantages, making you more focused and mature than many younger students, with many older students finding fulfilling careers and succeeding in law school. While the average student might be younger, a significant portion of law students are 30 or older, and your maturity, different perspective, and practicality can strengthen your application and your experience in law school. 

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
 

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.
 

Do lawyers make $1000 an hour?

Generally, hourly rates can vary significantly based on various factors, including the lawyer's experience, location, and area of specialization. According to the National Law Journal, average hourly rates in the United States can range from $150 to over $1,000, depending on these variables.

Is Kim Kardashian a lawyer or attorney?

No, Kim Kardashian is not yet a lawyer or attorney; she is still working towards passing the California Bar Exam, having recently failed it again in late 2025, despite completing her legal studies through an apprenticeship program and passing the \"baby bar\" in 2021. She consistently expresses her commitment to becoming a licensed attorney, viewing her setbacks as motivation to keep studying for the full bar exam.
 

Is law school no longer worth it?

A legal career can be highly lucrative, especially for graduates of top law schools, but the financial trade-offs are significant. Elite private schools come with higher tuition costs and can lead to more student debt, while public law schools typically offer lower tuition and debt levels.

What is the closest job to a lawyer?

Alternative jobs for lawyers

1. Paralegal. National average salary: $63,609 per year Primary duties: Paralegals support attorneys by performing substantive legal work. ...
2. Investigator. ...
3. Fund manager. ...
4. Mediator. ...
5. Financial analyst. ...
6. Investment consultant. ...
7. Contract manager. ...
8. Risk manager.

What states don't require law school?

Vermont, Washington, California, and Virginia all allow people to become lawyers by “reading the law,” which, simply put, means studying and apprenticing in the office of a practicing attorney or judge.

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. 

What jobs can I get out of law school?

Top 10 Alternative Careers for Law Degree Holders

• Business Consultant. For legal professionals with business insight, consulting is a natural fit. ...
• Entrepreneur. ...
• Legal Journalist. ...
• Legal Marketer & Content Writer. ...
• Law Professor or Educator. ...
• Arbitrator or Mediator. ...
• Human Resources Leader. ...
• Project Manager.

Has anyone ever passed the bar without going to law school?

Yes, people have passed the bar without going to law school, but it's only possible in a few states (like California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington) through rigorous law office study/apprenticeship programs. While it's an affordable, hands-on alternative, apprentices face lower pass rates, significant self-discipline requirements, and potential limitations in practicing in other states, with historical figures like Abraham Lincoln famously using this path. 

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.
 

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.
 

What is $25 an hour salary in California?

At $25 an hour, you'll earn $52,000 per year (before taxes) if working a standard 40-hour week in California, calculated as $25 x 40 hours x 52 weeks. Your take-home pay will be less due to federal, state, and payroll taxes, but it's generally considered a decent wage for a single person in most CA areas, though costly in cities like SF/LA, with estimated monthly take-home around $3,300-$3,400 after taxes. 

Did Kim Kardashian ever pass the California bar exam?

No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam on her first attempt in July 2025, revealing the results in November 2025, but stated she remains determined to keep studying and retake it, viewing the setback as motivation. She had previously passed the "baby bar," the First-Year Law Students' Exam, in late 2021 after multiple tries, which qualified her to take the main bar exam.
 

Is it too late to be a lawyer at 25?

It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under age 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.

How old do most lawyers start?

The average age to earn a JD is typically around 26 to 28 years old, depending on the student population and the law school. Many students enter JD programs directly after completing their bachelor's degree, which puts them on track to graduate in their mid-20s.

Did Joe Biden ever pass the bar?

Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, despite graduating in the lower portion of his class. He practiced law before entering politics, serving as a lawyer and later becoming the 27th President of the United States, and the first President with a law degree from a non-"T-14" law school in a century, notes Law.com. 

What was 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.
 

What happens if you fail the bar exam 5 times?

Each time a candidate takes the bar exam, the result becomes a part of the public record. Though failing the exam multiple times doesn't prohibit someone from practicing law once they pass, it might be something prospective employers consider during the hiring process.