Go into the law with your eyes wide open.
There are lawyers in their 40’s (so out of law school 12 years) who are STILL working the document review jobs (generally an hourly rate, zero benefits) they got after taking the bar “just to support myself” while I look for a fulltime role with a good firm. There are lawyers participating in the “race to the bottom” who are finding that clients come in for a divorce, a will, a real estate transaction having done most of the work already by filling out an online form from one of the apps-- so they need four hours of an attorney’s time, not the 50 or 60 hours it once might have taken.
But a law school whose graduates have a 50% employment rate in jobs requiring a law degree should give everyone pause.
What is a solid living? Making 75K as an immigration lawyer with a small firm? That’s a thing- in major metropolitan, high cost of living areas. Generating 200K as a solo practitioner-- fantastic! But then rent for office space, a part-time receptionist who is also a notary; insurance, utilities, some modest marketing expenses to keep your firms name out there… what are you living on by the time you’re done paying expenses?
I’m not saying don’t go to law school. And I’m not saying tier one or bust. But do your homework. And if the combination of your GPA and LSAT means tier three law schools, do the math on what you’ll pay for your degree and whether or not you’ll get the kind of career you want afterwards.
If Uncle Chip is bringing you into the family firm as long as you pass the bar, disregard my post! And good for you and Uncle Chip.