Later-In-Life Lawyers: Tips for the Non-Traditional Law Student

by Charles Cooper

Law school is a scary place for any new student. For an older non-traditional, student, it can be intimidating as well as being ill-designed for the needs of an older, second-career student with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1888960167
• ISBN13: 9781888960167
• Release Date: March 2012
• Publisher: Fine Print Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great resource

This is a very thorough, conversational look at all things law school, particularly for those going in as a second career, already married with kids, or otherwise with some life experience under their belt. It has a comprehensive look at applying and getting into law school as well as how to succeed once you're in there, that is useful for everyone headed in that direction. Using a format that resembles FAQs, the book is an easy read no matter which chapter you open up to. What I appreciated about this book compared to some other know-it-all law school guides was its willingness to let the reader hear varying viewpoints on topics ranging from how to pick a school, how to maintain your sanity (and humanity), to how to steer towards a job you'll like. The book doesn't approach the subject as if you will be screwed if you don't take its advice; it's more a gathering of intelligent, thoughtful comments from a large number of people who have presumably made it through to the other side of law school. I highly recommend adding this book to your library of pre-law school reads. You'll probably find, as I did in my first year of law school, that when I have a question about something (outlining, case briefing, interviews, grades) I pick this one up first to see what it has to say on the subject. It typically has the best, most honest and straightforward advice of all in the genre.

great resource for trads and non-trads alike

I am out of law school now, but I wish I had this resource before applying. Though it's of particular interest for those who are older, changing careers, have children, etc, there's something of use for everyone here. The book has some good advice, and lots of real anecdotes from the [...]. This book will help you select a school, apply, and handle it all once you get there! Highly recommend.

Hits the nail on the head!

This is the best pre-law book out there! Though it is geared for non-traditional students, much of the advice applies to anyone considering law school. The author takes the reader from thinking about law school through the application and admissions process to beyond 1L. The author goes in-depth about issues only briefly mentioned in other pre-law books: avoiding misery, choosing a major, having skeletons in your closet, when to apply, application addendums, part-time vs. full-time, the truth about rankings, where to apply to law school, getting help during the admissions process, dealing with rejection and waitlists, the competitive nature of law school, the workload, the grading curve, exams, class participation, outlining, study groups, law review, handling the stress, having thoughts of quitting, and the likelihood of transferring. Throughout the book, the author uses quotes from former/current law students to back up his advice.

In Good Company

Going back to law school at the age of 35 can be daunting, more so if all of the law school advice books out there are geared for the average 22 year old. Fortunately, I found this book just at the point where I was starting to feel isolated as a later-in-life law student. This book is literally brimming with sensible advice from non-trads like me, from how to study for the LSAT to how to get accepted at the school of your choice, to how to hold down a job, maneuver through study groups, and balance your family life without losing your mind. From people who have been there, its nice to know I'm not alone and am in good company. The section that hit home the most for me is on "Handling the Stress." According to Cooper (as well as other non-trads I've come across in class), "it all boils down to maintaining balance and perspective (a.k.a.: time management.). 1L is important, but not more important than your health, your family, and your general well-being. Keep it in perspective - it's just law school." Definitely food for thought when you start to feel overwhelmed in the face of balancing your family life, a job, and law school all at the same time.

Something different

Finally - a guide book about law school that doesn't claim to have all the answers. I've been accepted to law school and have spent money on many other law guides, such as Planet Law School, Law School Confidential, etc. Those are good books and very useful, but really only deliver just one person's perspective (although in the case of LSC, slightly more than one person's perspective) on the whole law school experience. This book draws on the experiences of many individuals and contains some very revealing insight as a result of its diverse content. It's entitled Later in Life Lawyers, but the sections actually dealing with old(er) people issues are not really that dominant. If you're a career changer (like I was), this book will be perfect. If you're a traditional law student, then this book still has plenty of meat for you too. I tried the web site, Nontradlaw.com, that this book is linked to. The site itself seems to be a decent resource - lots more of the same information. If you like the site, you'll like the book and vice versa. The site does have a little bit of a older person vibe to it (a little mature for my taste), but again, it's one of the better pre law web sites out there. One thing I really liked was the fact that it didn't play to the US News rankings. For many - if not most - law applicants, the rankings are important, but often largely irrelevent. All 4 tiers of law school are full with students. It's not like sane, motivated people actually decide not to go to law school because they didn't get into a top tier law school like some other guide books recommend (and often all-but-require). If you're like most law applicants out there, this book doesn't insult you or make you feel like you're doomed to failure if you aren't in a position to go to Harvard for whatever reason. After reading some other pre law guides, I almost wanted to give up on the whole legal education thing because I felt like because I could only attend a lower tier school (for family reasons), I was doomed to a life of chasing ambulances. Common sense and a little research, of course, tells anyone with half a brain that attending a lower tier law school does not ruin your career or make you a bad lawyer - there's plenty of successful non top school lawyers out there, and plenty of crappy top law school lawyers, and most clients don't care where you went to law school as long as you graduated and passed the bar exam - and this is just about the only pre law book I've read that takes a straightforward, practical look at this issue. If you don't have a 170 LSAT and a GPA of 3.75 or more, then this book does deliver good, practical advice for you in navigating the application process and won't make you rather slit your wrists than attend a non top law school. In sum, one of the better pre law guides on the market right now. Very down to earth and straightforward. A good addition to your pre law school reading list. The Nontradlaw franchise se