Which uni, Gleena? I completed a law degree a few years ago, via the distance education unit at Macquarie.
Good luck. I am transitioning out, but mostly enjoyed the 5 years I spent practicing law. In any case, it gave me a good foundation for what I want to do in the future. I am started and ending my career in government (federal).
I notice that you’re in Australia-for what it’s worth, I think Law School Confidential is a good book to figure out how to structure studying (ENugent has already suggested Getting to Maybe, which I’d also recommend). The rest of my experience is probably unique to the American setting and therefore worthless.
I started law school at 30, recently graduated and working. People my age to 40 were not at all uncommon at my school, and mostly were excellent and successful students.
I loved law school, I love being a lawyer. Big firm life is not for me, and I always always knew that but it is SO easy to get sucked in to thinking it is the best or even only goal of law school. There are SO many other ways to work as an attorney. I have a great job working for City government which keeps me constantly amused, astounded, and on my toes.
LPAB course at University of Sydney.
It’s not an LLB, it’s a DipLaw, but I will be qualified to practice after doing my PLT and applying. If I do well and I like it I can do my masters at University of Sydney, and many go on and do so.
I looked seriously at Macquarie - I applied and was accepted but then declined. I don’t think I can do distance ed or block classes and it’s too far from where I work to do night classes. I live right around the corner from USyd, so easy to get there and home. I also really want to have lectures.
I considered Notre Dame as well as UTS, too. I remember you getting your degree a while back, but I seem to recall you didn’t go down the path of doing PLT and being licenced to practice?
I know several people who did the LPAB course, and they all enjoyed it. I’m sure you’ll find it really interesting. And don’t worry about the whole “I’m not smart enough/I’m too old for this/surely they let me in on a whim’s” thing. I bet every new mature-age student in the LPAB thinks exactly the same thing. I know I was when I attended my first on-campus session at Macquarie.
Roll on, Legal Institutions!
No, I haven’t done PLT. Too many other responsibilities at work. One day, perhaps…
Can you help us non-Australians out with the alphabet soup?
LPAB = Legal Profession Admission Board. This is the body that oversees admission to the legal profession in NSW. It also runs a series of exams, in conjunction with Sydney University, that allows students to gain the legal knowledge necessary to practise law, without having to attend university. I think it began in the 1950s/60s some time, as a means of allowing those who did not fit the standard full-time student model to study part-time, in the evenings. It’s considered absolutely equal to a university-conferred law degree. Indeed, there have been High Court justices who did the LPAB course.
PLT = Practical Legal Training. It is a series of more practical courses that all law graduates, and LPAB diplomates, have to do before being admitted. It’s the ‘nuts and bolts’ end of the legal training process. Those who get a law degree, but have no intention of ever practising law, don’t usually do PLT.
I started law school in my mid-30s. It was enjoyable, and less work than prior to law school. Don’t worry about the young pups – they like to run around and yap a lot, getting all stressed out just for the sake of getting stressed out.
Afraid I don’t have any advice for Australian law students. No idea what your program will be like.
Do know that law school at 41 is doable. The oldest guy in my class was in his mid-late 60s. I enjoyed the perspective he brought to class discussions…and outside class discussions.
Interesting, Cunctator. Thanks for the info and the links.
Thanks Cunctator from me as well!
Additionally, my understanding is the LPAB course was also started for rural and regional students who couldn’t otherwise have practiced law.
It’s a tough course!
As it should be, young Jedi.
Sounds like a great plan. Sorry for my comments. I am prejudiced by what I see in the states. Many many young people going to law school primarily because they don’t know what else to do. Then they incur huge debt and grauate to find a HORRIBLE job market.
But it sounds as tho you are someplace considerably different. Good luck!
“Back in my day, law firms were called ‘comestibles,’ and judges had to wear eyeglasses with three lenses in them, on account of Warren Harding. That’s why they called the Interstate Commerce Commission ‘the Hardy boys,’ and … hey, where are you kids going!? Awww…”
I’m doing the Masters of Law at Melbourne. I was 38 when I started and I stayed awake worrying for three nights when I received the information and found that I had to write a 10,000 word paper (oh, the horror!). I had serious thoughts about sending the folder back. Luckily, I found some courage, and the commitment to study, and some benzos for the first week of lectures. I aced that paper. </brag>
Now the whole scene is second nature and I would do it all again in an instant. Do not be afraid! This is an oppurtunity that most of the world doesn’t have.
Heh, I have taken refuge in tequila tonight (and I am typing very slowly and carefully because of it) since I bought my 5 textbooks today and my first class has a reading list as long as my arm.
I’ll start when the hangover stops… 
Go, Gleena, go! Best of luck!