Lawyer Second Career

Lawyer Second Career

Lawyer Second Career

Becoming a lawyer can be a personally and professionally rewarding experience, but it's one that should not be entered into lightly. Here are the top five tips, based on an email poll this writer sent to a group of Willamette University and Suffolk University graduates in December 2009.

Pay Off Credit Card Debt Before Law School

Especially for potential law students who worked in between undergraduate and law school, not using credit cards during school can be a major adjustment. However, student loans are only based on basic expenses, such as housing, groceries, books, and other necessities.

Since the need to pay off a credit card is not factored into a lending institution's loan budget, if there is a balance on a card at the beginning of law school, it will likely remain at the end of law school. Most students receive less than $2,000 a month for living expenses in law school, so it is very difficult to pay more than the monthly minimum payments.