What is the real ROI for a law degree?

jayncali73 · Apr 7, 2004

Originally posted by nosborne48
I have been preaching the "Cheap J.D." gospel on this board for years. I got my J.D. from the U of New Mexico, one of the cheapest (instate) ABA schools in the country. My income in a career in public practice does not compare with the salaries of those who go into private practice with major firms (although when you crank in the retirement and benefits package, it's not as bad as it seems) but neither do I work more than about 45 hours a week. Believe me, the "big boys" work almost twice that.

It really is about choice; if you borrow to get the Stanford degree, you are pretty well foreclosed from public practice or small firm private practice because you won't be able to afford it. On the other hand, a J.D. from UNM is not exactly a passport to unheard of wealth.

If I were a permanent Californian with a desire to work in a small firm or solo, I'd think HARD about a correspondence JD from Taft or Northwestern Cal. Not OakBrook because I am not a Christian;
otherwise they look'd awful good.
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I agree...I am currently preparing to enter either taft U or Northwestern Cal. (still in process of making a final decision)
I'm not looking to be a "fancy" lawyer or make big money. I simply love law and since I work in the government sector, a JD/bar certification will be of some benefit and would allow for advancement.

GUNSMOKE · Apr 7, 2004

Re: Willie Gary: An example

Originally posted by iquagmire
Follow this link Willie Gary to see how this guy used his North Carolina Central Law Degree (from a low tier school) to become a multi-millionaire attorney, with his own private plane.

If he can do it, anyone can do it. It takes a lot of hard work on your part, but it can be done.

Gilbert Labossiere
BBA Baker College
MBA Nova Southeastern University 2005
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iquagmire presents an excellent example! Willie Gary is certainly a legendary figure. He is bold, some say brash, but he has attained the one thing that is VERY hard to argue and that is SUCCESS!

He is an ass-kicker and name-taker from the word go. He has built an outstanding reputationn as a plaintiff lawyer that is hard to beat. If you ever meet him you'll find he is also very happy.

Tom57 · Apr 7, 2004

Interesting thread. Here's a link to a SF Bay Area career counselor who talks about the problems of choosing a career based on status (sometimes the case with people who choose law). He mentions law careers in particular.

http://www.martynemko.com/pub/articles/status.shtm

nosborne48 · Apr 7, 2004

The writer expresses my opinions exactly.

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