No one who attended law school at night while working a full-time day job and taking care of a family would ever say it was easy. To be honest, not everyone is able to stick it out and earn their Juris Doctor degree. Those who graduate (and their families) know that they have really accomplished something worthwhile and valuable.
The students are one of the biggest differences between attending Law School in Los Angeles part-time at night or full-time during the day. The night students are usually older, have jobs and often have families. They don’t have time to waste on ‘frat party’ activities, but instead build friendships and networks. These are responsible people, willing to work together to achieve a common goal.
The faculty appreciate the fact that these are people making substantial sacrifices to be there. Many of the students will have already achieved success in another occupation, but wish to practice law. These are adults who have earned respect.
Why would someone work so hard to become a lawyer?
Earning potential. The median income is over $110,000 a year, but many lawyers earn million-dollar incomes.
To Help others. Every case offers the opportunity to help someone. Public interest lawyers work for the greater good by representing those with a legal cause as well as those who might not be able to afford a lawyer otherwise. Many attorneys also do pro bono work.
The challenge. There is always more to learn. The practice of law requires a disciplined, problem-solving approach combined with out-of-the-box thinking.
Variety. Lawyers often find themselves drawn to a particular legal specialty. Some of the possibilities are criminal defense, civil litigation, personal injury, marine law, entertainment law, bankruptcy and family law.
Prestige. Attorneys are professionals, respected within the community.
Valuable skills. Many people have taken their legal skills and applied them to the pursuit of another career, such as journalism or public service.
Pacific Coast University, School of Law, has been educating lawyers in California since 1927. This Law School in Los Angeles prides itself on serving those from diverse backgrounds while keeping costs affordable. The school is accredited in California and prepares students for the General Bar Examination of California.