TLDR: 36 years old with MBA and experience working in legal adjacent role (economic consulting). Is it possible to switch to law (corporate or litigation)?
Hi all,
Would appreciate any thoughts as I consider switching to law.
I'm 36 years old and have 2.1 in undergrads (top 40 uni in UK) and MBA from top European business school (think Oxbridge/INSEAD/London Business School). Post my MBA, I have been working as an Economic Consultant in London (think Analysis Group/Cornerstone/NERA) for the past 5 years.
For those less familiar with the economic consulting, I work with expert witnesses in disputes (financial litigation, competition, anti-trust) where I conduct qualitative analysis and draft reports that go to the courts. Our clients are law firms, so we get paid by and work closely with lawyers to formulate litigation strategy and on expert reports.
My first choice would be to work in corporate law, but competition and financial litigation may be better to give my background. I understand they are very different roles, and I should have some clarity on what I want to do, but please bear with me as I am still researching.
I have a few questions:
Thanks!
Hi all,
Would appreciate any thoughts as I consider switching to law.
I'm 36 years old and have 2.1 in undergrads (top 40 uni in UK) and MBA from top European business school (think Oxbridge/INSEAD/London Business School). Post my MBA, I have been working as an Economic Consultant in London (think Analysis Group/Cornerstone/NERA) for the past 5 years.
For those less familiar with the economic consulting, I work with expert witnesses in disputes (financial litigation, competition, anti-trust) where I conduct qualitative analysis and draft reports that go to the courts. Our clients are law firms, so we get paid by and work closely with lawyers to formulate litigation strategy and on expert reports.
My first choice would be to work in corporate law, but competition and financial litigation may be better to give my background. I understand they are very different roles, and I should have some clarity on what I want to do, but please bear with me as I am still researching.
I have a few questions:
- Would my background (MBA and Econ Consulting) help at all in getting a corporate/litigation job? Or is it a negligible advantage (or even none).
- Am I too old? Again, I have spoken to a few others who are similar ages and have read how age is no barrier, but were those people the exception? Is it very common for late 30s to get jobs in top law firms? I don't want to fall victim to survivorship bias.
- Given my age, I don't want to wait for too long to secure TC - would starting PGDL in September provide some signal to law firms that I am a serious candidate?
- I did my schooling in the UK but did A-Level equivalent in a small country in Asia due to family reasons. The A-level equivalent result is AAA - how do law firms view this?
Thanks!
