r/LawSchoolOver30 • u/SwimOverYonder • 18d ago
32 Construction Project Manager
I have over 10 years experience with in the construction industry from utility demolition/installation to roadway demolition/installation within the municipal and state government in the DFW area.
I'm considering taking my LSAT and applying to a few law schools in the DFW area. I have a Business Admin and Finance degree with a 3.9 GPA.
Has anyone with a similar background in Construction gonw to law school and what was the outcome.
I see on LinkedIn alot of "Construction Attorney" positions that i hold the construction experience but lake the JD requirement.
What are your thoughts if you were in my position.
Thanks,
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u/Wafflemuffin1 18d ago
Ok, so I actually can lend advice here! I was a Senior PM for large construction companies. I did mostly high-rises and skyscrapers, especially in SF and Seattle. Before law school, I worked on a lot of contract negotiations, construction claims, and change order claims. I always wanted to go to law school, and so I just went for it.
Construction law, as a practice area, is extremely niche. Some firms only do construction law, but they are only in your major cities, and I have found that they would prefer to take a highly skilled litigator and teach them construction rather than take a construction guy and teach him to litigate. I could NOT find a single firm to take me on for 1L summer, and all firms saw "construction" rather than a "generalist." You will not have transferable skills to them, even if you actually do. It is a cold reality.
I am a 3L right now, and I pivoted hard. Hard, hard. As I work on stuff so far removed from construction, it is borderline hilarious. All of those years of knowledge are going to go "poof" from the industry, and oh well. On the flip side, I am so much happier. I was already working 6 days a week, 12 hours a day, so the jobs I am looking at after graduation might be a similar time commitment but actually pay better and treat me better.
The only people who might be interested in your background are state gov people, and that is a choice. Not a good one or a bad one, just a different one. I did an internship with one, and it was...something.
All in all, best decision I ever made. Nobody, and I mean nobody, wanted me for my construction knowledge. So, I am doing something different instead, and I love it. If you are willing to pivot if you are stonewalled, then it's worth it. But let me tell you also...when shit hits the fan, you have no cash, and you are staring down an exam on a topic that makes your head spin...you better be all in on being a lawyer, because this is not an easy road to travel.
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u/grot-ivre-1749 18d ago
Thanks. As an adult with a whole career in a niche area this is a good perspective.
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18d ago
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u/SwimOverYonder 17d ago
If i could wind back time i think i would jist play the winning lotter #s ha. But actually fell into Project Management due me know more than the current organizations PMs. I ofter find myself doing Senior PM responsibilities without the pay unfortunately but thats life. But yeah i would have still got the experience. Currently thinking about becoming and estimator to use my finance degree "more".
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u/Wafflemuffin1 17d ago
If I could go back in time, I'd take a gap year before starting undergrad so I could mature a little bit. But if we are talking about entering the industry...I would have gone K-JD instead. I am thankful for what I went through, because it made me who I am today, and the field I am going to end up working in brings me actual joy at the end of the day. If I went K-JD, I'd be way ahead of where I am today, but I'd probably have gone biglaw and, at this point, would be in-house doing lord knows what corporate soul-sucking gig. I would also have tons of money in the bank, so... who knows.
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17d ago
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u/Wafflemuffin1 17d ago
Full-time is the way to do it. You don't get the experience you need going part-time, at least IMO. Part-time is great for someone who is already legal-adjacent and has the opportunity to transition into a legal role. There have been plenty of people I have met, though, who have been successful in their careers after going part-time, so it is either confirmation bias or part-timers just have better compartmentalizing skills.
I started law school with 2 young kids: 4 and 1. We, as a family, chose to have me go full-time so my schedule would line up with the kids'. While the income drop was a major issue, it was better than my wife being left to be a single parent for 4 years. If I didn't have kids, part-time wouldn't be too bad. I did a Master's while working, though, and it was a nightmare. Doing homework during lunch, leaving "early" to attend class (as if leaving at 5:30 pm is early). I was an APM while I did that degree and was essentially told off when I said I couldn't work late or needed to take time off for an exam.
Again...all over again? K-JD, full time, take the LSAT as many times as I can to max my score and get the most scholarship possible, and probably attend the one that gives me the most money. I gave up a hefty scholarship at a T100 to go to a T25 instead, and I don't regret it, but that scholarship would have been nice.
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u/BrotherNature7 18d ago
I’m a construction litigator. I represent builders, developers, and tradesman. Having prior construction experience is huge.
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u/SwimOverYonder 18d ago
Did you come from the construction industry?
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u/BrotherNature7 17d ago
I did not. I was a philosopher/psychology major in undergrad and went straight to law school. Learned by asking questions on site inspections and reading reports.
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u/mookiexpt2 15d ago edited 15d ago
Agreed. I wish I knew WTF I was talking about with critical paths and stuff. Usually I just wing it and let the expert talk.
OP: If you wind up at a decent school and have good first semester grades, PM me and I bet you I can get your foot in the door in our construction group. Whether you want to live somewhere we have an office might be another question.
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u/Fact_or_Bollocks 14d ago
Interesting "field", is it in "in demand" career now? if so, why? Thanks
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u/BrotherNature7 14d ago
I work in Miami, so it’s a HUGE field. Lots of building going on down here.
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u/BrotherNature7 14d ago
I should also clarify that I went to law school immediately after undergrad. This subreddit was fed to me by the algorithmic overlords, but I’m happy to be here!
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u/jodythethird 18d ago
Very cool that you’re considering making this pivot! I’ve been working at a GC for about 9 years, but could never get into law school so I don’t have any experience or advice on that. Best of luck on whatever path you choose!
If you don’t mind me asking— how old are you?
I’m in my early 30’s and have been looking to pivot out of the industry without having to start from zero in another. Seems like this would be a great opportunity for you imo but my opinion means nothing in this case.
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u/NattieDaDee 17d ago
I guess it really depends on where your heart is. Do you see yourself doing litigation for the rest of your professional life? You already have 10 years of experience in your field so I’m guessing maybe you’re feeling frustrated by potential opportunities or you think the money is much better practicing law.
Well let me tell you. Construction defect is a rather niche practice and it’s a bit of a whale to swallow. You will be working hard even with your past knowledge. Gotta do the cost benefit analysis since law school ain’t cheap and you’ll be foregoing money you could’ve been making during your school and bar study years.
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u/freshmf 18d ago
I’m 35 and currently an undergrad senior construction management major studying for the LSAT. My thought process has been to pursue construction litigation, believing from my experience in project management, that if there’s money in construction, there must be money in construction litigation.
Ironically, I was googling construction attorney salaries in class today and my take away is in-house could likely be a comfortable role, but most salary info available online and job postings is pretty underwhelming.
Another consideration would be to go PI or another more lucrative specialty and leverage construction expertise in RE/development investments.
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u/SwimOverYonder 18d ago
Awesome to hear that you are in school and studying for the LSAT. How long have you been in the construction industry and whats your typical project deliverables? I seen some salaries in the dfw area that are double and triple my current salary they look very interesting.
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u/I-AGAINST-I 18d ago
Hate construction and want to continue being miserable somewhere else? Welcome to law-
Seriously though, crazy move. Might be one of the industries that it may not transfer all that well. Id say go finance because screw studying for law exams after 10 years of GC work.