Sometimes, things do work out like a widely known insurance agent turning to insurance law practice and things clicking for him/her. Or it can be a language editor from a media house, who's acquiring a law degree to support his proficiency in copyright and intellectual law for a better job in the media industry. But usually in cases where people come in from other fields and go back there again, the huge investment for studying law becomes questionable, and how much they really added to their careers with that law degree remains unresolved.
Unless you are determined on solo practice, and have enough grit and contacts, chances are you are in for a hard time. Ultimately, the job market is a free market and though no employer would consciously discriminate against you for your age, things will work against you if you are not up to the task.
In the wide world out there where you are going to join as a new lawyer, everybody will attach by reflex to you, the knowledge and experience that go with your age in the profession. This will include colleagues, peers, and clients. For sometime, you might also enjoy the respect until the time comes when the same people start to express that you are dumb, without considering that actually, you are just a novice. Do not hold a grudge against your peers, they are only acting normally as average people do.
This is normal. However, quixotic it might be, again law is the only profession where appearance of age carries an instant advantage. If you are smart enough to build connections fast and avoid going into situations or trying to directly handle situations that calls for greater experience you can be fine. But if you have been inspired by Hollywood movies, and plan to become a great courtroom lawyer, then please be practical, do what is required to be done. That includes long hours of study, and I mean real study; long hours given to social networking; and mental and financial preparation that for the next 5 years you are not going to earn enough to pay your bills. It also includes willingness to work hard enough to acquire 15 years of experience in five even when you can't meet your bills from law practice. If you can do that, you will be able to build a career in law. If you are not ready to do that, then it is good to start looking for alternative careers from now on. To make a mistake is human, but if you persist in that mistake in spite of being aware of a contradictory reality, then you will end up hurting everybody near and dear to you, including yourself.
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