This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nancy Vinsel, a retired lawyer in Florida. Business Insider has verified her identity and background. This story has been edited for length and clarity.
I got married after my sophomore year of college, and my husband and I started having children early. I left school when my first was born, and went back part-time after my second, but I stopped again because juggling school and two kids was too hard. I didn’t finish college until my youngest was in third grade. I was 29.
I attended the University of Louisville and earned my undergraduate degree in history. I’d always wanted to be a librarian or a lawyer. I worked as a librarian and a book vendor while earning a master’s degree in library science from the University of Kentucky. I considered going to law school, but it would take too long, and both of my kids were in their prime years. I didn’t want to miss that.
Later, when I thought I was ready to apply to law school, I conducted informational interviews with a few lawyers, all of whom told me they hated their jobs. This convinced me that I should first get experience working in a law firm, so I went back to the University of Louisville and got an associate degree in paralegal studies.
After graduation, I was hired as a paralegal by one of my instructors, though I ended up doing the work of an associate attorney. That was fine for a while, because I wanted to get experience, and I loved writing complaints. But one day, I looked at my salary and thought, “This is crazy. I need to be rewarded for the work I’m doing.” That’s when I decided to go to law school.
I passed the bar on my first try
I applied to two law schools, and I got into both. It was 2009, and I was 50. At a student open house for one of them, a school official told me that one of the professors thought I was a parent and was annoyed that I was participating. I realized I wasn’t going to fit in here. Most students were right out of college. Since I knew the other school, the University of Louisville, had a tradition of serving adults, I went there.
While a student, I interned at the Kentucky Public Service Commission, a utilities regulator, and worked as a law clerk at two law firms. Throughout this time, I was fortunate to have my husband’s support. He took over nearly every household duty and even built a shelf for my treadmill so I could read cases while I exercised.
After graduation, I passed the bar in Kentucky on my first try. I then got a job at a small law firm doing employment-related litigation and stayed for a few years before striking out on my own.
I named my practice Vinsel Law, and it had three parts: finding clients, managing the firm, and practicing law. I ended up hating it because I didn’t have the time to give my all to each part. Eventually, though, I qualified as a staff attorney at the state agency where I had interned. I loved working there, and when a job opened up, I applied and got it. I was 57.
My work was challenging, and I loved it
Within a few years, I worked my way up to assistant general counsel and, finally, to general counsel. I was 64. I specialized in utility law, a highly technical field that takes several years to master. Literally, every day you’re presented with something unique. It was so challenging. I loved that job.
After about 10 years at the Commission, I decided it was time to retire. I’d created systems that would live beyond me. I was 67, and now I’m 69. It took me about seven months to get used to not working. I still like to stay on top of utility law, and I keep in touch with my former work besties.
Talking to people considering law as a second career has become my schtick. I tell them that law school is competitive, but when I went, I made a point of only competing with myself. My advice is to do the same.
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