Can You Work and Go to Law School? A Practical Guide to Balancing Both

Law school is designed to be demanding. Between lectures, case readings, outlines, and exams, the time commitment rivals a full-time job. Adding outside employment to that schedule makes time management even more difficult.

Some students work because they have to. Others take on legal internships or clerkships to gain experience. But can you realistically balance law school and a job? That depends on a few key factors:

• Full-time vs. part-time enrollment – Most full-time students find it difficult to work more than 20 hours a week. Part-time students typically work full-time but take fewer classes each semester.
• Your year in law school – 1L year is the most intense. Many students wait until their second or third year to start working.
• Type of job – A flexible, low-stress job is easier to manage than one with unpredictable hours or heavy demands.
• Workload and academic policies – Some schools discourage working, especially in the first year, while others structure programs around working professionals.

Balancing both is possible, but success depends on schedule flexibility, study habits, and the ability to manage competing demands.

How Workload and Class Structure Affect the Ability to Work

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Law School

Law school is structured differently depending on whether you enroll full-time or part-time.

• Full-time programs require about 40 to 60 hours per week of class time, study, and assignments.
• Part-time programs spread coursework over four years instead of three, to reduce the academic load each semester.

The Reality of 1L vs. Upper-Level Years

The first year of law school (1L) is known for being the toughest.

• The coursework is heavier than in later years.
• Grading is highly competitive, sometimes based on a single final exam.
• The reading load is significant, sometimes reaching 300+ pages per week.

Some students manage a small job in 1L, but many schools strongly discourage it. Those who do work usually limit it to weekends or fewer than 10 hours a week.

2L and 3L years are more flexible. Typically when reaching 2L students:

• Have adjusted to the workload and study expectations.
• Can choose electives that fit their schedules.
• Often take on internships, clerkships, or research positions for practical experience.

Work is easier to manage after 1L for students who can wait.

Law School Policies on Working

Many law schools still follow the old American Bar Association (ABA) guideline that advised full-time students not to work more than 20 hours per week. While this is no longer an official rule, most programs acknowledge that balancing both is difficult.

Some schools have policies discouraging work, especially during 1L. Others, particularly those with evening or part-time programs, expect students to hold full-time jobs.

The type of job matters. Students working in:

• Law firms – Can gain valuable experience but may face unpredictable workloads.
• On-campus roles (research assistants, library work) – Offer flexibility and allow for studying during downtime.
• Service industry jobs – Provide steady income but can be physically and mentally draining.

A low-stress, flexible job is easier to balance than one with long hours or last-minute demands.

Strategies for Managing Work and Law School

Balancing a job with law school leaves no room for wasted time. Students who handle both successfully build structured routines, set clear limits with employers and professors, and stay realistic about their workload.

Time Management and Scheduling

A full-time law student spends between 40 to 60 hours each week on classes and studying. Adding a job to that mix makes time even tighter, leaving little room for anything else. To stay on track, it helps to treat studying like a job. Setting dedicated hours for coursework and sticking to them prevents assignments from piling up and makes class discussions easier to follow. Without a fixed schedule, it’s easy to fall behind.

Using small pockets of time efficiently can also make a big difference. Case briefs and reading assignments fit into lunch breaks, commutes (as long as you’re not driving), or short gaps between classes. Even 15- to 30-minute study sessions add up over time. Another helpful approach is batching similar tasks together. Long reading sessions can help with focus, while alternating between different types of work, like reading and writing, can prevent mental fatigue.

Just as important as making time for work and school is knowing when to stop. Without a hard cutoff, school and work can easily blend into each other, making it hard to fully focus on either. Without structure, deadlines get missed, assignments feel rushed, and exhaustion sets in. A well-planned schedule isn’t just about productivity—it’s about making everything more manageable.

Setting Boundaries with Employers and Professors

Some employers support students in law school. Others don’t. If a job constantly disrupts coursework, it will be difficult to keep up.

1. Get work schedules locked in early. Last-minute shifts or overtime may work in other jobs, but they don’t fit with law school’s workload.
2. Plan time off for exams in advance. Expecting an employer to approve time off last-minute isn’t realistic. Make those requests early.
3. Keep professors informed, but don’t rely on exceptions. Some professors will accommodate scheduling conflicts, but most expect students to manage their commitments without adjustments.
4. Adjust work hours during high-stakes periods. If possible, reduce work during exam weeks. Trying to juggle both at full capacity can backfire.

A flexible employer makes working and law school possible. A rigid one makes it nearly impossible.

Self-Care and Avoiding Burnout

A packed schedule only works if there’s enough energy to keep up with it. Students who push too hard often fall behind, struggle with coursework, and see their performance drop. Burning out doesn’t just affect school—it can make work and daily life harder too.

Skipping sleep and meals might seem like a way to fit everything in, but it usually backfires. Cutting rest to make more time for work and school leads to exhaustion, slower thinking, and lower efficiency. Over time, this makes studying take even longer, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.

Recognizing burnout early can prevent bigger problems later. Signs to watch for include constant fatigue, falling behind on readings, and trouble focusing. Trying to power through without adjusting the workload only makes things worse.

Instead of hoping for breaks, plan them. Law students with jobs rarely stumble into free time, so scheduling moments to recharge is important. Even a short pause—an hour off, a walk, or a meal with friends—can help maintain focus in the long run.

Burnout builds up gradually, but once it takes hold, catching up becomes much harder. Managing energy wisely isn’t just about avoiding exhaustion—it’s about staying sharp and making steady progress

How Working Affects Law School Performance and Career Prospects

A job can help cover expenses and build experience, but it also takes time away from studying, campus involvement, and networking. Some students balance both without an issue. Others see their grades slip or struggle to keep up. Whether working helps or hurts depends on hours worked, job flexibility, and long-term goals.

Impact on GPA and Academic Standing

Law school grading is competitive, and rank matters—especially for students aiming for judicial clerkships, large law firms, or public sector fellowships. The more hours a student works, the less time they have to review case law, refine outlines, and prepare for exams.

Working more than 20 hours per week increases the risk of lower grades. A lighter workload can help offset this, but first-year students in full-time programs rarely have extra time. Some students work and still rank highly. The key is efficiency. Those who plan study time well and avoid distractions sometimes perform better than classmates with unlimited time but poor time management.

Work should not interfere with class attendance. Professors expect students to be prepared, and skipping class for work sends the wrong message. Students with jobs take longer to complete readings and have less time to outline, complete practice exams, or seek faculty guidance. Without those study tools, grades can drop.

Extracurricular Involvement and Networking

On-campus activities help students stand out in job applications. Moot court, law review, student organizations, and networking events create opportunities for internships, clerkships, and jobs.

Working students may struggle to attend networking events. Job fairs, employer receptions, and student group meetings often happen in the evening or during lunch—times when working students may be unavailable. Skipping extracurriculars can limit career opportunities. Employers hiring for competitive positions expect to see involvement beyond coursework.

Some working students replace extracurriculars with law-related jobs. A part-time law clerk position offers practical experience and professional connections, which can make up for fewer student organization activities. Students balancing work and school need to be selective about networking. Finding at least one activity—whether moot court, a student bar association role, or part-time legal work—helps maintain a professional network.

Work Experience vs. Academic Honors

Not all employers weigh grades and experience the same way. Large law firms and judicial clerkships prioritize class rank. Top firms and judges seek students with high GPAs, law review experience, and strong writing samples. A lower GPA from working long hours can limit access to those opportunities.

Government agencies, small firms, and in-house legal departments value hands-on experience. Some employers prefer practical skills over academic honors, especially for roles involving client interaction.

Graduates with legal work experience may have an advantage in some job markets. Hiring attorneys know that a student who clerked at a law firm or worked in a public defender’s office understands casework in ways a classroom alone can’t teach. A strong GPA opens doors, but experience can make a graduate a stronger candidate in practice-oriented roles. The key is knowing which matters more in a specific legal field.

Financial Considerations: Balancing Work, Loans, and Scholarships

Law school isn’t cheap, and working isn’t optional for many students. A steady paycheck can reduce the need for loans, but too many hours on the job can drag down grades, which affects scholarships and job prospects. Finding the right financial balance means weighing the short-term benefits of working against the long-term impact of student debt and career opportunities.

Earning Income vs. Taking on Debt

Some students take out loans to focus entirely on law school. Others work to cover living expenses and borrow as little as possible. Neither choice is wrong, but both come with trade-offs.

A part-time job can help cover rent, groceries, and transportation and reduce reliance on high-interest loans. Federal loans are available regardless of income, but need-based grants and scholarships may shrink if a student earns too much. Some scholarships require students to maintain a minimum GPA. Working long hours can make it harder to meet those requirements and put financial aid at risk.

Students who want to avoid excessive debt need a realistic plan for work hours. Earning money now won’t help if it leads to lower grades and limited job prospects later.

Employer Tuition Assistance and Work-Study Programs

Some employers help pay for school, but policies vary. Large companies and government agencies are more likely to offer tuition benefits, especially if the degree aligns with an employee’s job.

Employer tuition reimbursement programs can cover part of the cost, though many require staying with the company for a set period after graduation. Federal work-study programs offer part-time jobs that don’t affect loan eligibility. Many of these positions are on campus and offer flexible hours that fit around class schedules.

For students working in unrelated fields, asking an employer about education benefits might be worth it. Even partial tuition assistance can ease the financial burden.

Long-Term Financial Impact

Graduating with less debt creates more freedom in career choices. Some law students take on higher-paying jobs they don’t want after graduation just to cover loan payments. Working during school can reduce that pressure.

Reducing debt can open the door to public interest law, government positions, or clerkships that might not pay as much as big law firms. Taking on too many work hours can delay graduation or lower grades and make it harder to secure competitive jobs after law school.

The financial trade-offs of working during law school depend on personal circumstances. Some students manage both well, while others find that focusing on academics and borrowing more makes sense in the long run.

Choosing the Right Law School Format for Working Students

Law school schedules vary widely, and some programs make it easier to work while earning a degree. Evening classes allow full-time employment, while online programs eliminate commute time. Each format affects workload, job flexibility, and career opportunities differently.

Full-Time In-Person Programs

Traditional law schools operate on a full-time schedule, with classes held during the day and significant study hours required outside of class.

• The workload is equivalent to a full-time job and leaves limited time for outside employment.
• Students who work need evening, night, or weekend shifts, which can make scheduling difficult.
• Some schools discourage full-time students from working more than 20 hours per week.

Students in full-time programs who need income typically find work on campus or in part-time roles with flexible hours.

Part-Time and Evening Programs

Part-time law programs allow students to take fewer courses per semester, which makes it possible to keep a full-time job. Part-time programs take longer to complete but allow students to keep steady employment.

• Classes take place in the evening or on weekends, which keeps daytime work hours open.
• Course requirements remain rigorous, but fewer classes per semester reduce the immediate workload.
• Schools with part-time programs expect students to work full-time and structure courses accordingly.

Many students choose part-time programs to avoid excessive student loan debt while keeping their law career on track.

Online and Hybrid J.D. Programs

Remote law school options have expanded access to legal education. Some programs are fully online, while others require occasional in-person attendance.

• Asynchronous courses allow students to complete coursework at any time so it makes full-time work more feasible.
• Hybrid programs require some in-person attendance but eliminate daily commutes.
• Independent study skills matter. Without fixed class times, students need strong discipline to keep up with coursework.

Online and hybrid programs create more flexibility, but students need to take extra steps to build connections and gain practical experience.

Working During Law School and Preparing for the Bar Exam

Students who worked during law school face a new challenge after graduation: balancing bar exam preparation with financial responsibilities.

Can You Work While Studying for the Bar?

The bar exam requires full-time study for eight to ten weeks after graduation. Many students treat it as a temporary job, spending entire days reviewing legal principles, taking practice tests, and reinforcing weak areas.

• Some students quit their jobs before bar prep begins and rely on savings, family support, or bar study loans.
• Others continue working part-time, though this stretches out study time and can reduce bar passage rates.
• Full-time employment during bar prep is rare and puts graduates at a disadvantage.

Students who worked throughout law school tend to be better at time management, but the bar requires sustained focus. Taking time off, if possible, improves the chances of passing on the first attempt.

How Employers View Work Experience During Law School

Job applications after graduation often depend on whether an employer values academic credentials or practical experience.

Law firms with competitive hiring processes focus on grades, class rank, and law review involvement. If working affected GPA, this could limit opportunities. Smaller firms, government agencies, and corporate employers may prioritize hands-on experience over academic achievements. Students who worked in law firms, court systems, or public defense roles tend to stand out. Some hiring managers view part-time work during law school as a sign of discipline and resilience, but others expect full-time students to focus only on academics.

Post-Graduation Financial Decisions for Students Who Worked

A good number of students who worked in law school graduate with less debt, which gives them more career flexibility. Those with significant loans sometimes feel pressured to take high-paying jobs, even if those roles don’t align with their long-term goals.

• Income-driven repayment plans help manage student loans for those starting with lower salaries.
• Job decisions may shift based on financial standing. Graduates with minimal debt have more freedom to choose clerkships, public service roles, or small firm positions without financial strain.
• Law firm job offers sometimes depend on past work experience. Students who clerked at a firm during school may receive an offer to return as an attorney.

Graduates who planned their finances carefully during law school have more options when deciding where to work.

So is it Worth Working While in Law School?

Succeeding in both law school and employment requires trade-offs. Some students accept lower grades in exchange for legal experience, while others sacrifice job opportunities to focus on coursework. The right choice depends on long-term goals, financial needs, and personal limits. The biggest risk comes from underestimating the time law school demands. A job that seems manageable at first can become overwhelming when deadlines and exams hit.

Spencer Freeman, a cum laude graduate of Seattle University School of Law, says, “Working during law school isn’t impossible, but students who underestimate the workload set themselves up for a tough road. The key is knowing your limits and making choices that won’t hurt you in the long run.”.

Law school is temporary, but the choices made during it have lasting effects. Whether working part-time or focusing entirely on school, students who think beyond short-term survival and consider their long-term career goals will come out ahead.