If you research the educational background of many politicians and business leaders, you will find that many of them went to law school. The critical thinking that you learn in law school can help you communicate better and solve complex problems, which positions you well for a successful career. That said, a successful career is often the result of hard work, especially early in your career, which means you may not have much time to devote to your finances. At SharpEdge Financial, we can help you build and monitor a sound financial plan at any stage of your life, so your focus can be on the things that are most important to you.
Recent Law School Graduates
After law school, you likely started practicing law at a firm, for a business, or in a public institution. This transition comes with many challenges and little extra time to spare. At this stage, you may be wondering:
- Should I refinance my student loans?
- Should I start saving for retirement or pay back my student loans quicker?
- What employee benefits should I elect?
- How do I create and follow a budget?
- How do I start saving to buy a house?
Sounds like you?
Mid-Level and Senior Associates
You are now a few years removed from law school and well-established in your career. You are likely making much more money than when you first started, but you also have less time on your hands to deal with the new challenges that life throws at you (e.g., starting a family, upgrading your home, etc.). At this stage, you may be wondering:
- How do I make sure I can retire one day?
- Is transitioning to a different career financially viable?
- What’s the best way to save for college education?
- Should we upgrade to a bigger house?
- Would my family be okay financially if something happened to me?
Sounds like you?
Law Firm Partners
As a partner, you are now an owner of your firm (unless you’re an income partner). This represents a brand new set of challenges as you not only have to manage your new duties at the firm (e.g., business development, firm management, etc.), but you also have to navigate the wonderful world of self-employment. At this point, you may be wondering:
- How do I make quarterly estimated payments?
- How can I minimize my taxes?
- How do I make sure I can retire one day?
- Is transitioning to a different career financially viable?
- What’s the best way to save for college education?
- Should I buy a vacation home?
- Would my family be okay financially if something happened to me?
- Will my parents be okay financially in the late stages of their life?
Sounds like you?
In-House Counsel
Perhaps the law firm wasn’t the life you wanted, so you decided to make the jump in-house. This move usually comes with a decreased workload and a better work-life balance, but also a lower income. At this point, you may be wondering:
- How do I keep up our current lifestyle on a lower salary?
- How do I navigate equity compensation?
- How do I make sure I can retire one day?
- What’s the best way to save for college education?
- Should I buy a vacation home?
- Would my family be okay financially if something happened to me?
- Will my parents be okay financially in the late stages of their life?
Sounds like you?
Boutique Firm Owner
Perhaps the thought of having a boss isn’t for you, or maybe you have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, so the only solution is to start your own firm. Even though this comes with a lot of freedom, you now have to make ALL the decisions. At this point, you may be wondering:
- How do I set up a retirement plan through my business?
- How do I get health insurance?
- How do I take money out of the business?
- How do I minimize my taxes?
- Will I be able to sell my firm one day and get money for it?
- What’s the best way to save for college education?
- Would my family be okay financially if something happened to me?
- Will my parents be okay financially in the late stages of their life?
Sounds like you?
We do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your own advisors for tax or legal advice.