Plan your financial future with confidence as you start your legal career.

Financial Planning for New Lawyers is a practical, self-paced workbook that helps you understand your earning potential, explore student loan repayment options, and build your first post-graduation budget.

Created by Ana Mendoza, JD (UCLA Law)—a civil rights attorney and advocate for first-generation professionals—this workbook blends financial literacy, legal career insights, and reflection exercises to help you approach your new career with purpose and preparation.

What You’ll Learn

Research salary ranges across legal sectors to understand how compensation varies by field.
Compare your repayment options for federal and private student loans using simple tables and prompts.
Explore forgiveness programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and learn how to stay current on eligibility requirements.
Build a realistic first-year attorney budget using guided templates and a downloadable Google Sheets tool.
Set short- and long-term financial goals that align with your lifestyle, priorities, and values.

Inside the Workbook

Chapter 1 – Researching First-Year Attorney Salaries

Compare salary data across public, private, and nonprofit sectors and learn how to evaluate total compensation.

Chapter 2 – Tackling Student Loan Repayments

Understand repayment plans, calculate monthly payments, and explore forgiveness and consolidation options.

Chapter 3 – Post-Law School Budgeting

Use Ana’s editable Google Sheets template to create your first-year lawyer budget.

Chapter 4 – Building Financial Goals

Identify three financial goals and outline concrete steps to achieve them.

Chapter 5 – Your Roadmap Ahead

Reflect on your financial wellness plan and prepare for changes as your career evolves.

Features

72 pages of financial planning tools, salary charts, and reflection prompts
Google Sheets templates for budgeting and salary research
Step-by-step student loan repayment overview
Resources for federal aid, PSLF, and loan forgiveness programs
Designed for first-generation and public interest lawyers

Who This Workbook Is For

Law students planning for their post-graduation life and career start
New and recent law graduates entering practice
Early-career attorneys managing student loans
Public interest and nonprofit lawyers balancing values with financial stability
First-generation professionals seeking structured financial guidance

What You’ll Gain

A clear understanding of resources to understand repayment options and loan management
A personalized, realistic post-law school budget
Awareness of salary differences across legal sectors
Tools to plan for financial wellness as your career grows

Product Details

Format: PDF (instant download)
Length: 72 pages
Author: Ana Mendoza, JD
License: Personal use only
Delivery: Instant email link & download access

Bonuses

Google Sheets budgeting template
Budget planner for first-year attorneys
Curated links to PSLF, ABA, and student aid resources

FAQ

Q: Who is this workbook for?

A: It’s written for new and early-career lawyers navigating student loan repayment, budgeting, and salary planning.

Q: Does it include specific financial advice?

A: No. It’s an educational workbook meant to help you organize your planning and make informed decisions—it does not provide individualized financial or legal advice.

Q: Can I print it?

A: Yes. You can print it or fill it out digitally.

Are refunds available?

A: Digital products are non-refundable, but if you have download issues, we’ll ensure you receive access.

first-year attorney

Financial Planning for New Lawyers: A Guide to Understanding Student Loan Repayment & Easy Budgeting