After 13 years as a public school teacher and 13 years as a home-schooling parent, Ann McDonough decided to make a second career in law. But as a 53-year-old newly practicing attorney, her options were limited, she said.

“I knew I wouldn’t do a big law firm because I’m not willing do 70 to 80 hours a week,” she said. “Don’t need to do that at age 53. And I would have a short life span at a law firm. And they aren’t looking at someone my age.”