By Paige Jayden Levesque
Graduating with a law degree doesn’t mean you have to become a practising lawyer. In fact, many law graduates discover their passions lie outside ‘traditional’ legal practice and the great news is, the skills gained from legal study are highly transferable. Whether it’s critical thinking, communication, research, or risk analysis, these abilities are in demand across a wide range of industries.
So if you’re a law student feeling unsure about pursuing a career as a solicitor or barrister, don’t give up! There are so many career opportunities available to legal graduates. Here are 10 exciting and viable non-legal career options that law graduates can confidently explore.
1. Policy Advisor or Public Policy Analyst
If you’re interested in shaping the laws rather than just interpreting them, working in public policy may be your calling. Policy roles exist in government departments, NGOs, and international organisations. You’ll use your legal research skills to analyse legislation, draft submissions, and help develop new laws or reform existing ones.
Why it fits law grads: Law graduates are well prepared to interpret complex legal systems, balance competing public interests, assess impacts of legislation and write persuasively.
2. Management Consultant
Consulting firms often hire law graduates for their analytical abilities, structured thinking, and client communication skills. As a management consultant, you’ll work on solving high-level business problems, optimising operations, or improving organisational strategy.
Why it fits law grads: As a law student you’re trained to dissect complex issues, manage client expectations, and deliver logical, evidence-based advice.
3. Compliance and Risk Officer
Companies in regulated industries (like finance, health, and energy) need professionals who understand the law. Compliance officers help organisations stay within legal and ethical boundaries, while risk managers identify and manage threats to the business.
Why it fits law grads: Law graduates have crucial knowledge in regulation, governance, and due diligence. They also have an understanding of how to analyze and advise clients on risk vs reward decisions, which makes them a natural fit for these roles.
4. Human Resources or Industrial Relations
HR involves more than payroll and onboarding. It’s also about navigating employment law, managing disputes, negotiating enterprise agreements, and ensuring workplace compliance. Many law grads find satisfaction in working closely with people while using their legal knowledge to balance the interests of employers and employees.
Why it fits law grads: Understanding contracts, employee rights, and employer obligations is core to navigating employment law and HR.
5. Legal Publishing or Editing
Publishing houses, legal databases (like LexisNexis or Westlaw), and education providers need people who can write, edit, and review legal content. This can include summarising cases, updating legal commentary, or developing training resources.
Why it fits law grads: You know the language of law and can explain it clearly, both these skills are crucial in publishing and communication.
6. Journalist or Legal Correspondent
Whether it’s political commentary, investigative journalism, or podcasting, media outlets need people who can research thoroughly, write clearly, and explain complex issues to the public. Law graduates with a passion for writing often thrive in journalism, especially in areas that intersect with politics, justice, or human rights.
Why it fits law grads: Legal education trains you to critically evaluate facts, build narratives, and make compelling arguments. Additionally, law school refines your writing skills by helping students to write efficiently and for the understanding of clients (or the general public).
7. Entrepreneur / Start-Up Founder
Many successful entrepreneurs have legal backgrounds. Whether it’s launching a tech product, a social enterprise, or a consultancy, your legal knowledge can help you navigate contracts, protect IP, and understand regulation while you build your vision.
Why it fits law grads: As a law graduate you are equipped with public speaking and writing skills and have learned how to work with others, and how to take charge and complete tasks on your own. You’re resilient, logical, and detail-oriented; these are all traits that every founder needs.
8. Academia or Teaching (Non-Legal)
If you enjoy writing and research, you might pursue further study in fields like politics, philosophy, business, or education. Or you could explore high school teaching in social studies, civics, or history through a postgraduate teaching qualification.
Why it fits law grads: Your ability to simplify and communicate complex ideas makes you an engaging educator or academic. As a recent law graduate, you have first-hand experience learning various complex topics and may have great ideas on how to adapt the education experience for students so diverse needs are accommodated.
9. Legal Tech or Product Management
As the legal world embraces automation and AI, law graduates are increasingly working with legal tech companies. Roles in product development, project management, technology design, or incorporating advanced technology into workplaces allows you to help build tools that reshape how law is practised and accessed.
Why it fits law grads: You understand the value of technological resources in increasing the efficiency of lawyers and businesses alike. Moreover, legal graduates have skills to navigate this rapidly developing industry and the legal hurdles that may arise such as privacy and IP law.
10. Corporate Strategy or Operations
In-house roles at large companies often need employees who can think strategically, understand contracts, manage compliance, and communicate cross-functionally. These aren’t legal roles, but your background offers a competitive edge in risk-informed decision-making.
Why it fits law grads: Legal training prepares you to approach business challenges with logic, structure, and foresight. Moreover, law school has prepared you to lead discussions, draft documents and juggle various responsibilities efficiently.
Law isn’t a one-way street to becoming a barrister or solicitor. In fact, a law degree can be one of the most versatile qualifications, don’t limit yourself by not exploring your options and interests. With curiosity, creativity, and confidence, your legal background can support a fulfilling career outside of legal practice.
Click the link below for more non-legal career opportunities for legal grads!