An LL.M. degree is often viewed as a gateway to becoming a top-flight lawyer. However, the advanced legal knowledge and skills acquired through the degree can open doors to a variety of other exciting and impactful careers.
Here are five careers you can pursue with your LL.M. degree, beyond the traditional lawyer path.
Legal consultant
Legal consultants provide expert legal advice to organizations, ensuring compliance with regulations and helping navigate complex legal issues. Unlike lawyers who represent clients in court, legal consultants focus on advisory roles. They can work in various sectors, including finance, healthcare, technology, and international trade.
Their work involves drafting contracts, conducting legal research and advising on corporate governance and risk management. This role requires in-depth legal knowledge, analytical thinking, and strong communication skills. But happily, LL.M. students will have these in abundance.
“The great thing about a law degree is that the skills learned can be applied across most professions,” says Karen Jones, the University of Houston Law Center’s executive director of global and graduate programs. “Some of the valuable skills acquired include research, technical writing, analysis, communication, critical thinking, understanding regulations and reading comprehension.”
Corporate compliance officer
Corporate compliance officers ensure that companies adhere to legal standards and internal policies. They develop and implement compliance programs, conduct audits and train employees on legal and ethical standards.
This role is crucial in highly regulated industries like banking, pharmaceuticals and energy, where non-compliance can lead to significant penalties. To succeed in this career, law schools say you need attention to detail, knowledge of regulatory frameworks and problem-solving abilities.
“Graduates who pursue non-traditional legal careers will need to think more broadly in terms of the value that they bring, and they will need to approach that opportunity by explaining how their LL.M. can be beneficial in the role,” adds Jones.
Legal educator
With an LL.M., you can also pursue a career in academia as a legal educator. This involves teaching law at universities or law schools, conducting research and publishing scholarly articles.
Legal educators play a vital role in shaping the next generation of legal professionals and advancing legal scholarship. Key skills for this career include a passion for teaching, strong research and writing skills, and the ability to simplify complex concepts for students.
Policy advisor
Policy advisors, on the other hand, work with governments, nonprofits and international organizations to develop and analyze public policies. They use their legal expertise to assess the implications of legislation, advocate for legal reforms and provide advice on regulatory changes.
“There are many non-traditional career paths which individuals with an LL.M. degree can pursue: policy related work in think tanks, non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies or advocacy groups,” says Fahed Alrawaf, a senior career counselor at the George Washington University Law School.
This career is ideal for those interested in making a societal impact. But to excel as a policy advisor, you need an understanding of legislative processes, strategic thinking – and strong advocacy skills.
The main challenge for LL.M. graduates, Alrawaf says, is convincing stakeholders in non-traditional legal settings that they have what it takes to pivot successfully to – and excel in – such settings.
“Being open to an internship post-LL.M. in non-traditional legal settings could prove instrumental in pivoting, since it will showcase commitment,” he adds. “LL.M. graduates can then use this internship as a stepping stone to the next chapter of their career.”
International arbitration specialist
That career may include becoming an international arbitration specialist, a role that involves resolving cross-border disputes outside of court, often involving international trade and investment.
They work with multinational corporations, governments and international organizations to settle disputes through arbitration. This career requires a deep understanding of international law and excellent negotiation skills. Additionally, cultural awareness and adaptability are essential for successfully navigating the complexities of international arbitration.
In sum, an LL.M. degree offers a wealth of opportunities beyond traditional legal practice. Whether you are interested in consultancy, compliance, education, policy, or arbitration, the advanced knowledge and skills gained from an LL.M. can pave the way for a diverse and fulfilling career. We invite you to explore these paths in more detail, and find the one that aligns best with your passions and strengths.
