Across all sectors, one can find dynamic, value-earning opportunities in legal and compliance careers. The range of options is quite broad and flexible whether you are a legal assistant, a law undergraduate, or a compliance professional at a corporation.
What Are Legal and Compliance Careers
Legal and compliance personnel work to make sure that every business, entity, and people operate within the law and follow all regulatory policies. While legal professionals concentrate on offering legal advice, contract drafting, as well as client representation, compliance specialists make sure that all policies, laws and industry norms are followed at all companies.
How To Start a Career In Legal and Compliance
Beginning your career in legal and compliance means ensuring you tick all of the boxes so that you can land your dream job. We have outlined some key steps to take when starting your journey:
Educational Qualifications For Legal and Compliance Positions
A compliance professional usually has a law degree, but a background in finance, business, risk management, or economics is also common. Professional certificates such as ICA, CISI, or ACAMS bring added value to an employment opportunity
Aspiring solicitors and barristers typically pursue a Law or Graduate Diploma in Law if they did not study law at the undergraduate level. After completing these programs, they must pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination or the Bar Professional Training Course as essential qualifying exams.
Career Opportunities in Legal and Compliance
Various specialist career paths exist for legal and compliance professionals within the UK which include the following roles:
Solicitor or Barrister- The work involves providing legal services or representation in private practice, at a company in-house, or within government service.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist- Concerned with oversight and enforcement, securing legal compliance within a particular industry.
Legal Consultant- A lawyer who contracts with businesses to assist with their legal needs on a freelance or contract basis.
Risk and Compliance Manager- Set risk-based methodology for assessing regulatory compliance and designing compliance frameworks.
Finding The Best Job in Legal and Compliance
When finding the best-suited job in legal and compliance, it is important to first acknowledge your skill set and personal preferences, among many more. Here we outline some key steps to take while finding your perfect job:
Obtain Suitable Work Experience
Gaining work experience by undertaking internships and placements with law firms, regulatory agencies, or corporate compliance offices is invaluable.
Acquire Advanced Accreditation
You can gain an advantage through compliance with industry standards and regulations and acquiring certifications. Many compliance specialists further their education in areas such as financial crime prevention, anti-money laundering, or data privacy and protection.
Utilise Professional Contacts
By obtaining memberships in top organisations, you can encounter top-tier networking opportunities. Also, attending trade shows and using social media such as LinkedIn can provide additional employment opportunities.
Use Legal and Compliance Experts
Specialised recruiters for legal and compliance jobs also provide career advice and guidance throughout the relocation process. Redstone Search provides access to unique career opportunities for legal and compliance experts.