For many LLB graduates, the path to becoming an admitted attorney feels like the obvious next step. However, securing a spot for articles of clerkship has become highly competitive, and it can take an average LLB graduate about two to five years to secure articles in extreme cases. As you can imagine, this can cause feelings of hopelessness and regret.
You may be asking yourself: "Why did I even study law?" If this is you, do not despair yet; there are still other career paths you can explore with your LLB degree outside the courtroom. Whether by design or circumstance, LLB graduates should start exploring other doors the LLB qualification can open.
This blog explores alternative career options available to LLB graduates and postgraduate students in South Africa, including opportunities that require further study and those that leverage the skills law graduates already possess.
First things first
Before we jump into available options, the immediate step LLB graduates should consider after graduating is enrolling in an LPC-accredited practical vocational training (PVT) programme. Although this is only a requirement if you want to become an admitted attorney, you will find that completing the programme equips you with skills and knowledge that you will find beneficial, even when you explore other career paths that are outside the courtroom. PVT, also called "law school" or "practical legal training (PLT)", is packed with knowledge and practical legal skills, which apply to almost every legal career path.
Now, let us explore some of the career options you can consider.
1. Legal compliance officer
Almost every municipality, bank, and company in different sectors has or needs a legal compliance officer, and for an obvious reason, to protect themselves from legal, financial, and reputational risks by ensuring they operate within the bounds of relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies.
Legal compliance is a highly underrated career path that offers significantly better employment prospects and often pays far more than traditional routes like articles or entry-level roles as a candidate attorney or junior attorney. Most companies do not require you to be an admitted attorney to take up this role.
2. Legal researcher
A legal researcher is a legal professional who specialises in analysing legislation, case law, legal principles, and academic texts to support the development of legal arguments, judicial decisions, public policy, or scholarly work. Their primary responsibility is to conduct thorough legal analysis, interpret complex legal material, and present findings clearly to assist decision-makers such as judges, solicitors, policymakers, or academics.
Starting point: Constitutional Court law clerkship
In South Africa, one of the most effective entry routes into a legal research career is through the Constitutional Court Local Law Clerk Programme. This prestigious programme places recent law graduates with Justices of the Constitutional Court for a period of one to two years.
- Responsibilities: Legal research, case analysis, and drafting memoranda for your assigned Justice.
- Duration: A fixed-term post of one to two years.
- Salary: Approximately R450,000 to R500,000 per annum.
- Experience gained: Exposure to South Africa's highest court, complex constitutional litigation, and close mentorship from eminent legal minds.
This clerkship offers a solid foundation for those aspiring to become highly skilled and in-demand legal researchers. It provides: Direct involvement in landmark constitutional matters, mentorship from leading jurists and is a stepping stone to future roles in academia, legal consultancy, human rights work, international law, or judicial appointments.
Many former clerks have gone on to become prominent academics, senior legal advisers, judges, and influential legal scholars in South Africa and internationally.
Where do legal researchers work?
Legal researchers are employed in a range of settings, including:
- Courts (such as the Constitutional Court and High Courts)
- Law reform bodies (e.g. the South African Law Reform Commission)
- Universities and legal research institutes
- Public interest organisations (e.g. Legal Resource Centre, Section27)
- Parliament (supporting legal drafting and legislative analysis)
- International organisations (such as the United Nations, African Union, and various NGOs)
They assist in preparing judgments, drafting legal opinions, conducting legislative reviews, and contributing to academic publications, making them vital to legal development and public policy. And again, you do not need to be an admitted attorney to apply for this role.
3. Academia (LLM/LLD)
For those passionate about research and teaching, pursuing an LLM (Master of Laws) and later an LLD (Doctor of Laws) can lead to a rewarding career in academia. After completing your LLB, these qualifications allow you to specialise in areas of law and teach at various levels.
Teaching opportunities at universities
With an LLM or LLD, you can become a university lecturer, teaching:
- LLB and BCom Law programmes
- LLM specialisations (e.g., international law, human rights)
- Supervising postgraduate research (theses and dissertations)
Teaching at TVET colleges
You can also lecture at colleges offering paralegal qualifications, legal secretary diplomas, or short law courses for those pursuing legal support roles.
New opportunities with law schools
With more law schools emerging in South Africa, there are more opportunities to teach advanced law courses and PVT, especially in specialised areas like commercial law, labour law, and so forth.
Pursuing an academic career in law offers a great chance to shape the next generation of legal professionals.
4. Consider completing a BCom Law degree
While trying to secure articles, you can consider enrolling for a BCom Law degree. You may be eligible for credit exemptions because of your LLB qualification, potentially completing the degree in two years.
A BCom Law degree combines legal knowledge with business acumen, opening doors to various roles in the corporate and financial sectors. Here are some career paths you might consider:
- Risk manager: Identifies, assesses, and mitigates legal and financial risks within organisations.
- Investment analyst: Evaluates financial data and market trends to support sound investment decisions.
- Corporate governance officer: Ensures that organisations comply with legal standards, ethical practices, and governance frameworks.
5. Start your own legal consultancy firm
If you cannot find employment, you can create employment for yourself by starting a legal consultancy firm. In South Africa, it is legal to operate such a business even if you are not an admitted attorney, provided you do not represent clients in court or perform services reserved for admitted legal practitioners. As a legal consultant, you can offer advisory services like contract drafting, compliance, corporate governance, legal risk, policy development, and legal research.
You may also assist businesses and organisations in navigating regulatory frameworks, training staff on legal matters, or ensuring adherence to labour and commercial laws. While you must not misrepresent your professional status or use protected titled such as "attorney" or "legal practitioner," a consultancy focused on non-litigious services is a viable and empowering path for LLB graduates who want to take control of their careers.
6. Legal tutor
You can consider tutoring law students in modules where you excel. This not only allows you to stay actively engaged in the legal field but also provides a source of income while you explore other career options.
If you have an entrepreneurial mindset, you can grow this into a tutoring agency, particularly catering to Unisa students who complete their LLB through distance learning. These students often lack direct access to lecturers or in-person support, making skilled tutors highly sought after to help bridge the gap between self-study and academic success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your LLB degree is not just a path to articles or traditional legal practice—it is a gateway to a wide range of exciting and meaningful career opportunities.
Do not limit yourself or feel stuck waiting for articles. The legal field is evolving, and with the right mindset, your qualification can open doors across industries, sectors, and even entrepreneurial spaces. There is a world of possibilities out there—explore them boldly.
Sources and resources for LLB students
- https://www.regenesys.net/reginsights/what-jobs-can-you-get-with-an-llb-degree
- https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Undergraduate-qualifications/Career-counselling/Linking-your-interests-to-Unisa-qualifications/Law-interest-fields
- https://www.regenesys.net/reginsights/what-comes-after-llb
About the author
Macdonald Sesinyi is a candidate attorney at Kabai Attorneys. He holds an LLB degree and completed his PVT training through the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law. Macdonald is also a legal podcaster. You can follow his Rooted & Relevant episodes on YouTube.
Last updated on 20 May 2025.