Embracing An Alternative Route to the Legal Profession

Hi Cillian, could you start by sharing a little bit about your academic and professional background in the legal field?

After finishing high school, I began studying Law with International Relations (LLB) at the University of Sussex in Brighton. I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to study or pursue professionally, but I had always enjoyed international relations. My debate teacher suggested law, so combining something familiar with something completely new felt like a good way to keep my options open. Having never lived in the UK before, I also had no understanding of common law and remember wondering how law would even be taught.

After graduating, I wanted to work rather than study for another year, so an in‑house role at a law firm seemed ideal. I had no academic background in anti‑money laundering, sanctions legislation or even the SRA and ABA codes of conduct, yet these were the rules I was suddenly expected to apply. Some entry‑level compliance roles don’t require prior knowledge, but doing thorough research before interviews is essential.

Following your LLB studies in Law and International Relations, what made you decide to study an MSc in Law and Finance as opposed to an LLM?

I worked for about two years before deciding to pursue a part‑time master’s degree. During those two years, my role centred on analysing conflicts from commercial and legal perspectives, onboarding clients under money‑laundering regulations, preventing sanctions breaches and safeguarding the firm’s reputation when assessing new clients and matters.

The idea of qualifying as a solicitor had crossed my mind, and an MSc — which was still 50 per cent law — felt like a degree that could support that path later on. After speaking to classmates who pursued the TC or SQE route, very few used the content of their LLM courses in day‑to‑day practice. With that in mind, learning new skills such as financial modelling, rather than studying another area of law using similar techniques, made the MSc in Law and Finance more appealing.

Do you think there are any specific benefits to studying law in combination with other subjects?

Definitely. Problem‑solving is central to almost any job, and real‑world problems rarely come in neat, predictable shapes. Studying law alongside another discipline teaches you to approach problems differently and use varied techniques. It broadens your thinking beyond textbook hypotheticals and essay‑based analysis.

After completing your LLB, you began working as a Compliance Analyst at BCLP – what do you think are the main skills required of this role, and do they overlap with those required of a solicitor?

Not having practised as a solicitor, I can only guess, but I imagine there is significant overlap. To be a successful Compliance Analyst, you must be willing to learn, which is true of any trainee solicitor. Knowing that you know very little is a good starting point.

From a technical perspective, diligence and attention to detail are essential when analysing conflicts. Curiosity about current events is also important, especially when assessing a client’s risk profile.

What made you decide to work as a Compliance Analyst as opposed to pursuing the Training Contract route?

I didn’t feel a strong pull towards a TC. I wanted to work immediately after graduating, and the financial commitment of a TC didn’t feel worthwhile when I wasn’t certain about my long‑term plans. The compliance opportunity came to me through someone who reached out, rather than something I actively sought.

Working in a law firm while advising on aspects of law allowed me to explore a different route while still being surrounded by trainees and solicitors, had I chosen to pursue qualification later. Compliance is also not limited to law firms; the skills transfer easily to financial institutions and other regulated sectors.

From a financial perspective, compliance professionals were, and still are, in short supply. Salaries and working hours were attractive compared to trainee roles. Trainee salaries have increased since, and entry‑level compliance roles have risen too, though not at the same rate. Even so, compliance offers strong progression. After under four years at BCLP, I was promoted twice, gained significant responsibility, travelled to other offices to deliver training and worked closely with partners across practice groups.

What was your experience studying your MSc while also working at a law firm?

I had a fantastic manager who supported my decision to study alongside work. I began my MSc during the early waves of Covid, when everyone was working from home and the traditional 9‑5 became more flexible. Without supportive management, balancing both would have been far more difficult.

Time management is crucial. Knowing when to take leave for assignments or exams is important, and my manager helped me plan for that. My studies also enhanced my work. I could tailor my modules to build on what I was learning in practice and apply real‑world examples to my assignments. The finance modules were more challenging, as I had never studied finance before, and required a different approach: more past papers and exercises, rather than building case‑law bibles.

A lot of law students feel the pressure to obtain a Training Contract upon graduating. What do you think are the benefits of embracing an alternative route into the legal profession?

I hope I’ve already touched on many of the benefits, but to expand: the TC route isn’t for everyone. It is a significant financial commitment. Even with increased LPC grants, living costs in places like London often exceed what firms provide. It is also a major time commitment. Qualification takes around three years after university, and two of those years involve long trainee hours, only to potentially discover that the career isn’t right for you.

If you know you want to be a lawyer, the TC route is fantastic. Many of my classmates knew at 18, some after watching Suits, and they’ve loved every moment. Others dropped out during the LPC because it wasn’t for them.

There is no one‑size‑fits‑all formula. Hopefully, I’ve provided insight for anyone unsure about TC applications or considering compliance as an alternative path.