For those who love the law deeply, enjoy teaching or research, and want to shape how the next generation of lawyers thinks, a career in legal education and academia can be genuinely fulfilling. It is a path built on scholarship, teaching and ideas rather than practice. Let me explain what a career in legal education and academia involves, the skills it needs, and how to build one.
Quick answer
A career in legal education and academia means working as a teacher, researcher and scholar of law, typically at a law school or university, rather than in practice. The work centres on teaching law students, conducting legal research, writing and publishing, and contributing to legal thought and education. It suits people who love the law intellectually, enjoy teaching and mentoring, are drawn to research and writing, and want to influence how law is understood and taught.
Building an academic career generally involves strong academic credentials, often including an LLM and, frequently, a doctorate for senior academic roles, along with a record of research and writing. Requirements vary by institution and role, so the specific pathway should always be checked before planning your qualifications.
What the work involves
Academic and legal-education careers typically involve teaching law students through lectures, seminars and mentoring; conducting research into legal questions; and writing and publishing articles, papers or books. Academics may also contribute to their institution and to the wider legal field through conferences, committees and other scholarly work.
It is intellectually demanding, idea-driven work. Rather than primarily applying the law to individual cases, the focus is on understanding, questioning, developing and teaching it. Junior academic roles may involve significant teaching while the research and publication record develops over time.
Skills and credentials you need
Academia requires deep legal knowledge, intellectual rigour, strong research and analytical ability, and excellent writing. Teaching and communication skills matter just as much, particularly because understanding a subject and being able to explain it clearly are different skills.
Academic roles also typically require strong academic credentials and, depending on the institution and position, higher qualifications such as an LLM or doctorate. A developing record of research and publication can also be important. Since requirements differ across institutions and roles, check the current criteria for the academic career you want to pursue.
How to build an academic career
Start by building strong academic foundations and developing your ability to research and write. Pursue the higher qualifications relevant to the roles you are targeting, gain teaching or mentoring experience where possible, and gradually build a body of serious research.
Publishing can become an important part of this process, but the aim should be genuine scholarship rather than collecting publications simply for a CV. Over time, teaching ability, research quality and a clear area of intellectual interest can help you establish yourself as an academic.
YLCC ACTION STEP: If academia draws you, start building the foundations early: develop your research and writing, gain teaching or mentoring experience, and understand the higher qualifications and academic requirements relevant to the roles you want. Read beyond what is required for exams, develop areas of genuine intellectual interest, and begin building the scholarship that you would eventually want to teach.
Who it suits (and who it doesn’t)
Academia suits people who love the law intellectually, enjoy teaching and mentoring, and are genuinely drawn to research, writing and ideas. It can be particularly rewarding if you enjoy spending time with difficult questions that do not have immediate answers.
It may be less suited to those who strongly prefer the pace and immediate practical application of legal practice or who dislike sustained research and writing. For some lawyers, academia can also be combined with elements of practice or other professional work.
PLEASE DON’T DO THIS: Please don’t choose academia simply because you are unsure what to do after law school or assume that teaching is an easier alternative to practice. Academic work requires sustained research, writing, teaching and intellectual development. If you are considering it, spend time experiencing those activities and ask yourself whether you genuinely enjoy them.
FAQs
- What is a career in legal education and academia? A career in legal education and academia involves teaching and researching law, usually at a law school or university, along with writing, publishing and contributing to legal scholarship.
- What qualifications do I need? Academic requirements vary by institution and role, but strong academic credentials and higher qualifications such as an LLM or doctorate may be required or expected for particular positions.
- What skills does academia need? Academia requires deep legal knowledge, research and analytical ability, strong writing, teaching and communication skills, and a genuine interest in legal scholarship.
- How do I build an academic career? Develop strong research and writing skills, pursue the qualifications relevant to your target roles, gain teaching experience and gradually build a research and publication record.
- Who suits academia? Academia suits people who enjoy legal research, writing, teaching and intellectual work and want to contribute to how law is studied, understood and taught.
