Public policy involves shaping, analysing and advising on the policies that govern society. It can appeal to lawyers who want to look beyond individual legal matters and contribute to decisions that affect institutions and society at a broader level. Moving from law to public policy is an achievable transition, but it requires an understanding of the policy landscape and the skills needed for the work. Here is an honest, practical guide to making the move.
Quick answer
Moving from law to public policy means transitioning from legal practice into work involving the analysis, development, evaluation or advice on public policy. Opportunities can exist across different settings, including government, think tanks, organisations and other policy-focused bodies.
Your legal background provides a valuable foundation. Legal knowledge, analytical reasoning, research, writing and an understanding of how law connects to policy can all be useful in policy work.
To make the transition, start by understanding why you want to move into policy and what kind of policy work interests you. Build on your legal and analytical strengths by developing policy-specific knowledge and skills. Seek relevant exposure through policy-related work, research or other opportunities, connect with people working in the field and explore the available roles.
Your legal and analytical skills are genuine assets. The key is to combine them with an understanding of policy and the requirements of the work you want to pursue.
What does moving from law to public policy mean?
Moving from law to public policy means transitioning from legal practice into work involving the shaping, analysis, development or communication of public policy. This work can take place across settings such as government, think tanks, organisations and other policy-focused bodies.
Law and policy are closely related, and a legal background can help you understand how laws connect to broader policy objectives. Your experience with legal analysis and research can also provide a useful foundation for examining policy questions.
However, public policy covers different areas and working environments. Understanding the kind of policy work you want to pursue will help you identify suitable opportunities and determine what additional knowledge and skills you need to develop.
Leverage your legal and analytical strengths, and build policy knowledge
Leverage your legal and analytical strengths
Your legal knowledge, analytical ability, research and writing skills, and understanding of how law connects to policy provide a useful foundation for policy work.
These strengths can help you understand complex issues, examine legal and regulatory frameworks, evaluate arguments and communicate your findings clearly. Your legal background is therefore an asset you can build on rather than something you need to leave behind.
Identify the skills you already possess and consider how they can contribute to the policy work you want to pursue.
Build policy-specific knowledge and skills
Alongside your legal expertise, develop an understanding of public policy, policy analysis and the policy landscape relevant to your interests.
Identify the knowledge and skills required for your target roles and work towards building them. This will help you connect your existing legal expertise with the practical requirements of policy work.
The objective is to combine your legal and analytical strengths with a developing understanding of policy, so that you can contribute effectively in your chosen setting.
Gain exposure, network and position yourself well
Gain relevant exposure and experience
Look for opportunities to engage with policy-related work through research, relevant assignments or other forms of practical exposure. These opportunities can help you understand the nature of policy work and identify how your existing skills may apply.
The type of experience you pursue will depend on the policy area and setting that interest you.
Network and explore the policy landscape
Connect with people working in public policy and learn about the different roles, organisations and opportunities available. Explore the work undertaken across government, think tanks and other policy-focused bodies.
Because public policy spans different areas and settings, active exploration can help you understand where your interests and skills may fit.
Position yourself well
Your CV, applications and interviews should demonstrate your legal expertise, analytical and research skills, writing ability and genuine interest in public policy. Show that you understand the nature of the work you want to pursue and explain how your background is relevant.
Highlight your developing policy knowledge alongside your existing legal strengths. This helps communicate how you intend to apply your experience in a new professional setting.
YLCC ACTION STEP: To move from law to public policy, clarify why you want to make the transition and which policy area and setting interest you. Leverage your legal knowledge, analytical reasoning, research and writing skills, and understanding of how law connects to policy. Build policy-specific knowledge, gain relevant exposure, connect with people working in the field and explore available opportunities. Position your experience effectively in your CV, applications and interviews.
If this is you
If you care about broader social issues and how policies shape institutions and society, public policy may be worth exploring. Identify the areas that interest you, build on your legal and analytical strengths and develop your understanding of policy work.
If you are unsure what public policy work means for you, explore the different areas and settings in which it takes place. Learn about the work involved in government, think tanks and other policy-focused organisations, and identify the opportunities that align with your interests.
If you enjoy analysis, research and writing, these skills can be useful in policy work. Build on them by developing policy-specific knowledge and seeking relevant exposure to the field.
FAQs
- How do I move from law to public policy? Clarify why you want to make the transition, identify the kind of policy work that interests you, leverage your legal and analytical skills, build policy-specific knowledge, gain relevant exposure, network and position yourself well.
- What is public policy work? Public policy work broadly involves shaping, analysing, developing and advising on policies that govern society. It takes place across settings such as government, think tanks, organisations and other policy-focused bodies.
- Are my legal skills an asset in public policy? Yes. Legal knowledge, analytical reasoning, research, writing and an understanding of how law connects to policy can provide a useful foundation for policy work.
- Where can I work in public policy? Opportunities can exist across government, think tanks, organisations and other policy-focused bodies. Explore the available settings to identify the type of work that fits your interests and skills.
- How do I find public policy opportunities? Connect with people working in the policy field, explore relevant organisations and roles, gain policy-related exposure and demonstrate how your legal and analytical skills apply to the work you want to pursue.
