The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Junior Investigations Associate / Paralegal
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Meticulous document review, basic legal research, case file organisation, understanding of privilege, accurate time recording.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently high accuracy in document review tasks.
- Proactive identification of issues during review.
- Ability to manage small, defined tasks independently.
- Strong foundational knowledge of legal principles.
- 2
Litigation Solicitor (General Commercial)
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Fundamentals of civil procedure, disclosure obligations, drafting pleadings, legal research, client communication (under supervision).
You're ready to move on when
- Solid understanding of the litigation lifecycle and disclosure rules.
- Experience with managing discovery processes.
- A keen interest in factual investigation and evidence analysis.
- Desire to specialise in fraud and white-collar crime.
- 3
In-house Legal Counsel (Compliance/Regulatory)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Understanding of regulatory frameworks (e.g., AML, FCPA), internal investigations processes, risk assessment, stakeholder management within a business.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience conducting or assisting with internal investigations.
- Familiarity with GRC systems and compliance programmes.
- Ability to translate complex regulations into practical advice.
- A strong ethical compass and commitment to integrity.