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Law and Compliance

Law and Compliance

An enhanced knowledge of the law isn’t only essential for those in the legal industry. It can also be vital for those in business and nonlegal industries, as well as those working in law, be it to stay abreast of changes in regulation, make better business decisions, or advance one’s legal career. Whatever the reason, GetSmarter offers a range of law and compliance courses for you.

Register for a course in law or compliance

The legal landscape is continuously changing, increasing the need for legal and nonlegal professionals to enhance their skill sets in this area. A recent report by Norton Rose Fulbright predicted that, as economic conditions continue to be turbulent, the volume of litigation will increase, and organizations will need to prepare themselves accordingly.1 Litigation is big business, and companies are spending billions of dollars more year-on-year for litigation matters.2 A poll of over 200 corporate counsel, legal, and compliance officers in the United States and Europe shows that, with the risk of litigation on the rise, businesses are increasing the number of internal resources they deploy in response.3 The global legal services market size was valued at $794.5 billion in 2018 and is predicted to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) above 4.1 percent between 2019 and 2025.4 Given the vast potential growth in this market, it’s not surprising that law firms and businesses seek opportunities to stay up to date.

Additionally, the use of nonlegal or alternative legal service providers (ALSP) among corporate firms is rising significantly, primarily for litigation and investigation support.5 ALSPs are also being used more by law firms for research and regulatory risk and compliance services, highlighting the potential for ambitious nonlegal professionals who wish to work in this emerging workspace.

There are also other elements disrupting the legal and compliance landscape. Significant, ongoing innovations in technology have opened up various ethical, legal, regulatory, privacy, and policy questions. These technological advancements include biotech, cloning, advanced military weaponry, and algorithms that impact data privacy and liberty, all of which legal and compliance professionals need to stay informed about.6 Additionally, technology in the legal space, or ‘legal tech.’ is being embraced to optimize laborious tasks. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way research is done in law firms. At the same time, data analytics is being utilized to support and improve business operations.7 Technology also facilitates a more collaborative approach to law, allowing nonlegal professionals to participate in this field.8 For instance, in some US states, accounting companies can offer legal services in addition to their usual services. An IT company could facilitate the filling out of legal forms for its customers with the use of AI, or a paralegal working at a nonprofit organization could provide limited legal advice to clients without a lawyer’s supervision.9

With these developments and opportunities in the tightly regulated world of law, studying to stay abreast of the latest practices and regulations is vital to remain relevant, competitive, and compliant. GetSmarter provides online courses in law and compliance, backed by internationally acclaimed universities. GetSmarter’s wide range of law and compliance courses cover paralegal, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), business law, contract law, tax law, commercial law, property law, and labor law, and the skills needed for professionals to effectively deal with legal matters. With GetSmarter’s wide range of legal and compliance courses, nonlegal and business professionals can enhance their knowledge for accurate decision-making and business strategizing, while legal professionals can upskill for greater opportunities and career advancement.


Careers in law and compliance

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment within legal occupations is expected to grow seven percent between 2018 and 2028. That’s a steeper projection than the average for all other occupations and may result in the creation of 93,300 new jobs in the sector.10 A 2020 report by McKinsey estimates that the legal profession could grow by 20 percent in this decade (2020–2030) in Europe.11 With law firms trying to improve efficiency and lower costs, there may be an increase in demand for paralegals and legal assistants, with lawyers continuing to be in demand.

A recent skills analysis revealed a high demand for those proficient in legal regulation and law compliance in the US, with positive growth predicted towards 2030.12 The top occupations requiring this skills cluster include:

  • Lawyers: They represent and advise people and organizations on legal matters and disputes. This career field is growing at the same pace as the median between 2018 and 202813
  • Paralegals and legal assistants: They assist lawyers in delivering legal services. Employment in this field is expected to grow much faster than average from 2018 to 202814

Nonlegal professionals who regularly encounter legal regulation and compliance in their professions (eg business executives, entrepreneurs, governance professionals, sales professionals, sales managers, HR managers, internal auditors, compliance analysts and compliance managers) can also benefit from keeping their skills updated.

An online short course can help improve your legal and compliance skills and earn you a certificate to validate your knowledge. GetSmarter’s learning model is designed to accommodate a demanding workload and provides tailored, personalized support from a knowledgeable team that’s always on hand to help.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or business executive seeking to bolster your strategy with a sound legal or compliance knowledge, someone who wants to pursue a career in law, or a qualified legal professional wanting to advance your career, an online short course from GetSmarter can help you achieve your goals.


1(2019). ‘2019 litigation trends annual survey’. Retrieved from Norton Rose Fulbright.
2(Aug, 2019). ‘Corporate law firms industry in the U.S. – market research report’. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
3Dowd, S. et al. (Mar, 2019). ‘2019 litigation and corporate compliance survey’. Retrieved from Alix Partners.
4(Sep, 2019). Legal services market size, share and trends analysis report by service (taxation, real estate, litigation, bankruptcy, labor/employment, corporate), by firm size, by provider, by region, and segment forecasts, 2019-2025’. Retrieved from Grand View Research.
5(2020) ‘2020 report on the state of the legal market’. Retrieved from Thomson Reuters.
6Baron, J. (Dec, 2018). ‘Tech ethics issues we should all be thinking about in 2019’. Retrieved from Forbes.
7Cohen, M. (May, 2019). ‘Getting beyond the tech in legal tech’. Retrieved from Forbes.
8Cohen, M. (May, 2019). ‘Getting beyond the tech in legal tech’. Retrieved from Forbes.
9Coe, A. (Sep, 2019). ‘Like it or not, law may open its doors to nonlawyers’. Retrieved from Law360.
10(Apr, 2020). ‘Legal occupations’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
11Smit, S. et al. (Jun, 2020). ‘The future of work in Europe’. Retrieved from McKinsey.
12(Jun, 2020). ‘Skills analysis – legal: regulation and law compliance’. Retrieved from Burning Glass.
13Apr, 2020). ‘Lawyers’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
14(Apr, 2020). ‘Paralegals and legal assistants’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


Register for a course in law or compliance

The legal landscape is continuously changing, increasing the need for legal and nonlegal professionals to enhance their skill sets in this area. A recent report by Norton Rose Fulbright predicted that, as economic conditions continue to be turbulent, the volume of litigation will increase, and organizations will need to prepare themselves accordingly.1 Litigation is big business, and companies are spending billions of dollars more year-on-year for litigation matters.2 A poll of over 200 corporate counsel, legal, and compliance officers in the United States and Europe shows that, with the risk of litigation on the rise, businesses are increasing the number of internal resources they deploy in response.3 The global legal services market size was valued at $794.5 billion in 2018 and is predicted to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) above 4.1 percent between 2019 and 2025.4 Given the vast potential growth in this market, it’s not surprising that law firms and businesses seek opportunities to stay up to date.

Additionally, the use of nonlegal or alternative legal service providers (ALSP) among corporate firms is rising significantly, primarily for litigation and investigation support.5 ALSPs are also being used more by law firms for research and regulatory risk and compliance services, highlighting the potential for ambitious nonlegal professionals who wish to work in this emerging workspace.

There are also other elements disrupting the legal and compliance landscape. Significant, ongoing innovations in technology have opened up various ethical, legal, regulatory, privacy, and policy questions. These technological advancements include biotech, cloning, advanced military weaponry, and algorithms that impact data privacy and liberty, all of which legal and compliance professionals need to stay informed about.6 Additionally, technology in the legal space, or ‘legal tech.’ is being embraced to optimize laborious tasks. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way research is done in law firms. At the same time, data analytics is being utilized to support and improve business operations.7 Technology also facilitates a more collaborative approach to law, allowing nonlegal professionals to participate in this field.8 For instance, in some US states, accounting companies can offer legal services in addition to their usual services. An IT company could facilitate the filling out of legal forms for its customers with the use of AI, or a paralegal working at a nonprofit organization could provide limited legal advice to clients without a lawyer’s supervision.9

With these developments and opportunities in the tightly regulated world of law, studying to stay abreast of the latest practices and regulations is vital to remain relevant, competitive, and compliant. GetSmarter provides online courses in law and compliance, backed by internationally acclaimed universities. GetSmarter’s wide range of law and compliance courses cover paralegal, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), business law, contract law, tax law, commercial law, property law, and labor law, and the skills needed for professionals to effectively deal with legal matters. With GetSmarter’s wide range of legal and compliance courses, nonlegal and business professionals can enhance their knowledge for accurate decision-making and business strategizing, while legal professionals can upskill for greater opportunities and career advancement.

Careers in law and compliance

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment within legal occupations is expected to grow seven percent between 2018 and 2028. That’s a steeper projection than the average for all other occupations and may result in the creation of 93,300 new jobs in the sector.10 A 2020 report by McKinsey estimates that the legal profession could grow by 20 percent in this decade (2020–2030) in Europe.11 With law firms trying to improve efficiency and lower costs, there may be an increase in demand for paralegals and legal assistants, with lawyers continuing to be in demand.

A recent skills analysis revealed a high demand for those proficient in legal regulation and law compliance in the US, with positive growth predicted towards 2030.12 The top occupations requiring this skills cluster include:

  • Lawyers: They represent and advise people and organizations on legal matters and disputes. This career field is growing at the same pace as the median between 2018 and 202813
  • Paralegals and legal assistants: They assist lawyers in delivering legal services. Employment in this field is expected to grow much faster than average from 2018 to 202814

Nonlegal professionals who regularly encounter legal regulation and compliance in their professions (eg business executives, entrepreneurs, governance professionals, sales professionals, sales managers, HR managers, internal auditors, compliance analysts and compliance managers) can also benefit from keeping their skills updated.

An online short course can help improve your legal and compliance skills and earn you a certificate to validate your knowledge. GetSmarter’s learning model is designed to accommodate a demanding workload and provides tailored, personalized support from a knowledgeable team that’s always on hand to help.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or business executive seeking to bolster your strategy with a sound legal or compliance knowledge, someone who wants to pursue a career in law, or a qualified legal professional wanting to advance your career, an online short course from GetSmarter can help you achieve your goals.

Sources

1(2019). ‘2019 litigation trends annual survey’. Retrieved from Norton Rose Fulbright.
2(Aug, 2019). ‘Corporate law firms industry in the U.S. – market research report’. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
3Dowd, S. et al. (Mar, 2019). ‘2019 litigation and corporate compliance survey’. Retrieved from Alix Partners.
4(Sep, 2019). Legal services market size, share and trends analysis report by service (taxation, real estate, litigation, bankruptcy, labor/employment, corporate), by firm size, by provider, by region, and segment forecasts, 2019-2025’. Retrieved from Grand View Research.
5(2020) ‘2020 report on the state of the legal market’. Retrieved from Thomson Reuters.
6Baron, J. (Dec, 2018). ‘Tech ethics issues we should all be thinking about in 2019’. Retrieved from Forbes.
7Cohen, M. (May, 2019). ‘Getting beyond the tech in legal tech’. Retrieved from Forbes.
8Cohen, M. (May, 2019). ‘Getting beyond the tech in legal tech’. Retrieved from Forbes.
9Coe, A. (Sep, 2019). ‘Like it or not, law may open its doors to nonlawyers’. Retrieved from Law360.
10(Apr, 2020). ‘Legal occupations’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
11Smit, S. et al. (Jun, 2020). ‘The future of work in Europe’. Retrieved from McKinsey.
12(Jun, 2020). ‘Skills analysis – legal: regulation and law compliance’. Retrieved from Burning Glass.
13Apr, 2020). ‘Lawyers’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
14(Apr, 2020). ‘Paralegals and legal assistants’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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