Become a lawyer and argue the case

We know this is obvious, but there's a reason so many Bachelor of Laws (Honours) graduates become lawyers.

In Australia, there are two main types of lawyers: barristers and solicitors. Solicitors are the most common and provide legal services to courts and barristers. Barristers typically have more experience and specialise in an area of the law and argue cases before courts. They have a relationship like GPs and specialists: a solicitor will refer you to a barrister if you need their advocacy and expertise in court.

Can't decide? The good news is that a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) puts you on track for both career paths. You must complete further training and gain experience before formally becoming a solicitor or barrister. Still, with the knowledge and skills from your degree, you have the foundations for success.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. What else can you do with a Bachelor of Laws? Read on!

Provide expert advice

A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) doesn't restrict you to arguing before a judge. Large organisations, such as private companies or government departments, need expert legal advice daily to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.

These organisations employ legal officers in-house. Being an in-house counsel requires solid legal knowledge and the ability to answer important questions quickly, which is why the research skills you'll acquire during your degree are so important.

Can you see yourself as the go-to person when a colleague needs the right information quickly? Working in a legal department as an in-house counsel would be perfect for you.

You could go so far as to start your own business. You'll know how to navigate the legal questions of running a business and getting yourself legally compliant will be a breeze.

Inform and educate

The law is complex and needs experts to explain it. If you're a communicator, that could be your job.

You might become a legal journalist, distilling complex information into a digestible report that a lay audience understands. Or you might pursue postgraduate studies and see yourself at the front of a lecture theatre, teaching the intricacies of the law to the next generation.

Work in the courts

Courts are complex organisations that need specialised staff to keep things running. If you graduate with high grades, consider following the path of many ANU law graduates and work as a judge's associate, also known as a tipstaff.

This would see you working closely with a judge, giving you invaluable experience in how courts run day-to-day. Performing a judge's associate role takes serious research skills, and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is a great way to open that door.

And much more

A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) gives you a great base of legal knowledge and the research skills to back it up. That means you're open to more than obvious career choices, such as working in the legal system.

Consulting firms often seek out law graduates for their critical thinking skills and knowledge of legal procedures. Non-government organisations (NGOs) also seek them out for advocacy and lobbying so you can use your understanding of the law to make a difference in the world.

Or go even further and get into government directly. Many Australian prime ministers have earned law degrees - including Malcolm Turnbull, Bob Hawke and Australia's first female PM, Julia Gillard, not to mention countless ministers and senior diplomats.

There are many options for a creative law graduate looking for an exciting and rigorous career. So, what can you do with a Bachelor of Laws? Whatever you set your mind to!