Jobs for Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Graduates

From LLB to advocate

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a four-year degree offered by universities accredited by the Council of Legal Education (CLE). It is the first step towards becoming an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, but not the last. To practise, LLB graduates must complete the Advocates Training Programme (ATP) at the Kenya School of Law, which includes coursework and a period of pupillage under an experienced advocate, then pass the bar examinations administered by the CLE.

Admission and practising

After passing the bar exams, you petition for admission to the Roll of Advocates and are admitted by the Chief Justice. To practise each year, you need a practising certificate, obtained through the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which is the professional body for advocates and also enforces professional conduct and continuing legal education requirements.

Where lawyers work

• Law firms, as pupils, associates and later partners
• In-house legal departments of banks, insurers, telcos and corporations
• Government, including the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary and state corporations
• Compliance, governance, data protection and company secretarial roles
• NGOs and international organisations working on human rights, governance and justice

Entry requirements

LLB places are allocated through KUCCPS and private admissions. The CLE sets minimum requirements, which include a KCSE mean grade of at least C+ with a strong grade in English or Kiswahili; check the current rules, as they have been tightened over the years. Admission to the Kenya School of Law ATP has its own requirements.

Building a legal career

Pupillage placements and first associate jobs are competitive, so start networking early through moot courts, legal clinics, internships and LSK events. Research and writing skills are the core of junior legal work. Non-practising routes such as compliance, governance and data protection are growing, and a law degree combined with the Certified Secretary qualification opens company secretarial roles.

Career path

Associates typically progress to senior associate and partner over many years, while in-house lawyers move to legal manager and head of legal. Judicial careers start with magistrate posts advertised by the Judicial Service Commission.