Taxonomy of Legal Talent
1. Licensed Legal Professionals
A licensed legal professional authorized to provide legal advice, draft legal documents, and represent clients.
Solicitor
A lawyer qualified to advise clients, prepare legal documents, and conduct certain proceedings (common in England & Wales and similar jurisdictions).
Barrister
A specialist advocate qualified to represent clients in higher courts and provide expert legal opinions.
Advocate
A licensed legal professional with rights of audience before courts (used in many African, Asian, and European jurisdictions).
Notary Public
A legal officer authorized to authenticate documents, administer oaths, and certify transactions.
Patent Attorney / Patent Agent
A specialist qualified to prosecute patent applications and advise on intellectual property matters.
General Counsel
The senior in-house lawyer responsible for overseeing an organization’s legal affairs.
In-House Counsel
A lawyer employed directly by an organization to manage its internal legal needs.
Counsel (External)
A qualified lawyer engaged on a consultancy or advisory basis.
2. Non-Licensed Legal Support Roles
(Talent permitted because they do not provide legal advice or representation)
Paralegal
Provides legal support through research, drafting, and document preparation, without offering legal advice.
Legal Assistant
Supports lawyers with administrative tasks, scheduling, document organization, and basic case preparation.
Legal Researcher
Conducts legal and factual research to support cases, advisory work, or publications.
Legal Writer
Produces legal content, summaries, articles, and documentation.
Legal Analyst
Analyzes legal information, policies, or case files to support decision-making.
Legal Operations Specialist
Improves workflow efficiency, processes, and technology within legal teams.
Legal Project Manager
Manages timelines, budgets, and deliverables for legal matters.
Court Filing Specialist
Responsible for preparing and filing court documents in compliance with procedural rules.
Document Review Specialist
Reviews documents for litigation, investigations, or compliance matters.
E-Discovery Technician
Supports electronic document management and discovery processes.
Case Manager
Coordinates case logistics, deadlines, and client communication.
Contract Administrator
Assists with managing contract records, obligations, and updates.
3. Regulated but Non-Licensed Legal Roles
(Talent that may require certification or jurisdiction-specific authorization but not a full law licence)
Compliance Officer
Ensures that an organization adheres to legal, regulatory, and internal standards.
Contract Manager
Manages contract creation, negotiation, and performance, without giving legal advice.
Trademark Specialist
Handles trademark searches, filings, and portfolio management.
Privacy / Data Protection Officer
Ensures compliance with data protection laws and oversees privacy governance.
Immigration Consultant (where regulated):
Provides guidance on immigration applications, documentation, and compliance, but only in jurisdictions where the role is legally recognized and regulated. Does not provide full legal representation unless licensed.
Alternative Business Structure (ABS) Professional (UK):
Operates within a licensed ABS under UK law, managing legal services, business operations, or compliance without necessarily being a lawyer.
Corporate Governance Specialist:
Advises organizations on governance frameworks, board procedures, regulatory compliance, and corporate reporting standards, without giving direct legal advice unless qualified.
4. Legal Tech & Adjacent Professional Roles
(Talent that enhance legal work without engaging in UPL)
Legal Technologist
Implements and manages technology solutions for legal workflows.
Legal Engineer
Builds automations, templates, and workflow tools that support legal processes.
Legal Product Designer
Designs user experiences for digital legal products or services.
Risk Analyst
Assesses organizational risks, policies, and compliance issues.
Policy Analyst
Evaluates public policy, regulations, and legislative developments.
