Historically, law schools focused almost exclusively on teaching students substantive legal concepts and developing corresponding analytical and writing skills. While this traditional core – “learning to think and write like a lawyer” -- remains at the center of the law school curriculum, it has become clear that law students need to develop other skills and knowledge to be successful once they graduate. Thus, we have seen a proliferation of course offerings focused on matters such as effective communication and leadership, adeptness with technology, and data analysis.

Last year, an article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Compliance Officer: Dream Career” discussed the massive growth of compliance jobs, emphasizing hiring for new compliance positions in the financial services industry. Just last month, New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli identified hiring in compliance as driving growth in Wall Street employment in the first half of 2015.

Employment opportunities in financial services compliance are booming for two interrelated reasons.