Legal Professions Research Group
This group is dedicated to the global study of the legal professions and legal professionalism, at a moment of rapid change and multiple challenges and opportunities for legal professionals

- Faculty of Social Sciences
- School of Law
- Research and expertise
- Legal Professions Research Group
Legal Professions Research Group
Our Research Group
Based in the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Education the aim of the Legal Professions Research Group (LPRG) is to promote world-leading, interdisciplinary and international research on legal professions, legal professionalism and legal education’s links with professional training. Together with our partners and affiliates from the wider academic and professional practice communities, the Group focuses on the role of lawyers and other legal services professionals in a rapidly changing world, and the challenges and opportunities they face.
Our Research
The last few decades have seen momentous changes to the legal profession, ranging from the technologies which are transforming its work, to its organisational and regulatory environment, and the varied and constantly shifting nature of its clients. Established in 2021, at the School of Law, the LPRG’s research addresses these changes and their impact, including the expansion, diversification and fragmentation of the profession.
We promote world-leading, interdisciplinary and international research on legal professions and legal professionalism and legal education’s links with professional training. The Group’s members have a breadth and diversity of research interests, incorporating a broad span of legal practice from corporate law to criminal law, regulatory to human rights and social justice; as noted in this selection of our past research projects. Our agenda is shaped by our engagement with both academic communities and with practitioners, professional bodies, policy makers and other stakeholders.
Our experts
Our team consists of leading experts in the field of legal profession scholarship and teaching, with extensive domestic and international experience in legal practice
More on Our expertsResearch Projects
Our research projects explore contemporary issues within the legal profession, having a local and international reach.
More on Research ProjectsPostgraduate research
We welcome postgraduate students looking to develop their research projects on the legal profession
More on Postgraduate research
National and International networks
The Group’s focus is both local and global. We have extensive domestic and international networks encompassing leading scholars in the field, practitioners, professional bodies, legal regulators and other stakeholders.

Professor Sommerlad collaborates with Lund University
Professor Hilary Sommerlad was recently invited to participate in two…
Monday 6 March 2023
More on Professor Sommerlad collaborates with Lund University
Professor Hilary Sommerlad invited to join Editorial Board of Law and Social Inquiry
Law and Social Inquiry is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes work on…
Thursday 12 January 2023
More on Professor Hilary Sommerlad invited to join Editorial Board of Law and Social Inquiry
Launch of new Legal Professions Research Group
The Legal Professions Research Group will promote world-leading,…
Tuesday 29 November 2022
More on Launch of new Legal Professions Research Group
‘Relationship between policing and vulnerability needs to be reset’ Centre Directors argue
The Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre Co-Directors have…
Thursday 24 November 2022
More on ‘Relationship between policing and vulnerability needs to be reset’ Centre Directors argue“Centre co-director @TrevorClarks118 has accepted an invitation to join a consultation group to advise the Legal Ser… t.co/P2wAtxPya2” -
2 days ago
“RT @Law_Leeds: We're delighted that Professor Khiara M. Bridges will deliver the @LSJ_Leeds annual public lecture. She will discus… t.co/OYovNLAvvc” -
4 days ago
“RT @Law_Leeds: On 29 March Dr @JPinaSanchez @CCJSLeeds joins what promises to be an excellent event on equality and diversity in t… t.co/70by40gs06” -
2 weeks ago
“🚨CALL FOR PAPERS📜 The LPRG’s @Batesmith and @IlariaZavoli, along with Dr Nora Stappert, are hosting a workshop on P… t.co/klzCqjbctq” -
3 weeks ago