Kieran Tapsell studied for the Catholic priesthood at St. Columba's College, Springwood, and St. Patrick's College Manly in the 1960's, during which time he studied Canon Law for some 3 years. After leaving the seminary, he studied Law at Sydney University, Australia. He was admitted a Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of NSW in 1973, was a partner in the firm of Watkins Tapsell from 1973 to 2004, an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation and Advocacy, and a District Court Arbitrator and Mediator. He was an Acting District Court Judge from 1996 to 1999 and the author of many articles in legal journals on topics within his area of specialization. Since his retirement from his legal practice in 2004, he has been translating Latin American literature and newspaper columns from Spanish to English.