Ivan Bridges started studying law in 1985 and holds the degrees of B. Proc and LLB. through UNISA.

In 1998 he successfully completed the certificate course of the School for Legal Practice at the University of Cape Town. 

He was a Candidate Attorney at Francois Van Zyl attorneys in George and Mossel Bay from 1999 to 2000 and was admitted as an Attorney in December 2000.

Since May 2002 Ivan has been a lecturer at the South African Law School, running the paralegal day school.