Career Options After Law in India - All You Need to Know

Over the years, there have been various changes in the legal industry in India. Nowadays, attorneys are not just allowed to represent their clients in court. Today's legal professionals can be found working in a range of environments, such as corporations, IT companies, administrative services, law firms, and corporate houses.

Given the current situation and the poor performance from numerous sectors, attorneys are more necessary than ever in the post-COVID-19 world. In the upcoming years, professional legal assistance will be needed due to the economic downturn, medical crises, police changes, healthcare disparities, and the vulnerability of small businesses. The next ten years will be very busy for attorneys.

However, India still lacks enough lawyers, and the nation will need more lawyers than ever before to meet all of the post-pandemic responsibilities. After earning a degree in law, students have access to a variety of opportunities that can pay off handsomely. Let's look at some of the employment options available to them.

Law is one of the widely popular career options for people these days. It has evolved with time and has grown extensively. Students interested in pursuing a career in law can either do a five-year law course or can do a three-year law course after their graduation. It was believed formerly that studying law only limits an individual to the court but with time the options have only expanded. An individual can now become a litigation lawyer, corporate lawyer , commercial lawyer, judge, patent attorney and can also pursue higher education after it.

For those who want to work in law, a five-year integrated LLB course or three-year Bachelor of Law degree offers doors to opportunity. The LLB degree (specially five-year integrated LLB degree) has a larger range of job options than it first looks because it also covers a wide range of legal fields, including labor law , family law , criminal law , constitutional law, corporate law , tort law, human rights law , international law, and international trade law along with practical moot court sessions, clinical internships, mock case practices, etc. Following an LLB or integrated LLB (such a BA LLB or BBA LLB ), candidates can pursue job options in the public and private sectors. Additionally, students have the option to launch their own independent law practice after earning the necessary experience working as an intern for a reputable law company or legal consultant. To learn more about post-law career prospects, top employers, salary packages, etc. read this article.

What value does a law degree hold in India?

LLB after 12th grade is quickly gaining popularity. Previously, students who showed a great interest in law courses were bombarded with inquiries like, "Why study law?" What careers are suitable for someone with a law degree? What is a law career like? Is there adequate pay? What is next after a law course? Is a law degree enough to become a lawyer or a judge in India?, etc. Therefore, if you are seeking employment after receiving your LLB, you will be inundated with these inquiries.

You can practice law and specialize in a certain area. Law provides access to a broad range of knowledge that will enhance all aspects of your life. You can specialize in several disciplines because there are so many opportunities available after receiving a law degree. With the current state of the economy, health crises, police reforms, discrepancies in health care, and the vulnerability of small enterprises, everything will require expert legal support in the near future. Consequently, there are many prestigious positions available for those with a law degree along with a handsome amount of pay per annum which increases with experience and growth in expertise of a law professional in their chosen legal field.

What is the future of Law in India?

In India, the world of work after law has significantly changed throughout time. Professional lawyers today represent their clients outside of courtrooms as well. Nowadays, corporate businesses, IT firms, administrative services, law agencies, and corporate houses are looking for talent due to the increase of opportunities available after receiving a law degree.

Lawyers in India are not restricted to the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of government. Because laws are constantly changing, it is crucial for businesses to choose legal counsel that can address new regulations in various business areas. So let's look at some of the top careers after a law course in India.

Career Options in India after Law

Once a candidate has successfully completed an undergraduate degree of law, many future career options are open for him/ her. With a degree in BA LLB, B.Sc LLB , B.Com LLB , or LLB, students can venture many sectors for their professional debut. Some of the most popular sectors in which candidates seek jobs after completing graduation in law have been mentioned below.

• Judiciary
• Practice of Law
• Government Jobs and Armed Forces
• Private Sector

Below mentioned are some career options in India that can be explored by the law degree holders.

Advocate

One of the most popular employment options for LLB graduates is advocacy. Students who take this pathway will have the opportunity to practise law in the Central Supreme Court, the State High Court, and the District Court. However, passing the All India Bar Council exam is crucial for applicants in order to be eligible to practice law in India.

One must work as a junior assistant to a senior advocate before becoming a skilled advocate. It comprises writing papers and doing case studies. This changes their perspective on the law. Thus, after studying the law, individuals would be qualified to practice law on their own.

Litigator or Trial Lawyer

It mainly deals with disputes and crimes as proposed by clients. The objective is to present the client’s case in court. A person can start his career in this field by working with a well-practicing lawyer. This way he gets to earn experience before he chooses to go independent. Another option is to work with an established firm and make your way through it.

Most of the litigators are self-employed and they charge as per the number of appearances made. The range may vary from Rs. 200 to Rs. 30 Lakh depending on the experience.

Corporate Lawyer

For recent law graduates, corporate legal firms provide amazing opportunities. It is regarded as the most significant area of law in India and the most alluring field for attorneys. These experts are able to offer corporate firms counseling both as an employee and as a full-time counselor. A corporate attorney ensures that the business abides by all rules and laws that may be relevant. He primarily handles legal matters or shareholder disputes.

Any Corporate Lawyer's pay is entirely based on the business they are employed with. For new hires, it may range from 3 to 8 LPA. In general, large businesses pay more than mid-sized and small businesses.

Legal Advisor

In terms of the diversity of prospects accessible, it is the greatest LLB career route you can select. A legal advisor can advise the corporate sector, businesses, organizations, or individuals on a range of legal issues. They aid their clients in the preparation of legal documents, contracts, and conflict resolution. After completing law school, a legal advisor must pass the bar test and obtain a state license in order to work in this field. You can go from INR 2.5 lakhs to INR 5 lakhs per year with the right experience.

Also Read: SLAT 2020 for Law Admission

Judge

Being a judge is an honourable profession and it attracts people because of the respect that the position holds. A judge reviews and analyzes the defence and persecution and passes a well-calculated verdict as per the information presented in the court. It requires numerous years of practise before one can submit his name for nominations in the judicial nomination commission. Seniority in the profession decides the salary that you receive. Judges of the high court get Rs. 80,000 and supreme court get Rs. 90,000 initially. With the passage of time and experience, the salary reaches the six-figure number. Students aspiring to go for judicial services have to appear for the state sponsored exams for the same.

Government Jobs and Armed Forces

The field of government jobs and armed forces is also open for students who have a degree in law. Candidates who are interested in pursuing a career which gives them the benefits of the government sector or wish to go for the armed forces have to appear for certain exams. There are many entrance exams that are held especially for selecting candidates for the various job posts in these sectors. An example of the roles of law graduates in the armed forces is that of Judge Advocate General (JAG). Many competent and important job positions are available for students of law in these sectors.

Human Rights Lawyer

If an individual with a degree of law is also concerned about the sensitive issues of the world he can contribute to the cause by taking up subjects and disputes like human rights, environment, and animal welfare. After a bachelor’s degree, you need to get a Juris Doctor(JD) degree to proceed with a career in this field. Gaining experience through internships, MOOT court and legal clinics during graduation also prepare an individual for the job. The average salary of human rights lawyers is 4.2 Lakh per annum in India which varies according to the work experience.

Legal Reporting/Publishing

After earning a law degree, you can share or publish your legal expertise. You might also consider publishing a book on law or broadcasting legal jargon on media channels like radio, TV, and newspapers. Lawyers who work in the entertainment sector are responsible for overseeing contracts and making sure that operations proceed without running afoul of the law. The ability to perform determines the anticipated compensation. Common people cannot understand things like government bills that are produced annually, the distribution of cash by government authorities to various sectors, investments made by big business tycoons in various industries, or how it would affect the economy.

A lawyer who works in the media clarifies and makes these important concepts understandable to the general public. Thus, it ranks among the profitable but frequently disregarded careers available after an LLB. Keep a look out for this, then.

Private Sector

The private sector is always overflowing with new job positions because of its immense and quick growth. If a student wishes to get a job in the private sector after completing his/ her law degree, there are many options which he/ she can choose from, depending on the interest and requirement. Candidates can become In House Counsels, Corporate Advisors, or Chief Legal Officers for any private organisation. The requirement of a law graduate in all the private sector companies is becoming more and more important.

Also Read: Important Topics for LSAT-India Preparation

Higher Education

After graduating in law you can also opt for higher education. Courses like LLM can help in pursuing specialization of your choice in the field. Going for an MBA after completing school is another way of understanding business management and law’s co-dependence. It also widens up the scope and possible career opportunities.

Cyber Lawyer

The information technology industry is plagued by hacks, malicious assaults, and other fraudulent actions. Thus, after receiving an LLB degree, cyber law becomes one of the sought-after careers. World-class organizations (both public and private) are in need of cyber lawyers . Intellectual property, data protection and privacy, cybercrimes, and electronic and digital signatures are all issues that a cyber law expert must deal with.

Computers, networks, and mobile devices make up the core of the cyber realms. If you want to become an expert in the field of cyber law, you can choose from any certification programme, diploma, or degree. Holders of a degree in cyber law can find employment as a cyber assistant, lawyer, or legal advisor. Top Cyber Law Certification courses are also available; these might pique your interest.

Cyber law specialists may be hired by Multinational Corporations (MNCs), Corporate Business, Government Firms or Public Departments, Law Firms, and Law Enforcement Agencies. A cyber lawyer's pay is based on their education background, geographic region, and work description. The minimal starting pay is from 3 to 5 LPA.

Judicial Clerk

Every judge needs assistance when it comes to making decisions in cases or correcting errors. The Judicial Clerk, who serves as the judge's aide in researching the cases before him or her, is responsible for carrying out this responsibility. The responsibilities of a judicial clerk differ from court to court and judge to judge. The following are the prerequisites for a judicial clerk:

• As of the final day for receiving applications, an applicant must be an Indian citizen and neither less than 18 years old nor older than 27 years old.
• The applicant must be a graduate in law with a Bachelor's Degree in Law from any school, college, university, or other institution authorized by Indian law and acknowledged by the Bar Council of India for enrolment as an Advocate.
• Candidates who are enrolled in the fifth year of the Five-Year Integrated Law Course may apply if they can provide documentation proving they have earned a legal degree at the time of the interview or before beginning their duties as a law clerk or research assistant.
• The applicant must possess computer literacy, including the capacity to locate necessary data using tools like Manupatra, SCC Online, LexisNexis, Westlaw, and others.

Business Lawyer

Take the choice of Business Law if you want to extend your horizons. This is one of the best careers to pursue after earning your LLB degree. With this job path having so many alternatives, you are going global. Management-related specialists are needed in every business. You can pursue a master's degree in business administration after earning your legal degree. Candidates who are searching for top management positions after earning their LLB degree will benefit from having an MBA.

People who pursue an MBA after receiving an LLB degree earn significantly more money than those with basic LLB degrees. The standard compensation ranges from 5 LPA to 8 LPA, depending on the type of firm you apply for and your level of competence.

If you additionally possess an MBA, top positions after receiving your LLB are available with multinational corporations, legal consultancies, newspapers, international organizations, sales tax & excise departments, and regulatory bodies.

Civil Services

Many recent law graduates desire to work in the Indian civil services. Competitive tests include those offered by the Union Public Service Commission, the State Public Service Commission, and others. The top positions after an LLB are accessible through these tough tests. These can be administrative positions at different tiers of India's executive branch. In the legal affairs section, you can also offer legal services. Additionally, you are able to join the legislative council. They can submit an application to join the Indian Government's Department of Justice if they have acquired sufficient experience.

Judiciary

If LLB graduates wish to be heavily involved in administrative matters, this is a fantastic option. They might serve the nation as a judge or magistrate. However, spending a lot of time preparing for competitive exams is required of students. To be eligible for these positions, the applicant must have an LLB degree from an accredited university and be no older than 35. If you're interested, you can also work as a judge or a magistrate in the nation's court system. However, you must show up for the judicial services exams held by the Public Service Commission in order to be qualified for the same (PSC). The test for judicial services is typically challenging to pass.

Magistrate/Munsif or Sub-Judge positions are filled with fresh hires via the Public Service Commission or under the direction of the High Court. All criminal cases are presided over by a Magistrate, whereas the Sub Judge or Munsif decides on civil cases. These officers are eligible for advancement to the District Court and, depending on their seniority, the High Court and Supreme Court.

Research and Academia

When it comes to one of the sought-after occupations after an LLB degree, education holds a respectable role. You can enroll in an LLM Master of Legislative Law course after earning a BA LLB . With an LLM , you have the option to specialize, giving you the chance to gain expertise in a certain sector. It also gives you the option to pursue a PhD in the future if you so want. People who desire to pursue a career in education typically choose an LLM. A research scholar gets about 3 to 4 LPA, whereas a law professor earns about 4 to 5 LPA (entry level salaries).

Legal Translator

Legal translators are in high demand, despite the fact that it may not be the first profession that comes to mind when discussing the legal field. One of the main services that many respectable translation companies provide is legal translation. These organizations are constantly searching for language experts with experience in the legal industry.

Legal translators must be fluent speakers in order to translate legal writings between two languages. Contracts, patents, business licenses, court documents, legal certifications, and many more texts that legal translators frequently work with are among these texts.

However, it requires more than just language proficiency; legal translators also need to be familiar with the legal systems of both the source and target countries, which is challenging without a background in law. Due to this, having a law degree is definitely advantageous.

Success as a legal translator requires mastery of two distinct skill sets, but the effort is worthwhile given the strong pay and constant availability of work.

Some Unconventional Choices of Career After Law

Apart from these career options which are sought after by a huge number of law graduates, candidates can also consider going for an unconventional choice of career after completing their graduation. Students can use their knowledge of law in many different professional ventures. Some of these career choices which follow a different path and are not so traditional have been given below.

• Entrepreneur
• Politics
• Public Welfare
• Social Work
• Policy Development

Law has a very lucrative future because with time the requirement for legal expertise in the market will only increase. The packages vary from profile to profile and so does the quality of work. In the end, the decision lies completely on your preference and interests.

Law has a very bright future because there will always be a need for legal skills in the market. The work quality and the bundles vary from profile to profile. The choice ultimately depends only on your preferences and interests. We discussed profitable employment opportunities after completing a legal degree, but in the end, your passion should steer you toward a particular line of work. Make sure the job path you chose after law is in line with your passion. Move forth if you believe this is your calling. All of these positions are open to qualified people like you after completing a three- or five-year legal education.

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