How To Become A Lawyer After CLAT?

The Common Law Admission Test, or CLAT , is a law entrance exam that offers admission to 3 years and five years integrated law courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. To become a lawyer in India, one needs to qualify certain criteria which include obtaining a law degree. Admission to various law colleges is mostly done through entrance exams that are conducted at the national level, state level, and even institute level. However, if individuals desire to pursue law from National Law Universities (except NLU Delhi ) or other top-notch law colleges in India, they need to qualify the CLAT exam.

In the article given below, we have tried to explain how the CLAT exam can help you become a lawyer. Individuals are advised to read the article thoroughly and get answers to all their doubts.

Also Read: How to Become a Judge after CLAT?

Who is a Lawyer?

A lawyer is a licensed professional who is trained in preparing legal documents to manage, prosecute, or defend the action of the court. They are responsible for giving legal advice and solutions and also for representing their clients in court.

Lawyers use their expertise to help clients understand and navigate legal challenges that can be professional or personal. However, their roles can vary depending on their specialization. A lawyer's main responsibilities include working with law enforcement and detectives to gather evidence for trials, advising clients on trial options, attending hearings and trials on behalf of clients, conducting trials and presenting arguments before judges, and creating legal documents for submission to the relevant courts and authorities.

Being a lawyer in India, especially within the top governing body, the Indian Judiciary is a source of pride and satisfaction. India has over 15,00,000 lawyers practising in diverse legal areas, including civil law , criminal law , taxation law , human rights law, labour law , cyber law , etc.

To practice as a lawyer in India, one needs to qualify the AIBE exam which is conducted by the Bar Council of India. Candidates who clear AIBE are granted a license to practice law in any court of India.

Step-by-Step Process to Become a Lawyer After CLAT

To understand how the CLAT exam helps in becoming a lawyer in detail, follow the steps given below:

Step 1 -  Appear for the CLAT exam

• Confirm your eligibility for CLAT and submit its application form online. Those who clear the exam and secure a good score in CLAT can get admission to their desired law college through the counselling process.

Step 2 - Obtain a Law Degree

• After qualifying CLAT and upon college admission, students delve into subjects like civil law, criminal law, family law, tax laws, etc. Passing all subjects is crucial for becoming a law graduate and qualifying for the Bar Council Examination.

Step 3 - Pursue Law Internships

• Given the practical nature of the study of law, internships are integral to understanding legal proceedings. Students can intern under advocates, participate in moot discussions, or engage in legal aid to gain insights into law practices and the legal system.

Step 4 - Register with the State Bar Council

• Post their bachelor's or integrated degree, law aspirants must register with the State Bar Council to be eligible for the AIBE exam. Candidates submit fees and documents to obtain a provisional certificate allowing them to practice before the Court of Law.

Step 5 - Clear the All India Bar Examination (AIBE)

• Following government guidelines, law aspirants must successfully clear the AIBE exam to practice law. The exam, held annually, requires provisional registration as a mandatory step.

Step 6 - Practice Law and Gain Experience

• After passing the AIBE exam, candidates earn the license to practice law and officially become lawyers. To gain experience, they can join private or government firms or even establish their own law firms.

How to Become a Lawyer After CLAT?

After qualifying the CLAT exam, one needs to take admission to their choice of law specialization in a law college or university. During their degree, candidates have to undertake internships, legal projects, and contribute research and papers becuase law is a practical field and gaining experience is mandatory. Students need proper exposure to how things work in different areas of legal setups.

After rigorous learning and training, the candidate gets their law degree. Now, to become a lawyer or an advocate, they have to appear for the AIBE exam. The All India Bar Examination, organised by the Bar Council of India, is designed for law graduates aspiring to begin their legal practice. Upon successfully clearing the exam, candidates receive a Certificate of Practice, enabling them to practice law in any court across India. Individuals also get to use the title of an “advocate” once they get their license. The examination is conducted in 53 cities nationwide, using both national and regional languages.

To further advance their careers one can also pursue an LLM or other legal postgraduate course or opt for competitive exams like UPSC, PCS, etc. Individuals can even choose to prepare for judiciary examinations to become a judge depending upon their choice and interest.

Eligibility to Become a Lawyer in India

To be eligible to become a lawyer in India, there are certain criteria that one needs to fulfil. These include:

• First, students must clear their class 12th board examinations with a minimum of 50-60% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA.
• Next, they must qualify a national or university-level entrance exam. There are various entrance exams conducted which include CLAT, AILET , LSAT , SLAT , IPU CET , MH CET Law , etc. If they want to pursue law from top-notch institutions, they need to clear the CLAT exam.
• After qualifying the CLAT exam, they need to be admitted to an undergraduate law course of their choice such as LLB , BA LLB , BBA LLB , B.Com LLB , B.Sc LLB , B.Tech LLB , etc.
• After completing the UG law degree, one has to appear for the AIBE exam which helps in granting a license to the individual to practice law in any court in India.
• To gain highly reputable positions, one can also secure an LLM degree after completing their undergraduate law degree. To pursue LLM, they need to have a bachelor's degree in law from a recognized university or college with a minimum 55% aggregate.

Also Read: Pros and Cons of Being A Lawyer

Difference Between a Lawyer and an Advocate

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the difference between a lawyer and an advocate. In the table below, we have made a comparison between the two professions to highlight the differences between the two.

Skills Required to Become a Lawyer

Becoming a successful lawyer involves not only a deep understanding of the legal field but also the acquisition of both soft and hard professional skills. Essential transferable skills include excellent communication, analytical prowess, and effective networking. Here are key skills crucial for a lawyer's career advancement:

• Detail Orientation: Lawyers must possess a meticulous eye for detail to identify inconsistencies in cases and prevent discrepancies in legal documents, such as clauses and contracts. This skill helps avoid unintended errors and contributes to overall success.
• Organisational Skills: Given the vast responsibilities of a lawyer, including client record maintenance, document handling, networking, and meeting attendance, effective organisational skills are paramount. Prioritizing tasks and managing schedules is crucial for success.
• Analysis and Research: Working on a case demands extensive research to extract relevant information. Lawyers also need to analyze various aspects of a case, enhancing critical thinking and reasoning abilities. These skills enable lawyers to provide informed guidance to their clients.
• Interpersonal Skills: Interacting with people from diverse social backgrounds is inherent to a lawyer's role. Developing interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, and the ability to connect, and empathize with others, is essential for understanding different perspectives and fostering successful relationships.

Other Career Opportunities available After CLAT

Many individuals in India may pursue a degree in law to become a lawyer, however, the scope of a law degree is not just limited to becoming a lawyer and there are numerous career paths available in the field. Those who are not familiar with these opportunities, or who do not come from a family background of lawyers, may find it difficult to navigate the extensive range of options within the legal field.

Given below, we have mentioned some of the other career pathways available that one can take up after completing their law degree instead of being a lawyer.

• Legal Consultant: Providing advice on contracts, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property rights, law graduates can work for consulting or accounting firms or establish their own consulting business.
• Corporate Lawyer : Law graduates can join in-house legal departments of corporations, handling issues like contract negotiations, compliance, and litigation; an ideal choice for those preferring a corporate setting.
• Government Legal Expert: Opportunities in the government include roles as judges, prosecutors, public defenders, or legal advisors, offering a fulfilling career for those inclined to public service.
• Legal Academician: Law graduates can become law professors, teaching courses and conducting research in their specialised areas, paving the way for a career in academia.
• Non-Profit Organizations Legal Expert: Legal expertise is crucial for non-profits, and interested candidates can contribute as legal advocates or advisors in advocacy groups, charities, and foundations.
• Legal Compliance: Companies hire compliance officers to ensure legal adherence and graduates can work in such roles, aiding companies in developing policies aligned with legal requirements.
• Legal Journalist: Legal Journalists engage in journalism centred around law-related topics. Their role involves specialised reporting on matters within the field of law, challenging the idea that law graduates are limited to working only in law firms or corporate settings.

Becoming a lawyer after CLAT is a slightly challenging process due to tough competition, however, you can easily make your way through with proper preparation and the required skills.

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