Skills Necessary for a Successful Law Career in India

There seems to be a strong disconnect from reality when students are generally asked what exactly they need in order to be successful in the field of law. Getting the right education from a top law college followed by a good placement would probably be the answer, but one also needs to have the right skills and knowledge in order to be good at what they do.

In India, many people choose to pursue careers in law since, in addition to paying well, it also provides fascinating and challenging prospects. Being a lawyer is a principal occupation, even in terms of societal repute. Since the law typically aids the common man when all other options fail, our society values attorneys highly. In our everyday lives, we could all use legal counsel. Legal counsel is constantly in demand, whether the matter involves a family feud, a fight over ancestral property, or a simple civil matter. For a successful legal career in India, a variety of talents are required. Strong writing, advocacy, and research abilities are among them, as is knowledge of the Indian legal system. There are several ways to obtain work as a lawyer in India despite the country's very competitive job market for lawyers.

At a time when students are taking a keen interest in the field of law, many law colleges in India are also taking shape to build a solid foundation for students. An interesting thing to note is that career options in law are not just limited to the courtrooms now, the benefits of being in the legal profession go way beyond the walls of the judiciary.

Those who have a good academic background, skills and the right knowledge base can do wonders in the field of law and that is precisely what one needs to know beforehand in order to be successful. Following are some important lessons for those preparing to venture into the legal profession or become a lawyer .

A very interesting fact related to this field is that the strongest leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto and Barack Obama, they all studied law and all of them have had a huge impact on the world.

Also Read: List of Popular Law Entrance Exams in India

Skills You Need to Have a Successful Law Career in India

Even after obtaining the degree and practising as a lawyer, the learning does not stop. To stay adept, one has to constantly evolve. Here are a few skills you can work on in order to achieve greater heights in the field of law:

• Written Communication : A lot of work in the legal profession involves writing. The work of a lawyer involves writing letters, notices, and drafting documents, etc. The way you write your letters and draft emails to clients gives them an idea about your English proficiency skills. A properly written document without errors builds the clients' confidence in you.

• Self-Confidence : Only a person with great confidence can convince the client that they are good enough and will offer the best of services to the client. Therefore, believing in yourself is the way to build a huge client base. Confidence is the key to winning arguments and cases that need a strong voice.

• Time Management : The field of law demands time because one has to actually sit down to study cases or any legal document. So, a lawyer must have the skills to efficiently channelise their time by a proper delegation of work and prioritising tasks.

• Research Skills : A lawyer should always be prepared before a meeting with the client. A well-researched lawyer always leaves a good impression. In today’s time of ‘fake news,’ it is important for lawyers to be wary of all the things happening in the country. They must not believe everything and anything presented by the media but instead, read carefully and analyse the situations themselves.

• Emotional Intelligence : Every lawyer must be emotionally intelligent. They must know how to exercise their emotions in the best possible way at the best possible time. They cannot be emotional with one particular client and must treat all the clients equally. One must also be empathetic towards the client. Learning to deal with emotions around colleagues and clients is the best skill that makes for a successful lawyer.

• Technological Connect : In today’s tech-savvy world, one must be acquainted with technology, irrespective of the field they are in. Clients today do not always use the traditional way of meeting up and calling up their lawyer always. The clients want to be on the go and are very active with other technological means to communicate with the lawyer. Various legal client portals have been created and many apps have been emerging to help boost the client and lawyer relationship and help them connect professionally. Technology has made communication between the two parties easier. It is now mandatory for a lawyer to be very active technologically in order to become successful and efficient.

• Commercial Awareness : Commercial awareness involves being acquainted and thorough with all the current trends and technologies ongoing in the world of business and law. Although commercial awareness is not only restricted to the knowledge about law firms and clients but gives an overall idea about ongoing developments in the nation and world business. Many lawyers join different clubs and societies related to law, in order to grasp this knowledge. You can also opt for ways like reading law magazines, joining forums, which are law specific or even listening to podcasts related to the same field, to enhance your knowledge.

• Verbal Communication and Analytical Skills : A lawyer must be equally good in verbal communication as he/she is in written communication. Good verbal communication skills give a boost to self-confidence. Also, in order to be a successful lawyer, one needs to master logical and analytical skills. Meeting so many people in a single day makes it important for them to be very sharp and think logically before analysing people and coming to a conclusion about them.

• Patience : Law is a career for the patient and skilful, at least that is what they say! It might look like a very simple and basic skill but when it comes to dealing with certain clients, lawyers often lose it! One must maintain calm and patience throughout the meetings with clients in order to understand them better.
• Legal Research Competency: Legal research expertise is crucial for becoming a successful lawyer in India. Finding and comprehending the pertinent law, whether it be in the form of legislation, case law, or secondary sources, is required. It's also crucial to be able to access legal research resources like online encyclopedias and databases.
• Skills in Advocacy: For lawyers who want to represent clients in court, advocacy abilities are crucial. This includes having the ability to make compelling arguments and present issues in an understandable and logical way. It's also crucial to be familiar with the laws of evidence and trial protocol.
• Degree of Knowledge: Studying law is a continual process that never ends with your final exams. A lawyer must continually research and commit to memory all new laws and amendments that the government enacts. Every subject they study, from their distant past to their current state of affairs, requires them to have in-depth knowledge.
• Empathy: A lawyer will frequently encounter instances that are difficult to handle or involve sensitive family issues. A skilled attorney understands how to be both professional and sympathetic at the same time. While you must move forward with the legal process, you must also provide emotional support for your client in order to earn their trust.
• Ability to Network: As a lawyer, networking is crucial. In many situations, you would need to speak with insiders, which is where networking comes in handy. Having good relationships with insiders gives you a competitive advantage over your rival.
  

Also Read: Career Options After Law in India

Pros and Cons of Law as a Career in India

Every coin has two sides. The field of law too has its own pros and cons. You must know about both sides before proceeding with it. Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of pursuing law in India.

Pros:

• Availability of Several Options : Lawyers have a variety of options to choose from. The person who has obtained a degree of Law need not stick to fighting cases in the courtroom. Nowadays, even Corporate Firms and Multinationals recruit law associates who look after the auditing and legal decisions of the firm and are very well reputed amongst their peers. It is indeed a very important job and pays really well.

• Building Contacts : A lawyer is able to make innumerable contacts during their serving time. The contacts are built in both ways- professionally and personally and help the lawyer in the long run.

• Respect in Society : Looking at the crime rate and statistics in the country, the lawyers have earned a respect as everybody knows how difficult it is to stand in the courtroom and fight cases.

• Financial Stability : The starting salary for Law graduates is as good as INR 35,000 per month. As and when they grow in their work and learn more, it might as well go up to any limit.

• Master in Critical Thinking : With time, lawyers master the art of logical and analytical thinking, which also helps them in real-life situations outside their profession too.

Cons:

• Stress : As you go higher in ranks in the field of Law, you are bound to have more pressure and fight more cases. The field of the law becomes very demanding and time taking. The lawyers at times do not even get time for their families and children. So, work-life disbalance becomes the biggest con of this industry.

• Competition : There are many lawyers in the country. If a client does not like your work and has money, it is very easy for them to immediately switch to other lawyers in the market that look more befitting.

• Dealing with Dishonest Clients and Enemies : Many lawyers end up making enemies in this industry. The opponent party can also execute some kind of attack on the lawyer for taking the side of the other. So, although they build a lot of contacts over time, they also create enemies which could put their lives at risk.

• Trust Factor : In this field, you come across so many people. If you are a skilled lawyer, you would be able to analyse whether the person is being true to you or is cooking up stories just so you fight their case. Most of the time, budding lawyers face trust issues as they don’t know whom to trust and to what extent.
• Underplay of Lawyers: People frequently underrate what a lawyer does for a living. They are unaware of how important it is to comprehend the law and the judicial system. They don't respect lawyers because of this. The country and all that takes place in it are governed by the law. Understanding the law is crucial. People continue to be disconnected from this reality and undervalue the knowledge and drive of attorneys.
• Poor reputation: Attorneys don't have a realistic reputation in the eyes of the ordinary population. People in our country want to avoid attorneys and court cases as much as is physically possible. They avoid going to court. They believe that if they ever set foot in a courtroom, a lawyer would never permit them to leave so they could continue to make money off of the case's ongoing hearing. As a result, lawyers in India don't have a very excellent reputation.
• Rapid Adaptive Situations: The advancement of science is causing the world to change. Today, a lot of legal processes are completed online, including document review, presentation, billing software, etc. Lawyers must therefore conduct studies in order to function on a wide range of legal platforms which could become hectic and cumbersome for the lawyers and they may not be able to quickly adapt to the rapidly changing technology.
  

Popular Law Courses in India

It is important to pursue a relevant course in law in order to make a career in the field. There are many popular specialisations of law that are offered at various levels. Candidates can pursue an integrated law programme or a certificate course in law depending on their requirements and preference. Some of the most popular law courses in India have been given in the table below.

Popular Law Colleges in India

As important as it is to find the right law course and specialisation for yourself, obtaining a degree from a good law college is also necessary. The table given below provides a list of some leading law colleges in India along with their duration.

Due to the complexity and diversity of the Indian legal system, a successful legal career in India necessitates both good academic qualifications and practical abilities. Skills in legal writing, research, and advocacy are crucial for lawyers in India, as is knowledge of the Indian legal system. There are many opportunities accessible for competent candidates despite the competitive legal job market in India. Networking with other lawyers and legal professionals is crucial if you want to work as a lawyer in India. After pursuing Law, the student can go for many different jobs or roles, which cater to completely different responsibilities other than just fighting cases in the courtroom. However, one must back up their education and knowledge with the right skills in order to make the most of this career option.

Fill out our Common Application Form (CAF) to find the ideal law college for yourself or contact the Q & A Zone for further assistance. You can also dial our student helpline number (1800-572-9877) and share your queries and concerns.

Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more such updates!