How to Become a Legal Manager

About Legal Manager

One of the innumerable job prospects that are available for candidates after pursuing higher education in law is that of a Legal Manager. It is a career which has been in great demand over the past few years. It is a combination of the legal as well as the management fields in the job sector. The Legal Manager for any business is someone who is responsible for overseeing all of the organisation's legal functions. This individual is a legal professional who is capable of providing accurate and relevant advice to the business, the business' clients, and the business' senior attorneys.

The primary responsibility of a Legal Manager is to safeguard the interests of the organisation through legal means. With the expansion of the market and new product lines launched across the organisations, the role of a Legal Manager has become an indispensable part of most of the companies. These individuals are hired across many sectors, in both small and large scale companies.

Responsibilities of a Legal Manager

Some important responsibilities that are undertaken by Legal Managers are listed below.

• Preserving the company’s IP assets such as trademarks, copyrights, patents, brand names (registrations and renewals), etc.
• Preparing and sending legal notices to clients or IP infringers, filing of legal or civil cases against debtors defaulting payments.
• Coordinating with Legal Consultants or liaisoning agencies in other countries for legal cases and dispute resolutions.
• Devising contracts with agents, partners, or clients as per the laws.
• Providing legal assistance to the Human Resources team for employment matters and contract to draft for employment and other related matters.
• Providing counsel and assistance to the IT department on software licensing, anti-infringement, and anti-piracy compliances.
• Coordinating with the management for consultation and strategic direction with compliance related to contractual, legal, and regulatory obligations.
• Looking after information and privacy compliance across the national/ international areas where the business exists.
• Providing legal assistance to functional/ department heads and managing leadership in developing agreements, communications, and policies.

Eligibility to become Legal Manager

Candidates who aspire to become Legal Managers have to fulfil certain conditions for the career. Given below is a list of eligibility criteria for becoming a Legal Manager.

• The candidate must have completed at least an undergraduate degree in law. An LL.B degree or an integrated law course are accepted as the minimum qualification required.
• It is important for the candidate to obtain his/ her degree from a university that has been recognised and approved by the UGC and the BCI.
• The aggregate marks scored by the candidate should be at least 45 to 50 per cent.
• If the candidate wishes to embark upon the journey of a Legal Manager soon, he/ she can enrol in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) course which will boost his/ her candidature for the job. Pursuing an MBA after law opens the door to several new job opportunities for candidates.
• The candidate must also have some work experience at law firms through internships/ jobs.

Courses to Become a Legal Manager

Here are some of the most popular courses that you can pursue to become a Legal Manager. The top colleges offering the course have also been listed alongside. If you wish to find the ideal college for yourself, fill our Common Application Form.

Types of Job Roles Legal Manager

Many job roles are available for Legal Managers in almost all the organisations and companies. Candidates are selected for different designations depending upon their experience and qualification. Some of the most popular job roles for Legal Managers in India have been listed below.

• Legal Manager - Head
• Senior Legal Manager
• Associate Legal Manager
• Manager of Law
• Legal Manager for IT
• Overseas Legal Manager

Employment Sector for Legal Manager

Due to the increasing need of law experts in every company, the demand for Legal Managers has shot up in the last few years. Legal Managers are required in almost all the sectors of the industry, both public and private. Some of the areas in which Legal Managers are hired the most are mentioned here.

• Corporate Sector
• Law Firms
• IT Companies
• Media Houses
• Fashion Houses
• Construction Agencies
• Real Estate
• E-Commerce Websites
• Social Media Platforms
• Finance Sector

Pay Scale/Salary of Legal Manager

The salary offered to a Legal Manager depends upon several factors. Some of them are the sector of employment, the company/ organisation, the candidate's designation, prior work experience of the individual, his/ her qualification, etc. The table given below provides an idea of the salary of a Legal Manager at various levels.

Books & Study Material to Become Legal Manager

Some of the best books for candidates preparing to become Legal Managers are provided below. These books will give you a deeper insight into the career and make you understand all requirements.

• 'The Business of Law' of Attorney and Law Firm Guide
• 'Proactive Law for Managers: A Hidden Source of Competitive Advantage' by George J. Siedel and Helena Haapio
• 'Business Law for Managers' by Anurag Agarwal
• 'Business Leadership and Law' by Anurag K. Agarwal

Pros of becoming a Legal Manager

• The salary of a Legal Manager is quite lucrative even at the beginner's level.
• Many job opportunities are available for Legal Managers across several sectors. Candidates can easily find a job or switch if they wish to.
• The duties and responsibilities of a Legal Manager are diverse, thus preventing their work from becoming redundant or boring.

Cons of becoming a Legal Manager

• Since Legal Managers have many responsibilities on their plate, they can get burdened with a lot of things to do.
• There is tough competition in the job market for Legal Managers at top companies.