Career Options after Law in India: Exploring Your Opportunities

If you have recently completed your law degree in India, you may be wondering what career options are available to you. Fortunately, there are many paths you can take with a law degree in India, ranging from traditional legal roles to more unconventional career paths. In this article, I will discuss Career Options after LLB in India.

One of the most common career paths for law graduates in India is to become an advocate. Advocacy is a highly respected profession in India, and many law graduates aspire to practice in the courts. As an advocate, you will represent clients in legal proceedings and provide legal advice and guidance. You may choose to specialize in a particular area of law, such as civil law, criminal law, or family law.

Another popular career option for law graduates in India is to work as a legal advisor. Legal advisors provide legal advice and guidance to individuals, businesses, and organizations. They may work in-house for a company or organization, or they may work for a law firm that provides legal advice to clients. Legal advisors may specialize in a particular area of law, such as employment law, intellectual property law, or taxation laws.

Career Options after Law in India

If you have completed your law degree, you have a wide range of career options available to you. Here are some of the most popular career paths you can pursue in India:

Advocate

Advocacy is one of the most sought-after careers for law graduates in India. As an advocate, you can practice in the District Courts, High Court of the state, and the Supreme Court of India. You can also work in private law firms or start your own law practice.

An advocate is a professional who speaks and advocates for a particular category of person, such as a customer, a victim, a child, or a patient. Advocates help to do what is best for the people they represent and need to be extremely empathetic to the situations involved. They work in many fields, including legal, medical, educational, and social service systems, and much more.

Advocates play a crucial role in society by helping people who may not have the resources or knowledge to advocate for themselves. They work with individuals, families, and communities to help them navigate complex systems and access the resources they need to thrive. Advocates may work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, community centers, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

One of the most important roles of an advocate is to provide support and guidance to those who are facing difficult situations. To illustrate; this may involve helping a victim of domestic violence obtain a restraining order, assisting a family in accessing healthcare services, or advocating for the rights of an individual with a disability.

Advocates may also provide emotional support and counseling to those in need, helping them to cope with the challenges they face.

A professional who provides specialized knowledge and expertise to assist in legal proceedings. An advocate provides independent analysis and opinion on technical or specialized issues that arise in a legal case. This may include providing testimony in court, preparing reports, and advising attorneys and their clients on complex issues related to the case.

Another key role of an advocate is to raise awareness about important issues and work to effect change at the policy level. Advocates may also work to educate the public about important issues, such as the effects of poverty on health and well-being, or the importance of early childhood education.

Advocates must have a deep understanding of the issues they work on and be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. They must be able to work collaboratively with other professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, and social workers, and be able to build trust and rapport with the people they serve. Advocates must also be able to work independently, taking initiative and making decisions on their own when necessary.

Key Works:

• Conducting research and analysis on technical or scientific issues related to the case.
• Preparing written reports and other documentation that summarizes their findings and opinions.
• Providing testimony in court or in other legal proceedings.
• Working with attorneys to develop legal strategy and identify potential areas of weakness in the case.
• Assisting with discovery, including reviewing documents and other evidence.
• Evaluating damages and other financial issues related to the case.

Thus, Advocates play a vital role in society by working to ensure that all people have access to the resources and support they need. Whether working with individuals, families, or communities, advocates provide a critical service that helps to improve the lives of those in need.

Average Income of Advocate per month: Rs 50,000.

Advocacy is a challenging and rewarding.

Government Services

If you are interested in serving the government, you can pursue a career in administrative services or join the Indian Army as a JAG officer. You can also work in the Department of Legal Affairs or become a public prosecutor.

A government services lawyer is a legal professional who provides legal services to government agencies and programs. The role of a government services lawyer is to advise government officials on legal matters, draft and review legal documents, and represent government agencies in legal proceedings.

Government services lawyers may also be involved in developing policies and programs that are consistent with legal requirements.

Another important role of a government services lawyer is to represent government agencies in legal proceedings. This may include defending the agency in lawsuits, negotiating settlements, and representing the agency in administrative hearings. Government services lawyers must have a deep understanding of the legal issues involved in these cases and be able to advocate effectively for their clients.

In addition to advising and representing government agencies, government services lawyers may also be involved in drafting and reviewing legislation and regulations. This requires a detailed understanding of the legal and policy implications of proposed legislation, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with other government officials and stakeholders.

Government services lawyers must also be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including government officials, other attorneys, and members of the public. They must be able to explain complex legal issues in a way that is understandable to non-experts, and be able to work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals.

Government services lawyers play a crucial role in ensuring that government agencies operate in compliance with legal requirements and that the interests of the public are protected.

Overall, the role of a government services lawyer is to provide legal services and advice to government agencies and programs. This requires a deep understanding of the legal issues involved in government work, as well as the ability to advocate effectively for clients in legal proceedings.

Average Salary of Govt. Advocate per month: Rs 35,000 – 45,000.

UPSC with Law Optional

Law is one of the optional subjects offered by UPSC for its candidates in the IAS mains exam. Despite being considered an unpopular choice, many aspirants take up this optional due to its high success rate. Even non-law graduates now opt for the law optional in the mains exam, perhaps due to its popularity.

The UPSC has released interesting statistics about the law optional. In the 2013 civil services mains exam, 144 candidates chose law as their optional subject. Of them, 35 people were recommended for the UPSC interview, resulting in a success rate of 24.3%, which is higher than all other optional subjects.

It is a common misconception that law is a highly specialized subject and should be taken only if you are a lawyer. However, this is not true. In recent years, even non-law graduates have taken the law optional and have performed exceptionally well in the IAS exam.

Judge | Judicial Services

Becoming a judge is a prestigious career option for law graduates. You can work your way up to become a magistrate or a judge.

The Judge Exam in India is an examination that is conducted to recruit candidates for the position of Judge in the Indian Judicial Services. The exam is conducted by the respective State Public Service Commissions and the High Courts of the respective states.

To be eligible for the Judge Exam, a candidate must have a degree in Law (LL.B) from a recognized institution, and must have practiced as an Advocate, Attorney, or a Pleader in the High Court or Courts of Subordinate Jurisdiction.

The minimum age required to be eligible for the examination is 21 years, and the maximum age is 35 years except a few states like Punjab where the age limit is relaxed upto 37 years.

The Judge Exam is conducted in three stages – Preliminary Examination, Mains Examination and Interview. The Preliminary Examination is an objective type exam and tests the candidate’s knowledge of General Knowledge, English, and Law.

The Mains Examination is a written exam and tests the candidate’s knowledge of Procedural Laws, Substantive Laws, and language. The Interview is the final stage of the examination and tests the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and knowledge of current legal developments.

Also Check: Tips for Law Students preparing for Judiciary

The Judge Exam is a highly competitive examination, and candidates must prepare thoroughly to clear the exam. Candidates must have a good understanding of the Indian Constitution, Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, and other relevant laws. They must also have good communication skills and be able to think critically and analytically.

The Judge Exam is a prestigious examination, and clearing it opens up a career path in the Indian Judicial Services. Judges play a crucial role in the Indian legal system, and are responsible for upholding the law and ensuring justice is served. They must be fair, impartial, and knowledgeable, and must have a deep understanding of the legal system.

Average Salary of Judicial Magistrate per month: Rs 65,000 – Rs 75,000.

Judge Attorney General (JAG)

A JAG officer, serves as a legal advisor to the Indian Army. However, age limit for this post is 21 to 27 years.

To be eligible for the course, candidates must have scored a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in their LLB Degree (three years professional after graduation or five years after 10 +2) examination. Additionally, all candidates (including LLM qualified and LLM appearing candidates) applying for courses starting in a particular year must have a mandatory CLAT PG Score of the preceding year.

The candidate should also be eligible for registration as an advocate with Bar Council of India/State and must have graduated from a College/University recognized by Bar Council of India.

Average Salary of JAG per month: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500.

Corporate Lawyer

If you are interested in corporate law, you can work as a corporate lawyer in a law firm or in-house legal department of a corporation. Your responsibilities will include drafting contracts, negotiating deals, and advising on legal issues related to business operations.

The role of a corporate lawyer is to advise and assist businesses in all legal matters related to their operations, including compliance with laws and regulations, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and employment issues.

One of the key roles of a corporate lawyer in India is to advise businesses on compliance with laws and regulations. This includes ensuring that the business is complying with labor laws, environmental regulations, and other legal requirements.

Corporate lawyers must stay up-to-date on changes in laws and regulations that may impact their clients and advise them accordingly.

Another important role of a corporate lawyer is to assist businesses in drafting and negotiating contracts. This may include contracts with suppliers, customers, and employees. Corporate lawyers must ensure that these contracts are legally sound and protect their clients’ interests.

Corporate lawyers in India also play a crucial role in mergers and acquisitions. They advise businesses on the legal aspects of buying or selling companies, including due diligence, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance.

In addition to these roles, corporate lawyers may also be involved in intellectual property issues, such as trademark and patent registration, and employment issues, such as drafting employment contracts and advising on labor laws.

Corporate lawyers must have a deep understanding of the legal issues involved in business operations and be able to provide practical and effective legal advice to their clients. They must also be able to communicate effectively with business executives and stakeholders, and be able to work collaboratively with other legal professionals and advisors.

Overall, Corporate lawyers in India are responsible for providing legal services and advice to businesses and corporations. To fulfill this role, they must possess a comprehensive understanding of the legal issues involved in business operations, and be capable of providing practical and effective legal advice to their clients. By doing so, corporate lawyers play a vital role in ensuring that businesses operate in accordance with legal requirements, and that their clients’ interests are safeguarded.

Average Salary of Corporate Lawyer per month: Rs. 50,000 – 70,000.

Banking Panel Lawyer

You can also work as a bank panel lawyer and provide legal advice to banks on matters related to banking law, finance, and investments.

Bank lawyers in India are legal professionals who provide legal services to banks and financial institutions. The role of a bank lawyer is to advise and assist banks in all legal matters related to their operations, including compliance with laws and regulations, contracts, litigation, and mergers and acquisitions.

One of the key roles of a bank lawyer in India is to advise banks on compliance with laws and regulations. This includes ensuring that the bank is complying with banking laws, regulations, and guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other regulatory bodies. Bank lawyers must stay up-to-date on changes in laws and regulations that may impact their clients and advise them accordingly.

Bank lawyers in India also play a crucial role in litigation. They represent banks in legal proceedings, including disputes with customers, vendors, and employees.

In addition to these roles, bank lawyers may also be involved in mergers and acquisitions. They advise banks on the legal aspects of buying or selling other banks or financial institutions, including due diligence, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance.

Bank lawyers must have a deep understanding of the legal issues involved in banking operations and be able to provide practical and effective legal advice to their clients. They must also be able to communicate effectively with bank executives and stakeholders, and be able to work collaboratively with other legal professionals and advisors.

Overall, the role of a bank lawyer in India is to provide legal services and advice to banks and financial institutions. This requires a deep understanding of the issues involved in banking operations, as well as the ability to provide practical and effective legal advice to clients.

Bank lawyers play a crucial role in ensuring that banks operate in compliance with legal requirements and that their clients’ interests are protected.

Average Salary of Panel Lawyer per month: Rs. 35,000 – 45,000.

Academia / Coaching

If you are interested in teaching and research, you can pursue a career in academia and become a professor of law. You can also start your own coaching institute and train law aspirants for competitive exams.

Average Income of Coach per month: Rs. 35,000 – 40,000.

District Attorney | Assistant District Attorney (ADA)

As a district attorney, you will be responsible for prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the state.

An Assistant District Attorney (ADA) is a legal professional who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The role of an ADA is to assist the District Attorney (DA) in the administration of justice and the prosecution of criminal cases.

One of the key roles of an ADA is to review police reports and evidence to determine if there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and if so, what charges.

Another important role of an ADA is to represent the government in court proceedings. This includes preparing and presenting evidence, arguing motions. ADAs must have a deep understanding of criminal law and be able to effectively advocate for the government in court. They must be able to balance the interests of justice with the needs of victims and the community.

In addition to these roles, ADAs may also be involved in community outreach and education. They may work with law enforcement agencies, schools, and community organizations to promote public safety and prevent crime.

ADAs must have a deep understanding of the law and be able to effectively represent the government in court proceedings. They must also be able to communicate effectively with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement personnel. ADAs play a crucial role in ensuring that justice is served and that the interests of the community are protected.

Average Salary of ADA per month: Rs. 45,000 – 50,000.

Conclusion

To sum up, there are many career options available for law graduates in India. Whether you choose to pursue a career as an advocate, legal analyst, or in any other legal profession, your hard work and dedication will pay off in the long run.

It is important to remember that each career path has its own requirements and challenges. For example, to become an advocate, you must pass the bar exam and gain experience in the field. On the other hand, a legal analyst may require a strong background in research and analysis.

Regardless of which path you choose, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest legal developments and continue to build your skills and knowledge. This can be done through attending seminars, workshops, and networking with other legal professionals.

Overall, the legal profession in India is diverse and rewarding. With perseverance and dedication, you can build a successful and fulfilling career in the field of law. In conclusion, there are many career options available to law graduates in India. Whether you choose to become an advocate, litigator, judge, corporate lawyer, or pursue a career in academia, there are ample opportunities for you to excel in the legal profession.