LAW

In today's changing scenarios the laws have become very much complex, thus the work of Lawyers and Judges is very significant. Moreover, as the society is getting more and more civic conscious and aware about the legal framework, the jobs in Law are also gaining popularity and of high scope. A lawyer is an individual licensed by the State to engage in the practice of law and advice clients on legal matters. Lawyers act as both advocates and advisors on behalf of their clients. As advocates, they represent either the plaintiff or the defendant and advance their client's case through oral argument or written documents such as motions and briefs.

As advisors, lawyers counsel clients on how the facts of their particular case apply to the law. Pursuing career in Law is very much a popular option with young law graduates because it pays well, and it ensures fixed hours of work, recognition and respectability and most importantly, minimal strain or tension because the work involves drafting, vetting and resolving legal claims. Typically the eligibility criteria includes two to three years of practice and expertise in law before one can start practising. A written exam, followed by an interview, is part of the filtering process. It is not easy to secure this job profile as the vacancies are few and the rules of reservation for OBC, SC/ST, disabled and minorities are applicable.




One can easily either pursue a three-year law course (LLB) after graduation in any discipline or a five-year course after twelfth standard examinations, leading to a BA LLB (Hons). LLB course is sponsored by the Bar Council of India. Generally, eligibility for LLB is on the basis of marks scored at the graduation examinations. However, there are some Universities that conduct entrance tests too. Some of the institutes like National Law School in Bangalore conduct an All India Entrance examination. The BA LLB programme usually covers practical training including court attendance, hands on training at legal aid centers and research projects. To be able to practice, it is mandatory to put in a year's internship. This may be done during the course of the final year. In addition to LL.B. degree, many universities and institutes are offering diploma courses in several disciplines of law. P.G. Programmes in law (LLM) are of 2 years duration and eligibility is LLB degree. There are many branches of specialization in law like civil law, criminal law, corporate law, income tax law, international law, labour law, constitutional law, and patent law, etc.



Lawyers can find employment opportunities in public and private sector organizations. Most lawyers prefer to become an advocate and practice law as a profession. For that they have to enroll with the Local/State/Central Bar Council. Central/State Government jobs are also open to Lawyers. They can be appointed as Judges of various courts, as Attorney and Solicitor General, as Public Prosecutor and also in Defense, Tax and Labour departments. Moreover a Lawyer can also work as a legal counsel and legal adviser for firms, organizations and families. They also can be appointed as Company Secretaries in various firms. They also can work with legal consultancy firms dealing with tax, excise, patent, labour and environmental laws. They also can work as trustees of various trusts, law reporters in media industries. Besides lawyers have also ample career options in Law schools and colleges as a teacher/professor. In addition to this Lawyers also can join politics because they have large public contacts. Non-profit organizations like NGOs need the service of Lawyers. International agencies like UNO, ILO, and ICJ also employ Lawyers of good reputation and track records.

A Lawyer plays a significant role in providing advice regarding the working and transactions of a company. On behalf of the company or its subsidiaries, they undertake legal services such as drafting, vetting, networking and negotiating contracts and resolving legal disputes, just to mention a few. Law graduates prefer to work as corporate counsel as the terms are lucrative unlike in litigation firms. Usually, the young lawyers clinch many advantages with a job profile like this - quarterly bonuses, foreign trips, frequent holidays, fixed job hours in office and so on. In the legal profession, those who opt for this profile are called 'glorified clerks' as litigation lawyers in India consider themselves as the true professionals, who represent their clients and win their claims in a court of law.

Litigation law firms specialize in offering litigation solutions to their clients. The cases may vary in nature but a good litigation firm will accept all cases and represent clients in courts. The flip side is that litigation does not always pay lawyers as well as it does for corporate counsel. However, advocacy is what makes this domain irresistible for many lawyers. They know the pay is not always good to begin with but it is the challenges in the domain itself that enable a lawyer to earn name, fame and reputation by proving ability, technique and expertise in winning cases. Law graduates, who want to be good litigators, can find employment in such law firms. The starting years are the toughest as the hours span more than ten hours in a law office and even weekends are usually working. A law graduate, who has penchant for company related matters, can find employment as a company secretary in a corporate house. It pays very well and there is great opportunity to put skills and knowledge to test. However, advocates in the profession do not consider it as part of advocacy.



A law graduate can also take up research or make a profession in academics by teaching. Good teachers are in great demand in law colleges because they are the people who nurture and bring out law professionals into the society. However, this is not a popular option in India as it gets very little social recognition. Those who want to teach tend to opt for part time work as the pay is meager. Also, those who want to teach law must have passed LLM, which involves two years of study, but this is difficult to secure admission for as the seats are limited and the entry is restricted.



After completing law studies, a law graduate can pursue legal writing as a profession. With good writing and researching skills, a legal writer or law reporter can represent facts pertaining to legal developments across domains, research and write about it for law publishers, reports or even blogs pertaining to law. However, it is usually a desk job and not always thrilling for those who want to improve their advocacy skills. In terms of pay, the conditions are decent but advocates can always earn more through practice than writing on law.



A lawyer can become a part of a NGO and stand for social issues and causes. Advocacy skills are not put to use but it is a good endeavor to help the society and establish contacts. The pay packages are attractive but entry is usually difficult and restricted to young law graduates. Usually, the NGOs opt for advocates with experience.

Law Here is a list of some of the top Law Colleges in India. The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore; Gujarat National Law University (GNLU); Symbiosis Society's Law College (SSLC), Pune; National Law University, Jodhpur; NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal; Faculty of Law, University of Delhi; Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; National University of Juridicial Sciences (NUJS), Kolkata; ILS Law College, Pune; Government Law College, Mumbai; Amity Law School , Delhi; Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh; Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur and Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai.

Salaries of experienced attorneys vary widely according to the type, size, and location of their employer. A qualified lawyer employed in government department has pay packages as per the terms and conditions of the government. Those appointed as judges have good remunerations and other perks offered by the government. Lawyers preferring private sector have more lucrative pay packages. The earnings of lawyers working privately as advocate or consultant depends upon the number and nature of their clients.