Law as a Career

Till a few years back there were only two options for lawyers – practice civil law or become a criminal lawyer. The scenario has changed completely now and there are many career options after you gain a law degree. You don’t need to become an individual lawyer practicing his profession from small home offices and crowded cubicles and rooms – grandly called “chambers” – attached to various courts or join the ranks of lawyers in frayed gowns sitting on the roadside eking out a living as notaries. Let’s look at how to gain a law degree and what career options are available.


How to obtain a qualification in law
After graduation with a basic 3 year degree like BA, B.Com, B.Sc etc., you could take the traditional three year Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB) which is offered by most universities. Alternatively, five year integrated law degrees are offered by law universities and specialized law schools.

As the name suggests an integrated law degree integrates the basic pre-qualification degree subjects like Arts, Science or Commerce and the “law” subjects in an integrated 5 year course to give you a BA.LL.B, B.Com. LL.B or B.Sc. LLB degree. You gain one year since you spend five years to obtain the combined degree instead of six years and the industry prefers this type of qualification.

Another advantage of integrated degrees is that, apart from regular subjects, special seminar courses are also available to students addressing specific areas like real estate, securities market, competition law, international business, mergers and acquisitions, maritime law etc.

If you want to pursue a career in management and want to do an MBA, doing BBA LLB or any integrated degree will be advantageous.

Further studies in law include specialization in corporate law, mediation and negotiation, international law, intellectual property law, environmental law, women's law, human rights law and labour law, just to name a few of the alternatives available. PhDs are available in international law, and doctorates in law usually work with the United Nations or such international organizations.

Careers in Law
Typically, those with the traditional three year law degrees plan to have careers as lawyers, academicians or want to join the judiciary. Some also want to appear for civil services.

After completing a five year integrated degree one can take up work in accounting or taxation firms, the banking sector, law firms etc. or as managers in companies especially in HR, Contracts or Legal Departments. 

After a specialized degree, careers are available in companies for corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, taxation and international trade; pursuing the legal profession by joining law firms and becoming associates of senior lawyers. Another option is to join regulatory bodies like electricity regulator, competition commission, foreign investment promotion board, securities and exchange board etc as legal assistants.

Emerging trends in the profession
The big emerging trend in law in India is the move away from solo legal practice to well-organized law firms comprising several lawyers working together and offering a full range of legal expertise. For those seeking careers in corporate law, it might be a good idea to look at law firms which offer exciting possibilities for careers in corporate law. Companies prefer to deal with law firms rather than individual lawyers.

Broadly speaking, corporate lawyers advise corporations on various issues mentioned like Taxation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Land Titles, Contract Terms etc. and in addition also on things like advising the board on their legal rights and obligations. And with foreign law firms moving into India, salaries have begun to sky rocket.

Demand for lawyers with experience in securities and transactions is growing and even small organizations are now involved in foreign transactions necessitating the services of corporate lawyers who are well-versed with international law.

In fact, with joint ventures and foreign collaborations coming in, the need for drawing up contracts and interpreting statutes and statutory provisions would increase considerably. Contract law is gaining importance, thanks to increased private sector participation and liberalisation. Securities and banking laws are also gaining importance with the advent of e-commerce.

The legal process outsourcing (LPO) industry is not just a new employment option for law graduates but a lucrative opportunity. With the advent of Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES), the LPO industry has been flourishing in India. Touted to be a sunrise sector in the ITES industry, law graduates proficient in English with the acumen to analyse and capture legal aspects, combined with basic computer skills are quickly hired by LPO firms. Close to 65% of lawyers in the LPO sector are now women.

If you have a flair for writing, you could initially attach yourself to the legal correspondent of a newspaper and move on to independent reporting in due course. If you are academically inclined, you could also join a reputed legal publishing house or go into teaching, research or perhaps even politics.

With so many options, a legal career is an exciting possibility for both men and women.