How to Become a Lawyer: Quick Facts
Here is some interesting quick facts of a lawyer salary, job role, education and procedure to become a lawyer.
| Industry | Law, Legal Service, lawyer |
| Eligibility | 10+2 in any discipline and should qualify entrance exams |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 8,00,000 – INR 10,00,000 |
| Highest Salary | INR 3.5 Crores & above |
| Job Opportunity | Lawyers, Judge, Family lawyers, Securities lawyer, Tax lawyers, insurance Lawyer, oilfield lawyer, injury lawyer, immigration lawyer, human rights, labor lawyer, cyber crime lawyer, Environmental lawyers etc. |
Top Recruiters for Lawyers
There are numerous recruiters in India, but the most recognized recruiters of India are,
| Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co. | AZB & Partners |
| Khaitan & CO | J Sagar Associates |
| Luthra & Luthra Law Offices | Trilegal |
| S&R Associates | Economic Laws Practice |
| Desai & Diwanji | Talwar Thakore & Associates |
Skills Required in a Lawyer
The lawyer needs many skills to fight, win against an opponent, impress a judge and save their client.
Following are the skills that are to be polished for a candidate to become a lawyer:
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- Client service
- Time management
- Analytical and logical research
- Legal research
- Knowledge about the present technology
- Knowledge about the laws
How to Become a Lawyer: Pros and Cons
There are some Pros and cons in the career as a lawyer:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lawyers have high earning potential as they are among the highest paid professionals in the country. | Lawyers may have to work under stress while meeting deadlines, client requirements, law changes, etc. |
| Lawyers are held in high regard and have great power that ultimately leads to respect and success. | The competitive labor market in the field of law is another disadvantage in choosing a career as a lawyer. |
| You have the opportunity to help others and to work for equality in all aspects that respect the law. | The workload of lawyers often leads to long hours. This can increase individual fatigue and health problems. |
| There are several options in the field of law: family, corporate, financial, civil, criminal, etc. | – |
| Lawyers can earn extra income by working as advisors, attending law school professors, speakers, etc. | – |
Eligibility to Become a Lawyer
There are various eligibility criteria that needs to be fulfilled in order to be able to become a Lawyer. Some of the top most criterias for becoming a Lawyer are mentioned below for your reference,
- Students must clear their Class 12th board exams with minimum 60% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA
- They must sit for various national level or University level entrance exams such as CLAT, AILET, LSAT etc
- They must complete their 5 years Undergraduate course such as BA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB
- Students who have LLM degree can also become a lawyer
The course wise eligibility stratification for becoming a lawyer is mentioned below,
- Undergraduate Courses: The candidates must have cleared their 10+2 from a recognized board with at least 45% marks and passed the required entrance exam
- Postgraduate Courses: Graduates who have already pursued their under graduation degree in any course, are eligible to apply and sit for an entrance exam. To pursue a postgraduate law course like LLM, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in law from a recognized university or college.
Know about entrance tests: Students require a high GPA with good entrance exams to get into high-ranked law schools. If one intends to pursue law in India, then make sure to meet the cutoff marks released by the Bar Council of India. Besides, some top law colleges consider the Law School Admission Test (LSAT-India).
Below are the top law exams in India.
- Common-Law Admission Test (CLAT) is the main written examination that allows the students to get admission in 21 National Law universities in India for law courses such as LLB and LLM.
- Other than these popular entrance exams, the university conducted other autonomous entrance exams under its norms.
CLAT Exam Syllabus and Procedure
CLAT exam is conducted for Indian nationals and NRIs alone. If the student is a foreign national willing to pursue law in India, contact the university and know about international students’ admission.
Below are the highlights of the CLAT exam.
- The exam pattern for the CLAT exam comprises English, including Comprehension, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, Elementary Mathematics (Numerical Ability), Legal Aptitude, and Logical Reasoning.
- To apply for an undergraduate law course, one must hold a minimum of 45% aggregate in the 12th exam.
- For a postgraduate program, one must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 50% aggregate in any recognized university.
LSAT Exam Syllabus and Procedure
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is the standardized law test conducted four times a year. The LSAT test tests the critical and analytical skills of the candidates. LSAT scores are mandatory for higher-ranked universities across the world.
Below are the key differences between LSAT India and LSAT Abroad.
- CLAT India is a standardized test developed by the Law School Admission Council to enter India’s top law schools. LSAT India is conducted once a year.
- LSAT Abroad or LSAT is a standardized test developed by the Law School Admission Council to enter into the top law schools in the world, excluding India. LSAT is conducted four times a year (February, June, September/October, and December).
Types of Lawyers and their Job Role
The job of a lawyer is not easy, there are various specializations that are pursued for various fields and sectors. .
Civil Lawyer
| Definition | As the name implies, the primary function of civil lawyers is to protect the rights of all citizens. Civil Lawyers fight for the fundamental rights which are the basic rights that every person enjoys from the moment he or she is born. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 11 – 12 LPA. |
Criminal Lawyer
| Definition | The profession of a criminal lawyer is the most popular of all the categories of lawyers. They meticulously examine and research the case in order to reach a conclusion, based on which they either demand the defendant’s freedom if the defendant pleads innocent, or negotiate a plea or settlement if the defendant is found guilty. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 17.33 LPA & above |
Corporate Lawyer
| Definition | They offer legal advice to businesses, assisting them in developing growth strategies that are legal. Due to their specialisation in contract law, securities law, bankruptcy, tax law, accounting, intellectual property rights, licencing, zoning regulations, and other areas, Corporate Law professionals are in high demand. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 8 – 11 LPA |
Public Interest Lawyer
| Definition | Public Interest Lawyers oversee circumstances when persons who require legal assistance cannot afford to employ an attorney. In such circumstances, a Public Interest Lawyer accepts the case on a pro bono basis. Such lawyers work for non-profit organisations and government agencies, providing specialised legal assistance to their clients. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 6.6 – 8 LPA |
Intellectual Property Lawyer
| Definition | Patents, intellectual property, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets are all concerns that a legal expert works with. Intellectual property refers to a person’s idea or creation of mind, which can lead to a company’s success or failure in modern times. Cases such as firms suing their competitors and filing patents for stealing or copying their idea or design are handled by intellectual property (IP) lawyers. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 17 – 22.8 LPA |
Cyber Lawyer
| Definition | The purpose of cyber law is to deal with situations of cybercrime. The term “cybercrime” refers to unlawful conduct carried out over the internet. A Cyber Lawyer’s job is to prepare, examine, and argue a case for a client who has been charged with a cyber crime. Cyber Law is a sub-discipline of law that is significantly broader than the legal field as a whole. It’s also a crucial part of legal education and company management. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 16 LPA |
Insurance Lawyer
| Definition | Lawyers manage complex legal issues in the insurance arena, from mergers to alternative risk financing. Regularly advise clients on staying in compliance with regulations, entering new markets, navigating securitization laws or creating effective online insurance ventures. At all stages of insurance transactions, the Insurance and Reinsurance Practice enables sound deals that achieve your business objectives. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 25-30 LPA |
Personal injury lawyer
| Definition | A personal injury lawyer is a lawyer who provides legal services to those who claim to have been injured, physically or psychologically, as a result of the negligence of another person, company, government agency or any entity. Personal injury lawyers primarily practice in the area of law known as tort law. An oilfield injury lawyer can assist you with the injury cases. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 30-35 LPA |
Car Accident Lawyer
| Definition | Auto accident attorneys cover a range of issues stemming from personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage. An experienced car accident attorney can help you recover losses resulting from a motor vehicle accident and reduce the hefty amount of paperwork, phone calls, and hassle often associated with car accident insurance claims. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 20-35 LPA |
Law Certificate Courses
There are some certificate courses for law, they are of 4months to 6 months durations. Such a course can be done to enhance your career in law.
| Course Name | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate in Anti-Human Trafficking | 6 Months – 2 Years | INR 1,400 – 8,000 |
| Certificate in Human Rights | 6 Months – 2 Years | INR 1000 – 9000 |
| Certificate in Law and Medicine | 6 Months – 2 Years | INR 1500 – 20,000 |
| Certificate in International Humanitarian Law | 6 Months – 1 Year | INR 2,700 – 10,000 |
| Certificate in Legislative Drafting | 6 Months – 18 months | INR 1200 – 9000 |
| Certificate in Social Work and Criminal Justice System | 6 Months | INR 4000 – 10,000 |
Short Term Law Courses
Often after completing graduation students look for short term courses, here are some of the short term courses. Here are some of the short term courses such as,
| Certificate Course in Consumer Awareness | Diploma in Taxation Laws |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights and Patent Management | Certificate Course in Women and Law |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Consumer Awareness | Diploma in Labour Laws |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Laws | – |
How to Become a Lawyer in USA, Germany, UK, Canada
Laws vary from country to country and also change with the needs of the society. Foreign law has served as a basis for the Indian legal system. Pursuing Law Courses abroad can give candidates a broader perspective about the subject and simultaneously opens several career opportunities globally. Out of all the major foreign nations, the UK, USA, Canada Germany London Norway and Australia stand out as the preferred destinations for students aspiring to study various Law Courses and become a successful Lawyer.
Some of the essential requirements for a candidate to apply abroad to become a Lawyer are provided below for your reference,
- Candidates must clear Class 12 board exams from a recognized board with a minimum score of 70% and above aggregate or other equivalent score.
- Candidates must clear various English language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL with a minimum score of 7.5 and 110 and above for each exam respectively.
- The candidate must have two to four Letters of Recommendation from the last institute attended explaining the candidate’s academic qualification and career interests.
- Most universities have their own online applications, the candidate must apply through that portal.
- In case the candidate applies for a Postgraduate course, the candidate must have completed LL.B from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate of 65 % or above.
- Candidates must submit all the related documents.
- For financial assistance, the candidate can apply for scholarships to study abroad.
Name of Some Law University in USA Canada & Australlia
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Brunel University | UK | 30,50,000 |
| University of East London | UK | 21,40,000 |
| Harvard University, Cambridge | USA | 39,20,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania | USA | 41,80,000 |
| Yale University | USA | 34,10,000 |
| The University of British Columbia | Canada | 8,12,000 |
| McGill University | – | 18,80,000 |
| The University of Queensland | Australia | 24,60,000 |
| University of New South Wales | Australia | 23,20,000 |
| The University of Newcastle | Australia | 27,10,000 |
Step 1 – Choose any Stream after Class 10th
There is no specific stream required to pursue a degree in law, and students from all streams can go for this career. Generally, students who want to pursue law right after their 12th take up Humanities or Commerce streams. Some of the popular subjects for students aspiring for Law are Political Science, Legal Studies, Economics, History and Psychology. These subjects are recommended because they help form a base for the subjects taught in Law schools and some of these are beneficial in providing an insight to school students about the legal system of our country.
Step 2 – Complete your higher secondary education (12th)
You need to at least complete your higher secondary education (10+2) from a recognized school education board to pursue a bachelor’s degree in law. Students of any stream, including science, arts and commerce are eligible to enroll in a bachelor’s programme. If you choose to pursue the law degree after your 10+2, you need to enroll in a five-year integrated Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) course.
Another route to pursue a law degree is through a three-year LL.B. course after your graduation. If you choose to take that route, you first need to earn a bachelor's degree in any stream.
Five year LLB course
The five-year course is available at an undergraduate level, straight after class 10+2. There are several universities offering the 5-year LLB degree, and admission to this course is based on the entrance exam conducted by the respective universities. The most important entrance exam is the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), which is accepted for admission into the 14 National Law Universities across India. The CLAT assesses candidates on English, logical reasoning, legal aptitude, elementary Mathematics and general awareness.
Integrated Law Courses
There are various 5 year integrated law courses, it offers all the students to do a bachelors and masters course together. Integrated courses are actually good for the career of the lawyers, they get to learn everything in 5 years.
| B.A.+LL.B | B.Sc.+LL.B |
| BBA+LLB | B.Com+LL.B |
| B.S.L.+LL.B | – |
Universities which admit for the 5-year LLB course through CLAT are:
- NLSIU Bangalore
- NLIU Bhopal
- NALSAR Hyderabad
- WBNUJS Kolkata
- HNLU Raipur
- NLU Jodhpur
- RMLNLU Lucknow
- GNLU Gandhinagar
- CNLU Patna
- RGNUL Patiala
- NUALS Kochi
- NUSRL Ranchi
- NLUO Odisha
- NLUJA Assam
Three-Year LLB Degree
You can also opt for a 3-year LLB degree after completing graduation. You can complete your bachelor’s degree in any stream with at least 50 percent marks. Some universities offering a 3-year course include Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University, Punjab University, Government Law College (Mumbai), and others.
Correspondence/ Distance Learning Courses
Many universities offer correspondence and distance learning courses in law. Some of these universities including Delhi University, National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Pune University and others. However, you must bear in mind that correspondence and distance learning law programs are not recognised by the Bar Council of India. So, even if you obtain a degree through distance learning, you will not be able to practice in a court of law.
If you want to become a lawyer in India and practice in the court, you need to obtain either a 3-year or 5-year full-time degree in law. Any other course will not give you a license to practice law in Indian courts.
Law Courses After Graduation
After completing the graduation, one can do post graduation in law, here is the list of law courses after graduation.
| Master of Legislative Law in Business Law | Master of Law in Constitutional Law and Administrative Law |
| Master of Law in Bharatiya Nyaya Darshan and Raj Dharma | Master of Law in Corporate and Finance Law |
| Master of Legislative Law in Criminal Law and Commercial Law | Master of Legislative Law in Criminal Law and Criminology |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Administrative Law | Post Graduate Diploma in Business & Corporate Law |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Child Rights and Development | Post Graduate Diploma in Cyber Law and Intellectual Property Rights |
Step 3 – Apply to law school
Once you have received your law entrance test scores, you can begin applying to law schools. Most students apply to several law schools so they have a few options to choose from. For each application you send, you need to submit official transcripts, law entrance test scores, letters of recommendation and additional information.
Step 4 – Complete a bachelor’s degree in law
During your undergraduate degree in law, you study subjects like political science, sociology and economics. These subjects help you understand more about the society within which you will practise law. Along with these subjects, you also have to study law subjects such as constitutional law, criminal law and family law. You need to pass all the subjects in your final year to become a law graduate.
Step 5 -Clear All India Bar Examination
As per the guidelines by the Governments, graduates of law to become eligible for practicing as a lawyer in India must clear the All India Bar Examination. Every year, Bar Council of India conducts this examination every year. To appear in AIBE you must enroll as an advocate with State Bar Council.
What is the syllabus of AIBE Examination?
the syllabus of All India Bar Examination can be found by click on this link
Step 6 – Experience
Once you have cleared the AIBE, you have the license to practice law as a profession. The next ideal step would be to either seek out a legal job with a legal firm as an associate advocate or start practicing law independently
What is the difference between a lawyer and an advocate?
Know the Difference between Lawyer and Attorney or Advocate.
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