Top 10 Careers in Law

Top 10 Careers in Law - Approx 50,000 candidates graduate with a law degree, every year. Becoming a lawyer has always been the first choice for every candidate. However, there are many more options in the field of law. The top 10 careers in law in India stretch from being a lawyer to a judge in courts. Besides, there is a vast number of opportunities in private sectors for law graduates. One can pursue BA LLB after passing 12th or can choose LLB after graduation. After completing a bachelor’s, one can pursue master’s in law to get one of the top careers in Law such as Law Professors. Some elite government law jobs like Judiciary services or Higher Judicial services are also part of top 10 careers in law. Read the complete article to know the required skills, career growth, the average salary of top 10 careers in law in India -

Top 10 Careers in Law (Skills & Average Salary)

Top 10 Careers in Law in India

1. Judicial Services

Judicial Services Examination or the PCS (J)-Provincial Civil Service-Judicial Examination is one of the highly reputed exams. Therefore, it is among the top 10 careers in law. Candidates who wish to enter the subordinate judiciary should prepare for this examination. The entrance exam consists of three stages, Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. Around 50,000 students appear in this examination every year.

• How to apply - To apply for this exam, the candidate must possess an LLB degree. The exam is conducted every year. Candidates must prepare a study plan and prepare accordingly for the examination.

• Career growth as Judicial Services - After successfully qualifying the examination, candidates will be appointed to various judiciary posts such as Magistrate, Sub-Magistrate, Public Prosecutor, Attorney General Advocate General, Solicitors, Oath Commissioner, etc.

2. Judges

In general, the topmost priority of every law graduate to become a civil judge. Various states conduct judicial services examination for their respective district courts and high courts. Candidates need to clear this examination to become a judge in civil court. It is considered as the most reputed legal job hence it is in the top 10 careers in law.

• How to apply - To become a civil judge at district court you have to appear for the judicial services examination. For the high court, a Higher judicial services exam is conducted. To appear in the higher judicial services, one must have at least 7 years of experience in litigation.

• Career growth as a Judge - There is a great backlog in our country for the judges. After qualifying certain exams, one can be a high court judge or even a supreme court judge. The salary and other allowances are provided by the government.

3. Lawyer

After completing graduation from the law, the first priority of every candidate is to practice as a lawyer. As some initial level of experience will be required to proceed further in this field. Therein, you can either work with an independent lawyer or with a law firm for practice. After some experience and expertise, one can be an independent lawyer. It is preferably the first choice of every law graduate among the top 10 careers in Law.

• How to apply- To become a registered lawyer, candidates have to qualify for a bar exam. Thereafter you can contact established lawyers or law firms and can work under them. You can also start practicing on your own in the court of law.

• Career growth as a Lawyer- The career options are available in private and civil areas. Candidates can choose to specialize in any particular fields such as civil, medical, tax, family, etc. The income of lawyers entirely depends upon the fees received from the clients.

4. Civil Litigation Lawyer

Civil litigation lawyers generally worked on civil cases like family disputes, etc. The work responsibilities of a civil lawyer can be challenging, hence the candidate must be ready to face every kind of situation. In this career option under the top 10 careers in law, the cases are generally of Divorce, family disputes, property disputes, organizational disputes, etc.

• How to apply - Candidates must have completed their LLM from civil law to pursue their career as a civil Civil Litigation Lawyer. They can work for individual clients, government entities, private organizations, etc.

• Career growth as a Lawyer - It is one of the top 10 Careers in Law, there is excellent career growth as a civil litigation lawyer. As a licensed lawyer, one can fly higher in this field. The income source will be of fees charged from the clients. Growth in this field will also depend on the expertise and experience in handling the cases.

5. Corporate Lawyer

With the increasing number of corporate firms, the opportunity as a corporate lawyer is also increasing. Some small corporate entities hire a few corporate lawyers only, whereas other big players usually hire a team to handle all their legal affairs. The main responsibility of a corporate lawyer includes the consultation on legal matters, handling/drafting contracts, managing all the legal disputes, etc.

• How to apply - To apply for a contract lawyer, one needs to have expertise in corporate affairs. To start at the initial level you can join any corporate firm as a trainee. Campus placement is also done by companies to hire directly. You can also contact placement services to join any corporate firm.

• Career growth as a Corporate Lawyer - In the private sector, opportunities are available at Multinational Companies, private banks, private firms, etc. There are ample opportunities for corporate lawyers in public areas too. They can be hired by public sector undertakings or government agencies as well.

6. Social Work

If you are someone who is keen on social issues and wants to work for them, then you can surely join Non-Governmental Organisations or civil society organizations as a legal consultant. This career option from the top 10 careers in law is different from the usual careers. There are no other professionals who are aware of legal rights better than a lawyer. You can join the NGO’s that are working towards environmental protection, gender issues, employment, social disparities, etc.

• How to apply - You can directly contact the NGOs or civil society organizations and start working with them.

• Career growth in Social Work - Working in this sector requires a lot of patience and hard work. You might not receive a handsome amount in this area but you will surely get self-satisfaction while working for the needy people.

7. Legal Process Outsourcing

This is a completely different format, where the lawyers have to work with an LPO firm to provide services to clients of other countries. The consultation, paperwork, drafting, reviewing of documents, research are the core areas LPO employees have to work. It is like a regular corporate law job.

• How to apply - Candidate must be fluent in English as they have to deal with the clients of other nations. Along with this, great verbal and written communication skills are also desired in the candidates. LPO’s releases the vacancies on their websites. They also hire candidates from the campus placements.

• Career growth in Legal Process Outsourcing - The LPO’s offer a corporate culture and hence there is a greater number of opportunities available in this sector. Candidates can join at an initial salary of 20-25k and can go up to 40 to 50k.

8. Judicial Clerkship

They are also called law clerks. Their core responsibility is to assist the judges in their proceedings. They have to complete the documentation, paperwork, provide their legal insights for cases, etc. As a judicial clerk, one gets a lot of exposure to the day to day proceedings of a courtroom. They directly have to work under a judge and complete all the duties assigned by them.

• How to apply - To become a judicial clerk at supreme court one has to qualify the entrance test, which is usually held every year in the month of May. After qualifying that test, the candidate will be called for the interview and after successfully clearing all the stages candidate will be appointed as a judicial clerk.

• Career growth in Judicial Clerkship - The nature of the legal job will be permanent. It will be a great opportunity for freshers as they will get a good experience here. The salary at an initial level will start from 20k and can reach up to 40k.

9. Legal Journalist

The candidates interested in the journalism sector can become a legal journalist. Also, the journalism sector requires a lot of research on government policies and legal systems. Top 10 careers in law as a legal journalist will be ideal for the person who is interested in this sector.

• How to apply - If you want to become a legal journalist, then you must get a postgraduate degree in journalism and mass communication. Candidates must have good presentation and analysis skills.

• Career growth as Legal Journalist - At the early stages, one can join the journalism industry as a trainee reporter or writer, afterward with an experience they can be promoted as a legal editor. There are a lot of opportunities available in Journalism for people with a law degree. The salary will range from Rs. 3 to 8 lakhs per annum.

10. Academia

Apart from all other top 10 careers in law, a career in academics is evergreen. Law graduates can opt for the noble profession of teaching. All law colleges and universities appoint assistant professors or associate professors. This is among the top 10 careers in law, as you can pick any specialization and can work in other countries too.

• How to apply - To work as assistant professors or associate professors, you must have a master’s degree in law. Also to become eligible for teaching posts candidates also need to qualify the National eligibility test (NET).

• Career growth in Academia - There are always good opportunities in the academic sector. One can reach up to Professors or HOD in the top universities. After completing the masters, pursuing a doctorate in law will provide additional benefits to this.