A career as a lawyer is an extraordinary calling. It requires loads of patience and logical skills. It takes loads of hard work and dedication to become a successful lawyer. First generation lawyers particularly face numerous problems in their profession as is true of every other profession. It becomes easier if one trains under a Senior Counsel in the beginning of their career. A lawyer, also known as an attorney, counsellor, solicitor, barrister or advocate, is an individual licensed by the state to engage in the practice of law and advise clients on legal matters. Lawyers act as both advocates and advisors on behalf of their clients. As advocates, they represent the defendant, advancing their client’s case through oral argument and through written documents such as motions and briefs. As advisors, lawyers counsel clients on how the facts of their particular case apply to the law. As advocates, lawyers (or solicitors or attorneys) represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials. They present evidence and argue their client's case in court. As advisors, they discuss legal rights and obligations with their clients, suggesting courses of action in personal and business affairs.
Scope
There are plenty of opportunities in private industry. There is also the possibility of becoming legal consultants (part time or full time) for companies. Opportunities are plenty in government service. A candidate who qualifies in the Law Service Commission or State Public Service Commission is eligible for appointment as munsif. Promotion may take a person higher up to sub-judge, District and Sessions Courts Judge and further to appointments in High Courts and the Supreme Court. Public sector undertakings and state and central government organisations also employ lawyers. Opportunities exist in the defence services too. Teaching in colleges, working with NGOs and working as a reporter for newspapers and television channels are other attractive options.
International Focus
Legal education in India is similar to the one in Britain. Whereas several universities in UK offer legal education to Indian students, Indian students quite enjoy working in the UK wherein they receive attractive salary packages. A recent trend has been that students from India study in law colleges in the USA and receive attractive jobs after completion of the course. Harvard Law School, Yale University, Australia National University, etc. are some attractive options for Indian law students these days.
Different Roles, Different Names
Criminal Lawyer: specialises in criminal laws CrPC, IPC, Evidence Act and various other penal laws. This is probably the most exciting branch of law. Here the job involves interviewing clients and interrogating witnesses, correlating findings, conducting trials, preparing a case for defence, examining, cross examining in court and so on.
Trial lawyers: spend more time in court than other lawyers. However, the majority of their time is spent conducting research, interviewing clients and witnesses, and preparing for trial.
Civil Litigation Lawyer: specializes in civil laws e.g. taxation laws, excise laws.
Intellectual property lawyers: help to protect clients' claims to copyrights, creative work under contract, product designs, and computer programs.
Legal Analyst: works for corporate firms or law firms and analyses laws pertaining to the sphere of the company and its operation.
Insurance lawyers: advice insurance companies about the legality of insurance transactions, writing policies that are legally correct. They also help to protect companies from unwarranted action by reviewing claims and representing the company in court.
Document Drafting Lawyer: specialises in drafting various documents containing agreements, terms and conditions, case material, etc.
Legal Journalist: covers crime beats, legal proceedings in courts, arbitration courts, international courts and arbitration events.
Legal Advisor: offers consultancy to corporate firms regarding their legal obligations, duties, legal relations with other firms.
Government lawyers: who work as prosecutors and defenders on behalf of the state within the justice system. Some help to draft and interpret laws and legislation on behalf of the government.
Private lawyers: focus on civil or criminal law, representing private individuals. In civil law, they pursue private law suits or litigation, or deal with wills, contracts, trusts, mortgages, leases, etc.
Environmental lawyers: may represent pressure groups, interest groups, and companies whose work touches on environmental issues, such as construction, geological and waste management firms. These lawyers help their clients to apply for licenses and applications for activities which may affect the environment, or defend their clients if prosecuted by the authorities over environmental breaches.
Judge: offers judgment after conducting the court proceedings and hearing al the concerned parties.
Law Examination Pattern
In the majority of the institutes/universities, selection is on the basis of an entrance exam. The examination is usually objective type in nature. The examination pattern covers questions on areas such as-
- Reasoning
- General Awareness
- Legal Aptitude
- Numerical Aptitude
- Political Science (Preliminary)
Education
- B.A. L.L.B: This is a 5-year course and the students can pursue this course after passing Class 12.
- L.L.B.: This is a 3-year course, open for graduates.
- L.L.M.: This is a postgraduate course in Law. The duration of the course is 2year. Students can pursue this course after completing B.A. L.L.B. or L.L.B.
- In addition to LL.B. degree, many universities and institutes also offer other diploma courses in several disciplines of law, including Administrative Law, International Law, Labour Laws, Tax Laws and Corporate Laws.
Course Fee
Three years’ LLB course usually involves lesser expenses in the range of Rs 20,000/ to Rs 30,000/Approximately for three years. The 5 years’ BA LLB comparatively costs a little more in the lieu of about Rs 3,00,000/ Approximately for five years.
Remuneration
Lawyer who wishes to start practicing in a court can get a stipend of Rs 5000/ to Rs 40,000/ approx per month depending upon the advocate he is associated with, a law graduate working with Legal Process Outsourcing receives can earn attractive salary in the range of Rs 20,000/ and Rs 50,000/approx per month. It is a very high paying profession, but depends on the calibre, popularity and success of the candidate.