Law is one of the popular and promising career choices in our country. A Law degree not only lets you practice as a lawyer in the courts in the company but also opens up career options in sectors like corporate management, legal services and administrative services.
In addition to the traditional branches such as civil, criminal, corporate, taxation, labour, election law, there are new areas, space, cyber, intellectual property, patent and international laws that a person can specialize in.
To become a lawyer it is not mandatory to have a family background in law nor belong to an affluent family. Anyone has the passion, can choose to study law.
A lawyer is someone who is skilled in the ‘circumvention of the law’. The notion of a lawyer is adept at finding ‘loopholes’ in the system. From writers to politicians to freedom fighters, lawyers have donned many hats.
Law : A Right Career for Me?
Law is a career which requires loads of patience and logical skills. As is true of every other profession,first generation lawyers particularly face numerous problems in their profession. It becomes easier after getting trained under a Senior Counsel in the beginning of their career.
This is not to say that newbies cannot make it own their own. Anything is possible with dedication, determination and of course, hard work.
Great communication skills and a faculty for critical analysis and articulation are pre-requisites for good and capable lawyers. Therefore, one should analyze below skill set before opting for law as a career. These are the skills which would develop more as you grow up with the field.
- Powerful Orator
- Good communication and presentable skills
- Open, flexible and attentive mind
- Quick responsiveness; excellent memory
- Logical reasoning capability
- Good listening
- Out-of-the-box thinking ability
- Good authoritative leadership qualities
- Patience – for some cases can drag on endlessly
- Knowledge of all statutes, rules and regulations, and notifications
Law Course
The scope in law field is very good. Today’s law students are better equipped than those about 10-15 years ago. Now,students take law as their first choice than earlier when it used to be the last resort.
Students interested in making a career in law can either do a three-year law course after graduation in any discipline or a 5 years’ integrated BA LLB (Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Law ) course after qualified 10+2/higher secondary school examination/intermediate examination or equivalent class.
If you have an urge for legal field and objective is very clear, aspirants can look in for the five year integrated BA LLB course . With this course, students will be able to focus more.
Otherwise if you feel to join it after graduation, you can go for the LLB program. Bachelor of Law (LLB) is a traditional 3 year long degree which students can pursue after having completed their Bachelors degree.
In most cases, colleges run the 3 years’ course only for those whose main discipline in graduation is something other than law, or working professionals who want to do an LLB as an additional qualification.
Besides the theoretical knowledge, students are also given practical experience of court during the course.
Specialization
The LLB course is regulated by the Bar Council of India which sets rules and regulations regarding legal practice in the country. You could specialize in a particular area depending on your “interest and inclination”.
A number of courses are now available in fields like human rights, intellectual property rights, and cyber law. Any specialization is done at Masters, MPhil or PhD stage. A higher degree helps candidates get jobs in academics.
Fees
Three years’ LLB course usually involves lesser expenses in the range of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 for three years. The 5 years’ BA LLB comparatively cost is little more in the lieu of about Rs 3,00,000 for five years. Hostel expenses are exclusive of the tuition fees.
Returns
“No lawyer can become a good corporate lawyer or even a good lawyer without drilling in litigation though it initially pays less” says by Pravin H Parekh, served six times as the President, Supreme Court Bar Association, New Delhi.
Ideally, a fresh lawyer should do litigation for five to 10 years, spending two to three years in a trial court to learn cross-examination, pleadings, drafting etc.
A fresh independent lawyer earns “zero to Rs. 15,000” a month in litigation. While firms have fewer vacancies, “good” ones noticed in courts get picked by seniors to support them in the case.
Further on, a lawyer’s income depends on factors such as reputation, expertise and kinds of cases handled. There are advocates who are said to charge Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 1 crore for one court appearance.
Law Field: Professional Pros & Cons
Lawyers like other professionals such as doctors and chartered accountants require experience to polish their skills and become valuable for their clients. Therefore, it is time which helps a lawyer become effective.
Candidates determined to succeed in the profession have to be patient in the initial phase of their career. However, there is no limit to success and money as well as power for a lawyer. Lawyers are not only respected but also help people in their battle for justice.
- It’s an exciting and challenging profession.
- Modest salaries and struggle at the entry level.
- With enough experience, you can have handsome financial gains and professional social and recognition.
- It takes time to establish yourself and prosper in independent practice.
- It can be satisfying to know that you have the ability to save an innocent person from a life in prison or from execution.
(Image Courtesy: SarvGyan)
