Law as a Career

In the present era of globalization boundaries are limiting and interaction with people and places increased so is with professions there is no geographical limitation to pursue education or professions in any part of the world. Foreign degrees and salaries are the charm of today’s generation and what if you get all this at your door step in your city at your place. Law is offering world class profession as it is now not limited to old perceptions where in a court room a lawyer in his black robes would plea shouting out of his lungs to keep his clients case and a judge on heated discussions would say Order – Order. Law is now beyond litigations and judicial services. It not only offers lucrative salary packages to legal managers in corporate sector and lawyers in law firms but also brings with it fame, success and a sense of social responsibility. Law is ‘show cause’ and is a ‘social guard’ of our rights and directs as to our duties and responsibility.

Now let us see what career options are available to you if you choose ‘Law’ as a career.

1. Litigation / Legal Practice
2. Corporate sector / corporate counsel
3. Law firms, Social Advocates, N.G.O.
4. Academia
5. L.P.O.
6. Judicial Service

Litigation:

Seema: Papa, I want to pursue ‘Law’ as a career?
Papa : What will you do there ? Court rooms are not for girls.
Seema: Why Papa ?
Papa : You have no idea of what you are taking about you will have to shout out Of your lungs over matters wearing black robes with no appropriate work environment as well . How will you manage all your life will be a black ‘n’ white? Already there are so many lawyers. How will make your place?
Most of us carry this traditional picture for litigating lawyers .

But the scene has changed with event of National Law Schools.A Lawyer is called upon to argue on various kinds of issues ranging from property matters to criminal matters, constitutions law, family law etc. Practical training given at National Law Schools as part of curriculum make sure that their client’s interest are represented in best possible manner before court.

Success of legal practice depends on mouth publicity by your clients. Normally a junior who joins the senior in chambers either ends up with his own private practice or as professional heir of his senior. Though in the beginning of your career you may be offered nothing to few perks.

But as you advance with your career you may charge ‘per-appearance’ fee in the court which may range from Rs. 20,000/- to even Rs. 1,50,000/- where as a appearance may range between few seconds to minutes depending on case and your success. K.K. Venu Gopal, Fali Nariman, Soli Sorabjee are few name of success in the field.

Corporate Lawyers:

A corporate lawyers helps in smooth and efficient working of his company within the boundaries of law. Weathers it be a merger of company, a stock market issue, a foreign investment or any other business transactions lawyers are the person who make them all possible for a company.
A legal manager draft the case, negotiate a contract for company and make sure that it done in accordance with legal profession .
A Corporate counsel has to interact with various function of the company and serve the most suitable and legally possible result. Major companies that heir legal counsel & provide opportunity to students of National Law Schools are TATA Group, Reliance Industries ICICI Bank, IBM, Infosys, Wipro, Dr. Reddys, HLL, KPMG etc.

A high salary package with other facilities like accommodation, memberships, medical insurance, conveyance and mobile facilities are prime attraction to these services.

Law Firms:

Like any other firm in a Law firm also there is partnership among lawyers who share liabilities and profits of a firm. There are separate litigation and corporate departments. The litigation department deals with the legal disputes of the clients of the firm. Whereas corporate department advises companies on the corporate deals like acquisition of companies, important inter - company agreements, investment by foreign clients etc.
Normally a pass out of National Law School join as junior associate in these firms and later promoted based on performance. Top law firms may offer you packages between 6 to 12 lacs and even more though, you may find initial packages lower then what companies offer but remember salaries in a law firm rises faster than that of the companies.

Social Advocates:

Environmental protections, gender bias, caste - discrimination, unemployment, working condition of labors are prominent social issues that are not only part of course curriculum of National Law Schools but issues for which N G O’s stand.
If you wish to adopt this career path you receive job satisfaction, respect and recognization along with perks. If you want to make a difference in society then no other career option can be a better deal.

Legal Processing Outsourcing (L P O):

What if fresh graduate is offered Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 30,000/- which rise to Rs. 70,000/- perks per month in no time. We are talking about the new emerging field of LPO which has made Law global.
A LPO undertakes the legal work assigned to it by organization or legal departments from areas where it is costly to perform legal works like drafting briefs, memorandums, commercial contracts, litigation support work etc. to areas where it can be preformed at a significantly decreased cost like India.
The LPO industry is the next generation career option which will boom in the coming 3 to 4 years. It offers global legal expertise and high end opportunities even to a fresh graduate of National Law schools.

Academics

Those interested in research works or pedagogy field, those who are intelligent and hard working for them the satisfaction of teaching is more contentful then monetary rewards. The alumni of National Law Schools form the best faculties, enjoying high repute and esteem in their field. A law lecturer is paid on per-hour basis and then the perks increase as your credibility, experience and designation increases.

Judicial services:

Prestige, Power and Perks all the three ‘P’s are integrated with the judicial services. You may attempt the competitive examinations held for judicial services after you are a graduate from law school or your work experience and expertise as a lawyers may also get you there. Beside other career options like Legal Assistants, Legal Advisors, Public Prosecutor. It also offers job security and job satisfaction. With the coming demand and unfilled vacancies these options can to be handy and effective.