This article on ‘Career Options for Law Graduates‘ was written by an intern at Legal Upanishad.
Over the years, there have been several changes happened, in the legal industry in India. With the change in time, the importance of the legal profession is increasing, and different industries are appointing law graduates for different positions. Gone are those days when lawyers used to work in the courtrooms only. Today, every industry needs law graduates to regulate proper compliance with rules and regulations within a company or in any sector.
After completing LL. B, different gates open for a law graduate. But finding the right career path often confuses us in many ways. This article will assist you in knowing, what are best career options available to you after completing your LL.B course.
Why does the LL.B profession be important?
Before jumping into the career prospects for law graduates, it is important to know what the legal profession demands from a law student. LL.B stand for Legum Baccalaureus (in Latin) or Bachelor of law, which is an undergraduate law degree. An LLB course’s goal is to teach a thorough legal education and instill legal knowledge, legal procedures, and their significance to a country’s development. Outstanding academic success is expected due to the rigorous standards. It is challenging and a true intellectual task to study law. The Advocates Act of 1961 established the Bar Council of India as a legislative organization to oversee the legal profession and legal education in India.
Studying law is not only highly respected or prestigious but it also provides critical thinking, strong reasoning, and analytical skills to a student. This degree will make you aware of your rights and responsibilities as a citizen of India.
Career Options available to a Law Graduate:
Here is the list of career options that are available to law graduates after completing their LL.B degree:
- Judicial services:
Protecting the rule of law and ensuring its supremacy is the judiciary’s primary responsibility. To work as a Civil Judge or Judicial Magistrate, the PCS (J)-Provincial Civil Service-Judicial Examination exam is conducted on yearly basis. It is the entry-level test that law graduates must pass to be appointed as members of the subordinate judiciary. Under the direction of the relevant high court, the members are chosen by the state government. Members are chosen depending on their performance on the judicial examination.
- Litigation:
The process of taking a matter to court is known as litigation. Parties shall present their respective cases to a judge for decision if they are unable to reach an amicable agreement over the fair and appropriate resolution of a dispute. In a such legal proceeding, an advocate is responsible to represent their clients in court.[1]
There are a few requirements you must initially fulfil to practice in court. To practice in the court, the prerequisite is an LL.B. a bachelor’s degree, the “Certificate of Practice” you received after passing the All-India Bar Exam, and membership in the bar association of the state in which you wish to practice.
- Corporate jobs:
To resolve the legal complexities in any company, a legal practitioner is needed to aid in the legal compliance of the company. Working in the legal department of a corporate office requires, among other things, drafting contracts, engaging in negotiations, providing advice on mergers and acquisitions, insolvency, and upholding corporate compliance.
A company appoints a law graduate for various roles such as legal associate, legal analyst, corporate lawyer, etc.
- Cyber lawyer:
Students studying cyber law are in high demand and earn attractive salaries. A cyber lawyer is employed by numerous businesses to provide skilled legal counsel and services. A cyber lawyer may be employed by a law firm or work for themselves. The field of cyber law is rapidly growing and offers several professional prospects.
- Intellectual property lawyers:
When it comes to the protection of intellectual property, IP lawyers play a range of crucial functions. They take on some roles as attorneys who represent clients in court. They also act as consultants, advising clients on issues related to intellectual property.
Becoming an Intellectual Property lawyer is a rewarding career in today’s world.
- Academics:
An LL.M. or PhD in your area of interest is required to work as an assistant professor of law in India’s legal academic and research fields. The best candidates for a legal academic career are those who performed exceptionally well in their undergraduate years and have an interest in both teaching and research.
- Legal content writer:
A legal writing career involves producing any kind of written content for the legal sector. Writing for legal analysis, web bloggers and writers, and other legal documents fall under this category.
Copywriting or content production for both online and offline materials is less technical legal writing employment.[2]
- Human rights lawyers:
An attorney who focuses on matters including civil rights, equality, and human dignity is known as a human rights lawyer. Lawyers for human rights fight to influence the law, confront unfair behaviour and guarantee that everyone has access to the fundamental rights to privacy, safety, and health.
A human rights attorney’s job is to use their legal knowledge to represent people who have suffered from human rights violations.[3]
- Public service and administration:
Many recent law graduates choose the rewarding professional path of civil service. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the State Public Service Commission conduct the Civil Services examinations each year (SPSC). Because a sizable portion of the curriculum (related to law) is covered during undergraduate study, law graduates have an advantage in the civil services examinations.
- Government services:
For people to be appointed to government jobs, various law departments within the Indian government, including the Department of Legal Affairs and the Legislative Council, require that they possess the necessary qualifications in the legal field. The government requires legal advisors in practically every department to carry out administrative responsibilities properly.
Conclusion:
An LL.B course provides numerous opportunities to a law graduate. Although making the best professional choice is a stressful process. When choosing a career, there are numerous factors to consider. Fortunately, if you’re a law student or want to work in the legal profession, the doors to several opportunities are available. Depending upon the area of interest, a law graduate can choose any field according to his skills.
References
- [1] Burlington. (2020, Aug 11). What is Litigation? All You Need to Know About the Law & Process. Retrieved: https://burlingtonslegal.com/news/what-is-litigation-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-law-process/
- [2] Adam Hillis. (2022, Aug 10). 9 Excellent Legal Writing Jobs That Raise the Bar in 2022.Retreived: https://smartblogger.com/legal-writing-jobs/
- [3] Indeed Editorial Team. (2021, march 16). Learn How To Become a Human Rights Lawyer. Retrieved: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-human-rights-lawyer