Primarily aimed to inculcate serious advocacy skills, a law degree essentially empowers one to argue in favor of any cause. So it is that lawyers, in most cases, advise clients and provide solutions to legal issues at both private and public level. They generally interpret laws, rules and regulations and prepare legal documents. Besides, they also argue and debate at the courts and take decisions on legal matters. Typically, people in the field of law work in various corporate houses, law agencies, law firms, litigation, administrative services amongst others. A few top options in the field of law include civil law, corporate law, patent law, corporate management, legal services and administrative services.
Top Career Opportunities in Law
· Law Firms
· Corporate Counsel
· Litigation
· Judicial Services/Civil Services
· Social Work
· Legal Processing Outsourcing
· Judicial Clerkship
· Media and Law
How Can One Become A Lawyer?
Stream | Graduation | After Graduation | After Post Graduation | |
Path 1 | Clear Class XII in Any stream | Pursue BA.LL.B./ BBA.LL.B./ B.Com. LL.B. for 5 years | Pursue LLM in Multiple Specialization for 1-2 years | Pursue PhD in Multiple Specializations |
Path 2 | Clear Class XII in Science stream | Pursue B.Sc. LL.B. for 5 years | Pursue LLM in Multiple Specialization for 1-2 years | Pursue PhD in Multiple Specializations |
Path 3 | Clear Class XII in Any stream | Pursue Graduation in any Discipline for 3-4 years | Pursue LL.B. for 3 years | Pursue LLM in Multiple Specializations for 1-2 years |
Some Important Facts
Ø Some colleges also have eligibility criteria of minimum 45% aggregate marks in Class XII for general category and 40% aggregate marks in Class XII for SC & ST category candidates.
Ø B.Sc. LL.B., BBA.LL.B.. and B.Com. LL.B. are available as courses majorly in selected colleges.
Ø There is no mandatory subject in Class XII.
Ø Entry to top level colleges requires a high score in entrance tests like CLAT/LSAT/AILET amongst others.
About Law Entrance Exams
For Undergraduates
College | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
Common Law Admission Exam (CLAT) | May | General Knowledge, English, Current Affairs, Mathematics, Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning | www.clat.ac.in |
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) | May | Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension | www.pearsonvueindia.com/lsatindia |
For Postgraduates
Institution | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) | May | General Knowledge, Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Numerical Ability, English | www.nludelhi.ac.in/ailet2017.aspx |
Lawyer’s Work/Job Description
Ø To meet and consult clients in order to understand and manage their legal transactions
Ø To draft official papers, letters and agreements duly personalized to the client’s specific requirements
Ø To suggest clients on legal and law matters according to their case
Ø To gather evidence to formulate defense strategy, by means of interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts
Ø To interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses
Ø To analyze probable scenarios in cases, using knowledge of legal theory and precedents
Ø To negotiate and bargain with clients and other related network partners to achieve the given objective
Ø To manage and supervise the execution and drafting of contracts
Ø To correspond with clients and conflicting advocates
Ø To represent clients in Court during disputes
The Pros & Cons of a Career in Law
Pros
Ø It is a highly respected profession which provides power, respect and money.
Ø It provides opportunities to serve people by assisting them in their fight for justice
Ø Lawyers are often termed as friend of court as they play substantial role in each and every decision of court Cons
Ø It requires the professional to be an extensive reader as law is a dynamic concepts and keeps on evolving
Ø Tough decisions and arguments are suppose to be made during most of criminal and civil trials, hence it can be stressful.
Ø You will confront several ethical and moral issues at work as sometimes the profession demands to represent even the most henious criminals.