Career Paths-PG Law opens doors to diverse career opportunities in academia, private practice, public service, and corporate law, equipping graduates with critical skills to shape legal systems and advance justice globally.
Litigation:
Litigation is the practice of settling disputes in the Courts of Law. In India, due to the complex judicial structure, litigation is such can be a complicated and time-consuming process for PG Law Graduates.
The judiciary further follows a hierarchical system in India.
- The Supreme Court serves as the highest judicial authority nationwide, while high courts preside over legal matters at the state level, overseeing judicial proceedings.
- Following the hierarchy, subordinate courts such as civil courts, criminal courts and district and family courts are next in line.
Step of preparing and presenting a lawsuit.
- Investigating the case
- Consulting with and advising clients
- Filing documents to the court
- Drafting pleas
- Representing clients during a civil trial
- Gathering evidence and investigating witness statements
- Arranging and conducting depositions
- Negotiating settlements
- Appealing court decisions
Non–litigation:
- This involves handling transactional matters such as contracts, agreements, real estate, and corporate affairs.
- A well-drafted agreement helps protect your client from potential future legal disputes.
- You are helping the client to avoid legal issues later on. Unlike litigation, you are not required to go to the courtroom or appear before a judge, and most of your time would be in attending meetings and working at your desk.
- Some lawyers are of the view that non-litigation provides you with more satisfaction than litigation as you often see a deal/ transaction from start to finish.
- In a few weeks or months, your client could already be on his way out registering his documents and the matter ends there.
1. Judiciary:
Judges hold the most critical role in India’s judicial system, tasked with administering, interpreting, and enforcing laws and constitutional provisions. It requires a lot of hard work dedication and determination towards the Judicial System. In India, all the decision which are bad or good is taken by the judiciary. This Profession not only Provides Challenges in one’s life but also brings financial and social gains attached to it. In this Profession, there is a lot of respect and power to decide on the matter relating to the nation.
For this exam, the age limit varies from state to state. Every state has its age limit. The person should hold a legal degree from any recognized university or institution or have enrolled as an advocate with membership in the state bar council.
2. JAG(Army, navy and airforce):
The Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Department is the legal branch of the Indian Army, responsible for handling military-related legal matters. It plays a crucial role in disciplinary cases, and litigation and provides legal assistance in various aspects, including human rights and the rule of law.
The department comprises legally qualified Army officers who are well-versed in military law. They provide legal assistance and advice to the military on various matters.
3. Executive Officers (EOs) of various Grades in HR and Board
The Chief Executive Officer will serve as the primary executive officer of the Temple and, under the supervision of the Board, will oversee the management of the Temple’s secular affairs and endowments. The exam being conducted by TNPSC is one of the most important positions, and law graduates have a bright opportunity to hold this post.
4. Academia: Assistant Professors:
Take on the role of a law professor, sharing expertise in various legal topics and conducting research in academia. A career in academia allows law graduates to contribute to the education and development of future legal professional
5. Legal :
Legal Officers oversee all legal matters within their organization, addressing both internal and external legal issues and striving to prevent any legal complications
Officers can be employed by corporations, agencies, and other types of organizations. They typically report to upper-level members of staff, such as the Chief Legal Officer, while simultaneously leading and supervising a team of lower-level legal staff. According to findings published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall demand for Lawyers, which includes Legal Officers, is rising by 6%. This is expected to result in the opening of 43,800 positions through 2024.
6. Legal Associate:
A Legal Associate is generally a Junior Attorney practicing in any Law firm or corporate sector. The works on various cases for clients which includes conducting legal research, and providing legal services to the clients when in need.
As a Legal Associate, additional duties involve devising litigation strategies, overseeing legal assistants, and advocating for clients in court, alongside researching various legal matters.
They help in supporting overall organizational training. They prepare report submissions for funding and monitoring various agencies. The aid coordinators assist and document the process whenever necessary.
7. Legal Advisor/Corporate Lawyer:
Legal advisors provide clients or organizations with advice, guidance, and support related to a range of legal issues or concerns. Those have an active role in preparing and reviewing contracts and other legal agreements or documents. This also guides or manages contract negotiations. They perform legal research and analysis. Their responsibility includes making sure that the business complies with legal requirements and implementing measures to manage and minimize risks.
Key requirements include a bachelor’s degree in law and a minimum of five years of experience working as a corporate lawyer or in a similar role. Candidates who have excellent communication skills, the ability to pay attention to details, and outstanding negotiation tactics may excel in this role.
8. Human Resources:
Having an extra qualification in Human Resource Management alongside a law degree is considered advantageous in the corporate sector. Top of FormAn HR manager with a legal background can be a person who liaises better between the employee and the top management than other non-legal HR managers. Since it is highly lucrative, it is much sought after.
Applying legal knowledge to human resources departments, and assisting companies with hiring, performance management, and legal compliance, law graduates can play a vital role in ensuring workplaces adhere to employment laws.
9. Legal Analyst:
New graduates can pursue careers as legal analysts in various organizations like consulting firms, banks, and insurance companies, where they conduct legal research, analyze issues, draft contracts, and offer legal guidance.
Furthermore, you can become a law officer in a public sector bank by appearing in the IBPS specialist officer’s exam. The post is of Scale 1 rank. As part of the job, you will be responsible for providing legal advice to the bank as well as handling its legal issues.
10. Law Research Assistant for Judges: High Court as well as Supreme Court:
High Court of Madras invites applications for the post of Research Law Assistant to the Honorable Judges, High Court, Madras (both in the Principal Seat at Madras and at Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, Madurai), on an ad-hoc basis, for 1 year.
Responsibilities include:
- Reading of case files,
- Preparation of the case, including case summary and notes, and chronology of events.
- Identifying facts and issues, questions that may arise or may need to be addressed.
- Research work including case laws, articles, and papers, and assisting in the preparation of judgments, corrections, and editing.
- Presence in Court during the hearing of cases, notes of arguments, and research on citations.
11. ParaLegal:
Becoming a paralegal is a highly desired career path for individuals aspiring to be lawyers or studying law, offering an opportunity to gain insight into the workings of the legal profession.
12. Labour Officer:
Becoming a Labour Enforcement Officer through the UPSC LEO exam is a great opportunity for candidates who want to work in the field of labour law and enforcement. The job of a Labour Enforcement Officer involves enforcing labour laws, promoting industrial peace and harmony, and protecting the rights of workers. It is a challenging and rewarding job that offers job security, a good salary, and opportunities for career growth.
13. Non-Profit Organizations:
You can support non-profit organizations by serving as legal advocates or advisors, aiding in their mission. Advocacy groups, charities, and foundations often require legal expertise to navigate complex legal issues aligned with their objectives.
14. Compliance:
Assume the role of a compliance officer, ensuring companies operate in adherence to legal regulations. Law graduates can develop policies and procedures that align with legal requirements, helping organizations maintain ethical and legal standards.
15. UPSC and Law:
A law graduate has a greater advantage than any other graduate while preparing for the UPSC exam. A law degree can help in the preparation of certain subjects such as polity, governance, social issues, international relations, and internal security, which are highly important for the UPSC exam. Law graduates are also trained to think logically, analyze complex information, and apply critical thinking skills, which are valuable for the UPSC exam. Many toppers in UPSC CSE are from a law background.
In addition, law graduates may have an advantage in the optional paper of the UPSC exam as law is one of the optional subjects that can be chosen by the candidates. Candidates with a legal background might find it simpler to grasp the concepts and theories presented in the optional paper, as law is a technical subject.
16. Company Secretary:
A Company Secretary(CS) is the key managerial personnel of a company. A CS is entrusted with the compliance and legal aspects of a company. When it comes to corporate governance, individuals with a background in law have a special edge. Their in-depth knowledge of legal frameworks and regulations equips them with a unique skill set that can be a perfect match for the role of a Company Secretary.
Law graduates who become Company Secretaries can work in various industries, ranging from technology to finance, due to their flexibility. They ensure these companies adhere to legal standards, making vital contributions to their smooth operation.
17. IPR Attorney:
A law graduate, once enrolled, can automatically become a Trademark Attorney by providing the necessary documents, whereas a non-law graduate has to write an exam to become a trademark attorney.
In the field of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), a law graduate always has an edge over candidates possessing knowledge of other subjects.
18. Immigration Lawyer:
Graduates with a specialization in Immigration Law can practice as attorneys at law firms focusing on immigration law, where they offer legal counsel and representation to clients regarding visa applications, work permits, citizenship, deportation, and asylum issues.
19. Law Firms:
For a rewarding career after LLB, you can become a legal advisor or join law firms, private companies, corporate firms, or banks. You can provide advice on various legal matters. Furthermore, your legal expertise could also be used in NGOs. Legal advisors offer clients advisory services and assist them in making informed decisions in various situations, with many large corporations and government entities seeking their expertise.
20. Arbitrator:
Becoming an Arbitrator in India can be an extremely rewarding career path for those with a passion for dispute resolution and a desire to help others resolve conflicts. Arbitrators play a crucial role in resolving disputes between parties outside of the court system, helping to minimize the time and cost associated with litigation.
Qualifications:
- Be the holder of a legal license who has been performing arbitrational work for eight years or longer; or
- Have been performing as a lawyer for eight years or longer; or
- Have been performing as a judge of the court for eight years or longer; or
- Have been committed to legal studies or education with an academic title of senior professional; or
- Have been committed to trading with a good command of legal knowledge, and shall be licensed as a senior professional or a professional with equal qualifications.
21. Legal Editor :
A legal editor is responsible for editing executive orders and resolutions, copyreading, and proofreading a government or a company’s publication. This profession requires individuals to ensure that all documentation adheres to organizational policies and standards, necessitating strong organizational, management, attention to detail, and decision-making skills. Also, some legal editors serve as managers in a law firm or company’s social media.
A legal editor is a professional who typically works either in-house with a legal organization or on a freelance basis to prepare legal writing for publication. Their primary responsibility is to edit legal documents to ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to relevant legal standards and guidelines.
- Are free from grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
- Are written clearly
- Provide coherent arguments
- Use legal terms and concepts correctly
- Use legal citations correctly
- Contains accurate dates and other statistics
- Follow the firm or organization’s style guide
In some cases, a legal editor will need to research the relevant subject first to make appropriate changes and suggestions.
22. Legal journalist:
Legal Journalism combines the foundational principles of journalism with a specific focus on legal matters. It offers an alternative career path for law graduates beyond traditional corporate and law firm roles. Daily tasks for Legal Journalists include: researching legal issues, attending court proceedings, interviewing legal experts, and reporting on legal developments for the public.
Responsibilities:
- Legal Journalists are responsible for conducting research, collecting information and reporting the collected data to the public. Their primary focus is on gathering legal information and documents.
- Apart from being a conventional writer, Legal Journalists can manage corporate and law firms.
- Their tasks involve understanding legal issues and communicating them through both social media and traditional platforms to the public.
- They are responsible for updating the public regarding any pertaining legal issues and involving in the matter to resolve them.
23. Legal Writer:
- Legal Writers produce all types of written materials required in the legal sector and are generally categorized as Technical Writers.
- They help in reporting and analyzing the news regarding the legal industry.
- Legal writers are tasked with creating website content for various law firms, online publications, and websites related to law.
24. Tax consultant – Advisor :
A tax consultant is a professional who can help people and corporations navigate the different regulations and legislation influencing the tax filing process. They must know the most recent advancements and modifications to tax laws and regulations. Charge consultants assist individual persons, small company owners, corporations, etc.
Tax consultants are professionals who work with customers to minimize taxes and increase their revenue after taxes. Charge consultants usually specialize in specific types of taxes like income tax, business tax, GST, or property tax, requiring them to stay updated and obtain additional certifications in their chosen areas to enhance their expertise and services.
25. Legal Translator:
Legal translators assist in legal settings, such as courtrooms, by overcoming language barriers to facilitate effective written communication, necessitating proficiency in at least two languages. The goal of a translator is to convert a document into a target language so that the final product reads as if it were the original material. Legal translators must be fluent in multiple languages and proficient writers, but they should also have a solid understanding of legal systems and terminology.