What after BA LLB? A Brief Guide for all Prospective Lawyers

By Avishek Pradhan 

Confused about the options available in a career after LLB? Read below to know the list of opportunities available to you on completing a graduate degree in law.

What after BA LLB? A Brief Guide to all the prospective Lawyers

Every year, thousands of students give CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) for admission to undergraduate courses. Half of the same numberof students pass out from National Law Universities every year (The actual figure could be much more because we have not taken into consideration the number of students who pass out from other Law Colleges and Universities in India) and half of the same number either get placed into firms, or have already decided and planned for their Legal career ahead. The residual half are the ones who are in a dilemma as to what next.

We at Law Schools are taught about majority of the Laws that prevail in our mother land but when it comes to how and when to apply them, these institutions are in fallacy. This guide is for that residual few thousand students who have least or no idea about their career after LLB. Below are some major steps that you can take when your course is going to end.

Be a Litigation Lawyer

Most of the students who graduate from a Law College opt for this option. This field of career is the one corresponding to the clichéd Lawyer we see on television or in movies. After you receive your Law degree, you can enroll yourself to any State Bar Council and then sit for All India Bar Examination. Once you pass in it, then you can practice as a Lawyer in India. It is a very lucrative career option but challenging as well. One can earn minimum Rs 10 lacs p.a. if he or she excels in this field.

Sit for Competitive Exams (UPSC)

Many aspirants prepare for Competitive Exams like Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) while taking coaching or preparing themselves. With great financial support, this is a great choice of career involving the opportunity to service the nation and the public at large.

Sit for Judiciary Exams [PCS (J), HJS]

Judiciary exams are one of the most prestigious exams in the country which hold the portal for the most coveted profession in the Legal Fraternity- The Judge. Students after passing out from their Universities can sit for Judiciary exams like PCS (J) and HJS. It is a tough exam to crack but once cracked, opens the opportunity for being one of the most respectable and responsible citizen of the country.

Pursue Further Studies (LLM)

Pursuing LLM is another option for a successful career after LLB. By choosing this option one lands on a profession that involves vast and extensive research or pedagogy. One can pursue research fellowship programmes through the government after completing their masters. Once chosen, you may get an opportunity to study and research abroad completely or partially funded by the Government. For being eligible to teach in Law Schools one needs to have a Master’s degree as well as NET (National Eligibility Test) Qualification. Along with this a good experience and a well written resume can also help.

Some of the top LLM colleges are listed below:

• Top law colleges in India
• Law colleges in India

Join the Corporate Sector (Company Secretary)

Most of the prospective Law Students want to go to Law School because they want to work in a Corporate Firm and earn the ‘big bucks’. A fresh graduate from maybe National Law School of India University (NLSIU) or NALSAR, the two big brothers of the NLU Family can expect to receive minimum INR 7 Lacs package from any reputed firm like Amarchand Mangaldas, Luthra & Luthra, Khaitan & Co. etc.  

If a student is from an NLU, then his or her chances of achieving this dream might be a bit easy compared to a student studying in any other Law College, nevertheless it is achievable. But the journey is not that easy. One needs to have another degree for Company Secretary-ship from an Institution called ICSI in India, which is the most reputed Company Secretary institute in India. Passing the ICSI exams are quite difficult and that too along with the law college syllabus but the fruit of all the hard-work is worth picking and the bite most scrumptious.

If you made it through then hopefully you found this guide on a career after LLB beneficial to you. At the end of the day hard work and effort is what that makes everything count. I wish you all the luck and hope that you take great strides in every lap of your career.

About the Author:

My name is Avishek Pradhan and I am currently teaching in Chaitanya Public School in Darjeeling. I am satisfying my teaching urge currently and trying to gain as much experience in this arena so that I can pursue my dream job of teaching in some prestigious Law School in India or abroad. I have pursued law from Siddhartha Law College, Dehradun.