Lawyer – How to become a Lawyer
A lawyer also referred to as an attorney, solicitor, counselor, barrister, or ambulance chaser, is a qualified professional who provides legal advice or represents individuals in legal proceedings. From creating wills to defending individuals against criminal accusations, lawyers handle a wide range of legal issues.
To practice law, individuals must complete law school and pass the bar exam. The word “law” comes from the Old Norse root word lag, which means anything fixed or put down.
Lawyers possess different personalities and traits, including being entrepreneurial, adventurous, ambitious, forceful, outgoing, energetic, passionate, confident, and optimistic. They are also often investigative, which means they possess intelligence, introspection, and curiosity. These traits make lawyers powerful, compelling and motivating professionals.
How to become a Lawyer after 12th?
To become a lawyer after the 12th, you need to follow these steps:
- Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree: To become a lawyer in India, you need to have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Law. You can pursue a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) course after completing your 12th grade. Many universities in India offer this course.
- Clear Entrance Exams: To get admission into a law school, you need to clear the entrance exam. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is the most popular entrance exam for law schools in India. Other entrance exams include AILET, LSAT, and SLAT.
- Complete your LL.B. degree: After getting admission to a law school, you need to complete your LL.B. degree, which usually takes three years. During this period, you will study various aspects of the law such as the Indian legal system, constitutional law, criminal law, corporate law, and others.
- Complete an Internship: It is necessary to complete a mandatory internship of a few weeks or months during your law degree. This will provide you with practical experience and an understanding of the legal profession.
- Clear the Bar Exam: After completing your LL.B., you need to clear the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) to obtain a license to practice law in India.
- Join the Bar Council: After clearing the bar exam, you need to enroll yourself with the Bar Council of India (BCI) to become a practicing lawyer.
The career scope for lawyers is vast and varied. Lawyers can work in the following fields:
- Private Practice: Many lawyers choose to work in private practice, representing individuals or organizations on various legal matters.
- Corporate Sector: Lawyers can also work for corporations, providing legal advice and representing them in court.
- Government Jobs: Lawyers can work for the government as public prosecutors, legal advisors, and legal officers.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Lawyers can also work for non-profit organizations and help people who cannot afford legal services.
- Academia: Some lawyers also choose to become law professors and teach at law schools.
Overall, the legal profession offers diverse opportunities and a high degree of professional fulfillment to those who are passionate about the law and its application.
How to become a lawyer after Commerce?
Candidates can pursue a career as a lawyer after completing a 5-year integrated course. This combines both an undergraduate degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree.
Students must have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50-60% aggregate from a recognized board to be eligible.
The following is a step-by-step approach to becoming a lawyer after commerce:
- Step 1: Enroll for national-level legal admission tests such as CLAT and LSAT, as well as university-level law entrance examinations such as DU LLB, SLAT, and so on.
- Step 2: Pass the entrance exam to gain admission to a prestigious institution or university.
- Step 3: Pass all of the exams and obtain your integrated legal degree.
- Step 4: Sign up for the BAR Council Exam.
- Step 5: Clear the All-India Bar Exam (AIBE).
- Step 6: Develop your professional network through internships and jobs.
What does a Lawyer earn?
The average salary for a lawyer in India is approximately INR 450,000 per year. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 363,750 to INR 7000-10,000 per month, with experienced lawyers earning up to INR 1,900,000 per year. However, lawyers are usually self-employed professionals who charge fees based on the progress of their cases, rather than receiving a salary.
Corporate lawyers who have graduated from top legal schools can start with salaries between INR 7 and 10 LPA, which can increase up to INR 29.9 – 37 LPA with experience and exposure.
A lawyer’s remuneration package depends on various factors such as the court in which they practice, their expertise, and the number of court appearances they make. Experienced lawyers can charge up to INR 5-10 Lakh per appearance, while fresh graduates charge around INR 300-400. In comparison, a corporate lawyer is typically paid a set salary of INR 6-12 LPA. Notably, some high-profile lawyers like Harish Salve can charge up to INR 25,00,000 for each appearance.