Law is a dynamic field where you have to keep yourself updated on a daily basis as new modifications and amendments keep taking place with time. Moreover, even the jobs available for law graduates are demanding because they require such students to possess analytical skills. Nonetheless, if you see the opportunities of jobs available for law students in India, they are numerous in number and highly rewarding. Even more, these jobs are interesting to do and require the ideal skill sets of a lawyer making them a right job choice for law students. Here are some career opportunities that law graduates in India can pursue-
a. Judicial legal researcher– Various High Courts of India, Supreme Court, Tribunals, etc. often come out with vacancies for legal researchers. Legal researchers have a crucial role to play in these places as judges or tribunal members delegate the work of research to these students. Research can be on various moot points or finding the legislation, circular, etc. It can also be of finding authorities that may have been overruled or any other research work related to the field of law. Hence, this is one of the good career options to pursue by law graduates in India.
b. Fellowships– Getting a fellowship is a great deal. There are many fellowships that are open for law graduates in India like LAMP fellowship, Teach for India fellowship, etc. Moreover, some of these fellowships even prefer law graduates over other graduates due to the required skill-sets for the job. However, getting these fellowships is a burdensome task due to many people applying for the same. Fellowships are more or less for a contractual period and hence, it is initially a temporary job that can be converted into permanent as per the discretion of the appointing authority.
c. Appearing for various entrance exams- Many students start preparing for entrance exams in their final years of law course. Preparation is done for exams like State Judicial Services, UPSC, CDS, SEBI, JAG, IBPS Law officer, CLAT PG, etc. So appearing in these exams and getting a good rank can get you reputed government jobs. Thus, law graduates are inclined to prepare for these examinations.
d. Corporate jobs– Corporate jobs are another horizon that law students are inclined to pursue. These jobs are dedicated specifically for law graduates as they require legal acumen coupled with analytical skills. These firms hire law graduates as associates which are further divided into different teams like the Taxation team, Merger & Acquisition Team, IPR team, etc. So students can apply to law firms according to their area of interest. The selection process is difficult and students start working on their CVs from the very first year. Even these jobs are offered through Pre-placement offers meaning that a student studying in the 4th or 5th year can also be offered a job if the companies are impressed by those students.
e. Litigation- Litigation or practicing in different courts across India can be one of the career options available for students. Many students aspire to have their own practice after their graduation. So initially, they do their seniorship with advocates of their choice and after a few years, they start their own practice. A Bar license is required for practising as an advocate in India. So as a start, graduates can get themselves enrolled with the Bar Council of their respective states and further can give the All India Bar Examination.
Other than these mentioned career options, there are ample number of alternative jobs that a law graduate can undertake however, all of these jobs require dynamic skills and the skill of putting hard work. Therefore, it is necessary that you must build your foundation strong by focussing on law classes at university and reading good academic books. Further, it is also required to keep an eye on daily legal developments and judgments passed by different courts in India.