26,Mar 2024
In India, one of the most popular degrees is law nowadays, which offers several opportunities and decent income. It has greatly expanded and changed throughout time. Initially, it was once thought that studying law restricted one to the courtroom, but now options have grown. The executive, legislative, and judiciary are the three different branches of government but the lawyers are now not just restricted to these. Businesses need to seek legal advice to fulfill changing needs in a variety of business areas when it comes to legal. Nowadays, people can work as patent attorneys, business or commercial lawyers, or litigators.
Students interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in law generally seek for the Bachelor of Legislative Laws (LL.B.). According to Shiksha.com, based on experience, geography, and area of expertise, lawyer salaries in India can range widely from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 11 lakh per year, with an average of Rs. 4.6 lakh. While seasoned lawyers can make over Rs. 8-11 lakh with the correct path, fresh graduates can easily make between Rs. 1-3 lakh yearly. Corporate lawyers may even make higher compensation than mid-level lawyers, who normally make between Rs. 4 and 7 lakh.
In this blog, we have discussed the potential career options after LL.B. in India. Moreover, we will discuss the paths, earnings and opportunities.
Completing LL.B. degree from any recognized college/university opens several career opportunities. Those who are interested in practicing law in India are required to qualify for the All India bar Exam which is also known as AIBE which is conducted by Bar Council of India. However, some well-known careers that a law graduate can pursue are listed below with the basic job details and average annual salary.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary (in Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | This position requires both civil and criminal case representation and advice for clients. | Rs. 8-10 LPA |
| Legal Advisor | Applicants that choose to work in this type of role are lawyers with specialized legal knowledge. | Rs. 8-12 LPA |
| Lecturer | Candidates can teach law at the college or university level after earning an LLB degree. | Rs. 6-10 LPA |
| Solicitor | A solicitor is a person with expertise in a particular area of law, such as property, family, litigation, or taxes. Legal counsel is provided by solicitors to both individual and corporate clients. | Rs. 7-10 LPA |
| Advocate | A person in such a job profile must conduct extensive investigation to obtain tangible evidence to back up their claims in addition to factual data. | Rs. 5-8 LPA |
Experience is the primary criteria that determine a lawyer's pay. The following represents an Indian lawyer's pay depending on years of experience:
| Experience (years) | Minimum Monthly Salary | Maximum Monthly Salary | Average Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | Rs. 25,000 | Rs. 37,500 | Rs. 31,250 |
| 3-5 | Rs. 41,666 | Rs. 66,666 | Rs. 54,166 |
| 6-10 | Rs. 83,333 | Rs. 125,000 | Rs. 104,166 |
| 10+ | Rs. 125,000 | Rs. 250,000 | Rs. 187,500 |
| Specialty | Job Areas | Entry Level Salary (Rupees) | Mid Level Salary (Rupees) | Senior Level Salary (Rupees) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Litigation | Advocate, Public Prosecutor, Legal Aid Lawyer | Rs. 3 - 6 Lakh | Rs. 7 - 12 Lakh | Rs. 12+ Lakh |
| Corporate Law | Legal Advisor, In-House Counsel, M&A Specialist | Rs. 1.5 - 5 Lakh | Rs. 5 - 15 Lakh | Rs. 15 - 22 Lakh |
| Tax Law | Tax Consultant, Transfer Pricing Specialist, Tax Litigation Lawyer | Rs. 4 - 7 Lakh | Rs. 7 - 14 Lakh | Rs. 14+ Lakh |
| Criminal Law | Criminal Defense Lawyer, Public Prosecutor, Forensic Lawyer | Rs. 3 - 6 Lakh | Rs. 6 - 10 Lakh | Rs. 10+ Lakh |
| Intellectual Property Law | Patent Attorney, Copyright Lawyer, Trademark Specialist | Rs. 5 - 8 Lakh | Rs. 8 - 14 Lakh | Rs. 14+ Lakh |
| Cyber Law | Data Privacy Specialist, Cybercrime Lawyer, Cyber Security Advisor | Rs. 4 - 8 Lakh | Rs. 8 - 12 Lakh | Rs. 12+ Lakh |
| Environmental Law | Environmental Consultant, Litigation Lawyer, Policy Analyst | Rs. 4 - 7 Lakh | Rs. 7 - 10 Lakh | Rs. 10+ Lakh |
| Family Law | Divorce Lawyer, Child Custody Lawyer, Mediation Specialist | Rs. 3 - 6 Lakh | Rs. 6 - 9 Lakh | Rs. 9+ Lakh |
Several well-known companies from a variety of industries rank among the top employers in India for LL.B graduates. There are several interesting prospects, ranging from corporate legal divisions of corporations like Infosys, Tata, and Reliance to prominent law firms like Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and AZB & Partners.
| Key Employment Sectors | |
|---|---|
| Law Firms | Corporate Legal Departments |
| Government Agencies | Legal Consultancy |
Indian industries hire LL.B. graduates in different areas, including:
| Corporate Legal Departments | |
|---|---|
| Infosys | Infosys |
| Wipro | Wipro |
| Law Firms | |
|---|---|
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas | Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas |
| AZB & Partners | Khaitan & Co |
| Legal Consultancy | |
|---|---|
| Delloite | KPMG |
| EY | ----- |
| Government Agencies | |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Law and Justice | Judiciary |
| Public Prosecutor Offices | Legal Departments of Government Bodies |
Based on a few of the best law firms and legal departments, the following is a breakdown of the typical lawyer pay in India:
| Company | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Amarchand Mangaldas | Rs. 12.0 lakh |
| AZB & Partners | Rs. 11.0 lakh |
| Luthra & Luthra Law Offices | Rs. 9.0 lakh |
| Tata Sons Legal Department | Rs. 10.0 lakh |
| Khaitan & Co | Rs. 10.0 lakh |
| Srikrishna & Co. | Rs. 8.0 lakh |
| Reliance Industries Legal Department | Rs. 7.0 lakh |
| Hindustan Unilever Legal Department | Rs. 9.0 lakh |
| Infosys Legal Department | Rs. 8.0 lakh |
| ICICI Bank Legal Department | Rs. 6.0 lakh |
These are only estimates, and a lawyer's real compensation will vary based on their position within the geography, type of firm, and experience. Nonetheless, you can use this data to get a basic idea of the compensation that lawyers in India might anticipate receiving from some of the best legal departments and organizations.
A lawyer's pay in India varies according to a number of criteria, such as geography, specialization, experience, and the reputation of the law company. But generally speaking, Indian lawyers can count on making a good income. The average yearly income for lawyers in India's largest cities is shown in the following table:
| City | Average Annual Salary (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | Rs. 7.75 Lakh |
| Kolkata | Rs. 6.00 Lakh |
| Chennai | Rs. 5.50 Lakh |
| Bangalore | Rs. 7.20 Lakh |
| Delhi | Rs. 6.25 Lakh |
| Pune | Rs. 5.00 Lakh |
| Jaipur | Rs. 4.50 Lakh |
| Hyderabad | Rs. 5.25 Lakh |
| Ahmedabad | Rs. 4.75 Lakh |
There are numerous job options after LL.B., regardless of your enthusiasm for representing the government in criminal cases as a public prosecutor or offering legal counsel to corporations as a corporate lawyer. You can work as legal advisor, judge, and assistant public prosecutor and other roles in the government sector.
Also, jobs such as Compliance Officer, Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer, and Legal Consultant are available in the private sector. These positions have their own special benefits and difficulties, so it's critical to weigh your options and choose a career path that fits your objectives and interests.
Legal careers in the public sector can include perks, job security, and growth opportunities. Remember that certain jobs may require qualifying the Public Prosecutor or Judicial Services exams.
| Job Profiles | Average Salary (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Judge | 15-25 lakh |
| Law Officer | 4-6 lakh |
| Legal Advisor | 4-7 lakh |
| Assistant Public Prosecutor | 3-5 lakh |
| Public Prosecutor | 5-8 lakh |
Note: The above salaries are collected from multiple sources and may vary.
For LLB graduates, the legal profession in the private sector offers a variety of career prospects in a number of industries, including consulting firms, corporate law firms, and international corporations. These jobs frequently offer room for advancement, competitive pay, and the opportunity to work on a variety of legal cases.
| Job Profiles | Average Salary (in Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Compliance Officer | 4-8 lakh |
| Legal Analyst | 4-7 lakh |
| Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer | 6-12 lakh |
| Legal Consultant | 5-8 lakh |
| Corporate Lawyer | 6-10 lakh |