Do you like watching courtroom dramas and the way they present arguments and lead the trials? Are you passionate about bringing justice to those who have been wronged? Then pursuing law as a profession is something that you may find interesting.
But do you think you are 100% into this profession? Let’s check if you are.
- Are you someone who likes to make a difference in other people’s lives?
- Do you like to constantly challenge your intellectual abilities?
- Are you someone who likes to always stay up-to-date with the latest news and information?
- Are you passionate about fighting for the truth or bringing justice?
If the answer to these questions is Yes, we think you are someone who is capable of becoming an excellent lawyer. Although, there are a few more things you need to be aware of while speaking of this career. How to become a lawyer? How do you prepare yourself? Where can you study law? The nature of these questions might seem to be quite overwhelming, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Who Is A Lawyer?
A lawyer is trained and licensed professional who prepares legal documents in order to manage, prosecute, or defend a court action. Lawyers are legal advisors who provide solutions to a wide range of legal issues. Lawyers deal with issues such as property disputes, marital problems, divorce, and criminal offenses. Lawyers are responsible for providing relief to their clients who are unable to defend themselves in court. Lawyers are compensated for the various cases that they handle.
Also read: Careers Options as Consultant
How To Become A Lawyer?
Step 1: Stream Selection
To become a lawyer, you can choose Arts, Science, or Commerce. You can choose any stream. The advantage of opting for Arts is that it has subjects such as Political Science which will teach you basics. Science and Commerce don’t play a major role in your undergraduate law degree.
Step 2: Educational Qualifications
How To Become A Lawyer After 10th
To start your undergraduate degree in law, you need to appear for an entrance examination to get admission. The following are some popular law entrance exams that aspirants should consider taking in order to gain admission to the best law schools in the country:
- Common Law Entrance Test (CLAT)
- All India Law Entrance Test (AILET)
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- Delhi University LLB Entrance Exam DU LLB Entrance Exam
- Maharashtra- Common Entrance Test in Law
- Symbiosis Law Admission Test
Once you complete your 10th-grade exams, you must start preparing for your entrance test.
How To Become A Lawyer After 12th
Once you complete your 12th, you can appear for the entrance exam. You can opt for a 5-year integrated law course. Many people complete their graduation in a different field and switch to law. In that case, you need to pursue a 3-year course. If you want to know how to become a lawyer, here are a few undergraduate courses you can pursue in India.
- Undergraduate Law Courses in India
Courses | Duration |
BA LLB | 5 years |
BBA LLB | 5 years |
BCom LLB | 5 years |
BLS LLB | 5 years |
BSc LLB | 5 years |
LLB | 3 years |
- Best Law Schools In India
Here’s a list of a few of the best law schools in India:
- Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, IIT Kharagpur
- Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University) MMDU, Ambala
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
- National Law University (NLU), Delhi
- Nalsar University of Law (NALSAR), Hyderabad
- Symbiosis Law School (SLS), Noida
- ILS Law School (ILSLC), Pune
- Amity Law School (ALS), Delhi
- Faculty of Law- Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur
- Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai
Once you complete your 12th, you can appear for the entrance exam. You can opt for a 5-year integrated law course. Many people complete their graduation in a different field and switch to law. In that case, you need to pursue a 3-year course. If you want to know how to become a lawyer, here are a few undergraduate courses you can pursue abroad
Know more: How to Become an IPS Officer
- Undergraduate Law Courses abroad
Courses | Duration |
Bachelor of Laws in International Law with Professional Experience (Honors) | 3 years |
Bachelor of Law (Non-Graduate Entry) | 4 years |
LLB (Honours) International Law | 3 years |
- Best Law Schools Abroad
- Brunel University
- University of East London
- Harvard University, Cambridge
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
- The University of British Columbia
- McGill University
- The University of Queensland
- University of New South Wales
- The University of Newcastle
Want to boost of chances of admission abroad? Try Clever Harvey’s JuniorMBA program and add a real industry project to your student portfolio!
Step 3: Certificate and Project Courses
If you want to know more about how to become a lawyer, here are a few certificate courses that you can take after you pass 12th.
Courses | Duration |
Advanced certificate on Companies Act 2013 | 3 months |
Certificate course in Law of Financial Services | 4 months |
Certificate course in Immigration Laws | 4 months |
Certificate course in Solid waste management and law | 4 months |
Certificate in Anti-human trafficking | 6 months-2 years |
Certificate Course in Infrastructure Laws | 4 months |
Certificate in Business and Commercial Law | 3 months |
Certificate in Human Rights | 6 months- 2 years |
Certificate in International Trade Law | 4 months |
Certificate in Intellectual Property Law | 3-6 months |
Also read: How to become a Hotel Manager
Step 4: Job Preparations
Begin your job search as soon as possible by working as a clerk during semester breaks. Although it does not pay well, it does provide excellent networking opportunities with lawyers. You have the authority to choose which law to obey.
Don’t forget to apply for campus placements and off-campus internships during your final year. Bring your resume and any other graduation documents.
College study groups and alumni networks are excellent places to begin. So contact the alumni and look for jobs through them.
Volunteering may not be financially rewarding, but it will provide you with valuable experience. Begin doing volunteer work after graduation in order to become a good lawyer and receive an appropriate response to this question. Volunteering allows you to stay current on your skills, and graduates can include it on their resumes.
Do you want to set up your own law firm someday? If you are really keen on learning about how to set up your own business, check out the Clever Harvey JuniorMBA- Entrepreneurship program.
Skills To Become A Lawyer
- Good intellect
- Persuasion abilities
- Ability to argue a point of view
- Interest in specifics
- Fluency and clarity of speech
- Confidence
- Mental and physical endurance
- Good situational/people judgment
- Persuasion abilities
- Strong command of the language
- Ability to assimilate and analyze information
- Excellent presentation abilities
- Unbiased
- Interest in research
How Much Does A Lawyer Earn In India?
Lawyers in India earn between 30,900 INR per month (minimum salary) to 95,700 INR per month (maximum salary). The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. Lawyer salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location.
How Much Does A Lawyer Earn Abroad?
Country | Salary |
USA | $148,910 |
UK | £51,507 |
Toronto | CA$103,043 |
Singapore | S$84,000 |
Australia | AU$69763 |
New Zealand | NZ$63480 |
Top Legal Firms in India
- Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co
- AZB & Partners
- Khaitan & CO
- J Sagar Associates
- Luthra & Luthra Law Offices
- Trilegal
- S&R Associates
- Economic Laws Practice
- Desai and Diwanji
- Talwar Thakore and Associates
Top Legal Firms abroad
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP
- Latham & Watkins LLP
- DLA Piper
- Dentons
- Baker McKenzie
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
- Sidley Austin
- Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
- White & Case
- Clifford Chance
That’s all you needed to know about the field of law. We hope this blog helped you and answered all your questions about how to become a lawyer, what to study, what exams to prepare for, and how to apply for jobs. Good luck!
FAQs related to how to become a lawyer
How much does it cost to become a lawyer in India?
The average cost of an LLB course in India is between INR 1 lakh and INR 2 lakh per year. The tuition structure varies depending on the universities and the services offered to the students, though.
Is LLB enough to become a lawyer in India?
Students must enroll in undergraduate law courses like LLB, BA LLB, BBA LLB, or BSc LLB in order to become lawyers. However, individuals must pass law entrance exams like the CLAT, AILET, LSAT, etc. before enrolling in these programs.
Is it hard to become a lawyer in India?
Being a lawyer is extremely taxing, and working on multiple cases demands considerable attention. The working hours are excessive, and since it’s a very competitive industry, you can’t afford to get lazy. It is difficult to stick to the lengthy process, so keep that in mind.
Is the All India Bar exam tough?
You are not competing with anyone else for a rank or seat; the AIBE is not a difficult exam to pass. To pass the test, you simply need a score of 40. Unwind, eat a light meal, and go to bed early. On the test day, you will awaken feeling alert and fresh.
Is law tough to study?
From one person to another, it varies. If you have a strong desire to learn about the law and the time to devote to it, then it might be your cup of tea. To better grasp a topic, you must fully engross yourself in it.
How to become a lawyer after 12th in India?
Step-by-Step Guide to Studying Law After Science in 12th Grade
Step 1 is to register for a law entrance exam.
Step 2 – After 12th-grade science, select the appropriate law course.
Step 3: Pick the Best Law School for Your Legal Studies.
Step 4: Continue your education or join the State Bar Council.
Do lawyers earn a lot?
In India, the range of salary that the law firms offer ranges all the way from Rs 25-30 lakh per annum to Rs 150-200 lakh. Even for lawyers who have just graduated from college, there is a wide potential range from between Rs 5-10 lakh per year to Rs 18-20 lakh per year.
What type of questions can you expect in the entrance test?
These are the types of questions you can expect:
English comprehension
Legal reasoning
Logical reasoning
General knowledge and current affairs
Quantitative techniques
What is the difference between a lawyer and an advocate?
A lawyer is someone who has graduated from law school but has not passed the bar exam. On the other hand, an advocate is a legal professional who has passed the bar exam. All advocates are lawyers, but not all lawyers are advocates, though many use the terms interchangeably.