Did you know; there are now more lawyers than there are rats ? This is a well known joke however we still find law fascinating, as it has got its own charm. Advocacy is a noble profession as it needs patience, perseverance and focus on the matter by not getting emotional with the client. It is difficult to remain in the race as it is the survival of the fittest. They say that Winners Never quit & Quitters Never Win. Irrespective of the delay even today when two people fight they say I'll see you in court. Are you looking for a recession free profession then law is the answer.
Got a law degree, what next…
Here are few ideas by which you can ponder on your thoughts
Getting a law degree is the primary necessity to start off in this profession. Why, what and how are the questions to be answered by yourself before starting off as once you take a step forward there is no going back. I would say proximity is more vital during the decision making process. Your skill-set and your interest are the key to open the lock of legal profession. Rest you will find it on your own just like a child learns to walk step by step.
Affiliation
After getting a law degree, get enrolled and clear AIBE (All India Bar Examination). Now it is the time to become a member in one of the Bar associations nearby as I said proximity is the key. Make some social contacts that are workable. And getting a voting right is a must without which you will go unnoticed. It also helps you get COP (Certificate of Practice) every five years.
Practice
Follow the procedure and wait for the results. Justice delayed but not denied. Being polite, cheerful, resourceful, mental quickness, compassion, patience and follow-up are the things that are required to propel the process in this profession. If you are someone who is looking to make some quick bucks then this is not the profession for you. One need to be a fighter and their preparedness are vital to reach the desired levels of this profession. As they say in Hindi "lambi race ka ghoda", a racehorse that can work relentlessly.
Junior Civil Judge
Best option if you fall within the age limits is preparing for the Junior Civil Judge Exams conducted state wise yearly once or twice based on the vacancies. You again need patience, perseverance and focus towards the matter without which it is not possible to clear the exam and the interview. You need to burn the midnight oil to prepare well so that you can score well in the exam with a competitive spirit. Know the cut-off percentage for your segment and plan accordingly. Remember, a plan is a trap laid down to capture the future.
Law Associate at Corporate
You don't want to sweat it out then this is the right option for you. Work in neat, clean, air-conditioned environment where confidentiality, confidence and drafting skills matters a lot. A good regular salary and seasonal perks are guaranteed for the performers. If you are a bit lazy then this is not for you. You should be a go-getter, exploring all the opportunities that are coming your way, remember opportunity knocks once. You knowledge in Company, Contract and IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) laws will come in handy. Longevity and growth purely depends on your PR skills and performance.
Legal Process Outsourcing
Do you have BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) experience and a law degree then this is the right option for you. The work environment is similar to a BPO (Inbound / outbound). However the technical aspects may differ. Legal counseling or convincing a client over phone to pay for legal services that will be delivered in the near future, quarterly, half-yearly or yearly convey the package and convince the client to pay.
Legal Advisor
You need high profile social contacts for this kind of businesses. A few good tie-ups and workable contacts that can bring in business can be handy to run the show. Initially starting off is a problem. Once you have a few good clients in your kitty the others will get attracted for the legal services that you offer. Here pricing and packaging is the key along with a good office set-up. Once you settle down with top brands you can be legal power house.
NGOs
NGOs work parallel on social, economic and education issues. While addressing these issues the legal knowledge will come in handy. It will improve one's problem solving skills and act as a guide to work in the right direction. In fact NGOs do not have the limitations of vote bank hence they work widely in the field of social welfare.
Environmentalist
They say if you wish to plan for a decade plant trees. The simple solutions for a complicated problem called global warming are planting trees and reducing pollution. Eminent lawyers have always advocated the need for clean and green environment. The case laws of Shri M C Mehta are covered both nationally and internationally right from the oleum gas leak case to Delhi Vehicular Pollution Case; Span Motels Pvt. Ltd. case to the Taj Trapezium Case. He is one of the rare gems of environmentalist who believe in action rather than words. He is a true inspiration.
Legal Journalism
Every now and then we come across that there is legal tussle between Govt. and Private parties let it be individual or a group. To cover these kinds of news items one needs proper legal knowledge to present in an effective way that can leave an impact on the audience. Whether it is print or electronic media Journalist with legal knowledge has an added advantage. They say pen is mightier than sword and a legal pen is brighter.
Legal Writer
Right from writing articles in the law journals to writing books on famous cases or interpreting the legal judgements of the higher courts. People with good writing skills are always in demand for legal writing.
Teaching Law
Teaching law subjects to the students who are willing to get their law degrees or trying to complete their post graduation may not be well paid but are the most satisfying jobs a person can do who are passionate about law. Teaching and practice can go hand in hand for dual income.
Immigration Consultants
Understanding the immigration laws of various countries and guiding the travelers who are willing to settle down in other countries is the nature of this job.
PhD
Qualifying a state or national level entrance and choosing the right concept for research are the basic needs of a research scholar if you are eligible for JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) you may get good scholarship while doing the research program that may extend up-to five years.
