India has produced many famous lawyers. They shaped law and society. Fali Nariman is one such name. He served as a senior advocate for decades. He handled major constitutional cases. Ram Jethmalani was another prominent lawyer. He defended controversial clients fearlessly. His courtroom skills were legendary. These names often appear when people search for famous lawyers of India.
Each lawyer built a distinct legacy. Soli Sorabjee served as Attorney General of India. He argued many landmark cases. Mukul Rohtagi followed a similar path. He too held the Attorney General post. These famous Indian lawyers inspire law students across the country. Their careers show what dedication can achieve. Anyone researching top lawyers in India will find these names again and again. Here we have listed five famous lawyers in India, who not only earned a hefty salary but also became a big name in legal domain.
- 5 Famous Lawyers in India
- How to become a Lawyer in India?
- Salary of a Lawyer in India
5 Famous Lawyers in India
In India, the legal profession is not only known for attractive packages but it is also known for legal reforms for the people of India. Whether making amendments for fast-track court trials for special cases, fighting for the rights of minority communities, or crucial discussions in the passing of bills and acts, the contributions cannot be overlooked. Check top Indian lawyer details below.
Soli Sorabjee
Soli Sorabjee
After pursuing law from the Government Law College in Mumbai, Soli Sorabjee was admitted to the bar in 1953. At his law school, Sorabjee was awarded the Kinloch Forbes Gold Medal in Roman Law and Jurisprudence.
Sorabjee became a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of India in 1971. Some important cases fought by him include - Maneka Gandhi, Keshavananda Bharati, IR Coelho, SR Bommai, BP Singhal, etc.
Students with law degree specializations in Human Rights, International law, must read the case studies of Soli Sorabjee who was an icon for Protection of Human Rights and Minority Rights.
Books by Soli Sorabjee - Nani Palkhivala - The Courtroom Genius, The Emergency, Censorship, and the Press in India, World of All Human Rights, and Search for Values.
Quotes by Soli Sorabjee for lawyers
"If a man is willing to be robbed, will you be a thief?" Sorabjee openly opposed the lawyers who charged big bucks. He himself charged the lowest even after being a top lawyer one can find in India. He considered lawyers charging 30-40 lakh to their clients equals extortion.
"Once you choose law as a profession, you don’t retire till you die"
Awards - Kinloch Forbes Gold Medal in Roman Law and Jurisprudence awarded in 1952, Padma Vibhushan awarded in 2002, Justice K. S. Hegde Foundation Award, 2006
Essays by Soli Sorabjee one must not miss -
- Fundamental Rights as published in "Public Law of India"
- The Constitution and the Governor
- Protection of Human Rights in Emergencies
- Equity in the United States and India published in "Constitutionalism and Rights" (1990)
Fali Sam Nariman
Fali Sam Nariman
Known to have pursued a law degree from the Government Law College, Mumbai in 1950, Fali S Nariman stood first in the advocate's examination and has even been awarded the Kinlock Forbes Gold Medal and Prize for Roman Law & Jurisprudence. However, law was not the first-course preference of this distinguished Indian Constitutional jurist and senior advocate to the Supreme Court. His father wanted him to pursue civil services but he finally pursued law because the family could not afford it.
Nariman has been practising law since 1971 and was named the President of the Bar Association of India in 1991. He was named the Additional Solicitor General of India from 1972 to 1975 and resigned from that post due to the declaration of emergency.
High-profile cases fought by him include the infamous Bhopal gas tragedy, Golak Nath, SP Gupta, TMA Pai Foundation, and the like.
Books by Fali Sam Nariman - God Save the Hon'ble Supreme Court, Main Bhool Na Jaoon, The State of the Nation, Before Memory Fades: An Autobiography, India's Legal System, Courts, Legislatures, Media Freedom.
Awards - Padma Bhushan Award in 1991, Padma Vibhushan Award in 2007, Gruber Prize for Justice awarded in 2002
Quotes by Fali S Nariman for Lawyers -
"The skill of a practising lawyer is not flamboyance or verbosity but hard work”.
“Avoid histrionics and stick to the record; you will find the judge receptive to your pleas”
"Talk less, devote more thought to case at hand"
Ram Jethmalani
Ram Jethmalani
A man of many odds, Ram Jethmalani, received his LLB degree at the age of 17 from the Government Law College at Mumbai. A special resolution was passed so that he could earn this degree because at that time the minimum age to become a lawyer was 21 years. He later earned his LLM degree from SC Shahani Law College, Karachi.
He had served as India's Union Law Minister and as Chairman of the Bar Council of India. In 2010, he was elected as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
Famous cases - He was known for his quick wit and sharpness in handling any situation with calm. Ram Jethmalani has fought many high-profile as well as controversial cases such as KM Nanavati vs. State of Maharashtra case, Jessica Lall murder case, defended Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi’s killers, underworld don Haji Mastan’s case, Afzal Guru’s case, Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, Spectrum 2G case and many more.
Awards - Human Rights Award by World Peace Through Law awarded in 1977, International Jurist Award
Advice by Ram Jethmalani for lawyers - “Avoid unnecessary histrionics and be straightforward in your submissions"
The famous defence lawyer who fought high-profile cases only charged around Rs 40 lakh for an appearance. Commenting on charging high fees, he said - "When I see a man coming into my office with his pockets bulging with smuggling money, I consider it my duty to relieve him of his wealth"
Books by Ram Jethmalani -
- Big Egos, Small Men
- Conflict of Laws,
- Conscience of a Maverick
- Justice: Soviet Style
- Maverick: Unchanged, Unrepentant
Also Read: List of NLUs in India - Ranking, Admissions
Mukul Rohtagi
Mukul Rohtagi
Having completed his law education from the University of Mumbai, Mukul Rohtagi was 14th Attorney General of India. He started practising under Yogesh Kumar Sabharwal who went on to become the 36th Chief Justice of India. Rohtagi started working with Sabharwal in the High Court but later on started his own legal practice.
Mukul Rohtagi was appointed as a chief legal advisor to current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, however, he stepped down from the position citing that he wanted to practice as a private lawyer.
Famous cases fought by him include Y K Sabharwal property suit, Jharkhand Assembly floor test case, 2002 Gujarat Riots, Ambani brothers’ gas supply case, etc.
Quotes by Mukul Rohtagi for lawyers - "A point must be stateable in 5 sentences or it is not worth stating at all."
Ashok Desai
Ashok Desai
He graduated in law in 1952 from the Government Law College, Mumbai. After that, he pursued a Bachelor of Economics degree from the London School of Economics from where he graduated in 1956.
Ashok Desai was the Attorney General for India and served in this office from 1996 to 1998. He has also served as the Solicitor General of India for the tenure between 1989 -1990.
Some famous cases include – Sakharam Binder, Piloo Modi, Antulay, Ramanna Shetty, Narasimha Rao on parliamentary privilege, Vineet Narain, etc.
Book by Ashok Desai - Supreme but not infallible
Quotes by Ashok Desai for lawyers - "if you over-celebrate the wins, you will have to over-mourn the losses”
Awards - Golden Anniversary Rotary Prize achieved in 1956, National Law Day Award achieved in 2000, Padma Bhushan achieved in 2001, Capital Foundation National Awards achieved in 2014, Supreme Court of India award achieved in 2016, Lawyers of India Day Award achieved in 2016
Students can become top lawyers in India by studying in NLU after cracking CLAT exam. Get Beginner's Guide for CLAT 2027 below.
CLAT 2027 Exam Beginner's Guide
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Commonly asked questions
The best books for the All India Bar Examination as suggested by experts are Bare Acts, All India Bar Examination's previous years solved papers, commentaries, and short notes on case laws. Books:
1- Guide to All India Bar Examination by Universal
2- Sure Success AIBE & JCJ by DV Rao
3- All India Bar Examination Guide by Shambhu Prasad Choudhary
4- The Constitution of India Bare ACT with short notes by Universal
For more details, you may visit the Shiksha AIBE exam page
For the AIBE exam, the best books are bare acts (without comments) for core subjects like the new BNS, BNSS, BSA, CPC, and others, alongside comprehensive guides like Universal's or Taxmann's publications, and subject-specific texts like Durga Das Basu for the Constitution or C.K. Takwani for CPC, focusing on recent editions with the latest legal changes.
You can check the AIBE syllabus on the official Bar Council of India (BCI) website, allindiabarexamination.com, where they release the PDF, or on educational portals like Shiksha that provide direct download links and subject-wise weightage for subjects like Constitutional Law, IPC, CPC, and Evidence Act.
How to become a Lawyer in India?
Becoming a Lawyer in India requires patience and sitting for multiple exams; it is a process of years of education, behind-the-scenes research skills, reading judgments, honing analysis skills, and passing the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). One who chooses to be a Lawyer in India must follow the steps:
- Take admission in a five-year LLB course or three-year LLB course to Study Law, appear in course exams, actively participate in internship programs, moot courts, etc to sharpen your skills.
- Register with the State Bar Council and get the Certificate of Practice once you complete your Law degree
- Appear and qualify AIBE examination, a mandatory exam to achieve an 'All India Certificate of Practice' by the Bar Council of India
- Begin your journey of Legal profession with an already practicing experienced lawyers, and start by working on small cases first, gradually learning about other cases as per your areas of interest.
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Salary of a Lawyer in India
Salaries of lawyers are widely dependent on the field of practice and the experience level of the lawyer. A senior-most lawyer with more than 20 years of experience may earn 10 Lacs to several crores per year, a senior-level lawyer with 10+ years of experience can make 12 Lac+ income per year, while an entry-level lawyer can earn 3 Lac to 8 Lac annually.
The income also depends on the field of practice; for example, the income of a taxation lawyer, corporate lawyer, etc., is more promising than that of lawyers who take cases that have less clientele.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
The last date to apply online for the AIBE 22 Application correction is October 30.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
The candidates who are in their last year of Law Degree Course and the candidates who have passed the degree course but not registered in the State Bar Council will be required to submit the AIBE undertaking form with their application form.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The AIBE 22 registrations were started at allindiabarexamination.com on August 19. The candidates must fill the application before October 27. The candidates who failed in AIBE 21 and 20 can reuse their existing registration IDs and do not need to re-register.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
No, one cannot get a CoP without having passed the AIBE if one completed his or her education with an LLB degree in or after 2009-2010. Passing the AIBE is mandatory for those who want to practice law on their own after completing an LLB degree from any recognised institution.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Candidates who do not meet AIBE passing criteria will not receive the Certificate of Practice. They will have to appear for the exam in the next cycle.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
AIBE cut-off mark is usually set according to the lowest qualifying marks or percentage required by the examining authority. There might be changes in qualifying requirements as per the examining authority. Candidates are advised to check the latest notification of AIBE.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Yes. The qualifying conditions for AIBE vary from one category to another. The cutoff is usually higher for General category candidates compared to SC, ST, and other reserved categories.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
AIBE Cut-off refers to the lowest percentage of marks required by candidates to qualify for exam. The cut-off is different for every category. Candidates satisfying cut-off criteria are awarded Certificate of Practice.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
The failure rate for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) changes every year. It generally ranges between 23% and 51%, varying significantly by session.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is usually regarded as medium to tough in nature. There is no negative marking at all. The exam comprises questions requiring analysis, and updated criminal law provisions (BNS, BNSS, BSA) have been introduced in it.
A
Contributor-Level 9
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