How to look for legal work experience after finishing law school
By Kush Kalra
How to look for legal work experience after finishing law school
You might be a fresh law graduate or you have been in search of opportunities related to legal profession. Have you thought about your long–term career goals? Have you considered all the career avenues that a law degree can open for you? Would it be beneficial for you to pursue a higher degree in Law? This article will brief you about all the career options in legal profession that you have after law school.
Right after Law school you can enrol with the Bar Association of the concerned state as an Advocate. Furthermore, it is nowadays mandatory to clear the All India Bar Exam organised by the Bar Council of India. While searching for jobs in the Legal profession after passing out of school, the experiences and contacts built by an individual during internship always help. To decide your options, you need to analyse your priorities. Do you want a job that pays more or something that offers relaxed billable hours? Do you wish to work across practice areas or would you consider a specialization? Are you a workaholic or do you seek to maintain a work-life balance? Only after you analyse your priorities will you be able to make the most of this prestigious career.
Many law students dream of getting a top law firm job. Others dream of becoming a great litigator. Not everyone will succeed. What will make the difference?
It is not that there is not enough legal work out there. It is not that firms are not hiring or that clients are not looking for young, bright lawyers. Still, a lot of young lawyers struggle for several years, trying to get opportunities that suit their talent.
Talent and ability are two different things. Ability is difficult to ignore, while talent alone is difficult to reward. The biggest problem with the legal education is that it does not prepare students to deal with the practical and strategic side of legal work. If during the Law School you develop the skills of good drafting, research and communication, then chances of your success in any employment you take after law school are very high.
Types of Employment
Most Law graduates work in law firms after law school or start traineeship under some advocate. Apart from law firms, you have the option to take a judicial clerkship under Judges in Hon’ble Supreme Court of India or High Courts established in various states in India. These Law Clerkships will always help you in building your statement of purpose for further education and will improve your research skills. You can also start solo practice, work for government as legal counsel or join Indian Defence Forces as Judge Advocate General. Opportunities are also there in non-profit organisations. You can also choose to become a professor in a Law college or Law University. There are a few who opt for a non-legal career and various others who pursue further education for earning advanced degrees.
Judicial Clerkships
Judicial clerkships are described as one of the most important career milestones by various attorneys. Clerkships are usually with a judge of the Supreme Court, High Court or Lower Court, and allow recent graduates to see the insides of the legal system. They are considered very prestigious and play an invaluable role on your resume. You gain immense knowledge and first-hand experience working under a judge, and you also get to create a network at the very beginning of your career.
Law Firms
Major law firms, both Indian and foreign, recruit from the top Indian law schools. Recruits join as junior associates and are promoted based on performance. Law firms can be small, medium, or large. It’s difficult to define what formulates the size. Large law firms have specific departments for each practice area. You’ll generally receive a higher salary in a Law Firm but at the same time, you’ll be required to put in long billable hours. Work at a law firm involves dealing with a wide variety of problems that may or may not be restricted to a particular area of Law (depending on the specialisation and culture of the firm).
Major law firms have separate litigation and corporate departments. The litigation department deals with the disputes which the firm's clients are involved in. Working in the litigation department of a law firm entails interaction with leading lawyers and a feel of the world of court practice. The corporate departments of law firms advise companies on the corporate deals which they are involved in, such as acquisitions of companies, important inter-company agreements, investment in India by foreign clients, financing of massive projects undertaken by clients and so on.
In-House Counsel
It is generally difficult to find an in-house position directly after law school. Most lawyers initially work at law firms and then join companies after gaining relevant experience. These positions are more relaxed than large law firms. Though you will have a guaranteed client, the work may get monotonous. You might find yourself handling similar cases for years.
Working as Legal Counsel with Government
Lawyers working for government find their jobs most secured. Not only would you be a part of important training programs, but a career as a government attorney will also open doors for a higher post in the government. However, despite these benefits, many lawyers do not work for government due to the lower salary packages offered as compared to law firms.
Law School Professor and Further Education
You can join a law school and become a teacher. After getting a Law Degree (LL.B) and state bar license (not necessary for pursuing LLM), you can opt for a LLM (masters in Law) at various colleges in India. Typically, most graduates take up these advanced degrees after gaining some relevant work experience. Some of these degrees include:
- LLM: Master of Laws
- MCL: Master of Comparative Law
- Masters in Constitution Law
- Masters in Business Law
- Doctoral degree in specialised subject (constitution, criminal, or any other area of Law)
Conclusion
Law school education is valuable. There are many career avenues to choose from after doing law. It will be a tough battle, and you need to be on your toes. If your skill and knowledge level is low, expect to get a low-skilled, low pay job. That’s how the world works, joining a law school doesn’t change anything. Paying a high fee doesn’t automatically entitle you to a highly paid job. Just managing to survive through your law school curriculum doesn’t entitle you to a job. Develop skills that are useful in the real world. Learn to research, become a good speaker and effective writer. These are essential skills for a lawyer. Pursue your own projects, whatever they are, to increase your exposure to the professional world so that you have more experience than others. Whatever you choose, make sure you give it your best. Here is wishing you the best for a rewarding legal career ahead.
About the Author:
Kush Kalra
Kush Kalra is a law graduate from Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab, and has done his masters (LLM) from Kurukshetra University. He has authored a total of 15 books on law and is a Limca Book Record holder for most books published on Law in a year. He has written many articles which are published in national and international Journals of repute.
He is also the recipient of National Youth Award by Ministry of Youth Affairs, Govt. of India. He believes that education can bring a big difference to improve our lives. He also believes in Justice Krishna Iyer sayings “Something was dead in all of us, what was dead is hope and positivity”.