India, being an eminent nation with a great future for those who really want to pursue a career in the field of advocacy and justice, is shaped by the legal profession in many ways and moulds both society and the law together. A lawyer can significantly influence society and become a powerful advocate for justice. This article sets out step by step how one could become a lawyer in India-be it after 12th or even after graduation. It also encompasses the role and responsibility of a lawyer, top law schools offering such programs, career opportunities that this profession offers, and character traits of a person who will thrive in it.

Who is a Lawyer?

A lawyer is qualified to offer legal advice and represent clients for matters related to legality. Lawyers could be in any of the following categories: they could be advocates, solicitors, legal consultants, or in-house counsel in both the private and public sectors. They use the law knowledge to solve disputes, prepare legal documents, and guard rights. The legal principle should be known and presented by lawyers in courts while negotiating settlements and offering clear advice on complex issues of the law.

Roles and Responsibilities of an Attorney

An attorney undertakes various forms of functions as he specializes in a particular field. The general responsibilities of an attorney are as follows:-

• Proving legal advice to clients on their rights and duties.

• Representing clients in courts or tribunals while appearing for them in a trial or hearing.

• Drafting or vetting legal documents like contracts, wills, or agreements.

• Conducting legal research work and preparing briefs or case studies.

• Settlement through negotiation and even through mediation and arbitration of disputes.

• Argued for legal reforms while demanding that laws should be present in society.
  
  

  

Step-by-Step: How to Become Lawyer after 12th

For those who want to join the legal profession straight after finishing their 12th-grade education, the way to become a lawyer is straight but demanding, fraught with focus and dedication. The right education choice, clearing entrance exams, and practical experience are the major steps along this journey. So, if interested in laws right after 12th, then follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose the Right Stream: 

Any stream after 12th can lead one to a way of law. Mostly, in order to be a very good lawyer, one needs to have a good foundation in arts or humanities.

Step 2: Choose one law entrance examination: 

You can join the 5-year integrated law course BA LLB, B Com LLB or related programs after 12th through entrance exams including the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), AILET, LSAT-India or other state-level entrance examinations.

Step 3: Prepare for the entrance examination: 

Concentrate on legal aptitude, logical reasoning, general knowledge, and the English language to crack these entrance examinations.

Step 4: Enroll in a 5-year integrated law course: 

You can get admission to a good law school in a 5-year integrated law course as per your score in entrance exams. Such courses include undergraduate subjects and law courses.

Step 5: Internships and moot court practice: 

Carry out internships in law firms, courts, or NGOs. All these activities help you to develop practical exposure during your course studies.

Step 6: Complete the Bar Council Exam: 

After the graduation, a candidate needs to clear the All India Bar Examination, AIBE, to become a licensed advocate in India.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in Law? The Legal School in collaboration with IndusLaw has created a unique 4-month program for a Certification in Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity and Venture Capital Laws for fresh law graduates as well as professionals looking to advance in their careers! Enquire now for details!

Step-by-Step: How to Become Lawyer after Graduation

After completing your graduation, you are eligible to pursue this career if you really want. Just follow these series of steps:

Step 1: Select the appropriate graduation stream: 

Any graduate can take up this course, but choices in arts and commerce or social sciences are preferred.

Step 2: Prepare for entrance exams for law: 

You can do entrance exams like DU LLB, MH CET Law, or LSAT-India to take admission in the 3-year LLB course.

Step 3: Get enrolled to complete the 3-year LLB course: 

On the basis of different entrance exams, you take admission in any law college for a law course duration of a 3-year LLB course.

Step 4: Internships and exposure to courts: 

Invest in the period in law school and apply for internships with firms of lawyers, courts, or work under senior lawyers for pragmatic experience.

Step 5: Clear All India Bar Exam: 

After completing your LLB programme, appear for an All India Bar Examination to practice as an advocate.

Career Opportunities After Law

A law degree leads the way to a myriad of other career paths, and naturally includes schooling in courtroom advocacy. However, after completing a law degree, students can pursue many more career paths, as corporate law and public service are among the key career areas for such graduates, and they work in government, business, international organizations, and so forth. After attaining a law degree, one can specialize in any of the following professions:

• Advocate: Presents cases with clients before courts of law and advises them to their best.

• Corporate Lawyer: Represents large companies on issues with mergers and acquisitions, among other matters.

• Legal Advisor:  Has the mandate of advising organizations, NGOs, or governmental institutions.

• Judiciary: Sit for judicial services exams to become a judge or magistrate.

• Public Prosecutor: Represents the government in criminal cases.

• Academia: Teach law at universities or engage in legal research.

Characteristics of a Good Lawyer

A good lawyer is greater than one who only knows the law. He also involves himself in
an intellectual and ethical standard plus workmanship.

• Effective Communication Skills: A lawyer should be able to write down documents and complete the court proceedings from the mouth itself.

• Analytical Thinking: A lawyer should have analytical capabilities for solving the given cases, discovering the issues, and finally, finding solutions for them.

• Research Skills: He should possess a strong researching mind so that he is able to understand the case laws and legal precedents.

• Ethical integrity: A lawyer should possess high ethical standards while representing his clients.

• Persuasiveness: the ability to convince judges, juries, and clients-very important.

• Patience and resilience: Legal matters take very long with many setbacks along the way so requires tenacity.

Conclusion

To become a lawyer in India is indeed a journey involving the aptitude of dedication, perseverance, and inner sense of justice. Whether you commence it after 12th grade or after your graduation, the legal profession is filled with a variety of good opportunities. Lawyers abide by the law, protect rights, and settle controversies; hence, such a career serves society quite significantly. Rightly adopted, with the appropriate skills, educational background, and mindset, a law career can be bona fide definitely fulfilling intellectually and financially. 

How to Become a Lawyer in India FAQs

1. What are the eligibility criteria after 12th for LLB?

The eligibility after 12th to pursue LLB is after completing 12th, a student can seek admission for a 5-year integrated law programme like BA LLB, BBA LLB on qualifying entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, or LSAT-India.

2. Can I become a lawyer after any graduation?

Yes, graduates from any stream can pursue their 3-year LLB course after graduation by qualifying entrance exams like DU LLB or MH CET Law.

3. What is an Indian lawyer's salary?

The entry-level salary ranges between₹3 lakh and₹6 lakh in a year. For the experienced lawyers, it goes into thousands of folds.

4. Is AIBE compulsory?

Yes, AIBE is a compulsion to practice in India. Once you qualify AIBE, you are legally entitled to practice as an advocate.

5. Which is the best entrance exam for law after 12th?

Common Law Admission Test, CLAT is said to be the most accepted law entrance exam in 5-year integrated programmes in all of India's top law schools.