As a law student with a keen interest in a data privacy career, I'm facing a dilemma regarding the ideal starting point for my career—whether to join a law firm or a Big 4 firm. Conversations with professionals have revealed distinctions in data privacy work between these two sectors. Law firms engage in advisory work, while Big 4 firms focus more on compliance. Nevertheless, it's worth noting that there's a degree of overlap, and technology teams of law firms would take on more data privacy compliance work once the Rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 are notified.
If I start with a law firm, will it be difficult to switch to a consultancy firm without my experience being discounted (and vice versa)?
The starting pay in a Big 4 Data Privacy vertical is low (6-8 LPA) compared to what law firms offer, however, after some experience the disparity is not that much especially considering the fact that work hours are significantly better in Big 4s and in-house DP teams.
First bag a PPO at T1 TMT Team which is way tougher than you think, TMT is not just data protection but a whole lot of super technical streams. If you could ace even a minimum 3 verticals in TMT practice say telecom regulation, fintech (especially digital payments) and e-commerce, etc you will have a fulfilling career in the long run. Data protection alone can also have a good specialised career but not in terms of pay (in India) at big 4 or consultancies than at TMT practice of T1 firms. Explore the field and verticals, AI regulation and Crypto is a booming practice area and we have been already advising clients on the same. Also note we don't only do data advisory but compliance too, infact most other firms do it as well for any bigger domestic or cross-border transactions.
If I start with a law firm, will it be difficult to switch to a consultancy firm without my experience being discounted (and vice versa)?