I get that for many fresh graduates money is a concern, but are there other factors? While one does not typically get to argue as much, what are the upsides to disputes in a firm?
Fresh, clean drinking water, clean washrooms, proper, clean and designated working area, clean, hygienic places to have lunch, cockroach/termite free desks/work space. Working fans, air conditioning, everything requiring a human being to function, and work efficiently. Drunk clerks constantly watching porn in office, and losing not just files but a carry bag full of files and you getting hammered for it. Plus long hours, bad pay, and I mean real bad not bonus I did not get this quarter, and more long hours. This is not an exaggeration, this has happened to me in real life. Not all chambers, but quite a few of them. Please join a firm if you get the opportunity. Be grateful.
True (all comments saying money). I am also contemplating about moving into a law firm. Prime consideration is financial security. You work as hard (if not harder) than your peers at law firms, but end up earning substantially less. [Average starting remuneration in a good chamber set up in metro cities (except Bombay where you get mehrs)= 25k as compared to average starting salary in a good law firm = 1 lakh] The gap widens as you progress (10-20% of 3 lakhs is peanuts as compared to 10-20% of 12 lakhs).
While one can earn substantially higher than their peers at law firms if one can build a successful independent practice, odds are always stacked against those who do not have any sort of connections. Unfortunately, the scale of nepotism and jugaad that exists as a barrier is so high that only a very limited amount of talent (without the benefit of nepotism and jugaad) are able to cross.
People whose grasp over language as well as law is weak end up getting over a dozen panels (and a few well paying private clients) because of their family connections (having judges / bureaucrats / politicians / successful businesspersons as parents, close relatives, significant others etc.). However, there are so many good lawyers with 10+ years of experience who don't get empanelled or even simple clients because of lack of such connections.
No doubt that there are a lot of talented people who also have connections - they deserve the success they get and I have nothing against them. I have nothing against the ones who aren't capable either, but I do feel that it is unfair.
In a law firm, it is more professional. There is less of law and more of internal politics, documentation, compliances etc. You won't get to argue, your life will be all about strategising, drafting, briefing, and performing all formalities. The ones who can skin it, can rise up the ranks and be financially secure. They would not become a Dwarkadas or Singhvi even if they are more talented, but they can definitely set the balls rolling for their progeny to excel.
While one can earn substantially higher than their peers at law firms if one can build a successful independent practice, odds are always stacked against those who do not have any sort of connections. Unfortunately, the scale of nepotism and jugaad that exists as a barrier is so high that only a very limited amount of talent (without the benefit of nepotism and jugaad) are able to cross.
People whose grasp over language as well as law is weak end up getting over a dozen panels (and a few well paying private clients) because of their family connections (having judges / bureaucrats / politicians / successful businesspersons as parents, close relatives, significant others etc.). However, there are so many good lawyers with 10+ years of experience who don't get empanelled or even simple clients because of lack of such connections.
No doubt that there are a lot of talented people who also have connections - they deserve the success they get and I have nothing against them. I have nothing against the ones who aren't capable either, but I do feel that it is unfair.
In a law firm, it is more professional. There is less of law and more of internal politics, documentation, compliances etc. You won't get to argue, your life will be all about strategising, drafting, briefing, and performing all formalities. The ones who can skin it, can rise up the ranks and be financially secure. They would not become a Dwarkadas or Singhvi even if they are more talented, but they can definitely set the balls rolling for their progeny to excel.