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If my dream is to pursue litigation, but I have other options such as going into the academia or joining a foreign law firm, should I still pursue my dream, or has litigation become too big a leap of faith these days?
Any answers especially from 0-5 PQE litigation lawyers would be very helpful. Thank you!
By the way, if you are passionate enough and can find a senior who can pay the subsistence allowance (I mean it), you may work for a year and evaluate the prospects then.
Be careful with your finances, for you would be 23 and would be still dependent on your parents even to go back home.
Litigation these days is not just about your passion and will, but also about the patience of your family in feeding you for another half a decade.
Good luck !
On the flip side though, it depends on your interests and also a lot on your luck, I know of people 6 years in, who are getting paid nothing working under the likes of AORs, and have nothing of their own owing simply to their inability in attracting clients or advocates.
There is though a good chance you'll make it, you will have to be entrepreneurial, crafty and smart working to have a shot, don't aim to be a Jethmalani just be yourself and you'll find yourself faring better than the vast majority simply for having persevered
Making decent money now. More than 2 lakhs after expenses.
How? Add value to your clients. Always think of them like you would of your own siblings or kids. Make sure that they never get into any sort of trouble. Make contacts, ensure that you are noticed within the lawyer community. Show up at your Caste /Community gatherings. Make friends, you are ready to go.
A difference between having no family or connections is extra 5 years of hard work.
1. If you are a 1st gen lawyer, without rent free accommodation in New Delhi (and some amount of financial support from family), you will have a hard time making ends meet on the basis of what a chamber litigator pays you. You may think you can do it, but 2-3 years of brokedom (if you are lucky), when you see friends and batchmates be more successful, can be heartbreaking and demoralizing.
2. If you are a 1st gen lawyer, with roots in New Delhi, (therefore say rent free accommodation and an existing network of people who may in time push work your way), the above is very doable. It will be less painful than 1, but is no guarantee of any amount of success. It could be many many years before you are able to save any meaningful amount of money or feel that you are progressing up the ladder with your work.
3. If you are a 1st gen not from Delhi, and you want to practice in Delhi in the future you effectively have 2 options -
a. Go back to your home town and practice there for the 1st few years. Cost of living will be lower (depending on your home town), and therefore making monthly ends meet will be less of a concern and the quality of work you are doing will be more front of mind. Work with a good senior, who teaches you the ropes. Once you have established a reputation within your home town and home state, find a lawyer in Delhi from your home state, who does insourced work in Delhi (whether it be SC, tribunals etc). Only then make a move to Delhi, to this new senior to continue learning the ropes and trying to get work in your own name from your home town into Delhi. After a few more years try for AOR etc.
b. Join a T-1, T-2 litigation firm in New Delhi which can pay you a living wage where you can afford the rent and general cost of living in Delhi. Save enough money and work your ass off within this T-1/T-2 firm (and believe me they will make you work your ass off). Once you have achieved some amount of financial security and work security in your career, then make the jump to a private practice in Delhi. The savings and the goodwill (hopefully) of the people you have worked with in the past will allow you to build your own practice within the city.
4. If you are from Delhi, but 1st Gen, w/o any large network which will pump work to you over time, then 3 (b) above works for you as well.
Good luck
https://lawbeat.in/columns/bar-community
I have a PQE of just about 6 years (and first-generation) and I am able to crack it. It is possible if you are resilient and not shy about hard work. A generational family must have been a first-generation at some point in time. Just remember that it is a Test Match you are playing in an unfamiliar condition and track. So, don't go with the temperament of t20. It takes time to settle but once the initial session or two are gone, you start smashing hard easily. Of course we too have our own Sehwags and Pants but those are exceptions and not the rule.