I'm currently a 3rd-year student of a middle-tier NLU and confused about whether I should opt for corporate or judiciary. With almost every factor, it is clear that I want to pursue judiciary, except for the aspect of money.

I always think that law firm life is challenging in the initial years, but by the end of 10 years, I'll make ₹1-3 crore per year. With the judiciary, this amount can be touched, maybe through corruption (does it happen?).

So, my questions:

1. 1. Do law firm partners make such an amount, and can an ordinary person with zero legal background achieve it?
2. If they make, is it the money after the deduction done by paying the expenses of firm.
2. 3. If yes, how many years would it take if I join a Tier 2/3/Boutique firm after graduation as an associate?
3. 4. Comparison with Judiciary: The corruption part.
4. 5. The factors behind making that ₹1 crore, and how much of it is saved compared to the judiciary, considering that after 10 years, the post will likely be CJM (in our state, promotions happen fast).

Dear fellow,

Forgive me if this comes across as an unsolicited imposition of idealism upon a young student in your position but, if you can, you should pursue a career in judiciary. All things being equal, this is what NLUs were built to achieve and a life in public service is the single greatest opportunity you will have in making sure that to your fellow citizens the word “law” amounts to more than just an instrument of leverage.

As for corruption, of course it exists or else this country would not be in the state that it is. But in your judicial career, whether it stops with you or not would be entirely your choice even though at the moment of deciding you may think it is not, that someone else compelled you to. For one cannot commit wrong without first deceiving themselves that there is no such thing as wrong.

Thankyou for such a great response. It means a lot, to come across such genuine advice. I'm preparing for Judiciary only, but the only part is "Money" & Peer pressure. And that's why I posted the question. It would be helpful if you can also tell me about the same if you have an idea.

Answers in order: (From Someone who has worked in a T2 firm for couple of months and back to Judiciary Prepration; Was earlier preparing for it too).

1. Yes they do, infact much higher, although would take not 10, but 15 years plus, unless you're nepo.

2. Yes, Partners in T1 easily take home such amounts. If you're asking about billable amounts, that'll be 7-8 crore, which is common for any T1 engaging with Top MNCs/Conglomerates. They're the top spenders.

3. Similar time frame, if you switch laterally early on in your career.

4. If you'll be making the amount you mentioned in Corp, you'll need to lose your values and ideals lol. (A batchmate of mine who thinks Adani is evil, had to work for Adani xD) Of course the corruption in Judiciary is more raw. (Lots of local politics, and then dealing with other corrupt judges). Although of you don't mind small towns, you can spend your life with slower promotions in some T3 towns. (Experience of seniors)

5. Depends on how you do it. There are multiple ways to make money. In Law firms of you're smart you'll save up decent amount. But don't expect much savings. A lot of expense of living in Mumbai, Delhi. Although with pay increase you would save a lot. All in all a luxurious lifestyle. Although your personal life is going to be fucked. Long Hours, amongst pressure from seniors, not all of us can handle it. 3 people from our batch, including me have left our jobs at law firms due to pressure amongst other things (although for me money was an issue was getting 8lpa, not for other two). That issue might not persist in Judiciary. Its a typical sarkari naukri, and you'll have options, either to slack or work hard. Your choice. The only choice you wouldn't have there would be to be honest.

TLDR - Both are decent choice, and results would depend on person to person.