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How?
Let me tell you. Join a basic boutique firm. These law firms should not have to be the best, but they should have lots of work. They must be at least relevant in the market. The responsibilities will be on the higher side and overwhelming as you join as a freshie. But you have to play it risky in order to gain from it. Stick for a year. And start applying at T1 firms. They are always on the lookout. There might be a possibility that you might be approached by job hunters yourself.
In this world of merciless people, there are firms who are more than willing to hire associates with zero experience. But you got to do your research. There is no hard and fast rule to get a job, at least in the field of law. Various dynamics exist, but you have to punch at the right time. So, you're basically playing your odds.
Good Luck
Good Night.
JAG? very less seats and less means 5 or less than that so again you shouldn’t do that either. If you are completely against litigation, then search for state exams that upsc conducts. For corporate or banking sector, most of the companies need some amount of working experience so that won’t help either.
So rn LLM is a maybe, you can go for litigation, or to buy some time, apply for the posts of legal researcher in courts.
Government exams (UPSC, SSC etc.): UPSC is too chancy but SSC should easily land you a comfortable job provided you prepare diligently. There should be plenty others as well
Secondly, please be open to litigation as this is the best way of acquiring the "real legal skills". Plus, this is also the best way for you to kickstart your legal career.
Finally, though this might be easier said than done, regardless of what you choose to do please do not fuss too much about the salaries especially in the early stages of your career as you are still young and have several decades of your career ahead of you. So compromising on the pay in the initial few years isn’t going to drag you behind in life. But anyways this is your decision to make as it’s only you who knows your situation well.
Good luck mate.
However, if you genuinely like teaching and if you have good research ideas, then maybe you can go into legal academia later in life. I know a law professor at a British university who graduated with the LLB in New Zealand, worked for the New Zealand government justice ministry for a few years, and then did two LLM degrees (one from the UK and one from the United States) and one PhD (from the UK), before having a distinguished academic career both in Britain and New Zealand. Even if you don't go hopping 'round the world like that and confine yourself to India (or even one particular uni), the principle remains the same - you, like this UK-based academic, can bring a host of valuable skills and perspectives to the teaching and research of law.
I need career advice regarding a person (myself) who has not done any internships throughout the five years of a BALLB course (2020–2025) at a non-NLU (Tier-3, Rank 53) college. Here's a breakdown of the background and reasons:
1st Year: Classes were online due to the pandemic; I didn’t gain anything substantial from them.
2nd Year: The first semester remained online, and although the second was offline, classes were irregular and ineffective.
3rd Year: I began preparing for the judiciary exam and didn't consider internships seriously.
4th Year: I went through a major depressive episode. Watching my peers actively pursue internships triggered intense FOMO. I reluctantly did a 15-day litigation internship but didn't gain much from it.
5th Year: I spent the year searching for internships, but none materialized.
Currently, I’ve appeared for CLAT PG and CUET PG. Based on my scores, I can potentially secure admission to MNLU Mumbai or DU. But is pursuing an LL.M. the right decision in my situation? Are professor salaries in legal academia sustainable?
Judiciary is no longer a viable option if the 3-year practice rule is enforced.
My question is:
What are my options for acquiring real legal skills alongside earning a decent income?
Please do not suggest litigation.
One advocate offered me Rs. 5000 for six months of work.
Another wanted me to work for free just to "evaluate" me.
A third advocate behaved inappropriately.
I’d deeply appreciate alternative career paths or solutions to overcome this situation. Any practical suggestions would mean a lot.