In India after completing LLB degree the first career pathway that comes in graduates mind is law practice in courtroom. But not everyone is willing to pursue their career as a lawyer or a judge in a courtroom. Some students prefer more stable and structured new age career path that align with corporate, government and global job roles.
In today’s world upgraded legal education offers students with several best alternative careers for LLB graduates beyond court practice. The corporate companies, government organization, national and international NGOs offers best alternative careers for lawyers.
Learners, after gaining right skills and knowledge from the selected specialization courses after LLB, can fetch high paying jobs after LLB. This way, learners can have rewarding professional career growth, without even stepping into the court room.
In this blog, we will discuss about the details of best alternative careers for lawyers, several government jobs after LLB and various specialization courses after LLB that can reward the candidates with promising career growth.
Best alternative careers for LLB graduates beyond court practice
The court practice requires ample of legal knowledge and skills but it requires lots of patience, strong network and years of experience and determination for finding a stable and high paying career.
For LLB freshers, the survival initial year of court practice can be difficult. The struggles during early phase like inconsistent client availability, salary flow and long hours of litigation work makes court room practice less appealing to fresh LLB graduates.
Hence, students explore best alternative careers for LLB graduates beyond court practice. Mentioned below is the list of career, where legal knowledge and skills can be utilized beyond the court room:
1. Corporate lawyer
Corporate lawyers have effective communication, negotiation abilities with business acumen and strategic thinking. Their role is to formulate legal regulatory frameworks and compliance for corporate companies.
In India it is the highest paying jobs after LLB. Top recruiters are corporate firms like Cyril, AZB partners, shardul and Max legal enterprise. The specialization course required after LLB are LLM or PGD in corporate law or add on certification program from a recognized institute in mergers and acquisitions law, securities law and commercial contract law.
Average Salary: 6 LPA – 20 LPA, depending on experience, company size and location.
2. Legal Consultant
Their role includes offering legal advice, creating legal draft and ensuring compliance with law for companies and legal firm. They offer legal advice on areas like taxation, media law, real estate law, environmental law and cyber law. Specialisation required after LLB is certification in legal business and legal contract drafting.
Average Salary: 5 LPA – 15 LPA, varies on the basis of experience, company and location.
3. Law Officer in Banks and PSUs
Their role involves managing legal compliance, review legal contracts and offer legal guidance in regulatory matters. Law officers in banks and PSUs are offered stable and secure government jobs after LLB. Recruitment is conducted through competitive entrance exams such as-SBI PO, IBPS, ONGC, BHEL, GAIL, NTPC entrance exam and more.
Diploma/certification in banking law and public administration are the specialization course after LLB, which will help in enhancing knowledge, skills and salary package of candidates.
Average Salary: 7 LPA – 12 LPA depends on the company’s location.
4. Compliance Officer in MNCs
Compliance officer ensures that their company follows all national and international rules and regulation. Their role is to ensure that company follows strict corporate rules and regulations globally.
Specialization required for becoming compliance officers is diploma/certification in legal compliance management.
Average Salary: 8LPA – 18 LPA varies on the basis of company, experience and location.
5. Legal Process Outsourcing Officers (LPO)
In India, legal outsourcing officers are a rapidly growing sector. Their role involves offering legal research, legal contract drafting and litigation support for multinational firms. Their role majorly focuses on legal research and documentation. Specializations required are certification in LPO/legal drafting and cyber law.
Average Salary: 3 LPA – 10 LPA depending on experience and company’s location.
6. Academics and Teaching
Academic and teaching career can also be rewarding, if candidates have a passion for research and teaching. Legal academic experts in reputed universities can gain intellectual growth through contributing in research papers.
The required specialization course is coreLLM degree with net qualification in law stream, this helps in attaining high paying jobs after LLB.
Average Salary: 6 LPA – 15 LPA, varies based on universities reputation and professors experience.
7. NGOs and Human Rights Organizations
Many NGOs and government requires human right lawyers, who work to protect and promote fundamental freedom of rights guaranteed by the constitution of India. Their role involves engaging in projects related to child rights, gender equality, environmental protection, and help to defend marginalized individuals rights.
The specialization courses after LLB required are LLM in human rights law, PGD in human right and short-term certification like certificate in human rights law by IGNOU.
Average Salary: 4 LPA – 12 LPA depends on human rights organization/NGOs funds and location.
8. Career in Journalism and Legal Publishing
Their role includes reporting on law related cases, news and legal trend in print and digital media. They have excellent analytical and writing skills and generally work in legal and political reporting. Specialization course required in this field are certificate/diploma in legal journalism, legal writing and IPR.
Average Salary: 4 LPA – 10 LPA varies on the basis of organization, experience and skills.
An overview of alternate careers and specialisation courses after LLB
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Alternate careers for lawyers
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Average salary package (LPA)
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Specialization course after LLB
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Corporate Lawyer
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6LPA-20 LPA
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LLM/PG Diploma in corporate law and company law
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Legal Consultant/Advisor
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5LPA-15 LPA
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PG Diploma in taxation, cyber law and IPR
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In-house Counsel (Corporates)
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8LPA-25 LPA
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LLM/Certificate in business law and contract drafting
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Compliance Officer
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8LPA-18 LPA
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Certificate/Diploma in compliance management
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Law Officer (PSU/Banks)
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7LPA-12 LPA (Govt. scale + perks)
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Diploma/Certificate in banking laws and public administration
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Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO)
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3LPA-10 LPA
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Certificate in LPO/legal drafting and cyber law
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Academic/Professor
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6LPA-15 LPA
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LLM (any specialization) and NET/PhD
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Mediation/Arbitration Expert
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7LPA-18 LPA
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Diploma in ADR/Mediation/Arbitration
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Policy Analyst/NGO Professional
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4LPA-12 LPA
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PG Diploma in Human Rights and public policy
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Journalist/Legal Writer
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4LPA-10 LPA
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Certificate in journalism, legal writing and IPR
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Intellectual Property Lawyer
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7LPA-15 LPA
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Diploma/Certificate in IPR and patent law
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Government jobs after LLB
Candidates can also apply for government jobs after completing LLB program. A LLB graduate is eligible for competitive exams like UPSC, UPPSC, SSC and more. They have special preference in government job roles because of their legal expertise and knowledge of the constitutional rights and law.
Government jobs after LLB offer job security and handsome pay after graduation. Mentioned below is the list of government jobs with their salary and brief description:
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Government jobs after
LLB
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Entrance exam and job role
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Salary Range (LPA)
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Judiciary -Civil judge and Magistrate
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Selection is done through State/central judicial services exams (PCS-J, Judicial service entrance exam).
They focus on judiciary of constitutional and legal matters, related to human rights.
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7LPA – 12 LPA
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Public prosecutor/Assistant public prosecutor
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Selection is done through UPSC or State PSC exams after experience.
They focus on representing the state in criminal and rights-related matters.
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Up to 14 LPA
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Legal advisor/Legislative counsel
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Selection is done through UPSC or State PSC exams after experience. They focus on advising ministries/departments on lawmaking, policy, and human rights issues.
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5LPA – 15LPA
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Defence legal roles in army, navy, air force)
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Selection is done through- JAG for Indian army and Indian navy (Judge advocate general entry scheme),
AFCAT for Indian air force (Air force common admission test) and
CGCAT for Indian coast guard (Cost guard assistant commandant admission test)
They offer specialized posts for lawyers in defence legal services.
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6LPA – 17LPA
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Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IRS, HAS)
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Selection is done through UPSC.
They offer administrative legal posts involved in policy framing, human right legal advice and human rights implementation.
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10LPA – 15LPA
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Legal Research Analyst/ Human Rights Commission
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Selection is done through UPSC or State PSC exams after experience.
They offer works in National/State Human Rights Commission with responsibilities like investigation, research, and addressing complaints
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7LPA – 15 LPA
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Government jobs after LLB is an attractive option for graduates as it offers job security, reputation, and career growth. The government job roles offers lower entry-level salary compared to private sector.
Final Takeaway:
In conclusion, there are several alternate careers for lawyers. LLB is the most versatile degree which does not limit candidates to court room practice only. With the help of specialization courses after LLB, candidates can apply for various sectors like corporate, academic, government, banks and NGOs.
There is range of career for LLB graduates, from government jobs to high paying jobs after LLB in corporate companies. The best alternative careers for LLB graduates beyond court practice are corporate lawyer, legal advisor, compliance officer and legal writers.
Hence, choosing the right career role and pursuing relevant specialization courses after LLB, will enable in building a rewarding careers with stability, intellectual and financial growth.
FAQs
Q1. What are the alternate career options after LLB?
Ans1. The career options after BBA LLB are corporate lawyer, legal advisor, compliance officer, intellectual property lawyer, legal consultant, legal researcher, M&A manager, judicial services and academic roles.
Q2. What are the government jobs after LLB?
Ans2: The government jobs after LLB are civil judge, magistrate, and public prosecutor, law officer in ministries, revenue, banking, and administrative roles via various government entrances like UPSC/SPSC.
Q3. What is the salary for LLB jobs?
Ans3: The entry-level job salary range is 3LPA–7 LPA, for mid-level professionals 6LPA–12 LPA, and senior roles in law firms/corporate/government up to 25 LPA plus.
Q4. What are high paying jobs after LLB?
Ans4. Best high paying jobs after LLB are corporate lawyer, human right lawyer, legal advisor, IP analyst, or judiciary/government law officer positions are top picks for salary and career growth.