Top 5 Career Options After LLM - Eligibility, Salary
Master of Laws (LLM) is a two-year postgraduate degree designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing a master's degree in legal education and specialising in specific areas of law. With the growing need for skilled legal professionals in India, many law graduates are now opting to pursue an LLM to advance their careers in this competitive field. In this article, we will explore the Top 5 Career Options After LLM, along with details on Eligibility, job roles and Salary.
Best Career Options after LLM
There has been a constant evolution in the way society functions, which has also led to the introduction of various types of laws and several law careers getting popular. There are a number of promising career options after LLM in both the public and private sectors of the legal industry. We have listed some of the most significant career opportunities after LLM that graduates can pursue.
1. Legal Analyst
A legal analyst is a professional in a law firm whose primary function is to research and analyse legal documents and cases. The individual is a legal expert who understands and explains various aspects of the law and its applications. The primary responsibility of a legal analyst is to evaluate legal material and ensure that the firm’s daily functions are carried out smoothly and efficiently.
A legal analyst collects information on a company's legal requirements from the database and legal research tools. Once this information is collected, it is the responsibility of the legal analyst to communicate the implications and potential dangers to the management. This is one of the traditional and most sought-after Career Options After LLM today.
2. Criminal Lawyer
Criminal lawyers, as the name suggests, handle crime-related cases. In India, if an individual wants to become a criminal lawyer, they have to register with the Bar Council of India. A criminal lawyer’s primary role is to represent an individual or corporation that has criminal charges against them.
Criminal lawyers also represent defendants in court proceedings based on the type of crime they have been accused of committing. Criminal lawyers’ primary role is to defend innocent people from false allegations. There are different types of criminal lawyers; some of the types are: junior criminal lawyer, senior criminal lawyer, criminal appeal lawyer, contract barrister and a solicitor. Pursuing this specialisation is one of the best choices among the top 5 Career Options after doing LLM in India.
3. Corporate Lawyer
Corporate firms are great at providing opportunities for individuals who have completed their LLB degree. Corporate law is one of the most exciting career opportunities after LLM for those who want to get into the world of corporate law in India. A Corporate lawyer advises the management on various business and legal matters. They help the companies navigate through the corporate law maze.
4. Law Clerk
Law clerks assist judges and lawyers by conducting legal research and helping them carry out their daily duties. Law clerks are primarily research assistants who help judges in administering justice. Law clerks often specialise in various areas of law, such as tax and business law, making this role a practical extension of a Law Course. A Law clerk is expected to do a lot of research and writing work. The average salary for Law Clerks is Rs. 5.7 lakhs per year.
5. Judge
A judge is one of the most key figures in the legal system of any country. It is the duty of the Judge to protect the common man’s right and ensure that the rule of law is followed by all individuals and that everyone receives a fair trial. It is a judge’s responsibility to make sure that all the involved parties treat each other with dignity and respect and that no one is harassed or intimidated by the other.
Salary Trends After LLM
Salary of an individual is based on criteria such as experience, nature of the job and the location. In the table below, we have covered the most popular Career Options in Law in India and their average annual pay.
Job Profiles | Educational Requirements | Average Annual Salary |
Law Clerk | Bachelor's degree after 10+2, followed by a master’s of law and relevant practical experience | Rs. 4.1 Lakhs |
Litigation Lawyer | Bachelor's degree after 10+2, followed by a master’s of Law and relevant practical experience | Rs. 4.7 Lakhs |
Legal Advisor | Bachelor's degree after 10+2, followed by a master’s of Law and relevant practical experience | Rs. 6.2 Lakhs |
Corporate Counsellor | Bachelor's degree after 10+2, followed by a master’s of law and relevant practical experience | Rs. 2.5 Lakhs |
Source: AmbitionBox
Note: These salary figures are for reference purposes and may vary depending on various factors, such as designation, experience, skills, and job location.
Also check: Top 7 Career Options in Law In India: Which One Should You Choose?
Conclusion
There are diverse career opportunities after LLM, including roles as lawyers, judges, legal advisors and academics. Graduates can work in corporate legal departments, government agencies, NGOs and international organisations. This versatile qualification provides enough job opportunities after LLM in legal practice, research and public service.
You may also check: Average Corporate Lawyer Salary in India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Learning in another country can broaden your horizons, introduce you to new legal systems, and frequently lead to greater employment opportunities in the field of international law.
An LLM can provide access to possibilities in academia or international organisations, as well as higher-level positions and specialised legal skills.
LLM is a postgraduate degree that offers advanced, specialised knowledge, whereas the LLB is an undergraduate degree that provides basic legal education.
Typically, admission to an LLM program requires the possession of an LLB or its equivalent. Candidates with a different legal or related background may be accepted by some colleges.
A number of colleges provide working people with flexibility through their online LLM programs.
Questions related to
On Question asked by student community
Yes, big businesses usually hire lawyers for their company. Large companies either have an in-house legal team (corporate lawyers who are full-time employees) or they hire law firms for specialized work like mergers, taxation, intellectual property, labor laws, and compliance. These lawyers help protect the company from legal risks, draft contracts, handle disputes, and ensure the business follows all government regulations.
For sports quota job you need certificate from sports authority, not from any government lawyer. Like if you played at state level, then state sports dept will give it. For national level, certificate comes from national sports federation.
Hello,
Yes, you can study to become a lawyer in Gujarati medium. Some universities in Gujarat offer LL.B. courses in Gujarati . However, if you plan to practise in courts or go for higher studies like LL.M., knowing English will also help, as many legal books and judgments are in English.
Hope it helps !
Hey Sakthi Priya,
So you're wondering if you can become a lawyer after studying through NIOS? Absolutely, it's doable, but there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind. Basically, NIOS is a recognized national board, which is great because it means most universities will accept their certifications for higher education – law programs included! According to the Bar Council of India (BCI), you need a graduation degree for a 3-year law course or a 10+2 qualification for a 5-year integrated course . NIOS's Senior Secondary (12th) cert definitely covers that 10+2 requirement. Lots of universities across India, like Punjab University and the University of Madras , for example, do accept NIOS qualifications. You just need to make sure you meet any other criteria they might have. Now, here's where it gets a little tricky: some states might have their own specific rules about NIOS. For instance, there was a report back in 2024 that said even though Tamil Nadu lets NIOS students study further (like law), they might not be eligible for government jobs there . Also, once you've got your law degree, you'll need to enroll as an advocate with your State Bar Council . Apparently, some NIOS grads have run into issues here. But from what I've seen legal professionals discussing, as long as your law degree is from a BCI-recognized college , you should be good to go. So, to sum it all up, here's what I'd recommend:
Double-check with the university: Before you even apply, give the law college or university a shout and make absolutely sure they accept NIOS qualifications.
Know your state's rules: Find out if your state has any specific rules that might affect your chances of getting into higher education or getting a job later on.
Talk to the right people: Get in touch with the admissions folks at the universities you're interested in, and maybe even the State Bar Council, to get crystal clear on what you need to be eligible.
Basically, while NIOS is generally accepted for law studies in India, doing your homework and checking in with the right people about all the different policies is essential. Good luck with everything!
Hello Amitosh,
To become a
lawyer
in India, you need to pursue an
LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
degree. There are two main ways to get admission into law programs:
1. After 12th (5-Year Integrated LLB)
-
Courses:
BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB
-
Entrance Exams:
- CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) – For NLUs (Top Law Universities)
- AILET – For NLU Delhi
- LSAT India – For Private Law Colleges
-
SLAT, CUET, MH CET LAW, AP LAWCET
– For Various State and Private Universities
2. After Graduation (3-Year LLB)
- Eligibility: Any bachelor's degree
-
Entrance Exams:
DU LLB, MH CET LAW, LSAT India, BHU LLB, TS LAWCET
Admission Process
- Appear for an entrance exam (CLAT, LSAT, etc.)
- Participate in counseling and choose a law college
- Complete LLB (3 or 5 years)
-
Enroll with
Bar Council of India (BCI)
and clear the
AIBE
exam to practice as a lawyer
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.