Imperceptibly, the gleam of career in law had been shadowed by invincible opportunities in engineering, medical, management and fashion designing fields several years back. Students in class 12 work hard to choose best in their life. Some knit their dreams according to their parents and others listen to their heart.
Except for those fortunate ones with lawyers in the family, the rest of us grew up thinking of lawyers as black & white social outcasts chirping the occasional 'me lord' in B-grade bollywood flicks. Most of us never even contemplated law as a career option when we made those vital decisions of picking careers. However over the last decade the popular perception of the law degree has changed dramatically. Law has become a strong and versatile career option inspired by world class law schools such as the National Law School in Bangalore and subsequently NUJS in Kolkata, NALSAR in Hyderabad, NLU in Jodhpur and NLIU in Bhopal. The older institutions such as the legendary Government Law College in Bombay and the equally famous Faculty of Law in Delhi have responded positively and pruned their curriculum to face up to the challenge. The result - the five year law degree has all the ingredients to make it an excellent career option.
And it now stands shoulder to shoulder with MBAs or IITs or Medicals. From being “the last resort” to becoming the most cherished and sought-after career option, Law has everything to offer to the young minds. Be it the role of an arbitrator in family feuds between relatives or an advice to a friend on investment, from filing applications in exercise of right to information to assisting a layman in filing income tax returns, a legal mind works in all directions for every cause worth pursuing. It not only fills one with abundant knowledge, at the same time it also boosts confidence level to extreme heights. Law brings out a leader within oneself. It teaches one to be a part of the crowd yet to lead the crowd towards their respective goals. It has truly become a noble profession, as it was once thought to be.
Sowing a seed of law profession in your career life will grow into a plant that would enrich your career as well as your life with sweet fruits of:
Diverse Legal Career Options:
The complexities of our legal system have created hundreds of legal career options that serve a variety of core and non-core legal functions. From lawyers, judges and mediators to paralegals, secretaries and consultants, the legal professional’s role is expanding and evolving to keep pace with the ever-changing legal system.
Growth and Opportunity:
In the last several years, the legal profession has experienced staggering growth. A steady rise in profits and revenues, expanded headcounts and significant salary increases have provided plenty of job opportunities in a broad range of legal positions.
Financial Rewards:
The legal profession is one of the most lucrative industries in today’s job market. Double-digit growth in recent years has produced healthy revenues and rising salaries. Associates in the nation’s largest law firms start at $150,000 to $180,000 and partners earn average salaries in excess of $1.2 million. Many non-lawyers also reap significant financial rewards in the legal profession.
Client Service:
At the heart of the legal professional’s role is client service. Whether you are a lawyer representing a multinational corporate client, a paralegal assisting abused women obtain restraining orders or a law clerk researching a tax issue for a new business, the fundamental purpose of the legal professional is the help others resolve their legal problems.
Diverse Practice Areas:
Increased segmentation and specialization in the legal profession has spawned a growing number of legal specialties and sub-specialties that cater to almost every legal interest. Legal professionals who seek a career in litigation can specialize in law, employment, family law, products liability or dozens of other practice areas. Legal professionals who prefer a career in corporate law can specialize in tax law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, finance or another corporate practice area that satisfies their interests.
Intellectual Challenge:
Navigating an evolving legal system, advances in technology, vast bodies of case law and the demands of the legal profession creates a stimulating intellectual environment for the legal professional. Lawyers and non-lawyers alike must grapple with conceptually challenging issues, reason with logic and clarity, analyze case and statutory law, research complex legal issues and master oral and written communications.
Prosperity:
Historically, the legal profession has weathered economic downturns quite well and should do so in the future, in part due to the growing geographic and practice diversification of many law firms. In fact, some practice areas such as litigation, bankruptcy and reorganization, residential real estate foreclosures and regulatory compliance will actually benefit from an economic slowdown. As a result, legal professionals should find plenty of job opportunities in any economic climate.
Prestige:
In a culture that views high pay, impressive schooling and societal power as hallmarks of success, the legal profession has long been regarded as a noble and elite profession. This image is further boosted by the portrayal of legal careers in the media as exciting, glamorous, fast-paced and desired. As a result, the legal profession has held its allure and careers in the law remain is one of the most sought-after professions in today’s job market.
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Global Perspective
More firms and corporations are crossing international borders and expanding across the globe through mergers, acquisitions, consolidation and collaboration with foreign counsel. The globalization of the legal profession provides today’s legal professional with a world view and the opportunity to serve international clients.
Dynamic Environment:
The legal profession is continually changing and evolving, bringing new challenges and rewards. Legal professionals must be problem-solvers and innovators, willing to assume new responsibilities, tackle new challenges, master new technology and navigate an ever-evolving legal system. This dynamic legal landscape makes each day unique and fosters an enjoyable, fulfilling work experience.
“A lawyer with his briefcase can make more money than a burglar with a gun, if he has a sharp wit and intelligence.” – Marion Puzo in The Godfather.
Law makes a very good wife but a poor mistress. You have to be married to it. You can’t play with it. If you work hard and if you have the capabilities, you will be at the top. And at the top, law is the most rewarding profession. And there is no death of money provided you establish yourself in the profession.
Procurement of law as a profession will never let you down and it will enlighten your life as long you have capability to hold it strongly.
