Before you start your legal career, it is important to determine if a career in the law is a good fit for you. Scroll down to find the list of pros and cons of being a lawyer that will help you make an informed decision.
What is it like to be a lawyer? That is one question you would have to answer again and again not only to your acquaintances but also to yourself till the day you finally start practising law. Until then, check out the list of the pros and cons of a being a lawyer.
Lawyer as a profession still happens to be one of the most popular career paths in India. Lakhs of students choose to study law fresh out of school every year. The question here is "Why law?" The answer lies in the diversity of the subject and the end number of career options that it comes with. One can do just about anything after pursuing law. From a speechwriter to a diplomat, law graduates successfully make their mark in every field.
Although a lawyer may be the punchline of many jokes in India, it is also a highly regarded profession that promises great career opportunities. Having said that, being a lawyer does not necessarily involve exhilarating courtroom drama. A lawyer is required to work long hours with high levels of stress almost every other day.
Sometimes the benefits of being a lawyer might outweigh the drawbacks or vice versa. It is, by and large, a matter of individual preference. Just to give you an idea, CollegeDekho has listed below certain pros and cons that you may take a quick look at before settling on becoming a lawyer.
Pros of Being a Lawyer
More often than not, working as a lawyer can be pretty exciting if you believe it to be your calling. Given below are the pros of being a lawyer:
- Emotional and Financial Rewards
Well, there are financial rewards in every job but financial rewards and emotional rewards are at the top of the advantages for most law aspirants. Obtaining a law degree might not guarantee immediate success or a massive salary in the beginning but you can see good salary growth with years to come.
- Wide Selection of Career Options
There is a misconception that studying law will limit one’s career options to only the legal industry. However, lawyers are desirable candidates for several fields like academic, social work, commerce and industry, etc. What people don’t know is that law is something that applies to every field, be it HR or Entrepreneurship or even something as simple as renting out an apartment.
- Ability to Independently Plan your Schedule
While the job can be stressful, it is up to the lawyer to independently plan his/her schedule and determine performance tasks, workload, cost of his services. The profession comes with maximum freedom in time which cannot be guaranteed in any other job profile.
- Respect in Society
Let us not forget that great leaders like Benazir Bhutto, Barack Obama, and Mahatma Gandhi have studied law. The fact that the job involves upholding justice in society and standing up for what is right makes the society respect a lawyer. People from all walks of like show veneration towards a lawyer.
- Awareness of Rights and Responsibilities
A lawyer is aware of the law of the land which empowers him/her regarding legal issues and helps promote consciousness of participation in the formation of laws and introduce legal culture in the society.
- Intellectual Challenges
One of the many advantages of being a lawyer is the mental stimulation an advocate experiences when working through the Constitution, complex legal theories, statutes and so on. Lawyers often have to spend enough time researching and analyzing the new laws to represent their clients in the best possible way. If you like studying law and learning something new every day unearthing nuances, then being a lawyer is undeniably for you.
Also Read: All You Need to Know About a Career as a Lawyer
Cons of Being a Lawyer
Apart from the personal disadvantages of being a lawyer such as stress and lack of time, let us find out what are the professional disadvantages of being a lawyer:
- Competition for Jobs
Competition for jobs in the legal industry is pretty high and will continue to be so. Apparently, there are more law students graduating from than there are legal jobs. Hence, the option to move to your choice of city or to pick an area that you like the most no longer have a role to play when pursuing law.
- Changing Legal Paradigm
With the onset of globalisation and privatisation, the practice of law is rapidly changing and unfortunately, lawyers do not have a monopoly in the field anymore. Today, lawyers face challenges from a range of non-lawyer sources which might not be reputable but are changing the picture drastically.
- You Might not Like Your Client
You won't be able to pick the clients you want to work for simply because that is how the business works and your income would be based on that. People who require lawyers don't come from a single demographic. Either your clients may be filthy rich and willing to offer a lot of money or they could be homeless and accused of a crime who might not be able to afford you.
- Technology in the Legal System
Like every other sector, technology has been successful in transforming the practice of law as well. This demands today’s lawyers to be proficient in multiple technology platforms which might range from management tools to spreadsheet, document review, billing software, etc. While lawyers are trying to keep with that, the market trend threatens to transfer the jobs of lawyers to technology.
- Underestimation of Lawyers
It would be a lie if we said that people do not underestimate a lawyer. The society is still yet to understand the significance of a legal perspective and having more efficient lawyers in the country. Although law tends to affect every individual in their day-to-day activities, they remain far from reality and eventually underestimate the profession and power of a lawyer.
Also Read: Skills Required to Become a Successful Lawyer
Top Courses to Become a Lawyer
Check out the table given below to know which law courses will help you in establishing a career as a lawyer.
| Course Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| B.A. LL.B | 5 Years |
| B.B.A. LL.B | 5 Years |
| B.Com LL.B | 5 Years |
| B.Sc LL.B | 5 Years |
| B.Tech LL.B | 5 Years |
| LL.B (Bachelor of Law) | 3 Years |
| LL.M (Master of Law) | 2 Years |
Top Law Colleges in India to Become a Lawyer
The table given below provides a list of some of the leading law colleges in India that you can consider for taking admission in. These colleges will assist you in your endeavour of becoming a lawyer.
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar, Punjab |
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh, Punjab |
| National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Symbiosis Law School | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Amity University | Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| Manav Rachna University | Faridabad, Haryana |
| IFHE - Faculty of Law (ICFAI Law School) | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| K.L.E. Society Law College | Bangalore, Karnataka |
| Bhai Gurdas Group Of Institutions | Sangrur, Punjab |
| Noida International University | Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
In order to find the best college for yourself, fill our Common Application Form (CAF) or call on the number 1800-572-9877.
Considering the above-mentioned factors would help you make an informed decision when choosing a career in law. Whether you want to become a corporate lawyer or a taxation lawyer, these pros and cons will stay put.
Stay tuned to explore the world of law and know about all legal careers. In case of any further questions regarding the study of law or a career in law, feel free to reach out to us.
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