Career as Government Lawyer

Last Updated By Aindrila on 21 Dec, 2022

How to Become a Government Lawyer

About Government Lawyer

Government Lawyers work for the government, typically as employees in various departments. They are skilled solicitors and barristers who act on behalf of government ministers and administrative staff and also give legal advice to them. Some Government Lawyers represent the government in court, such as prosecutors or attorneys working in a solicitor general’s office. Other lawyers are paid by the government to provide legal services in the public interest, such as a public defender. There are some Government Lawyers who are employed by the government to provide a specific type of legal service like working for large agencies like the EPA or IRS or working for a state university/ municipal school system.

Responsibilities of a Government Lawyer

career as Government lawyer

Government Lawyers have to fulfil certain duties as per their job profile. Some important responsibilities of a Government Lawyer have been listed here.

  • Advising government members on a variety of legal issues including legislation on tax, environment, discrimination, employment and justice.
  • Researching and preparing legislation.
  • Directing senior government staff in the preparation of proposed bills and debates.
  • Drafting subordinate legislation.
  • Writing legal documents.
  • Handling civil and criminal litigation.
  • Defending or prosecuting cases in court.
  • Representing the government in national and international meetings.

Eligibility to become Government Lawyer

Career as a Government Lawyer

 

Becoming a Government Lawyer requires some basic conditions to be met by the candidates. Anyone who does not fulfil all the conditions will not be hired for the position of a Government Lawyer. Go through the table given below to know the eligibility criteria for becoming a Government Lawyer.

 

Educational Qualification

 
  • Candidates who want to become a Government Lawyer need to complete at least an undergraduate degree in law.
  • Those who have done a postgraduate degree in law are also hired for the Government job as an LL.M degree offers candidates a deeper understanding of the subject.
  • To become a Government lawyer, candidates must have cleared all his/ her exam and should have an aggregate score of at least 50-55%.

Skill Set

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Applied intellectual ability
  • Ability to absorb, understand, and analyse large amounts of information
  • Good presentation skills
  • Ability to handle pressure, long hours, demanding deadlines and great responsibility
  • Clear and concise writing and drafting skills
  • Attention to details
  • Good knowledge of law
  • Litigation and transaction skills
  • Updated with the latest events and news
  • Creative problem-solving ability
  • Good proofreading skills
  • Rational approach

Work Experience

  • It is mandatory to have specific work experience in the form of internships for the job of a Government Lawyer. Candidates need to complete some internships under government agencies in similar roles while completing their law degree. As there are different types of law streams and candidates who have relevant work experience in the field they want to make career in, then it will add an extra advantage and help the candidate to get a job easily.


How to Become a Government Lawyer

To become a Government Lawyer, follow the point given below and start your career:

  • Those candidates who have completed their Class 12th can apply for admission to law schools.
  • An average of 45 to 55% marks is a minimum requirement in the 10+2 exam.
  • CLAT, AILET, SLAT, LSAT, BHU UET, etc are some of the popular law entrance tests conducted in India for admission to various law colleges in India.
  • Some private colleges offer admission on the basis of merit and personal interviews.
  • After completing the law course, the aspirants will have to clear the All India Bar Exam (AIBE) to practice as a lawyer.
  • To become a Public Prosecutor, a candidate has to clear the examination for the Public Prosecutor under the UPSC.

Courses to Become a Government Lawyer

Some popular courses for becoming a Government Lawyer have been listed in the table given below.

Course

Average Fee per Year

Colleges
Integrated Law Courses

Rs. 70,000 - 4 lacs

Bachelor of Law (LL.B)

Rs. 50,000 - 3.5 lacs

Master of Law (LL.M)

Rs. 70,000 - 2 lacs

M.Phil in Law

Rs. 1.5 - 3 lacs

To find the best law college in India for yourself, fill our Common Application Form (CAF) or call on our helpline number 1800-572-9877.

Types of Job Roles Government Lawyer

The job role of a Government Lawyer is not limited to just one profile. Candidates are hired at differed levels and positions under the job of a Government Lawyer. Some popular profiles have been listed below.

  • Government Lawyer
  • Government Attorney
  • Legal Counsel
  • Legal Representative
  • In-house Attorney
  • Litigation Attorney

Employment Sector for Government Lawyer

Government Lawyers are hired in many sectors that are run either by the central government or a state government. Check the list given below to know the sectors in which Government Lawyers can easily find a job.

  • Public Infrastructure
  • Municipal Corporations
  • Railways
  • Roadways
  • Public Transit
  • Military
  • Public Education
  • Health Care
  • Political Parties
  • Agriculture
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Judiciary
  • Law Enforcement
  • PSUs
  • Real Estate 

Planning to choose Government Lawyer as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Government Lawyer

The salary details of a Government Lawyer can be checked in the table given below. Several factors determine the salary of a Government Lawyer. These include the candidate's prior work experience, sector of employment, company, designation, etc.

Job Profile

Average Salary (per annum)

Entry-Level Salary (per annum)

Mid-Level Salary (per annum)

Senior-Level Salary (per annum)

Government Lawyer

Rs. 3,60,000

Rs. 1,00,000

Rs. 7,50,000

Rs. 45,00,000

Legal Representative

Rs. 3,20,000Rs. 2,00,000Rs. 8,00,000Rs. 14,50,000

Legal Counsel

Rs. 4,80,000Rs. 3,60,000Rs. 9,50,000Rs. 15,00,000

Government Attorney

Rs. 2,50,000Rs. 1,00,000Rs. 8,20,000Rs. 12,80,000

In-house Attorney

Rs. 2,70,000Rs. 1,20,000Rs. 6,40,000Rs. 10,40,000

Litigation Attorney

Rs. 3,10,000Rs. 1,75,000Rs. 7,20,000Rs. 12,50,000

Books & Study Material to Become Government Lawyer

Given below are some of the best books that every Government Lawyer must read.

  • 'Government Lawyers: The Federal Legal Bureaucracy and Presidential Politics' by Cornell W. Clayton
  • 'The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of A Nation' by Austin Granville
  • 'Working in a Democratic Constitution: A History of the Indian Experience' by Austin Granville
  • 'Government Lawyering: Duties and Ethical Challenges of Government Lawyers' by Elizabeth A. L. Sanderson
  • 'Public Law and Public Administration' by Philip J Cooper

Pros of becoming a Government Lawyer

Every career that you choose has its own pros and cons and given below are the pros of a career as a Government Lawyer:

  • The work pressure of a Government Lawyer is comparatively less than a private lawyer. They get a flexible work schedule and do not have a hectic work routine. 
  • Government Lawyers work for fixed working hours which are usually between 9 to 5.
  • The Government lawyers get extra benefits that are provided to them by the government.
  • Lawyers from other sectors do not have stable jobs, whereas, Government Lawyers enjoy better job security as compared to them.

Cons of becoming a Government Lawyer

Following are the cons of a career as a Government Lawyer:

  • The job of a Government Lawyer can sometimes get repetitious and boring.
  • As compared to a successful private lawyer, the surge in the salary of a Government Lawyer is not so high.
  • Government Lawyers cannot easily switch their sectors as they are usually hired for job roles similar to the one at which they have worked.

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FAQs about Government Lawyer

How is a Government Lawyer different from a Private Lawyer?

A Government Lawyer is hired in the sectors that are run by the government. Their job is funded either by the central or a state government. Private Lawyers, on the other hand, work only in the companies of the private sector and do not enjoy the benefits of a government job.

What does a Government Lawyer do?

The role of a Government Lawyer is quite diverse. He/ she takes care of the legal aspects of the sector in which they are employed. Government Lawyers play several roles ranging from being courtroom lawyers and legal representatives to solicitors and attorneys.

Can I become a Government Lawyer after graduation?

If you have completed your graduation with a degree in law, you are eligible to become a Government Lawyer. However, a UG degree in any other stream will not be accepted.

Do I have to appear for an entrance test to become a Government Lawyer?

Depending upon the job role and the sector in which you seek employment, you might have to appear for an entrance exam to become a Government Lawyer. These entrance tests are organised by the respective state/ central government for hiring purposes.

Is it necessary to do LLM in order to become a Government Lawyer?

No, it is not mandatory to complete an LLM degree in order to become a Government Lawyer. You can apply for the job after completing a bachelor's degree in law.

Which are the best colleges for becoming a Government Lawyer?

The best colleges in which you can enrol to get a law degree for becoming a Government Lawyer include Symbiosis Law School, OP Jindal Law School, ICFAI Law School, National Law Universities, Lovely Professional University, etc.

What is the average salary of a Government Lawyer?

The average salary of a Government Lawyer is approximately Rs. 3.6 lakh per annum.

Which are the highest recruiting sectors of Government Lawyers?

The sectors which hire Government Lawyers the most include Public Education, Municipal Corporations, Railways, Construction, Roadways, Public Transit, Health Care, Manufacturing, and PSUs.

How much can I earn if I want to become a Government Lawyer after graduation?

The starting salary of candidates who begin their career as a Government Lawyer right after graduation is between Rs. 1 - 2.5 lacs per annum.

Is it mandatory to do internships before becoming a Government Lawyer?

Yes, internships are mandatory for becoming a Government Lawyer.

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