Top 5 Career Options After LLM - Eligibility, Salary

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Oct 10, 2024 09:42 AM IST

Master of Laws (LLM) is a two-year postgraduate degree for individuals who are interested in pursuing a masters degree in legal education. There has been an increased need for lawyers in India, which has led to law graduates opting for a masters degree. There are a number of career options after LLM.

Best Career Options after LLM

There has been a constant evolution in the way how society functions, this has also led to introduction of various types of laws. This has resulted in several types of careers in law getting popular. There are a number of career options after LLM in both public and private sectors of the legal industry. We have listed some of the most significant career opportunities after LLM:

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 in a smooth and efficient manner.

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.

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 cases 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.

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 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 to navigate through the corporate law maze.

Law Clerk

Law clerks give assistance to judges and lawyers by conducting legal research and help 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 laws such as tax and business law. 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.

Also read: Law Course

Judge

A judge is one the most key figures in the legal system of any country. It is the duty of the individual to protect the common man’s right and ensure that the rule of law is followed by all individuals and 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 criterias such as experience, nature of the job and the location. In the table below, we have covered the most popular job opportunities and their average annual pay.

Job Profiles	Educational Requirements	Average Annual Salary
Law Clerk	Bachelor's degree after 10+2 followed by master’s of law and relevant practical experience	Rs. 5.7 Lakhs
Litigation Lawyer	Bachelor's degree after 10+2 followed by master’s of law and relevant practical experience	Rs. 5.5 Lakhs
Cyber Lawyer	Bachelor's degree after 10+2 followed by master’s of law and relevant practical experience	Rs. 4.5 Lakhs
Legal Advisor	Bachelor's degree after 10+2 followed by master’s of law and relevant practical experience	Rs. 6 Lakhs
Corporate Counsellor	Bachelor's degree after 10+2 followed by master’s of law and relevant practical experience	Rs. 8 Lakhs

Source: Glassdoor, AmbitionBox, PayScale

Note: These salary figures are for reference purposes and may vary depending on various factors, such as designation, experience, skills, and job location.

Also Read: Career Options in Law in India

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What distinguishes LLB from LLM in particular?

LLM is a postgraduate degree that offers advanced, specialised knowledge, whereas the LLB is an undergraduate degree that provides basic legal education.

2. Can one still get an LLM without an LLB?

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.

3. Is it possible to finish an LLM online?

A number of colleges provide working people with flexibility through their online LLM programs.

4. What advantages come with pursuing an LLM overseas?

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.

5. What role does an LLM have in advancing a career?

An LLM can provide access to possibilities in academia or international organisations, as well as higher-level positions and specialised legal skills.