What are the Career Opportunities after LLM in India?

Two decades ago, LL.M. graduates had fewer career options available to them than today's graduates, who have a wider range of job opportunities to explore. Today, studying law opens up a world of opportunities. After completing an LL.B., students can practice law or pursue a Master of Law (LL.M.) degree. A Master's in Law is a postgraduate degree that opens doors to many specialisations. Also, LLM graduates enjoy the luxury of applying for jobs per their specialisation. The possibilities are endless, from rocking it as a lawyer or advocate to serving as a legal advisor or law officer. 

With many career choices available, it's common for LLM students to wonder, "What's next?" This blog will help you guide the maze of post-LLM career options in India.

Highlights

• Duration- 2 Years

• Eligibility- LLB 3 years or BA LLB/ BSc LLB/ BCA LLB 5 years with a combined score of at least 50-60 points.

• Entrances- CLAT, LSAT, AILET, IPU CET, BHU PET

• Minimum Course Fee- ₹ 1,80,000

• Average Salary- ₹ 8,00,000- 15,00,000

Things to keep in mind when choosing LLM

1. Location- Studying in a specific location is important for forming future job or professional connections. Popular LL.M. destinations in India include Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, known for their reputable law schools and vast legal communities.

2. Subject Interest- When selecting your LLM specialisation, prioritise your interests. You can make your list of LL.M. courses much shorter by focusing on the subjects you like in law. Did you know NLU Lucknow provides all subject specialisation, whereas DBRANLU Haryana doesn't have an LLM program?

3. Your Strength- During your undergraduate studies, identify your best areas of expertise in law, such as constitutional, criminal, corporate, or intellectual property laws. This can help you decide which LL.M. degree to specialise in and consider any internships or extracurricular activities that sparked your interest.

4. Law School- Students often seek NLUs or top private law colleges but should also consider a college's reputation and personal preferences. If you admire a professor or alumni, research the law schools they are associated with and prepare accordingly.​​​​​​​

5. Affordability- When applying to law schools, consider the Return on Investment (ROI) since education is an investment in your future. Assess your budget, financial strategy, and loan plans. Are you aware that O.P. Jindal University is known for having the highest fees among universities offering LLM programs? ​​​​​​​

6. Career Consideration- This is one of the most important factors to consider while choosing an LLM course. After completing an LLM, you have various options, such as pursuing a career in academia, obtaining a PhD, joining a law firm, or starting your own practice.​​​​​​​

7. Placement Opportunities- The most prestigious colleges typically have strong placement records, with top law firms conducting interviews and hiring students as lawyers. For instance, as per reports, the average placement package for LLM graduates at NLSIU Banglore is the highest among other LLM colleges.

What are the Career Prospects after LLM?

After completing the degree, there are several career opportunities in the legal field in both the private and public sectors. Both these sectors hire LLM degree holders with an in-depth knowledge of the subject. An LLM graduate also has the option to venture into freelance legal practice instead of working in the corporate world.

Read on to know whether you should pursue an LLM in 2024-25.

Some of the LLM job sectors for the freshers are:

• Consulting Bodies
• Law Firms
• Corporate
• Finance
• Courthouses
• Media and Publishing Houses
• NGO
• UN and UNICEF International Organizations
• Real Estate

Some other prominent job sectors include Railway Defence, Marketing, Retail, Insurance and more.

If you are looking for guidance to prepare for TISS-NET, then click on the link to read about it.

What are the Professions after the completion of LLM?

On completion of LLM, several career opportunities open up that are highly valued. The following are the professions that are open to an LLM graduate:

1. Law Professor: One of the prominent career options after LLM is academics. This typically involves pursuing a career as a professor or lecturer at a university or law school.

2. PhD Holder: Finishing an LLM program opens doors to pursuing a PhD, often required for academic and high-level legal positions.

3. Judge: This is considered one of the most esteemed positions in every country's judiciary system. To become a judge, one must be very well educated in the country's law.

4. Legal Advisor: Contract summarisation, legal study, writing, and contract administration are assisted by court partners or associates. If one has expert knowledge in the subject, they will excel as a legal advisor.

5. Advocate: An advocate is a valuable specialist in India and abroad. To carry out his activities, he must have proper knowledge of the country's law.

6. Civil Advocates: The Lawyer facilitates the settlement of individuals, claims, guardianships and divorce.

7. Tax Advocates: They deal with all forms of government taxation, including income tax, sales tax and excise duty.

8. Corporate Lawyers: They look after the legal work of the corporations, establish and retain firms, and enter into different government contracts.

9. International Lawyers: They negotiate international relations and customs between the nations and offer them guidance on different projects.

Government Jobs for LLM Graduates

There are numerous opportunities in the government sector for a qualified LLM student. They are eligible to work as a Magistrate, Judge, Legal Advisor, and Public Prosecutor. There is also scope for building a teaching career in private and government universities after clearing the NET or other relevant exams. Here are some of the government jobs that are available to a graduate:

Other than this, some other opportunities that are open for the graduates are Indian Railways, Defence, and Excise Department.

Private Jobs for LLM Graduates

LLM graduates have ample opportunities when it comes to the private sector. The following are some of the high-profile law firms in India:

Conclusion

Building a career in the field of law requires an extreme amount of knowledge, skills and zeal. It requires you to be socially aware. However, professional life after the completion of LLM opens a wider scope of subject-specialised sectors. So, if you put in the hard work, you can ensure a bright future for yourself after graduation.

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