Lawyer (advocate)
Also called: Litigator
Represents clients in courts and advises them on their legal rights.
What the work is
Advocates argue cases in courts and tribunals for individuals, companies and governments. They specialise in areas such as criminal, civil, family, constitutional, tax or intellectual property law. Most start by working under a senior advocate, learning drafting, research and court practice.
You need an LLB (five-year integrated after Class 12, or three-year after graduation), enrolment with a State Bar Council and the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). Early years pay little, but experienced advocates can do very well.
A typical week
- Research case law and draft petitions
- Meet clients and prepare cases
- Argue in court
- Negotiate settlements
It suits people who
- Love reading, debating and writing
- Are persistent and confident
- Care about justice
Your path to get there
School (Class 8-10)
- Read, debate and write; any stream works
Class 11-12
- Write CLAT, AILET or state law entrances for a five-year BA LLB
College or fresher
- Intern with advocates and law firms every year
- Take part in moot courts
- Clear AIBE after your LLB
Working or switching
- Graduates of any subject can do a three-year LLB
- Start with a skills refresh of 6 to 12 weeks: one short course and one TalentMeter assessment to show where you stand today.
- Use returnship and second-career programmes; many large employers in India run them for people back after a break.
- Explain the gap in one honest line on your CV and LinkedIn, and list what you did in it (caregiving, freelancing, courses, volunteering).
- Contract, part-time and freelance roles are a common way back in; they turn into full-time offers often.
Exams and certifications
| Name | What it is for | When |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT ↗ | National Law Universities (UG and PG) | Once a year |
| AILET | NLU Delhi | Once a year |
| All India Bar Examination (AIBE) ↗ | Licence to practise | After LLB |
Exam names, eligibility and dates change. Always check the official website for this year's notice.
Job market
Job titles to search
Who hires
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