NO-1Bobby

LAW

"I object your honour ! The question is immaterial and irrelevant..."

We must have heard this dialogue on the big (and the small screen) innumerable times. And maybe dreamt of saying the same thing some day - Dreamt of achieving the suavity of Perry Mason, be as dead-on in cross - examining witnesses and creating a furor by suddenly winning a sensational case! Sensational cases don't happen everyday - but yes! the legal profession can be quite interesting.

Law - a result of the basic human need for security and order. Rules and regulations and laws have been in existence ever since mankind learned to live in groups. Look at the Indus Valley civilisation, the Romans, the Greeks - they all had their laws in place. It forms the backbone for the society to function in an organised manner. The legal professionals are held in high esteem and law is among the highly sought after professions in the country.

If you wish to study law, you can do so after 10+2 ( 5 year course - BA, L.L.B. (Hons.)) or after graduation in any discipline (3 year course). You could further your law education after the BA, L.L.B. course, by doing a full time post graduation (L.L.M.) of 2 years duration, or a diploma course of 1 year duration. And, the possibility to study abroad is always available. Almost all universities conduct law courses. Eligibility is based on marks obtained in graduation, although some universities also hold entrance tests.

A lawyer has several professional options after graduating - fresh graduates are recruited by law firms as apprentices or assistants. During the final year of the L.L.B exam, a student generally takes up apprenticeship with either a solicitor or an advocate's firm. After 2 years of articleship, he can sit for the exam of an articled clerk. If you have qualified with a law degree and completed your articleship, you can start your career as an advocate or a solicitor


Establishing your own private practice is not child's play - you will need several years of valuable experience, important contacts and a steady flow of clients. If you have a family legal firm to look forward to - go right ahead with your private practice (otherwise it is a wasted effort). Having the right contacts will always be a bonus for anyone trying to join this profession. Apart from this there are several other avenues open for a legal professional - employment in private industries, employed in a non - executive or part time basis as consultants, a solicitor's firm, employed by the government, defense forces, State and Government undertakings, public sector corporations, senior advisory posts in government etc. Post Graduates can opt for teaching (although most of the law professors do so on a part time basis).

A lawyer can specialize in any one of the several areas of legal work like Civil Law, Corporation Law, Criminal Law, Patent Law, Tax Law, International Law, Real Estate Law, Labour Law etc.

There is a lot of paperwork involved in the legal profession (and you thought lawyers just went to the court and said "I object"!). The right word, the right phrase, the right timing - everything is of utmost importance. Court appearances, meetings with the clients, co-ordination with the police, etc., make the lawyer's day an extremely busy one. There is a lot of patience needed to wade through the legal maze and get justice for their clients.

Assimilating and analyzing facts quickly, loads of intellectual ability, clear fluent speech, excellent presentation skills, ability to persuade, convince argue and explain - these are what the Men in Black are made of. Above everything else, an unbiased approach is expected of them. Besides integrity of character, it is essential that they have mental and physical stamina in order to cope with long hours, travel and stress.

It is said that any other profession may fall by the way-side, but the legal profession is never going to be out of work ...