Law is an adventurous and exciting career option besides being financially lucrative. Corporate law has turned out to be the most popular subject for specialisation among the law students. But still there are many students who resist the lure of corporate law and prefer to take up litigation and other specialisations into consideration including competition law, commercial law, policy law, maritime law, intellectual property rights, human rights, etc., for pursuing their master’s degrees. Students also prefer to go abroad for their master’s, owing to the two-year-long programme here as opposed to an intensive one-year programme abroad which gets them into the market sooner.
The Hindu EducationPlus spoke to some students regarding these aspects.
Shashank Atreya, second year LL.B., Christ University, Bangalore
I want to pursue master’s in policy law which is concerned with the principles that deal with the operation of legal systems in each State. The policy sector has not gained much popularity in the present trend but it has a bright future because this sector helps in framing comprehensive law policies that will help in running the government smoothly. The policies will address the social, moral and economic values that tie a society together. But there are many students who want to go for corporate jobs because they get highly paid in the beginning itself. Corporate jobs are basically based on demand and supply which is also a demerit of this sector.
Aiyappa K.V., third year LL.B., Christ University, Bangalore
I want to take up litigation rather than corporate law. Litigation captures the passion and charm of practising law. Here a lawyer needs to sell himself in the market and has to establish himself in the best possible ways. It is true that the beginners get a meagre salary in litigation but once they establish themselves they can charge a hefty amount from their clients.
Vinay Venugopal, second year LL.B., Christ university, Bangalore
I want to pursue my master’s in international law. These are laws which serve a framework for the practice of stable and organised international relations. They are also helpful in resolving disputes between two nations. Apart from international law there are areas like intellectual property law and cyber law which are highly paid nowadays. But it is better to pursue master’s abroad as the duration of study is one year. Moreover, getting recognition from an international school is itself is a credit which helps in getting jobs easily in any corner of the world.
Namit Bhafna, second year LL.B., Christ University, Bangalore
I always wanted to do my master’s in corporate law which includes economic and finance and also deals with public and private laws. I am interested in understanding the regulation of corporate contracts, hiring practices, and manufacture and sale of consumer goods. I am planning to do my master’s abroad because the education over there is more practical based; in Indian law schools the curriculum is more exam oriented which hardly helps any law student while opting for a job.
Saichandrahaas Naidu, second year LL.B., Rajeev Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab
I am planning to go for litigation. Corporate law is one of the most favoured areas for specialisation. It is only because jobs are very easy to get and the salary is good. International laws and criminal laws are also some of the subjects which are in the trend. But from the bottom of my heart I don’t prefer pursuing my master’s in corporate law because sitting in a cubicle before a computer for eight to nine hours is bit boring and monotonous.
Nivedita Saxena, third year LL.B., National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata
Corporate and tax laws are the fastest growing in the field of law. People usually go for these branches because of the job prospects. Eighty to 85 per cent of jobs are provided in this field after graduation, especially in corporate law. A corporate law job holder earns Rs. 50,000-60,000 per month as a fresher. But I want to pursue public policy and human rights which have been my interest primarily. I keep myself abreast of information in all the arenas of human rights, especially the controversies and the changes made in them. I also keep myself updated of the criticisms put forth by the scholars in the Criminal Amendment Act through social networking sites and blogs. It is really exciting to work on human rights law because of the growing criminal cases in India where justice needs to be made by hook or crook.
Lasya Vyakaranan, final year LL.B., Symbiosis Law School, Pune
I am planning to go for International Humanitarian Law as my specialisation. It plays an important role in defining the responsibilities of hostile nations and individuals engaged in warfare. My interest was always in this branch of law as it will be helpful in preventing war crimes. I prefer doing my master’s abroad as laws schools in India are not up to the mark. Moreover, the law schools here are basically for the students from traditional law colleges. The postgraduate course offered abroad is for one year unlikely in India where the course is for two years. So, pursuing master’s overseas is more beneficial as it shorts the duration of the overall law education from seven to six years.
