Get Detailed Insight about Types of Lawyers in India
The Indian legal system is vast and powerful. For those who are not aware of its intricacies, it can feel like a labyrinth. But don’t worry, this is where advocates in India, also known as lawyers, become important. They are your saviour within the legal framework, ensuring that you and your rights are protected and you’re heart in the Indian court.
But the term “legal” is itself a vast term, and to be honest, in this world, one size may not fit all situations. For example, in a corporation, for each specific work we have specialities, such as for writing content, there is a writer, for website development, there is a developer. Similarly, in the Indian legal system, there are various types of lawyers. Whether it’s about tax regulation or dealing with your family case, there are dedicated advocates for nearly every legal matter that one faces.
In this blog, we will explore all the types of lawyers in India, with their definition, qualifications, and roles, with an example. This will help you to gain knowledge to confidently hire the best lawyer when you’re in need and navigate the legal landscape in India.
Table Of Content
Types of Lawyers in India
Lawyers’ Salary Per Month in India
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Types of Lawyers in India
As mentioned above, the legal profession is not limited to the courtroom. Today’s there are several types of lawyers specialising in several areas such as intellectual property law, environmental law, family law, criminal law, and more. Each of these specialisations demands unique qualifications, skills, and responsibilities. Here is a closer look at some of the most common types of lawyers in India:
1. Tax Lawyers
Taxes can be a complex puzzle for individuals and businesses alike. But tax lawyers are the quick solution who tell you everything about tax matters. They help clients navigate through the complex state, federal, and local taxes. The advocate keeps up to date on the latest tax information, issues, and laws to ensure that the client’s resources are protected. Furthermore, they also advise how you can maximise your tax burden legally, help you during tax audits, and make complex tax look like income tax. Isn’t it amazing? Yes.
So, now let’s understand the major roles and responsibilities of a tax lawyer through an example:
If you run a company and are facing a tax audit by the IRS(Indian Revenue Service). You need a tax lawyer to represent them and make sure they are complying with all the legal tax regulations. In simple words, a tax lawyer must offer legal advice on tax matters.
Qualifications Required:
To be a tax lawyer in India, you must have a 5-year LLB degree from an accredited university. After having your degree, you can also pursue specialisation in tax law by enrolling in additional courses or registering in a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program specialising in tax.
2. Corporate Lawyers
Also known as business attorneys, these types of lawyers in India act as legal advisors for companies, whether small enterprises or large multinational companies. They are mainly responsible for handling various business matters, such as drafting contracts, handling mergers, and providing legal guidance in employment, intellectual property, securities, and acquisitions.
For instance, an entrepreneurial business seeking an attorney to help with incorporation and financing, versus a large corporation engaging in a merger or acquisition that requires a corporate lawyer to guide them through the legal aspects of the transaction.
These types of lawyers are dedicated to ensuring that the firm’s operations are carried out lawfully. In fact, hiring the best corporate lawyer in India can help businesses minimise risk.
Qualifications Required:
To become a business attorney (corporate lawyer) in India, you will need to complete a five-year law degree (LL.B.) from a recognised university. Some lawyers also choose to pursue an LL.M. in corporate law or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) to gain additional business expertise.
3. Criminal Lawyers
Criminal lawyers are responsible for dealing with crimes and the legal consequences of committing them. They ensure that even the accused receive a fair trial and legal representation. These types of lawyers defend individuals who are charged with crimes at every level of offence, from petty theft and assault to crimes punishable by death, such as homicide and felonies. Criminal lawyers collect evidence, cross-examine witnesses, negotiate plea deals, and represent clients at trial.
For example, if someone is falsely accused of cybercrime. A criminal defence lawyer would gather digital evidence, study the prosecution’s case, and argue in court to clear their client’s name.
Types of Criminal Lawyers:
- Defence Lawyers: These types of lawyers represent the accused in criminal cases.
- Prosecution Lawyers: These types of lawyers represent the government in criminal cases.
Qualifications Required:
To be a criminal lawyer in India, you must have an LL.B. degree from a university recognised by the Bar Council of India. Most lawyers also gain practical experience in the courtroom through internships and moot courts, and some may pursue a post-graduate degree (LL.M.) in criminal law to further specialise.
4. Immigration Lawyers
When you think about moving to a different country, it can be exciting, if it weren’t for all the paperwork and legalities. This is when immigration lawyers come into play. These types of lawyers are there to help clients throughout the immigration process and make the overall process smooth and hassle-free.
Whether you want to live, work or study, these types of lawyers help with all legal problems, such as deportation, asylum claims, immigration violations, and many more. In simple terms, they ensure to maintain compliance with Indian immigration law and legally represent you before the authorities(if any dispute occurs).
Example: Imagine a talented professional from another country has secured an employment offer in India. The immigration lawyer (if they are worth anything, that is) will provide the entire visa process and ensure that all documents are completed correctly and submitted on time.
Qualifications Required:
To become an immigration lawyer, you will need an LL.B. degree. Although there is no formal specialisation required, awareness of international law, as well as a familiarity with administrative law, will position you very well.
5. Labour & Employment Lawyers
As an employee, you must be aware that workplace issues can be very stressful. Labour and employment laws bridge the gap in legal matters between employees and employers.
There can be a situation where you have been unfairly terminated, found fraudulent in the employment contract, or face any kind of discrimination at work; these types of lawyers guide you with your rights and represent you if required. Furthermore, they also help companies stay compliant with labour laws in India and represent either side during workplace-related legal battles.
For example, a factory worker is denied fair wages as per the labour law. These types of lawyers would step in to file a claim, represent the worker in court, and fight for compensation.
Qualifications Required:
You’ll need either a 5-year integrated LL.B. degree or a 3-year law degree at the bachelor’s level. It would be very helpful to get a course or certification in labour laws and industrial relations to get a specialisation.
6. Family Lawyer
Family disputes have become a common issue in India. Every day, we come across cases of divorce, child support, child custody, domestic violence, property disputes, and so many more. Going through any of these issues can be emotionally challenging and physically tiring. This is where a family lawyer can be helpful. These types of lawyers advise on your legal rights, help you understand different options, create agreements and represent you in court. The goal of these types of lawyers is often to work more like a counsellor, easing tensions by finding legal solutions that work for the parties.
For example, if a couple decides to part ways, they may seek the help of a family lawyer who can handle divorce proceedings, negotiate child custody, and divide property fairly.
Qualifications Required:
A basic law degree (LL.B.) is sufficient to enter the family law field. Courses in family law, gender studies, or counselling help sharpen skills for those who want to specialise.
7. Public Interest Lawyer
These types of lawyers assist individuals who cannot afford to pursue justice on their own. They have a passion for justice and a strong sense of ethics. NGOs, or legal aid organisations, sometimes hire public interest lawyers, and sometimes they also enter cases as Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
They handle cases on human rights, environment, education, health and access to justice matters. Often, lawyers seek a deeper social justice impact and want to achieve more than just winning.
For example, if a marginalised group is being denied clean drinking water, a public interest or social justice attorney may file a PIL to force the authorities to protect the marginalised’s basic rights.
Qualifications Required:
An LL.B. is mandatory. Many also have an LL.M. in Human Rights or Public Policy. Internships with social justice organisations can facilitate practical exposure.
8. Intellectual Property Lawyer
Everyone who creates dreams of having their ideas protected. All these ideas are protected by Intellectual Property laws, and IP lawyers act as the guardians of innovation. They ensure copyrighted works, patents and trademarks are secured and respected.
Furthermore, they help inventors patent products, they advise businesses about trademarks, and they assist artists with copyrighting their work. They eventually do more than support creators; they handle infringement claims when someone has used their protected creation without permission.
For example, an Indian startup has developed a new app. The IP lawyer makes sure the software is patented, the brand is trademarked, and nothing that might infringe copyright is used.
Qualifications Required:
Start with an LL.B. degree. For specialisation, an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law is highly recommended. Familiarity with technical subjects like science or engineering can be a plus in patent law.
9. Human Rights Lawyers
These types of lawyers specialise in fighting for the basic rights and freedom of all people. They may represent victims of police brutality, advocate for the rights of marginalised communities, or work on issues like human trafficking or freedom of expression. Human rights always fight for those whose voices are unheard and make sure that everyone is treated respectfully.
For example, if a community is facing a forced eviction without legal notice, a human rights lawyer can challenge the action in court and ensure legal recourse.
Qualifications Required:
An LL.B. is a must. Specialised diplomas or an LL.M. in Human Rights Law add great value. Practical exposure through internships with human rights organisations can be instrumental.
10. Lawyers of Personal Injury
If you have been injured due to someone else’s remissness or imprudence, a personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation that you deserve. The accident could be from a car or even medical carelessness. These types of lawyers work to gather evidence and negotiate settlements with insurance companies. Also, they represent you in the court when required.
For example, a person may be injured by a defective product and need to consult a personal injury lawyer to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer, seeking compensation for the injuries.
Qualifications Required:
To become a personal injury lawyer in India, you have to complete your 5-year law degree, LLB, from an accredited university. However for these types of lawyers, you don’t need any specific specialisation, but taking online courses in evidence and civil procedure can be a plus point.
Lawyers’ Salary Per Month in India
One common question people have is What is the lawyers salary per month? Well, the answer depends on experience, specialisation, and location. Given table below represents the average breakdown of the lawyers salary per month.
| Type of Lawyer | Average Salary per Month (INR) |
| Criminal Lawyer | ₹30,000 – ₹2,00,000+ |
| Corporate Lawyer | ₹50,000 – ₹3,00,000+ |
| Family Lawyer | ₹25,000 – ₹1,50,000+ |
| Tax Lawyer | ₹40,000 – ₹2,50,000+ |
| IP Lawyer | ₹50,000 – ₹3,00,000+ |
| Immigration Lawyer | ₹30,000 – ₹1,50,000+ |
| Labour Lawyer | ₹25,000 – ₹1,20,000+ |
| Human Rights Lawyer | ₹20,000 – ₹80,000+ (often NGO work) |
| Personal Injury Lawyer | ₹30,000 – ₹1,50,000+ |
| Public Interest Lawyer | ₹20,000 – ₹1,00,000+ |
Conclusion
India has one of the world’s most expansive legal systems. The scope of these types of lawyers’ responsibilities, roles, and clients is equally extensive. There is a type of lawyer for everything you can imagine, ranging from defending people in court to providing legal advice to billion-dollar corporations. Each of these types of lawyers has a specific purpose.
If you have thought about becoming a lawyer, have a legal matter and don’t know who to consult, or if you are just curious in general, a lawyer’s type gives you an advantage, at least in India.
So, the next time you ponder the question, “How many types of lawyers are there?” just remember, there is a type of lawyer for as many legal issues as it’s possible to deal with. And for every legal issue, there is a suitable specialist who has been trained to handle it.
Frequently Asked Questions
To become a lawyer in India, you need to complete an LLB degree from a college recognised by the Bar Council of India (BCI). To get into an LLB course, you must have completed 12th grade and a bachelor’s degree in any subject (for a 3-year LLB), or you can join a 5-year integrated law course after 12th grade.
Usually, Chartered Accountants (CAs) earn more than lawyers at the beginning of their careers. But with time, experience, and specialisation, successful lawyers can also earn very high incomes, especially in corporate or high-profile legal cases.
Top lawyers like Harish Salve, Fali S. Nariman, and Gopal Subramanium are among the highest-paid in India. For example, Harish Salve reportedly charges around ₹30 lakh for a single court appearance.
Subjects like Political Science, History, and English are helpful if you want to become these types of lawyers in India. These subjects improve your understanding of the law, government systems, and communication are all important for a legal career.
