How to Become a Litigation Lawyer: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Jobs, Scope, Salary

Types of Litigation Lawyers 

• Litigation attributing to fighting or handling a case, in court by a lawyer, are of various types. Legal cases can be of various types and accordingly, there are various Litigation Lawyers. 
• These Litigators dedicate their careers to building up expertise in an area and pick up cases only related to that area. 
• Some of the most common Litigation Lawyers, according to the specialisation, are Civil Litigators, Criminal Litigators, Commercial or Corporate Litigators and Tax Litigators.

A brief description of all the profiles that come under the Litigation are mentioned below.

Civil Litigator

Civil Litigation refers to cases that seek out monetary settlements and not criminal proceedings between parties. Civil cases also involve family cases, landlord and tenant cases, cases related to construction, property, personal injury, medical malpractice etc.

The Civil Litigator helps protect the basic rights of a human being. They make sure everyone is getting to live their lives freely without discrimination and with full access to public education and other facilities. The Civil Litigation Lawyer has extensive knowledge in law and has strong spoken advocacy and interpersonal skills.

Criminal Litigator 

A Criminal Litigation Lawyer works on criminal cases at the Criminal court. Criminal cases would include not just individuals but also corporate crimes. The goal of a Criminal Litigator is to do research, investigate and defend the client who has been accused of a crime. A Criminal Litigator is well versed in all the statutes, acts, codes etc. 

They use their knowledge and experience to develop a strategy for the case. Part of their duties also includes negotiation to settle the case, if possible. The job of a Criminal Litigator is quite tough. One has to be sharp and work long hours. 

Commercial Litigator 

The Commercial Litigation Lawyer works mainly with corporations and large scale businesses. They help settle disputes within the company or with individuals outside the company. Some examples of cases that a Commercial Litigator handles are cases regarding partnerships, shareholders, licensing, merchandising, real estate etc. 

A big portion of their job responsibilities is contributed towards, preparing depositions, interviewing witnesses, preparing and reviewing documents, trying for settlements etc. Most Commercial Litigators are part of a company’s legal team or hired on for specific cases. 

Patent Litigator 

A Patent is a license issued by the Government that gives the right of title to a product to a certain person. Patents are usually taken out on Scientific discoveries, inventions, machinery etc. Patent Litigation or also called Intellectual Property litigation work on enforcing a patent or defending patent infringement cases. 

Patent Litigators have a wide knowledge of Technical, Pharmaceuticals, Chemical, Medical fields among others. This knowledge is used to fight and win cases for their clients.

Tax Litigator 

As the name says, the primary responsibility of a Tax Litigator is to be up to date about changes in the tax and fight cases related to tax. They work with building a tax litigation strategy and settle for any tax disputes. 

Tax Litigators have immense job opportunities internationally since taxation is a topic no one can avoid. Most Tax Litigation Lawyers find employment in a law firm or practice on their own. All Tax Litigators will find out and guide companies through tax issues and fight their cases if one happens to be filed against them. 

How to Become a Litigation Lawyer in India? 

In India, one can start planning to become a Litigation Lawyer after 12th, UG as well as PG depending upon their needs. Students can look at boosting their extracurriculars to secure a seat in the course of their choice. 

Institutes place more emphasis on the entrance tests scores for admission. Additionally, students are invited for personal interviews. More details about school, after 12th, UG and PG level preparations are mentioned below.

School Level Preparation 

• At the school level, students do not have to pick up any specific stream like Science, Commerce or Arts. Anyone can study law, provided all admission processes are completed.
• Aim at scoring at least a minimum of 45% aggregate score at the school-level examination. There could be relaxations for reserved category students.
• Pick up extracurriculars to help with admissions. Helpful extracurriculars one can pick up are debating, moot courts, internships, student union etc.
• Start researching what courses to study, which specialisations to pick up, career graph, salary range etc.
• Also, start preparing for the entrance test. A nationally conducted entrance test like CLAT or AILET is popularly asked for at the bachelor’s level course admission. Also, prepare for personal interviews.

After 12th Preparation 

• After completing class 12th, most students can enrol into a bachelor’s course proviidng law specializations. 
• For admissions in both undergraduate and postgraduate level courses, institutes ask for entrance test scores, following personal interviews. 
• For master’s and doctorate courses, one can choose a discipline like Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Corporate Law, Taxation Law etc. 

• Bachelor’s level courses are more general, covering a wide range of topics. 

UG Preparation 

• At the undergraduate level, one can enrol into an LL.B. or B.Sc. LL.B., B.A. LL.B. course.
• Admissions to law undergraduate courses are done through entrance tests. Most universities ask for CLAT, LSAT, AILET, TS PGLCET, AP PGLCET, DUET Law test scores.
• Qualifying for the entrance test is the first step. 
• Next is to look up college cut-offs and prepare a list of colleges where the candidate’s rank is being met.
• Apply for admission at the chosen colleges. If all eligibility criteria are being met, institutes invite students for a personal interview round.
• Once all admission rounds are completed successfully, institutes release a merit list of students. 

PG Preparation

• At the postgraduate level, students can earn a master’s degree and also a doctorate.
• Master’s courses include LL.M. in various concentrations while for a doctorate one can earn a Ph.D. in different law disciplines.
• Admissions at the postgraduate level are done similar to bachelor’s level entrance tests.
• Popular entrance tests are CLAT PG, AILET PG, IPU CET, BHU UET, LSAT etc.
• Attend additional admission rounds like a personal interview. For doctorate courses, a research proposal is to be submitted.
• Take admission once all rounds are completed with merit.

How to Become A Litigation Lawyer Abroad 

Not only in India, but also abroad, there are many courses available in Law. There is a wide range of specializations to choose from. Details of programmes available, universities and the course fee located in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia are mentioned below:

How to Become A Litigation Lawyer in the UK 

• In the United Kingdom, all the top universities have bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate level courses in Law.
• International students are accepted at all the courses provided they are fluent in English.
• One must also submit a scorecard for the same, TOEFL or IELTS.
• For students who are working, there are diplomas, PG diplomas, certificate courses and also part-time courses in law.

• Each degree mentioned above is available in various specializations from Civil, Criminal, Patents, Tax etc.

Admission Process

• In the UK, bachelor's applications are accepted through the UCAS website and master's course applications are accepted through the respective universities.
• All the international students are required to possess a class 12th completion certificate for bachelor's degree in Law, Sociology, Politics, Economics etc for master's courses.
• Additionally, international students must be fluent in English and should submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores for the same. Other documents to submit are a statement of purpose, reference letters, work experience proof, resume etc.
• When the application window opens up before the semester starts, gather all documents and register to apply.
• Fill up the application form and upload documents in the said format. Pay the application fee and wait for results.

• Once selected, apply for a student visa from the nearest consulate.

Top Law Colleges in the UK:

To study law in the United Kingdom, a few top universities that offer law in various specializations, along with the course name and fee are tabulated below:

How to Become A Litigation Lawyer in the USA 

• The United States has full-time bachelor's, master's and doctorate courses in Law.
• A typical bachelor’s degree like LL.B. is called a JD in the United States. There are minor differences in the way each course is approached but much of it is the same.
• International students are accepted at all courses. However, for master’s courses admission is selective and only candidates with a strong background in Law are allowed.
• International students must submit either TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or similar English proficiency scores. Also necessary are reference letters and a statement of purpose.

Admission Process

• In the US, bachelor's admissions are done through the Common Application portal and the university’s website portal for PG courses.
• While bachelor’s courses accept students with high enough aggregate marks, for master's in Law, admissions are more selective for international students. For LL.M., a JD degree is necessary.
• International students have to be fluent in English and submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. A statement of purpose or an essay and reference letters from past employers and teachers also should be submitted.
• Register and start applying. Fill up the application form and upload all documents necessary.
• Fill up the application form and submit it with a minimal fee. When accepted, apply for an F4 student visa.

Top Law Colleges in the USA

To study law in the United States of America, a few top universities that offer law in various specializations, along with the course name and fee are tabulated below:

How to Become A Litigation Lawyer in the Canada

• Canadian universities offer JD at the bachelor's level and LL.M. at the master's level and PhD for doctorate level courses.
• All international students must be fluent in either French or English.
• Accepted test scores can be viewed from the university website.

• Applications on admissions are done through the university website.

Admission Process

• Canadian universities accept international students for their bachelor’s courses while for a master's course, one needs to have an extensive resume.
• At the bachelor's level, one can earn a JD degree while master's course degree there is an LL.M. and PhD for doctorate courses.
• Most universities require their international candidates to be fluent in French or English. Accordingly, a proficiency score is to be submitted.
• Register for admission from the university websites. Fill up the application form and submit reference letters, a statement of purpose and all other credentials.

• When admitted, apply for a student visa at the nearest Canadian consulate.

Top Law Colleges in Canada

To study law in Canada, a few top universities that offer law in various specializations, along with the course name and fee are tabulated below:

How to Become A Litigation Lawyer in Australia

• Australia requires their international candidates to already possess a bachelor’s degree in any specialisation to pursue an LL.B. Also one must secure a rank in the LAT.
• For master courses, a minimum of two-year work experience is required.
• International students must be fluent in English. Accepted test scores are PTE, TOEFL and IELTS among others.

• All universities have several disciplines to choose from for the master's and doctorate courses.

Admission Process

• Australian universities accept applications from university websites.
• Register on the website when applications open up and submit documents like reference letters, statement of purpose, an essay etc.
• Bachelor's degree accepts students with a 3 or 4-year bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Computing etc while master's courses applicants should have an LL.B. and 2 years work experience.
• Submit English proficiency test scores like the TOEFL, PTE and IELTS.
• Pay the application and submit the application.

• When accepted, schedule an appointment for a student visa.

Benefits of Career As A Litigation Lawyer 

Becoming a Litigation Lawyer requires a lot of hard work involving long years of education. The struggle also does not end with earning a degree. Getting established in the legal field is also hard to start earning enough money. 

But there are many benefits to becoming a Litigator. From helping people, flexibility, salary benefits and many others. A description of all the top benefits a Litigation Lawyer enjoys is as below.

• Job Security:

Security in a job as a lawyer depends on many factors. The field has a lot of competition now and for new graduates getting their career off the ground can be tough. With experience and depending on where the individual is working, there is job security.

Litigators who work in corporations in the in-house legal team or under an experienced lawyer arguably have more secure jobs. Even though the initial struggle is there in all aspects of law, with more experience, the inflow of work increases as one gains a portfolio of cases won or lost.

• Positive Impact of The Career: 

The biggest benefit of working as a Litigation Lawyer is the humanitarian aspect, to be able to help people. People approach Litigators when they are at their lowest and need the most help. They use their skills and work to the best of their abilities to extract people from tight spots and save them from legal repercussions.

Another positive impact is the prestige associated with a Litigator job. People respect people because they are aware of how much education and hard work has gone into earning the degree.

• Higher Studies: 

Depending on what the existing qualification of the candidate is, there are various higher education options. There are diplomas, bachelor’s, master’s and also doctorate courses in Law. Internationally also students can pursue higher educational courses. Bachelor’s level courses are general and cover a little bit of all Law disciplines. 

Students with a bachelor’s law degree usually start working and figure out which concentration to choose. Accordingly, a master’s and doctorate course in the chosen discipline can be taken up.

• Unique experience: 

Litigation Lawyers are in unique positions due to the nature of their jobs. Litigators are constantly using much of their brain power forcing them to be sharp. Much of their work is intellectually very stimulating as compared to other jobs. 

They are always in touch with various types of people and network with other lawyers. Their work is never boring and involves a lot of socialising. Litigators can also take breaks in their careers and rejoin whenever possible. This is a benefit not afforded by many careers.

Skills Required For A Litigation Lawyer 

• All successful lawyers have some tell-tale signs of skills that stand them apart from others. 
• Lawyers are known for their strong communication skills. 
• However, they are also good at research and have a strong analytical thinking mindset.

• Some other skills that aspirants can look into acquiring are mentioned below.