Types of Lawyers in India
Posted on : 6 December, 2025 11:13 pm
If you are planning to build a legal career, one of the most important things is choosing the right specialization.
Law is a vast profession in India and offers multiple exciting career paths. From arguing criminal cases in court to helping companies in mergers — each legal field is unique.
This blog will help you understand:
✔ Different types of lawyers in India
✔ What they do
✔ Skills required
✔ Job opportunities + salary
✔ Who should choose which specialization
What are the Types of Lawyers in India?
Lawyers in India can be grouped based on the field of law they practice. Here is a quick overview:
Types of Lawyers — Quick Summary Table
| Type of Lawyer | Who They Represent | Main Work | Where They Work | Salary Range (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Lawyer | Accused or Victims | Defend/prosecute crimes | Courts, Law Firms | ₹4–25 LPA |
| Civil Lawyer | General Public | Property, contract disputes | Civil Courts, Firms | ₹4–18 LPA |
| Corporate Lawyer | Businesses | Contracts, compliance | Corporate Offices | ₹7–40 LPA |
| Family Lawyer | Families | Divorce, custody, wills | Family Courts | ₹3–15 LPA |
| Cyber Lawyer | Tech & Online Users | Cybercrime, data issues | IT Companies | ₹6–30 LPA |
| Tax Lawyer | Businesses & Individuals | Tax disputes, GST cases | Big 4, Firms | ₹6–35 LPA |
| IPR Lawyer | Startups, Artists | Copyright, patents | IP Firms, MNCs | ₹8–45 LPA |
| Constitutional Lawyer | Citizens vs State | Fundamental rights cases | Supreme/High Court | ₹6–50 LPA |
| Labour Lawyer | Employees/Employers | Workplace rights | Labour Courts, HR | ₹4–20 LPA |
| Environmental Lawyer | NGOs, Public | Pollution, green laws | NGT, Govt Bodies | ₹5–25 LPA |
Criminal Lawyers
Criminal lawyers deal with offenses like theft, murder, fraud, cybercrime, etc.
✔ They defend the accused or
✔ Support the government as public prosecutors
Skills Required
-
Strong investigation ability
-
Confidence in court
-
Ability to handle pressure
Career Opportunities
-
Criminal Defense Lawyer
-
Government Prosecutor
-
Legal Advisor (Police/Agencies)
Best for: Students who love courtroom litigation and fast-paced cases.
Civil Lawyers
Civil lawyers handle non-criminal disputes like:
✔ Property & land issues
✔ Contract violations
✔ Money recovery
✔ Partition disputes
Where They Work:
-
District courts
-
Law firms
-
Independent practice
Best for: Students good in documentation and negotiation.
Corporate Lawyers
Corporate Lawyers work with companies to ensure legal compliance.
Key Work Areas:
-
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
-
Drafting business contracts
-
Legal due diligence
-
Corporate governance
🏢 Work Setting: Mostly office-based
Best for: Students interested in business, finance, and corporate world.
Skills Required for Corporate Lawyers
| Skill | Importance |
|---|---|
| Contract drafting | Must for daily work |
| Business awareness | Works closely with CEOs & Boards |
| Negotiation | Helps in deals |
| Confidentiality | Deals with sensitive data |
Family Lawyers
Handle emotionally sensitive cases:
-
Divorce & Alimony
-
Child Custody
-
Adoption
-
Domestic Violence
They need strong empathy and communication skills.
Mostly work in: Family Courts, NGOs, Private Firms
Cyber Lawyers
Since our world is shifting online, cyber lawyers are in huge demand.
They deal with cases like:
✔ Hacking & identity theft
✔ Online harassment
✔ Data protection and privacy
✔ E-commerce frauds
Best for: Students interested in technology + law.
Tax Lawyers
They help individuals and companies in:
-
Income tax disputes
-
GST compliance
-
Representing cases before tax tribunals
Work with: Big-4 Companies (KPMG, Deloitte, EY, PwC)
Best for: Students good in finance & numbers.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Lawyers
Protect creativity and innovation such as:
✔ Patents for inventions
✔ Copyright for books/movies
✔ Trademarks for brand logos
High demand in startups, pharma, technology & media.
Constitutional Lawyers
Defend Fundamental Rights of citizens.
Famous cases:
-
Right to equality
-
Right to privacy
-
Freedom of speech issues
Work with: Supreme Court, High Courts, Government authorities
Best for students passionate about public rights & constitutional values.
Labour & Employment Lawyers
They deal with:
-
Workplace discrimination
-
Employee rights
-
Trade union issues
-
Industrial disputes
In high demand in industrial states like Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat
Environmental Lawyers
Environmental laws are rising due to:
✔ Climate Change
✔ Pollution
✔ Illegal mining
✔ Wildlife conflicts
They often work with NGOs, NGT, and Government bodies.
Best for: Students passionate about nature & sustainability.
Additional Emerging Legal Fields
| New Legal Field | Major Work | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Law | Contracts for athletes | ⭐⭐ |
| Media & Entertainment Law | Film rights, OTT disputes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Space Law | Satellite & space tech laws | ⭐⭐ |
| Human Rights Law | Social justice cases | ⭐⭐ |
| International Trade Law | Global business disputes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How to Choose the Right Type of Law for You?
| Question | If Yes → Suggested Field |
|---|---|
| Do you love court trials? | Criminal / Civil Law |
| Good with communication & business? | Corporate Law |
| Interested in technology? | Cyber or IPR Law |
| Want to help society? | Constitutional / Human Rights |
| Good with numbers? | Tax Law |
Best Courses to Become a Lawyer in India
| Course | Duration | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| BA LLB / BBA LLB / BCom LLB | 5 Years | After 12th |
| LLB | 3 Years | Any Graduation |
| LLM | 1–2 Years | After LLB |
Entrance exams: CLAT, AILET, LSAT-India, State CETs
Final Thoughts
India’s legal sector is evolving rapidly. Every field offers respect, good income, and opportunities to grow.
🔹 Choose a specialization based on your interest
🔹 Gain practical exposure with internships
🔹 Keep learning — law keeps changing!
Law is not just a profession — it is a powerful tool to bring justice and change society.