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Harish Salve: The Lawyer Who Kept Salman Khan Out of Jail
Indian actor Salman Khan avoided spending a night in Arthur Road Jail, thanks to the quick thinking of 56-year-old senior advocate Harish Salve. Immediately after Khan was convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to five years in prison, Salve, a former Solicitor General of India, crafted an appeal. Within hours, Khan was on his way home.
This quick response and sharp legal acumen have made Salve the go-to counsel for corporate moguls, celebrities, and politicians, cementing his reputation as one of India’s most prominent lawyers. Salve was designated senior counsel by the Supreme Court in 1992 and served as India’s Solicitor General from 1999. Among his notable achievements, Salve helped Vodafone win a ₹11,000 crore tax case against the government in 2012. However, Salve’s expertise comes at a high price. His fees can reportedly reach ₹30 lakh per day, and high-profile clients, like Mukesh Ambani, are rumored to have spent up to ₹15 crore on legal fees alone for his services.
What is the Job all about?
Lawyers represent clients across a range of issues, including property disputes, criminal cases, theft, divorce, and corporate conflicts. Beyond courtroom practice in criminal and civil law, areas like corporate law and international trade law have become particularly challenging and rewarding as global companies engage in acquisitions and mergers. Other specializations like taxation law, constitutional law, patent law, and cyber law are also intellectually stimulating and offer promising careers.
Some lawyers choose to specialize in civil suits, while others may prefer criminal cases. Deciding on a specialization depends on your strengths and interests, as each branch of law requires distinct qualities and skills.
Mediation
Given the backlog in courts, the government is actively promoting mediation as a faster way to resolve non-criminal disputes. Mediation involves both parties working with a mediation advocate who facilitates discussions and proposes a solution. If both parties agree, this solution becomes legally binding.
Cyber Law
Cyber law is an emerging and exciting field that addresses the legal challenges associated with digital technologies. With India now the second-largest internet user base globally, laws to protect against cyber crimes and privacy invasions are increasingly essential. Cyber lawyers must have an eye for detail, technological insight, and the perseverance to navigate the complexities of this rapidly growing field.
Can you go for it?
To succeed as a lawyer, you’ll need logical reasoning, a quick mind, focus, research skills, memory, patience, and the perseverance to work through challenging cases. Confidence, strong verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to present cases clearly to judges are also essential. You must be comfortable discussing and negotiating with people from all walks of life and advocating effectively for your clients.
Legal Education
With the rapid rise of technology and internet use, cyber law offers significant opportunities, both in IT support and law enforcement. The field urgently needs new talent to craft and enforce relevant laws. To pursue a career as a cyber lawyer, you’ll first need a Bachelor’s degree in Law. Afterward, passing a national-level exam is essential to obtain your license to practice.
Course fees for a law degree can vary widely between colleges, so it’s important to research course content, college affiliation, and fee structures before enrolling.
Specializations in Cyber Law
As a cyber law expert, career opportunities extend beyond legal firms and courtrooms; roles are available in IT companies, police departments, corporations, educational institutions, and both public and private organizations. Starting salaries for cyber lawyers typically range between Rs. 7.5 to Rs. 9 lakh per year.
Is There a Future in Cyber Law?
Yes, this field has tremendous potential if you are willing to invest the time and effort to build expertise. Success requires extensive study of case law and diligent research to fully understand the history and nuances of each case.
Cyber Crime in India
In India, the Information Technology Act, the country’s first cyber law, was enacted in 2000. Since 2012, cases registered under the IT Act have risen by 60%, with a 64% increase in arrests. This reflects a concerning rise in cyber crimes, which include cyber terrorism, industrial espionage, phishing, credit card fraud, viruses, and spam.
Where to Begin?
In Goa:
You can begin your legal studies at Salgaonkar College of Law in Miramar, Panaji, or Kare College of Law in Margao. After completing 10+2, you can enroll in a five-year program that leads to a B.A., L.L.B. (Hons). Alternatively, after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Science, or Commerce, you can join a three-year law program. Admission for the three-year program is based on an entrance test. Note that the five-year program is generally more cost-effective than the three-year option.
Outside Goa:
India is home to several prestigious law colleges with competitive admissions on par with IIT (IITJEE) and MBA (CAT/XAT) entrance exams. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national entrance examination for undergraduate and postgraduate law programs (LL.B. and LL.M.) at prominent universities. Some notable institutions include NLSIU in Bangalore and NALSAR in Hyderabad. For more information, visit the CLAT website at www.consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
Education
To become a cyber lawyer, you’ll need to supplement a basic law degree with specialized training in internet processes, computer systems, communication technologies, and the online environment. For those interested in consulting or current lawyers looking to expand into cyber law, there are short-term online certification courses ranging from six months to a year. These courses offer a foundational understanding of cyber laws.
Law Schools in India
• National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru – www.nls.ac.in
• ILS Law College, Pune – www.ilslaw.edu
• Indian Law Institute, Delhi – www.ili.ac.in
• Symbiosis Society’s Law College, Pune – www.symlaw.ac.in
• NALSAR University, Hyderabad – www.nalsar.ac.in
• Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning – www.scdl.net
• Asian School of Cyber Laws – www.asianlaws.org
• International Forensic Sciences Education Department – www.ifsedu.in
Qualifications for Legal Practice
To qualify for legal practice, a one-year apprenticeship with a law firm is required, which may be completed during the final year of your studies. You must also register with the Bar Council under the Advocates Act of 1961; note that you can only enroll with one Bar Council.
Employment Avenues:
• Start Practice: In the early years, it’s beneficial to work under an experienced lawyer to gain practical knowledge and skills. After about 2–3 years, you may choose to establish your own practice or join a law firm that specializes in litigation, chamber work, or both.
• Join a Law Firm: Many of India’s top law firms—such as Amarchand & Mangaldas, Billimoria & Daruwala, Luthra & Luthra, and Dua Associates—hire through campus interviews at leading law colleges, offering attractive starting salaries.
• Corporate Law Officer: Work within an industry as a Law Officer. Many industries and multinational corporations employ in-house legal teams to manage legal affairs.
• Government or Defense Services: Opportunities exist in government roles as Law Officers, Legal Advisors, and Legal Assistants, and within the Judge Advocate General’s office in the Defense Services.
• Banking Sector: Law graduates can also find roles in public and private banks, joining as trainees or probationary Law Officers.
• Judiciary Roles: Those interested in judiciary positions can sit for competitive exams for the state judicial services, where successful candidates are appointed as Sub-Judges, Munsifs, or Chief Judicial Magistrates.
• Legal Journalism: Some law graduates become legal journalists, helping the public understand legal changes and responding to reader inquiries.
• Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO): A fast-growing area, LPOs involve legal work similar to BPOs, providing services for international clients and often offering substantial pay.
Salary Expectations:
Like many professions, the early years can be challenging, especially for practicing lawyers who must establish their reputation. Initial salaries range from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month, but with experience and reputation, earnings can rise significantly, often reaching ₹1 lakh or more per month. High-profile lawyers in the Supreme Court can command fees in the lakhs per appearance, depending on their expertise and case complexity.
Don’t settle for just a degree or diploma — enhance your CV by completing online learning programs with certification in areas relevant to your chosen career. This will significantly improve your employment prospects compared to holding only a basic qualification. Additionally, consider boosting your confidence by enrolling in public speaking courses, such as those offered by Toastmasters International.
For government job opportunities, please check: www.employment-newspaper.com
page updated: October 2024