L.L.B Colleges in Maharashtra

In common parlance, Law can be defined as a “System of Rules created and enforced through the social or Governmental Institutions to regulate the behaviour of individuals or groups of individuals in a society”.  The law can also be defined as a set of Rules/codes of conduct that must be complied with by every Citizen in India.

The term ‘Law’ as a compendium for human behavior is as old as the existence of civilized society. Law is extant in our daily life and in everything we execute. One cannot imagine life without Law. Whatever is seen around us relates to the law directly or indirectly. Law is not just a thing to obey, but compliance with the same makes our life peaceful and happy in the society we live in. Hence, Law Courses are drawing the attention of many students across the globe to pursue and building his/her career.

The Law can be pursued by the aspirants at the Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), and Doctorate (PhD) levels.  Successful Law students have immense prospects in India.

Significance of Law degree:

Law is one of the popular disciplines of study across the globe and a career in law is considered prestigious. The effects of Law studies can be found in politics, businesses, economics, human rights, international trade, and relations.

It shall be the endeavor of every top Law College in India to ensure that the students who pursue Law degrees in their Colleges are exposed to various essential skills and churn out their abilities to build their careers as successful Lawyers and lawmakers. 

Hence, before we dwell upon the top Law colleges in Maharashtra, let us first understand the essential skills every candidate is expected to possess before taking up the profession of Law after pursuing Under graduation, or Post Graduation in Law.  These inputs provide a general idea about the preparedness of prospective students before they choose the Law Course as their career option.

Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra - Top 7 skills to Possess by every prospective Lawyer for a successful career in practicing Law:

Skill 1: Effective Verbal Communication:

The skill of expressing effectively and persuasively is paramount while submitting oral arguments in the Courts.  So, students pursuing Law should necessarily improve their skills in verbal communication right from the beginning of their course.

Skill 2: Excellent Writing Skills:

Legal drafting skills are vital for any lawyer.  Hence, students while pursuing a law degree itself should develop skills in legal drafting /legal documentation to become successful lawyers.

Skill 3: Legal and analytical ability to scrutiny legal documents/records:

Prospective Lawyers must develop the ability to scrutinize the documents/legal papers/petitions etc., diligently and analyze them suitably so that the main issues are pinpointed correctly to come to a logical and legal end or for arriving at a right interpretation of the law for preparation of petitions etc.

Skill 4: Equip with the latest Technology:

It is necessary to equip and update with the latest technology in software applications, as most Legal process is now being carried out digitally or electronically processed and proceedings conducted virtually as and when required.  This helps the prospective Lawyers to quickly adapt to the changed environment in the legal processes.

Skill 5: Wide-ranging Legal Study:

Prospective Law students should keep abreast of case laws and keep themselves updated on the latest judgments on important cases in Hon’ble High Courts and Hon’ble Supreme Court.  This wide range of study shall enable them to apply while they start practicing law after completion of their degree in Law.

Skill 6: Time Management:        

Time Management should be the buzzword of every prospective Law Student to learn the habit of managing their time every day by prioritizing activities in a logical manner so that tasks every day/week are complied with.  This shall help them during their practice to become disciplined lawyers.

Skill 7: Fundamental Knowledge on Law and Legal Procedures

This is yet another important goal/skill in the study of Law by prospective students to be well-versed in Law and legal procedures.  Law students should invariably attend to all mock proceedings of the court and attend all legal proceedings in the Courts as a Trainee during practicals.  This will enable the prospective Law graduates to quickly adapt to practical situations while they commence the practice of law after graduation. The study of Law in India provides in-depth knowledge and its intricacies to students to enable them to identify and comprehend legal principles and different processes of legislation.

If prospective Law students enrich the above important skills from their college days, they would not only successfully complete their degree in Law from top Law Colleges and can adapt themselves effectively to the practical world of practicing Law in India.

Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra - 5-year Integrated Law vis-à-vis 3-year L.L.B:

The Law degree can be pursued in top Law Colleges in Maharashtra, after completion of a degree in B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., B.B.A etc., and the duration of the course is for three (3) years.  However, students can choose to pursue Law in top Law Colleges immediately after 10+2 and can study as an integrated course simultaneously along with B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., B.B.A., etc., and the course duration is 5 (five) years.

The following table depicts major differences between the two choices of pursuing a LAW degree in top Law Colleges in Maharashtra, for the prospective students to decide without a dilemma.

After understanding (1) the skills required, (2) career opportunities open to Law Graduates (3) course details (5-year Integrated or 3 years LLB) ,  let us now move to know more information with respect to 3 years of Law degree (after graduation like BA, BBA, BSc, B.Com etc)  or 5 years (after 10+2) Integrated course in top Law colleges in Maharashtra. This would enlighten the students aspiring to study Law in top Law Colleges is more important to gain sufficient knowledge and get appropriate training before they commence their career opting for one of the above choices,

Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra as per all India Rankings 2022 and 2023 (1-30) by N.I.R.F

NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework), a popular Agency approved by the MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development) to rank institutions of higher education in India based on 5 (five) Parameters – Teaching, Learning and resources, research and professional practices, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and perception.  Hence, rankings awarded by NIRF assume the importance of knowing the top Law Colleges in Maharashtra

Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra as per all India Rankings 2022 (1-30) by N.I.R.F

NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework), a popular Agency approved by the MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development) to rank institutions of higher education in India based on 5 (five) Parameters – Teaching, Learning and resources, research and professional practices, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and perception.  Hence, rankings awarded by NIRF assume the importance of knowing the top Law Colleges in Maharashtra to make a choice. The following table provides the same          

Another Agency Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) awards rankings based on 7 Performance Indicators focussed on the Indian socioeconomic and industrial scale varies across Placement Performance, Teaching Learning and Resources, Research, Industry Income and Integration, Placement Strategies and Support, and External Perception trusted nationwide by students, Teachers, industry experts, and Alumnus

Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra as per All India/State Rankings 2023 by I.I.R.F.

Top Public/Private Law Colleges in Mumbai City as per Popularity with 3 years/5 years LLB programs, B.A.B. Com and BBA Integrated Programs:

Top Public/Private Law Colleges in Maharashtra (other than Mumbai City) as per Popularity with 3 years/5 years LLB programs, B.A.B. Com, and BBA Integrated Programs:

The majority of  Colleges mentioned in the above statements offer both 3 years and 5 years Integrated Law Programmes with BA/B.Com/BBA and students need to check the college concerned for appropriate information for 3years/5 years.

Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra Offering 2-year Postgraduate Program in Law (LLM)  

Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra – Course Fee and Annual Packages offered:

Return on Investment (ROI) is a popular profitability metric used to evaluate how well an investment has performed.  In the undermentioned table, we have also added another column to show “returns” through the average annual pay package a student/aspirant is expected to get through placements (campus or directly with experience) from top LAW firms/Private/Public Companies/Government in India, against the fees he/she payable to the top LAW Colleges in Maharashtra.

Eligibility Criteria for Admission to 5-year Integrated Undergraduate Law Degree in Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra:

• 10+2 or its equivalent, with aggregate marks of 45% and above. Relaxation for reserved categories of students up to 40% is allowed.
• Must qualify for Maharashtra Common Entrance Test Law (MH CET) for 3/5 year undergraduate and LLM.
• Scores obtained in CLAT, and ILSAT are also considered by top Law Colleges in Maharashtra.

Eligibility Criteria for Admission to 3-year Law Degree (LLB) in Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra

• Under graduation in any discipline (BA, BCom, BBA etc) or equivalent examination, with aggregate marks of 45% and above. Relaxation up to 40% is applicable to eligible Reserved Categories of students.
• Must qualify for Maharashtra Common Entrance Test Law (MH CET) for 3/5 year undergraduate and LLM.

• Scores obtained in MH CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) for Law. CLAT, and ILSAT are also considered by top Law Colleges in Maharashtra.

Eligibility Criteria for Admission to 2 year Post Graduate Degree in Law (LLM) in top Law Colleges in Maharashtra

• Under graduation (5-year integrated Law course) in any discipline (BA LLB, BCom LLB, BBA LLB etc) or equivalent examination, with aggregate marks of 45% and above.
• Graduation in Law (LLB)
• Must qualify for Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test for Law (MH CET) for 2 years PG Program in Law (LLM).

Specializations offered in Post-Graduation of Law (LLM) in top Law Colleges in Maharashtra:

• Constitutional Law

Constitutional law is a body of law that defines the role, powers, and structure of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the parliament or legislature, and the judiciary.

Students specializing in this field get placements as Attorneys of the State and Centre and are considered as a secure job dealing with avoiding conflicts of legal interests among citizens, governing bodies, and political constituents.

• Jurisprudence:

This specialization deals with custom, legislation, precedent as a source of law, pros, and cons of codification of laws, reasoning and judicial interpretation and its method, inquiry into the administration of justice etc.,

• International Law

This specialization enables prospective students to develop insights into the global legal system and its influence on both national and international policies. An international lawyer/ International Legal consultant is an attorney who focuses on legal practice on international level disputes, which may include international business, trade union, criminal issues, visa-based issues, migrant issues, defense, and arms trade issues etc.  Nevertheless, Lawyers in this field must withstand the tough working environment. Once established in the field, PG Graduates under this specialization can earn handsome income.

• Labour Law

This specialisation in Labour Law enables the candidates to learn constitutional law, professional ethics as well as labour law and its application. This wide-ranging specialization of law applied to such matters as employment, remuneration, conditions of work, trade unions, and industrial relations. In its most all-inclusive sense, the term includes social security and disability insurance as well.

• Criminal Law:

This specialization in LLM deals with crime and justice, international crime, forensics, causation, concurrence, and the various forms of offenses with behaviour that is or can be construed as an offense against the public, society, or the state, even if the immediate victim is an individual e.g., murder, assault, theft and drunk and driving, among other many offenses.

• Cyber Law:

The specialization in Cyber Law deals with the Internet’s related Technological and Electronics spheres of activities based on Computers, Software, Hardware, and Information systems.  Cyber laws are aimed to prevent large-scale damage from Cybercriminal activities by protecting information access, privacy, communications, intellectual property, and freedom of speech related to the use of the Internet, website, email, computers, cell phones, software, hardware, and data storage.

Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra - List of a few top Law Firms who recruit Law students for Internship post-completion of Law Degree:

Ideally, the majority of Law Students opt for Law Internships post-completion of their LLB (5Y/3Y)/LLM.  Many Law Firms in India offer such paid or unpaid virtual Internships to Students who intend to build their careers as practicing lawyers. A list of top Law Firms in India is tabulated below that recruit Law UG/PG students as Apprentices/Internship through campus Interviews in top Law Colleges across India.

Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra - Career Options for Students after Completion of Undergraduate Program ( LLB ) from Top Companies/Law Firms:

1. Practicing Advocate:

This option is chosen by most Law Students, after completion of their Law Degree and enrolling themselves in the All-India Bar Council.  Practicing advocacy has many areas to choose like Criminal, Corporate, and Civil etc, depending on the interest of the individual candidate.  Before an individual can start practicing advocacy one has to work under a Senior Lawyer to gain experience in drafting petitions etc., and practical knowledge in the Courts of Law.  During this training period with a Senior Lawyer, Law students are expected to understand the legalities and analytical scrutiny of legal documents/papers etc., to gain experience in reaching the right interpretation of law effectively.

2. Legal Advisors:

This option shall enable the Law graduates to work as Legal Advisors/Legal Counsel in Law Firms, Private and Public Companies, Corporate Giants, public and private Banks etc. Such Legal Advisors shall provide timely advice on various legal matters concerning the Company/Firm to take the right decision at the right time in each situation. 

3. Judiciary:

Law graduates who opt to this are required to qualify themselves in Judicial Services Examination (entry-level examination) for Law graduates to get appointed as Junior Civil Judges etc., in the subordinate judiciary.  Respective State Governments under the supervision of High Courts appoint qualified Law graduates in the Lower Judiciary based on the competitive examination.

4. Government Services:

Law graduates who chose this option are required to qualify in the Union Public Service Commission examinations before they are appointed as Legal Officers in various levels in Indian Legal Services, including Legislative Counsel in the Legislative Department and Legal Advisors in the Department of Legal Affairs.

5. Journalism:

A Legal Journalist prepares articles for publication in Newspapers, Magazines, blogs, websites, and social media, and participates in legal discussions on electronic media.  A legal Journalist should have effective communication skills and writing skills.  This is a unique and challenging job for Law graduates if this option is chosen.

6. Teaching:

This option is a good fit for those who have excellent teaching skills like explaining different topics and narrating topics evincing interest to a group of members.  Law graduates interested in this option can look for their avenues as Lecturers in Law colleges and Professors in Law Universities in India.

7. Politics:

Many Politicians who made inroads into Indian Politics achieved success in their careers as Parliamentarians, Ministers for having ample knowledge of the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.  This enables them to contribute to decision-making and effective governance.  Hence, Law graduates who chose this option will have no limits in their career, besides serving the people as politicians.

Top Law Colleges in Maharashtra - To Sum Up:

• Practicing Law is a challenging job and prospective Law students are required to gear up themselves from their college days in all respects so that they can adapt to the judiciary/legal setting quickly to achieve success in their career chosen.

• Prospective students have a choice to select a 5-year integrated course after 10+2 or after completion of under graduation for a 3-year LLB Course.

• Post-graduation (LLM) in Law has a wide range of specializations and students can choose, depending on their interests.

• While there are many top Law colleges in Mumbai, Pune, and other Cities in Maharashtra, the Symboisis Law School, Pune, and ILS (Indian Law Society), Pune are the most popular. There are 120 Law Colleges in the state of Maharashtra – 98 are Private and 22 are Public, approved by the Bar Council of India.

• Besides qualifying academically, students who intend to pursue Law courses must qualify for Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for Law (MHCET). CLAT, ILSAT etc., qualified candidates are also eligible to seek admission in many Law Colleges in Maharashtra State.

• Top Law firms/Government/Public Sector Companies/Giant firms recruit Law students upon completion of their courses in the above top Law Colleges in Maharashtra.

• The average initial earnings of a practicing lawyer range between Rs.4.0 L to 5.0 Lakhs per annum and increase progressively with the gaining of experience and can go up to Rs. 20.0 L to 24.0 L per annum, depending on the specialization, city, and the success rate of the individual Lawyer. Seniormost and highly experienced and popular Supreme Court lawyers who are considered successful in their practice earn highest remuneration running in Lakhs of rupees per hearing/appearance in the Court.