India's economic boom fuels a rush for law grads. But many are still left out.

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NEW DELHI : India's economic boom has opened up a lucrative new playground: the legal profession. The surge in corporate activity, fuelled by an accelerating economy and a burgeoning middle class, has created a voracious appetite for legal services. This, in turn, has sparked fierce competition among top-tier law firms to recruit law graduates.

As the 2024 academic year concludes, law graduates are stepping into a job market where their skills are more coveted than ever. Law firms across India have ramped up their hiring efforts, offering higher salaries to attract fresh talent needed to navigate the complexities of a fast-growing corporate landscape. Top law firms have been increasing both intake and salaries to prepare for the surge in legal services.

Cyril Shroff, managing partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, pointed out that while his firm trimmed fresher salaries, they still hired 170 graduates this year to build a strong foundation for future market demand. Read this | IIM grads get a reality check in a tight job market "With the expected growth in India Inc., the demand for legal professionals is poised to grow commensurately," said Shweta Shroff Chopra, partner and member of the management board at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas. The firm, which has hired 10% more freshers this year, is offering a median salary of ₹20 lakh.

While Shroff Chopra did not disclose last year's starting salaries, she confirmed that this year's offers are higher. Neha Gianchand, chief marketing officer at Trilegal, which recruited 123 freshers, emphasized that the growing demand for legal services has contributed to maintaining higher retainer levels for freshers. Corporate law firms have offered salaries in the range of ₹18-22 lakh this