Legal Advisor

Maintain valuable partnerships through trusted legal advice.

About

A legal advisor is a professional who provides legal advice and support to clients on various legal issues. Legal advisors may work in various settings, including law firms, government agencies, corporations, non-profit organisations, or as independent consultants. A legal advisor works in the legal department of the selected firm. Their educational path is similar to that of a lawyer. 

The advisor's responsibility is to draft and negotiate contracts, ensure compliance with corporate laws and provide counsel for employee and management conflicts. They sometimes have to represent their clients in the national court, arbitration commissions, or international tribunals.

Eligibility

For Bachelor’s

  • Pass your 12th board exams with at least 50% to enrol in a bachelor of law degree program for legal advisors.
  • A law degree, also known as a Juris Doctor (J.D.), is the minimum educational requirement for becoming a legal advisor. This typically takes 3-4 years to complete and is awarded upon completion of a law program at a law school.

For Masters

  • Candidates can pursue any of the Master's degree programs listed below to gain more experience and knowledge in the field of legal advisor.
  • You can pursue any of the following degree programs: Master of Laws (LL.M), Master of Juridical Science (S.J.D), and Master of Legal Studies (MLS).

Job Roles

A legal advisor, also known as a corporate or in-house counsel, can hold a variety of job roles, including:

  • Financial Legal Advisor
  • Legal Journalist
  • Legal Officer
  • Legal Analyst
  • Legal Assistant
  • Nodal Officer
  • Legal Manager
  • Government Lawyer
  • Document Drafting Lawyer
  • Legal Associate
  • Civil Litigation Lawyer

Employment Sector Jobs

Legal advisors, also known as corporate or in-house counsel, can work in a variety of employment sectors, including:

  • Private Corporations
  • Government Agencies
  • Non-Profit Organisations
  • Law Firms
  • Academic Institutions
  • Financial Institutions

Top Recruiters

Here are some of the top recruiters for legal advisors:

  • Large multinational corporations, such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Walmart.
  • National and regional law firms, such as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Jones Day.
  • Government agencies, such as the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Federal Trade Commission.
  • Non-profit organisations, such as American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Campaign, and The Nature Conservancy.
  • Financial institutions, such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and American Express.
  • Academic institutions, such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University.

Salary

The salary of a legal advisor can vary widely based on several factors, such as their level of experience, geographic location, employer type, and specialty area. 

 

Entry-level Legal Advisor

Approx 2 lakhs to 3 lakhs per year

Senior Legal Advisor

Approx 4 lakhs - 6 lakhs per annum

Top-level Legal Advisor

Approx 20 lakhs - 30 lakhs per annum

Scope

The scope of work for a legal advisor, also known as a corporate or in-house counsel, can be broad and diverse and typically includes the following responsibilities:

  • Providing legal advice and support
  • Drafting and reviewing legal documents
  • Risk management
  • Compliance with laws and regulations
  • Litigation support
  • Corporate governance

Benefits

Being a legal advisor can provide many benefits, including:

  • Job security
  • Professional development
  • Opportunities for advancement
  • Competitive compensation
  • Challenging work
  • Work-life balance
  • Opportunities for specialisation

Drawbacks

Being a legal advisor can also have some drawbacks, including:

  • Long working hours
  • High level of responsibility
  • Pressure to deliver results
  • Demanding workload
  • Staying current with laws and regulations
  • Potential for conflict