**Title:** Law Graduates See Salary Surge Amid Growing Demand for M&A Roles
**Meta Description:** Law graduates are now offered salaries of ₹19-25 lakh as demand for M&A and tech roles rises, up from ₹16-18 lakh last year.
**URL Slug:** law-graduates-salary-surge-ma-roles
**Headline:** Law Graduates Experience Salary Increases as M&A Demand Grows
As the placement season comes to a close across law schools this year, graduates are witnessing a significant rise in compensation, with offers ranging from ₹19-25 lakh to meet the increasing demand for roles in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), technology, tax, and artificial intelligence governance. This marks an increase from last year’s compensation range of ₹16-18 lakh. The typical placement season for law schools spans from May to August.
Nishith Desai, founder of Nishith Desai Associates, an international law firm, noted, “With deal-making surging in India and globally, there is a growing demand for talent in M&A, technology, healthcare, and social sector roles.” He also highlighted the rising interest in new business models, cross-border law, AI governance, and tax advisory services.
Annually, around 100,000 law students graduate, with approximately 69,000 passing the All-India Bar Exam, which qualifies them to practice law in any court. According to Vahura, a consulting firm specializing in legal, tax, compliance, and policy sectors, law firms fulfill about 60% of their hiring needs through recruitment from other companies, while the remaining 40% is sourced from campus placements.
However, leading law firms such as Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and Khaitan & Co. collectively hire only 400-600 fresh graduates each year, primarily for specialized practices. Many graduates end up in boutique or second-tier firms or small litigation practices, missing opportunities in the organized corporate legal sector. Nishith Desai Associates has already recruited 15 students from the 2025 batch, offering the highest compensation of ₹25 lakh, with placements occurring at prestigious institutions like the National Law School Bengaluru and National Law School Delhi.
Khaitan & Co. has offered ₹23 lakh for the 2025 batch and is considering an increase for the 2026 batch, up from last year’s offer of ₹19 lakh. Amar Sinhji, executive director of HR at Khaitan, stated, “Litigation and corporate commercial (M&A) continue to be the main practices that attract talent,” while also noting a growing trend towards niche areas such as capital markets, tax, real estate, and intellectual property.
This hiring season has seen a diverse mix of companies, top law firms, and boutique firms engaging with law schools. Pre-placement offers (PPOs) are becoming increasingly popular, accounting for nearly 80% of fresh intakes. These offers are typically extended to interns before the formal campus placement process begins, with many being made in the fourth year of study.
In conclusion, the rising compensation for law graduates reflects the robust demand for legal talent in various sectors, particularly in M&A and technology, indicating a promising future for new entrants in the legal profession.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What is the average salary for law graduates this year?**
A: This year, law graduates are being offered salaries ranging from ₹19-25 lakh, a notable increase from last year’s ₹16-18 lakh.
