Top Lawyers in India: A Comprehensive Guide
The legal profession in India is renowned for its contributions to legal reform as well as its compensation packages. It can be difficult to find what to look for in a good lawyer, particularly in a country with a complex legal system like India. Knowing leading attorneys in India and their specialties is crucial because there are a plethora of legal professionals with different areas of expertise. This article will discuss the best lawyers in India and their specializations, and advice on how to choose a lawyer in India as per your requirements.
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Hiring a great attorney can have a big impact on how your cases turn out. Usually, these experts have:
- Years of experience in their respective industries provide for extensive experience.
- A history of successfully resolved lawsuits and happy clients is a proven track record.
- Knowledge in Specific Domains like family law, criminal defense, and corporate law.
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Top Highest Paid Lawyers in India: In Detail
In this section you will get to know about the famous lawyers in India as of now. Here are the top 10 lawyers in India, let have a look -
1.Ram Jethmalani
Whenever the question arises as to who is the best lawyer in India, the name Ram Jethmalani comes forward. This is a well was-known name in amongst best lawyers in India. Ram Boolchand Jethmalani was his full name. At the age of 17, he graduated from Mumbai's Government Law College with an LLB degree. Ram Jethmalani is one of the top criminal lawyers in India.
(Image source: Live Law)
Ram Jethmalani was an expert in both criminal and civil law. Ram Jethmalani worked as a law professor, jurist, businessman, attorney, politician, and philanthropist. He was the highest-paid lawyer in India, charging Rs. 25 lakh for every hearing.
Birth Date: 23 September 1923.
Payment: INR 25 Lakhs
Awards: Human Rights Award by World Peace Through Law awarded in 1977, International Jurist Award
Famous Cases: Ram Jethmalani, who was renowned for his sharp mind and ability to remain composed in any circumstance, has taken on several high-profile and contentious cases, including KM Nanavati vs. State of Maharashtra, the murder of Jessica Lall, the defence of the assassins of Rajiv and Indira Gandhi, the case of underworld don Haji Mastan, the Afzal Guru case, the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, the Spectrum 2G case, etc.
Books: Some of his contributions in the form of books include:
- Big Egos, Small Men,
- Conflict of Laws,
- Conscience of a Maverick
- Justice: Soviet Style
- Maverick: Unchanged, Unrepentant
Must Read: Salary of a Lawyer 2024
2. Soli Sorabjee
Soli Sorabjee is another one of the best lawyers in India. He went by Soli Jehangir Sorabjee in his full name. He earned his law degree from Mumbai's Government Law College. In 1971, Sorabjee was appointed as a senior attorney of the Indian Supreme Court. He served as an Attorney-General for India from 1989 to 1990, and again from 1998 to 2004 and is best known as a lawyer for Human-rights.
(Image source: Wikipedia)
He is well recognized for having served as India's Solicitor General from 1977 to 1980. He was the only person to hold the position of Attorney General of India for two terms, serving in that capacity from 1998 to 2004.
Birth Date: 9 March 1930.
Payment: INR 8-15 Lakhs
Awards: Kinloch Forbes Gold Medal in Roman Law and Jurisprudence awarded in 1952, Padma Vibhushan award in 2002, Justice K. S. Hegde Foundation Award, 2006
Famous Cases: Some of his popular cases include the case of Maneka Gandhi, Keshavananda Bharati, IR Coelho, SR Bommai, BP Singhal, etc.
Books: Some of his contributions in the form of books include:
- Nani Palkhivala - The courtroom genius
- The Emergency, Censorship
- The Press in India
- World of All Human Rights
- Search for Values.
Also Read: Judge Salary in India
3. Fali Sam Nariman
Fali Sam Nariman (10 January 1929 – 21 February 2024) was an Indian jurist. He was a senior advocate to the Supreme Court of India. He is credited with obtaining a law degree from the Government Law College in Mumbai in 1950, won the advocate's examination and was also given the Kinlock Forbes Gold Medal and Prize for Roman Law & Jurisprudence. However, this eminent Indian constitutional lawyer and senior Supreme Court advocate did not choose the law as his first choice. His father wanted him to enter the civil service, but the family's financial situation prevented him from doing so. Now, he is counted among the most famous lawyers in India.
(Image source: The Hindu)
Since 1971, Nariman has been an attorney. In 1991, he was elected president of the Indian Bar Association. From 1972 to 1975, he served as India's Additional Solicitor General until resigning as a result of the emergency order.
Birth Date: 10 January 1929
Payment: INR 8-15 Lakhs
Awards: Padma Bhushan Award in 1991, Padma Vibhushan Award in 2007, Gruber Prize for Justice awarded in 2002
Famous Cases: The horrific Bhopal gas tragedy, Golak Nath, SP Gupta, TMA Pai Foundation, and similar instances are just a few of the high-profile issues he had fought.
Must Read: Human Rights Law
4. Mukul Rohtagi
Mukul Rohtagi is a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India. He is the 14th and current Attorney General of India, began practicing law after earning his law degree from the University of Mumbai. He is one of the best lawyers in India. Yogesh Kumar Sabharwal, who later rose to become the 36th Chief Justice of India, was Yogesh Rohtagi's mentor. In the high court, Rohtagi initially assisted Sabharwal before opening his practice.
(Image source: Mint)
The current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi named Mukul Rohtagi as his chief legal advisor; however, Rohtagi resigned from the role due to his desire to work as a private attorney.
Birth Date: 17 August 1955
Payment: INR 10 Lakhs
Famous Cases: He has defended the Ambani brothers' gas supply lawsuit, the Y K Sabharwal property action, the Jharkhand Assembly floor test case, the 2002 Gujarat Riots, and other well-known cases.
Further Reading: The Difference Between Civil Law and Criminal Law
5. Gopal Subramaniam
One of the best lawyers in India is Gopal Subramaniam. Despite being 62 years old, he continues to practice law and has held positions as India's Solicitor General and Chairman of the Bar Council. In 2009, he received the National Law Day Award for Outstanding Jurist from the President of India. In addition, he is among the wealthiest lawyers in India.
(Image source: Live Law)
Birth Date: 18 December 1932
Payment: INR 5.5-15 Lakhs
Awards: National Law Day Award for Outstanding Jurist
Famous Cases: Some of his famous cases include the BALCO case (2012), Ajmal Kasab case, 2G radio-spectrum, Raja Ram Pal v. Speaker, Bachpan Bachao Andolan v. Union of India, etc.
Must Read: How To Become a Judge?
6. Harish Salve
Harish Salve is a prominent Indian lawyer known for his expertise in constitutional law and commercial litigation. Salve is a human rights campaigner and lawyer, served as India's Solicitor General. He has also advocated on behalf of large companies including Tata Group, ITC Limited, and Reliance Industries Limited.
(Image source: The Indian Express)
Birth Date: June 22, 1955
Payment: INR 25 lakhs to 1 crore per appearance, depending on the case's complexity and significance.
Awards:
- Padma Bhushan (2019)
- Best Senior Advocate Award
- India Business Law Journal Awards
Famous Cases: K.M. Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra, Bhopal Gas Tragedy, Vodafone Tax Case, Cyrus Mistry Case, Aadhaar Case
7. Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Abhishek Manu Singhvi is a Leader and politician in India. Since August 2024, he has served as a representative of Telangana in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament, and as a member of the Indian National Congress. Abhishek Manu Singhvi is one of the richest lawyers in India, known for his expertise in constitutional law, commercial law, and arbitration.
(Image source: Wikipedia)
Birth Date: February 24, 1959
Payment: INR 10 lakhs to 25 lakhs per appearance, depending on the case and complexity involved.
Awards:
- Padma Bhushan (2020): Awarded this prestigious civilian honor for his contributions to the field of law.
- Best Senior Advocate Award: Recognized by various legal forums for his excellence in litigation and legal scholarship.
- Multiple Honors: Acknowledged as one of India’s top advocates in several legal surveys and rankings, including by the India Business Law Journal.
Famous Cases:
- Constitutional Bench Matters: Represented clients in significant constitutional matters before the Supreme Court, influencing landmark rulings.
- Raja v. CBI: Represented former Telecom Minister A. Raja in the 2G spectrum allocation case, showcasing his expertise in high-profile corruption cases.
- Nirbhaya Case: Actively involved in legal proceedings surrounding this landmark case, focusing on women's rights and justice.
- Political Cases: Engaged in various political cases, including defending political figures in corruption and electoral disputes.
- Surgical Strike Case: Represented the government in legal matters related to the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Armed Forces.
8. K. T. S. Tulsi
K. T. S. Tulsi is an Indian politician and a senior advocate in the Supreme Court of India. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha the upper house of Indian Parliament from Chhattisgarh as a member of the Indian National Congress. Tulsi is a highly respected lawyer who specializes in criminal law.
(Image Source: Legally Flawless)
Birth Date: July 22, 1952
Payment: INR 5 lakhs to 15 lakhs per appearance.
Awards:
- Padma Bhushan (2021): Honored by the Government of India for his contributions to the field of law.
- Best Senior Advocate Award: Recognized multiple times for his excellence in various legal forums.
- Rajiv Gandhi Award: Acknowledged for his outstanding contributions in the field of law and justice.
Famous Cases: The Jessica Lal Murder Case, The Priyadarshini Mattoo Case, Various High-Profile Criminal Cases
9. K. K. Venugopal
KK Venugopal. KK Venugopal is considered to be one of the most famous lawyers in India. He was enrolled as an advocate on 27 January 1954. On 1 July 2017, he was appointed as the Attorney General of India and retired on 30 September 2022.
(Image source: The Indian Express)
Birth Date: September 6, 1931
Payment: INR 10 lakhs to 25 lakhs per appearance, depending on the complexity of the case.
Awards:
- Padma Vibhushan (2021): Awarded the second-highest civilian honor in India for his contributions to the legal field.
- Senior Advocate Designation: Designated as a Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court of India, recognizing his exceptional skill and expertise.
- Best Lawyer Awards: Frequently featured in various rankings as one of India's top lawyers, especially in constitutional law.
Famous Cases: Constitutional Matters, S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, Aadhaar Case, Ram Janmabhoomi Case
10. Aryama Sundaram
Aryaman Sundaram is an Indian lawyer who practices in the Supreme Court of India. He is famously one of the wealthiest and most highly remunerated lawyers in India. He is one of the top paid lawyers in India, known for his expertise in corporate law.
(Image Source: SKOTCH Group)
Birth Date: February 22, 1970
Payment: INR 5 lakhs to 15 lakhs per appearance, depending on the complexity and significance of the case.
Awards:
- Senior Advocate Designation: Designated as a Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court of India, recognizing his exceptional legal acumen.
- Best Lawyer Awards: Frequently featured in rankings as one of India’s leading advocates, particularly in commercial and constitutional law.
Famous Cases:
- Telecom Regulatory Matters: Represented major telecommunications companies in high-stakes regulatory disputes and litigation.
- Corporate Litigation: Involved in various high-profile corporate cases, offering strategic advice and representation in complex legal issues.
- Constitutional Cases: Advocated in significant constitutional matters, contributing to key rulings and legal precedents in India.
- Civil Rights Cases: Known for taking on cases that involve civil rights issues, showcasing his commitment to justice.
Top Female Lawyers in India
Listed below are the 5 best female lawyers in India who have achieved remarkable achievements in their law careers:
- Karuna Nundy
- Rebecca John
- Menaka Guruswamy
- Pinky Anand
- Indira Jaising
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