The role of a lawyer is no longer confined to courtrooms and case files. As businesses grow more complex and globally interconnected, legal professionals are increasingly expected to understand not just the law, but also the commercial realities behind it. This shift is prompting a growing number of law students to complement their legal education with management studies, viewing the combination as a strategic advantage rather than an optional add-on.
Traditionally, law graduates gravitated towards litigation or specialised legal practice. However, the expansion of corporate law, compliance, risk management and in-house legal teams has reshaped expectations from young professionals. Today’s lawyers are required to advise businesses on contracts, mergers, regulatory frameworks and internal policies, areas where legal expertise must align closely with business strategy.
Management education, particularly in areas such as international business, human resources and operations, equips law students with a broader understanding of how organisations function. It enables them to read balance sheets, assess risk from a commercial lens and communicate legal advice in a way that business leaders can act upon. For those aspiring to work in corporate law firms or as in-house counsel, this interdisciplinary approach is fast becoming a differentiator.
The rise of online and hybrid education models has further accelerated this trend. With flexible schedules and weekend classes, students can pursue management degrees alongside full-time law programmes without stepping away from either. Apeejay School, Faridabad alumna Samriddhi Sharma (Batch 2020), who is pursuing a full-time LLB while also enrolled in an online MBA, reflects this shift. “I always wanted to get into corporate law, and management education goes hand in hand with that. Today, understanding business is not optional for lawyers, it is required,” she notes.
Beyond career aspirations, this combination also reflects a change in student mindset. Many young learners are no longer content with single-track qualifications. Instead, they are building layered skill sets early on to remain adaptable in a competitive job market. Law firms and corporate employers, too, increasingly value candidates who can bridge the gap between legal compliance and business decision-making.
Another factor driving this shift is exposure during internships. Practical experience often reveals that legal advice rarely exists in isolation; it is deeply tied to timelines, budgets and organisational goals. “When you work closely with corporate teams, you realise how important it is to speak their language,” Sharma adds, pointing to the practical relevance of management training.
As the legal profession continues to evolve, the pairing of law and management education signals a broader transformation in how future lawyers are preparing for the workplace. Rather than choosing between disciplines, many are opting to integrate them – reshaping legal careers to meet the demands of a business-driven world.