Law is considered to be one of the most prestigious professions in India. Becoming a lawyer comes with great social status, job security, benefits, and most importantly, very lucrative pay. We often talk about big celebrities charging hefty amounts for signing new projects when we forget that lawyers are equally well-paid and have hefty packages. However, considering the complexity and of the Indian legal system, it takes a seasoned, highly experienced, and well-practiced lawyer to reach a state where money just starts flowing in like water. These are the highest-paid lawyers.
In this article, we will be listing some game changers in the legal arena of India, who charge a ‘BOMB’ for fighting the cases for their clients.
1. Ram Jethmalani
Fees: Rs 25+ Lakh per appearance
One of the most famous Indian lawyers and a politician, Ram Jethmalani has served as India’s Union Law Minister and as chairman of the Bar Council of India. He is the highest paid lawyer in India. He has had clients like Harshad Mehta, Ketan Parekh and has also defended L. K. Advani in the Hawala scam. He made headlines for defending Manu Sharma, the prime accused in the Jessica Lall murder case.
He is going to be defending Lalit Modi – former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and commissioner. He has also represented underworld don Haji Mastan, Amith Shah in Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, Kanimozhi’s defence in 2G spectrum case, Yeddyurappa’s case on illegal mining scam, Asaram Bapu’s defence in Jodhpur sexual assault case, and Lalu Prasad Yadav’s defence in the Supreme Court of India.
2. Kapil Sibal
Fees: Rs 8- 16 lakh per appearance
Kapil Sibal joined the Bar association in 1970. He was designated as a Senior Lawyer in 1983. He has held several important positions in the Government of India and the Society, such as: Additional Solicitor General of India (December 1989 – 1990); Member, Board of Management, Indira Gandhi National Open University (1993); President, Supreme Court Bar Association (1995–96, 1997–98 and 2001–2002), and more. He led the Indian delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Bali in December 2007.
3. Fali Nariman
Fee: Rs 8- 15 Lakh per appearance
Awarded with Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and the Prize for Justice for his contribution to law and judicial system, Fali Sam Nariman is an internationally recognized Indian jurist. He has also been honored with the 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2018. He also appeared in many important cases like Golak Nath, S.P. Gupta, T.M.A. Pai Foundation, represented the Gujarat Government in the matter of the Narmada rehabilitation and appeared for the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalitha in a conviction and obtained bail for her.
4. P Chidambaram
Fees: Rs 6- 15 Lakh per appearance
The former finance minister is a corporate lawyer and has practiced in the Supreme Court and other high courts of India.
5. Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Fees: Rs 6- 15 Lakh per appearance
Singhvi was the youngest Additional Solicitor General of India, in 1997 and held the position for a year, till 1998. He is former Chairman of the AICC All India Law and Human Rights Department and former Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Law, Justice, Personnel & Grievances.
6. Harish Salve
Fees: Rs 6- 15 Lakh per appearance
Harish Salve served as the Solicitor General of India from 1 November 1999 to 3 November 2002. He argued the first Anti-Dumping case in the Supreme Court of India. He has had a diverse clientele which includes Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Limited, Tata Group, ITC Limited, and Salman Khan. He also fought the case for Kulbhushan Jadav who was accused of being a spy by Pakistani military and was sentenced to death.
7. Aryama Sundaram
Fees: Rs 5.5- 16.5 Lakh per appearance
He has been regularly representing the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Anil Ambani, and several other high-profile clients at various judicial forums. He also represented the case of S. Rangarajan which resulted in one of the landmark judgments on the freedom of speech and expression. So, after knowing the highest paid lawyers, you are the next one to be. Keep Preparing.
Useful resources:
All About CLAT 2025 Exam
Leave a Reply