[Goelsaab]

A banking and finance lawyer here. In general, at least in India (and I imagine it would be no different in UK and US) it is the M&A/Capital Markets lawyers that earn the most. Do however keep your future in mind- it is very tough to start a Capital Markets practice as an individual- big corporations and well paying clients, for various reasons, prefer enforceability opinions, signed by well known and bigger law firms and prefer having their agreements drafted by them as well. As a small fish in capital markets practice, it usually is a matter of time before either your stronger opponents start a "fee war" with you, thus driving you out of market or you get an offer from bigger firms to absorb your practice, which generally does not end well for the individual(s) whose practice is absorbed . It is much easier to start your own tax/real estate/will and succession planning practice. M&A guys also tend to work crazy hours, though they are allowed some rest after particularly taxing assignments and the start of financial year also tends to be relatively easy. My advice would be to intern in 2-3 different practice areas(I suggest capital markets, tax, dispute resolution/litigation) to get a hang of things. Do make sure that you take initiative during those internships and execute the assignments given to you as well as you can.