You are not alone my friend so cheer up. This is pretty much the hamster wheel you are going to be riding for a few decades as partner. Partnership is NOT for everybody.

Apart from book building, admin headaches, attrition, please also add other problems like firm politics, friction among partners within the same firm (different from firm politics), investment contributions (liked a new office space), personal and family expectations, business risks and threats, long term viability of the practice, new competition, redundancy of some of your learnings, the list goes on.

Acting cool and unperturbed is important. Because as nice as it is to say "I can be vulnerable", the number of people who would willingly throw you to the wolves at the first whiff of your vulnerability is truly stunning (believe me I have felt it!). So showing your brave face and carrying on is something for which there is no choice.

I made Partner in a firm a few years back. When you walk into your own cabin for the first time, while there are some decent perks that come with the job, but there is a list of things that you must renounce to the world as a part of this new designation, which includes the following:

1. Inaction

2. Peace of mind

3. Being shielded from evolving (read, largely idiotic) expectations from clients and team members

4. Being able to hide in a corner and wait for the sun to shine

Don't lose heart though. If you are bold enough to admit being overwhelmed by what you are facing, you definitely have the maturity to ride this storm out.

Mental toughness is a crucial part of this job. Or grit and tenacity (if you like those words better).

Lastly, find some hobbies, that keep you far and away from the toxicity of work. All of which should NOT involve the law or lawyers. It's something I have seen older partners (who have dodged madness) do extensively.

I expect this will happen soon.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/after-parliament-panel-recommendations-congress-asks-govt-for-law-on-reservation-in-private-educational-institutes/articleshow/123407577.cms?from=mdr

I appreciate the response. I'm not very sure what I was trying to get at, I guess just a particularly weak hour and wanted to vent. Granted that some of the people who work around me are fairly smart and have strong suits of their own kind. I am not questioning their calibre, I just think the professions ends up attracting a section of kids that are smart but don't wish to choose the sciences, for whatever their reason - intended it to be a statement of fact. I don't agree on several ways being there to leave, it isn't as viable and definitely not if you don't come from some level of disposable wealth. Moreso because the circumstances in which you could land a gig overseas which is relatively close to the same cadre of the roles you get at an Indian law firm are low. Sure one could get a compliance or more 'routine' kind of jobs, but not part of the big leagues. At least not as easily. There are definitely people who manage to get such jobs, but they genuinely are top tier of the flock, unlike other fields where a relatively average skilled person can also get their way in. With regards to client acquisition not being a skill, I am sorry that came out wrong. What I meant is that while one can hone the skills needed to acquire clients, it is not as sustainable to go about it without firm backing, having money to spend on trips, etc. A person with 'middle class' means will for sure find it hard to attribute the expense needed to get into rooms where you can get clients.

This. So much this. Frankly, I'm getting tired of how much hatred people on this website have for law & the legal profession. It also appears to have increased more in the last 4-5 years. Was different before that, or maybe I'm just imagining.

To say that 'client acquisition isn't a skill one can just "learn."' is a very wrong & pessimistic view of looking at things. It absolutely is a skill and you can absolutely learn it.

Completely contrary to the OP, my opinion is that law is the most freeing profession. You can do whatever you want after getting a law degree. You can go in whichever kind of job you feel like.

It is difficult, yes. But to confuse difficulty with limitations is incorrect. All good things, and all things worth pursuing, are difficult. All professions are difficult. I have had to go meet clients on weekends & at midnight because someone got arrested, etc. Though I hate it, I remind myself that doctors have it worse. Even consultants are called in on weekends to work endless hours. It's all fair. The principle is you have to keep moving forward, irrespective of what profession you are in.

This is not to say there aren't genuine problems in the profession — toxic seniors, low pay in litigation, lack of work-life balance, etc. But what OP seems to be suggesting, is not it.

Does this scholarship cover all subjects? If the right wing really wants to make inroads into British universities, they should offer it only to law and humanities students. STEM and business departments are almost all non-left, so no further impact needed there. It’s law and humanities that you need to crack. Even within law, corporate and business law is already non-left dominated. The scholarship should be offered to someone who wishes to study in human rights law, with a focus on neglected subjects like Kashmiri Pandits and Pakistani/Bangladeshi Hindus.

Isn't it obvious? Because both Modi and Sir Kerr Starmer have to face a re-election campaign in 2029. As a lawyer, you are supposed to be capable of doing research? In any case, for your information (which you should have been able to find out yourself if you'd thought about the question for half a sec, instead of randomly posting, and then done some research not requiring access to specialist databases), here is S. 4 of the successor legislation to the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011, the Disolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/11/section/4#pageTitle

Probably the first-ever state-specific Chevening scholarship? And obviously a huge coup by the RW establishment to get a foothold in elite academic circles, which are dominated by leftists. So can we expect RW students from RMLNLU and RPNLU to get this scholarship?

But trust the Brits to be super smart: the scholarship runs for three years till 2029 and will then be up for renewal. Why did the Brits choose 2029 as the renewal due date? 🤣🤣🤣

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-partners-with-uttar-pradesh-government-to-provide-scholarships

There was never a golden phase. From the very beginning, stories of attrition were quietly brushed aside, back when the founding promoters weren’t so quick to hand out partnership titles. The truth is, this firm has always struggled with abysmal attrition—and with it, some troubling stories.

As I reach my mid 50s I'm looking to rejoin the profession. I had practiced law in Kerala mofussil courts (to no consequence) in the late 1990s for a couple of years. Then segued to corporate life. Now wondering how to get a break in practicing corporate law. Looking for some insights on how I could get into a corporate law office in Bengaluru?

Cold emailing can work. It can get you the interview, and sometimes even the job. But if you’ve got a reference, I’d recommend using it. The reality is, in India—just as in many places—employers, even the big law firms, can be fickle. They often bring in juniors and retainers through connections that promise a little more influence, or some bragging rights. And here’s the thing—those folks are usually the last to be let go when work is scarce, especially if they’re even halfway decent at what they do. If you don't have a godfather and have to seek employment at a T1 - 100 law firm / chamber and you wish to keep that job - then you must ALWAYS OVER DELIVER AND BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF OF YOUR BOSS - IRRESPECTIVE OF HOW BIG A PIECE OF SHIT HE/ SHE IS .

Don't leave litigation. In my opinion it is the most rewarding career in the long run. Independence plus intellectual stimulation. Opportunity to create a name for yourself. Very important to find the right senior initially. I started with M&a unfortunately, I have to keep working for firms or companies. But as a litigator you can start your office.

The previous reply has hit the nail on the head.

Will just add a few more points:

5. Take care of your health. Take out at least 30-60 mins every day for this. Make it a habit before you get into the profession — irrespective of whether you choose litigation, firm, whatever — you're going to be very crunched for time and will start finding excuse to delay it. It comes to bit you suddenly if you ignore this. Have seen way too many examples, myself included.

6. Network like crazy. All your law school colleagues, people you meet at internships, etc. Keep a good relationship with everyone. They're going to be very useful. Network is your net worth.

And just to intervene to clarify one thing in my fellow propagator of common sense's comment. Of course, that's bad, too. No percentage of deaths should have happened - not 0, not 5. But all that could have been avoided if (1) Hamas hadn't attacked in the first place; (2) if they'd later chosen to return the hostages; and (3) they'd disarmed and left Gaza. As long as they have anything to do with the Palestinian cause or anybody claiming to support the Palestinian cause has anything to do with them, it is not possible to make progress.

I am a student at a Tier-1 NLU. I recently interned with an LGBT advocacy organisation and am now seeking an internship at the Chamber of a High Court Advocate. Would mentioning my internship with the LGBT advocacy organisation be a disadvantage? I don't want to omit it, as my CV would otherwise appear quite empty.