Google is your friend. Alternately reach out to seniors. If that’s not possible reach out to a number of recently admitted folk on LinkedIn. People are usually happy to pay it forward and give you advice. Forums like this are not usually the place. And you don’t know the person giving advice and the person giving advice has no incentive to be very thorough or helpful because they don’t know if you’re a first year who is day dreaming and wasting their time or if you’re actually serious. They also won’t be able to tailor advice to your profile.

bruh if you lose hope like this so early on, this field is going to eat you whole.

1. Considering you have written proofs too, you shouldn't be worried at all. Did you try showing said proofs to the HR? Call the HR everyday and ask him/her to connect you with the partner or to give you clarity about your situation. Maybe try connecting with the associates in the team you worked with? In case you were able to make a good rapport with one of them, speak to them and ask them if there is any reason why the partner has suddenly ghosted you.

2. If none of this is working out, fuck the firm. Talk to your RCC or your faculty in charge for the placement committee, explain to them your situation and persuade them to let you sit for the placements. You are in T1 NLU so you are obviously smart and have the goodwill of your college name too. I am sure the RCC will let you sit for exceptional circumstances, this isn't a situation where you are at fault.

3. Worst case scenario, none of this works out, reach out to your alumni, explain the situation without naming or dissing the firm/partner and try and bag an assessment internship. Again a T1 NLU tag will definitely help your case. 2026 is still far away, you still have the chance to secure a placement with/without your college RCC helping you.

Just don't lose hope, good luck!

This happened to me many years ago. It is too late but next time make sure you have a signed offer letter (on paper) with a partner signing. Ask your RCC. Mine allowed me to enter recruitment late. Then the firm panicked and called me and I told them I will withdraw from interviews with other firms if I get a signed offer letter from them and I got one.

So I'm not from an Nlu and that's the reason I've opted for Disputes practice and also have had previous Disputes internship's in 2 Tier 1 firms, so given the fact that my Cv has enough experience to prepare for my final year internships, I'm really looking to overcome the mistakes which I had made in those internships and thus seeking guidance, Also as you asked- I'm intending to practice in Bengaluru's Disputes circle and have had my previous Internships too here itself and also have command over kannada, considering all these could you now put down a Roadmap for me as to what exactly should be my approach for the Teir 1 Disputes Internship I have lined-up ahead??

This could be a 10,000 word essay but gonna try to keep it short.

1. It’s MUNDANE - the human brain has finite capacity for focussed work. If something is boring it makes is 10x harder to do it with a sleep deficit, under pressure and in a reasonable time frame.

2. The offer document is templated but the diligence that goes into it is not. Think of the DRHP as a really long complicated form that you need to fill for opening a bank account.

Visa liberalisation and mutual recognition of qualifications in engineering, architecture, and accounting will result in more Indian professionals working in the IT, finance, legal, and healthcare sectors in the UK. It is estimated that this will create 60,000 new service sector jobs over the next five years.

https://www.news18.com/explainers/clothes-jewellery-scotch-how-india-uk-fta-will-bring-cheers-to-these-sectors-ws-dl-9457641.html

I have reached a point where even if I apply for gen corp / m and an internships with Tier 1’s I am being allocated to tax team considering my vast internship and experience. Is there anything I can do to switch to do gen corp internships. Or should I stick to boutiques. If yes pl recommend some.

I have better experience and a stronger interest in Banking and Finance. However, I’m not from Mumbai, and most of the work in this field is concentrated there. I would prefer to eventually work in Bangalore or Hyderabad, where M&A and PE/VC work is more prominent. (I also have experience in M&A and PE/VC, and I enjoy that too.)

What should I choose in the long run? Can I switch from Banking and Finance to M&A and PE/VC later? Is such a transition possible? Is the work at least relatively familiar? Will people in the other teams consider my Banking and Finance experience equivalent, or even slightly lesser, but still relevant?

Another factor is that, because of the concentration of opportunities, almost everyone in my batch is applying for M&A and PE/VC roles. As a result, there don’t seem to be as many openings across firms. In contrast, since fewer people apply to Banking and Finance, the few roles that do exist seem more accessible, provided you meet their expectations. Is that a fair observation?

Ultimately, I know I cannot live in Mumbai long-term. Are there any Banking and Finance teams outside Mumbai, particularly in Bangalore or Hyderabad, that are growing and offer decent quality of work and pay? Or is it more realistic to eventually move to a Transactions team (M&A/PE-VC) in one of those cities?

I agree with most of the points raised in these threads, though one important nuance keeps getting missed. My concern isn’t just about being passed over; it's that many of those being selected ahead of me often haven’t done any substantial or relevant internships. In several cases, it’s just an internship with an NCLT lawyer or a small local firm in Jaipur, followed by a sudden leap into a tier-1 internship at firms like SAM. That trajectory understandably raises questions about the criteria being used. Someone asked how I know I’ve demonstrated consistent effort, it's because I’ve been interning consecutively during off months, sometimes three to four months in a row. That’s far from common practice, even among students from tier-1 colleges. I also want to be clear, this isn’t about looking down on students from non-NLUs. I’ve always respected them, fully aware of the relentless work it takes to break into the corporate sector, especially when only about 2 out of every 100 law graduates make it there. My frustration lies not with individuals but with a system that often overlooks sustained effort and merit in favor of less transparent factors.

People will now say that this dude is being elitist and whatnot but honestly, you’re one hundred per cent right. 90% of people at tier-1 law firms aren’t from tier-1 or even tier-2 NLUs. Law firms would rather have these tier 3 kids who won’t leave than someone from a top university.

LOL!

Tell me you're a self-absorbed narcissist without telling me you're a self-absorbed narcissist.

No T1 law firm or any other law firm in general owes you anything simply because you hail from a so-called top law institute.

Performance on an entrance exam nearly half a decade ago is no indicator of current academic prowess or professional skill.

You claim to have "demonstrated sustained effort to grow in this field" and yet, are unaware of the simple fact that the legal profession, like most other professions operates primarily on ones skills, experience & willingness to learn and NOT only on the pedigree of the college they study in.

Most of the best lawyers in this country (corporate and litigation) did not attend NLUs and have managed to do extremely well for themselves.

You do not know what kind of experience or skills these other candidates possess and you'd be better off not trying to make improper assumptions when the fact of the matter is that there are a LOT of students out there who manage to get relevant work experience, build meaningful relationships, AND secure top ranks in their college. The fact that you have not been able to do the same is not a shortcoming on their end but on yours.

While it is certainly alright to vent out frustrations, misplacing your anger in those who managed to secure limited, coveted internship spots is neither helpful not healthy.

Instead, try to improve your batch rank, and ensure that you show up to your next internship with a better and more humble attitude than the one you have put on display here.

The legal industry is all about CONNECTIONS and if you do somehow make it to a T1 firm, you might most likely find yourself in a situation where your colleagues/SAs/PAs/Partners or even Senior Partners belong to one of these so called "Tier 3 institutes" like Symbi or Christ. I'd hate to see you get humbled in a much more humiliating and public manner in such a situation.

Sincerely,

T1 Associate.

So the majority of people on LI actually believe that studying Marxist ideologues like Romila Thapar will better prepare them for law firm careers? To advise on fintech and crypto, swaps and derivatives, AI algorithm regulation etc? Or even basic litigation stuff like drafting a plaint, strategising on jurisdiction, damages claims etc?

Wow. 😳😳😳

This site is becoming a far-left echochamber. Any comment pushing for market reforms, meritocracy and technocracy gets mass downvoted. Given that the average LI reader is in a college student or student graduate, my guess is that they have become brainwashed to think like this by their professors and also by social media.

Who stopped you from getting those courses exactly? There are hundreds of opportunities available on the Internet, including free ones. It isn't someone else's fault that you went for something looking for something else! Many of the expert IP lawyers in the country don't have a science background, it isn't stopping them from being good at their job.

My sister has applied in NFSU for LLB (Hons.) she has been selected for the counselling which would be happening soon. Unfortunatley we are not financially very sound and she dint get the EWS on time while applying for the exam.

Is there a way she can still get fee waiver seat using the EWS (which she has got now).
What are other financial-aid options or scholarships she can avail.

Approach the HR preferably GM, or CJ (acronyms: take a look at linkedin) they are very helpful and approachable. Be honest about it and give a good reason for not filling it up (health issue, occupied in internship work) and write an polite email for the same. Mostly, they'll give you your stipend. All the best!

1. Nigam, Registrar NLS

2. Sarasu Thomas, Prof NLS, Dean Manipal

3. Rahul singh, prof NLS

4. Mrinal Satish, prof NLS

5. Pritam Baruah, Nalsar, Dean Munjal

6. Faiz Tajuddin, prof jgls

7. Anup Surendranath, Nalsar,

8. Mathew John, prof jgls

9. Nenika jha, NUJS, Harvard, prof jgls

10. Saumya Uma , prof jgls

So many others…

Becoming clear now that it’s the Justice Varma issue.

https://www.news18.com/india/jagdeep-dhankhar-accepted-oppns-notice-on-justice-varmas-removal-govt-not-informed-sources-9456642.html

200% he was asked to leave by Modi because he accepted the motion against Varma from the opposition, instead of letting the government introduce it. Modi gave an official response many hours later and it was very curt. He said:

"Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health."

What kind of response is that?

https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1947548037271724226

He works under Harsh Maggon and enough has been said about the man on this platform. The team rewards hard workers with more work and more money and more stress since mid-levels ▮▮▮. They do headliner deals and have cream clients - so if you are chasing fame, it is the right platform else look beyond. Best of luck!

Incorrect and myopic view. The thumb rule is that the quality of the activity on LinkedIn may (but not must) be an indication of the quality and quantity at work. I understand that it is a norm to disparage lawyers who are active on LinkedIn - it would be helpful if the tide shifted to assessing the quality of their posts, rather than just the quantity.

Are Gurcaran's posts the best in the game? Probably not (on a global scale, not at the Indian level - at the Indian level, he's doing very well for a self-starter). Are they interesting enough and error-free to function as a simple means to get his firm's name out and hopefully transform into prospective work? Probably yes.

Forgive my combative comment, but you, unkind Sir, are the classic case of a Kupamanduka. Rise above this petty attitude and let a man earn his living and do good work. There are many more expletives that I would like to direct your way, but that would not be helpful to anyone.

I haven't spoken with Guracaran in a few months, but I have known him since before law school, through law school, while he was at CAM, and after he started his outfit. It's a small outfit with ambitions to grow and do good work. I have seen Gurcaran take on a wide variety of work, and his legal acumen is sound and continues to grow. Super at networking, management, and client service - skills that many Indian lawyers desperately need to develop.

This is not at Gurcaran's request, and I would understand if people assume it is/ or typed by him - I do not care. However, it's not enjoyable to witness unnecessary commentary from people who haven't worked with the individual, and I felt obliged to speak out.

To the original poster - as I said, it's no CAM and is a small outfit, but an ex-CAM SA runs it. If you want to work at a small place, consider interning and giving it a shot - no other way to figure out the mettle of a new, small firm.

Go CJI. 🫡

https://www.news18.com/india/woman-demands-rs-12-crore-bmw-house-in-mumbai-as-alimony-sc-asks-why-dont-you-earn-9455841.html

Just noticed that, sorry for the mixup between the two in the post. I meant the vice versa.
Thanks for your advice. I can't opt for BSc LLB or Btech LLb because it just simply isn't offered in the college I'm getting. Even if that was the case, I wouldn't have chosen them as they both require tremendous efforts alone and would've distracted me from the law subjects.

I interned at Trilegal Delhi during April 2025. I have heard a lot on LI that callbacks are particularly easy to bag at Trilegal. However, when I asked HR about status of my callback, I was told my feedback was not good enough to grant one.

Sad part is I have started my last year with no other good internship lined up. My mentor was mostly unavailable during the entire period to even assess me. I did my best yet this happened. Feeling sad and unsure about my career prospects.