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What are the best internship practices in all T1s? SAM/CAM/L&L/TRILEGAL/JSA I understand that the process is different amongst all
JSA's process of taking interns is the most unique of all. Too many elimination rounds + written assignments.
No, even a contact based internship (unless by the Equity Partner), has to go through confirmation procedures like assignments.
Yeah, a batchmate got in through contact but the person had to do all the assignments on HigherKnowledge. Other than maybe EP contacts, I know someone who got JSA internship solely through CEDE interview.
Also if anyone had any great experiences at previous internships please illustrate.
SAM, CAM, Trilegal, KCo., Indus- these tier 1s have institutionalised systems of taking interns only through placement cells of colleges (read NLUs). Otherwise, contacts help to an extent, but not enough in this tense market. (verified)

JSA- they have an elaborate process of 5 assignments and GD, if you are good enough at writing basic research papers, you should get selected. Getting a PPO is a different ball game though. (verified by personal experience)

L&L, Saraf- I don't understand how they are taking interns, because neither are they approaching PCs nor accepting personal applications. Only high level contacts seem to work. But again why would someone willingly work at these dying shops. (verified)

S&R, TT&A, NDA- these are super selective. Ive heard that S&R only takes 1 intern per NLU (not verified)
Personally know many who got KCO internship via individual application. Same with Saraf, but you need to be really lucky.
Not luck, jugaad. Personal applications don't work unless you are

1. From a college without rpc connections with kco

2. Are rank 1 AND scored high in important subjects

3. Have interned at 2 tier 1s in the same practice.

4. Have stellar feedback in those internships

5. Have some publications in star sites.

6. Have good finance or legal references.

You can bypass all that by

1. Having a partner contact. If you don't, cold mail. Yes 99% don't reply, but cold mail partners.

Rules of Cold mailing for internships

1. Make a stellar cover letter by writing about yourself and your past (practice area based in law or finance) achievements in the body of the mail. The last line must mention the attached CV. Attach a standard CV (ATS)

2. Follow up in 2 weeks. Do not follow up again. You risk getting blacklisted in the future. Personally know people. Partners are very powerful and can f ur life.

4. Subject of the mail strictly - Internship Reference/ College/ Practice area / Dates.

5. Do not CC the HR or anybody else, unless expressly asked to do so by the partner. Doing so fks up the internal process and a lot of time is wasted in this. Do not partners have to coordinate with clients, juniors, interns, PPOs etc.

5.If you do or don't get a reply, don't start boasting about it to everybody and telling ur friends to do the same. The partner saw something in ur profile that was worthy, don't risk ur internship being revoked. Yes a partner can get that done too.

6. Don't call/ sms/ whatsapp message

7. Don't lie, not worth it.

8. Mention your academics please, need not be topper, but mention them. They do matter.

9.Dont use this route if you have rpc connections. The HR won't respond.

10. Some firms have very centralised systems, partner refs don't work. For example, SnR, TTA, JSA, Kco, somewhat Luthra, CAM. Mostly tier 1s, try this with tier 2s.
A person in my batch got Saraf internship by repeatedly mailing the HR. No contacts, average rank and mid CV.