Guys, how much time does one need to devote on an hourly basis every day in order to be ready for day zero prep, considering the prep is 25-30% done. Can I one prep for day zero while interning simultaneously? Or does it require your undivided attention. I have my day zero in the first week of August, so a month from now. Please suggest what to do. Thanks!

A new nlu came up in the north eastern state of Meghalaya. They are done with their own admission process, and may be faculty recruitment also. What do you people think about this new NLU? Will it be able to take legal education in ne states forward or be an example of a big mess?

Texting people on Linkedin is not networking. For you, the best possible option might be to use your parent's acquaintances to help you land a job. Otherwise, I think it is really difficult to build connections in just a year, especially with people like law firm partners (who are the only ones who could help with the job). Also, always be ready to chirp, I have networked with people in weddings and even a funeral for that matter. A good chat goes a long way and you never know when you might need some "help" from that distant uncle to bypass HR policies and skew the recruitment interview in your favor.

OP has linked to clear evidence showing that the top UK firms preferred to recruit from UK colleges. That it’s better to enrol in a top 15 UK college if you want a career in London. Yet, most of the replies are busy arguing that NLUs are superior because more candidates appear for CLAT. We see this attitude even in discussions about QS rankings. We Indians really live in denial! Next thing, you guys will say that India is better than Australia and the UK in the Olympics, and the IOC is at fault for not including kabaddi!

Bullshit. Sudhir taught us in LLM at NLS. He doesn't do middle of the road doctrinal stuff; he teaches pure theory and its total bullshit from a practical perspective. I've also talked to many students in undergrad and they also say that he taught them ▮▮▮, abstruse doctrinal stuff. The stuff he teaches is most definitely not the ▮▮▮.

Sarvaank is a good last option for any fresh law graduate. If you are interested in transactions want an entry in this field, you can join this firm. However, please start looking for other firms within 1 or 2 months of joining this firm as the environment starts becoming toxic gradually as the days pass by. Even if you are loaded with work 24 x 7 and working on Sundays, the firm will not be satisfied and delegate more work to you. In short, if you can sacrifice your mental health for a few months and want to join a firm which makes you work 24 x 7 and still complains that you are not working enough you can do it. Also you will have to learn everything by your own , as the PA of the firm does not have requisite knowledge of laws except transactions. You can try by asking the PA questions on law outside the sphere of transactions, it can be anything related to corporate laws as it is naturally not possible for a transactions lawyer to have information about all the laws.

Here's the Google Sheets link to edit in details. Since these details could easily compromise confidentiality due to specific names, feel free to use Independent in X (City/Forum) for convenience sake.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EREgfyqxQXfH46Ew080u-IMSAiWvIKPP_UDLBUJ4K1o/edit?usp=drivesdk

Hi, I'm a graduate of the batch of 2023, and I will be joining a T-1 firm soon. I'm very interested in the stock market and have been investing/following the markets regularly for the past few years. Will I be able to continue investing in individual stocks once I join the firm? I don't do F&O, only focus on long-term investments.

I agree with you. That was a very slimy argument to make which intentionally misled the court into wrongly declaring NLS as some "national institute". But, that year was 2020 and 2020 was the same year when NUJS also got their domicile quota and NUJS did not challenge it till the very end before the Calcutta High Court despite the law having been passed over a year ago in 2018. Some alums challenged it after the merit lists were prepared but by then it was too late and the High Court refused a stay.

However, 2020 was also the year when NLUD tried to institute a domicile quota and NLUD alumni got a stay by filing their case earlier. So the domicile quota never came into effect at NLUD since 2020 was the year when entrance exams got postponed due to COVID and there was enough time for the court to consider and stay the quota. Point being, NUJS folks had time to resist the quota and get a stay but they delayed it too late. You can't blame NLS alumni for that, they were so desperate to stop their domicile quota and resorted to any argument possible. Besides, NLS got its "just dessert" just a year later for making such an ill-intentioned argument.

"To understand why Harvard lost — and why race-based affirmative action in public colleges and federally funded private schools is now unlawful — it’s necessary to understand two key facts about the case. First, the evidence is overwhelming that Harvard actively discriminated against Asian applicants. As Chief Justice John Roberts notes in his majority opinion, a Black student in the fourth-lowest academic decile had a higher chance of admission to Harvard than an Asian student in the top decile. This discrimination wasn’t unique to Harvard. As Chief Justice Roberts makes clear, the University of North Carolina — which was a defendant in a separate case about its admissions process — also imposed far tougher admission standards on Asian students. Compounding the injustice, Asian Americans were already historically marginalized. As Justice Clarence Thomas details in his concurrence, “Asian Americans can hardly be described as the beneficiaries of historical racial advantages."

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/opinion/affirmative-action-supreme-court-harvard.html

So why are people upset at the US Supreme Court's decision?

This might appear superficial, but some might find the attached image interesting. I consider Hidayatullah National Law University to be the best tier-2 NLU. On Average, out of the 75 students who sit for placements, 40 get a job. The average salary floats around 10-12 LPA. That being said, if you have a decent rank at HNLU, you are sure to get a good job. HNLU is quite transparent with its recruitment data and yearly placement report can be found at https://hnlu.ac.in/hnlu/recruitments-placements/. The link below shows the relation between rank and recruitment of the recent graduating batch.

https://preview.redd.it/xt7gwf0d739b1.png?width=1502&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=b0596a19dcbf13ab4930e23b6d5b477e8f39bb5d

This is the backstory: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/teesta-setalvad-a-bharatnatyam-backstory-to-activist-teesta-setalvads-late-night-reprieve-4170310#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Why this special treatment for her? Just because she is MC Setalvad's daughter? One rule for nepo kids and another for common people? And I am not being pro-BJP here. The Bima Koregaon accused like Sudha Bharadwaj and Shoma Sen deserve this privilege too.

Daniel Mathew is exemplary. Firm but fair. Articulate without being verbose. Probes you harder without patronising. Well read yet humble enough to acknowledge lack of personal knowledge.

Patient to a fault. Can't vouch for his scholarship but his erudition and delivery is impeccable.

Khaitan Chennai is basically a local law firm in association/some kind of relationship with Khaitan. It's name was Assetio Legal - they used to pay Rs. 25K. Now because of association with Khaitan, they pay Rs.60K -70K.

Chennai has local law firms. Even the big Names are basically local practices. National Competition virtually doesn't exist. Students from all NLU's/Top Private Universities across the country, irrespective of language or state of orgin work in Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi.

This is rarely seen in Chennai. Even JSA, Khaitan, SAM offices in Chennai are mostly from South/Tamil Nadu. They are mostly from Sasta, Chennai law college and TNNLU - all TN colleges, There is very less diversity there.

Mostly lawyers from Tamil Nadu or South Indians work in Chennai law firms, while this is not the case in Bangalore.

Bangalore, Mumbai etc are more diverse and has national competition in the corporate legal services market, which is absent is Chennai.

Because of this lack of competition, salaries are low.

Bollywood, Hip-hop/rap, EDM and KPOP are the top genres in India. Massively popular.

After that comes pop. Very popular.

After that comes heavy metal, at a distant third. Niche popularity

Then classic rock, at an even more distant fourth. Popular only in a few small circles.

Then a small minority listen to jazz. Very few.

Then another small minority listen to Indian classical. Very, very few.

Finally, just about 10 or 20 people in the whole country listen to Western classical.

That is the situation in India. If you want to enjoy the unpopular genres, you need to settle or travel abroad. I have done so.

They pay a stipend of Rs.8000 p.m irrespective of the mode of entry..The Gen corp team I was assigned was pretty good and the work allocation was also reasonable..just regularly update your worksheet and be in regular touch with the assigned associate who is also your buddy..(a system which exists there)

Sudhir had taken charge in late 2019, so in little more than a year, his term as a VC will end at NLSIU. I believe that given all the positive changes that he has introduced, he should certainly be given another full term. Today NLU graduates with good qualifications who wish to join academia are increasingly heading to NLSIU, courtesy the regular recruitment that happens there. People are being hired to manage human resources, recruitment and research output. Some of the best teachers from other NLUs and private universities have come or are thinking of joining NLSIU. New courses catering to the industry demand are being launched, like the 3-Year LLB programme, while old ones like the MPP are being revamped. These things will continue and improve further if Sudhir stays on at the helm till 2029, thereby increasing NLSIU's lead over other comparable institutions in the country and taking it to the next level of international standards. The question is, what can we do to ensure that he gets a second term? Ordinarily it would have been a given, but there are plenty of people both within and outside NLSIU who oppose for him for their own chequered agendas. Doubtless they will try their level best to stymie any possibility of his tenure getting renewed. We should try to generate popular opinion in his favour to counter that, since it is likely that other good young academics will also get inspired by him to join administrative positions, which will break the current toxic coterie of old has-beens who keep playing musical chairs with the VC positions and will also be good for legal education in the country in general. I am opening this discussion, please feel free to chime in with suggestions. Haters can stay away or have threads of their own. This is bigger than Sudhir the individual or even NLSIU the institution. It is about the future of Indian legal education.

To everyone commenting here both in favour of and against Sudhir, maybe you should consider the fact that all of your experiences could have been valid to some extent. He should not be portrayed as a person who can do no wrong, nor someone with malicious intent. The incidents at NUJS took place almost 14-15 years back. Sudhir was a much younger person back then with less experience. He is a human being who makes mistakes and learns from those. That's how good professionals evolve into better ones, by taking lessons from their own experience. Maybe that's exactly what he has done too and is a better teacher and administrator now because of that. At the same time, the students who pulled off such a stunt are all professionals now themselves. If you ask them about it today, chances are that they would all feel regret about what was clearly a juvenile and immature prank that has been embellished and exaggerated since. Please give the bickering a rest, since the people who were actually involved have long since done the same.

depends on you tbh. Stay off excessive social media usage and just try to be more active in real life. Life is much more fun and you won't even be thinking about this stuff. Social media really has people thinking about all sorts of problems that they can't even solve. If you can't change it don't be bothered by it mentally like climate change or world war 3 about to break out anytime soon. Its good to be aware but you alone cannot do anything to influence this, so stop worrying about it and start worrying about your own life

Ofc they have amazing salaries. That’s why law graduates , especially toppers are moving ahead to try their best to grab a M7 MBA. And as for engineers - well the toppers do receive the highest paying job. Only top 2 NLUs manage to compete , but not fully. TCs are something which we can boast off

Everyone gets their 8k, irrespective of how you enter don’t worry on that front, but they are quite lazy in doling out PPOs so watch out for that and the HR is kinda unresponsive.

The associates are very warm though I had interned with them in may and was a great work environment

There are many privileges we all have, where you were born, your family background, your schooling, your gender and opportunities available because of all these things. Privilege is sometimes just the mere absence of discrimination. You cannot disclaim all privileges you have. Like with everyone, you have to make the best of what life deals you.

Even if you initially got a foot in the door, it may not translate into much. A lot of law firms take in interns through connections, but whether they train you, they take you on as an associate and how you rise at the firm depends a lot on you - unless of course you are the family of the promoters. Also, just because you are well connected, doesn't mean you don't have the right attitude or don't put in the work etc.

It is unfair, but it is also how the world functions. As you go up the ladder, honestly connections matter more than your aptitude. I am not well connected but I've had other privileges that have helped in my career. Now as someone in the senior pool, I am anxious about not having connections as it makes it harder for me to get new clients. But I work at it. Connections are not static as well. The person through whom you found work, may leave his job or your connection's position may no longer be important. Using connections are trading favours, so many of these favours are called in - the partner may expect more work if your connection is a client for instance. The world is transactional.

I get your feeling of guilt. But if it isn't you, it is someone else. About aptitude, unless you are much worse than your peers, it shouldn't matter - an internship is for learning. It honestly is like getting a spot in a good school - there is management quota.

Just don't be a dick. Acknowledge that your no-connection peers may outpace you in your career. Work hard because some of the people who have to work with you may have some prejudice because of how you came in - but that's surmountable if you put in the effort and don't name drop or act like a snob. Be kind and co-operative when you work with others.

If you don't have a legal background, I'd suggest networking and honestly it doesn't have to be as formal as it sounds. It could just mean making friends and asking them for help wherever it's required. I've heard SLS Noida's placement/internship cell does help with internships, so initially you'll have some help that way. You need not worry, just keep at it and it helps to have a few good friends you can collaborate and work with.

GLC and ILS continue to thrive on the people they have. They are exuberant. You see GLC's committees are the best in the state. They easily get more 2X more job offers than their batch size. They have a dedicated placement cell website which will show you the entire placements story at GLC. GLC is almost an equivalent to the Bombay Bar Council. They don't need anything from the government now, their established reputation works wonders for them.

MNLU is not bad but because it's yet to be completely established, there are certain caveats. You'll get jobs at MNLU also but the advancement and pace of your career trajectory will differ from somebody who studies at GLC.

One thing we need to understand is that, HC judges don't control Corporate Law Firms; they're controlled by Partners and Team Heads of the Law Firms, and to shine in their eyes is what every law school wants to do. And a Plus point here is that MNLU Nagpur has worked closely with SAM this year. If their relations develop, things are sure to change for the better.

Also, GLC and ILS are cheaper than attending MNLU. Just check their fees structure.

He is the genius who argued in the Karnataka High Court that only NLSIU is a national law school, the others are state law schools. If he ever visits NALSAR, NUJS, GNLU etc, you guys must confront him on the spot and ask him why he did so. In fact, as the 2024 elections approach, these law schools should write a joint petition condemning him.

As for his merit to be appointed to the post, LI did a story pointing out that he is a full-time Modi Bhatt and wrote a book against Teesta Setalvad.

https://www.legallyindia.com/the-bar-and-bench/nlufirsts-nls-97-grad-vikramjit-bannerjee-youngest-among-4-new-asgs-to-be-appointed-to-the-sc-00011130-9110

Naive question from a 12th grade student.

I am not able to find authoritative numbers on the # candidates that appear for CLAT, LSAT, etc for the 5 year program. And what would be the expected cutoffs by college (rank or percentile)?

Any guidance would be very helpful. Thank you.

And I know plenty who don't like him at all, but are still good students who prefer a teacher and admin with empathy who will try to understand a student's problem instead of behaving in a high handed autocratic manner. What's your point? His actions in public including charging fees for virtual convocation, holding that disastrous NLAT and then retaining half the fees despite the exam being cancelled, increasing batch size like crazy thus diluting the quality all of these go against him. He did recruit a lot of good faculty at NLSIU and that goes in his favour. The problem with fanboys is that they cannot withstand his criticism, but will lap up his praise.

That's basically the entire point of LI, where people can talk anonymously. Nobody cares about Sudhir as a person. It was asked how his tenure as a teacher went. They got an answer. In the name of siding with him ▮▮▮ ▮▮▮, you're discounting people's experience. And there are lots of comments praising him in LI posts too. Nobody goes and challenges those.

He taught very abstract things in class that had no relation with the reality. Insisted that people should read Lloyd for Jurisprudence, but actually gave one of the highest marks to someone who skimmed through Riddall 3 days before exam after missing his classes, because he couldn't spot the difference in argument. He was abrasive in his behavior, sarcastic towards students facing genuine problems, did not give time to students outside class, acted as if he was superior to all other faculty members, tried to subvert practices like the tutorial system without having a clue of ground reality. One can go on. The fact that you were not there at all and are now trying to defend him without knowing any of the facts is what has ▮▮▮, not anyone else. As has been mentioned here, there are plenty of teachers at NUJS who have taught well and expected academic excellence from students including Prabhash, Shamnad, Anirban Mazumder, Saurabh, Pritam, Chinmayi, and MP Singh himself. All of them are well respected. ▮▮▮. Whatever else you say doesn't matter, because you were not part of the equation.

This is obviously bad news for quality legal education. The last bastion of the CLAT NLU Consortium that resisted a domicile quota for the longest time has also now fallen. This means that now every CLAT NLU has a domicile quota.

At this point, NLU Delhi is the only NLU that still doesn't have one, but who knows how long that will last. Mind you, 10 years back, many top NLUs didn't even have a domicile quota (NLS, NUJS, NLUJ, etc). Who is to blame for this mess? Clearly, there is a lack of unity and common purpose to stop NLUs from being reduced to pawns of state politics.

Constant abuse? If anything, that's ▮▮▮. There is no example of any other untoward incident against him in the 3-4 years that he was at the university. Whereas there are plenty of examples of his ▮▮▮. Including ordering a student to leave his room while the latter was trying to explain what problems he had been facing in class, simply because the '300 seconds' that he had been assigned for the matter were over. That's an example of an ▮▮▮ man ▮▮▮ and ▮▮▮, where the moderator allows it or not.

It is funny how Sudhir fanboys are trying here to pass off that one incident as the reason for his behaviour when in reality it was the final burst of reaction to his behaviour. And since when is bursting crackers in an empty room an example of assault? Are you high or have you been taught criminal law by Sudhir himself?

This is exactly what I was looking for. How objectively and comprehensively this person has drawn a parallel between the two. This is how it should be. Instead of tearing down people from different nlus and mindlessly promoting one coz you're from it people should also think that sometimes there are personal choices like geography, distance etc to factor in. Hence, we can't navigate someone's choice just by presenting a mere black and white situation to them. Good luck to the OP. If you plan on higher education and not placement go for RGNUL, it's superb or RML if you're getting it.

OP here, someone not able to change the username.

I am graduating in 2025. And this was a Tier 2 firm, where the partners and associates actually put efforts to mentor us. I definitely get where you are coming from, but it may be a thing of the Tier 1s. Yet to intern at one though..

Dear LIites,

I have read multiple threads on this topic, but most seem to be inconclusive. There is obviously a disparity with respect to the College, the firm, the practice area, and the Partner (probably this matters to the extent of 80%), and I will be specific.

Recently (may not be the case, but based on trends I have mildly tinkered with) firms have been offering internships to 3rd Years, through contacts (from time immemorial) and even through the RPC. The notable ones (offering 16,00,000/- p.a.) are SAM, CAM, L&L, AZB & Partners, Khaitan and Co., Saraf and Partners, Induslaw, NDA, Trilegal (who don't seem to mind even 2nd years). (JSA apparently has a policy only to consider 4rth years, but also don't ever offer PPOs) I don't quite understand the policy at Talware Thakore & Associates or S&R Associates.

I herein request someone (kindly not a troll or too junior and incompetent to answer) to redress my query.

I am currently pursuing (not particularly ranked high) law in one the following (for the purposes of confidentiality) colleges- NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS. I have internships scheduled in the third Year in two of the firms mentioned above. Which of these firms (or rather which of them expressly do not) regularly offer Call backs/ extensions/ PPOs (separately) to the third years/ upcoming (hate to use this word) fourth years. One thing I find quite conclusive across threads, is that firms do not offer PPOs to the fifth years usually, but that is not apropos here.

While this would suffice, I humbly request any guidance on how I must pursue the same in the course of my internships. As to how I received them, it was not through contacts.

Best Regards,

SGFL