Don’t escalate, quietly start planning your exit. Take time out to assess the job openings in the market, within your firm (in another vertical/with other partner) - run it like a covert operation. And then when you get a favourable opportunity, make an exit. Life is too short to worry about managing an incompetent boss - this can be so damaging to your growth as a lawyer. Also, based on my limited experience, for whatever reason the firm is sheltering him, they will continue to do so, don’t make a martyr of yourself in trying to fix this situation, just find an exit from it - also maintain your relationship with ur current firm, this is a small world, you never know whom you might need in the future.

I see many interns fawn over the associates and be overly reverential. Someone bowed and said thank you, in fact. Please don’t act like subordinates, this is a place that you eventually hope to work in and you must show that you are a culture fit. Just be polite, professional, and prompt. The manner in which your work is presented is extremely important, pay attention to formatting, the language etc. Ask the associate what the expectation is before beginning. Small details, like adhering to the firms internal styles, pagination, headers etc. set your work apart at the first glance. Don’t be lazy or shy away from work, when people get that impression they don’t want to delegate to you again. Youre most likely there for a month or so, do try and go the extra mile. If you don’t understand ask immediately, there is nothing worse than someone who messes up the work and shrugs it off saying they didn’t understand. Adhere to deadlines, taking longer is okay, but not without informing anyone. To be transparent, you’re not accountable for the work you do but when you act that way, you stop being a serious candidate in people’s eyes. Curiosity, diligence, and basic competence go a long way. These are quite basic and fundamental to dos, but you’d be surprised.

Let the work speak it for itself. A lot of people would give you stupid advice like networking and small talking with your team. All that is secondary and won’t matter if your work is not high quality. Don’t seem dumb or annoying. Do not bother your partner unnecessarily. Just lock in and focus on producing your best work product. Also, work on your presentation skills as it often is the decider for your call back or PPO. Good luck!

What a breathtaking take. Yes, the absence of NSUI, AISA, and ABVP from NLUs is truly the great institutional tragedy of our time. How have we survived without the transformative experience these unions provide: the Socratic method with lathis, robust intellectual debate settled by whoever mobilizes more goons, and that invaluable "access to political parties" where your hostel WiFi complaints get routed through party offices in Delhi? And yes, obviously political awareness requires party affiliation. The notion that law students might engage with constitutional questions without subordinating campus governance to external diktat is simply insulting. Nothing prepares you for a career predicated on independence and reasoned argument quite like learning to toe party lines and pass ideological litmus tests.

But you have identified the real problem: NLUs currently suffer from functional governance, campus peace, and the ability to address issues on merit. Unacceptable. What we desperately need is to transform student elections into miniature general elections complete with booth captures, external funding, and the replacement of campus concerns with national political theater. So yes, it is absolutely "high time" we imported this spectacular system. Or, here is a radical thought: if you want campus politics as a farm league for party cadres where student welfare is subordinate to party manifestos, go to DU.

I think your desire to work hard to land a PPO is something to be lauded, but you should mentally prepare yourself for the possibility of not getting one. This can happen through no fault of your own since the stars may not align in a number of ways. One simple example would be that the team which you are interning at is not looking to hire associates due to a hiring freeze.

Dear Sir,

I trust this message finds you in good health. I would like to sincerely thank you for your invaluable feedback on my recent post. In retrospect, it is clear that while I was seeking advice on a separate aspect, it was indeed the far more pressing matter of my spelling that demanded urgent attention. I am grateful that you were able to identify this critical gap in my professional development.

Please rest assured that, going forward, I shall exercise greater vigilance while drafting messages for an internet forum, so as to not attract unwanted people, such as your honourable self, ever again. Your timely guidance has served as a reminder that linguistic precision is paramount, even when soliciting help on a casual basis. I sure would love to see your WhatsApp messages and learn and punctuation(s) next!

Warm regards,
OP

Been there done that, my reporting manager does not even know the basis, and though i spent my initial years at a very very highly sought after senior's chamber, yet he things he knows all and is very averse to mu suggestions.

When we go for draft approvals to the partner, this guy just showns like he's done everything. Honestly I'm not at a stage that I don't give a sh** to it. I just think that's its my personal work , do my thing with 100% effort and then sleep at ease!

Since it's a T1, I'm now just here for the tag . Don't take it to heart and keep going! This too shall pass

There is a corporate/M&A partner with a similar work profile in the ▮▮▮ office of ▮▮▮ ▮▮▮. A big chunk of associates had left his team due to his incompetence. He had even been reprimanded by the MP in office in the presence of the ▮▮▮ that he would be chucked out if he does'nt mend his ways. ▮▮▮ is still being asked to continue as one of the rainmakers rom ▮▮▮ left last year with ▮▮▮ entire team. As per insiders, ▮▮▮ is on his way out soon.

ELP is one of the less toxic firms in the country. The Delhi tax team is one of the best tax teams in the country. No doubts. Go and ask any client or senior counsel in tax. I can tell you this. I have interacted with them many times. Kumar's profile will only increase with Jeetu's departure. Long live ELP. Do well

As the title says, looking to get some information on firms that have quality mentorship, sharp associates and quality work in litigation. It would be a bonus if details on salary are available:

1. Federal & Co.

2. Vashi & Vashi

3. Vesta Legal

4. Lexicon Law Partners

5. Naik Naik & Co.

6. Dhaval Vussonji & Associates

7. RHP & Partners

8. Wadia Gandhy & Co.

9. DSK Legal

10. Parinam Law Associates

11. Keystone Partners

12. Vidhii Partners

13. Vertias

Please also share details of firms that I may not have shared, but are good to start a career in. Cheers!

Honestly, it’s a mystery, considering that NLU students are so politically vocal and aware. Having these unions can have many advantages, such as access to political parties and lobbying for improvements of the university.

So maybe it’s high time, we have such unions active in NLUs?

interning at a tier 1, i need to secure my ppo this time come what may. what do i do to stand out? i feel seniors make an impression of you in the first week, how do make sure my intent of securing a ppo is known. also any pointers on what to do/not to do would be great thanks

At the end of the day, the bottom line rules every law firm—and every business. I learned this early, and not in a pleasant way. I was once asked to “fix” and issue a clarification to an advisory that had been completely botched by a partner-track fee earner on secondment. Everyone senior to me knew the original advice was indefensible; it directly contradicted a Supreme Court judgment. The firm should have apologised. In any system that even pretends to be fair, there would have been consequences.

But the real world operates on a different rulebook.

That fee earner went on to become a partner. They reel in marquee clients through their connections, and they come from a community globally stereotyped as affluent and business-savvy. They were never held to account. They even market themself as “first generation.” ;)

The double standards are blinding. And they teach you quickly what many only realise far too late: this profession is brutally unfair, and without leverage, you’re disposable. If you’re not a nepo kid, and you don’t have a godfather-like figure with heft backing you in the office—and you enter this industry without obvious client-generation potential—you’re essentially toilet paper, especially in India. You can be tossed out before orientation even begins if it’s convenient. Fuck you and your career, because the career trajectory of the in-house nepo baby matters more; after all, they have parents, uncles, and aunts who can return favours.

“Don’t worry, you’ll land on your feet,” is the parting schtick you’ll be handed at the door—along with a notice period as a consolation prize, if you’re lucky.

And this was at a Tier-1 firm—the kind that never stops patting itself on the back for its “ethics,” “standards,” and all the predictable corporate sanctimony. What an absolute farce.

Guys. What's the aftermath of the Bira naming fiasco and license renewals?

Whichever firm advised them what has been the blowback? no need to take names.

Could this issue have been prevented? would it be considered negligence? How is this issue generally handled?

Shouldn't this have been done more smoothly?

Prof. Sudhir may be more visible externally, but we now have a very strong group of faculty members for the core courses on Indian Constitutional Law. I have had the good fortune of being taught by some of them already. The senior-most among them is Prof. Kamala Sankaran (earlier at DU) followed by Prof. Arun Kumar Thiruvengadam (earlier at NUS and APU) and Prof. Sanjay Jain (earlier at ILS Law College Pune). Prof. Aparna Chandra (earlier taught at NLU Delhi) is also taking electives in Comparative Constitutional Law while people like Sidharth Chauhan (earlier at NALSAR Hyderabad) have been brought into related courses such as Administrative Law and Comparative Public Law (LL.M.). Some of the younger teachers like Pranav Verma, Manish, Siddharth Saxena, Shreya Shree and Keertana Venkatesh are also quite knowledgeable in Indian Constitutional Law though they may be teaching courses in other areas. There are some others who I may be missing out since I have not directly interacted with many of the newer faculty members.

You assume the client is unaware that their petition may be dismissed on Day 1. This happens more often than not in the SC and "partners at high posts" usually prepare the client in advance for such an eventuality. Not doing so is negligence of the worst sort.

Do clients walk away? Yes, but these are more individual clients than corporate clients. Corporate clients (the larger ones at least) tend not to get emotional and sack their lawyers unless there is a history of unprofessional behaviour by the lawyer / law firm.

Blame the counsel? Most partners I know will never comment on a counsel in front of a client unless, of course, counsel acted against express instructions. Hot tip - clients will come and go; as a briefing counsel you need to work with senior counsel on a regular basis. They eventually find out if you're blaming them for a loss. Try engaging them after that :-)

ADHD is a superpower - you think differently and it will only help you in your career. Only thing is to not run contrary to your nature - very painful. for example over time find ways to support your limitations while you work with your strengths. Best of luck! It will be difficult to do something and super easy to do lots of things. So work to your strengths.

Same exodus is happening from India too, because of our high tax rates. Socialism drives away capital, simple as that. We need to lower our tax rates in India.

https://m.economictimes.com/nri/latest-updates/steel-tycoon-lakshmi-mittal-quits-uk-ahead-of-proposed-taxes-on-super-rich-report/amp_articleshow/125520763.cms

thanks for the advice ACCA would be pretty easier after I complete my CA 'cause I'll get exemption in all the papers and would only have to give 4 papers. Considering litigation, I had plans for the same but, I heard that you will not be able a good money in your first 7 to 10 years of lifespan which I actually can't afford 'cause I am not financially capable. Plus fees of all the NLUs is not less than 15 lakhs considering even the internship expenses for which I had to go to Delhi so better to drop the idea of it.

Thanks for your suggestion.

I guess many foreign judges are in India for some conference, likely Jiggles. Plus such visits are part of a diplomatic exercise. Not everything runs through MEA. Judges here also have their own angles. After all retirement etc are just a hop away. Hard to let go of certain...

Everyone is an acolyte of someone higher and cabals wil continue. OVN made it here or anywhere else because he is part of a clique just like his predecessors.

Ofc the Instigator et al wanted NKC gone.SJA was a willing pawn and GB were a lot of headless chickens. NKC got evicted but he will now get a sinecure in some regime friendly univ. But SJA lost credibility. NKC had enough shenanigans other than this contested SH. Why SJA went quiet on all those and GB didn't insist hot pursuit will remain an academic mystery

Where are all these illegal immigrants? If they are gathered at the borders trying to get back to Bangladesh as Godi Media claim, then why aren't the BSF arresting them? Or do they have passes issued by Amit Shah himself? The media can see these people in lakhs and the agency that exists to regulate such activities can't? If you're truly educated, then you would ask these questions instead of getting all your info from these people masquerading as media.

Depends how long you're able to stick through, and how sharp you are. If you are able to climb all the way up to Counsel or Partnership, you are the one transactioning the legal aspect of an issue. Associates do so much clerical work in ECM because the minimal advisory work is done by the partner themselves, who do not engage in such boring work. Also, while there may not be as many because most people leave, ECM is one of the most comfortable areas to transition jurisdictionally and work overseas. A lot of people do end up working with merchant banks to, yes.

you're due to graduate in less than 6 months, your batch's hiring cycle is already over, and you're still asking "when"? I don't know how strong those references are, but if they're anything short of compelling the partner and firm to hire you at a single measly request, I think you should approach them NOW. And if they're one of those big client referrals that firms would always hire through, maybe ask them whenever you feel like after you graduate, won't make any difference.

Does it ever get any better down the line in CM? Apart from the money, is there anything else that is interesting or rather intellectually/mentally/even commercial stimulating about CM practice? Is the DCM practice better in comparison the ECM practice? And most importantly, what do the exit options look like - do SAs/PAs jump to the Merchant Banks and Foreign Law firms pretty often or are the jumps more difficult than they seem to be?

Hi everyone,

I’m a Senior Associate at a leading ▮▮▮▮▮▮ law firm in Delhi and I’m in a bit of a professional dilemma. I’d really appreciate some honest perspectives from the Legally India community.

Our team partner is… let’s just say highly inconsistent. He’s unreliable, unpredictable, and often ends up creating more chaos than value. The strange part? Since the overall revenue targets are being met, the firm hasn’t called him out on any of this. So he continues functioning the same way, and the rest of us are left cleaning up, firefighting, and dealing with the fallout.

For those who’ve been in similar situations — where the partner is “protected” because numbers look fine on paper — how did you handle it?

Did you escalate something like this to another partner or management?

Did you just keep your head down and coast until a better opportunity came?

Did sticking it out actually benefit your career in the long run?

Or is this the classic sign that it’s time to move?

Also, what’s the best way for the team to shield itself from the instability this creates? Any coping strategies or practical steps would be hugely helpful.

Would love to hear from people who’ve navigated politics at mid-to-top tier firms or dealt with unpredictable partners.

I am not sure of one resource that consolidates everything you need to know about TMT but current developments are well covered in the newsletters published by Ikigai Law. Good amount of detail and fun to read https://www.ikigailaw.com/article/643/tech-ticker-issue-70-september-2025

I guess being a kin and a son in law of a SC judge, friendship with top senior advocate's and a deceased politicians/lawyer helped it going to the next level.

But yeah it's a lowkey firm in the sense that general public doesn't know it name in that way that it would know of a Amarchand for example.

Which of the tier 1 / tier 2 has the best office? I don't mean just the interior decoration but how spacious and comfortable they are.

I'm still a student (with claustrophobia) and one of the most unappealing things about corp to me would be working in claustrophobic prone office for the rest of my life. I know this post might seem futile but it's something that really impacts people like me :⁠-⁠)

PS- Also drop which office is the best for views and vibes.

So what would you recommend? Any of the classic NLS journals (NLSIR, IJLT, or the BLR), the legendary NUJS Law Review, or something else altogether? I’m looking for a publication that actually responds on time, maintains high-quality standards (no dumping ground), has a good reputation, and is backed by a competent editorial board.