Hi everyone,

I’m a law student exploring different legal career paths, and I would really appreciate some clarity on what various practice areas actually involve on a day-to-day basis.

Specifically, could practitioners or interns share:

1. What does your practice area handle on a routine basis?
2. What skills are most important for success in that field?
3. What kind of work do interns or young associates typically do?
4. What type of personality or work style fits best in your area?
5. And, to the extent people are comfortable sharing, which practice areas tend to be most lucrative in terms of long-term career growth and compensation?

I’m especially interested in insights on:
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• General Corporate Advisory
• Private Equity and Venture Capital
• Capital Markets
• Banking and Finance
• Disputes (Commercial Litigation and Arbitration)
• Insolvency and Restructuring
• White Collar Crime
• Competition and Antitrust
• Technology, Data, and IP practices

Any guidance or personal experiences would be really helpful. Thank you in advance!

Controversial VCs. Plain and simple. For NLUs to grow there are only two main factors. State funding and VCs. Everything else is secondary. Look at MNLU Mumbai. Excellent city, gets the top rankers despite being tier 2, has a lot of opportunities. Yet the funding is not there and VC absolutely is useless. After 10 years they've got land for the campus, which will take another 5 years to build. On the other hand the other two MH NLUs already have a better campus in Nagpur and Aurangabad. So yea.

The former judges, in their statement, said that the impeachment move was not "an isolated aberration." They recalled the 2018 attempt to impeach then Chief Justice Dipak Misra and public campaigns targeting Chief Justices Ranjan Gogoi, S.A. Bobde, D.Y. Chandrachud, and presently CJI Surya Kant.

The former judges also draw parallels to historical attempts to pressure the judiciary, including supersessions after the Kesavananda Bharati ruling and the sidelining of Justice H.R. Khanna after his famous dissent in ADM Jabalpur. These, they say, stand as reminders that political interference can severely damage an independent judiciary.

The signatories warn against converting impeachment into a tool of intimidation, stating that wielding the threat of removal to compel judicial conformity is “anti-democratic, anti-constitutional, and an anathema to the rule of law.” They call the attempt to impeach a sitting High Court judge for performing judicial functions part of a continuing assault on judicial dignity and independence.

https://www.livelaw.in/amp/top-stories/56-former-judges-condemn-impeachment-move-against-justice-gr-swaminathan-call-it-attempt-to-browbeat-judiciary-313157

I graduated in 2020 and have been working at a Tier-1 law firm since then. My plan is to move in-house as soon as I receive an offer from a good organization. At the moment, most in-house roles I see require 7–9 years of post-qualification experience.

I’m considering moving to a smaller law firm until I reach the required PQE, but I’m concerned about whether that could affect my exit opportunities. Would my six years at a Tier-1 firm still carry sufficient weight, or could a move now negatively impact my prospects? I’ve reached a point where I can’t continue here and need some semblance of work-life balance until I make the transition in-house.

I dont understand why you are bringing in the Communist card here. If you have been following the news - the Communist government has been very vocal about the issue. They also successfully defended the 482 petitions in high court and supreme court.

Even after the acquittal, the CM openly extended support to the victim and said appeal is being examined.

I’m 18 and I don’t think I’ll be getting a good tier1/tier2. I was supposed to move abroad for my undergrad, but my visa got revoked a month before. I decided to not take it to heart, and prepare for CLAT with everything I had. fast forward 9 months, and I’m nowhere near where I thought I’d be this time around.

I still have a shot at getting BSC LLB at NUJS but the chances are very slim. Other than that my only options are low tier2 NLUs and symbiosis. I plan on getting my LLM from the US, but some people I know are under the impression that US/UK law schools primarily take admits from top NLUs and that’s the only conduit to practice law in a foreign country.

My family’s not that affluent and I have no contacts in the legal field. I’m tired of failing, but I’m also wary of taking whatever college I’m getting since a lot of people on LI and Reddit are making to seem like not getting into a tier1/top tier2 NLU is the end of the world.

How about this example of misogny? A couple of days ago, on a podcast, JNU PhD scholar and Left student leader Dipsita Dhar said that Kalyan Banerjee (Senior Advocate and NUJS Governing Body member) shamed her publicly for her dark skin. She also notes how Kalyan has used words like "homo" to insult people and used misogynistic language against Mahua Moitra.

Will NUJS students condemn this and bar Kalyan from campus? Or at least seek his removal from the governing body? Note that he does not hold an ex officio post, like Law Minister or AG.

Awaiting a reply from all of you.

Podcast here. Watch from 41 minutes onwards .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFPwRtw36-g

Hi everyone,

I’m a final-year student at an NLU and I’ve received a conditional for the LLM at King’s College London.
The condition says I need to complete my degree with a “grade of 67% or above”.

Before anyone jumps on me for considering a foreign LLM, please don’t. It’s my choice, my career path, and I’m just trying to make sure I understand the requirements correctly.

My confusion is about how King’s interprets grades from our system.
At my uni, we have:

- CGPA on a 8 scale (mine is 6.96/8), AND
- A final consolidated percentage based on total marks across all semesters (mine is currently 73%).

I’m not sure whether the “67%” in the offer letter refers to our overall consolidated percentage, or whether they use the UK grading system.

If anyone here has gone through the process especially from NLUs or knows how King’s assesses Indian transcripts, I’d really appreciate your insight. The mixed grading formats are honestly giving me anxiety and I want to make sure I’m interpreting the condition correctly.

Thanks in advance.

Here is some tough love...

The world isn't a bed of roses. People get stepped on, ignored, shafted all the time. Shit happens.

Learn to be resilient. Grow strong from pain. If this opportunity did not materialise, another one will. You gotta keep hustling.

▮▮▮

"Go to her court and see" Why would someone go to a District Court to have your point proven? She may be an exemplary judge but she has benefitted from family political connections as much as others in the legal fraternity do, only protected by the faux 'Communist' tag

You guuuuuys, just chill! It’s just a bunch of misguided kids trying to look cool and rebellious by saying shocking things. You see Nick Fuentes fanboys on Twitter saying “Hitler rocks”. You see Ivy League kids in New York defending Hamas. You see those viral kids at India Gate who were yelling “Comrade Hidma Amar rahe” and praising the “Maoist model of development”. 🙈😅🤡

Same thing happening here!

They are the byproducts of clickbait and ragebait culture that has come to define Gen Z. Not for nothing that Australia has now disconnected Gen Alpha.

I know it is a very new firm, but is lead by some of the strongest in Assets and PE/VC practice. In a few months, I will be a fresh graduate without a job, and I want to only work in Assets or PE/VC. How good of an option is Aequitas? What is the quality and volume of work like? And how much salary do they offer to freshers?

So i am departing from an original side counsel's (who wants to build a practice like Karanjawala) office to a different one and have started noticing a few things. So I have a question, is there always a new girl who gets chummy with the senior and starts getting favoured? And are people always ready on one foot to push you under the bus?

(I'm new in this profession)

The men responsible for the lewd graffiti should be blacklisted by the CRC. This is absolutely not an overreaction. I am contemplating an official UGC Ragging complaint. One cannot expect to study at a top law university but act like tier-69 college boys.

NUJS men are the top safety threat for everyone, including for other men who do not ascribe to their macho incel-esque culture.

If proceedings have been initiated and that too, within a short time of the complaint, then one wonders why the OP and some other commentators are targeting the admin. What is the university supposed to do, brainwash students to get rid of the patriarchy that they learn from their families and surroundings in years? What are the parents and the schools around for then?

Yes, it's not fair and the profession can be cruel and even more so, but you are clearly a capable, intelligent and motivated individual who has been unlucky and deserves better. Please do not give up.

It might seem like you have no other option, but time and perspective will reveal new options. This might seem like the most important thing in your life right now, and the disappointment and frustration you feel are real, but in years from now you will look back on this as just another obstacle you managed to scale to get to where you are meant to be in your career and life.

life sucks man. I hope whoever did that too has their career falling apart.

First of all, sit back and recollect yourself. When your mental health's not in the right place, you make poor decisions and lack the ability to act on things. You would also be more likely to miss opportunities that may present itself because of the lack of confidence. This was setback, nothing more or less than that.

As for hirings, law firms love exploitation, especially the ones outside the big 6. I'd personally suggest to try and look for something like assessment internships or paralegal positions, and go ahead only with places that have openings. Talk to the people in the team or at that workspace, and see if they have any leads on this. Else, it will be the same old trick of misusing you as cheap labour for another 6 months. It is difficult, but the better alternative.

At the same time. Keep applying. Not just at law firms, but for in-house roles too. Not just in Mumbai (that city's shit expensive), but in Delhi, Hyd, Blr as well. Being from a T- NLU myself, I understand the hype that comes around big firm hirings and brand value. While that could be a priority, don't chase just that and find yourself resourceless after a few months. It's a crucial phase for you. Nothing to panic, just be smart about your decisions- and half of that would start happening the moment you take a step back and look things for what they are instead of the emotional burden and anxiety of your world falling apart.

Stay strong. May the force be with you.

+1

Also, please share some insight on how to get placed at these teams. Securing internships is one thing, but the work usually ranges from preparing a policy brief or compiling data for further research. I've gotten considerable exposure at good policy spaces, but I still don't understand how I will convert these opportunities into a job.

Hi,

I'm a second year law student from Jindal. I love researching and writing papers and I think academia will be a good fit for me post graduation. What things should i focus on during law school in order to enter academia post graduation?

Also, what exactly will be the journey to becoming a professor after i complete my five year integrated course?

I recently had the opportunity to spend time with Mr. Bikash Mohanty of Lis Partners, who practices before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India (very evidently on the path to becoming a Senior Advocate very soon, from what I've heard), and I must say the experience left a lasting impression.

To begin with, his office itself, situated on the terrace of a beautiful house in GK-1, is one of the most charming workspaces I’ve seen. Equally impressive is his close-knit team of 4–5 juniors, all in the 25–35 age group, who are doing some truly serious, top-tier work. The quality of research, drafting, and strategy they produce is easily at par with Tier-1 law firms.

My interactions with everyone on the team, especially Mr. Mohanty, have been nothing short of exceptional. He is genuinely one of the most genial, grounded, and intellectually sharp individuals I’ve met in the profession. If you work with him, he will treat you like family, and he makes sure you feel that too, which is something VERY rare in litigation setups. He is also exceptionally well-connected in high circles and, importantly, is someone who will go out of his way to help you if you’ve proven your sincerity and work ethic.

All in all, Mr. Mohanty has built a beautiful, respected, and trustworthy practice, and he enjoys the confidence of the entire legal fraternity in Delhi and even beyond. Everyone knows him, and everyone speaks extremely highly of him, and after interacting with him, I can clearly see why.

I too GRADUATED this may, no job as of now. You'll be fine, although your thoughts will kill you on festivals and meeting friends working at T1. You'll want to start mediation soon, so that your thoughts are not in your way, when atleast one opportunity is given to you for getting a job, and you hell up the interview, that happens when you get one chance after months. Apply to all AoRs and start litigation, don't run for law firm, they'll induct you once you've experience of atleast a year.

All the best.

Get a good sized plot in a rapidly developing town (investment purpose, something cheap today, but which can incur value over time), which will be something in next 30 years. That's your retirement home.

And rest, as long as you're not SA, don't get into buying anything, just invest your money.

Most probably, in your hometown your parents already have a home, once you do become SA in T1, it atleast secures a position at other firms (you never know when you'll be dropped from the team), at that time, as per your work location you can get a flat. Although be very sure about it, because in Mumbai/Delhi, buying an acco can soon turn into worst nightmare, you'll be pestered good amount of your life by EMI repayment. By the time you're done, you might as well get divorced (or maybe while paying EMIs), and then 20% minimum of your monthly income will also go towards spousal maintenance.

The trick is to buy as soon as you know that you're the best (atleast in your mind) in the practice area and you do work, so that you've some backup options if you're ever let go. And till that time save and invest all the money you can.

I bought myself an apartment in Noida, back when I had just made SA, been 4 years now (currently 32), coz otherwise getting in Delhi is way beyond budget, in your initial years, even on that good T1 salary. Right now I'm on my last leg of EMI payments and maybe if everything goes as planned, will now try to get an apartment in Delhi (I'm based out of Delhi). Once all this is done, I'll look for one last prime real estate back in my hometown/T4 city, when I'm around 38-40 (by that time, I'll be able to clear payment within 2 years) and will look out for my retirement, amassing some more funds.

After going through endless Legally India threads, recruiter gyaan, and “insider tips,” I’ve reached one conclusion:
Maybe no law-firm in Bangalore is actually a good work place.

Half of them seem to be transaction teams wearing a GC mask. Others have no good work or too much work with no time for life.

Since I genuinely enjoy contracts, can someone point me to a BLR team that actually does wide spectrum of commercial contracts + advisory.

Asking before I accidentally join the wrong “corporate/GC” team… AGAIN :/

2 seater sports car is an aspiration and except for things like filling up petrol, taking the car to the service centre and other maintenance, no one gives their sports cars to their drivers for a joyride. It's a driving experience to be cherished by yourself and family and friends.

Roads are agreed not perfect but there are a few expressways and VIP areas like Lutyens in Delhi where people drive these cars on weekends including a prominent senior advocate. And there are a few race tracks as well where a lot of events are based.

Why is this thread contested @mods? Proceedings have been initiated against a set of 1st/2nd years for vandalising hostel walls with grafitti depicting naked women and slurs. Proceedings have also been initiated against 4th/5th years for getting drunk and shouting/abusing at women discussing this situation the very next night.

As much as these parties may want to subdue this information, this has happened and is why all of us women will never feel truly safe on campus.

The intention is for more of a critical discussion; why do y'all think that NLU Assam was unable to grow and climb the tier ladder even after about 15 years of establishment? I understand it's in the NE, but it's located in Ghy, the largest city in the ENTIRE region. Location can't be the only reason, I believe? Also, what do you think is the remedy for its upheaval - which is applicable to other t3 NLUs like MNLU-N, DSNLU, TNNLU etc.

If you've spent a certain period of time in the legal (corp) industry, what's your take on the future of these "upper t3s" & other t3 NLUs? As much as I know, there are many hardworking students in each of them but it's majorly because of the VCs that they're stuck. Especially NLUJAA, like even though it was established in 2011, it's still not considered t2 universally. I'd love to hear y'all takes on this

NUJS Women are overreacting. Some first year boy graffitied R word to look cool, they've been suspended from hostel. Rest of the men are not safety threat to women. Boys who had graffitied their names were cancelled needlessly.

Regardless NUJS women are a bigger threat to men's safety anyway. Every party sees hundreds of drunk women inappropriately touching men and making them uncomfortable. These conversations have been going on in the BH for a long time now but the overton window hasn't shifted enough for it to be out in the public.

Speaking at a lecture organised at Mumbai University on the occasion of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s death anniversary, Gavai said that Ambedkar envisioned reservation as a tool to bring those left behind at par with others. "Ambedkar compared reservation to giving a bicycle to someone who has fallen behind so that they can catch up. But that doesn’t mean a person should keep riding the bicycle forever and block opportunities for others," he remarked.

Gavai questioned whether the son of a CJI or Chief Secretary and the son of a labourer studying in a village panchayat school should be treated at the same level when it comes to reservation.

The former CJI underlined that the principle of creamy layer was defined in the Indra Sawhney case and said that in one of his own judgments, he had supported extending the doctrine to the SC category as well. He added that some critics accused him of benefiting from reservation to reach the Supreme Court and then speaking in favour of the creamy layer. "But there is no reservation in the appointment of High Court and Supreme Court judges. So the allegation is completely baseless," Gavai stated.

https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/national/news/reservation-is-to-uplift-those-left-behind-former-cji-br-gavai-reiterates-support-for-creamy-layer-in-sc-quota-136605997.html

I wish legallyindia had a laughing reaction in addition to the heart and the gavel. LS is BS of the founders trying to create FOMO. I got caught in this, brought a 50k course, never studied from it, but somehow these ▮▮▮ still use my pictures and bio to advertise their course as if I got the job because of their courses.
I considered taking CIPP/E, but then I know people who took the exam, and it didn't really give them a raise or anything apart from writing XYX CIPP/E in their LinkedIn bio.

If you still want to take the exam, the course material provided by IAPP is good enough.

I had experience of working with him earlier as an associate and now on client’s side. Very meticulous and detailed oriented and a quick thinker and that’s why clients love him and want him to be on their side, and I have experienced it. You can’t make mistake twice with him. The work, experience and reputation speaks for itself. It is very easy to demean someone by writing hate comments. He doesn’t need testament from ▮▮▮ like you.

He is your teacher and not your baby sitter! Owe it up!

Also, he is part of Hardeep’s team.

Not enough is being said online about a particular practise area in the firm, everyone knows the partner is out right cruel and gets off by berating juniors, and no one in this glorious institution is able to do anything about it. In fact at this point it almost seems like they are sheltering this problematic character.

LI Mods, this is the most important thread of the year, it would impact the future of thousands of laws students, so publish it.

For the first time in its history, the CLAT 2026 (UG and PG) paper was leaked and multiple Youtube videos having Telegram screenshots of a day prior prove it. In one telegram gorup, on 6th Dec (a day prior to the actual exam on 7th Dec), papers of btoh UG and PG exam went viral, and the same Q ppr came for the exam.

Attaching some verified YouTube links for your reference:-

Most important video:- https://youtube.com/shorts/vPgc1y4XpUc?si=8ev2oDatq9rCEL39 (pls open the link & see till the end)

See the comment section where ppl have recorded proof- https://youtube.com/shorts/XeHDX80tlkQ?si=lhcj03lVQ2_bVnZc

This is such FAKE NEWS, folks. Totally made up. There are no “abusive partners” here—none. What we do have, once in a while, are a few over-entitled people who take way more than they ever give. You’ve seen them. They drag everyone down—at work, in life, everywhere. And the moment you ask them to actually work or deliver—like they said they would—they fall apart. Absolutely unbelievable.

Let me say it again: This isn’t a club. This is a business. A serious, commercial operation.

And guess what?

You’ve got to carry your own weight.

No one else is going to do it.

And honestly?

No one else should.

9 crores is hardly any money for the super-rich. Top-tier Senior Advocates make that in just a few weeks. Even for lower-tier seniors it's easily affordable.

https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/news/trump-gold-card-us-president-launches-rs-9-crore-direct-path-to-citizenship/ar-AA1S7Poz

At NUJS, all the VCs have taken classes in their tenure. Professors Chimni, MP Singh, Ishwara Bhat and even NKC. Whether OVN continues that tradition remains to be seen. All these people used to think that taking a few classes is the best way that the VC can keep in touch with the pulse of the students.

For those not following this case, below is a link to the full text of the order. Here are the conetentious paras:

"Thirupparankundram Hill has been associated with Lord Muruga since ages and from time immemorial. Aga Nanooru is an anthology of very ancient Tamil Poems and belongs to what is known as Sangam Literature....

When Madurai near which this hillock is located came under Muslim rule, the hilltop came to be occupied and a mosque was constructed. Since the body of a Fakir is said to be interred, it is known as Dharga. As already mentioned, there is a temple at the foot of the hill and another temple halfway up the hill. There are tombs dedicated to Muslims below the hilltop and the Dharga. Frictions often arose between the Hindus and the Muslims. The issue was finally and authoritatively settled in O.S No.4 of 1920 on the file of the First Additional Sub-Judge of Madura....

the learned Judge found that the hill has been from pre-historic times deemed sacred by the Hindus and that it is essentially a Hindu place of worship. After failing to date the construction of the tomb, the learned Judge observed that the Hindus have been regarding the hill as holy, the holiness of which is found mentioned in Hindu works older than the advent of the Prophet in Arabia. ...

The mosque is known as Sikkanthar Pallivasal. The mosque was probably a small memorial originally but later extended so as to occupy the whole of the top of the particular hillock. The establishment of the mosque at a higher place than the Hindu shrine might have been due to religious fervor, frenzy or rivalry. The learned Judge remarks that the devasthanam chose to keep quiet either due to the political helplessness of the Hindu community of those times or on account of the spirit of toleration so very characteristic of the Hindu mind. ...

he question is not one of custom. The question is one of right. Lighting lamp atop the hill is a Tamil tradition. There is a popular saying “Kundrin Mel Itta Vilakkai Pola” (Like a lamp lit atop the hill). Seevaga Chinthamani is one of the five great Tamil epics. ...

While amity is to be celebrated, rights of both the parties have to be respected. Rights of one party cannot be sacrificed. ...

Lighting a lamp is a sacred act. It cannot offend anybody's sensibilities. I also fail to understand as to how the provisions of the Places of Worship Act are attracted to this case. By lighting the lamp at Deepathoon which is meant for that purpose, the structure of the Dargha is not in any way affected. The Dargha is located at a safe distance of not less than 50 meters. ...

The balance of convenience can also be noted. By lighting the lamp at Deepathoon, the rights of the Dargha or the Muslims will not in any way be affected. The Dargah management has not demonstrated as to how they will be affected if the lamp is lit at the Deepathoon. It is not their case that Deepathoon is within the Dargha campus. On the other hand, if the lamp is not lit at Deepathoon, there is always a possibility that the rights of the temple may be jeopardised....

For the reasons mentioned above, I direct the temple management/devasthanam to light the Karthigai Deepam at Deepathoon also apart from the usual places. Karthigai is also a festival of light. Lamps are lit all over the house and not in the pooja room. alone. The Karthigai Deepam shall be lit from this year onwards at Deepathoon also. It is the duty of the jurisdictional police to ensure that the direction of this Court is complied with. The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City shall see to it that no one comes in the way of enforcement of this order. "

https://lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rama-Ravikumar-Vs-District-Collector-Madurai-1.pdf

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-temple-lamp-row-congress-allies-back-dmk-over-judge-impeachment-9777337

so sorry to hear about your experience. it might seem like all is lost now, but things will look up, this is just a setback and not the end of the world, and more opportunities will come and life will surprise you.

hopefully some others have some practical suggestions too.

please also strongly consider calling one or several helplines if you are having such thoughts, which are never the answer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines#:~:text=emergency%20number%20in-,India,-.

lots of love, you are not alone.

If you want to be counsel, little point in joining a law firm. I agree that law firms do work that counsels don't and that this kind of work experience will help one better understand the machine of litigation. However, what is the point if you just want to argue in court? A solid understanding of various documents, procedural technicalities etc can be gained as a junior in a counsel's chamber. If you want to be arguing counsel, then joining a law firm is a good idea only if you are going to be tight on money immediately after graduating.