Currently at Trilegal. Have worked at JSA before. Been a while since I've moved. I miss my 8% more than anything. Not kidding - JSA pays more than any other shop as long as you're in a team that has work. And if you're not in a team that has work, you probably get to go home at a reasonable time. Win-win.

I do read all cases cover to cover but not providing OCR-enabled reports affects people like me as well. Trying to draw straight horizontal highlights in Adobe is an absolute pain in the ass and this is one of the reasons behind why I chose to post under this particular pseudonym. A person realises how much they take the ability to select and highlight text for granted after having to go through even one SCC report.

1. The best bet is to do MBA and if you get 85ish percentile also, it will fetch you college where you will be placed at around 10LPA. This is also going to be a fresh start so you can be cautious from the beginning itself.

2. Second, start teaching law in coaching centres and or schools - subject like legal aptitude and or constitutional law, political science, static gk should be a cakewalk for you these levels. UPSC coaching another option if you are real good at any subject and have good teaching abilities, remember you don't need so much teaching abilities for being a school/clat coaching teacher.

3. Do not go for judiciary or any other Govt exam, it's kinda unpredictable.

4. Start practising at your hometown's court, build connections. learn for a few months, find good mentors, take help.

5. Startup - small startups.

6. Tier 3/4 law firms/offices.

7. Read point 3 again, reconsider if you can study and write such exams simultaneously with aforementioned jobs.

Thanks. There is always a hope, keep grinding bro :)

That’s because seniors have ten other things to prioritise. One realises this when reaching at that point. Every law firm has a lot of work pressure. It’s very easy to say that a senior checks it months later but imagine the condition of that senior with so many things to deliver

Less than tier 1. At tier 1, at around 10 pqe you become partner with approx 85 lacs comp. The time taken to be partner at big 4 is approx 12 years for good performers and many first become AP, which pays less than first year T1 partner. The partners typically get 1.2 to 1.5 cr pa in initial years but by that time, T1 partners also earn higher. So all in all, T1 partners are about 2-3 years ahead of big 4. This is general trend and not for outliers or very heavy hitters like Ashwath, Nisha, Iqbal etc.

Hi, I am a 2024 graduate from one of the better private law schools. I struggled to land a job in Corporate Law and M&A but finally secured an opportunity in January'25. However, the pay is quite low (30k per month). I want to know if I'll be able to secure better opportunities in the future or if this low pay will affect my future salaries, given that most places base raises on previously drawn salaries.

I'd also love to hear inspiring stories of people who started small in the legal fraternity but went on to achieve great things preferably in the Corporate M&A area. Thanks!

If you dislike people so much why become a lawyer? You should have picked a line that affords you a choice to not interact with others. Your comment is regrettable, I'm sure you're very intelligent, but i don't think in the real world I would be interested in interacting with you.

Litigation is a good option for you. The fact that you're 28 years old is immaterial. Many people complete their graduation, work for a few years, and do the 3-year law course. In that view starting litigation at 28 is not so crazy. Of course, the average LI user, does the 5-year law course, so to them it may look like getting into litigation at 28 seems insane. But not only does it not matter that you're 28 but also there is nothing very unusual about starting litigation at 28.

I pressed submit on this earlier response. I meant to conclude by saying that today after 10+ years of work, i have everything i need and more. It took me a while to get here, but the wait was worthwhile. I have built a reputation good enough to keep a steady flow of work coming in, and I only see things getting bigger and better in the decades to come.

Hello everyone, I am a final year student, i.e. last few month to graduate and have a 2 month internship at WG in BnF team. I applied directly for an assessment internship through cold mail but instead got an mail for 2 months internship, which is also unusual. I have received it under the partner whom I mentioned in the mail. What are the prospects of getting a PPO?

Ps- I am a non-NLU final year student

I am a 8th Sem student from a pvt university i recently was not able to clear trilegal internship assessment i do have one internship at tier 1 lined up but from what i have heard is that the particular office is not hiring. I am very scared as to how will i get a job and do i even have the skills for it. Can someone pls suggest what to do to improve my skills for getting a job and which laws firms to consider for a corp law job in delhi.

Despite having a solid foundation in corporate law, I often feel dissatisfied with the work. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of specializing in intellectual property or technology law, though I lack direct experience in these fields. My struggle with memory retention also makes me question my ability to perform at my best in legal practice.

Lately, I’ve been contemplating an LLM abroad to pivot toward an area I’m more passionate about, such as IP or tech law. However, the uncertainty about making such a transition, combined with the challenges of breaking into a new specialization, has been overwhelming.

If anyone has insights on leveraging corporate law experience to transition into IP or tech law, strategies for managing professional challenges, or advice on pursuing an LLM, I’d love to hear from you. Also, I did not gain much exprience after graduation other than some internships.

Hello.

First see which area of law aligns with your interest and choose accordingly.

Speaking of stipend - ICUL gives interns a stipend and indus law doesn't.

ICUL gives off on weekends, not sure about indus.

If you want to get exposure in litigation, you can choose to intern with any advocate, but firms dealing with corporate transactions are very less in Chennai. So I would suggest you get exposure to Corp first and then try your hands in litigation if you are unsure of which area of law interests you.

The question of whether AI poses a threat to the job of corporate lawyers is complex, and the answer depends on several factors, including the scope of tasks, the nature of legal work, and the pace of technological development. While AI is transforming the legal industry in several ways, it is unlikely to entirely replace corporate lawyers in the foreseeable future. However, AI is indeed reshaping the profession, and corporate lawyers will need to adapt to this changing landscape.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

### 1. Automation of Repetitive and Routine Tasks

AI has already started to take over certain repetitive, mundane tasks that corporate lawyers traditionally perform. These include:

- Document review and due diligence: AI-driven tools like e-discovery platforms can sift through vast amounts of documents much faster than a human, identifying relevant information with a high degree of accuracy. In corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, AI can analyze contracts, financial documents, and other data to flag potential issues, saving lawyers significant time.

- Contract analysis and drafting: AI tools can assist in drafting standard contracts by using templates and analyzing past contracts for similarities. Some tools, like LegalZoom or Kira Systems, can automate the drafting of basic agreements, such as NDAs, non-compete clauses, or licensing agreements, by pulling from pre-existing language libraries.

- Compliance monitoring and risk assessment: AI can track regulatory changes and analyze compliance requirements more efficiently. In highly regulated industries like finance or healthcare, this can streamline the process of ensuring that companies comply with ever-changing laws.

While these tools increase efficiency, they don't eliminate the need for lawyers. Instead, lawyers are likely to focus on higher-value tasks that require nuanced judgment, creativity, and expertise—areas where AI is still not capable of replicating human intuition.

### 2. Legal Research and Knowledge Management

AI is transforming legal research by enabling corporate lawyers to quickly sift through large volumes of legal texts, case law, and statutes. Tools like Westlaw Edge, LexisNexis, and ROSS Intelligence use machine learning to provide more relevant case law suggestions, legal precedents, and answers to specific legal queries. AI-driven knowledge management systems can also help lawyers retrieve past legal opinions, deal precedents, and client data, making the research process much more efficient.

However, while AI accelerates research, it does not replace the lawyer’s need to interpret the research in the context of a client’s specific needs. The lawyer's skill in synthesizing legal precedents, applying them strategically, and advising clients based on a broader understanding of business objectives remains irreplaceable.

### 3. Legal Strategy and Client Advisory

Corporate lawyers, especially those working in large firms or in-house counsel roles, often advise clients on complex legal strategy, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property issues, dispute resolution, and compliance with evolving regulations. These tasks require judgment, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of both the law and the client’s business environment.

AI is unlikely to replace this aspect of legal work for several reasons:

- Context and Judgment: Legal issues in corporate settings are often highly complex and require an understanding of not just the law, but also the client's industry, market position, and long-term goals. AI can assist in providing data-driven insights but lacks the nuanced judgment that comes with years of experience and the ability to understand complex human and business dynamics.

- Human Interaction and Negotiation: Corporate lawyers often act as negotiators, mediators, or trusted advisors in high-stakes business deals. These tasks require interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and negotiation tactics—areas where AI has a long way to go before it can match human capabilities.

### 4. AI as a Tool for Lawyers, Not a Replacement

Rather than replacing corporate lawyers, AI is more likely to act as a powerful tool that enhances their productivity and capabilities. By automating routine tasks, lawyers can focus on more strategic, client-facing work that requires creativity, insight, and professional judgment.

The real challenge for corporate lawyers is not necessarily losing their jobs but rather staying relevant in a rapidly changing environment. Lawyers will need to develop new skills and leverage AI tools effectively to provide greater value to clients. Those who are able to integrate AI into their practice may find themselves more efficient and better equipped to handle the increasing volume and complexity of work. On the other hand, lawyers who resist technological change may struggle to keep up.

### 5. Impact on Job Roles Within Corporate Law

While the demand for corporate lawyers may not drastically decrease, AI will likely change the structure of law firms and in-house legal departments. Some specific roles within corporate law might see a decline, especially those focused on routine tasks such as paralegals or junior associates who spend a significant amount of time on document review and basic contract drafting.

However, the need for more specialized roles will likely increase. For example, there may be growing demand for lawyers who specialize in:

- AI and Technology Law: As companies increasingly incorporate AI into their operations, there will be a rising need for lawyers who understand the legal implications of AI, data privacy, intellectual property, and related fields.

- AI-Enhanced Legal Practice: Lawyers who are proficient in using AI tools to enhance their legal practice may become more valuable. These "tech-savvy" lawyers will be able to offer clients faster, more efficient, and cost-effective services, and they will be able to handle more complex, high-level work.

### 6. Ethical and Regulatory Considerations

The integration of AI into legal practice raises important ethical and regulatory issues. Lawyers are bound by ethical obligations to provide competent, diligent, and confidential representation to clients. There are questions about the responsibility for errors made by AI tools, confidentiality of client data, and the potential for bias in AI algorithms that need to be carefully considered. Regulatory bodies may need to develop new guidelines or frameworks to address these concerns, which will continue to require the expertise of human lawyers.

### Conclusion: The Future of Corporate Lawyers in the Age of AI

AI is certainly changing the legal profession, including the corporate law sector, but it is not poised to fully replace corporate lawyers anytime soon. Instead, AI will likely transform the nature of legal work, automating routine tasks, enhancing research, and improving efficiency. This means that corporate lawyers will need to adapt to new tools and ways of working, focusing on higher-value tasks such as strategy, client advisory, and negotiation.

In the short to medium term, the demand for corporate lawyers may actually increase as businesses face more complex legal challenges in a technology-driven world. However, the role of the corporate lawyer will evolve, requiring continuous learning, flexibility, and a deep understanding of both the law and emerging technologies.

Lawyers who embrace AI as a complement to their practice and use it to enhance their skills and efficiency will remain vital to the legal ecosystem. The real key will be how lawyers and law firms integrate AI into their workflows, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve while delivering the high-quality service clients expect.

do llm from US uni, say in your sop that you were part of an ngo for the last 4 years where you were using your legal skills to help homeless people get affordable housing, and also running a night school for runaway kids. Get some photos clicked, put out a podcast, blog if you can, make a paper and e-trail. get yourself a couple of awards (self paid). you shall get 100% scholarship.

Hi everyone, is my lawyering milking me? He is a graduate from a tier 1 NLU, and has around 8 years of work ex (including 3 years of independent practice). I don't find his name on the internet much, he says that he mainly does arbitration matters. Whatever court orders I found of him, are of big cases, where he briefs those big lawyers like Singhvi.

He is charging me 8 lakhs (billable hours) for an arbitration matter (also handling HC and criminal complaint) arising out of an employment contract. Recently I asked him for a legal notice. He quoted 30k for that. Is this normal? Should I find a lawyer who will charge less?

Honestly, at the moment what is important for you is to get some clarity as to how you want to approach your career.

For litigation, it will be a long road ahead, especially since you have just 3 internships.

Either way, for both litigation and corporate the roadmap is essentially the same; start at a smallish place to learn the basics and keep moving up the ladder eventually to a Senior Advocate/Tier 1 Firm.

Alternatively, if Judiciary is something you want; give yourself a couple of years to see if you can sail through; else switch to plan B (Litigation/Firm).

Hi all, im a fourth year student at hpnlu (t3). I have 2 tier one internships lined up for Feb and July, and possibly a third one in Aug 2025. However, is it too late for me to convert either of these into a placement? Getting really anxious, would love if someone elaborated on the usual hiring timeline for each batch and if its possible to get an offer post that.

Its not entirely true. There was a fatima who worked with Phule, in what capacity, how important was she? was she a shaikh? all of that is unevidenced. Made up not just by Mandal but other academics before him. Its a shame. Let this be a warning to other academics- maybe you win awards fudging data, maybe you have to give it back.

Nothing has been wasted and you do have ample time to make it big in any other field that you choose to take up. At this point, you need to be strategic and research well about what your ideal career your feel would be based on your current interests.

Narrow down to certain fields and this could include academia as well. Speak to people who are well into their career fields because not only will this give you guidance but also a possibility of a job offer somewhere.

I hope things work out for you. And also all the work you have put in the last 4 years won't go to waste and that's a fact!

Be consistent and confident.

I recently started working at a law firm and moved to a new city for this job. I was a good student, did well academically, and never got into trouble for making mistakes. My internships also went smoothly without any major errors. But since starting this job (my first one), I’ve been struggling a lot. I keep making mistakes like forgetting to change the court's name in cause title or failing to rename files properly, which results in redoing the work. I don't know why this keeps happening—I keep missing important details and can't seem to work efficiently, even though I'm fully aware of it.

Some people have told me it might be due to stress or lack of sleep or nutrition, but these issues affect everyone in litigation. How do others manage to stay on top of their work? Please help me figure this out.

Consider yourself a test player, playing his first match in an overcast condition, perhaps in Lords. The first session is for swinging bowls. You will have to leave them because it is touch and go. By the second session, you will find the same bowls looking a bit easier for you and you may be knocking them around. If you made it to the third session, not only would you have made a considerable number of runs but now you know how the ball will behave.

The moral of the story is to assess your learning abilities and, once clients start to come, assess whether you can increase them every quarter. The scoreboard just needs to move, slowly and steadily.

Don't listen to these naysayers. Most of them are just arrogant entitled pricks. See, here's the deal, you took a risk and it didn't pay off. End of story. Don't stick to the past. Be honest about it, every single person tries for various competitive exam, nothing wrong with it. Atleast you weren't doing drugs or in jail, people even bounce back from it. Now focus on the future.

Now decide where you want to go.

Litigation.. join a chamber quickly, apply everywhere, speak to everyone, work for 6 months without pay if you can.

Judiciary... Start litigating first, get one year experience and then without telling anyone, start preparing for judiciary. Or you can practice till 35, and try for HJS.

MBA... Give CAT, but don't be hopeful for a top IIM because of the gap, instead find any decent MBA universities.

Academia... Masters+NET+PhD is more than enough, however it's another 5-6 years.

The best bet is working in litigation for a few years, cover you gap with work experience, then decide if you want to go for MBA or judiciary or even law firms.

All the best OP. Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. People have changed careers and lives in their 30s, 40s and 50s. You can too.

Hello Everyone,

I need some serious career advice. I am a Tier 2 law school graduate with 2 years of work experience in a T-2 law firm in disputes team. I have given two UPSC attempts and this time I wrote the mains but couldn't qualify. Now, I don't have the motivation or resources to pursue this path further. I want to get back to the profession, but my issue is that I am not interested in joining any disputes team.

Instead, I want to switch to PE/VC & M&A Team of any firm. I would like to know how can I make this switch.

I would be immensely grateful for any advice.

Thank You!

Why would anyone take paid advice from a person who couldnt clear in 4 years? Clearly they had the wrong strategy considering the syllabus is the same for everyone? And there are several Ex-IXS Officer established academics in most cities, and a lot of material already available for free or cheap on yt.

You do know that writing comments in Hindi using English letters makes them difficult to access for blind and partially sighted people who use screen readers? Please don't do this, or it might be hard for us to get the joke! This is because screen readers are largely western-accented voices, with even Indian accented ones (where available) sounding as if they are punchdrunk when attempting to access content like this, or even doing a bad immitation of a western-accented person trying to read Hindi. However, some screen readers have add-ons which can read Hindi, if written using Hindi letters/a Hindi keyboard. Mods, I have pointed this out before. Can Legally India please create a policy to ban comments written in Hindi using English letters, as they are exclusionary of blind people?

I do not know about LF, so can't really comment on them.

ALP from my experience is very good. The firm punches way above its weight. Vasundhra is a great lawyer to have in your corner and brings tier 1 quality to the table. She also seems like a very decent human being. Don't think you can go wrong with her.

Gen Z has no clue of how bad things were in the 90s and early 2000s. During MoGo’s time at NLSIU, a student was suspended for a year for a shocking act of ragging. Today, the guy is a big lawyer. He goes around telling people that he was punished for being a rebel speaking out against the admin, which is utter BS. Interestingly, MoGo let this guy’s partner in crime go scot free, because his dad was a very senior bigshot with a direct line to the PM.

Around the same time, NALSAR was absolutely brutal for its ragging culture. One student was so traumatised that he left. Again, nothing happened to the culprits because of their connections. NUJS also had ugly incidents.

The turning point which led to a reduction in ragging was a case called the Aman Kachroo case, in 2009. A boy was brutally killed by his raggers in a medical college in Himachal. They were let off because if their connections. This led to a national outcry and PM Manmohan Singh personally intervened. A strict anti-ragging law was passed. Later, Aman Kachroo’s bullies were convicted by a court.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/four-students-who-ragged-aman-kachroo-to-death-freed-on-good-conduct-532371

Bro chill the fuck with the all caps lol. But yeah long story short is that it has a sub par crowd administered by a system which doesn't know much of how the profession of law shapes outside college. You'll need 10x of normal efforts from some other place for a firm job. In house options used to good but are on a steady decline too. Little hope of improvement.

Focus on your school syllabus. Law isn't that difficult that you need to start preparing from 8th grade, for crying out loud. Your childhood comes once in life. Enjoy it.

If you want to be a lawyer, improve your general knowledge, learn about constitution, study logic and reason, and know about concepts like critical thinking. Focus on doing things you like and have fun in school while doing all these. These years won't come back and you don't want to spend them cramming up stuff you don't need to.

2 years of prep at 11th and 12th standard level will be enough for you to ace CLAT or whatever entrance you want to crack for law school.

All the best.

Jindal is great but has its cons: (a) too costly; (b) huge batch size and hardly 5-8% get placed. If you can afford it, the experience is great. But you'll need to work your socks off to be in that top 5% to grab a job, or use contacts, get internships and convert them.

Similarly BITS Law School also seems very Jindal-esque and is even more costly, but have some good faculty. Similar universities who want to follow Jindal model include Shiv Nadar, Sai University, but these are still not quite there yet and may well turn out to be great 5 years later, can't predict.

If you want something that's more affordable and has a decent chance of placements too, you can try Symbiosis, Pune. I have seen people from. NMIMS also get placed well but that may well be due to their merit and not the college. You can try your luck in other branches of Symbi as well.

Regardless of where you end up, make sure you study well, have publications, participate in moots and mock ADRs, get internships and do similar activities that get you good exposure. 5 years is a really long time for things to change and you never know how things will pan out. Take it on a semester to semester basis and work in slow, but consistent incremental progress. Remember, studying and grasping the concepts are the key. If you get good knowledge and good experience thru internships, no matter where you are from, you will eventually make it. One or two years here and there is a drop in the ocean for a career that will last decades.

Good luck and all the best.

As someone who attempted Civils thrice after doing Law, I can tell you from experience that all you need is a little clarity in terms of how you want to approach your career.

If it’s litigation, you’d want to start at a place that does good trial court work, learn the basics for a couple of years and then move to a senior.

If it’s firm/corporate, you’ll have to start with smaller firms and try to switch to better ones once you have some experience behind you.

If you are not burnt out with preparing for competitive exams, Judiciary is another option.

So, just get some clarity to where your interest aligns and find a good mentor. All the best!

I'm currently studying at a college where we only see a mix of half firms and half banks coming in for final year internships. I find myself a bit uncertain about my situation. So far, I've completed decent internships in my second year, but I haven't had the chance to land any roles at tier 2 or 3 firms, mainly because they haven't picked me. My main question is: if I manage to secure a long-term internship at a tier 1 or tier 2 firm in my 4th or 5th year, will my low CGPA be a significant drawback? Additionally, how much does CGPA really matter when it comes to landing internships? As I search for my fourth internship, I would love any tips or advice you might have for someone in my position!

If you’re resourceful and self-motivated, you’ll be okay. Don’t wait for others to guide you—take the initiative to start building your career. There are some inspiring alumni stories that demonstrate what’s possible. Follow the institution’s rules, even if they seem unreasonable—avoid trouble, focus on doing well academically, participate in extracurriculars, and aim for internships that give you valuable experience, not just big names (boutiques and small-to-mid-tier firms can be great options). Most importantly, don’t listen to toxic people.

Your value is not defined by poor management at the institution. Many alumni have gone on to achieve great success at law firms, in the judiciary, or in independent practice. It might be challenging, but it’s far from impossible. I’ve seen it happen firsthand for others and know it can happen for you too.

Don’t settle for mediocrity—if you have better opportunities, take them. But if this is your path, make the most of it. Reach out to alumni for advice and guidance (not internships). Many will be willing to help.

Remember, as long as you work toward becoming an excellent lawyer over the next 5-10 years, your starting point won’t matter. And finally, a note for the seniors: honorifics aren’t used in the real world—it’s time to live in the present.

All excellent firms to look at! I currently don't have the sort of time needed to answer your question in any detail, but well done on getting some thinking in the bag about a very good career option! This response is mainly written in order to counter the impact of the person with no balls and no spine who could only bring negative energy by downvoting and who clearly failed law school badly, to try and encourage you to give this your best shot! Like every career path, it has rough and smooth parts, but definitely is one worth pursuing.

1. The what and why: what - insecurity and ego. Why - perception that they can do it to someone weaker than them and get away with it.

2. Deterence mechanism: Go to war, and war = all-out war. In other words, the verbal/metaphorical equivalent of exploding a dirty bomb in a fist fight. Only let it go in a way that is bad for a bully. Never forgive for their sake, only for yours. You need to prove beyond any possible doubt that you are the stronger. Nothing else will work.

Regards,

A totally blind person who has repeatedly been bullied at school by fellow students and authority figures such as teachers and administrators.