M&A/PE work is BARELY there in Calcutta law firms. Only dominant player in that field is KCo Kolkata, and maybe Argus Kolkata. Other firms that may be doing some M&A/PE work (really some; don't go by the Legal 500 rankings) seriously lack mentoring and there is a huge gap of expert seniors at SA and PA levels, barring the managing partners. After all you will not be working regularly with the MP in deals. Lastly, none of these Kolkata firms, except KCo and Argus, have brand value outside Kolkata. SAM in Calcutta does not hire. It's more like a back office, from what I have heard.

So either get into KCo Kolkata or avoid Kolkata altogether.

I was reminded of this post by the L&D Head of CAM, hints something similar:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vaibhavganjiwale_lawfirms-lawyers-legalmarketing-activity-6998921277402959872-2DgG?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

Hi. I'm an A0 at a T1. I’ve been seriously thinking about jumping ship (yup, already) and getting into the world of investment advising . It’s been nagging at me for a while now, and I’m starting to think I might want to take the plunge.

Thing is, I’m feeling a bit lost about it all. I have just finished law school and am a few months into my job. Granted, I don't have knowledge about the field nor a commerce background. But i'm genuinely interested and the entry requirements are also pretty . If any of you have made a similar switch, I’d love to hear your story. What challenges did you face? Were there any skills from your legal background that came in handy? And how did you go about getting up to speed with all things finance?

Also, I’m curious about what life is like on the other side (for people who were in a law firm and changed careers). Is it as fulfilling as practicing law? Are there any major differences in the work culture or potential for career growth that I should know about? Any nuggets of wisdom or even just your own experiences would be super helpful right now. Seriously, I’m all ears! Thanks a bunch!

https://www.deccanherald.com/india/toxic-tale-eu-flagged-over-400-indian-products-3008954

The Safety Regulator says it is not responsible for doing checks on export items!

Interestingly, export products - food, non-food items have elevated standards but "Indians" can do with lower standards. That's how the Indian govt (irrespective of political colour) has treated its own citizens. And still we blame "West" et al.

You still have some time left in law school. Pull your socks up and work hard on getting the very best grades you possibly can get at this point. Don't take this fatalistic attitude of saying that your grades can't improve - they still can. While the damage is, to a certain extent done, it can be limited or even undone to a certain extent as well if you can massively push up your grades in the remaining time you have. Maybe also try getting in a few more publications and competitions if you can, though I'd focus much more on the grades at this point. Do whatever is within reason, while being legal, allowed by your uni regulations and ethically right to get good grades - reaching out to previous toppers in the courses you are taking, asking professors to mark and give constructive suggestions on mock exam essays or give you feedback on where you previously went wrong, reading more widely than your law school course reading list etc.

I have found that the following works for me (caveat: grew up a fluent English speaker, what happens to you with English happens to me with Hindi and Bengali).

1. You could possibly have 'queue cards'. Little cards or pieces of paper where you have a key word or phrase about each topic or sub-topic you will cover written down. You briefly look at each card during your presentation and it will help jog your memory.

2. Speak in front of a mirror. Time yourself. If you've got a ten minute presentation, make sure you are doing it within ten minutes. Don't rush - by speaking too fast - or slow down too much. Keep on practicing until you can say your lines within the stipulated time-limit with minimal (or no) stumbling or hesitation.

3. Record yourself a couple of times. I have found that the knowledge that I am speaking for a recording is a realistic simulation of what I will feel when speaking in front of lots of people. You'll feel the nervousness and everything. However, if you can breathe, relax your mind and body and speak calmly for the recording, you can do it in front of a live audience.

4. Try summarizing (in the target language, i.e., the language you will be delivering the presentation, English for you) the topic you'll be speaking about to someone who knows nothing about the topic, if possible - a friend or family member who has some level of familiarity with the target language. As a bonus, maybe even do a mock presentation in front of them. Again, this gives you a simulation of what the real thing will feel like. In a good scenario, if your friend or family member is fluent in the target language, they can give you some feedback on your grammar, syntax etc as well afterwards!

Hi, I will be joining as an associate soon in the capital markets team. I need your suggestions and recommendations of books or websites in knowing the practice area well.

I have seen threads of "b&f-oversimplified", would be great if we could have "capital markets-oversimplified" as well. Thank you in advance.

Could anyone explain the concept of retainer to me? How is it different than employee? How are they taxed? Is there any significant detail I should be knowing?

I will be joining as an associate in 2 months and would like to know more.

Your answers are appreciated, bumps are not.

Thank you.

Nani Palkiwala merely holds an LLB from GLC, no LLM or PhD. Hasn't published in any top law journal. No books published by any reputed publishing house. Wrote some book on tax or corporate law which nobody reads and which merely reproduces cases. How is he a jurist then??? Literally no one would have heard of this guy if the GLC moot wasn't named after him.

Today's TOI quotes a talented NLU grad lawyer doing her LLM in the US, who is participating peacefully in the Palestine protests. Non-paywalled version below (copy-paste is disabled, so I could't paste it).

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/gaza-protests-for-indian-students-in-us-stakes-are-much-higher/ar-AA1o8LLG

The girl in question should make all Indian law students proud, because the article quotes other Indian students (from STEM/ business courses) who are staying away from the protests -- so typical of these STEM/business guys!! 😡😡

What I like about the LLM student/lawyer is that she is participating in a very peaceful and safe way and not joining the encampments. This is the smart and sensible thing to do. You are protecting yourself from any disciplinary or police action in this way, while still supporting the people of Gaza.

When I googled for her, I saw on LinkedIn that she is a graduate of an NLU, a graduate of the Young India Fellowship from Ashoka and editor of a law journal in her present US university in the field of human rights. This obviously shatters the myths being spread by trolls that the student involved in the protest are fake or don't know anything. Well, this shows it's just the reverse --- very bright and talented students are taking part.

🫡🫡 🤗🤗 💙💙🇵🇸🇵🇸

Short quote of previous comment: "They use the LLM as a vacation."

A very costly vacation, don't you think? Not to mention a rather painful one, having to adjust to a new country, facing hostile immigration processes, doing the daily grind of a student... and this is long before we get to the discomfort! Your average student accommodation in a typical western city like London or New York is nothing to write home to mother about. Smaller than a typical bathroom in a Bangalore house in a posh neighbourhood. In public law jurisprudence in England, they have a phrase, "the man on the clapham omnibus" (basically a variation of "reasonable man"). I don't think this would be the idea of a vacation that the man on the Clapham omnibus would have. :))

Are seriously pushing a freedom and liberal oriented stance and simultaneously calling to discard their perspective/books from library because your core belief does not align in it's entirety? Seriously, is nuance dead? You don't have to agree with everything but atleast don't be a dick.

Hello I will be interning in Delhi during my Summer Break in a South Delhi Law Firm and was wondering how to secure a good PG.

Most of the PG's i found online do not allow short terms stays and others were shady and wanted money before showing the PG.

Can you please share the details of the PG/Brokers which can help me.

No dispute regarding the rediculous expenses involved, or the fact that Americans look down on most LLM students.

However, one part of this is... interesting: "Let's say you failed in law school. Even then you can get a top LLM. Just do a clerkship via connections in some High Court and request the judge for a recommendation". Just one question: did your connection(s) who got into the Harvard LLM get in with less than fantastic grades? I only ask because I know two people - both with first law degrees from highly reputed UK law schools (and before you ask, one of them is Oxford) - who got in, but only after getting first class marks (75% and above) in their undergraduate law exams. Therefore, I think we would all be unendingly thankful if you could do us the immense favour of confirming that you're making the very substantial claim that students/graduates of Indian law schools can get into American LLMs (including Harvard/Stanford) without aptitude and with money, while their counterparts in Britain must struggle with grades. You would be doing us an even greater kindness if you could provide some evidence of this (obviously of an anecdotal and anonymized form where possible, considering LI rules/reputational questions).

Where you are right (again) is regarding the content of American LLMs. They are much less theoretical/academic and much more a 'baby first law degree' than their UK counterparts, as LLM students generally take advanced JD classes (which by definition are supposed to be below their level) (again speaking from knowing someone who did both the Oxford BCL and the Harvard LLM).

Dear Wise community of LI,

I am not aware of how both the offices are. I am likely to join one of these offices.

Could someone please tell what are the pros and cons of either? And if its advisable to join prefer one over the other?

Will be really grateful for serious responses.

Hi 4th year law student, I will be interning in a few tier 3/ boutique corp firms in the coming months, which I got through applying on mail.

However, as I will be in my fourth year I want to get better experiences in hopefully bigger firms or atleast “better names” - would be great if I can get the names of some tier 2 ish firms in gencorp/ m@a/ banking and finance in Mumbai (who actually reply to emails)

My Marks are decent not the best, a few moots and a few publications nothing amazing but nothing bad, thank you for your help!

And also genuine question on how early should I apply assuming I want to intern in December January ?

▮▮▮, please read his entire remarks in entirety in both the articles: Palkhivala DEFENDED Article 370 and the right of Kashmir to SECEDE from India if the article was abolished. He did not want election abolished, but a system where educated professionals appoint other educated professionals to the Lok Sabha. Plus a presidential form of government. And his model strongman was Kamal Ataturk, a SECULAR person who de-Islamised Turkey and encouraged Westernisation. Doesn't sound like the view of Modi bhakt to me. Also, the comments were made before Modi became PM. And he was, of course, a Parsi.

What Palkhivala was essentially saying is that India is unfit to be a democracy because we send corrupt and uneducated people to Parliament. Is he really wrong? Both NDA and INDIA voters for corrupt criminals and murderers, just because of caste and religious loyalties.

"We are not made for democracy. We are made to be ruled by a strong man. Like Kemal Ataturk. I have said repeatedly that India needs a strong man, not adult franchise. I haven't seen anyone yet. I hope it does happen in my lifetime."

"I am totally disillusioned. I don't believe in adult franchise at all. We have no reverance for our Constitution. We have no distinction between ordinary and Constitutional law. We are third rate, unfit to be a democracy."

"You cannot remove 370, because that was a condition Kashmir became a part of India. If Article 370 is removed, I don't see why Kashmir should continue to be a part of India."

"The third suggestion would be to alter Article 75 to provide that every one of the 26 states of India should be entitled to send two representatives to the Lok Sabha who would not be elected on the basis of adult franchise, but would be elected by universities and professional bodies. A similar provision should be made to have one representative so elected from each major Union Territory. This way we would have about 52 MPs who would represent the professions and the faculties and would be able to improve the tone and standard of debate in Parliament. "

*"*There are four advantages in having the presidential system patterned on the liberal, democratic model:

First, it enables the President to have a cabinet of outstanding competence and integrity, since the choice is not restricted to Parliament. A wise President can substitute excellence for the deadwood which passes for government today.

Secondly, since Cabinet ministers are not elected, they are not motivated to adopt cheap populist measures which are so costly to the country in the long run. For instance, they would not resort to nationalisation which is the last refuge of inefficient administrators.

Thirdly, the presidential system permits Cabinet ministers to be absorbed in the job of governing the country, instead of wasting their time and potential in endless politicking.

Fourthly, it would stop defections and desertions on the part of legislators, which are in most cases motivated purely by thirst of power and hunger for office."

https://m.rediff.com/news/1998/jul/14nani.htm

[Mod note: Edited to make less trollish]

Okay, here's a related question: what is the value of T1 law firm's work exp for US & EU-based LLMs respectively? For someone who graduated from a top law school like NLS/NALSAR with a rank anywhere around the middle — among the 40 to 60% of the batch — how many years of work exp (if at all) can make one likely to get offers from a top UK/US LLM? What about NUS or other EU countries — are they even likely to open doors

NLS has an open scene but you kinda get bored of seeing the same people again and again. Dating is not a problem but you have to really click to make it work in the hectic trimester system.

But then Bangalore has a big community so there is space outside The college as well.

So recently joined interviewed for a boutique law firm who's partner told me that my major work we piching investors and VCs about the firm and solicit client.Although it isn't a legal role perse, but we would work on the existing as well as new clients in the legal and compliance billable.Also the model runs on a commission basis with.Thr only thing which made me interested was that they were going to merger with a teir 2 firm in a couple of months.FYI I'm already working as a legal Associate in a corporate firm .

In your opinion, is it a good choice to deviate from an established legal profile to somewhat non - legal work, which could be sporadic but major as of now, only for the firm tag?

Two VERY interesting developments these past few weeks:

1. Justice Dipankar Datta, in the EVM case, has shown that he is not going to kowtow to the anti-BJP camp and will not hesitate to rebuke them. As the senior most Cal HC judge in the SC (and currently the only Cal HC judge there) he will very likely be delegated by the CJI to have a say in the NUJS VC selection. If Datta refuses to be a TMC rubber stamp, this could checkmate any attempt by Kishore Datta and the TMC to rig the process like last time and handpick their own candidate.

2. According to an NDTV article today, which interviewed top psephologists, the Bengal elections will be neck and neck with wafer thin margins in many seats. The chatter from Bengali news channels, as well as psephologists, is that the TMC is assured of around 10 Muslim-dominated seats and the BJP of around 10 Hindu-dominated seats, with the remaining 22 seats up for grabs. Whoever wins the election will be the favourite to win the state in 2026. The million-dollar question is this: even if the TMC appoints their own handpicked VC, what stops this person from switching loyalties to the BJP if the BJP wins in 2026? A BJP win is theoretically possible going by what the psephologists are saying.

So, we still have wait till 4 June, and the TMC remains in pole position, but Datta & Co may not get a cakewalk like last time.

The other X factor is the SJA. Will they copy NLSIU students and mobilise students and alumni to write a petition to the CJI demanding a transparent appointment?

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ndtv-battleground-contest-of-fine-margins-between-bjp-trinamool-in-bengal-5589210/amp/1

Worked at non-tier 1 law firms for approx. 2 years and now moving to a tier 1. Salary has been increased by 110% but been put in A0 experience bracket. Their A0 gets double of what the non-tier 1 A2 would get. It's demotivating to have your experience reduced to nothing, but you also realise that their pedigree is different and you would need to build that pedigree to progress in that environment.

Unless your team explicitly says the magic words along the lines of 'expect a PPO call', don't count on it. It's unlikely. KCo Noida is intended to be a smaller office, and they're extremely particular about hirings at A0 level. The partners don't get to expand their teams anywhere comparably with the typical Mumbai teams, and the "yes, your work was good" line from associates is often a courtesy "good luck for the general future" line. Either way, if it happens, they'd let you know soon enough, I got my interview call within 14 days post my internship. If it happens, great. But don't stop giving your best at other places meanwhile, the stats aren't great.

Hi OP. I'm an incoming TMT A0 at a T1 Mumbai office (Bo'24), and I'm a first gen law student Rigjt off the bat, I must ask you to choose between your interest in media law and your desire to get a higher-paying job. This is primarily because core media & entertainment teams generally tend to be an offshoot of IP law teams who also do a bit of Gen Corp — like Ameet Datta's team at Saikrishna, or the teams under Khimani or Suri or Chacko in their firms (to name some of the reputed ones). Other non-T1 firms which do media law work include established names such as Indus, DSK, LawNK, SRL and lesser-known/lower-paying names such as Ikigai, Bharucha, TMTLaw, ANM, Inttl Advocare, and a bunch of Blr-based small firms. Poovayya does some of the best media law-related litigation in the country, though it tends to be more around the IT Act and copyright law, as opposed to parents/trademarks (per the needs of their Twitter/Google-type clientele). If none of the above interest/offer you anything, you could still apply as an in-house legal team intern at most IT industry MNCs.

Now, while all of these may be open to giving internships, you need to understand and acknowledge that they pay lesser than a gen corp team at a comparatively reputed law firm — which is actually something you seem much better placed at applying for, because your CV has a collation of those internships.

So, if you want my advice, it's simply that you should create two different sets of CVs and cover letters, one for each area of interest (Media law & GC), and apply to basically every single firm you have ever heard of — put efforts into your cold-mails by finding exactly what the partners do/have done in the past, and make references/parallels to that in your cover letter, for example. Then, eventually, make your choice between whatever opportunities you get, but my recommendation would tilt towards a GC team that actually pays you well. Either way, all the best!

Nope it is obviously not regulated/official. So if any random teacher decides to force the attendance requirement then they can very well fail you. As I said, if you're not from Mumbai then don't take the risk. Some teachers are a pain in the ass. GLC is changing and it is too risky, take admission in any small no name college instead.

Also no one can really help you out if you don't post the name of the city. If you're outside Maharashtra then getting GLC in the first place might be a challenge as very less seats are there.

I got an admission to an NLU for LLM but I want to for some top NLU's. Can I exit counselling process now and apply for vacant seats or is there any chance that I can apply for vacant seats even if I was already admitted into an NLU. Also please tell me whether I can apply for vacant seats even after exiting from counselling process.

Current Jindal prof here. More than Oxford, what Jindal likes are NLU grads, especially the top ones. The admissions department tells parents that they shouldn’t worry if their children didn’t clear CLAT because they have professors who are alumni of top NLUs and can guide them.

Plus (and I don't know why so many people in India are forgetting this) the almost comical levels of incompetence of the British government, which means that the Lala law firms/SILF actually don't have to work all that hard, as the Brits aren't even prepared for baby arguments from them!

I don’t know why people are lying here, The average placement offered at Symbiosis Law School, Noida (SLS Noida) for the batch of 2021 was 10.50 LPA and the Highest package offered was of 19.20 LPA and SLS Pune’s Domestic Highest package was around 20 LPA and 66 LPA International. You can check the complete placement report with keen details on the respective institute’s website and they placement got also covered by some news media.