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Anyone has anyone insights into the workings of these teams in terms of work culture, kind of work these teams do, and which is a better option? Thanks in advance
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SAM's Public Policy team is an exclusive team where you can work full time. So it's like getting the advantage of doing public policy work at law firm initial salary levels.

CAM's Public Policy team is an additional work that associates can sign up for on the "side" after killing yourself working 14-16 hours a day. Though they have some big names on board, associates don't see a point in it.

So, yeah.
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This was the scene initially. But now the team has full-time associates as well.
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What do you do in these teams?

Is it just lobbying or grey 'almost illegal' stuff is happening under the carpet of 'public policy'?

How does a law firm influence a political party?
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They pair up with universities at times to produce focused white papers or reports based on which their clients can then lobby with the government.
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So what does SAM do if white papers are made by unis and government is lobbied by the clients.
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It is just lobbying, with barely a veneer of policy/regulation. Having said that, the SAM operation is leagues ahead of the CAM policy team.
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I have taken a seminar from one of these public policy partners at Tier I firm, I don't think they are being paid for their public policy expertise but preparing docs/lobbying material/ advising on very niche and developing areas of law, which don't fit into existing team structures.
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How does a public affairs firm influence a political party? You identify thought leaders within the party who take interest in the subject area. They may have spoken about the issue in the past, etc. You research their positions. You then spell out your positions, back them up with research. And go meet these thought leaders to apprise them of the issue, positions etc. Party leaders want to identify emerging issues of important and develop their understanding of them. Thats their interest. It is symbiotic. They will ask you questions, that you research and respond to. Then you also write reports, organise discussions on these issues, and write opinion pieces in newspapers, all with the idea to expand the understanding around these issues in the media, public and amongst key stakeholders. It all builds up over a longish period of time. It is not a generalist job. You need to have a sharp understanding of the policy ecosystem, its movers and shakers, its triggers, and judgment sharpened with years of experience. Neither SAM nor CAM are specialists. Go work with someone who is.    
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If want to learn and gain experience in policy practice CAM is not the place for it.
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One cam [...] partner is related to someone very senior in GOI and who headed NA in the past.
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Who does genuine public policy work in any law firm? White papers are also barely researched - no empirical analysis, just comparative analysis and recommending the approach followed in another country
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There is value to comparative analysis and there is value to empirical analysis. Law firms cannot do the latter. That does not make their public policy work not "genuine." They bring to the table a different yet valuable skill set. And no comparative analysis is not about just recommending approach followed in another country. Thats not how proper policy work is done. You are possibly looking at the wrong teams for inspiration.
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