Hello,

I have recently graduated, started applying a week ago (cold mailing). My area of interest is IP.

Got a couple of call backs and a pattern I recognized is that a major chunk of T2/Boutique IP firms are willing to offer assessment internships for freshers before joining as a full time A0.

My question is, how likely does a firm convert an assessment intern into a full time associate?

Or is it just another “gullible” designation where firms just want someone to get their work done for cheap and end up not hiring them?

I have to put a lot of thought into this because if I decide to join as an assessment intern, I’ll have to task the risk of shifting to new cities, arrange accommodation and travel, etc.

Your feedback and opinions are appreciated.

No fixed percentages exist. At the end of the day, interns need to know that if a partner really really likes your work, you can get approved even in teams that typically remain static and even in your 5th year post Day Zero. Many boutiques typically don't follow a regime like T1s, which have fixed callback/assessment schedules. Firms like Veritas and JSA often call you back for more than 2 or 3 internship rounds before giving you an interview. Firms like Spice Route are notorious for doing what you described, i.e, calling an intern a 'long-term assessment intern', keeping them for several months and then ending up ghosting.

Thank you for your reply.

While I know that there aren’t any specific percentages, I was curious to know “how likely” does an assessment intern end up getting the full time A0 position.

If most firms do not convert assessment interns, then I will drop the current opportunity (T2 IP firm) and move on with other options.

I do not intend on interning anymore because I have completed my undergrad and my LLM too right now. I am applying for full time positions

Hi. I received a PPO in a T1 M&A team in Mumbai. From my team of approximately 15 interns, around 8-9 people received assessment internships, out of whom me and another person received a PPO. From what I've heard from my batchmates/seniors, teams with high attrition such as M&A, B&F etc. typically give the most PPOs, while teams with lower rotations such as IP and Private Client are much harder to break into (unless you're really good at what you do)

Again, this will wildly depend on the firm, office, team etc. Mumbai and Delhi offices are your best bet statistically as these teams are the largest in size with higher volume of work. On the other hand, if you're targeting a niche practice that you can do well, interning in a smaller team can leave a bigger impact amongst your seniors. There is also a HUGE element of being 'lucky' or in the right place at the right time (my team saw several A0s and A1s quit some time before we received PPOs)

Based on what you have described, it would make sense to apply to a T2 or non-Tier 1 firm as they do not have a typical pattern of hiring (eg- freezing recruitment post Day-Zero), and usually pick up prospective associates laterally or via long-term internships.

As a person who converted an assessment into a full time role, I'd say it depends on the place. I was offered an assessment internship on the basis of my one month internship with the boutique firm. If you're getting an assessment internship on the basis of your previous experience (as an intern) with the firm, obviously the chances of converting it would be higher. The rest also depends on what kind of firm it is since some of them are notorious for having long term interns. Ideally don't commit for anything longer than 2 months since you've already graduated. Hope this helps, good luck!