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I am a 2021 graduate from a private law university in India, currently working as a Research Fellow an at an NLU. I had initially wanted to join academia, which is why I did not sit for campus placements and undertook an LLM (from an NLU in India), with plans of going for a foreign LLM and PhD later on.
I have decent grades, and about two years of experience in research and academia. However, I have grown increasingly disillusioned with academia. Not only is the pay low, but it is full of politics and sycophants, and there is a strange preference for foreign LLMs. Getting into regular teaching positions without a PhD sounds highly unlikely in the foreseeable future, and I do not plan to do a PhD yet, since I have financial issues.
I want to switch to law firm practice, and wanted some practical tips on things to look out for, and how I can get my foot through the door. I come from a family of idealistic government servants, so the corporate world hadn't appealed to me much earlier. Have I spoiled my chances of getting into law firms altogether due to this (planned) detour? What skills can I show to be a good lateral hire?
Thanks in advance, and I would like to her especially from those who have switched to law firms with a significant gap.