Arbitration focused boutique firms: Kachwaha, Aarna, Singularity.

Sr. Adv. / Counsel - Gaurav Pachnanda, Gourab Banerji, Nakul Dewan, Rishab Gupta, Vyapak Desai. While these names are known when it comes to arbitration, you can also consider chambers which do a mix of arb and commercial litigation - Darius Khambata, Zubin Behramkamdin, Zal Andhurjiya, Ritin Rai, Amit Sibal, and I'm sure you'll find other LI threads which mention more such chambers

About potential and saturation, ngl lot of people claim to specialise in arbitration on linkedin nowadays so the field is saturated in terms of the volume of people trying to break into it vs. the number of meaningful opportunities. But arbitration is obviously expected to grow even more in the coming years, and there is no denying that quality lparcatocers would be needed in future. And understand this, no matter what specialisation you choose, the top is always vacant. You beat competition by authenticity. You you are not seeing it as a linkedin buzzword and really enjoy it, it should not be difficult for you to break in. You're from a T1 NLU, leverage that well. Take up relevant co-curriculars. Don't let anyone discourage you. Work hard and i'm sure you'll reach great heights. All the best!

As someone entering their fourth year with no RCC to rely upon, I am really anxious about getting a PPO in disputes before graduating.

I need some realistic advice before I start throwing my CV into the void.

For context, I’ve done a couple of internships at T2 firms in disputes which I liked. In talks with one of them for a call-back. I also managed to intern with one of the T1 firms, albeit in a different practice area. I am at the top of my class and and have good co-curriculars as well.

I am trying to understand which firms (and if possible partner initials) should I target to maximise my chances of getting callbacks and a PPO.

I’m looking for Delhi NCR ideally, but I will happily brave the Mumbai locals if it means securing a job. I’m not blindly chasing only SAM / CAM / KCO / AZB /Tri either. I would love to work with firms like JSA, Saraf, Indus, Argus, DSK, B&P, etc. or frankly any firm that offers decent pay (80k plus) and I stand a decent chance of getting recruited. I can also do with lower pay for now, provided the firm is such that there are good prospects of laterally moving into a better paying position after 1-2 years.

Which firms, teams, or specific partners should I be targeting? Who is actually receptive to this kind of profile and has a track record of handing out PPOs?

Please drop names, my sanity (and my future) depends on it. Thanks!

I can assure you now one is getting into Oxford BCL unless they are a top ranker NLUs, Jindal, or extremely rarely from something like Symbiosis / ILS. Your CV is only one part of the application and ultimately it also depends on the LoRs and SoP. These colleges continue to be prestigious. Cambridge is relatively less competitive and more accommodating in in terms where have you done your LLB, but it is no joke either.

But I would say that since you are from a T-1 NLU and you want a career in India, I doubt there would not be any opportunity that you otherwise wouldn't have access to.

Plus it's not exactly a good idea to do an LLM just for the sake of prestige. Go only if you genuinely want to do it, either to specialise in a particular domain or want to try your hand at employment there (almost impossible for US, for UK and other jurisdictions there is a chance if you have a good profile and are at the top of your class in LLM as well) but there are no direct ways in which an LLM helps with employment (no campus recruitment and you are essentially on your own).

regardless of which from which college have you done your LLB from, its a disastrous to do an LLM using your own money unless you are so rich that 1-2 cr is pocket change for you.

So get some work experience first. If you still want to do it and finances allow or you secure a scholarship, go for it.

Just my personal opinion: I'm not sure if any of the proper T1 names would be willing to dilute their already established identity and market reputation. The marginal gain for Indus on the other hand was greater as it was not as established as CAM / SAM / KCO / Tri etc they didn't mind a little dilution of their own brand given edge credibility gained due to association with the CMS brand. Whereas, the larger T1 firms don't need to do that to gain credibility, so there is no really compelling reason for them enter into such arrangements.

Yeah man michael sandel is gold. I watched his video lectures and then bought his book. That is what sparked my interest in philosophy and it would be fair to say that it has helped me in law to some extent. As justice nariman says 'The more you read outside law, the more helps in law'

Definitely look into MNLU Nagpur’s Adjudication and Justicing program. The CLAT cutoff is usually around 5,000, and they’ve got a unique selection process with a psychometric test, GD, and interview. Nirma is another solid option to keep on your radar.

Take the entrance for JGLS and see if they offer you a scholarship. Honestly, if you aren't getting a significant fee waiver, it’s probably not worth the massive investment. Instead, I’d suggest giving the MHCET a serious shot. Getting into GLC Mumbai or ILS Pune is totally doable if you prep well. They’re super affordable and the brand value is huge. You won't get much hand-holding for placements, but that brand value opens doors everywhere, from Tier-1 firms to LLMs at IvyLeauge or Oxbridge.

Now, for a controversial take: I’d actually pick GGSIPU Delhi over a Tier-3 NLU. (even more if your home is in delhi) The ROI is great fees are only about 1 LPA. While the faculty and the vibe might not match a top NLU, being in Delhi is advantage. Thanks to the DHC judgment, you can’t really be debarred for attendance (they can at best deduct 5 out of 100 marks), which gives you the freedom to intern for a huge chunk of the semester. If you’re proactive and hungry enough, you can build a killer CV in Delhi that makes up for the lack of a top-tier brand. It might be a bit harder to get your foot in the door initially compared to NLU kids, but if you want it badly enough, GGSIPU gives you the location and the time to actually make it happen. Ultimately, the best attitude to have is that I am going to achieve what I want regardless of which law school I go to; because that’s just what I fucking do. People blame their Law School for their failure. But the highest level of self belief and awareness is to take ownership of your own actions. You can sit around complaining that your college isn't a Tier-1 NLU, or you can decide that your success is is consequence of your actions, not circumstances. If you’re proactive and hungry enough, you can build a killer CV (and truly and conscientiously work towards getting better at the craft ) that makes up for the lack the NLU privilege. Like NF said, "What's achievable depends on the risk." If you believe in yourself, take the risk. I took that risk by choosing this path, and I don't regret it for a second. Decide right now that you’re going to achieve exactly what you want regardless of the institution, because you are the only variable that matters. Good look buddy, may you achieve great heights in life :)

Despite a strong profile, the standard application channels for firms like NDA, JSA, TT&A and CAM seem to be dead ends right now for someone who is not applying through their college internship committee

1. Nishith Desai Associates (NDA): Their 'Internship Application Form' link redirects to a generic job posting, and the their website says send an email internship@nishithdesai.com with the application form (which is not available on their website).
2.
3. JSA: The website states they are closed for internship applications and the email sends automated rejections, and they explicitly discourage emailing partners. Yet, I see people on LinkedIN (even from NON-NLUs) securing internships, what is the actual protocol for non-campus applicants?
4.
5. TT&A: Can i send a email to recruitment@tta.in and actually expect a response? Or would my email never be seen. How exactly can one get an internship there
6. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM): For non-NLU/non-campus applicants, does sending an email to cam.internships@cyrilshroff.com or cam.delhi@cyrilshroff.com work?

Since my college placement cell isn't active, I'm trying to figure out the actual protocol to get a CV seen by a human at these firms. Has anyone successfully navigated the application process for these recently outside of a campus placement drive? Would appreciate any leads on the correct HR POCs or application process.

Let's revive this thread.

Firms: (apart from the T1 / popular ones)

Kachwaha & Partners

Aarna Law
Singularity Legal

Chambers:

Rishab Gupta (Bombay, ex SAM) [a little less senior but arguably the most impressive educational and professional background. I have talked to people who have interned there. Excellent office!]

Vyapak Desai (Bombay, ex NDA)

Nakul Dewan (Delhi) [ Mr. Dewan is a very chill and sweet senior and all associates at his office are extremely sharp people who graduated at the top of their class from the best NLUs and have a Harvard LLM, MIDS, Oxford BCL, etc.]

Gaurav Pachnanda (Delhi)

Gourab Banerji (Delhi)

I do not know about the work culture of the all these places but am sure they have good arbitration work. Others please feel free to add to this list and tell more about the work culture at these places.

It seems to have less to do with who the ruling party is, and more to do with a generational changing of the guard. I think appointments like Mr. Vikramjit Banerjee (NLSIU) and Mr. Raghav Shankar (NALSAR & Oxford) are perfect examples of this trend. As the veterans from the pre-NLU era phase out, they are naturally being replaced by the first generation of NLU alumni now reaching seniority at the Bar.
Be that as it may, I don’t think we will see a monopoly. Of Course NLU alumni are all incredibly bright and competent people. But the NLU tag is a proxy for competence and not the very definition of it. There are brilliant legal minds outside the NLU ecosystem, who would shine in the coming years.

define great internships. If you already have interned at T1 firms in your preferred practice area then work your ass off to get a callback and convert it into a PPO. Sure there is a lot of factors that go into PPOs that you can't control. But whatever is in your control, at least nail that. If you do not have T1 internships, then the truth is your internships may be great but T1 HR does not give a f. All they see is (in that order - institution + grades, past internships - they basically want prior T1 experience in the same practice area, or at least 2-3 boutique and t2/t3 stints, publications, moots, certifications are good to have. Some firms like NDA or S&R value publications more, for others I don't think they are going to break or make it.) And even if you end it at a T3 is it possible to make lateral moves into T1, but you have have to network smart and be very good at what you do so that people actually want to hire you. A lot of people do it. For lateral hiring there are also consultants like Vahura who may be able to help you out.

Join HNLU this year. But don't get too comfortable - stay hungry and give your 100% in CLAT next year. I am sure you would make it if you prepare well. It is going to be worth it trust me there is huge disparity in the doors it can open for you. Worst case scenario, you are still at HNLU and won't lose anything the preparation would only help improve your reading and analytical skills which would help in in law school anyways. So give it a try 100%. All the best :)

It is quite common. There are only a few reasons for which people do clerkships.

1. Join the disputes practice of a t-1 firm (I personally know many who are working at SAM, AZB, KCO Delhi disputes after SC and DHC clerkships for 1-2 years)

2. Join the chambers of Sr. Advs. I know of a guy (1st gen and not from a NLU / or famous private college )who got into the chambers of one of the best Supreme Court Sr.

3. Getting an LOR for an LLM abroad (LOR of a judge carries a lot of weight for admission committees at top institutions like Oxbridge, Ivy, etc.)

4. Treating it as a part time gig while you prepare for the Judiciary Exam. Yes! clerkship period is calculated

If you are in Delhi get the suit tailored from Vaish at Rivoli (at CP) or Grover Bespoke (Khan Market) You would get a good suit in under 50k - don't cheap out on the suit - go for a full canvas construction.

Formal Shoes - go for a pair of black cap toe oxfords with goodyear welted construction NOTHING ELSE this is a wardrobe staple for any lawyer, or in fact any gentleman - don't go for derbys or brouges don't get any other colour. and Brands - I think Meermin is good around 16k onwards
Shirts - either go Bombay Shirt Company or go for Grover Bespoke (starts from 3.5k) very good bespoke shirts.

50k for suit + 12-15k for shirts + 16-20 k for shoes = still leaves; still leaves more than 50k for watch - get a seiko presage or tissot dress watch - do NOT buy a diver's watch.