Why are local law colleges discriminated against by Big Law vs NLUs?
“In this world of emerging National Universities, it is generally found that certain sects of students who belong to or from the Local Law Colleges are left ignored and underestimated as far as seeking a job in a High Rolling Law Firm is concerned. I am one such student who belongs to one such local law college who wants to land a job in good Law Firm.
However there are certain issues which I would like to bring to your notice; unlike National universities, our University does not have any Placement Cells which help us land such a job.
Further our exams are held once a year and the percentage secured is hardly close to First Class even for the University toppers, which I would like to point out is the patterns in which my University marks.
Moreover, extra curricular activities and research papers are not highly encouraged and any so done is on the student’s own initiative.
Sir my question to you is as to
1) How to make a successful application to the Law Firms as any such application made will be made as a personal initiative and not University supported.
2) Why is there so much discrimination when it comes to packages being offered to graduate from a National Law University and graduate from a Local Law College, although it might so be that graduate from Local Law college who does not have a glamorous CV might be more capable.
3) Finally a juvenile question; when is the right time to start approaching the Law Firms as for securing a job is concerned?
Hope you will find it in you to consider my questions.”
A query received from a reader. Does anyone have any thoughts?
I have myself heard anecdotally that salaries paid to newly joined interns or associates at some firms vary depending on the graduating college.
Fair or no fair? Any solutions?
3 Replies
ANYONE CAN MAKE A VERY GOOD CV, PROVIDED YOU HAVE IT IN YOU. THE COLLEGES CAN PROVIDE YOU A PLATFORM TO START OFF BUT THEN ITS YOUR OWN METTLE ON TEST. YOU CAN BE AHEAD OF THE NLU GRADS PROVIDED YOU ARE READY TO SLOG FOR IT.
AS TO WHY BIG LAW FIRMS PREFER NLUs…THE REASON ARE VERY OBVIOUS!
This is for the superhuman law student who thinks nothing but his career.
A. LEARN THE LAW
1.) Learn to write GREAT English.
2.) Intern in every possible break. Intern after college hours if you feel your have enough time.
3.) Research. Write papers. Write professional blogs.
4.) Get great CGPAs. Get in the good books of your faculties. Bootlick them if necessary.
5.) Moot. Even if you are bad at it; Moot.
6.) Get into the college’s law journal board.
7.) Present papers. Go to seminars.
8.) Do online courses/ webinars. Attend workshops.
9.) Make best buddies with your best seniors at college.
B. ESTABLISHING
1.) Write on blogs and other forums. Make sure googling you gives great results.
2.) Attend events. Attend seminars. Be proactive. Get to know people.
3.) Develop a good LinkedIn profile. Get to know what like minded people do.
4.) Work at a top place like AMSS or JSA. Or work at a small, well managed startup firm.
In the first case you learn whats the best. In the second you learn the ropes really well.
5.) Slog at the workplace. Work for 16 hours a day. Make a partner in 5 years.
6.) Write a book.
6.) Venture. Soar. Spread your wings. Start a law firm of your own. Or practice as a solo.
OR…COOL IT…ENJOY YOUR LIFE…ENJOY WHAT YOU DO…WORK IN AN NGO…PAINT…WRITE POETRY…SEE HOW LIFE UNFOLDS NATURALLY… NATURALLY… THAT’S HOW BUDS FLOWER AND COCOONS MAKE BUTTERFLIES.
In some earlier post…I wrote this as ‘Bazooka’…which is what I am called when I have the cricket ball in my hand.
Even in NLUs the students do things through their own toil. Teachers can only guide you. But you know…when the student is ready…the teacher appears. (as it happened with me and freelancing…Kian will definetely know about this).
Thanks for your inputs.
I am aware of some of the points that you have made, but getting to participate in any of the “COLLEGE RELATED” activity is highly unlikely as far as my college is concerned, as participation is not on how capable or interested a particular student is, but how well placed he is with the Union and his involvement in Party Politics and that is where all the problem arises.
Anyways there are certain points which have been made which are isolated from any direct involvement of the College.
It does seem like it might do the trick.
Any more comments and views will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.