I am recent graduate from a not-at-all-great law college and I find myself in the same boat. Being from this not so great law college I did not have high expectations and grabbed the first job I could get with an advocate with a niche practice..The pays decent but the work is boring and repetitive. Most days there is nothing to do..!

I am hunting high and low for a job with a small law firm with wide range of matters but I meet with rejection everywhere. I have applied to over 100 Mumbai firms and drawing a blank- either there’s no reply or when I call I am told there’s no vacancy.

I am so desperate I am willing to work for nothing/free! but having graduated, most firms are unwilling to offer internships to graduates.

Is it just me or are there really no vacancies??

Hey guys I am also in the same boat. Searching for the last 4 months atleast, nothing as yet. I have worked in a law firm a reputed one, but after I left that job for lack of good work and growth opportunities, I have reached the end of a tunnel. But I am hopeful, lets keep the spirits high, a positive attitude might get me somewhere, whereas a negative one is sure to get me no where. All the best

But how long should i wait. My parents want me to work under a lawyer for the time being. But i am not very keen on that. its already been 4-5 months.

Should i wait more or just join a lawyer?

I think its better to work under some lawyer so you don’t waste valuable time. I think a lot of law firm opportunities open up after you have at least 6 months of experience..at least I hope it does!

I am stuck in an practice area that I am not very interested in and not learning much Every morning , I just wanna go in and quit but I am somehow forcing myself to hang on while looking for something better. That could take a few weeks to few months..I don’t know. Its better to stay retained somewhere at a chamber so that when that law firm opp comes by you have ‘X months experience’ instead of ‘unemployed but still searching.’

I really hope something works out soon! I am hopeful but losing hope soon.

I know its better to work under a lawyer than sit idle.

But i was wondering if this experience would count specially if i want to work in the area of corp law.

Yepp. Will definitely help. Knowing lit definitely helps in drafting a good contract. And at the end of the day a lot of corporate law work, even the high end work such as M&A/PE is nothing but contracts (in the form of definitive agreements such as Shareholders’ Agreements, Share Purchase Agreements, JVs, etc.).

Unless you’ve gotten placed through campus or have good contacts you’re pretty much out of luck. Its been 3 years since I passed law school and I wasted about 6-7 months in between just sitting and waiting for people to get back to me after sending them my CV. Even appeared for a few interview but the pay did not justify the work I would’ve been asked to put in. After such struggle I finally accepted its futile unless you or your family has the right contacts. For mere mortals like me I’d say suit up, associate with a senior and learn the trade. Its better to have your own practice anyway.

Not True…the post just goes on to justify what I always believed. For some people litigation is just an excuse for not making it to a law firm! Trust me mate, you might just suck in that too, as you never wanted to be there in the first place.

Some people just believe that getting a job after law school is a natural progression in the life of a law student..but it takes a lot of work - a lot of soft skills, personality development..learning the tricks of professional networking, etc. to know the right people and land at the right place.

Also, it is important to understand that law firms are not like 1000 employee factories - these are small units where interpersonal skills are on the top of the list of the recruitment partners so that you fit well in the team.

My dear friend, rather that just cribbing about you not knowing many uncles in the industry..why not pull up your socks and develop your own network, impress people on your own skills and bag that seat!!

Good Luck.

Thanks so much for the advice.

Do you think it will help to intern in the mean time?

R/sir i complete my Law from CCS University Meerut in 2012 with 57%marks & i want to join Law farm. plz reply

Please grab a sickle and get going…all the best

Dear Sad Graduate,

Its thoughtful of you to consider interning while on job hunt. While it may work out for some, I see more harm than good.

I’m a law firm associate and manage interns in my firm. I come across a lot of interns around this time of the year, who have completed law school. I personally don’t think high of them as I believe that they lack something because of which they are still out of the race. What I would rather appreciate is brushing up of skills.

I suggest you join a chamber/company (no matter how small…even for free!!)…spend time on additional certifications (try Bombay Stock Exchange Training Institute, MyLaw.net, NUJS iPleaders Diploma, etc.)…pick up a couple of areas of law (maybe also some ancillary areas like stamp laws, CPC, registration, etc.), read up on the latest developments, judgments, notifications, departmental clarifications, etc. If possible you may also try to get some articles published, etc.

Infact..why not start a blog? It will keep you occupied, help you stay updated…will form an excellent ice-breaking topic in discussions, help you gain popularity and so on…

And finally the most important thing..do smart networking!

After all these, when I (synonymous with probable recruiters) see your CV, I’ll forward it to my HR with a strong recommendation!!

Good Luck.

Thanks so much for the advice.

I think i will go and work under a lawyer.

Question, Sir

Would things like making a blog and doing obscure non-profession work really count during such breaks from employment. I mean, would they add value to your CV. We all know the sad state of affairs in an already overflowing industry. Very MBA-esque.

I am a graduate from a UK Law school and whilst I thought it would work for me, it ended up putting me at a severe disadvantage (especially at interviews). I was stuck with a very sorry excuse for a law firm, which I joined out of desperation. I frantically walked out one day and couldn’t bear going back. After 6 months of doing absolutely nothing and draining out my savings, I’m finally with a boutique firm (thanks to a “contact”), trying to figure out the tricks of the trade.

What would be a good way to spend such months of idleness? When you have nothing to do with the profession. Something that could add character to the CV?

I don’t think he meant ‘only’ write a blog and do courses. It’s just making constructive use of your time. Going to court attending proceedings is another way.

I walked out my sorry excuse for a chamber a few days back.

Between going to court (and networking while you are there), actively writing my blog, studying for the CS exam while looking for opportunities/ interviews, I already feel more positive that something will work out soon.

But I would disagree with viewing fresh graduates who are still interns as out of the ‘race’ just because they could not bag a star associate position right out of college. No profession is a race - its about learning the skills and the trade so that in the near future you will be a competent advisor to your clients thus earning a living.

Some people start off with a bang at a star law firm and then fizzle out after a couple of years, while others who have not had a great start through their hard work can do very well later. You need to be a ‘Lambe race ka Ghoda’ in this profession with the endurance to see you through all situation.

Viewing the profession as a race just ends up just demoralising fresh graduates who have entered an already tough market.

I was or rather still am in the same boat as you guys!

Got my Sanad in 2010. Have been working under my Dad who is a lawyer since then with no real pay package :((

Passed out with not so great marks from not so great college! The only positive thing being i’m doing something & not lying idle.

I too desperately wanted a law firm job, applied everywhere but no response! But i’m sort of content with what i do. Going to Court taking adjournments, arguing some low stakes matter, court craft,etc. But i still haven’t lost hope on getting into a law firm or maybe join chambers of a Senior Counsel!

My only advice to you guys would be to try to keep your mind occupied & make sure you are busy doing work. Atleast doing that your depression will go away.

And i completely agree with the’Lambi Race ka Ghoda’ bit but the pay packages the big firms give are really tempting & demoralizing for fresh litigators!

Anyways, good luck!