Super Lawyer

Tag: PPO

  • Sandipan De, NALSAR, on commercial law, his diverse internship experience, and bagging a Training Contract with Allen & Overy

    Sandipan De, NALSAR, on commercial law, his diverse internship experience, and bagging a Training Contract with Allen & Overy

    Sandipan De is a student of NALSAR, Hyderabad, batch of 2015.  He has earned three gold medals through his years of B.A. LL.B. He has secured internships with the likes of PwC, Khaitan & Co., CNBC TV 18, Argus Partners (formerly Udwadia Udeshi & Argus Partners), Talwar Thakore & Associates (Indian 'best friend' firm of Linklaters LLP)Talwar Thakore & Associates, and AZB & Partners. He also received  the opportunity of signing a Training Contract with Allen & Overy, London. In this interview he talks about:

    • Taking up varied internships and developing specific interest
    • Securing a contract with Allen & Overy
    • A typical workday at a Magic Circle law firm

     

    Why did you decide to study Law? What inspired you to do so?

    I was interested in commerce and business from a very early age. I remember I used to read the Economist, BusinessWeek and preferred the Economic Times over a normal daily. I think that built up my interest in the commercial world. The choice was between doing something finance related or commercial law. I had a flair for the language and logical reasoning. I thought law would best marry both my interests. Thus, law school happened.

     

    What do you have to say about mooting at law school and legal writing for journals?

    I have done only one moot- Vis. I think I might not be best suited to air my views about mooting but I genuinely feel that mooting as an activity is over hyped in Indian law schools. During my exchange semester at Santa Clara I figured that Indian law schools seem to privilege mooting over other activities but the sort of help, coaching and resources in foreign law schools is unmatched here in India. You should definitely try your hand at mooting but it isn’t the be all and end all of law school. The experience and learning is great but it isn’t something you can’t do without. I think legal writing and editorial positions are possibly very important. The sort of skills you develop there are extremely relevant and the reason why I tried my hand more at legal writing was because it let me delve into any area I wanted- topics that interest me as opposed to the confines of a set problem.

     

    Tell us about your internship in the chamber of Senior Advocate, Saha & Ray Associates & IMS Learning Resources.

    Well a bit of both to be honest. I wanted to try out the experience of litigation and see how a small law firm worked. I liked the experience and helped me decide that I did not see myself in litigation. Transactional practice was what I wanted. I have been teaching at IMS since my second year of law school. I really like this, as it keeps me in touch with the law aspirants and I enjoy teaching really bright students and try to advise them in making informed decisions.

     

    Coal India Limited & CNBC TV 18 are unconventional internship choices. What went behind making those decisions?

    I have to admit that by this time I was sure that I wanted to be in commercial law and had a sort of idea of what I wanted to do. I planned to see commercial law in action from every different facet possible. Commercial litigation, a behemoth PSU, etc. I interned with the only show that dealt with corporate law in India, while at CNBC, and that possibly was one of the best experiences during internships because of its unconventional nature.

     

    What kind of exposure did you gain with PwC?

    I worked with the in-house counsel’s team which was in the risk management vertical. Working with a Big Four was a different cultural experience and the risk management team was a whole new experience- it was about one client and trying to ensure best practices and the best risk management policies. I am not at liberty to divulge the sort of work I did but it was really interesting, tested your mettle and understanding of the business and involved coming up with best practice policies to guard against present and future liabilities.

     

    What is a typical day like working at law firms?

    AZB is still freshly etched in my memory. It was brilliant work. The work hours were exceptionally long but I enjoyed the thrill of working on India’s biggest transactions. It involved everything from simple research work to even trying your hand at drafting documents. I have to accept that the work I got from seniors was top-notch, they relied on you, gave you responsibility, expected you to put in the long hours but appreciated you for it. UU Argus was a relatively smaller environment and I really enjoyed the personal touch and the individual attention I got. Possibly, this is where I had completely made up my mind on transactional practice.

     

    You were selected in the Winter Vacation Scheme of Allen & Overy. Our readers are very keen to know how the entire application process works and what they look for in a student when making selections?

    After you get selected for the vacation scheme A&O is the only firm which gives Indian students the option of going for a winter scheme as opposed to the conventional summer scheme. The Magic Circle and Silver Circle firms come down to a select few law schools in India and interview the candidates for their vacation schemes (which are akin to an internship) after having shortlisted students on the basis of the application form which is released in July of fourth year through the RCC.  Some law firms have more rounds after the application form including but not limited to critical reasoning and verbal reasoning tests. The interviews are usually sometime in September.

     

    How was your experience in the UK working at Allen & Overy? How did you manage the finances and accommodation?

    Finances and accommodation including travel are paid for by the firm. On top of that the firm pays you a weekly stipend. London is not just a great city but a financial, cultural and political capital. It is a thrilling experience to be working in the City of London (which is the financial district) and enjoying the thriving cultural life that London offers which is truly unparalleled. You are working in the world’s greatest financial centre on the biggest and best of deals- transactions that are FT headlines. A&O is a great place- possibly the friendliest of the Magic Circle firms, offers great quality work, exposure and training. Possibly, that is true for all of the MC firms but what really sets A&O apart is that they treat you as an individual, really care about you as a person, your career, future and training and the work atmosphere is collegiate. I never felt like ‘just an intern’. It was the best experience I had had and I was sure that if I was offered the TC A&O and London is where I wanted to be.

     

    Tell us about your typical working day and the sort of work you were expected to do? How were your fellow co-interns?

    I am presuming that you are asking about the A&O work during the vacation scheme. A standard day involved a commute on the famous London tube to work and reach ingoffice by 8:30 a.m. Put in half an hour of personal work (glancing through the FT, reading up on the topic for the client pitch exercise, mailing a couple of people to benefit from their expertise on a particular area, etc.). I would then carry out the tasks delegated to me by my Trainer, possibly meet my fellow vac schemers for coffee at eleven on the rooftop restaurant which gives you possibly one of the best views of the City and catch up on where we are with our client pitch exercise. Go back to my desk and continue with my allocated tasks. Usually there would be a networking lunch with different people drawn from diverse practices of the firm to know more about the practice areas and the firm in general. We would typically have a couple of talks scheduled by the HR, Partners, etc. during the afternoon which we would need to attend. Following that there would be that surprise drinks counter at the inhouse bar called Lavanda where you would grab a couple of drinks with your fellow vac schemers and catch up on the latest, know more about each other’s work in different departments and then head off to your accommodation unless you had a dinner or social event to attend. The dinners are usually at top-end restaurants and the social event would be really exciting stuff like ice skating at the Tower of London where you would be accompanied by your Trainer buddy and other young trainees at the firm with whom you can informally interact and they would give you informal advice and buy you a couple of drinks after a hard days’ work. You then get back to your accommodation and prepare for your interview or research for your group exercises and then try to catch some sleep to prepare for another exciting day ahead.

     

    You are joining Allen & Overy after graduation. How did this work out? What would be your advice to those law students who want to secure such a contract?

    After the vacation scheme you fill up a form for the Training Contract application and appear for an interview with a Recruitment Partner on your last day. Once you get back to India the HR will let you know the outcome within a week’s time. Be yourself. There is no one sort of personality that they are looking for. Technical competence is a given. The HR can look through if you are feigning interest and thus I would suggest that you venture down this road if you are really interested in commercial law and you know that this is your calling. Try your hand at everything in law school but keep yourself focussed. Be commercially aware. Very very aware. Do you apps very well so that your real personality is communicated through it. At the interview stage do not try to be a person you are not. I remember that a few people mentioned two so-called ‘tests’ that you need to pass- one is the client test and the other is ‘can we work with you test’. The latter is self explanatory and the former essentially points to whether the firm can put you in front of a client and can you hold your own. The other difference I have to highlight is that the foreign firms value a more holistic approach rather than just technical knowledge. As I said, technical competence is a given, client context and permeating a legal solution through a commercially viable idea is what is expected.

     

    Any tips for an intern who wants to get noticed at work by dint of her performance?

    Again, be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you are not. Work hard and network with people. Talk to people. Never be afraid to walk through someone’s door and ask for work. The worst that can happen is that person telling you that there is no work at present to delegate and you should ask someone else. Lawyers are a very intelligent crowd. Be a person whom people can work with. I would say know your politics, current affairs, music, etc. At the end of the day you need to be a person with whom everyone enjoys working with. You can spew all the jargon you want but hitting up a conversation with a person on a topic he is keenly interested in would cast a far deeper impression than knowing a particular SEBI regulation. Of course that too is important. (Remember the ‘can we work with you test’)

     

    How well do you think your education at law school prepared you for real world practice? What do you feel about 5th year in the B.A. LL.B course at NLUs? Is it sufficiently utilized or needs a huge revamp?

    I think the new academic model at NALSAR and the practical and industry oriented courses have really gone a long way in helping us prepare for the real world of practice. I have to thank the seniors and the informal mechanisms at NALSAR which are a sine qua non. I think all that forms a part of the legal education package. I like the idea of fifth year. Lot of partying to look forward to. I can’t speak for all NLU’s but the new model at NALSAR with single credit optionals on such varied subjects along with interesting opportunities like Teaching Assistantships are really exciting and I look forward to the last year of law school. I am TA-ing for Contracts and can’t wait to get back to college.

     

    You were part of the RCC at your college. What prompted you to volunteer for it?

    I am part of the RCC which is a peer-elected body as the placement process at NALSAR is completely student run. I wanted to run for the RCC because securing your job is important but if you can play a small part in facilitating your batchmates’ jobs- people whom you have literally lived with for the four years in law school- there is no satisfaction like that. The work involves negotiations with organisations, facilitating on-campus interviews, working in a team and trying to secure jobs for all. Involves drafting documents, making pitches, interacting with industry honchos, strategising and not so glorious tasks like running around getting tea, arranging desks and chairs, moving beds to arrange for interviews, etc. The experience is definitely worth it. I work with a great team of people in the RCC. I think the excellent Day Zero figures from NALSAR are a testament to that. I am proud to have a batch where everyone is behind the RCC and don’t just retire into their rooms and let the RCC do all the work. Plus, we have an extremely proactive and excellent administration who always have your back. My sincere hope is to see all my classmates placed as soon as possible.

     

    Does being from one of the top three NLUs really come with additional perks?

    Well, this might be controversial but I do believe that the top NLUs do have it better for their students. I think it is about getting an edge over others. However, it is not something that one can’t make up.

     

    How important are grades in securing a job?

    It is definitely important. It does get your foot in through the door but CGPA isn’t the only thing. At the end of the day once you are inside that interview room or in that internship it is your competence that matters and not just your gradesheet.

     

    Any advice you would like to give to law students aspiring for a job at top law firms?

    Go for it only if you really like commercial law. Try to understand the business and commercial angle to things. That makes it really interesting. Try to learn as much as you can. Contrary to the popular gyan on the topic no task is unimportant- even if you are doing a proofread you are getting the chance to see a document which you would have otherwise never seen. I would say put your mind to it try to understand the transaction, the clauses, ask questions. No one will mind if you are interested and ask questions about the work that they are doing. I think you should rather prepare from your first two years. Try to figure out early in the day where your interests lie. Whether it be commercial law, policy work, social justice or opening a restaurant- figure out early and work towards it from the beginning.

     

    Lastly, what would be your message to our readers?

    I had a great time at NALSAR over the past four years and made friends for a lifetime, had seniors that I would look up to forever, some of the greatest professors to whom I would be indebted to forever. Don’t lose yourself over CGPA and the proverbial ‘CV building’. Surely that is important but do enjoy law school. It is a unique experience. Very few careers in India offer you the sort of opportunities that law school does. Pay homage to the Old Monk, be intensely loyal to your university, make great friends, and have the time of your life.

  • Nimisha Mund, GNLU, on securing a PPO, her diverse internship experience, and the importance of extracurricular engagements

    Nimisha Mund, GNLU, on securing a PPO, her diverse internship experience, and the importance of extracurricular engagements

    Nimisha Mund is a student of GNLU, batch of 2015.  She has interned with the likes of O.P. Khaitan & Co., Solicitors & Advocates, Phoenix Legal, and Trilegal. During her time as an undergraduate she has also participated in the Herbert Smith Freehills NUJS Moot Court Competition, 2013, 15th DM Harish International Moot Court Competition, 2014 (on Public International Law), has been a member of the Legislative Drafting Clinic for the “Trade Secret Bill” under the guidance of Ms. Kalpana Reddy, First Secretary for Intellectual Property, Embassy of the United States of America, India and Mr. Hitesh Barot, Senior Intellectual Property Counsel & Vice President, Technology Policy, GE India. Her other accomplishments include being Student Research Assistant in the Microsoft Research Chair, established in GNLU and being the Elected Female Representative of GNLU, batch 2010-15.

    Nimisha has secured a pre-placement offer from Trilegal an astounding one year and seven months prior to the completion of her degree.

    In this interview we speak to her about:

    • Importance of extra-curricular activities
    • Securing top-notch law firm internships
    • And working at a top law firm and getting a PPO

    Tell us a bit about your life before college; did you have lawyers in your family?

    Well, my pre-college life did not feature anyone from the legal fraternity in it. What it did feature, however were inspiring individuals who allowed me to imbibe the qualities, which, I’d like to believe make me a good lawyer. Pre-college life otherwise was fun, much more relaxed. I played a lot of sports, and read a lot through school but inherently was the same- I approached everything with the tenacity of a bloodhound!

    Why did you decide to study Law? What inspired you to do so?

    In the beginning it was quite by accident. I had intended on concentrating on preparation for other entrances and the course I took for a month offered an hour of law coaching for four Saturdays. Once I saw the extent of analysis involved in the legal education, I, frankly, was hooked. Thereafter I decided there was no other vocational calling for me. And then of course, there’s the brass tacks!

    How important is it to have publications to your name?

    The gold stars on the CV have been identified as such because of what they show about the lawyer and not the other way round. I believe there is no better way to exhibit your legal acumen and yes, to add to your CV. Though this I feel is contingent on your manner of writing. Its about taking a stance and not just assimilating and disseminating the jurisprudence on the topic.

    How was this novel experience of working with Ms. Kalpana Reddy?

    A very rewarding experience. Learning the nuances of drafting a legislation, choosing the best from foreign legislations, interviewing the stakeholders and learning how to plug loopholes in the law is something, the gains of which I shall carry throughout my life as a lawyer. And the best part is still to come…that is when you look at that piece of legislation once it gets passed and say, Hey! I helped draft that!

    How important are extracurricular engagements?

    Extremely important. And I cannot stress on this enough. It’s a run of the mill answer but that does not take away from the truth of it- that it gives you the skill of being a good team worker bracketed by the ability to hold your own as a leader. More specifically to sports, the way you learn to push your boundaries is amazing.

    Our readers would be quite curious to know how you went about securing your internships.

    Some were on merit, while some were not. I had my heart set on Trilegal –especially after a talk we had from a Partner at Trilegal in our college, and each internship was undertaken to enable myself to deliver well at Trilegal and secure a placement. I planned to do this in the fourth year, but when our college called for internships in the third year, I decided I was prepared. One other important thing I did was, that rather than get more ‘names’ on my CV, I interned at the same place again, because that allowed me to get better work, and learn a lot more, as then they trust your capabilities.

    Did you stagger your internships throughout law school as part of a deliberate plan or did it all just happen by chance?

    Very much deliberate. Some things in corporate law really impressed me. Taking the common example of securitization for instance—such ‘man-made processes’ (for want of a better word)—the fact that people thought of such efficient systems really intrigued me. I continued with corporate law in most internships and that held me in good stead.

    While there is nothing better than hands-on-experience, one shouldn’t undermine the education you get in a classroom. Citing a simple example, while you’re at your internship, its much easier to navigate your way through laws when you are given a proposition, if you’ve studied the law beforehand.

    What kind of work did you have to do during your internships?

    Well everyone gets menial work once in a while, I did too. Take everything positively. Getting a document to proofread is still an opportunity to dissect the agreement, find out what are the boiler-plate clauses (the must haves). Few are wise enough to avail of such opportunities.  Besides that I’ve been  lucky to be given some fantastic work as well. I’m a total sucker for an innovative argument, so any proposition that had me look totally out of the box, and I loved it.

    How must one go about organising their internships?

    Well, one must start out with a litigation internship in my opinion. If you intern at a firm in the early years, it won’t really be a mutually beneficial experience, that is to say that the firm might not really gain from your contribution, but it is indisputable that you will. It might even give you an edge over others. But keep in mind that there is a high attrition rate from firms so if one day you wish to leave that field and start litigation, you should have some experience to fall back upon.

    What do you think an intern should accomplish in the course of their internship to get a “callback”?

    Diligence as well as intelligence. Deliver work on time and once you’re done you should be able to go and brief the person who allocated the work to you in the best manner. Soft Skills are important. To perform better, I’d say there’s nothing like a good dose of curiosity! Don’t shy away from asking the lawyer the background that they want the research in, it’ll give you a deeper understanding of the way things work. A simple example being, that what you might have thought was a simple research point on contingent contracts might actually be to build an argument for option contracts and the lawyer was too busy to tell you that. So ask away.

     

    Did you have to undergo an interview before securing your PPO?

    Yes, I had an interview with barely an hour’s notice! Thankfully I was abreast with the latest developments in the corporate world. The most important factor is knowing all the work in your CV in and out. Not just that but all the latest developments and anything ancillary to that. Confidence in an interview is extremely important. My advice to all reading this is that there’s one thing you constantly need  to question- “why me”. Why should they pick you out of the hordes of applicants. Everybody can have an answer, it’s hardly the holy grail and it not only increases your confidence but will shine through to your interviewer. Yet more important is that you know your audience, gauge your interviewer’s style, you need to know when you have to have the tact to swallow back an acerbic retort, as it’ll be frowned upon and when it will be appreciated.

    How important are good grades in securing a job?

    I’d say its extremely important. I’m not a topper. But it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have a great CGPA. It’s just that you have to compensate by performing much, much better.

    What should one law student aspiring for a job at top law firms do?

    I know it’s a cliché but there is no substitute for hard work. Couple that with smart work, i.e. knowing the right websites to keep you updated etc. and I think everyone will have the right concoction.

    Lastly, what would be your message to our readers?

    I’d say that we’re lucky to be in a profession where our job need not be just a means to an end. We don’t have to be just chanting “TGIF” and plod doggedly through the week but actually enjoy our work, its dynamic and analytical nature. So keep that in mind, enjoy your work, be opinionated and on a more serious note, if you pick a niche area in your work, pick it wisely.

  • Smrithi Mariam on steps to getting good internships and a PPO

    Smrithi Mariam on steps to getting good internships and a PPO

    Smrithi Mariam a student of  the 2014 batch at RMLNLU  has secured a Pre Placement Offer from Lexygen. We asked her to share her experiences and strategies she used over the years. In this interview she speaks about:

    • Mooting and its benefits for a law student
    • Preparing a C.V. and interviews
    • Getting good internships and a pre-placement offer

     

    Why did you decide to study Law? What inspired you to do so?

    It took me a while to figure out what exactly I wanted to do after the 12th and being a science student I wrote all the possible engineering entrance exams. At the back of my head I knew that this wasn’t my thing and I began coaching for the CLAT. That’s when I realized that I could see myself as a lawyer and that most of all studying law would make me happy.

     

    Do you have any lawyers in your family? Do you think having family members with a legal background help in this profession?

    I’m a first generation lawyer, but I do have a lot of friends who have lawyers in their families and yes, I do think that it helps to have a family member in the profession to guide you in the  and show you the how things work. But, on the other hand NOT having such a person means that you need to stand up for yourself, take charge, be resourceful and figure out the ropes on your own.

     

    What are the extracurricular activities you took part at RML NLU?

    Sport has always been an important part of my life and I’ve been a member of the college basketball team throughout my law school life. I have also taken part in Parliamentary Debates, I enjoying ‘JAM’ing, traditional debating and other literary events.

     

    You have taken part in a lot of Moot Court Competitions in college, can you share a few mooting experiences?

    My first national moot was the Nani Palkhivala National Tax Law Moot, I was in my third year and we finished runners up at the competition. This moot holds a very special place in my heart and I vividly remember the finals, where we argued in front of Bombay HC Judges on a matter that was actually pending at the ITAT. The finalists at this moot are awarded internships a top tier tax law firms in the country which is a bonus. I also took part in the Stetson International Environmental Law Moot and our team finished semifinalists at the world rounds and we secured speaker and memorial citations. Arguing against law students from schools in Poland, USA, Ireland, etc was enriching and being able to connect with them and exchange stories from our home towns was an unforgettable experience. In my final year I took part in the North India rounds of the Phillip C Jessup International Moot and was part of the team placed third. That was a bitter sweet end to our mooting life, so close yet so far!

     

    Do you think mooting is beneficial for Law students or is it just to make your CV look fancy?

    I love mooting and everything that comes with it. The crazy workload, the compulsory reading, the brain storming sessions, the sudden burst of energy when someone comes up with an argument, the list goes on. In my opinion, mooting helps you learn how to work in a team, how to keep your head together and work on a single matter for months together, how to logically work your way out of situations and come up with novel arguments and most importantly it allows you the freedom to learn and explore a new subject at your own pace without a project or an exam deadline breathing down your neck. Yes, mooting may make your CV look good but that’s not why you should take it up.

     

    What are the law firms at which you interned? Which internships will you consider to be right at the top and why?

    I have interned at JSA, AZB, AMSS, ELP, Trilegal, Samvad Partners and Lexygen. I enjoyed all my internships, but my stints at Samvad, Lexygen and ELP would be the ones I consider most enjoyable. The work environment, quality of work and most importantly the unbiased nature towards students from ‘lower rung’ law schools in these places really impressed me.

     

    What was the procedure you followed to apply to these law firms?

    Continuous emails to the HR of the firms and then follow up phone calls. It’s easier said than done and one has to listen to a number of rejections but it is possible. My college RCC also helped out with one internship.

     

    What was the kind of work was allotted to you during your internships?

    Work given to interns depends largely on the firm you are working with and their policy towards interns. Some firms trust interns with meaty assignments and allow them be a part of an ongoing client matter, while other firms hand out a lot of due diligence work. I have had my fair share of both types of work.

     

    You secured a job with ‘Lexygen’ as a ‘PPO’. How many times have you interned there before? How was the experience of that internship (if you did one) and how was it different from other internships?

    I have worked with Lexygen on two occasions for a total of 12 weeks. After short listing your CV they conduct a telephonic interview based on which they offer you the internship. The firm offers internships only to 4th and 5th year students strictly for the purpose of assessing whether they can be absorbed into the firm after they graduate. Lexygen is a great place to intern at; the firm ensures that interns are a part of weekly training sessions where the latest law or judgment on a particular subject is discussed. The intern has to make a presentation at the end of the internship period and there is continuous assessment of the work done; the intern receives feedback on the completion of every assignment.     

     

    What do you think an intern should accomplish during an internship in order to get a “call back”?

    Get people to notice your work! There are no two ways about it. Many people seem to think that it is the people you get work from that make the difference, be that as it may, it is important to note that even if you are given work from a junior associate and you manage to impress them and continue to do so, a recommendation may be in the pipeline. A ‘call back’ also depends on a little bit of luck- being in the right place at the right time, etc. For example, interning when there are a large group of interns considerably lowers your chances of getting noticed as the work load splits among all of you.

     

    Did you learn any skills while interning? What are these skills and how did you acquire them?

    One skill that most law students acquire while interning is time management. More often than not interns are given a strict deadline by which they need to submit their work and managing your time is very important.

     

    How do you think one should go about writing a CV when they are applying for a job?

    I don’t think I should be an authority on the format of a CV but from what I have picked up, while applying for internships one must ensure that you change your CV as per the type of firm you are applying to. For example if you are applying to a Tax law firm highlight the tax work you have done at your internships or a paper you published in tax law journal, etc. Besides that, be clear, precise and to the point in your CV.

     

    How did you go about preparing for your interview?

    I was fortunate enough to secure the PPO without an official interview as I had been thoroughly assessed at both my internships. But in general for an interview be it for a job or for an internship knowing all the work that you have mentioned in your CV is the most important thing.

     

    Do the law firms usually provide the candidates with an option to work with the teams of their choice while recruiting?

    I understand that most law firms ask the candidate their area of interest, but there is no guarantee that you will be put in the team of your choice. It normally depends on the need of the firm and the vacancies available in their teams.

     

    Many law students strongly believes that getting a job at one of the top 3 law firms is mostly about securing a high GPA. Would you agree?

    Having a high GPA is important, but it is not the be all and end all of securing a job at a tier 1 firm. I personally know of people who have been placed at these firms with just above average grades. Especially in the case of PPOs, it is the quality of the work that you do and that is more important than your GPA.

     

    What would be your advice to the law students aspiring to secure a job at top law firms? What do they need to do, how should they prepare in the last 3 years of law school?

    As someone who is fresh out of law school, I do not feel competent to answer this question, but I will do my best by telling you my personal experience. Being in a law school that is not considered a ‘top’ one and wishing to secure a job in a ‘top’ law firm is hard but it is possible and I have seen it happen. Ensuring that you intern at the right time and making a mark at your internships can do wonders to your morale as well as your chances of getting a job.

     

    Follow her on LinkedIn: Smrithi Mariam Punnoose

  • Aonkan Ghosh, student, GNLU, on bagging high profile internships, application procedures, and how to convert them into jobs

    Aonkan Ghosh, student, GNLU, on bagging high profile internships, application procedures, and how to convert them into jobs

    Aonkan Ghosh graduated in law from GNLU, batch of 2009. He has had a series of successful internships during his time an an undergraduate.

    In this interview we talk to him about:

    • Approaching the right firms for internship opportunities
    • Trying to get a versatile internship experience
    • Building contacts and converting internship opportunities into prospective jobs

     

    What have been some of your internships so far?

    Well, I have interned at JSA, Gurgaon, Luthra & Luthra, New Delhi, Kachwaha & partners, New Delhi and Wadia Ghandy, Bangalore.

     

    What is the procedure to apply to these law firms?

    In your junior years I would say, it’s more about luck and persistence but apart from that, I think you should apply to as many places as possible 4-6 months in advance, follow up in general by calling and sending them emails, so that they feel that you are really interested in interning with them and just hope to get an internship!

     

    What was the kind of work allotted to you during your internships?

    I have to say, these law firms have a lot of work and a bit of that chunk is allotted to interns. I have dealt with matters related to due diligence and private equity transactions. I was asked to make research notes and opinions on the aspects of company law. While interning in these top law firms, I even got exposed to indirect taxes and learnt a great deal about arbitration, especially at Kachwaha. I worked with the corporate team and the litigation team both, so I got a chance to experience both kinds of work. Through my internships I have developed a fondness for the subject!

     

    How has your internship experience been?

    The experience was really thrilling. I got to interact with a lot of people and I was lucky to learn a lot from the associates. In law school you read the law but while interning you get to apply it, so overall I got to learn more about law and its application from my internships.

    What is the kind of work environment that you experienced in law firms?

    The internships were an incredible experience. The partners and the associates were extremely hardworking. Interns are also given a lot of work which might not be interesting but at the same time you get to gather a lot of knowledge and I personally did not face much of a problem in working for long hours because a lot of us are used to pulling off all-nighters in law school.

     

    What are the things an intern should keep in mind to get a call back?

    Diligence at work is the most important thing. You can’t be afraid to take initiatives. As an intern you are allowed to make a few mistakes but at the same time you are expected not to repeat them. The conduct of an intern is expected to be highly professional because it is something which is strongly taken into consideration.

     

    What do you think is important to convert a good internship into a job?

    It usually takes more than an internship to secure a job at a particular law firm. For an intern it is extremely important to be patient and wait for the right time to come. Try getting exposed to as many practise areas as you can and not just one. Another important factor is that as an intern you have to be presentable. If you keep all these things in mind then I think you should keep your fingers crossed and hope for a job.

     

    Which was the best law firm internship you have experienced?

    Nothing in particular; as in I won’t single out any firm but I learnt a great deal from all my internships. The experience was very pleasing and I was amazed at the professional conduct of the law firms.

     

    What do law firms consider the most while hiring?

    The pre-requisites are usually display of good academic record, your ability to work hard, then… how well you can apply your mind to situations, your ability to grasp and your awareness of current legal issues.

     

    Do the law firms usually provide the candidates with an option to work with the teams of their choice while recruiting?

    Well… definitely they ask you about your preference but the final decision is with the firm. They hire as per their requirements. Usually the recruiters decide the department which they think would suit you the most, so that you can grow as a professional and succeed.

    There is this general notion about AMSS being a GPA oriented firm. What is your take on that?

    They do take your GPA into consideration like other law firms but apart from the GPA they take your resume into consideration as a whole. I personally think that this notion is misplaced because the interviews for the top law firms are very stringent and even your extra-curricular activities are taken into consideration!

    What would be your advice to the law students who aspire to secure a job at top law firms?

    I think that the aspirants should develop the habit of reading. It is very important to build a knowledge base because it helps a lot in the future and if it is done passionately, then you can push yourself to the limit. Hard work is something very important, whether it is an exam or an internship, so keeping these things in mind is essential to be best prepared for an opportunity.