The legal profession offers diverse career paths. Learn how to secure impactful law internships in India.
Law Firm Internship
Corporate law, M&A, IP, litigation at top law firms
In-House Legal
Legal teams at companies (Tata, Reliance, startups)
Judicial Clerkship
High Courts and Supreme Court research assistance
NGO/Legal Aid
Human rights, pro bono work, public interest law
AZB & Partners, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Khaitan & Co, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Trilegal, JSA
Nishith Desai Associates, L&L Partners, IndusLaw, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan
Reliance, Tata Group, Flipkart, Google, Amazon Legal Teams
When should I start interning?
Start from your first year. By final year, you should have 8-10 internships across different practice areas.
Do legal internships pay?
Tier-1 firms pay ₹20K-80K/month. NGOs and smaller firms may be unpaid but offer great learning.
What You'll Do:
Best For:
Students interested in business, finance, and deal-making. Requires attention to detail and ability to work long hours.
Top Firms:
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB & Partners, Khaitan & Co
What You'll Do:
Best For:
Students who enjoy research, argumentation, and courtroom dynamics. Builds excellent analytical and advocacy skills.
What You'll Do:
Best For:
Students with science/engineering background or interest in technology, entertainment, or pharma industries.
What You'll Do:
Best For:
Students interested in finance, numbers, and complex commercial transactions.
| Tier | Firms | Stipend | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-1 | CAM, AZB, Khaitan, SAM, Trilegal | ₹40K-80K/month | Very High |
| Tier-2 | NDA, L&L, IndusLaw, JSA | ₹20K-40K/month | High |
| Boutique | Specialized firms, Chambers | ₹10K-25K/month | Moderate |
| In-House | Company legal teams | ₹15K-50K/month | Moderate |
A strong cover letter is essential for legal internship applications. Here's a proven structure:
Application for Summer Internship – [Your Name] – [Law School]
"I am a third-year student at [Law School] writing to apply for a summer internship at [Firm Name]. My interest in [specific practice area] and [reason for choosing this firm] make me eager to contribute to your team."
"In my previous internship at [Firm/Organization], I [specific achievement]. My coursework in [subjects] and participation in [moot court/publication] have prepared me for rigorous legal research and drafting."
"I am particularly drawn to [Firm Name's] work in [specific matter/case]. The firm's reputation for [quality/culture] aligns with my goal of building a career in [area]."
"I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team. Thank you for your consideration."
10:00 AM - Arrive & Briefing
Arrive at office (flexible timing), check emails, get briefed on the day's research tasks.
11:00 AM - Due Diligence
Review contracts for an M&A transaction, flag issues, update due diligence tracker.
2:00 PM - Research
Research SEBI regulations for a specific client query, draft a memo summarizing findings.
5:00 PM - Drafting
Draft first version of an NDA based on template, submit for associate review.
8:00 PM - Team Dinner
Occasionally, team dinners with associates and partners—great for networking.
Generic Cover Letters
Sending the same letter to every firm without customization. Mention specific matters the firm has handled.
Applying Too Late
Tier-1 firms fill positions 3-6 months in advance. Apply early—slots fill fast, especially for summers.
Poor Resume Formatting
Legal resumes should be conservative. No flashy designs, colors, or photos. Clean, one-page format is standard.
Not Following Up
A polite follow-up after 2-3 weeks is acceptable and shows genuine interest. Don't spam, but don't disappear either.
Aim for 8-10 internships across 5 years. Include diverse experiences: corporate law, litigation, in-house, judicial clerkship, and NGO. This shows breadth while allowing you to identify your preferred practice area.
Yes, but not determinative. NLU students have advantages for Tier-1 firms, but strong applications from other schools are considered. CGPA, writing samples, and interview performance matter more than college name alone.
Highly recommended for litigation aspirants. Clerkships with High Court and Supreme Court judges provide unparalleled exposure to judicial reasoning. These are competitive but look excellent on resumes.
Normal for first-year students. Highlight moot court, legal aid cells, publications, and relevant coursework. Your first few internships build your foundation—focus on learning over prestige initially.
Tier-1 firms often have CGPA cutoffs (typically 55%+). However, strong writing samples, relevant experience, and interview performance can compensate for lower grades. Grades matter more for first few internships.
Yes, many Tier-1 firms offer PPOs to outstanding interns. Perform well, show initiative, build relationships, and express interest. PPO conversion is common for final year/summer internships at top firms.
Chambers are smaller litigation practices led by Senior Advocates. More exposure to courtroom work but less structured than firms. Law firms offer corporate and transactional work with more structured training programs.
If possible, yes. International law firms, international organizations (UN, WTO), or foreign courts provide valuable perspective. However, prioritize quality Indian internships first—they're more relevant for Indian practice.
"Started with NGO internships, ended at CAM..."
"I'm from a non-NLU college. My first two internships were at legal aid clinics. By third year, I had built enough experience to get a Tier-2 firm internship. My final year summer at CAM converted to a PPO." — Ananya, Symbiosis Law School
"Judicial clerkship changed my career path..."
"I was set on corporate law until I clerked with a Delhi High Court judge. Watching complex constitutional matters unfold changed my perspective. Now I'm building a litigation practice." — Rahul, NLUD
"Cold emailing worked when nothing else did..."
"I emailed 30 firms with personalized cover letters. Got 3 responses and 1 offer. That internship taught me more than any classroom. Persistence pays off in legal job hunting." — Priya, Campus Law Centre
| Internship Type | Apply By | Internship Period |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Tier-1) | December - February | May - July |
| Summer (Others) | February - April | May - July |
| Winter | September - November | December - January |
| Judicial Clerkship | 3-4 months in advance | Varies by judge |
Comprehensive Indian legal database. Essential for case law, statutes, and journals. Most firms provide access.
Supreme Court Cases database. Gold standard for case law research and legal commentary.
Free legal search engine. Great for quick searches and preliminary research.
International legal databases. Essential for cross-border matters and foreign law research.
Legal internships are the foundation of a successful law career. Start early, diversify your experience, and always maintain professional relationships.
The legal profession values hard work, attention to detail, and intellectual rigor. Every internship—whether at a top firm or a small NGO—teaches you something valuable.
The law rewards the prepared. Start preparing today. ⚖️
Written by Sproutern Career Team
Based on insights from law professionals at top firms.
Regularly updated
