Landing an internship at AZB & Partners, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Shardul Amarchand, Khaitan & Co, or JSA is the dream of every corporate law student in India. Here is the honest, step-by-step guide.
Start Early: Most Tier-1 firms accept applications 3-4 months before the internship. For a May internship, apply in January-February. Many seats fill up through referrals before public announcements.
Build a Targeted CV: Your CV should be one page, clean, and focused on relevant experience — moot courts, paper publications, previous firm internships, and your CGPA. Firms look for consistency, not padding.
The Cover Letter Matters: Write a specific cover letter for each firm. Mention a recent deal they closed, a judgment they argued, or a specific practice area you want to learn. Generic letters get ignored.
Research the Firm Practice Areas: CAM is known for M&A. AZB for private equity. Khaitan for tax and employment. Match your interest with the firm specialty.
Follow Up: After submitting, follow up once via email after 10 days. Be polite, brief, and professional. Persistence within reason shows genuine interest.