Internships: What Firms and Chambers Actually Look For
Firms and chambers look for candidates with strong basic legal skills (research, writing), ambition, commercial awareness, resilience, adaptability, and excellent communication and people skills. Internships serve as a live audition for potential future employment, with firms assessing your commitment and ability to deliver under pressure. Demonstrating an eagerness to learn, working hard, and building professional contacts are crucial for standing out and securing opportunities.
Law firms and senior counsel chambers have become highly selective regarding interns, seeking not just solid academic records but also real-world skills, professional attitudes, and the willingness to learn. The following deep-dive explores what firms and chambers actually look for when evaluating internship applications, how they assess interns during the internship, and the practical steps that help candidates stand out.
Academic Basics and Eligibility
Most top Indian law firms and chambers require that applicants must have completed at least two years of their five-year law course or the first year of the three-year LL.B. programme before applying for internships. A candidate’s academic record is always a starting filter—high grades, evidence of legal research, and sometimes participation in moot courts or debates signal dedication to legal study. However, selection never relies on marks alone. Firms explicitly underscore that attitude, maturity, and core work skills matter more in the final selection.
Practical Skills and Work Readiness
The modern legal workplace is deadline-driven and requires much more from interns than simply sitting in on court hearings. Firms and chambers expect interns to come equipped with basic research skills, strong legal writing fundamentals, and familiarity with core legal databases. Document preparation is a fundamental responsibility—interns are routinely asked to draft research memos, case briefs, or prepare presentations. Attention to detail is not optional; firms stake their reputations on the accuracy of work products, and even simple errors in citations or formatting get noticed.
Strong communication—clear emails, polished written drafts, and the confidence to ask good questions—is vital. In the chambers of senior counsel, research and drafting skills are rigorously tested, and the best interns proactively seek clarification whenever unsure.
Professionalism and Confidentiality
Professionalism goes beyond timely attendance or adhering to deadlines—it extends to responsible handling of sensitive information and client confidentiality. Law interns must never discuss firm or chamber matters on social media, nor should they gossip about internal affairs. The expectation of discretion is set at the time of joining and is strictly enforced, especially for those assigned tasks involving client documents or filings.
Interpersonal skills also count: being courteous to colleagues, demonstrating flexibility, and not displaying arrogance are core traits firms wish to cultivate.
Teamwork and Adaptability
Both boutique chambers and large corporate firms want “team players.” Legal work is rarely solo—interns may be called upon to help with team projects, coordinate with paralegals or work under the supervision of multiple partners. Adaptability is critical: interns who thrive are those who observe workplace culture closely, adapt to seniors’ work styles, and contribute to both complex and seemingly minor assignments with equal commitment.
Selection Process and Practical Advice
Firms and chambers usually assess candidates through applications requiring a CV and cover letter, and sometimes writing samples or recommendation letters. Early application is advised, as internship slots fill quickly and deadlines are strictly enforced. Candidates are often advised to tailor their cover letters to each application, emphasizing interest in the practice areas of the specific firm or chamber.
Once selected, interns are typically attached to different practice groups or partners and are sometimes required to make a final presentation or project. Mentorship is a major part of the experience, so interns should proactively engage with their assigned mentor for feedback and guidance.
Conclusion
In sum, the intern who stands out is not necessarily the highest scorer but the one who combines academic ability, initiative, communication skills, professionalism, adaptability, teamwork, and a true willingness to learn. Firms and chambers offer real responsibilities and expect interns to match those with passion and competence. For aspiring legal professionals, approaching internships as both a learning opportunity and a platform to demonstrate these core values can turn an internship into a launch pad for a legal career.
