Legal internships form the backbone of a law student’s professional journey. They allow you to translate theoretical knowledge into real-world practice, understand how courts and law offices function, and build the confidence required to become an efficient lawyer. Whether you aim for litigation, corporate practice, academia, or the government sector, the right internship shapes your skillset and career direction. This guide explains every part of the application process—from preparing documents to following up—and gives practical strategies that actually work in the Indian legal ecosystem.
Why Legal Internships Are Important
Legal internships give you the opportunity to witness the law in action. They expose you to drafting, research, client interaction, case analysis, and courtroom dynamics. These experiences help you understand the profession at a deeper level and also assist you in building clarity about your future goals. Many students enter law school unsure about whether they want litigation, corporate work, or policy roles. Internships let you explore all these spaces.
Another major benefit of internships is networking. The mentors, advocates, seniors, and peers you meet may become part of your professional circle for years. Sometimes, an internship also leads to pre-placement offers, research roles, or long-term collaboration.
How to Select the Right Internship for Yourself
Selecting an internship should never be random. Before you begin applying, spend some time understanding what you want to learn. If courtroom practice excites you, a litigation chamber or NGO working on impact litigation makes sense. If you want to explore transactional work, due diligence, and corporate drafting, a corporate firm is the right choice. If research interests you, think tanks and policy institutes are perfect.
A quick comparison can guide your decision:
| Your Interest | Best Internship Type | Key Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Litigation | Advocates, Chambers, District/High Courts | Drafting + Courtroom exposure |
| Corporate | Law firms, boutique firms | Client work + Contracts |
| Public Policy | NGOs, Think Tanks | Research + Policy writing |
| Compliance | Companies, Startups | HR + Regulatory compliance |
Choosing the right internship ensures your time is invested wisely and helps you build relevant skills for your future plans.
Step 1: Prepare Your Core Application Documents
Create a Clear, Professional CV
Your CV is your identity on paper. A well-structured and visually clean CV immediately increases your chances. Keep it precise and limited to one page unless you have substantial achievements. Include sections like education, internships, moot courts, research experience, publications, volunteer work, and skills. Avoid long paragraphs; instead, use crisp statements that highlight your contributions.
A good CV demonstrates your seriousness and professionalism.
Write a Purposeful Cover Letter (or Email Body)
Your cover letter should explain three things: who you are, why you want to intern at that specific organisation, and what you bring to the table. Personalisation is essential. Avoid copying generic templates. Instead, mention something relevant to their work—like a case they handled or an article they published. This shows genuine interest and increases your chances of selection.
Choose a Strong Writing Sample
Many organisations ask for a writing sample to judge your analytical and drafting skills. Select a short piece—such as a legal memo, research note, or class assignment—that showcases clarity and logical structure. Always edit, proofread, and format the sample neatly.
Preparing these documents early makes your application process faster and more organised.
Step 2: Identify Where to Apply
Build a Target List
Make a structured list of all the organisations you want to apply to. Divide them into three categories:
- Top Choices: Big law firms, senior advocates, reputed NGOs
- Comfort Choices: Mid-sized firms, boutique litigation offices
- Backup Options: Local lawyers, tribunals, legal clinics
This layered approach helps you stay organised and increases the probability of securing at least one good internship.
Where to Find Internship Openings
Internship opportunities can be found in many places:
- Law firm websites
- Alumni groups
- Lawctopus and Internshala
- WhatsApp channels for law opportunities
- College placement committees
Even if there’s no official announcement, many lawyers accept interns through direct email. Cold emailing works extremely well in the legal field.
Step 3: Write the Perfect Application Email
Structure Your Email Properly
Your email should have a clear subject line, a polite introduction, mention of availability dates, a brief description of your experience, and attachments. A good subject line could be:
Application for Internship — [Your Name], [Year], [College]
The body should be short and professional. Attach your CV and writing sample with proper file names.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Do not use casual language, emojis, poorly named files, or long confusing paragraphs. Avoid overstating your skills. Clarity, politeness, and neat formatting make your application stand out.
Step 4: Apply Smartly and Strategically
Instead of applying everywhere at once, send your applications in small batches. Start with top choices, then move downward. This ensures that you don’t lose track of your emails or repeat applications. Maintain a simple spreadsheet with details like organisation, email, date of application, response status, and notes. Such tracking helps you follow up appropriately.
Step 5: Follow Up Professionally
A follow-up is necessary if you do not receive a reply within 10–12 days. Keep it short and respectful. Recruiters often miss emails due to workload, so a reminder helps them revisit your application.
Once you receive an offer, confirm details clearly: internship dates, mode (online/offline), working hours, and reporting officer. If you get multiple offers, choose the best fit and decline others politely.
Step 6: Prepare Before Your Internship Starts
Spend time researching the organisation’s areas of work. If it is a litigation office, read their recent cases. If it is a firm, check their practice areas. Basic knowledge helps you perform better from day one.
Create learning goals like drafting a notice, observing court procedures, or completing a research memo. Such intentions make your internship more meaningful.
Step 7: Perform Well During Your Internship
Good performance depends on punctuality, responsibility, and willingness to learn. Always carry a notebook for instructions, meet deadlines, and ask questions when necessary. Volunteer for research tasks, maintain professionalism, and proofread your work before submission.
Keep a daily journal of what you learn. It will help you update your CV and understand your strengths better.
Step 8: After the Internship Ends
Request feedback from your senior or mentor—it shows maturity and eagerness to improve. Collect your certificate before leaving.
Stay in touch after your internship ends. A thank-you message, occasional updates, or sharing relevant articles can help you maintain long-term professional relationships. This network can help you in future opportunities or job searches.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Many students send mass emails without personalisation, use unprofessional language, or apply too late. Another mistake is applying to offices that do not match their goals. Thoughtful applications always yield better results.
Internship Preparation Checklist
| Task | Status |
|---|---|
| CV created | ☐ |
| Cover letter ready | ☐ |
| Writing sample chosen | ☐ |
| Target list prepared | ☐ |
| Applications sent | ☐ |
| Follow-up done | ☐ |
| Offer confirmed | ☐ |
| Learning goals set | ☐ |
| Feedback received | ☐ |
Also Read: NLU-DPIIT-IPR National Moot Court Competition 2026 at CNLU Patna, Register by 26 December!
