Indian-qualified lawyer, completed masters in UK and now applying for a TC

[taahaakhan279]

Hi everyone,

I am an Indian qualified lawyer, 3+ years of experience working with one of the top law firms in India. Just finished my LLM in TMT from QMUL and I am applying for vac schemes in this cycle. I did two TC applications last cycle just to understand the process but I was unprepared and knew nothing so obviously was unsuccessful. In this cycle, I have a list of firms that I want to apply to for vac schemes (about 10 firms), with their deadlines spread across December, Jan and Feb. Considering TCs, if I manage to get one, won't start till the next two years, I am planning to work as a paralegal in the interim so I am also applying for paralegal jobs whilst working a part time sales job. The lack of a routine, rejections in daily applications and the uncertainity of the process has left me very overwhelmed and while I was initially due to apply for winter vacation schemes, being severely underprepared forced me to concentrate on summer vac schemes. I am looking for advice on how to navigate the process from people who would have been in a similar position like me, I unfortunately haven't come across anyone with a similar trajectory as most master's students prefer to go back to India. Any advice on how to stand out in applications and/or leverage my Indian legal experience would be helpful.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi everyone,

I am an Indian qualified lawyer, 3+ years of experience working with one of the top law firms in India. Just finished my LLM in TMT from QMUL and I am applying for vac schemes in this cycle. I did two TC applications last cycle just to understand the process but I was unprepared and knew nothing so obviously was unsuccessful. In this cycle, I have a list of firms that I want to apply to for vac schemes (about 10 firms), with their deadlines spread across December, Jan and Feb. Considering TCs, if I manage to get one, won't start till the next two years, I am planning to work as a paralegal in the interim so I am also applying for paralegal jobs whilst working a part time sales job. The lack of a routine, rejections in daily applications and the uncertainity of the process has left me very overwhelmed and while I was initially due to apply for winter vacation schemes, being severely underprepared forced me to concentrate on summer vac schemes. I am looking for advice on how to navigate the process from people who would have been in a similar position like me, I unfortunately haven't come across anyone with a similar trajectory as most master's students prefer to go back to India. Any advice on how to stand out in applications and/or leverage my Indian legal experience would be helpful.

Hey @taahaakhan279 while I have not had the same trajectory as you, I definitely empathize with feeling so overwhelmed by the application process. Getting to understand the recruitment environment and the world of City law firms is definitely challenging and can take a lot longer than people anticipate. Try not to feel disheartened if you have to face initial rejections, even the most successful candidates are rejected a lot more often than not. In my first cycle, I was rejected in every single application at first stage, but I kept at it and in my second cycle I received 3 TC offers from elite US firms.

As for more concrete advice for your situation, I would firstly definitely seek to leverage your actual biglaw work experience in your answers, as that will distinguish you from most applicants. Secondly, I would try to target firms that work on many matters with a connection to India, as your knowledge of the Indian legal system is more likely to come in handy there.

 

[taahaakhan279]

Thank you @Andrei Radu I will try doing this. Thanks!

 

[Gg2001]

• Hi, I will give my experience applying as someone who graduated with a LLB from UK but is from India.
• I have met 3-4 year associates from India who transferred to UK but mainly in international arbitration at firms like Milbank and Stewarts.
• Applying for mentoring programs at Global Access and IFAL would help, check out their posts of international candidates who got their offers
• I would reach out and network with alumni on LinkedIn many Indian associates do LLM at Oxbridge, LSE and QMUL.
• Application strategy wise, targeting firms with strong TMT and Indian practise would help you I think.
• US and Magic Circle tend to have the most international cohort.
• You can also apply to tech specialist firms like Bird & Bird and Bristows https://chambers.com/legal-rankings/intellectual-property-london-firms-1:34:11814:1?l=en-GB.
• Caveat with TMT I have noticed in UK is law firms tend to prefer STEM grads, so strongly highlight your TMT work experience.
• I do understand the process is overwhelming. try and apply to law firms before Christmas for vac schemes. After that your competition increases a lot especially if it is a rolling law firm.
• I did get post grad visa but I don’t know anyone from my university who was able to get a paralegal role, everyone went home. So I would just caution and maybe spend 2-3 weeks applying for paralegal roles, reach out to your careers adviser for their recruitment agency contacts. Even if you have the 2 year visa, recruiters and law firms prefer locals (UK/Europeans) who have UK law firm experience.
• Another thing to note, UK law firms want proof of insight, not just research, so reach out to current trainees at the firm who are ideally from India and schedule a meeting with them for advice. Most trainees on LinkedIn are very helpful.
• 10-15 law firm applications would be decent I would say.
• https://law.asia/top-foreign-firms-...a,healthcare and financial services offerings.
• Magic circle also post 3-5 PQE associate roles you could apply laterally as well