Internship Experiences: Real-World Learning and Personal Development

1. Chambers of Ravindra Singh Garia (Advocate on Record) (April 2021)

This was my first physical internship, and it was a foundational experience. As a first-year student, I was tasked with reading case files, preparing briefs, organizing applications, and attending virtual court proceedings. These basic skills laid the groundwork for the rest of my legal journey.

2. Oum Law Associates (July 2021 – January 2022)

My internship at Oum Law Associates was the longest and perhaps the most transformative experience. The firm specializes in civil law, arbitration, intellectual property law (IPR), and family law. I was exposed to both office and fieldwork, from attending court proceedings and taking adjournments to filing applications and handling legal documents.

I had the opportunity to draft legal notices, written arguments, writ petitions for the Delhi High Court, applications for claims before the Railway Claims Tribunal, statements of defence in arbitration, and Special Leave Petitions for the Supreme Court of India.

Being surrounded by highly skilled legal professionals allowed me to understand the nuances of legal provisions and their application in real-world cases. My interactions with clients, particularly in family law matters, honed my ability to listen, assess, and offer practical solutions. Afterwards, I discussed the cases with the supervising Advocate, followed his directions, and ensured the tasks were completed within the given deadlinesThis internship was instrumental in narrowing down my areas of interest and strengthening my legal skills.

3. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (February 2022)

I worked as an environmental law intern, streamlining the laws and regulations of the Impact Assessment Division at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. I gained valuable experience during the one-month internship.

I worked on a project related to the consolidation of Environmental legislation, researching the principles of the International conventions signed by India and foreign frameworks on the issue. I also participated in discussions with the then Joint Secretary of the Ministry. This internship taught me how things work at a government office and some considerable life lessons. The internship has contributed significantly to my legal knowledge and understanding today.

4. Buttan and Associates (May – June 2022)

Buttan and Associates specializes in criminal law, family law, IPR and arbitration. During this internship, I learned valuable lessons, from preparing case briefs to attending discussions with senior advocates as they were briefed on cases before presenting arguments in court. I was tasked with a mock cross-examination of the firm’s client for a civil suit.

Additionally, I researched case laws to determine how to apply them to our matters, which helped me appreciate the importance of having strong foundational skills that make a lawyer's work more efficient. I also worked with my mentor during a meeting with a client for three to four days, having day-long discussions, editing, and proofreading while preparing their Statement of Claim in a government project-related matter.

These skills include observing client dealing, getting things done irrespective of time shortage, and understanding the reasons behind everything as to why a thing is done in a particular manner. This internship greatly contributed to my development as a law student.

5. Bask Research Foundation (December 2022)

In this virtual internship, I worked on a Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum project. I worked along with a co-intern on a project that involved analysing several states' regulations of the Electricity Regulatory Commission and drawing tabular comparisons between these regulations and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission.

This research-intensive internship improved my analytical and drafting skills, particularly in the context of regulatory frameworks.

6. Chandhiok & Mahajan, Advocates and Solicitors (May 2023)

During this one-month internship, I was given the tasks of case search, preparing case briefs, bookmarking the judgment, and research tasks upon principal-agent principles and jurisdiction of NCLAT. I also prepared a brief on the applicability of the New York Convention on arbitration in several foreign nations and on EC’s regulations upon the ideal duration of a pilot initiative to be ‘anti-competitive’.

This internship sharpened my understanding of corporate law and international arbitration.

7. Saikrishna and Associates (August 2023)

In the IPR vertical at Saikrishna and Associates, I worked on trademark and patent-related matters. My tasks included researching case law, drafting notices of opposition, preparing affidavits, responding to examination reports, and drafting cease-and-desist notices. This internship deepened my knowledge of intellectual property law and enhanced my drafting and research skills.

8. Competition Commission of India (September 2023)

I worked as a legal intern at the Competition Commission of India. I prepared a report on the ‘Theory of Harm in Digital Mergers’ with the guidance of my mentor, who was a Deputy Director (Financial Analyst) at the Combination Division.

The interns were supposed to present their reports before a panel. The internship also involved engaging in discussions and lectures on nuances of competition law, that is, the Competition Act conducted by officers at the Commission. The internship ended with a formal conversation with the Chairperson and two members of the Commission.

This experience provided me with an in-depth understanding of competition law and its practical applications.

Conclusion

Internships are invaluable for aspiring legal professionals. These provide practical experience that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. Interns gain insights into the daily workings of legal practice, develop critical skills such as research, drafting and build essential professional networks. The internships I have completed provided me with immense experience, and each one was amazing. The valuable skills I learned helped shape me into a better person and gave me a deeper understanding of the practical world.

Additionally, these experiences helped me to clarify my career goals, enhance my resume and improve my employability in the competitive job market. Overall, legal internships are a crucial step in sharing a successful legal career. I am also grateful to the people I met during the internship and could learn from them.