I am a first-generation lawyer and completed my B.A. LL.B. in June 2026 from a good law college in Mumbai. I have been applying for legal jobs almost every day for the past two months and have applied to nearly every relevant opening I come across, including positions such as Junior Advocate, Trainee Associate and Paralegal. However, I have received very few responses, even after following up with firms.
I have interned consistently throughout law school, with most of my experience being litigation-focused and involving work relating to the Bombay High Court and Delhi High Court. I have also cleared the Bar Examination. However, I do not have any in-house legal experience, and I am concerned that my profile may be limiting the opportunities available to me.
As someone who is graduating without a job offer and does not have family connections in the legal profession, I am unsure about the best way to approach the next stage of my career. I am open to starting with a smaller firm, chamber or other legal role if it gives me meaningful work and an opportunity to build my career.
What should a fresh law graduate in this position do differently when looking for their first job? Should I continue applying broadly to law firms, approach individual advocates and chambers directly, consider boutique firms and smaller practices, or explore in-house and other legal roles?
First, get your priorities straight.
An internship is not litigation experience. You may have interned in litigation chambers and worked on Bombay or Delhi High Court matters, but litigation actually begins when you graduate, enrol, put on the gown and start practising. Don’t mistake exposure to litigation during law school for having litigation experience as a lawyer.
Second, litigation and in-house work are two entirely different career tracks. If you want to litigate, stop worrying about not having in-house experience. Your five years of law school were enough time to decide which direction you wanted to take.
If you want litigation, the practical answer is simple: find a good senior and approach them personally. Go to court, identify lawyers doing the kind of work you want to learn, speak to their juniors, meet the senior, and ask for work. Send your CV if required, but don’t sit behind LinkedIn and job portals waiting for litigation to come looking for you.
The reality of litigation is that nothing is going to land in your lap. You have to find the opportunity, approach the right person and grab it.
Being a first-generation lawyer makes the beginning harder, but it is not an excuse to remain passive. Start somewhere, learn the craft, and build from there.
