I am currently a third-year law student at a teir 1 NLU, with a strong focus on Corporate Law, specifically M&A and TMT. My batch rank and CGPA are unfortunately on the lower side. However, I have consistently focused on building my practical skills and my cv. I have successfully secured internships for my 4th year in NDA and JSA and have actively engaged in academic writing, including authoring blogs/articles in reputed journals and website like IRCCL,Nliu law review.
My question is: How heavily do partners and recruitment teams at top law firms weigh batch rank when considering an intern for a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) or a job? Can an exceptional work product, commercial awareness, and a strong publication record offset a low academic rank? Furthermore, what specific, actionable steps should I take during my upcoming firm internships to ensure my practical skills outshine my grades?