I am a law student interested in pursuing a career in dispute resolution and eventually joining the disputes practice of a law firm. Within disputes, I am particularly interested in International Arbitration and want to start building the relevant skills during law school.
However, I am unsure about the specific skills that law firms look for in students and young lawyers interested in disputes and arbitration, and how I can practically develop these skills while still in law school.
What are the key skills required to build a career in dispute resolution, particularly International Arbitration, and how can a law student practically develop and demonstrate these skills before entering the profession?
Dear Student,
To build a successful career within the disputes practice of a law firm, particularly with a focus on international arbitration, you should strategically develop your profile during law school. The key areas you should focus on include:
First, practical experience is highly valued. You should secure internships with the disputes teams of established law firms, ideally aiming for Tier 1 firms to understand high-stakes practice. During these internships, focus entirely on delivering quality work and building meaningful professional connections.
Second, align your academic choices with your career goals. Take relevant electives offered by your university that provide deep exposure to dispute resolution and international arbitration.
Third, engage in co-curricular activities that demonstrate practical interest. Participating in mediation and arbitration competitions is highly beneficial. Additionally, researching and publishing well-written articles in your field of interest will help establish your credibility.
Consistently focusing on these areas during law school will ensure you build a strong foundation for associating with a law firm’s disputes team.
All the best!!
(*The professional designation and organisation mentioned are provided solely for identification purposes. The views and opinions expressed are strictly personal and do not represent those of the organisation or employer.*)
Dear Mentee,
Thank you for the query – it’s a simple question to ask, but not always an easy one to answer well, and it’s worth spending real time thinking through. Based on my own experience in litigation and disputes practice, here are the skills I’d consider most important
1. Clarity of purpose and patience
Before anything else, be clear that you genuinely want to do disputes and litigation. It is a rewarding practice area, but making a name for yourself takes time. Going in with that clarity – and the patience that comes with it – will help you stay the course.
2. Clear communication
You don’t need to be a language expert in English or Hindi. What matters is clarity – the ability to put your point across simply and persuasively. In litigation, this especially means learning, over time, how to present your argument to a judge in the most accessible way possible.
3. Strong research skills
You need to stay on top of the latest laws, judgments, and trends. Dispute practice moves fast, and your research has to keep pace with it.
4. A structured path into arbitration
If international arbitration interests you, start with domestic arbitration first. International arbitration isn’t necessarily more complex, but it is different – procedures vary across institutions such as SIAC, DIAC, ICC, and others. It’s worth familiarising yourself with these institutional rules early, and building a parallel habit of reading key international arbitration jurisprudence, so the transition is smoother when the time comes.
5. Adaptability and quick learning
While legal aptitude matters, law firms – especially when hiring freshers – place a lot of weight on how adaptive you are and how quickly you can grasp new concepts. This often matters more than existing subject-matter knowledge.
6. Drafting skills and composure under pressure
Good drafting – pleadings, applications, opinions – is a craft you build over years, so start paying close attention to it early. Equally, disputes work often comes with tight deadlines and high-pressure situations, so the ability to stay calm and think clearly under pressure will serve you well.
7. Command over procedure
Substantive law only takes you so far – a good disputes lawyer also knows procedure inside out (CPC, Evidence Act, arbitration rules, limitation, etc.). Procedural missteps can cost a client the case regardless of merits, so this is worth mastering early.
8. Teamwork and the ability to take instructions well
Much of your early years will be spent working under seniors as part of a team. Being someone who takes briefs accurately, follows up diligently, and collaborates well will set you apart quickly.
9. Negotiation and strategic thinking
Not every dispute ends in a courtroom. Knowing when and how to negotiate, settle, or take a calculated litigation risk is a skill that develops with experience but is worth being conscious of from the start.
10. Comfort with technology and evolving practice
Courts and tribunals are increasingly moving towards e-filing, virtual hearings, and legal-tech tools. Being comfortable adapting to these changes will only become more important going forward.
Hope this helps as you think through your path ahead.
(*The professional designation and organisation mentioned are provided solely for identification purposes. The views and opinions expressed are strictly personal and do not represent those of the organisation or employer.*)
