Best Law Firms for Internships in India (2026): Stipend, Process & PPO Chances
Every law student eventually asks which law firms are actually worth interning at. There is no single answer because the best firm depends on what you want from the internship. If your goal is to build a career in corporate law, some firms are particularly valuable because they offer strong transactional exposure and, importantly, a realistic pathway to a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO).
This guide covers some of the best law firms for internships in India in 2026, their reported stipends, application processes, practice areas and the role internships can play in securing a full-time offer.
What Makes a Law Firm Good for an Internship?
The reputation of a law firm is only one part of what makes an internship valuable. Students should primarily consider the quality of work, the practice area and whether the firm has a meaningful pathway from internships to full-time recruitment. An internship where you work on actual legal assignments and receive feedback from associates can be more valuable than one where you spend most of your time on administrative work.
PPO opportunities are particularly important for students targeting corporate law. Some leading firms recruit a significant proportion of their fresh associates from their internship programmes. However, students should not choose a firm solely because it has a strong PPO record. The quality of the experience and whether the firm’s practice areas match your interests should also influence your decision.
Stipend is another factor, but it should generally be treated as a secondary consideration. Internship stipends vary considerably between firms, and a lower-paying internship can still provide valuable experience if it gives you meaningful exposure to legal work.
Best Law Firms for Corporate Law Internships in India
Trilegal
Trilegal is one of the most sought-after law firms for students interested in corporate law. The reported internship stipend is ₹16,000 per month, making it one of the highest among the firms covered in this guide.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students have reported a selection process involving online assessments followed by a callback internship. During the internship, performance and interaction with the team can influence whether a student progresses towards a PPO interview.
The firm’s recruitment figures also demonstrate the importance of its internship programme. According to Bar & Bench, most of Trilegal’s 90 hires for the Batch of 2026 came through PPOs from its internship programme.
You can read our detailed Trilegal Internship Guide for the application process and other requirements.
Khaitan & Co
Khaitan & Co is another leading destination for students seeking corporate law internships. The reported stipend is approximately ₹6,500 per month, and the firm’s internship programme operates throughout the year.
Students can apply through the firm’s website or through their law school’s placement committee. The firm’s internship programme can also provide a pathway to full-time recruitment. At NLU Jodhpur, five of Khaitan’s seven hires for the Batch of 2026 reportedly came through PPOs.
Students interested in applying should also refer to our Khaitan & Co Internship Guide for the detailed application process.
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) is one of India’s largest full-service law firms and is highly competitive among students seeking corporate law internships. The reported internship stipend is ₹12,000 per month.
CAM hired 100 freshers through campus placements for the Batch of 2026. Although this represents a substantial number of hires, the figure was lower than the 170 freshers reportedly hired the previous year, indicating the level of competition involved in securing a position.
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (SAM) is another leading firm for students interested in corporate and transactional practice. The reported internship stipend is approximately ₹4,300–₹4,700 per month.
Although the stipend is lower than that of several other leading firms, SAM has a significant PPO route. According to Bar & Bench, 34 of the firm’s 92 fresh hires for the Batch of 2026 came through PPOs. This makes the internship particularly relevant for students whose long-term objective is to secure a full-time position at the firm.
AZB & Partners
AZB & Partners is one of India’s leading corporate law firms and is particularly relevant for students interested in transactional, banking and finance work. The reported stipend is ₹10,000 per month in Mumbai.
At NLU Jodhpur, AZB reportedly made five PPOs across its Mumbai and Delhi offices for the Batch of 2026. Students interested in AZB should therefore consider the internship not simply as a CV-building opportunity but also as a potential route into the firm’s recruitment process.
Other Strong Options
Students should not restrict themselves to the five firms above. S&R Associates reportedly pays ₹12,000 per month, while IndusLaw pays approximately ₹10,000. JSA reportedly offers ₹7,500, and Argus Partners and L&L Partners offer around ₹10,000.
The LawCademy’s Paid Corporate Law Internships resource contains more opportunities for students looking beyond the most competitive firms.
Best Law Firms for Internships by Practice Area
The best law firm for an internship also depends on the area of law you want to pursue. A student interested in intellectual property law, for example, may gain more relevant experience at a specialist IP firm than at a large full-service corporate firm.
For intellectual property law, Anand & Anand is known for patent litigation, while Remfry & Sagar has a strong reputation in prosecution. K&S Partners is another relevant option for students interested in trademarks and designs.
Students interested in tax law can consider Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, particularly because of its established tax litigation and advisory practice. For banking and finance, AZB & Partners is a strong option given its established work in the sector.
Students should nevertheless research the firm’s current practice areas and recent matters before applying because the nature of work and team structures can change.
Why Mid-Sized and Boutique Firms Should Not Be Ignored
The largest law firms receive a very high number of internship applications, which makes their internships extremely competitive. Students should therefore not assume that an internship at a mid-sized or boutique firm is less valuable.
Smaller firms can sometimes provide greater exposure to actual files, closer interaction with associates and partners, and more opportunities to take responsibility for specific assignments. For a student who is still learning how legal practice works, this hands-on exposure can be extremely valuable.
A good internship at a mid-sized firm can also strengthen your CV when you later apply to a top-tier firm. More importantly, it can help you understand whether corporate law is actually the right career path for you.
How to Apply for a Law Firm Internship
Students should begin their applications well in advance. Some firms require applications several months before the intended internship period. For example, students targeting a May or June internship should ideally begin preparing and submitting applications around December or January.
The application route depends on the firm. Some firms accept applications directly through their websites, while others recruit interns through law school placement or internship committees. Before sending a direct application, students should therefore check both the firm’s official website and their own college’s placement process.
Your CV should also be tailored to the type of firm and practice area you are applying to. A concise one-page CV should highlight your academic performance, relevant internships, publications, moots, research experience and other achievements that demonstrate your interest in the particular area of law.
If a firm does not respond, a short and professional follow-up can be sent after a reasonable period. Students should avoid repeatedly contacting the firm or sending identical messages to multiple people.
Students should also apply only through legitimate channels. Trilegal, for example, states that applications submitted through agents or third-party portals may not be considered.
How Do Law Firm Internships Lead to PPOs?
For students targeting corporate law, an internship can be one of the most important routes to a full-time position. While campus recruitment remains significant, particularly at leading NLUs, firms can use their internship programmes to evaluate students before making full-time offers.
Reported recruitment figures illustrate this. At NLU Jodhpur, all four of Trilegal’s reported hires for the Batch of 2026 came through PPOs, while Khaitan reportedly made five PPOs. CAM and SAM also recruited freshers through their internship pipelines.
A student seeking a PPO should therefore treat the internship as an extended assessment rather than simply a short-term work experience. The quality of your assignments, your ability to take feedback, reliability, communication and relationship with the team can all influence how you are perceived.
Students should also ask for feedback during the internship rather than waiting until the final day. Understanding what the team expects and improving based on that feedback can make a significant difference.
Some students report completing multiple internships at the same firm before receiving a PPO, particularly at highly competitive firms. However, this should be treated as student experience rather than an official requirement of the firm.
Common Mistakes Students Make
One of the biggest mistakes is applying to only one or two firms and expecting a positive response. Top firms receive applications from a large number of students, so a broader and more strategic application strategy is usually necessary.
Students should also avoid applying at the last minute, sending generic emails, choosing a firm purely because of its brand name, or ignoring the firm’s practice areas.
Most importantly, an internship should not be treated as a formality. For firms that recruit through PPOs, your internship may effectively be your first extended interview for a full-time position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which law firm is best for internships in India?
For students interested in corporate law and PPO opportunities, Trilegal, Khaitan & Co., Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and AZB & Partners are among the most sought-after firms. Students interested in specialised areas such as intellectual property can consider firms such as Anand & Anand and Remfry & Sagar.
Do law firms pay interns?
Many leading law firms offer stipends, although the amount varies significantly between firms. The firms covered in this guide have reported stipends ranging from approximately ₹4,300 to ₹16,000 per month.
Can I get an internship at a top law firm without contacts?
Yes. Students can apply through official firm websites and law school placement committees without having personal contacts at the firm. However, competition is high, so applying early and submitting a focused application can improve your chances.
Does every law firm internship lead to a PPO?
No. An internship does not guarantee a PPO. Whether a student receives a full-time offer depends on their performance, the firm’s hiring requirements, available positions and the recruitment process for that year.
The Bottom Line
The best law firm for an internship is not necessarily the firm offering the highest stipend or carrying the biggest name. The most valuable internship is one that gives you meaningful legal work, exposure to the practice area you want to pursue and, where relevant, a realistic opportunity to compete for a PPO.
Students targeting corporate law should consider firms such as Trilegal, Khaitan & Co., CAM, SAM and AZB, but should also apply strategically to mid-sized and specialist firms. Start your applications early, tailor your CV and email to each firm, take feedback seriously and treat every internship as an opportunity to demonstrate that you are ready for full-time legal work.
