Phone No.: 7795150647  |   Email ID: legalaid@sjcl.edu.in
Placement & Internship Committee

About Internships at SJCL

At St. Joseph's College of Law (SJCL), internships are a compulsory part of the law degree and a central part of how our students learn. In an internship, students see the law they study in the classroom applied to real clients, real cases and real transactions. They learn how advocates prepare a matter, how judges and their staff work, how law firms and in-house teams advise businesses, and how non-governmental organisations bring the law to the people who need it most.

Guided by the Placement & Internship Committee

The Committee works under the supervision of the Principal and is headed by the Placement & Internship Officer, supported by Student Coordinators drawn from different batches. Together, they help every student plan, secure, complete and document their internships, and prepare for placement at the end of the course.

20 weeks
5-Year Integrated Programme
12 weeks
3-Year LL.B. Programme
1 month
Minimum internship every academic year
16
Parameters in the supervisor evaluation

How the Committee Supports Students

01
Internship Opportunities

The Committee circulates verified internship openings with law firms, advocates' chambers, courts, companies, in-house legal teams and NGOs. Recent openings include Trilegal (Employment Law and General Corporate teams), Canvas Legal (Litigation and Disputes) and Rubrik (Legal Intern).

02
Standard CV Format

Every application sent through the Committee uses a standard SJCL CV template, so that recruiters receive clear and comparable profiles, and students learn to present their experience professionally from their first application.

03
Internal Vetting & Individual Feedback

For recruiter-specific openings, applications go through internal shortlisting before they are forwarded. Every applicant receives individual feedback, whether or not they are selected, so that each application becomes a learning opportunity.

04
Peer Learning

Through the weekly "Internship Insights" sessions and peer-to-peer mentoring, senior students who have completed strong internships share the research, cases and tasks they handled with their juniors.

05
Documentation Support

The Committee issues guidelines on the internship diary, certificates and supervisor evaluations required under the rules of the Karnataka State Law University (KSLU), and helps students complete them correctly.

Practical Exposure

Where Our Students Intern

SJCL students intern across NGOs, trial and appellate advocates, the judiciary, law firms, companies, legal regulatory authorities and local self-government bodies.

For students of the 5-Year Integrated Programme, the first internship is with an NGO, which builds an early understanding of how law reaches people and communities. In later years, students move towards litigation, corporate practice, research or policy work, based on their career interests and the guidance of the Committee.

NGOs Trial & Appellate Advocates The Judiciary Law Firms Companies Legal Regulatory Authorities Local Self-Government Bodies
KSLU & BCI Rules

Internship Policy

Every SJCL student must complete the minimum internship period prescribed by the Karnataka State Law University (KSLU) and the Bar Council of India (BCI).

A student who does not complete the prescribed internship will not be awarded the degree.

Minimum Internship Requirement

5-Year Integrated Programme
B.A. LL.B. / B.B.A. LL.B. / B.Com. LL.B.
20weeks over the course

NGO Internship:

Compulsory

The first internship must be with an NGO.

3-Year LL.B.
Bachelor of Laws
12weeks over the course

NGO Internship:

Not compulsory
  • Students must complete at least one month of internship in each academic year. An internship missed in one year cannot be made up by doing additional internship in a later year.
  • Under the BCI Rules, an internship in any one year cannot run continuously for more than four weeks.
  • Every student must intern at least once with trial and appellate advocates during the course.
Where Students May Intern

After the first NGO internship (for 5-Year Integrated Programme students), internships may be done with:

  • NGOs
  • Trial and appellate advocates
  • The judiciary
  • Legal regulatory authorities
  • Legislatures and Parliament
  • Other legal functionaries
  • Market institutions
  • Law firms and companies
  • Local self-government bodies
When to Intern
  • Students are advised to complete their internships during the semester breaks.
  • If a student chooses to intern while the semester is in progress, every two days of such internship will be counted as one internship day. The University presumes that the student attends classes in the first half of the day and goes to the internship in the second half.
  • Classes may not be missed for an internship. Attendance will not be granted for any class missed on account of an internship.
Documentation
  • Every student must maintain an internship diary in the format prescribed by KSLU, recording the work done each day.
  • Each internship must be supported by an internship certificate from the host organisation and an evaluation by the supervisor.
  • Completed documents are submitted to the Placement & Internship Committee within the timelines it notifies for each year and programme.
For Supervisors

Internship Evaluation Form

At the end of every internship, the student's supervisor at the host organisation evaluates the intern's work. Supervisor evaluations help the College track each student's progress, identify areas for improvement and strengthen its relationships with host organisations. The supervisor may use either of the following:

SJCL Internship Evaluation Form

The College's own evaluation form, reproduced in full on this page. The completed form is signed, sealed and returned to the Placement & Internship Cell in a sealed envelope bearing the seal of the organisation, or emailed as a scanned copy directly to the Cell.

Evaluation Form in the Internship Diary

Students may instead have their supervisor fill in the evaluation form that forms part of the KSLU internship diary.

What the SJCL Evaluation Form Covers

The form records the supervisor's details (name, designation, organisation, phone number and email address) and the internship details (the student's name, register number, year and semester, area of work or department, start and completion dates, and total number of days). The supervisor then rates the intern on sixteen parameters on a scale of:

ExcellentVery GoodSatisfactoryNeeds ImprovementUnsatisfactoryNot Applicable
aPunctuality and regular attendance
bProfessional conduct and behaviour
cEffective performance of assigned work
dOral communication skills
eWritten communication skills
fLegal research skills
gAbility to work with others
hAbility to adapt to a variety of tasks
iDecision-making and setting priorities
jReliability and dependability
kAttention to accuracy and detail
lWillingness to seek help and guidance
mQuality of work
nCritical thinking and problem-solving skills
oMeeting deadlines
pInterest and enthusiasm shown during the internship

The supervisor may also offer suggestions to the intern and to the College, gives an overall rating of their experience with the intern, and indicates whether they would consider the student for a future internship or employment opportunity. The form concludes with the supervisor's signature, the seal of the organisation, and the date and place.

SJCL Internship Evaluation Form - Page 1 Page 1
SJCL Internship Evaluation Form - Page 2 Page 2
Print, Complete & Return

Supervisors may print, complete and return the form, or email a scanned copy to the Placement & Internship Cell at placement@sjcl.edu.in.

Download Form (PDF) Email the Cell
For Recruiters

Placements at SJCL

SJCL welcomes law firms, companies, advocates' chambers and organisations to recruit our students as interns and graduates. The Placement & Internship Committee is the single point of contact for every recruiter, from the first enquiry to the final offer.

Why Recruit at SJCL

01
Students Trained Beyond the Classroom

Alongside the KSLU law curriculum, students take a certificate course in MS Office and legal drafting in their first year. They also attend resume and cover-letter workshops, mock interviews, and personal excellence sessions on soft skills and workplace etiquette.

02
Practical Exposure from the First Year

Every student completes compulsory internships, starting with an NGO in the first year, so recruiters meet candidates who have already worked in real legal settings.

03
Campus Drives Handled End to End

The College can host a complete recruitment drive on campus, including pre-placement talks, written tests, group discussions and interviews. The Committee manages scheduling, student shortlists, rooms and logistics, so the recruiter's team only needs to arrive and assess.

04
Clear, Comparable Profiles

All applications come in the standard SJCL CV format, after internal screening for eligibility and fit.

05
A Growing Recruiter Network

Our students have interned with or been placed at a growing list of leading law firms, legal service providers and companies.

Our Recruiter Network

Trilegal
King Stubb & Kasiva
JSM Law Partners
K&A Law Offices
Contriance Legal Solutions
Catkin Legal
Surekha QorLex
First American India
Molecular Connections
Vibrant Screen
Placement Policy: Eligibility

A student is put forward for a placement or recruiter-specific internship opportunity only if the student:

  • has no pending academic backlog;
  • has no attendance shortfall in either of the two preceding semesters; and
  • has no pending disciplinary proceedings.

A student who is not eligible for one opportunity may apply for later opportunities once the condition is resolved.

Placement Process

The recruiter shares the role, eligibility criteria and timeline with the Placement & Internship Officer.

The Committee circulates the opportunity to eligible students.

Students apply in the standard SJCL CV format, along with any statement of purpose or writing sample the recruiter requires.

The Committee screens the applications and forwards a shortlist to the recruiter.

The recruiter conducts its selection process, either on campus or at its own office.

Results are communicated to students through the Committee, and every applicant receives feedback.

Skill Building

Training Programmes, Workshops and Talks

The Committee runs a year-round programme to build the skills students need to secure and succeed in internships and placements.

Certificate Course in MS Office & Legal Drafting

For first-year students.

"Internship Insights" Sessions

Held weekly on Saturdays from 26 September 2026. In each session, a student who has completed a strong internship presents the research, case law and tasks they handled.

Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Sessions

Senior students guide first-year students on choosing internships and building skills beyond the CV.

Mock Interview & Personal Excellence Sessions

October–November 2026, on aptitude, soft skills and interview etiquette for penultimate- and final-year students.

Workshop
Resume and cover letter workshop (September–October 2026) on writing applications for internships and placements.

Talks and Guest Lectures

24 Sep 2026
Adv. Archana Nair
Research-cum-Assistant to Justice Shyam Prasad, High Court of Karnataka

Judicial Clerkship as a Career Stepping Stone: clerkship responsibilities, legal research, drafting bench memos, day-to-day realities and how to secure a clerkship.

24 Sep 2026
Dr. Sobha Shridhar
Company Secretary (12+ years' experience)

Introduction to Corporate Secretaryship: A Guide to the CS Exam, covering eligibility, preparation strategy and post-qualification career paths.

5 May 2026
Ms. Himali Sylvester
Associate, AI & Emerging Technologies, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.

TMT law practice, career opportunities, professional networking and writing, and the growing role of AI in legal practice.

2 Apr 2026
Shankar Reddy & Brian Lobo
Senior students

Building Your Legal Career: Litigation & Corporate, Two Paths, One Purpose.

What's Been Happening

Placement and Internship Activities 2026

3 Oct 2026Mentoring
Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Session #1

"Beyond the Resume Line: What Every Internship Really Gives You", led by Md Nasiur Rahaman Khan (5th year) for first-year students. Covered choosing internships strategically, what interns actually do, career paths across litigation, in-house and research fellowships, and building skills beyond the CV.

30 Sep 2026Opportunity
Internship Opportunity: Canvas Legal (Litigation & Disputes)

In-office internship of 1–2 months from October 2026 on live litigation matters at Canvas Legal, Bengaluru. Open to 5th-year students (prioritised) and 4th-year students; prior litigation internship experience mandatory.

26 Sep 2026Session
"Internship Insights" Session #1

Launch of the weekly Saturday series in which students present the work they handled during their internships.

24 Sep 2026Seminar
Seminars on Judicial Clerkships and Corporate Secretaryship

Talks by Adv. Archana Nair and Dr. Sobha Shridhar.

19 Sep 2026Higher Studies
World Education Fair 2026

Students informed about the fair organised by Global Reach, for those considering a master's in law at foreign universities.

4 Sep 2026Opportunity
Internship Opportunity: Trilegal (General Corporate)

Offline internship in Trilegal's General Corporate team for September 2026. Eligibility required no pending backlogs, a statement of purpose and a corporate law writing sample.

2 Sep 2026Outcome
Trilegal Employment Law Internship: Outcome

18 applications received; two rounds of internal vetting; shortlisted profiles forwarded to Trilegal; one student selected. Every applicant received individual feedback, along with the SJCL CV format and a Readiness Checklist.

31 Aug 2026Opportunity
Internship Opportunity: Trilegal (Employment Law)

One-month offline internship for September 2026, open to 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-year students with prior Employment Law exposure, a statement of purpose and a writing sample. Stipend payable on successful completion.

25 Jul 2026Advisory
Advisory on BCI Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Students informed of the proposal to raise the enrolment fee from ₹750 to ₹22,500, its impact on aspiring litigators, and the 31 July consultation deadline for objections.

22 Jul 2026Webinar
Webinar on U.S. M&A Transactions

"Navigating U.S. M&A Transactions: Choosing the Right Acquisition Structure", by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce with Grant Thornton Bharat, highlighting careers in cross-border transactions.

4 Jul 2026Higher Studies
Counselling on Higher Education Abroad

Free session with Global Reach Bangalore on study options, university selection and applications for the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Germany, followed by individual counselling.

11 Jun 2026Conference
LexTalk World APAC 2026: "AI & Law: The Asian Frontier"

Students attended the conference in Bengaluru on AI governance, compliance, privacy, cybersecurity and legal operations.

5 Jun 2026Guidelines
Internship Documentation and Viva Guidelines

Detailed guidelines issued on internship diaries, certificates, supervisor feedback forms and mandatory KSLU documentation.

5 May 2026Session
Interactive Session with Ms. Himali Sylvester

Invite-only session with the Associate, AI & Emerging Technologies, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.

14 Apr 2026Opportunity
Internship Opportunity: Rubrik (Legal Intern)

One-month hybrid internship in Bengaluru covering legal research, drafting and reviewing NDAs and commercial agreements, and compliance support, with a monthly stipend of ₹40,000.

3 Apr 2026Newsletter
"The Brief" Part 3: From Campus to Trilegal: The Exact Roadmap

A step-by-step five-year roadmap to a Tier 1 corporate law firm, including the Pre-Placement Offer route and profile-building resources.

2 Apr 2026Seminar
Career Guidance Seminar

"Building Your Legal Career: Litigation & Corporate, Two Paths, One Purpose", led by senior students Shankar Reddy and Brian Lobo.

27 Mar 2026Newsletter
"The Brief" Part 2: Trilegal: The Firm & the Visionary

Newsletter by Yash Kumar Choudhary on Trilegal's founding, partnership structure, growth, major transactions and the career of co-founder Akshay Jaitly.

20 Mar 2026Newsletter
"The Brief" Part 1: What is Corporate Law

Newsletter by Fathima, a first-year student, introducing the different sectors of corporate law.

Year by Year

Batch-wise Plan of Action

Each year of study has a clear internship focus and a set of Committee activities. Together, these take a student from a first NGO internship to campus recruitment.

B.A. LL.B. / B.B.A. LL.B. / B.Com. LL.B.

1st Year
Internship Focus

NGO (compulsory first internship)

Committee Activities

Induction on internship rules and the KSLU diary; SJCL CV template; certificate course in MS Office and legal drafting; peer-to-peer mentoring; NGO internship guidance seminar

Target by Year-End

First NGO internship completed; at least 40 first-year students interned by December 2026

2nd Year
Internship Focus

NGOs, legal aid, District Legal Services Authority, consumer forums

Committee Activities

Interest-mapping survey on preferred practice areas; "Internship Insights" sessions; guidance on research and diary writing

Target by Year-End

One month of internship; practice-area interests recorded

3rd Year
Internship Focus

Trial and appellate advocates' chambers, courts

Committee Activities

Resume and cover letter workshop; guest lectures on litigation, clerkships and other career paths; recruiter-specific openings for eligible students

Target by Year-End

Compulsory internship with trial and appellate advocates completed

4th Year
Internship Focus

Law firms, companies, in-house legal teams, regulatory bodies

Committee Activities

Mock interviews and personal excellence sessions; support with statements of purpose and writing samples; employer outreach for new tie-ups

Target by Year-End

Internship in the student's chosen practice area; profile ready for pre-placement offers

5th Year
Internship Focus

Assessment internships with potential employers

Committee Activities

Campus recruitment drive (February–March); Placement Brochure; alumni career panel; guidance on clerkships, the judiciary and higher studies

Target by Year-End

20 weeks completed and documented; placement or clear next step for every student

LL.B.

1st Year
Internship Focus

Advocates' chambers, courts, legal aid (NGO not compulsory)

Committee Activities

Induction on internship rules and the KSLU diary; SJCL CV template; interest-mapping survey; "Internship Insights" sessions

Target by Year-End

One month of internship completed

2nd Year
Internship Focus

Trial and appellate advocates, law firms, companies

Committee Activities

Resume and cover letter workshop; guest lectures; recruiter-specific openings for eligible students

Target by Year-End

Compulsory internship with trial and appellate advocates completed

3rd Year
Internship Focus

Assessment internships with potential employers

Committee Activities

Mock interviews and personal excellence sessions; campus recruitment drive (February–March); alumni career panel

Target by Year-End

12 weeks completed and documented; placement or clear next step for every student

Get in Touch

Contact the Placement & Internship Committee

Recruiters, host organisations and students may contact:

Write to Us
Placement & Internship OfficerAsst. Prof. Richard Henry William
AddressSt. Joseph's College of Law, Residency Road (F M Cariappa Road), Bengaluru – 560025