The Dichotomy of Law Firm Hiring Criteria
There is a certain irony in penning this article. As I write about the overvaluation of publications in law firm hiring, I am acutely aware of the irony in publishing this piece. My own journey through the legal education system and the hiring practices of law firms has highlighted the significant imbalance between practical experience and academic achievements.
Law School Realities
During exam season, a peculiar sight greets visitors to law school libraries. Students are engrossed in writing research papers—not necessarily for academic purposes, but to enhance their CVs in anticipation of campus placements. Ask them about the content of their papers, and many struggle to articulate their research. The reason for writing? “It looks good on the CV.” This is the stark reality of legal education in India today.
A student who has spent years in courtrooms, mastering the intricacies of legal proceedings and drafting pleadings, often finds that this practical experience pales in comparison to a hastily written research paper in the eyes of hiring law firms. The pertinent question is not the intrinsic value of publications, but why they are prioritized over practical experience by firms seeking candidates ready to practice law from day one.
The Publication Dilemma
Having personally experienced this mismatch, my CV lacks publications but boasts substantial litigation experience. I’ve interned in settings that offered real-world legal exposure, witnessing cross-examinations, participating in client meetings, and drafting applications under tight deadlines. Despite this, I’ve faced 11 rejections from top-tier law firms, not due to a lack of skills or poor recommendations, but because of the absence of publications on my CV. Many firms now mandate publications as a criterion, using them as a gatekeeping filter before even reviewing an applicant’s full profile.
Practical Experience vs. Publications
This is not an argument against the value of publications; a well-crafted paper signifies real competence. However, equating solitary research, free from immediate consequences, with extensive courtroom experience is misguided. These are not equivalent measures of a candidate’s potential.
The Reality of Hiring Practices
Top-tier firms claim to seek well-rounded candidates. Yet, in practice, hiring often involves sifting through hundreds of CVs for a limited number of positions. In such scenarios, a CV with a publication appears more impressive than one emphasizing practical legal experience. This preference has driven students toward journals that offer easy publication opportunities, often for a fee, with little regard for quality or peer review. The University Grants Commission (UGC) in India found nearly 90% of nominated journals to be substandard, leading to the scrapping of its approved list in 2024.
The Impact on Legal Careers
Law students from privileged backgrounds can curate impressive CVs with publications, while those engaged in demanding internships may lack the time or resources to pursue publication opportunities. This disparity rewards access over skill, resulting in firms hiring candidates based on glossy CVs rather than practical aptitude. Consequently, firms may find themselves re-teaching skills that the CV implied the candidate possessed.
Reforming the Hiring Process
Publications should not disappear from CVs, but they should not replace practical competence. Firms could shift their focus during interviews, asking candidates to describe real problems they solved during internships. Simple follow-up questions about publications, such as “What was the most challenging aspect of writing this?” can quickly differentiate genuine engagement from superficial CV padding.
While legal recruitment purports to seek future lawyers, the current focus on publications over practical experience often undermines this goal. The issue is not the existence of publications, but their use as a shortcut for evaluating candidates’ real abilities. My own experiences, marked by 11 rejections, underscore the need for a more honest assessment of what a lawyer can truly offer.
Krishna Beena Rohit Chheda is a recent law graduate of Government Law College, Mumbai.
