M&A is a coveted corporate specialisation, and getting into it is a specific version of the corporate path, aimed squarely at deal work. Let me give you a clear route: the steps, the skills and internships that matter, and a realistic roadmap.
Quick answer
To become an M&A lawyer in India, you follow the corporate path with an M&A focus: complete a law degree, build strong drafting and commercial awareness, do corporate and M&A internships to gain transactional exposure, and enter a corporate/M&A role at a law firm (mainly) through placements, off-campus applications or referrals. To practise as an advocate, you also enrol and clear the AIBE (verify the current process), though M&A work is largely advisory/transactional. The key is targeting corporate and M&A internships, building excellent drafting and commercial awareness, and showing genuine interest in deals.
The path, step by step
- Law degree. Complete a 5-year integrated law degree after Class 12 or a 3-year LLB after a bachelor’s degree.
- Build M&A-relevant skills. Develop excellent drafting skills, strong attention to detail and commercial awareness, including an understanding of why businesses pursue mergers, acquisitions and other transactions.
- Get relevant internships. Seek internships in corporate and M&A practices at law firms, gaining practical exposure to transactions, due diligence, documentation and deal execution. This is one of the most important steps towards entering the field.
- Enrolment and AIBE. If you intend to practise as an advocate, complete the applicable enrolment and AIBE requirements. Verify the current process and requirements. M&A work is largely advisory and transactional.
- Target corporate and M&A roles. Enter a corporate or M&A practice through placements, off-campus applications or referrals, and build your expertise by working on transactions and gaining meaningful deal experience.
Skills and internships that matter most
M&A recruiters want strong drafting, meticulous detail, commercial awareness and stamina. Build these through corporate and M&A internships (real due diligence and drafting), the CV and skills guides, and following deal news to build commercial awareness. Targeted transactional internships are the clearest signal.
A realistic roadmap
- Early years: foundations, a first internship, and understanding corporate/deal work.
- Middle years: corporate and M&A internships, building drafting and commercial awareness, and a corporate-focused CV.
- Final years: targeted M&A-relevant internships, interview preparation (see the M&A interview guide), and pursuing corporate/M&A roles.
YLCC ACTION STEP: Target corporate internships with M&A exposure, and build commercial awareness by following deals and understanding why companies buy and merge. Transactional exposure plus commercial awareness is exactly what M&A recruiters look for.
Who suits M&A?
Those who like business and deals, thrive on detail and structured work, and can handle high intensity and deadlines. If you want a calmer pace or courtroom work, other paths may suit better.
FAQs
- How do I become an M&A lawyer in India? Follow the corporate path with an M&A focus: law degree, strong drafting and commercial awareness, corporate/M&A internships, enrolment and AIBE to practise, and a corporate/M&A role at a firm.
- Is M&A a separate route from corporate law? No, it is a specialisation within corporate law. You enter corporate practice and move toward M&A.
- What internships help most? Corporate and M&A internships at firms, where you gain due diligence and drafting experience on deals.
- What skills do I need? Excellent drafting, attention to detail, commercial awareness, stamina, and genuine interest in deals.
- Can non-NLU students become M&A lawyers? Yes, through targeted internships, proof of work and deliberate applications.
