Law Firm Salaries in India (2025 Full Guide): Stipends, A0 Pay, PQE Growth & Firm-Wise Breakdown

Law Firm Salaries in India (2025): The Most Detailed Intern-to-Partner Compensation Guide

Understanding law firm salaries in India is essential for every law student, job applicant, and young associate planning a long-term career. The 2025 compensation landscape shows enormous variation between Tier 1, Tier 2, regional, boutique, and litigation-focused firms. This blog compiles the most exhaustive firm-wise, PQE-wise, and stipend-level salary data for 2025, covering nearly every major firm in India.

1. Intern Stipends: The First Step Into the Legal Market

Intern stipends differ drastically, even among the biggest firms.

Top Paying Tier 1 Firms

  • AZB Mumbai: ₹10,000 for most interns, ₹30,000 specifically for GLC Mumbai A0-track interns.
  • Trilegal: ₹16,000 (TDS deducted for short internships; long-term interns exempt).
  • CAM: ₹12,000–₹16,000 depending on office and performance.
  • Khaitan & Co: ₹6,700–₹8,000 depending on location.
  • SAM: ₹4,333–₹4,700 following their Jan ‘25 update.

Zero-Stipend or Low-Stipend Tier 2 Firms

Several well-known firms either pay nothing or very low amounts:

  • AZB Noida: No stipend.
  • DSK Legal: No stipend.
  • Saraf & Partners: ₹10,000 but restricted to NLU students.
  • HSA: No stipend.
  • Kanga & Co., Dua Associates, Naik & Naik Co., C&M — several teams offer unpaid internships.

Boutiques like Avitr Legal, Athena Legal, Stratage Law Partners, Ashlar Law, Quasar Legal, Arogya Legal, LexStart, and many chambers vary from ₹3,000 to ₹15,000.

2. A0 (0 PQE) Salaries: The True Market Benchmark

The A0 salary reflects how competitive a firm is in the current market.

Top Tier 1 A0 Pay

  • Khaitan & Co: ₹22.5 LPA (includes Bar Exam bonus).
  • AZB Mumbai: ₹19.5 LPA.
  • Trilegal: ₹19.5 LPA.
  • CAM: ~₹18 LPA + 1–2 L bonus depending on MPD and performance.
  • SAM: ₹20 LPA.
  • S&R: ₹19.8 LPA.
  • IndusLaw: ₹14.4–₹15.5 LPA.
  • JSA: ₹15.7 LPA.

Mid & Boutique Firms (A0 Trends)

  • Bharucha & Partners: ₹12L (Mumbai) / ₹10L (Delhi/Bangalore).
  • Veritas Legal: ₹14–15L.
  • Spice Route Legal: ₹12L fixed + ₹4.2L bonus.
  • Regstreet Law Advisors: ₹7.2–7.8L (no bonus).
  • Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan: ₹9L + bonuses.

3. PQE-Wise Salary Growth Across Firms

1 PQE Salaries

Tier 1 firms show sharp jumps:

  • Khaitan: ₹24L
  • Trilegal: ₹21.5–22L
  • CAM: ~₹22.5L
  • SAM: ₹21–22.5L
  • S&R: ₹22.2L
  • L&L: ~₹19.5L

Tier 2 firms range between ₹15L–18L.

2 PQE Salaries

Tier 1 average: ₹25–30L
Examples:

  • Khaitan: ₹28L
  • Trilegal: ₹25–26L
  • CAM: ₹27L
  • SAM: ~₹22L
  • Induslaw: ₹22.8L
  • Spice Route Legal: ₹24.3L

Tier 2 range: ₹18–22L.

3 PQE Salaries

Tier 1 firms break into the ₹30–35L zone:

  • Khaitan: ₹34.8L
  • CAM: ₹31L
  • Spice Route Legal: ₹27.5L
  • S&R: ~₹27L
  • Trilegal: ~₹30L
  • SAM: ₹26.5L
  • Induslaw: ₹22.8–25L

Boutique firms like LexCounsel or Lexygen remain significantly lower, around ₹12–18L.

4 PQE Salaries

A major inflection point:

  • Khaitan: ₹42L
  • CAM: ₹33L
  • Trilegal: ₹36L
  • SAM: ₹32L
  • Spice Route Legal: ₹30.7L
  • Induslaw: ~₹28L
  • S&R: ₹33L+

Many Tier 2 firms cap around ₹20–26L here.

5 PQE Salaries

  • Khaitan: ₹51L
  • CAM: ₹50L
  • Trilegal: ₹45–55L
  • SAM: ~₹32–35L
  • Spice Route Legal: ₹41.4L
  • S&R: ₹42L

Boutiques offering strong growth:

  • LexStart: ₹10–12L
  • Peritum Partners: fully variable, depends on billing
  • Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan: ₹24–28L

6 PQE Salaries

At this stage, bonuses dominate compensation.

  • Khaitan: ₹58L
  • CAM: ₹60L
  • Trilegal: ₹62.5L
  • Spice Route Legal: ₹48.6L
  • S&R: ₹42–45L+

Many mid-tier firms max out between ₹25–32L.

7 PQE Salaries

  • Khaitan: ₹65L
  • CAM: ₹60–65L
  • Trilegal: ₹62–70L
  • Spice Route Legal: ₹55.8L
  • S&R: mid-50s
  • SAM: ~₹58L

8 PQE Salaries

  • Khaitan: ₹75L
  • CAM: ~₹85L
  • Spice Route Legal: ₹63L
  • Trilegal: ₹90L
  • S&R: high-50s to mid-60s

9 PQE Salaries

Senior associates moving toward partnership:

  • Khaitan: ₹85–100L
  • CAM: ₹85–90L+
  • Trilegal: ₹90L+
  • Spice Route Legal: ₹72–79L
  • SAM: ~₹56L
  • S&R: ₹70–80L potential

This stage usually opens the door to non-equity partner roles depending on revenue share and performance.


4. Firm-Wise Highlights (Snippets from Market Data)

  • Spice Route Legal displays one of the most structured PQE ladders (12 → 24.3 → 27.5 → 30.7 → 41.4 → 48.6 → 55.8 → 63 → 72 → 79).
  • S&R Associates relies heavily on variable pay and bonuses at senior PQEs.
  • Khaitan & Co consistently leads the market with the highest fixed + variable structure.
  • CAM uses MPD-bonus and annual performance bonuses extensively.
  • Induslaw, Argus, Quillon maintain strong performance-driven bonus models.
  • Boutique firms like LexCounsel, Peritum, LexStart, Avitr offer flexibility but lower pay.

5. Key Trends in Law Firm Salaries (2025)

  1. Tier 1 still dominates with the most predictable salary jumps.
  2. Bonuses are becoming crucial, sometimes forming 30–40% of senior PQE compensation.
  3. Internship stipends remain extremely uneven, especially between corporate and litigation teams.
  4. Boutique firms grow faster in PQE salary jumps if you stay long-term.
  5. Niche areas—FinTech, IP, Tech Law, Arbitration—pay higher in smaller teams.
  6. Some firms still offer no stipend, and many Tier 2 litigation offices cap compensation early.

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Stellar Virtual Legal Internship in IP and Technology Law – Apple Solicitors (September 2025)

Virtual Legal Internship opportunities that offer a deep dive into Intellectual Property and Technology Law are becoming essential for students preparing for a future in the legal profession. Apple Solicitors, a respected Nigeria-based law firm, is offering a comprehensive and career-focused Virtual Legal Internship – September 2025 to law students and recent graduates across the globe. This internship is designed to equip participants with practical skills, legal research exposure, and mentorship in two of the fastest-growing legal fields: IP Law and Tech Law.

In an era dominated by digital transformation and innovation, legal frameworks related to intellectual property and technology are critical for regulating and protecting digital assets, software, AI systems, data privacy, and online content. This internship enables participants to understand and contribute meaningfully to this evolving legal landscape through hands-on learning, expert interaction, and case-based assignments—all in a remote environment.

About Apple Solicitors

Apple Solicitors is a progressive law firm headquartered in Nigeria, known for its litigation work in both civil and criminal matters. The firm has a growing reputation for its focus on modern legal domains such as Intellectual Property Law and Technology Law, serving clients from tech startups to digital platforms, and creators to corporate brands. Apple Solicitors is committed to nurturing emerging legal talent and fostering a culture of legal innovation.

The firm’s internship programs are structured, dynamic, and designed to provide genuine legal experience to participants through a blend of legal writing, client advisory simulations, contract analysis, and IP rights enforcement assignments.

Internship Overview

  • Title: Stellar Virtual Legal Internship – September 2025
  • Organization: Apple Solicitors
  • Location: Online (Remote/Virtual)
  • Duration: 1st September – 27th September 2025
  • Mode: Full-time virtual internship
  • Certificate: Provided upon successful completion

This virtual legal internship is open globally and encourages applications from students and recent graduates looking to build a future in IP and technology-driven legal sectors.

Key Practice Areas

During this internship, candidates will gain structured exposure in the following core legal areas:

1. Intellectual Property Law

Interns will explore the basics and advanced aspects of IP law, including:

  • Copyright, trademark, and patent protection
  • Procedures for registration and enforcement of IP rights
  • International treaties on IP (e.g., TRIPS, Berne Convention)
  • Legal drafting of cease-and-desist letters
  • IP dispute case studies and litigation
  • Use of IP in digital media and e-commerce

2. Technology Law

The second major focus is understanding the legal implications of emerging technologies:

  • Overview of IT contracts and licensing
  • Data privacy and cybersecurity laws
  • Software agreements, SaaS contracts
  • E-commerce regulations
  • Artificial Intelligence and law
  • Legal challenges of blockchain and digital identity

Interns will engage with real-life legal issues, review precedents, and participate in research and legal writing projects under expert guidance.

Eligibility Criteria

This virtual legal internship is ideal for:

  • Undergraduate law students in 3rd year or above (5-year program)
  • Final-year students in 3-year LLB programs
  • Fresh law graduates (graduated within the last 2 years)
  • Applicants must have an interest in Intellectual Property Law and/or Technology Law

Prior exposure to these subjects through coursework, seminars, or projects will be an added advantage.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Virtual Legal Internship, interns will:

  • Understand the fundamentals and application of IP and Tech Law
  • Develop skills in contract analysis, legal research, and drafting
  • Learn how to interpret evolving tech-based legal frameworks
  • Work on legal blogs and content development for online publication
  • Gain insight into global IP and tech law policies
  • Receive a certificate of participation and performance feedback

Interns who perform exceptionally may receive recommendation letters or extended mentoring opportunities with the firm.

Application Process

Interested candidates must apply through the official link provided below. The application must include:

  • Updated resume
  • Short cover letter (max. 300 words) explaining your interest in IP and Tech Law
  • Optional: Any prior legal writing or blog samples

Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/dGZM7KUY

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged. Selected candidates will be notified via email.

Why Choose a Virtual Legal Internship?

A Virtual Legal Internship not only helps overcome geographical constraints but also offers flexibility and accessibility. Interns can attend sessions, complete tasks, and collaborate with peers without needing to travel or relocate. This remote internship mirrors real-world legal work done through digital platforms and prepares interns for modern law practice where virtual client meetings, e-filings, and digital drafting are becoming the norm.

Additionally, working on intellectual property and technology law cases helps students develop a global legal mindset—essential for careers in corporate law, tech startups, digital policy, and international legal practice.

Final Thoughts

This Virtual Legal Internship offered by Apple Solicitors is more than just a short-term program—it’s an opportunity to explore the future of law in an evolving legal-tech world. The demand for IP and tech law specialists is growing rapidly, and this internship provides a meaningful first step toward that path. Whether you are planning for further studies or gearing up for a legal career in niche domains, this internship will strengthen your profile and practical understanding.

Take the leap into a high-impact learning journey.
Apply today and become part of the next generation of legal professionals shaping the digital future.


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