Super Lawyer

Author: SuperLawyer Clubs

  • I believe everyone should practice litigation for some year even if they eventually decide the pursue corporate law practice- Abhay Pratap Singh, Managing Partner at GnS Legal LLP and Advocate on Record at the Supreme Court of India

    I believe everyone should practice litigation for some year even if they eventually decide the pursue corporate law practice- Abhay Pratap Singh, Managing Partner at GnS Legal LLP and Advocate on Record at the Supreme Court of India

    This interview has been published by  Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

    Can you tell us about your educational background and how you ended up pursuing a career in law with a specialization in Business Law?

    I have done my schooling from New Delhi then I joined NLU Jodhpur after clearing their entrance examination in 2007. That time there was no CLAT examination and each college had their own individual entrance exams. I decided to pursue Business Law Hons because at that time NLU Jodhpur was offering in unique degree of BBA.,LLB (Business Law) Hons which was not given by any other college and since I wanted to pursue commercial law/ commercial litigation, I proceeded with specialisation in Business Law.

    What inspired you to focus on corporate advisory, commercial disputes, and various areas of law such as legal metrology, and insolvency and bankruptcy law?

    My initial days after graduation led to focus on these areas. Immediately after graduation, I joined a law firm and was with a senior advocate who had a substantial amount of commercial litigation work. That acted as a base for my practice and thereafter, I was fortunate enough to get associated with Clients who required advisory services in Legal Metrology and IBC Laws.

    Could you share some highlights from your work experience over the past 10 years, particularly your involvement with the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court, and various tribunals?

    Every court has a different learning experience and in the past 10 years, I have worked on a variety of matters including some constitutional law matters, commercial litigations as well as niche areas of law. I believe everyone should practice litigation for some year even if they eventually decide the pursue corporate law practice. It is in the courts that you understand completely how clauses are interpreted and how the law (through judgments) is laid down. I believe any lawyer should experience such things before moving into specialisation. 

    As the Managing Partner of a full-service law firm, GnS Legal LLP, how do you manage the diverse range of legal services provided by your firm?

    I am fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to open a law firm with people who were my friends for a long time. Because of the ease and comfort, due to knowing each other for a long time, we have been able to divide the areas of law firm management. Each partner handles a particular aspect of managing the firm and for issues requiring the involvement of all partners, we generally make a consensus and operate accordingly. 

    What are some of the challenges you face in litigations at the Debt Recovery Tribunal and insolvency proceedings before the NCLT and NCALT?

    When IBC was introduced, NCLT and NCLAT were functioning really well and cases were getting adjudicated upon at a very fast pace. Unfortunately, now due to a number of factors including but not limited to limited benches, increase in number of case and specially interim applications and also no adherence to timelines prescribed under the IBC, NCLT and NCLAT have slowly become like DRT/ DRAT. Cases for pending since long with no final decision in slight. In one of my cases, CIRP was initiated in the year 2018, COC passed the resolution plan in April 2020, however, till date the case is pending before the LD. NCLT for hearing and approval of the plan. 

    As part of your practice, you advise clients on commercial transactions and fundraising strategies. What are some key considerations and legal aspects that clients should keep in mind in these areas?

    Everyone should realise that the cost of non compliance is much higher than cost incurred in legal compliance. Our country is moving towards highly regulated businesses and therefore, it is important for everyone to take proper legal advice wherever necessary. 

    Lastly, what advice would you give to fresh graduates who are considering a career in law, particularly in the areas of business law and corporate advisory?

    I would like to say, internships are very important both from a learning perspective as well as building early contacts in the professional world. One has to be patient irrespective of the practice they decide to pursue, be it a law firm or joining a litigation chamber. Young graduates should not be in a hurry to go independent, and I personally believe one should work at different offices/ firms/ chambers for atleast 6-7 years before going independent. This is important to make sure you have enough experience before directly advising the Clients. 

    In litigation, having a good mentor is very important and if you find a good mentor, make sure to spend a reasonable amount of time in their office.

    Get in touch with Abhay Pratap Singh-

  • I believe the important lesson for any fresh graduate “is to be humble”-Talha Abdul Rahman, Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of India

    I believe the important lesson for any fresh graduate “is to be humble”-Talha Abdul Rahman, Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of India

    This interview has been published by Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

    Sir, could you please share with us how you decided to pursue law as a career and what inspired you to take this path?

    To begin my professional story, I must start in Faizabad, where I grew up. Faizabad did not have many great educational opportunities, which led me to relocate to Lucknow. As a teenager, computer science, and technology generally, engrossed me and was all set to study computer science engineering. However, towards the end of Class XII, I had begun to take great interest in work that involved a more people-centric approach and leadership positions. I became increasingly interested in works that could affect people in a very personal way. Naturally, I veered toward the law. Of course, my family was surprised by my decision and  I did face resistance. Here was a bright student who could have potentially entered a great engineering college and secured his life or, at least, this is how my family saw it back then. My family did not consider law to be a profession of choice.

    Was it a rebellious decision to study law? I would say, yes. You see, the law was not as popular a course as it is today. And my mini-rebellion had to be tempered by studying law at the best place one could find in India. NALSAR fulfilled this criterion and with my family’s blessings, I got into NALSAR in 2003 and really enjoyed the next 5 years. I enjoyed law and legal studies and was almost smitten by it.  I am glad that I followed my heart and pursued law.

    Right after my graduation, I was offered the Shell Chevening Centenary Scholarship to study for a bachelor of civil laws (BCL) at Oxford University in 2008-2009. My time in Oxford grounded me in the law – overall it was a very humbling experience.  Until now, my most significant revelation has been the recognition of the vastness of the law as a discipline and  the extent of my ignorance. 

    The seminar system employed at Oxford acquainted me with distinct fields of study and acquainted me with fundamental concepts and ideas. These subjects were subsequently explored in greater detail during tutorials. Such a process necessitated diligent reading, and assimilation of cross-jurisdictional legal thoughts.

    Thereafter, I came to India and began work in the dispute resolution team at AZB & Partners (Mumbai), where I had the occasion of working with the very best litigators that a lawfirm in India had to offer. 

    I passed the Advocate on Record (AoR) Examination in 2017.

    You have a broad range of experience in different legal domains. Can you share with us how you gained exposure to such diverse areas of law?

    I have never tried to confine myself to any particular subject within the broad field of law. Obviously, there are areas within this broad field that I find more relevant or more interesting, but each area has its own charm—whether it be taxation law, dispute resolution, constitutional law, environmental law, commercial law, or criminal law, etc. The law is quite fluid. Indeed, as lawyers, we deploy disparate sources and subjects to put forth a particular interpretation of the law. It requires being insightful about a subject, but also to have a broadside view of the entire field. You should be able to see where your argument fits in the grand scheme of things – especially when law itself is fluid. In other words, one should not miss the forest for the trees. 

    My stint at AZB & Partners in Mumbai helped me familiarize myself with the various facets of dispute resolution and developing a solution oriented approach to working. Back in Lucknow, litigation work was varied, which involved everything from labour law to pure commercial law.   While at AZB, I was still guided by seniors; but at Lucknow with a different set of clients I had greater creative freedom. 

    Similarly, working in the chambers of former Solicitor General of India, Mr. Gopal Subramanium, exposed me to practical work in commercial, constitutional, criminal, and arbitration matters. I think, largely because of Mr Subramanium himself appeared in all kinds of matters, I began to assist him in variety of matters and eventually developed a practice that is diverse. 

    Could you talk to us about a case that you handled that was particularly challenging and how you managed to navigate through it successfully?

    Most cases in the Supreme Court come with their own set of challenges. One case that I particularly remember was the case concerning a town planning scheme in Raipur.  It was one of my earliest cases before the Supreme Court. After the first hearing, Mr. Subramanium who along with Mr Huzefa Ahmadi was leading us, advised us to get a complete record of the case running into several hundred pages and to make sure to have examined every page for legal points.  We managed to navigate through the case because we were very thorough with facts; and consequently managed to get the Supreme Court to decide the law also in our favour. It’s a different matter that the Government brought an ordinance to dilute the impact of the judgment. 

     As young lawyers, and perhaps even otherwise, we cannot neglect the facts and going through every page in the file is a necessity.

    As someone who has represented clients before both the Supreme Court of India and other courts, what are some of the differences in the approach that you take when representing clients in different courts?

    There is a marked difference in approach. This is primarily down to the nature of the jurisdiction of each court. Every step in a case is crucial and the approach differs in terms of the nature of arguments presented. First, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, and it is the final court of appeal. This necessitates a different approach than what you would normally take before a high court or a tribunal. This different approach entails finding out the error committed by the court below and identifying which point to place first. The window of presenting your argument is very short; and any delay or error in identifying the correct points worthy of Supreme Court’s interference is fatal. Even when questions of law are wrongly decided by the High Court, the Supreme Court may not want to interfere given the facts of a case.

    Second, in High Courts, the facts matter a little more; and on account of the obligation to give reasons – the hearing is also a bit elaborate.  Thus, the different approach is more down to the role of each court.

    I must point out that a counsel must be fully prepared no matter where the case is listed, because the basics remain the same.  When it comes to time, I feel that courts follow a pyramidical structure where the most amount of time is taken before the trial court and High Court.  In some cases, this is upset as well – which results in error which the Supreme Court then needs to correct. When this case goes before different courts, one needs to be mindful of the rules and legal principles that govern the jurisdiction and powers of the said court.  

    Can you share with us your experience working as a Junior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence?

    I was appointed as Junior Standing Counsel for Income Tax Department before the Allahabad High Court at the age of 26. In 2017, I was also appointed by the Government of India as Junior Standing Counsel of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence before the Delhi High Court.

    As a Junior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, I was responsible for representing the Government of India in various legal proceedings, including litigation in the High Courts and the Supreme Court. I also provided legal advice to the Government on a variety of tax and revenue matters.

    My work as a Junior Standing Counsel was challenging and rewarding.  One thing that stands out is that while working with Income Tax Department as well as DRI, the officers are up to date with facts and sharp with law. They instructed me and for that matter all counsel generally pretty well. I enjoyed the professional approach that officers had while briefing their counsel.

    I had the opportunity to work on a variety of complex and high-profile cases, and I learned a great deal. I also had the opportunity to work with some of the best lawyers in the country. More importantly, I gained considerable experience by understanding the perspective of the state when it litigates before courts.

    What do you think are some of the essential skills that a lawyer must possess to be successful, and how have you developed these skills throughout your career?

    A lawyer is an amalgam of knowledge and communication skills. If you lack either, you are not a complete lawyer. Building a repository of knowledge requires a lot of sustained reading, and reading not just the law but various other subjects as well; and above all, listening. Writing comes next. Therefore, reading good texts and even well-written novels will help improve your vocabulary and the way you frame sentences – keeping in mind the audience.   Skills of critical thinking and analysis, are subsumed in the skill of acquiring knowledge.

    The other skill is communication, which comes in various shapes and sizes. From writing emails, to letters, to applications, to pleadings – we, lawyers write many documents, and in addition engage in serious oral advocacy – which again is a form of communication.  Lawyers need to be able to communicate effectively with judges, lawyers, clients, and even the general public. This includes being able to write clearly and concisely, and to speak persuasively. I developed these skills through my education, both at NALSAR and Oxford, through watching my seniors and peers, and inculcating the values of professionalism and hard work in my own work as an advocate. Having said that, I continue to work on it.

    Could you talk to us about any particular legal issue that you are particularly passionate about and why?

    I recently worked on the legal issues surrounding citizenship. I am fascinated by its legal conception and how the idea of citizenship has evolved over the years and its link to other rights. Hannah Arendt called citizenship “the right to have rights.” Arendt was skeptical about the concept of human rights—which, in theory, belong to every person but we are not sure how these rights are to be guaranteed. What role does the law play in securing rights to people is what fascinates me. The taking away of citizenship renders people stateless, a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law. Statelessness often has a severe and lifelong impact on those it affects. They have little access to basic needs of life. I have written about the power of the state to render a person stateless, to strip them of citizenship and its attendant rights. In my paper titled, “Identifying the ‘Outsider’” in The Statelessness & Citizenship Review, I analyzed the law and the manner in which different courts addressed the issue of statelessness. The paper concluded that the framework of adjudication by Foreigner’s Tribunals does not constitute effective adjudication under the Constitution of India.

    Finally, what advice would you like to give to fresh graduates who are starting their career in law?

    I believe the important lesson for any fresh graduate is to be humble. This means treating everyone with utmost respect and humility, and to learn from everyone you come across. I have learned that you can gain valuable insight in the most non-traditional situations and from people you probably would not classify as “well-read”. When I started, and even today – I still often paginate petitions, correct typos, be corrected by junior and senior colleagues at the Bar, and take criticism with humility. 

    Shining on account of your work, wisdom and merit – continues to be one of the best ways to get work as a lawyer – despite what LinkedIn may suggest. It is important to be visible but the boundaries of ethics must never be breached. Where possible, attend various events for the sake of knowledge and reach out to lawyers in your area of interest. Building a relationship is important. 

    One also must learn to be patient, both with others and yourself. It takes time to build a successful career as a lawyer. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find success right away. But you must put in the hard work and develop skills a lawyer must possess to succeed.

    Lastly, be passionate about the law. If you’re not passionate about the law, it will be difficult to succeed in the legal profession. Make sure you’re committed to the law before you pursue a career in it. One must have an attitude that if one lives a hundred years, one will learn a hundred years. Each day must be filled with some new judgment, principle, proposition, law, book, or an article that enhances your understanding of the law – or generally learn something new every day.

    Get in touch with Talha Abdul Rahman-

  • Jaimin Dave, Graduate from Institute of Law, Nirma University, on beginning his practice at Gujarat High Court

    Jaimin Dave, Graduate from Institute of Law, Nirma University, on beginning his practice at Gujarat High Court

    Jaimin Dave, a 2012 graduate of Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad is currently working as an Independent Counsel, at the High Court of Gujarat. He litigates in all types of civil cases, his areas of interest being Corporate and Commercial Laws. In this interview he tells us about:

    • The importance of knowledge, as compared to CGP;
    • The passion of indulging in mooting and Legal Aid;
    • The way to prepare for the All India Bar Examination;
    • The experience of representing institutions like Reliance, Asian Paints, Ford, Huntsman, and various others;
    • The work as a Retainer Advocate;
    • The choice of Corporate Law as a career.

    How would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?

    A simple easy going man who happens to be lawyer by vocation.  I am based at the High Court of Gujarat and mostly deal in all kind of Civil Cases. Amongst Civil Cases, I would say, I have special liking for Corporate/Commercial and Taxation matters.

    What has your experience been like, studying in Institute of Law, Nirma University? What other co-curricular and extra-curricular activities were you involved in?

    Journey at ILNU shall always remain special. According to me it is one of the top ranked Private Law Schools in India and I consider myself to be fortunate enough to have graduated from ILNU. 

    If I look back at my journey at ILNU, I was part of a pioneer batch and most of them in my batch were extremely competitive. There were 10 to 15 batch mates who were outstanding and it is from there, that I derived motivation to do well at ILNU. Of course, all of them are supremely able and I think I am still catching up with them. But, yes, in their company I learnt that there is no substitute of excellence. Academic brilliance was encouraged at ILNU but at the same time it was ensured that we got practical exposure to different arenas through adequate internships, workshops and co-curricular activities. At ILNU we were always pushed harder to walk an extra mile in whatever we did; be it academics, co-curricular activities or internships. And that habit of pushing hard and walking an extra mile, which was inculcated at ILNU, is helping big time in professional life.

    I was involved in host of co-curricular activities. But, mooting and Legal Aid were two of the activities in which I was keenly interested out of all the other co-curricular activities. I believe mooting has multi-dimensional advantages attached to it and to me it was highly beneficial. It helped me develop much required confidence for litigation. The legal aptitude and knack of identifying clinching points in a given scenario developed due to mooting. Besides this it enhanced my research and analytical skill. Legal aid was done out of sheer interest and even today I am part of High Court Legal Aid Services Committee since I am firm believer in repaying back to the society.

    You had honors in Corporate Law. Tell us about the Honors Program at ILNU?

    Again interest for Corporate Law developed on account of few Moot Courts that I did on this subject. This is the reason behind choosing Corporate Law as honors course.

    ILNU offers a well strategized Corporate Honors program. As a part of my honors program, I got an opportunity to carry out extensive research and read texts on topics like Mergers & Amalgamation, Securities Law, Contract and Tenders, Corporate Insolvency, Corporate restructuring etc. I believe things done at the time of corporate honors program helps me today when I sit down to vet SPA’s/SHA’s, draft a winding up petition or let’s say draft a scheme for De-mergers/Amalgamation. To sum up, corporate honors at ILNU was very insightful.

    You’ve been awarded with the Best Student of Law for Batch 2007-2012, and have also bagged two gold medals for the highest CGP, and the highest CGP in Corporate Honors. How relevant would you say, have these grades been, since you started litigation?

    As a student of law school, I believe, my focus was more on acquiring skills, intellect and knowledge. The awards and medals just happened while I was honing my skills at law school. Yes, they give you a sense of satisfaction and it shall stay as a pleasant memory with you. But, at the same time I acknowledged and realized that these medals only indicate that I did a fair job as a student during law school. It does not carry my case any further.

    Yes, it motivated me to do well as a professional. The day I graduated and received them, I sat down and told myself that this is not the end and it is just beginning. I made it clear in my head that awards and medals have to be left behind and I need to put in the same amount of hard work and dedication, as I did for the past five years, so as to establish myself as a good professional. Grades, awards and medals became completely insignificant the day I stepped into practical field since there are a lot of others factors and skills that makes you a good litigating lawyer like time management, Court craft, awareness about mindset of a Judge, skills of opponents etc.

    In fact, to be very blunt, if you opt for litigation as career, grades, awards and medals are either a piece of paper in your drawer or a show piece at your office. Speaking for myself, nobody ever approached me and handed over a brief to argue because of my grades or medals. Only skills, intellect and knowledge, that have been acquired during law school life have helped me so far. Therefore, in my opinion, focus should be more on quality of knowledge and skills that you acquire rather than grades or medals you obtain at law school. Of course medals give you some morale boost but one needs to back that up with other intellect to survive in litigation.

    How did you prepare for the All India Bar Examination?

    AIBE is one of the easiest exams that I have ever appeared for as a Law Student.

    Of course, before taking the examination, I was a little nervous, considering the longish curriculum that AIBE has. As a fresh pass out, it is perplexing to know that all those laws, for which you took five long years to study, are now required to be read over for a single exam. Having said this, I approached AIBE with incisive planning and gave myself sufficient time to prepare for the exam. The idea was to run through Bare Acts related to all the laws mentioned in AIBE curriculum. Thereafter, I read commentaries on CPC, Contract Act, Specific Relief, Law of Torts, CrPC, IPC and Evidence Act since these subjects carried maximum weightage and refreshing memory on these subjects would have helped me in litigation as well. Once I did this, I was fairly confident of appearing in AIBE.   

    Everyone who has appeared for AIBE will endorse that if your fundamentals as Law Student are clear, it should be a cake walk to clear it. It simply tests your basic knowledge on several statutes that form fulcrum of Indian Legal System.

    However, I personally believe that AIBE can be made more challenging and stiffer, if BCI really wants to achieve the purpose behind introducing it.

    What made you gravitate towards litigation, immediately after graduation? What other options were you considering?

    As a kid, robes and neck bands fascinated me and that’s how I have ended up in this black and white world.

    On a serious note, I think I thrive on challenges and I was gravitated to litigation because of challenges attached to it. I am a first generation lawyer and decided to choose litigation as a career despite strong NO from near and dear ones only because I am passionate about practicing law. I was clear about choosing litigation as a career from day one of my law school because of the following reasons:

    • In litigation you get firsthand experience of interpreting law and testing your legal acumen. As a lawyer you can evolve a new law point and test it before the Court. As a law-firm associate or in house counsel you can never become master of a brief. Obviously they can bring up a point and most of them come up with excellent points. But ultimately it is left upon wisdom and good judgment of litigating lawyers to decide as to whether it should be argued or not depending upon opponent, Bench and other factors. I prefer being master of brief and hence this career over other options. Yes it brings lot of responsibility and risk along with it but then I have always enjoyed this till now. 
    • Secondly, it is a career which throws up new challenge almost every day. As a lawyer I deal with matter involving different subject matters such as Winding-up, Tax and Stamp Laws, Mergers & Amalgamation, Land Acquisition Law, Electricity Laws, Land Laws, Civil Procedure Code etc. When you deal with such wide range of subject, your job is never monotonous. Each case, each opponent, each Bench and each law throws up a different challenge and you have to don different hats to do justice to brief. 
    • Lastly, I would say is the job satisfaction associated with litigation, tilted my interest towards it. For me it is always satisfying to argue a law point well and convince a judge. If you have prepared and argued the brief well the clients will also acknowledge your efforts and their satisfaction with your work is always a morale booster. Yes the picture is not always rosy and there are days when matters get adjourned or you cannot convince a judge even after toiling through earlier night to prepare a brief. But, as far as I put in my best efforts I am a satisfied man.

    As I said, I never considered other options as a Career. Even today I do not have plan B, if I fail I am gone. But at least for now, I believe I have made a right choice. This I say so because I am also involved in non-lit work like drafting and vetting of SHA’s, SPA’s and other contracts. That work to me is not as interesting as litigation because practicing law is much like playing sport to me.

    Was there anyone, in particular, who influenced you while deciding on litigation?

    Not really, but I think it is my internships that sealed my decision to join litigation. I did a running internship with Senior Advocate S. N. Soparkar during last two semesters of law school and then at Supreme Court with Hon’ble Justice A. R. Dave. These internships were enriching. After getting an exposure to different matters and work culture at High Court and Supreme Court, I thought it was the right decision to join litigation. There was nothing in particular that influenced my decision significantly; I went with my heart and followed something I was passionate about.

    What are your core areas of practice? How did you find your domain?

    During the initial phase of your career there is nothing like a core area of practice. It is like you have to accept every cuisine that is served into your platter when you are famished.

    Likewise, I am a litigating lawyer who takes up every kind of civil litigation that comes up to me and also criminal matters if they are related to white collar crimes, commercial transactions or land disputes. I admit that I have that special liking for Commercial and Taxation matter and criminal doesn’t interest me much. But that liking towards corporate and taxation matters is because of the fact that I am conversant with those two subjects and also because I have experience of appearing in Court for such matters. Ordinarily I would grasp matters related to taxation and corporate/commercial laws much faster as compared to other matters. But that does not mean that I cannot prepare myself on other subject. If I get few hours to prepare myself with any civil brief I am ready and willing to argue it. It is others who have labeled me as a lawyer for corporate or taxation subjects. According to me I am lawyer who accept all civil briefs and whose comfort zone might be Corporate and Tax Laws.

    What is the present scenario of Corporate Law as a career option in India?

    An opportunistic career.

    They have established National Company Law Tribunal an Commercial Courts are coming up. We already have DRT, ITAT, CESTAT and few other tribunals. Insolvency legislation is coming up and there is this Real Estate Regulation and Development Act. All these laws and institutions collectively indicate that there is lot of litigation in store. So if you are planning to become a litigating corporate lawyer the future seems to be bright. Even on non-lit side, SPA and SHA are on rise in India and with enhancement of FDI cap in several sectors it will only rise further.

    What are the challenges of being an advocate in the Gujarat High Court?

    High Court of Gujarat is one of the better Courts to start practice. The Bar members are receptive to junior lawyers. Most of the seniors are approachable and ready to help when you seek their advice. The Hon’ble Judges are willing to hear you patiently provided you argue appropriate points with the brief in hand. There are a lot of people in similar age group as that of me so obviously you make lot of friends at the bar. Also you can have intellectual discussions with them and their perspective adds value to your preparation for a brief and understanding of law at large. All in all, I would say environment is good at Court and despite being first generation lawyer I never found any problem at the Court.

    Have the law schools in India been able to produce socially relevant lawyers, given that many choose to take up firm jobs?

    Taking jobs in law firm does not mean that you are socially insensitive. Lot of my friends who have joined law firms do social work in their free time. I agree that as lawyers you can become directly relevant to society through Pro Bono litigation and Public Interest Litigations. But that does not mean that law schools have failed in producing socially relevant lawyers because more people take up firm jobs.

    I feel every law school emphasizes upon its student to inculcate ethics, values and good conscience. It is the individual’s choice thereafter to decide the impact that he wants to have on society.

    Has there been any case that changed your perspective about the Indian judicial system?

    Every case that I have argued till now has changed my perspective about the Indian Judicial System. I have a habit of analyzing my performance before the Court irrespective of the outcome of the matter. When you analyze your performances it is bound to leave an impact on you and change your perspective about the system.

    Ultimately I have realized that the system remains the same, it is more about changing your perspective as a lawyer and molding yourself to fit in the system. You get effective results out of the existing system, the faster and better you mold yourself to fit and then excel in the system.

    Please tell us about your experience of representing some of the most reputed institutions, and being a Retainer Advocate at various other institutions.

    Obviously it is good to represent institutions like Reliance, Asian Paints, Ford, Huntsman etc. before different forums very early in one’s career. But my preparation for each brief has remained the same depending on the merits involved in the matter.  I have never gone by the name of the client over the docket while putting in efforts into a brief. However, when you sit down to prepare for briefs of these reputed institutions all the relevant information is on the table and it becomes easier and less time consuming as compared to other clients. Their approach to litigation is much more methodical and strategic as compared to other clients.

    Coming to retainer- ship, honestly, it is a tedious job. They approach you for legal assistance in each and every small notice and petty issues. And sometimes with lack of time you lose the plot. But then advantages outrun the disadvantages. It helps me in learning about the problems that such institutions face in day to day functioning. I get an opportunity to solve those problems and keep myself abreast with development in various laws such as Arbitration, Negotiable Instruments, Labor Laws, Registration of documents, Stamping etc. Hence, as far as I am learning out of it, I will continue accepting retainer-ships.

    The Bar Council of India is contemplating on the formation of a new rule which will require lawyers to practice in lower courts, before arguing before the High Courts and the Supreme Court. If this rule is made concrete, do you think it will help?

    I think it should be left to the conscious decision of an individual lawyer rather than imposing something like that by way of rules.

    Before starting to practice at High Court of Gujarat, even I was confused and contemplated whether to join sub-ordinate courts for initial one to two years. But then I consulted two very good seniors at High Court of Gujarat and both were of unanimous opinion that lower courts practice does not have significant impact on practice at High Court if you are aware about the procedural aspects of sub-ordinate courts and basic statutes. Considering this I started my practice straight away from High Court and obtained good understanding on procedural aspects of sub-ordinate courts and re-read basic statutes such as CPC, Evidence, Specific Relief, Contract, Court Fees Act and Limitation. Once you do this I don’t think there can be any problem.

    Today, I also take up selected matters before sub-ordinate courts and not practicing there before joining High Court hasn’t impacted my performance anywhere so far. However, this is my personal belief. BCI is a wise body and there must be some thought behind proposed rules. As and when it is rolled out one can have better understanding about the intention behind such rules.

    Finally, what parting message would you like to give to our readers?

    I would say learn as much as you can while in law school. Learning does not mean only bookish knowledge because grades and awards are secondary; your intellect and knowledge comes above all. By learning, I mean educate yourselves with every possible trick related to the profession you wish to join after graduation. It can be done through running internships, workshops, seminars, moots, debates etc. This will make you a complete product by the end of five years.   When you join a profession, not all days are going to be the same. Trust me it will be a roller coaster ride from day one. Sometimes you unexpectedly win a matter and sometimes you lose a good matter. However, you are bound to make progress, as long as you keep working hard, stay honest to your work ethics, believe in yourself and grab opportunities that come your way. I acknowledge that the track is difficult and you need to have your foot on the pedal all the time, but then smooth tracks don’t create skilled operators. 

    In the entire process make sure you make a lot of friends, take vacations and do adventures, travel and explore the globe, drive a machine you love. Stay gracious to everyone who has helped to be what you are. Most importantly make sure you take out enough time for friends and family, although I have been accused of not following this part of my advice. But, I am trying to make amends by taking out time for people who matter.

    With this, I wish every reader best of luck with their future endeavors!