Super Lawyer

Author: SuperLawyerTeam

  • In Conversation with:- Mohini Priya, Advocate on Record, Trained Mediator, Policy analyst, Member of International Legal Alliance and Member of India Child Protection Forum

    In Conversation with:- Mohini Priya, Advocate on Record, Trained Mediator, Policy analyst, Member of International Legal Alliance and Member of India Child Protection Forum

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

    What motivated you to pursue law? How was your under-graduate experience in law school? If not law, which subject would you have opted for?

    I completed my five years law course from Government Law College, Mumbai in the year 2009. Honestly speaking, being from the science stream, pursuing law was not the obvious career option for me.

    I wanted to pursue medicine in the first place but like any other confused student wanted to explore other options as well. Interestingly, around the same time, with the emergence of national law schools and many corporate law firms, law as a career option was becoming lucrative, as it offered a stable career which was financially rewarding.

    Many new offshoots of law had come up, like the IPR, Cyber Laws, Environmental laws, so there was no dearth of opportunities. All these factors were creating an inclination towards law. However, I was not very vocal and outspoken in my school days which made my family sceptical about my suitability for the legal profession, as it is the popular perception that lawyers are supposed to be loud and aggressive.

    In the midst of all the confusion raking up  in my head, I intuitively decided to take up law. In those times there was no CLAT and admission in GLC, Mumbai  was solely on the basis of 10+2 score and interview. The cut off was high but I luckily managed to make it through the final list.

    And that is how this journey began. So in my case it was more a matter of destiny than choice. Hailing from a small town, there were initial hiccups in adjusting to the fast pace life of Mumbai but I believe it is far more easier to adapt to change at a younger age, and so I soon became a part of it.

    Being in the heart of the town, GLC had locational advantage, apart from having some very good professors and an extremely distinguished alumni.

    A few months into college I realized that extra curriculars were as important as academics. I was a part of the Moot Court Association, The Legal Aid Committee and the Student’s Council, which gave me abundant exposure to lawyers and law offices, allowed to acquire some important life skills like organization and team work and also helped me get visibility.

    I did some national and state level moot courts, which gave me a good practical experience of law. I focused on getting a few good internships in Bombay High court and the Supreme Court of India and also did a couple of corporate internships.

    I think it was the last corporate internship which made me realize that litigation was my true calling. So yes, I did take five years at law college to understand what I really wanted to do, but once that happened I held on to my decision and persevered.  

    Do you believe that law students must be taught the ground reality of Court procedures along with the theoretical part?

    Most law schools these days have moot court competitions, negotiation competitions, which give a law student some opportunity of legal research and arguments as well as a preliminary understanding of court manners. However, in actuality, the working of a court is very different and there is no set pattern.

    For a litigating lawyer, every day is a new day. “Legal acumen” is not something that can be taught but is only acquired after years of experience  and learning from one’s mistakes. Sometimes things may not go as planned.

    A lawyer may be fully prepared to argue a case in a particular manner but the Bench may throw a completely different issue at them. Thus real court craft involves creative thinking,  quick decision making  and learning to read the mind of the judge, which can only come after some years of real court experience.

    A good approach to be adopted by law colleges would be compulsory court visits for law students, so that they get adequate exposure to actual functioning of courts. Now with the live streaming of Constitutional Bench of Supreme Court, as well as some other High Courts law students will have online access to courtrooms and can well prepare themselves for the times to come.

    How do different approaches of adjudicators help in critical thinking? Do you believe that it helps in understanding cross-cultural overlaps in legal systems?

    India is known for its cultural and religious diversity. Sometimes reading a book or doing a course may not help a law student understand the socio-cultural implications of the problem at hand. Real life references are needed to relate to a particular issue and understand it at a grassroot level. Socio-cultural and religious ethos run deep into an individual’s psyche and that reflects in many of the judgments delivered by Courts. A judgment is not merely an interpretation of a law, but is a reflection of  judge’s cultural background and mindset. A study of court judgments does encourage critical thinking. Take for  example, the recent split verdict of the Supreme Court in the Hijab case. The moot question there was whether there is a right to wear hijab in educational institutions in Karnataka – with one judge affirming that the state government is authorised to enforce uniform in schools as wearing of hijab is not mandatory in Islam, and the other calling hijab a matter of choice that cannot be stifled by the state.

    While both the reasoning are correct, the question we need to ask ourselves is how do we want to grow as a society. Whether we should follow the strict letter of the law or give way to a progressive interpretation in light of the changing times and in the interest of social justice.

    Some of the judgments delivered by Courts may not be in tune with the societal changes and that is where a role of a lawyer comes in- to sensitize and be sensitive.

    Even as a mediator, I come across individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, which helps me better understand human psyche better, which in turn gives me an additional advantage in deriving a solution when faced with a similar situation in courts.

    The Courts in recent times have been moving towards a progressive regime, like decriminalizing homosexuality, declaring abortion as a reproductive choice of women, and including ‘marital rape’ within the ambit of rape for the purpose of MTP Act, to mention a few. In some ways we are ahead of western countries when it comes to fundamental rights.

    However, a change in laws cannot change mindsets overnight, as social and cultural norms play an important role in resisting change. Analysis of court judgments helps in understanding cross cultural diversities and  narrowing this gap.

    You filed a PIL before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, on behalf of a leading IVF Specialist based out of Chennai, challenging the constitutionality of several provisions of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act, 2021. Please tell us about the matter in detail.

    Surrogacy is a rather complex issue as it has several socio-cultural and economic implications. Bringing about a legislation in this field would require extensive study and research as well as opinions of experts in the field. However, the present legislations on Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technique seem to be fundamentally flawed in many aspects.

    Firstly, the Surrogacy(Regulation) Act, 2021 recognizes only heteronormative married couples and fails to take into account other alternative family arrangements like same-sex couples and live-in couples which have been given legal recognition.

    The Surrogacy Act creates artificial distinction amongst women inter se by excluding single women (except widows and divorcees within a certain age bracket) to avail of surrogacy. Single men have been altogether excluded. Moreover, surrogacy is now allowed only in altruistic form from a close relative which is an infringement on a couple’s fundamental right to privacy.

    Unfortunately, infertility is still a taboo in our country and most couples wouldn’t want to disclose such a fact even to their family in order to find  a close relative who is willing to be  a  surrogate mother.

    Thus imposing a blanket ban on commercial surrogacy may prove to be counterproductive and lead to illegal and unregulated markets. Apart from that many provisions under the Assisted Reproductive Techniques Act, 2021(ART Act) are medically not viable and impossible to implement.

    The ART Act apart from restricting the number of times an egg donor can donate in her lifetime, creates no provision for compensation to an egg donor. Moreover, several procedures which were completely legal earlier have been suddenly rendered illegal or in an impasse by the passing of the Acts.

    All these factors have brought donor cycles in our country to a standstill. During the hearing of the petition. the Hon’ble Supreme Court observed that these issues need consideration and has asked the Central Government to file a response. I sincerely hope and pray that the Apex Court gives a progressive interpretation to both the statutes and if that happens, this case could prove to be a breakthrough in the field of reproductive rights.

    How important do you consider legal professionals to work with NGOs and support social initiatives? Do you think it adds value in the long run?

    Law is called a “Noble Profession” and rightly so. We, as legal professionals have a positive obligation to contribute to the society. Lawyers are agents of social change. However, in order to bring about a substantial change, it is important to understand the  problems and complexities associated with an issue at grass root levels and NGO’s provide a very good platform for that. NGO’s work in close association with vulnerable and marginalized sections of the society.

    Working with an NGO may not provide one with an immense amount of money, but it gives great networking opportunities, as well as help a lawyer to contribute towards creating a social impact. Apart from that, NGO’s have extensive research material and experience in the field they cater to, which could be effectively used by a lawyer to become the voice of the voiceless. 

    Lawyers have an additional advantage of knowledge of court procedures and direct access to courts, and can help direct future litigation on important social issues in accordance with an NGO’s aims and objectives.

    I have had the opportunity to work with some leading NGOs like Prayas, which extensively works for rehabilitation of street children and juvenile justice,  and I can certainly say that it has opened a whole new dimension for me which has immensely helped me in my professional and personal growth.

    Apart from that, the satisfaction one gets from rendering service to the community is unmatched. So, I would highly recommend every litigating lawyer to have some exposure of working with an NGO.

    What are the roles and responsibilities for a policy advisor? And will it create more opportunities for legal professionals in coming times?

    Policy analysis includes identifying current or impending problems with a government policy, determining its causes and proposing solutions. A lawyer broadly does the same for his clients and therefore lawyers make for great policy analysts, although not all policy analysts are lawyers.

    There are special courses offered by universities on policy analysis. However, lawyers and law students have a unique advantage when it comes to deciphering legal jargon and forecasting how a legislation would develop. Another advantage is their ability to recognize how a small change in a rule or regulation could have a huge public impact.

    Legal professionals can work in policy space as research fellows in government agencies, think tanks, research organizations and corporations examining complex issues that affect the government and the daily lives of citizens.

    I have personally worked at analyzing some provisions introduced by the Child Marriage Amendment Bill, 2021 and the Juvenile Justice Amendment Act, 2021 as a representative of the NGO Prayas and India Child Protection Forum headed by noble laureate Kailash Satyarthi and I have to admit that it was one of the most enriching experiences of my legal career.   

    What, in your opinion, could be a social security safety net for lawyers after experiencing various pandemic waves?

    It is indisputable that two years of the pandemic has hit lawyers very hard. There has been loss of work, loss of income, many lawyers had to downsize their team and even close down their offices as there was not enough revenue generation even to pay for rents. Virtual hearings have resulted in concentration of work leading to disguised unemployment.  

    Although some of the Bar Councils have done their part in providing financial assistance to lawyers during the pandemic, it needs to be accessible to a larger community of lawyers and specially young lawyers.

    A welcome step in this direction has been the recent observation by the Hon’ble Supreme Court that young lawyers should be adequately compensated by their seniors.

    The pandemic has not just hit lawyers financially but the uncertainty and trimmed income apart from social isolation has had a severe impact on their mental health. There should be some initiative by the Bar Council to conduct counselling sessions for lawyers and seminars on mental health awareness.

    Young lawyers should be encouraged to argue in order to help fast track their career trajectory.  

    The post pandemic era has seen increasing use of technology and a gradual transition towards paperless courts. Although green courts are a welcome step, however some lawyers who are already facing financial difficulties may find it rather difficult to invest expensive gadgets in order to switch to paperless mode, and hence some financial assistance should also be offered to such lawyers.

    What career advice do you have for our readers? 

    There is no “One size fits all” approach when it comes to the litigation. Things may not always go as planned, so be patient but relentless in your efforts. Identify opportunities and take the first step.

    Sometimes what may on the face of it seem to be insignificant might turn out to be a determining factor in your career, so don’t be afraid to take chances. Create short term goals and focus on them. Failure is inevitable but also necessary in order to stay motivated and grounded.

    As a young litigator, there may be many brief-less days. Instead of getting hopeless and frustrated, use that free time to learn new skills, take up some courses and create litigation opportunities.

    Time management is very crucial. Hard work has no substitute but smart work gives you a cut above the rest. Intelligence is a blessing but knowing how to channelize it in the right direction is what differentiates an average legal professional from a successful one. Today, digitally-savvy lawyers are in high demand as technology continues to evolve and progress.

    And as the Indian Judiciary System gradually acquaints itself with cutting-edge technologies, emerging lawyers must do the same.

    Lastly, going by my personal experience, I would like to tell my readers that career confusion is completely natural and pushes individuals to explore different opportunities in order to reach a well thought out decision, so keep your minds open and always remember that growth is more important than success.

    Get in touch with Mohini Priya-

  • In Conversation with: Ayesha Karim, Senior Legal Consultant at Mezzle Law, Enrolled with the Delhi Bar Council

    In Conversation with: Ayesha Karim, Senior Legal Consultant at Mezzle Law, Enrolled with the Delhi Bar Council

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

    What prompted you to choose Law? Did you always want to take Law as a career? 

    Yes, since I was about 12 or 13 years old I wanted to study law; it is difficult to say exactly why I chose law, as it was before the age of the internet and we did not have access to the sources we had today, but reading was a passion and I never changed my mind about the profession I wanted to follow.

    Congratulations on being awarded as the DIFC Courts Law Specialist by the DIFC Academy, DIFC Dubai UAE, can you please enlighten our audience about this academy?

    For over a decade, the Dubai International Financial Centre has catered to the learning needs of the financial services industry by providing a platform for top-ranked educational institutes to deliver professional development and higher education courses. 

    The DIFC Academy continues this legacy by partnering with some of the world’s most reputable institutions to offer a variety of options ranging from short certificate workshops to multi-year executive MBA degree programmes.

    The Dubai International Financial  Centre is a free zone with  common law courts, though the UAE is a civil law jurisdiction. 


    Lexis Nexis published a series of books called the Laws of the DIFC. I co authored the section on the DIFC Law No 10 of 2004, the Court Law with Late Barrister Stephen Field of 1 Pump Court Chambers,  UK.  As a result I was recognised as a  DIFC Court Law specialist .

    What prompted you to choose banking and finance law as an LLM course, and how do you see this area bringing new opportunities for the young law professionals?

    Banks are  very important institutions in any economy as well as in corporate and individual lives. Certainly there are many professional opportunities with such degrees. 

    How crucial is it for the young legal professionals or even the experienced ones for taking Pro Bono work and is there any criteria for choosing the type of such work?

    Pro bono is a way of giving back to society. Everyone cannot afford lawyers. Access to justice is considered a fundamental right in our country and every civilized society and as lawyers we should be part of the larger picture if possible.

    Pro bono work gives lawyers exposure to different areas of law. For example, when working with a legal aid clinic, a firm receives a list of cases that need lawyers.


    A corporate lawyer may get an opportunity to work on a matrimonial matter or an employment case.

    Pro bono cases also give lawyers the chance to work with other lawyers in and build relationships and networks. Exchange of knowledge and ideas is extremely important and interaction with professional colleagues is an invaluable learning process.

    You have so many publications on various topics, what tips do you give to our audience for choosing journals and topics as per that specific journal?

    That would depend on the interest of the audience; there are specific journals for almost every aspect of law. However, it is important to do independent research, published articles can give an introduction to the topic but certainly do not replace self study.

    Insider trading has been there since ages in corporate, such as writing a newsletter on the same, what can be the root cause for the same and steps that can be taken to avoid it completely?

    That is a hard question; Strong regulatory and enforcement systems have to be put in place. Ethics and honesty are character traits imbibed from our families and society. Therefore strong laws can help reduce unlawful acts but cannot eradicate them totally.

    Being associated with a UAE law firm, how can one prepare himself to settle there as a law professional in different areas? What is the road map for the same?

    Look for a vacancy in a busy firm, learn about the new systems and law. At some levels different jurisdictions have challenges, but basically a lawyers work remains the same, wherever they may be.

    What would be your parting message to our young readers?

    Gain as much experience as you can, avoid any toxic offices that do not provide opportunities to learn and grow. Do not accept bullying and sexual harassment, good knowledge and hard work is the key to success.

    Get in touch with Ayesha Karim-

  • In Conversation with: Nikita Mamtani, Creativepreneur, Writer & Legal Professional

    In Conversation with: Nikita Mamtani, Creativepreneur, Writer & Legal Professional

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

    It has been 8 years since we last took your interview, which we are sure has been an inspiration to many young lawyers and entrepreneurs. Can you please tell the readers how the journey has been so far?

    First of all, Thank You so much for doing this again. And yes, while answering, I too realise 8 years it has been; feels like “once upon a time”

    Well, past 8 years have been amazing, an extensive learning experience full of self-discovery & awareness.

    When I last interacted with SuperLawyer, it was just 2 years in the Legal Industry.

    Since then, there has been a lot of transitions & yes, transformations.

    So along with Legal Hire India, i.e., my former Legal HR Consultancy & Litigation in one hand, I had also tried my hands on a Cloud Kitchen start-up in 2017.

    Thereon, from 2018, I was completely involved in Chamber Practice & Extensive Legal Drafting for our law firm, Legacy Law Associates.

    Meanwhile, I had also started writing a lot, just for my own-self.

    Amidst the Lock-down in 2020, I started putting up my writings on Social Media Platforms. The term ‘Life Coach’, had always fascinated me. That’s how I started my journey in Neuro Linguistic Programming after a lot of forethought’s.

    You have managed to build a very dynamic portfolio comprising of both legal and non-legal work, can you tell us how it has benefited you in your career

    Professionally yes, I have actually left no stone unturned till now.

    And that’s just to seek connectedness in whatever I do. ‘The work shouldn’t feel like work’ is what I strongly believe in.

    We are moving towards an era where work & passion can completely complement each other & be in absolute alignment.

    The dynamic working profiles have definitely enhanced my overall journey.

    For a major amount of time, I have been a solopreneur, and that makes one learn a lot about different segments of the business & industry, like marketing, accounts, HR, PR etc.

    One also gets to experience first-hand, the evolution & connectedness of different professional industries.

    Congratulations on your book publication- Modern Moral Science. What was your idea behind the book?

    Thank You so much, Modern Moral Science is a collection of my writings, precisely in the form of quotes & Musings. These are the projection of personal transformation, experiences & understandings in Life’s Journey till now. The idea behind this book was striking a balance between the feeling of overwhelm & underwhelm.

    The transitional times lately have been either overwhelming or underwhelming for most of us. This has resulted in lack of balance, & also delay in achieving one’s day to day outcomes.

    The quotes here, in Modern Moral Science, serve as shots of Self-Help.

    Open any page, and I am sure it will help you to move a step closer in becoming more self-aware & ultimately, self-transform.

    Do you think writing is an important skill in the legal profession?

    Absolutely! We all know that drafting is an integral part of the Legal Proceedings.

    A Lawyer needs to put up the Law, facts & client’s case not only verbally in the court, but also in the form of Pleadings.

    Having better writing skills is always an edge over others when practicing law.

    Writing is a form of expression and that’s what a Lawyer actually has to do, express the client’s case in a structured manner.

    Please share with us your experience as the founder of Legal Hire- an online recruitment consulting firm? Moving forward, what ventures do you plan on exploring?

    Legal Hire India was my first ever start-up. It was a thorough learning experience of more than 6 years. I got to understand Legal Recruitment in different segments of the industry more closely.

    There weren’t much of such firms involved exclusively in legal industry’s recruitment. The working model of Legal Hire India was more like headhunting.

    As I was managing most of it single-handed, it gave me a closer view of the perspective of employers in different tiers of law firms & independent practitioners.

    Also during the process, it was very interesting to know the aspirations of all the young aspirants in the Legal Industry. Moving forward, I have completely shifted to the Personal Development & Life Skills Education space now. Currently, majority of my focus is on creative writing & training in the NLP Industry. Contributing as an Inspirational Storyteller is also one of my major aspirations.

    It would also be exciting to work in the Legal Industry as a Coach & Trainer whenever & however the two spaces align.

    Law is all about communication. So combining the Linguistics from NLP with the communication skills required as a Legal Professional, shall definitely work wonders.

    To sum it all, my life’s purpose is just to make the life’s ride of whomsoever I cross paths with, a bit more smoother & easier by supporting them with clarity of thoughts.

    What according to you does it take to be a good entrepreneur? Any advice for Lawyers who wish to venture into entrepreneurship?

    With whatever experience I have, & summing up my learnings as an entrepreneur till now, I truly believe an entrepreneur must know the basics of all the segments involved in a business, like sales, accounting, HR, PR, marketing, etc.

    There are times initially when you start something of your own, the team isn’t that big. Even at times, you are just the one managing everything. Having the basic knowledge & capabilities to run a business really helps you to move forward a little more smoothly then. Also being receptive to new learning & feed forwards definitely gives an advantage.

    Being a Lawyer & having that attitude gives an upper hand when you wish to venture into entrepreneurship as most of the times, you are practicing independently.

    So handling the whole work alone is what Lawyers know & have done most of the times.

    I am sure just giving a little more structure & maintaining that attitude of managing things & being patient will definitely help someone who wishes to become an entrepreneur.

    You are an Internationally Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and are now an internationally certified NLP Trainer; please tell us more about it?

    It’s been more than 2 years now in the field of Life & Behavioural Skills Education.

    I truly believe that NLP is a New Living Perspective.

    This tool can enhance life’s experience, both personal and professional, of every human being.

    Neuro Linguistic Programming is one the most tangible and fantastic modalities which helps an individual to break certain behavioural patterns & beliefs. The most amazing part is that majority of this happens only through linguistics.

    If people can actually learn even the basics of NLP, their life’s ride can become much smoother. They can not only help themselves, but also people around them as communication is a major part of Human Beings, be it verbal or non-verbal.

    Humans are surrounded by fellow human beings right from the moment they get up in the morning to the moment they go off to sleep.

    NLP is all about what works for an individual to achieve the desired outcome. It’s all about eliciting the answers from within and not installing the solutions of a problem.

    You are an ardent believer in self-awareness and self-transformation which motivated you to venture into your start-up- ‘Unlock your Unique’. Please can you tell us more about it?

    One thing which I have experienced, learnt, felt, heard & seen is the Power of Self, the Authentic Self. 

    And to be an Empowered Authentic Self, You need to apply all the Jargons having Self as a prefix, to Your Own Self first.

    Love YourSelf to spread Love 

    Take Care of YourSelf to take the Best Care of People around You 

    Be Kind to YourSelf to actualise Kindness around 

    Be Self-Aware to have External Awareness

    Accept YourSelf to get the meaning & feeling of Acceptance 

    And last but not at all the least,

    Believe & Work on YourSelf to make things around Work 

    I truly believe whatever one is seeking outside is all within their own self. The creator has given all of us the same start, the same resources, internal & external. One just needs to look within, dig out & enhance them.

    That’s the reason Unlock your Unique, as you already have your Unique within.

    What would be your word of advice to young lawyers and law students looking to do something different?

    Two things:

    If this feeling is quite new, and in the initial phase of your career then hold on.

    To feel this way is sometimes natural as there has been a transition from being a student to stepping in the Industry as a professional.

    Specially, segments like Litigation in the Legal Industry require a lot of patience and hard work to set your mark, so it’s again natural to feel overwhelmed. But, if such thought process & feelings are frequent, there seems to be a disconnection in what you are doing regularly, then take a pause and ask yourself, if not law, then what?

    Because a lot of times, it’s actually not about the answers we want to get, but the kind of questions we ask ourselves.

    Get in touch with Nikita Mamtani-

  • In Conversation with:- Divyashree Suri, Founder and Managing Editor at WTO-Boutery: Talk Global Trade and Associate at Economic Laws Practice (ELP)

    In Conversation with:- Divyashree Suri, Founder and Managing Editor at WTO-Boutery: Talk Global Trade and Associate at Economic Laws Practice (ELP)

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

    What does being an International Trade Lawyer in India entail?

    Broadly speaking, being an international trade lawyer in India consists of representing interested parties (including governments) in trade remedy investigation in and outside India, advising clients on Indian and foreign trade policies and taxation regimes, dispute settlement at local forums as well as international forums such as the World Trade Organization, and advising governments on the formulation of trade policy, including negotiations of free trade agreements. 

    This makes the subject an interdisciplinary one, and you end up wearing several hats on the same day. You are a lawyer for all intents and purposes, but you also need to:

    (i) be proficient with accountancy to be able to understand core business-costing concepts which are indispensable in trade remedy investigations,

    (ii) have sound knowledge of economic concepts and principles,

    (iii) be up to date with all foreign affairs and understand how global politics drives international trade, (iv) have a technical understanding of the products and services being traded. Needless to say, one needs the skills to research foreign laws and their practical implications extensively.

    What are some of your takeaways from appearing before a WTO panel at such an early stage of your career?

    First and foremost, working on a WTO dispute is, in and of itself, a dream come true. It is a splendid mix of public international law, international trade law, and domestic law. Moreover, I was fortunate enough to have worked on the dispute with an enormously supportive and motivated team – from top to bottom, which allowed me to have an enriching experience.

    The oral hearings in a WTO proceeding, also known as ‘substantive meetings’, are structured to allow the Panel to fully understand the domestic law or the measure at issue and also the manner in which such measure allegedly violates WTO law. The representatives of both parties are required to deliver an opening statement at the beginning of the meetings, wherein the key issues are summarily argued. Following this, the Panel poses certain questions to each party to understand the issues at hand better. Parties are permitted to comment on each other’s responses, and the meetings close with representatives delivering a closing statement.

    This makes for an interesting round of argumentation, which involves dialogue with representatives of the government of another country. Typically, parties to a dispute are important trading partners. This requires the lawyers to be well-versed with the required laws and adopt a line of argumentation that is delicate and in line with the country’s strategic interests. After all, diplomacy lies at the root of all trade relations. Being exposed to the various considerations which go into WTO dispute settlement at such an early stage of my career has helped me better understand trade policy. 

    What can be the real challenges while establishing a career in the field of International Trade Law?

    I speak strictly from the perspective of working in international trade at a law firm. International trade law is a niche area of law, and very few law firms specialize in the subject. Therefore, finding an open flow of internships and job opportunities in the market may be difficult.

    Describe an interesting matter you’ve worked on recently.

    Sustainable trade is finally becoming the talk of the town (well, the globe), and we are excited about it! Our team is doing a lot of work around trade and climate, labour, e-commerce, data, gender, and food security. Recently, we have worked extensively on carbon border adjustment mechanisms and other measures which help countries align their sustainability goals with trade.

    There are various considerations which go into formulating and implementing such instruments, and it is an interesting shift to witness.

    What personal qualities are beneficial to have as an international trade lawyer?

    As I mentioned, an international trade lawyer must wear several hats on any given workday. Being a jack of all trades makes you a master of international trade (no, having a corny sense of humour is not a prerequisite). I would go as far as to say that having an interest in foreign affairs and international relations is pivotal to the profession.

    As is the case for any lawyer, empathetic communication skills are extremely helpful. Our profession requires us to be in touch with various stakeholders – private clients, external counsels from different jurisdictions, government officials and agencies, trade bodies, etc. Interaction with each stakeholder requires us to be good listeners and have clarity in thought and speech.

    Would you like to give any career/life tips to the reader aspiring to be an international trade lawyer?

    I would recommend reading (or consuming content in whatever form is most palpable) as much as one can about international trade and its intersection with international affairs, economics, taxation, and most importantly, with day-to-day life. I find newspapers and news articles to be a great starting point to remain informed.

    I also recommend subscribing to this excellent newsletter named International Intrigue, which gives its readers bite-sized information every day of the week about what’s happening around the globe.

    How did you develop an interest in trade law? How did you ultimately decide to pursue it as a career?

    I was first exposed to international trade law in my fourth year of law school as a mandatory course. I was intrigued by the subject, and wanted to explore the practicalities of practising a subject like this in India. I interned with international trade law teams, and was enamoured by what the subject had to offer. It brought together my love for accountancy, economics, international relations and law – what could be better?

    As I interned with trade law teams and consumed content relating to the international trade, I was convinced about specializing in the subject. There were concerns about specializing in a niche area of law early in my career, but it was a risk I was happy to take. Now after a few years in the profession, I am glad I did!

    What drove you to start your international trade law blog? How do you think it has helped your career?

    I have often heard law students being intimidated by international trade, given the technical nature of the subject. I believe that international trade is a fascinating subject and should be more accessible for those who want to learn. The team at WTO-Boutery: Talk Global Trade attempts to make trade law updates and concepts more consumable with the help of simple language, tables, flow charts and graphics.

    Through my blog, I remain updated with the recent developments in international trade. In particular, simplifying these updates and concepts helps me revisit my core understanding of the subject and look at it from a different perspective each time.

    Get in touch with Divyashree Suri-

  • In Conversation with: Chirag Madan, Managing Partner at MS Law Chambers, Standing Counsel for High Court of Delhi and Panel Counsel for Supreme Court of India

    In Conversation with: Chirag Madan, Managing Partner at MS Law Chambers, Standing Counsel for High Court of Delhi and Panel Counsel for Supreme Court of India

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

    Tell us about yourself-what motivated you to choose law as a career path.

    Well I was born and bought up in Delhi and did my schooling from Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan. I belong to a business family and there was no connection with law or even courts. But  since my childhood I was somehow intrigued towards the profession of law, it always fascinated me. I always wanted to be a lawyer, however, after my class 10th Board exams I opted for the Science stream under peer pressure, since I was  more interested in the field of law after my 12th Board exams I decided to pursue law.

    Since at the last moment I decided to pursue law most of the law school applications were closed and I only filled up one application and fortunately got through the same. The journey towards becoming a first generation lawyer is scary but I just followed my instinct and fortunately my family supported me .

    How hard was it for you as a non-national law school graduate to begin your career after graduating, and what would you tell future law graduates who feel discouraged not having graduated from a major law college?

    At the time when I graduated in the year 2013, unfortunately it was difficult for a non- national law school graduate to find a job amongst the top chambers or law firms. Though this question makes me feel a little old, today I don’t feel there is much of a difference.  There are many new private universities with good faculties, tremendous opportunities to the students for placement, exposure and guidance.

    Students should not  be discouraged if they don’t make it to any Major Law School .“It is not the end of the world”. However, nothing can replace one’s hard work and persistence. If one wants to be successful they will find a way and law school should not be an excuse. Most of the top litigation lawyers are from non- national law schools.

    How did you get the opportunity to work with big names in the legal industry such as Mr Ram Jethmalani, Mr. Mahesh Jethmalani and Mr Sidharth Luthra?

    Fortune favours the brave. I never thought that I would ever even remotely be associated with such doyens of the Bar. Having grown up listening to the anecdotes of  and having read about the exceptionally prominent lawyers of our country like Ram Sir, Mr. Jamshed B Kanga, Mr. Nani Palkhivala, Mr. Fali S Nariman et all, it was genuinely a dream come true  moment for me when Ram Sir found me apt for his chamber and decided to mentor me.

    It gives a first generation lawyer tremendous degree of confidence, faith, ambition and determination when someone of like Ram Sir shows his unrestrained faith.

    The sense of responsibility to constantly strive against all odds is empowered when senior members of the Bar place their trust  in a first generation lawyer like me.

    During the early  stages of my  professional grooming, I have been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work under the aegis and expertise of someone like Mahesh Sir. It was under his constant vigil that my professional and legal acumen was polished to be at par with the industry standards.

    Later on It was Sidharth Sir who benevolent enough to grant me an opportunity to further polish and refine my skill sets as legal professional under his wings. I could not be  any further  grateful towards my fate for having been subjected to an absolutely strict and disciplined threshold of professional parameters under Sidharth Sir.

    Even now whenever I am faced with any professional or personal dilemma his availability and guidance is one priceless asset  which is strong support system for me.

    You had great mentors throughout. How do you carry the legacy to support the young lawyers?

    This is actually a very tough question . As a first generation lawyer or even otherwise every young lawyer needs constant mentoring and I have been fortunate enough to have worked under the supervision of few of the legends  in  the legal profession.

    All of them are a great source of  inspiration for me . I ensure that I try to carry forward  their teachings  and ways of working not only in my office but also share the same fervor with my colleagues and friends. You never know what might  make the difference in the others’ life.

    What has your experience been like being a Panel Lawyer with Delhi Police, Delhi Government, MCD and Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Committee?

    I feel fortunate to have  gotten the opportunity to work on such panels. It has been a wonderful  learning experience. It gives you both recognition and exposure in the courts. The government is in fact the biggest litigant in the country and hence  one gets a lot of presence  in court in terms of volume.

    Panels also helps one  to understand the working of the government/ prosecution; Which can be of great use when you are a counsel  in matters against the government . It helps you to  build better strategies and also apply your mind differently and become a better lawyer.

    You are a Partner at MS Law Chambers and a panel Lawyer on various commissions and committees. How do you manage the work-life pressure?

    Every line of work demands some sacrifice but in a lawyer’s life most of the time is spent doing work and one’s relationship with family and friends often suffers. The workload coupled with extensive hours makes forming and maintaining relationships quite cumbersome.

    Be it a trial strategy, a bail or a cross-examination, one has to put long hours  preparing for the same. If one doesn’t totally dedicate herself/himself in this tangent of the profession then this not the right career path.

    You’ve accomplished so much in your profession in such a short amount of time; However, given the nature of the legal profession, are you able to carve out time for your other interests or hobbies?

    I think you are being too modest, I am still in the early stages of my career and there is so – much more to achieve.

    Well to be honest, in order to gain something you need to lose something. There are times when you need to give up things in order to achieve your goal but once you start settling down and learn how to manage your time, you do get time for your hobbies or interests.

    I would urge everyone to engage in some daily activates or sports.  Being mentally, physically and emotionally stable is of paramount importance to ensure functioning at optimum  levels in this profession.

    What suggestions would you like to offer to our young lawyers, law students and law graduates?

    With whatever  little experience I have, firstly I would point out that litigation is interesting but very challenging during  the  initial stages. The first few initial years are more of  learning and less of  earning. For a litigation lawyer it is very important to be patient, hardworking and dedicated towards work.  Please remember that success can be delayed but not denied to the one who is deserving . Students should start interning across  different branches of law and make it a habit to study the latest judgments and books including non-legal ones.

    They should always start their career on the original side/ trial courts as it equips you with the essential and requisite fundamentals of the profession and quoting former Justice Vazifdar, “Only a trial court lawyer is a complete lawyer. A trial court lawyer is an artist, while an appeal court lawyer is an art critic.”

    Get in touch with Chirag Madan-

  • In Conversation with: Bhagyashree Pancholy, CoFounder at Avyana GmbH, Metalawyers India, Web3 Law and AI Law Specialist

    In Conversation with: Bhagyashree Pancholy, CoFounder at Avyana GmbH, Metalawyers India, Web3 Law and AI Law Specialist

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

    Did you always want to become a Lawyer or was it something that you decided in the later part of your school life? What other career options would you have considered, if not particularly law?

    No, I had never wanted to become a lawyer, in fact, my dream was to become an astronaut after watching I dream of Genie as a child. But after graduating with Geography Honours from Miranda House, Delhi University, I filled Law faculty form, sat for the entrance exam, and cleared it. Since it was the first exam I cleared after graduation, and did not want to study anymore during the summer breaks, I just decided to join Campus Law Centre.

    I would have been an environmentalist or a vet if not for a lawyer.

    What can be the real challenges while establishing a career in the field of law?

    There could be many, but I will restrict myself to the two I experienced and get asked about a lot:

    (1) godfather or having mentors/family members in the legal field,

    (2) how can I work remotely or cross border as a lawyer.

    Definitely, in litigation, having a family member or a mentor that supports a novice lawyer helps. But let us come to the second challenge of working remotely and across borders.

    Covid changed the way the world worked and it pushed the Indian judiciary to adopt the technology. Many advocates pleaded from the comfort of their houses by using video communication platforms and many more parties to the lawsuit were given an opportunity to hear their cases in person.

    As COVID restrictions loosened up, many lawyers went back to the old way and yet many new ones want to work remotely. And some, also cross borders.

    What many lawyers do not understand is that with globalization and emerging technology, lawyers will have to be border-less.

    New tech and associated legal areas like data protection, privacy, web 3, cryptocurrency etc. are border-less and the system will have to move from litigation in a specific country to alternate dispute mechanisms like arbitration or mediation. 

    New lawyers will not have to appear in front of a district judge every day, they will be assisting legal counsels and judges outside of India and will need to know many other laws apart from Indian laws.

    This can be challenging as now lawyers will literally be competing with lawyers globally

    Where individuals are still struggling learning about GDPR and data protection, you had a control on it way more earlier, what was your preparation for the same and how professionals can take charge on such critical laws?

    I actually started working in data and privacy when GDPR didn’t exist and many were not aware of this right of theirs.

    At my first place of work in 2012, which was a tech/SaaS company that hosted websites globally, I was introduced to user privacy. The lack of laws and fewer judicial precedents meant every builder had their own way of assigning roles and responsibilities when it came to data privacy.

    The strict segregation of controller and processor came much later when GDPR came into effect, but back then, we were responsible for assigning such roles and interpreting local IT laws in a way that protected the rights of both, user and builder, across jurisdictions. 

    My seniors in the legal team were my guides who had a rich experience in such fields with big companies like Intel, Microsoft, and Google who taught me everything I know about data protection and privacy policies. 

    Even after GDPR came into effect, we did not have to re-do a lot, as GDPR is more about regulation than prohibition (many users believe that under GDPR, companies are prohibited from storing and processing their data which is incorrect).

    I am seeing a repeat of 2012 now in web3 and AI space. The laws are currently non-existed and are being drafted, and each user is interpreting and applying local laws to the best of their knowledge. 

    I would suggest the upcoming legal minds not focus on a lot of courses, but gain knowledge of such laws by experience. I never sat for any data protection and privacy exam, have no certification in this, and yet I know these laws because I learned from working in these sectors.

    Congratulations on being listed as Remote Influencer and Women Lawyer in the Legal Technology Sector, how would you describe your role as a leading lawyer in the technology sector?

    Not easy, in short. Tech is a male-dominated world and when I attend business meetings as a co-founder of my company that researches in the field of Artificial Intelligence, I do get an occasional look.

    Again, I started working remotely in 2012 for many personal reasons and it was very, very tough to break into the industry. Lawyers working remotely was unheard of, and to be in the tech sector, even a lawyer needed to understand the basics of it.

    After working hard for ten years, I am now in a much more comfortable situation where I work on new technology, overseas labour compliance, artificial intelligence and law, remote work and law, and lecture at universities.

    Though it may appear as if I have settled, I can assure you that every month, I end up reading and learning about new tech, digging some judgments on them, and interpreting laws (even though I don’t speak many European languages or am qualified to practice there.

    I have interpreted German, French, Swedish, Swiss, Australian, Canadian, etc laws for my clients in the tech industry or as my role as the GC at Lano Software GmbH), aiding courts and litigators in lawsuits around web3 and AI law across the globe and going back to studying some more.

    At my first workplace, I ended up learning PHP as it was needed for me to understand the tech before writing user rights documentation for it. Now, for my company, I am learning Python to be able to understand our projects, write accurate legal documents for the products and aid my co-founders.

    What are the challenges that HR’s in their work life face with emerging technologies like Meta Verse and Web 3? And how can they overcome those?

    Let us first understand that when employees work in metaverse or any other virtual platform, it is deemed to be a workplace. Employment and workplace health and safety laws will be applicable in these workplaces as well.

    In 2 years since I have been working in this tech, I have seen the following challenges that HRs have faced and I was consulted:

    1. Establishing the identities of avatars that employees use in the metaverse

    2. Checking if the employees are using a VPN or not

    3. VR headsets that are available in the market are bulky and may cause temporary disorientation, watery eyes, headaches, or other nerve-related issues if used for longer periods of time. Injuries from the usage of VR headsets may amount to workplace injuries for which employers will be liable.

    4. Cases of cyberbullying, harassment, or discrimination in the virtual workplace will also be the liability of the employers.

    5. HRs will need to remember that employment contracts signed in the metaverse may not be legally binding, hence, such contracts should be signed as per the local laws in the non-virtual world.
    6. Salaries, remittances, perks, and benefits to the employees must be done in legal tenders only. There is a trend of accepting crypto payments as salaries or to contractors for their services rendered, which is illegal. However, there are a few apps that facilitate this and can be used as they deduct the mandatory taxes from the gross amount, turn the net amount into cryptocurrency and transfer it to the beneficiary.

    What HRs can do to overcome such issues:

    1. Draft workplace policies that take into account the metaverse workplace.
    2. Include cyber bullying, online harassment, discrimination and other forms of online safety norms in the company policies

    3. Prohibit the use of VPNs by employees

    4. Maintain and update a list of avatars that employees use and ensure that they are not copyrighted and are available for commercial and non-commercial use 

    5. Draft an extensive and clear-cut workplace safety policy

    6. Conduct company-wide training for the usage and code of conduct of the VR workplace

    7. Set salaries and compensation expectations right. Will these be made in cryptocurrencies, if yes, how and if no, why should be mentioned in the employment contracts.

    8. Draft a VR workplace policy, in addition to the regular workplace policy, that should contain all the issues related to VR.

    You have a decade of experience in dealing with employment laws, at a similar pace, how crucial is it for the employees to strike a balance between work-life balance and are there any laws that we should be aware of significantly?

    Since I work for a German company, I can tell you that the laws in the EU are very strict and employee-friendly. As per German laws, I cannot be disturbed during my non-working hours and cannot work overtime, unless mutually consented.

    In India, the concept of work-life balance is unheard of at many companies. Toxic work culture, unnecessary work pressure, office politics and favoritism, and lack of knowledge of the employee’s part of their rights are duties are major challenges.

    I have to admit that these challenges also exist in the EU, but there are regulations that prohibit employers from doing certain actions that result in a toxic workplace environment.

    The laws also exist in India, but the question is always of implementation and the lengthy process of getting justice. Labour courts in India are slow and definitely have a lot of work, but then employers do manage to get out with little to no repercussions. 

    The HRs and the in-house legal team at companies should continuously educate the employees about their rights so that friction is easily mitigated.

    In the EU, employees enjoy protection to a very large extent and the onus is on the employer for many issues, thereby, making it easier for the employee who has been wronged to get justice.

    One must always remember, you are replaceable at the workplace, but not at home.

    Will AI be the future of law?

    Legal tech is to a lawyer what a tractor is to a farmer. A recent report I read mentioned that AI was more accurate at reviewing a contract than a team of very experienced lawyers (96% to 81%). And then there was a very interesting discussion on if AI will replace lawyers.

    Having worked in deep AI for a little less than three years now, I can tell you that legal tech powered by AI will be a boon and not a bane.

    Currently, AI is not 100% accurate and there will always be a need for a human to counter-review as AI has its own limitations. AI will be an aide and not the controller.

    In a few courts in the Netherlands, for a test project, AI was also deployed to aid the judges in delivering judgments, researching case laws, and suggesting legal theories which actually helped the judges a lot. 

    Of course, lawyers in the future will intervene to eliminate AI bias and that I think will be a major game changer, combining the accuracy of AI along with the rationality of humans.

    Can an Advocate be soft-spoken yet established; what do you think about how the legal profession takes this quality?

    Yes, absolutely. It is very wrong for people to think that a loud or aggressive individual will be a good lawyer. To be a good lawyer, one needs to have sound reasoning, analysis, logic, and effective communication skills along with strong professional skills and ethics. 

    Get in touch with Bhagyashree Pancholy-

  • In Conversation with: Paul J. Campson, Managing Partner at Campson & Campson, Personal Injury Attorney and Seasoned Litigator

    In Conversation with: Paul J. Campson, Managing Partner at Campson & Campson, Personal Injury Attorney and Seasoned Litigator

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

    How would you describe your job and yourself to a 10 year old?

    I am a lawyer who helps people who were hurt in an accident get money for their pain.

    Paul, as we read about you, being a member of the carpenters’ union (United Brotherhood of Carpenters) , how did it help you in your law career?

    Being a member of the Carpenter’s Union taught me the value of hard work and the importance of an education. Being a carpenter is a physically challenging occupation and often very dangerous, so the importance of following rules, particularly safety rules, is very important.

    Appearing before various law tribunals and forums needs extra effort, how do you plan your work to be super-efficient? 

    Planning is the secret ingredient to success and efficiency. Even if I handle a case many times, I always write an outline and emphasize the points I need to make.

    This keeps me focused because it is very easy to become distracted and be thrown off track by a smart adversary, so thinking how I might lose a case is the best preparation for victory.

    You have been actively taking up Pro-Bono cases and have done a lot of free service in your career trajectory? How important is it for Law Students and professionals to take up Pro-Bono cases and help the needy? 

    Pro-Bono cases are very rewarding. Volunteering time and expertise to those who cannot afford top legal representation is the hallmark of our justice system.

    Pro bono cases provide attorneys with the chance to work with other lawyers in their firms who they would not otherwise know, as well as practice in areas outside of their day-to-day work. This fosters collaboration and increases future cross-firm prospects. It also assists attorneys in forming networks with other lawyers who work for legal assistance foundations. Networking leads to business development, which helps the firm as well.

    As we all are aware of the 9/11 incident, how was your experience wrt getting justice for the victims? Please elaborate it

    9/11 was a very difficult time for the entire nation. Being able to represent victims pro-bono was very special. At the time, no one understood the long term health ramifications connected to 9/11.

    To delve into the medical records of these victims and come up with creative ideas to get them the maximum compensation, was a stand out moment in my legal career.

    How hard is the bar exam to be passed in New York and how can one prepare with a well curated road map?

    The NY State Bar Exam is one of the hardest in the country. To pass it, you have to prepare for it as a full time job. Get on a schedule, study 9-5 and take lunch everyday at the same time, just like a job.

    Again, preparation is the key to passing the bar. Do the hard work in the morning and the rest of the day will fall into place.

    Lastly Paul, what tips are you likely to give to students willing to practice as a Personal Injury lawyer in the US?

    Personal injury is a very competitive field. tell everyone you meet and family and friends that you are a personal injury lawyer. To be successful you need cases. A great trial lawyer is useless without cases to try. 

    Get in touch with Paul J. Campson-

  • In Conversation with: Paras Jain, Partner at KZJ Partners and Founder at Whistle for Public Interest-WHIP

    In Conversation with: Paras Jain, Partner at KZJ Partners and Founder at Whistle for Public Interest-WHIP

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

    Paras, please tell us how it feels to achieve so much at such a young age marking your presence globally?

    It gave a sense of great pride, as I won my first legal battle against a giant company misleading and selling fairness creams in India. It boosted my confidence to handle high stake and complex legal disputes single handedly. But now, it acts as a motivational force to work for public causes.

    Generally, complex matters are so critical that advocates fear not even taking them, but you have ferociously fought and won too. What keeps you going with these matters?

    I do not think that advocates have any fear of not taking complex matters. It is a personal choice of one whether to take such matters or not. For example, I have personally fought cases dealing with Right to Information (RTI) Act involving critical questions of law. This has both positively & negatively impacted public at large in getting information from authorities.

    Being a responsible citizen and an advocate, I understand the importance of protecting right to information. This is what keeps me going with these matters.

    Our audience is keen to hear your landmark legal battle against ICAI, ICSI, ICWAI, CBSE and DU

    As ICSI student, I requested ICSI to provide me copies of answer-sheets at cost of Rs. 2 per page as per RTI Act. But ICSI was adamant in charging        Rs. 500/- per subject from all examinees. This was causing wrongful loss to examinees and wrongful gain to ICSI. Case was litigated at all levels and was ruled in my favor by the Supreme Court of India in                             ICSI Vs. Paras Jain, Civil Appeal No. 5665/2014. 

    Subsequently, the ruling has been followed in letter and spirit by professional and educational institutions ICAI, ICWAI, CBSE and DU which all were charging exorbitant fee from examinees.     

    In nutshell, this landmark judgment has been beneficial for student community in India

    What obstacles have you faced in acing your career in litigation and shining with true colors, tell our audience the accurate road-map?

    Though there have been many obstacles but certainly the crucial obstacles were to get the family support and to find the right seniors to mentor in the process of litigation. I wish to thank my parents and my wife who stood by my choice of pursuing career in litigation. I also wish to thank my seniors Mr. Rajiv Mohan, Mr. Jayant K. Mehta, Mr. Abhimanyu Kampani, Advocates, who have been the guiding force in my career.

    For accurate road-map, I would say that law students must participate in moot court, debates, writing competitions and undergo different internships. This enables law students to analyze & to know their area of interests, and helps them in pursuing their career in a particular field.

    We have read that you are the founder of Whistle for Public Interest-WHIP, our audience is excited to hear from your end, what’s it all about?

    Whistle for Public Interest-WHIP is a group of law students and young lawyers founded in 2015 when I was in law school. Group has been working consistently for transparency, legal reforms and environmental protection. Group has been successful in bringing use of A4 Size Paper in legal proceedings, use of Mic-System & setting up of Online RTI Portal in Supreme Court of India.

    The group has also intervened and assisted the Supreme Court of India and High Courts on questions of law relating to right to information.

    Group has also been providing internships to law students through “Intern from Home” Program.  Under this program, law students interact with subject experts on issues of public interest and understand ground realities & its impact. Group efforts have also been recognized and appreciated by former Chief Justice Akil Kureshi, High Court of Rajasthan. 

    Truly speaking, there’s been a lot of misconceptions regarding litigation in India right now, what piece of advice would you like to give to our young law students?  

    Law colleges and law students have a major misconception that only Corporate & Arbitration laws can assure law students lucrative career in law. But today every law has its own significance and its impact on clients and the society. In my opinion, law students should explore other areas of law as well and practice litigation according to their interest and passion.

    Law students can easily do these things by attending conferences, seminars & court hearings. Ultimately, the purpose of life is to secure joy and the Comparison is the thief of joy.                     

           

    Get in touch with Paras Jain-

  • In Conversation with: Rashmita Roy Chowdhury, Commercial Disputes Solicitor at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, Dual Qualified (India and England & Wales)

    In Conversation with: Rashmita Roy Chowdhury, Commercial Disputes Solicitor at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, Dual Qualified (India and England & Wales)

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

    Let us begin with the most important question, did you always dream of becoming a lawyer or, did it  happen by chance?

    First of all, I would like to thank the team for featuring me in this editorial. I think it is so important for other people reading this editorial to understand that they are not alone in this journey and that many other people have either gone through or are going through similar journeys.

    To answer your question in short – No. I come from a family full of doctors and wanted to be one myself till my ICSE. However, during my ICSE preparation I realised that I was not interested in Physics and Chemistry at all and to be honest Maths wasn’t my strongest suit.

    This led to me choosing Humanities (Arts stream) in grade 11 and 12. However, the desire to become a lawyer all started when I was exposed to and witnessed the difficulties shared by the underprivileged through the woman who was employed to be my caregiver since birth. 

    In today’s world, it is clear that legal professionals can significantly help mobilize otherwise muted populations by representing their cases, providing them with the knowledge of the welfare schemes they are entitled to and help them receive the same. While I was India, I always tried to provide free legal advice and draft pleadings pro bono for them.

    This was my little way of giving back to the community.

    Students often go numb about LL.M options from abroad,  is it really worth it? Are most of the students able to leverage such opportunities, of you were an exception?

    There are two essential questions to answer here:

    (i) Whether it is important or relevant to pursue an LL.M at all?

    (ii) Whether one needs to pursue an LL.M abroad and whether they are able to leverage such opportunities?

    It is not a strait jacket formula that fits all. Deciding to pursue an LL.M takes months maybe years of planning. Many students decide to pursue their LL.M right after their undergraduate degree. This might work for many students if they are certain that they want to practice a niche area of the law or they want to finish their LL.M before they start their professional career.

    However, in my case I was sure I wanted to pursue litigation but I decided to gain some practical experience before deciding what I wanted to specialize in.

    It took me a whole year to plan my colleges and decide what I wanted to pursue. I decided to pursue my LL.M after three years of working and I cannot express how grateful I am for that exposure. It not only allowed me to take my time to choose the LL.M I wanted to pursue but also helped me gain more in terms of how I would be able to utilise that knowledge practically.

    The second question of whether to pursue an LL.M abroad is also a very personal choice. However, one should never make the mistake of incurring huge debts just to pursue an LL.M abroad in the hope of getting a job right after their LL.M.  

    An LL.M is not a gateway or the answer for securing a job abroad. It is only a platform that helps you network and provides you with a truly multicultural cohort for cross-learning. Furthermore, I am no exception to securing a job in the UK after my LL.M.

    There are a lot of opportunities provided by the college and London as a city. But to ensure one makes the most of their LL.M abroad, they should be willing to think out of the box and network as much as possible.

    Can you give our readers a brief idea of what they need to prepare for if they want to climb the corporate ladder based on your experience representing international commercial arbitration in a variety of matters?

    They say preparation is key. However, in my experience I thought being persistent and consistent was the key to success. Cases will differ and you will be faced with multiple obstacles in your career some bigger than others but if you are consistent in learning from your mistakes and persistent in overcoming them, then, no matter what, you will always end up succeeding. 

    The other thing which is extremely important is inculcating the habit of asking questions. As junior lawyers, we tend to be shy of asking questions thinking we may come across as being less bright or not equipped enough to execute the task. Most often I have found that no matter how banal the question is it has helped me understand the task better and in return provide a better outcome of the task given to me.

    What was the one learning experience throughout your entire career that you’d credit to have shaped your career and brought you to this point?

    I do not think I can pinpoint one learning experience, but I guess always being curious has helped shape my career a lot. I am a curious person in general and I guess that always leads to asking all the when’s, how’s and what’s in the world. This inadvertently helps you broaden your horizon not just in the legal field but also your surroundings. Being aware of your surroundings allows you to be abreast of the worldly affairs which in turn helps you to hold a better conversation with any given person.

    Whether it be with the client or your own team. It is also key in networking. Basically, what I am trying to say is that it is all a chain reaction and curiosity has definitely been my guiding factor.

    How tough is to qualify the bars for enrolling as a solicitor? And what can be the right methodology or road map for the same?

    First let me mention that there is no right or wrong way to qualify as a Solicitor. Some foreign lawyers take years to finish while some complete it within a year. It really depends on that individual’s capacity to study and understand the study material. No two people can have the exact same bandwidth. Therefore, I will explain what worked for me. I qualified as a Solicitor through the Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme (QLTS) which has now been replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying exam (SQE).

    I feel both the systems test the same practical and theoretical knowledge, but the two main differences are that the SQE is universal i.e. it applies to UK as well as foreign lawyers and that it requires 2 years qualifying work experience.

    For my case, the first part of the QLTS was multiple choice questions and I had to study 11 modules to name a few Constitutional Law & Judicial Review, Professional Conduct & Solicitors’  Accounts, Financial Services, Money Laundering & Taxation, Property Law, Contract Law, Torts, Criminal Law etc. I studied for 6 months, two hours after work and 4-5 hours over the weekend.

    For the second part of the exam, which is more hands on as it includes advocacy, client interviewing, legal drafting, research  and writing, I studied for three months 2-3 hours after work and 6-7 hours over the weekend. It is important to mention that there are great service providers to help you prepare for the exam and boost your confidence.

    Having said that, I just wanted to highlight that it really takes commitment to complete this exam. It challenged me multiple times and it is a very tedious process. However, it is also one of the few foreign qualifying exams that do not require you to first pursue a legal degree in the country to be eligible to take the exam. 

    At last, I would mention that one can get all the opinions and advice from other people who have taken the exam but don’t compare yourself to them. Make yourself a road map if you do wish to pursue it.

    Are there any preparations prior to pursuing LL.M from the UK and how students can make themselves ready for the same?

    As I have mentioned earlier that pursuing an LL.M should be a personal and planned decision. There are many factors in play before you take the decision. A few questions you should ask yourself before making that decision are:

    Why are you really pursuing the LL.M?

    Are you sure you want to pursue that specialisation?

    Are you ready to pursue more academia in the UK?

    Will it help you professionally to achieve your goals?

    Will you be able to utilise the benefits of an LL.M in your career?

    Having asked few of these questions and many other that you may alternatively have, make a planned choice to pursue an LL.M. Now if you are absolutely sure about the LL.M, the next thing you need to chalk out is the niche area of law and the colleges that offer that specific LL.M.

    There will be multiple colleges offering the LL.M you want to pursue therefore, your next step should be to check the modules offered and the professors teaching them. There are well-known professors in many colleges therefore, I would say choose the course that is tailor fit for you. Having the ability to mix and match the modules you think will help you grow is a big advantage. Always re-check whether the modules are being taught the year you are planning to join as sometimes the modules do not run for a few years. After having made that choice, go and have the best year of your life.

    Finally, would you mind offering some advice to our readers?

    I do not think I am that far experienced in my career to give great advice. However, I can definitely help you with the do’s and don’ts so that you do not make the same mistakes I did. I graduated from a non-national law school and I always thought that was my biggest disadvantage and I allowed it to make the decisions for me. If someone told me earlier that I would be dual qualified and practicing law in the UK, I would laugh at that person.

    But here I am! Therefore, I think most often than not our thoughts are the main impediments in our path of success.

    We tend to see the smaller picture and cannot sometimes fathom the idea of what or how our life can change. So always think you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.

    I would like to end by saying practice:

    • Resilience – No matter how many rejections you receive, always learn to pick yourself up and fight back. Rejection is a part and parcel of this journey and it allows you to recognise and rectify the mistakes you have made previously.
    • Patience – You will need lots and lots of it. Ensure you do your bit to the best of your abilities and be patient for the rewards to follow. Don’t worry, they will come to you.
    • Kindness – Always make sure you are kind to others and help anyone you can in the process. Kindness goes a long way and you will never know how much your kind words will help another person.

    In the end,  we are all part of a long game and the only thing that truly matters is the journey.

  • In Conversation with: Neeraj Vyas, Principal Associate at Samvad Partners specialized in M&A and PE/VC Transactions

    In Conversation with: Neeraj Vyas, Principal Associate at Samvad Partners specialized in M&A and PE/VC Transactions

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

    Let us start from the beginning, what drove you to choose law? What other career options would you have considered, if not law?

    A legal career happened to me by chance. I had not thought about becoming a lawyer till the time I passed the 12th standard. During that time, CLAT had just started and it seemed interesting to me as I didn’t want to go for a conventional job.

    I come from a non-lawyer family but my parents supported me fully in my decision and hence, I ended up where I am today. If not for the law, I might have tried my hand at being a chartered accountant.

    From Bangalore to Mumbai to Hyderabad, how do you adjust with this Job Relocation and did it work well for you in the legal journey? Please tell our audience in brief!

    All these locations are hubs of law firms and there is a big legal fraternity in all these places. I don’t think I faced any professional issues due to these relocations. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by awesome colleagues and friends who always made my life easier. More than different cities, I think the place of work determines your legal journey.

    Initially, I was in ICICI Bank as an in-house counsel, and later on, I moved to law firms (Samvad Partners and Indus Law), this has helped me in getting great exposure to different kind of work style, work expectations etc. The learning at these places have helped me immensely in moving forward.

    Recently a huge bunch of cases in Mergers and other related deals were shared, do you think this area will keep on growing while creating opportunities for lawyers as well?

    India is a huge market and that’s why we are seeing an increase in investments in India. This is just a start, the market is going to expand further in the years to come and therefore, we will see a lot more M&A deals, PE/VC deals, etc.

    At present, I don’t think, students in India are taught enough about M&A or PE/VC investments and therefore, my advice to all the students would be to read up more about this area or do certification courses in this aspect, especially, if they are interested in a corporate law career.

    Can you tell us a bit about your current role and responsibilities as a M & A and PE/VC lawyer

    As a transactional lawyer who works quite a bit on M&A and PE/VC transactions, my job is to ensure that the deal is successfully concluded while keeping the interest of my client in mind.

    Being a senior team member, it is my job to draft, negotiate, and review the transaction documents on behalf of my client and also oversee my team’s work.

    Before you moved into Samvad again, you worked at Indus Law as well, kindly tell our audience about your experience at both these places.

    Samvad Partners is like a home to me. I have spent almost 5 years with the firm in aggregate and I think it is one of the best firms in the market to work at. A lot of my professional growth is because of the amazing partners and seniors that I have worked with during these years at Samvad Partners.

    Indus Law, Bangalore was a good learning experience. Even though most of my time at Indus Law was during Covid and we worked from home most of the time, I met some hard-working and driven colleagues who made my whole experience enriching.

    It is said that getting a mentor is the first step towards attaining success. How true do you think the saying is? Do you think a mentor plays a crucial role in the growth of a person? What type of mentor would you suggest for a law student?

    Absolutely. A good mentor can make a huge difference in your career. I have been fortunate enough to have some amazing mentors during my professional career who took out time from their busy schedules to advise me whenever I needed their advice. I have had mentors who guided me on specific tasks and also taught me skills that have helped me a lot. A good mentor helps you in achieving your career goals by guiding you correctly.

    What are your views on the work life balance and mental health issues that off late lawyers have been raising?

    A good mentor will always give you honest feedback and thereby help you in improving yourself.

    I think it is high time that we, as an industry, start taking cognisance of the mental health issues that lawyers are facing. There is a great scope in our industry for improvement of work life balance.

    As more and more lawyers are speaking about these issues, we can see lot of firms taking note of these issues and undertaking actions to improve the situation for its lawyers. In my opinion, that’s a good start but we still have a long way to go.

    What would be your parting message to our young readers?

    Use your time during your internships wisely. Try and figure out what areas of law you like and you don’t like. It will help you in carving your career path.

    Get in touch with Neeraj Vyas-