Super Lawyer

Author: Team Research

  • Jyotika Jain on Judicial Clerkship under Justice S.K. Mishra, Delhi HC

    Jyotika Jain on Judicial Clerkship under Justice S.K. Mishra, Delhi HC

    Jyotika Jain is a graduate of 2010 batch of Amity Law School. She has publications in renowned journals to her credit and has extensive experience of the Supreme Court & Delhi High Court atmosphere. She is currently working as a Judicial Clerk in Delhi High Court. In this interview we asked her in depth about her experience of working as a judicial clerk under Justice S.K.Mishra, the application procedure and the future prospects of her legal career.

     

    Given that most of our readers belong to legal fraternity, how would you introduce yourself to them?

    I am an accidental lawyer. Law had never been one of the options that I had narrowed down to while choosing a career path. I wanted to pursue medicine. After my board exams in class 12th, the next thing I knew was that I was sitting in a class of Law of Contracts.

     

    Legal studies are still only a backup option for quite a lot of students. What motivated you to choose law as a career? How did you get through to Amity Law School?

    I never gave law a serious thought. Medicine had always been on my mind. That’s what you would expect in a class with students who have taken Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology, as their chosen subject combination. However, one of my batch-mates, did want to pursue Law and she was perhaps the only one. At present, she is pursuing her PhD, and that isn’t remotely in any legal field. Hers and mine is only just an example. There are a lot of students who choose law, and end up in law school. But, I believe ultimately what happens is destiny. No matter how many plans you have in mind, or the amount of preparation you go through, things happen differently.

    Coming to Amity Law School, was another chance. I decided to drop a year after 12th so that I could join one of the many coaching institutes and give a good shot at PMT. In the meanwhile, I needed admission in some college as a back-up. I chose Amity over a course in physiotherapy. At the time when I was getting into law school, CLAT had not yet been introduced. Every university had its own entrance examination. I believe that coming from a ‘pure science’ stream, helped me develop an analytical bent of mind. Therefore, without much preparation I was able to clear the GGSIPU’s common entrance test for Law.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing expertise and knowledge in these areas?

    A lot of decisions that I made through law school, whether for the best or not, were somehow still revolving around science. My favorite subjects were criminal law, mainly due to forensic science, and IPR within which I was fascinated by Patent Law. I always had an interest in these areas, so reading articles or blogs, came as a natural interest. In fact, my dissertation was based on ‘Patenting of Transgenic Animals’. When it came to criminal law and criminology, I just went with my gut and all the information I had absorbed through TV series such as Medical Detectives and Criminal Minds. The key lies in keeping yourself updated. I would never miss out an article with a scientific theme in the newspaper. Somethings just catch your fancy.

    In retrospect, things could have been different. The advise that I can give to the next generation of law graduates is; read, read and read. Make a database, make an index for legal areas, and just read a lot. Keep yourself updated with the latest legal principles. You’ll do yourself a favour if you start this exercise now. You’ll find yourself relying on this database very often.

     

    As a law student which activities did you participate in? Did you have any guidance on how to go about your academics, co-curricular activities and internships?

    I am a first generation lawyer. Throughout five years of law school, I learnt from observation and from my own mistakes. I didn’t receive any guidance, and I didn’t have anyone’s hand over my head. That hand over your head will make your life much easier throughout law school and later as well. There is no hiding from this fact or being ashamed of it. That’s how it works. At the same time, the other side to this is that, if you don’t have a support system, you can manage fairly well by just working hard. It pays off, and it did in my case.

    First year for me was just exploration. It was a new world. So many new faces and a lot more stories about the ‘cool’ seniors we had, who I would say were ‘mooting studs’. Since the very beginning there was this mystical power one would get if they were a mooter, and this is what attracted a lot more people to the arena. My first moot, an internal one, made me cry from the inside, and I ended up with a resolve, not such a firm one, clearly, that I would never moot again. But it was this first moot itself that made me realise that I had a natural gift for research work. As time progressed, I started participating in moot court competitions throughout India, voluntarily choosing to go as a researcher. Believe me.

    Around the time I came to third year, I was introduced to Parliamentary Debates (PD). The adrenaline rush in that is much more than moots. In moots you have a lot of time to prepare and furnish your research work. Preparation for PD can never be complete. You can’t know what motion would be thrown at you. The only preparation you can possibly have is, just reading up on current affairs and having bills/propositions prepared before hand, but whether that is used or not is another question. It was this rush, that finally pushed me to go for a moot as the second speaker in my final year at law school.

    I never missed a chance on any kind of extra-curricular activities. Moots, Parliamentary Debates, and Essay competitions. One should try for everything. These days there are a lot of colleges that have taken the initiative for letting students present papers at conferences and other events. Which is a good opportunity and one should try and present a paper, or at least try and get two publications.

    When it came to academics, I didn’t have a problem. It was as simple as that. I did not shy away from giving my notes to my batch-mates or my juniors. During exams, I was perpetually surrounded by twenty people. Twenty people who had just opened their books hours before the exam. Explaining concepts, and helping them made me revise my course over and over again. Throughout five years, I held the top three ranks in my class. Academics is something I didn’t consider as something that I had to work for. Moots and PDs on the other hand required work and effort. It didn’t take much to recall things from class lectures, or remember case laws. The fact that I could understand legal principles easily can be attributed to my science background, which helped me analyse propositions. As I said before, a lot of what I did revolved around science. Of course, this is not a rule, I am an exception.

     

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    What kind of internships did you do while you were a student? Any remarkable experiences during your internships that shaped your career choices later?

    One thing that I didn’t skip or compromise on was internships. I didn’t while away time during June and July, the months when we had vacations. June is the worst time to try for litigation internships. Courts are shut. There is hardly any work before the vacation benches, just one or two odd matters.

    Looking back, there are two broad areas in which I can divide my experience during internships; Litigation and Research.

    I’ll start with the research based ones. The first one was with the National Commission for Women, followed by Centre for Policy Reasearch, where I got the opportunity to work with Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, on his book on Constitutional Law. After which, I worked with Mr. Shyam Divan, Senior Advocate on the third edition of Environmental Law and Policy in India. This book has been authored by Mr. Divan and Mr. Armin Rosencranz, and is perhaps the only such book available that covers the legal and policy aspects of the environment. In all these three internships, there was a lot to read on legal aspects. Digging and sifting through thousands of precedents, cherry picking applicable areas and then presenting them in a sumarrised form. Although, with Mr. Divan, this wasn’t limited to just precedents, but also covered other literature, where topics related to the environment were being discussed. Imagine in 2009, I’m reading something about vendors on the street, and it is now that the Street Vendors Act got introduced. There were many ancilliary things which were related to the environment that I read about. This helped me build a strong foundation, which helped me later when I interned with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, when Mr. Ramesh was holding charge.

    When it comes to litigation, I worked with counsels and in firms. I worked with Mr. Sushil Kumar Jain, who has now been designated as a Senior Advocate and with Mr. Shyam Divan. I went twice to Karanjawala and Co., once in 2010 and before that in 2008, and I also worked with Vaish Associates Advocates.

    Ministry of Environment and Forests wouldn’t per se qualify as a litigation based internship, although I did work on some legal briefs there. This was heavily based on policy work and the new amendments that were going to be introduced in the Wild Life Protection Act. It was around this time when the idea for NGT and NEPA was being talked about. There was a lot of interaction with the members of the civil society and also with citizens who had grievances with the proposed amendments. Generally we are used to saying that the government doesn’t really work, but here we went through emails and queries from citizens and also gave them personal hearings. Every day was a different day, and most days had frenzied activity. One of the richest experiences from this internship that I took with me, was working on the Gola Elephant Corridor issue. Having a ground zero and hands on experience with the conflict between man and environment was a very unique experience.

     

    Did you find that your law school education had prepared you sufficiently for the many tasks you were required to execute during your internships?

    I believe that what you do in law school and what you do in the field are two entirely different things. Keeping in mind the existing law school curriculum, there isn’t any law school that can prepare you for the world outside. Law school revolves around books, and extra-curricular activities. The life outside these books is another dimension. Well, using research databases such as SCC and Manupatra, is something that you would do in law school and also outside while interning or working. Books would provide a settled principle of law, litigation is on grey areas. Therefore, no law school can prepare you for internships or work. If I could draw an analogy, it is like saying I read Grey’s book on human anatomy and then I performed an autopsy. Practical experience can never come from books.

     

    You have published a lot of papers in various prestigious journals. Can you give us a few tips to ace the art of paper writing?

    Art of writing. Well that’s a tough question. You can’t be perfect, there is always something that you can do to make it better. To develop some sort of mastery would require 20-30 years. Writing requires a lot of revision as well. Especially, legal writing, where you can say the same thing in twenty different ways, but the best way would always be the way in which a lay man understands what you are trying to say. Grammar is another area which requires work. I still have a Wren and Marting with me, and a book that tries to explain the usage of punctuation marks on my desk. Understanding rules is one aspect, the other aspect is to read. I stopped reading in between thinking that reading someone else’s work would take away my own unique writing style. I know a lot of people who have gone through this phase. I was wrong. There is a lot you can discover through someone else’s work, and you can learn a lot.

     

    How has your mooting and debating experience been?

    Mooting experience, that was a joy ride. As I said, I voluntarily chose to be a researcher mostly, till I chose to finally go as a speaker. All the moots that I participated in, I never got anything back. As a researcher, I could only pass ‘chits’. It was my last moot that changed everything. My team was awarded the prize for the Best International Team in IICLAM. This was also my college’s first ever international trophy. It is something that will always be memorable.

    PDs on the other hand, I picked up on faster. It was in my second PD in NLSIU Bangalore, which was organised by Allen and Overy, in which I came runners up in the Novice Championship.

    Every student should at least participate in one. There is so much you can learn, and you also get to meet new people during these competitions, people you can learn from as well. Don’t worry about messing it up, or worrying about not getting any awards. The first moot or PD will always be an ice-breaker.

     

    How helpful do you think is mooting for a law student? Does it serve a real purpose or is just another way to crowd up the CV?

    Mooting will help you build up on your confidence. It will teach you to not lose your composure when the judge tries to heckle you on a point. I have also judged few moots, and I know why judges try to heckle. They want to see if you break under pressure. It is nothing personal. Most judges heckle those who are good orators. If you are missing the law point, or are fumbling, or don’t understand the question, the judge knows, and they won’t bother with asking you questions and waste time. It’s the good ones whose mettle we try and test.

    I don’t think moots should be used to crowd up your CV. You should use it as a means to grow and learn. The purpose it will serve is that it will help you think on your feet, come up with ingenious arguments and at times will also help you in becoming witty.

     

    Currently, you work as a Judicial Clerk at the Chambers of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sudershan Kumar Misra, High Court at New Delhi. What had contributed towards this appointment?

    After law school, I decided to sit for the Civil Services Examination. I believed that having a background in law would help me. I didn’t clear my exam, and I had to start from scratch. I started the process for rebuilding everything. A judicial clerkship is a very good beginning. Although, it is quite unfortunate that in India the value attributed towards this is comparatively quite low as compared to other countries. Even within the legal fraternity here, a clerkship is never viewed as a crowning glory.

    One thing that helped me was that even though I have a huge gap on my CV, I still had numerous internships, and extra-curricular activities on it. Getting into law school and sticking to it is not a hard and fast rule. Your life won’t come to an end if you decide to try something else. You should try it, and it is better than living with the regret that ‘I wish I had given this a shot.’ My past work experience and my overall performance in law school helped me immensely.

     

    How did you obtain the Judicial Clerkship? What is the standard procedure to do so?

    Every Judge in the High Court and Supreme Court is allowed two law clerks. Generally, one comes through the Registry and the other one is based on the discretion of the Judge. The standard procedure is to go through the Registry.

     

    Did you ever consider a career in the corporate sector? What influenced your decision to work in this sector?

    I considered working in the Corporate sector. I don’t have hard and fast notions about careers within the legal field. A lot of decisions depend upon experience and your level of comfort in that field. Ideally, one should try everything, you never know what would click. I haven’t had the chance to work in a corporate environment, so I can’t say much. However, when it comes to litigation, I like the frenzy of the courtrooms and the rush of adrenaline.

     

    What does your current work profile consists of? What is your workday like? Are there new challenges every day or did work fall into a predictable pattern?

    Work can be challenging on some days. Employees in the High Court, leave at 5 p.m. Filing counters, Registry etc., shuts in the evening. By 7 p.m. the Court is deserted. But you’ll still have a few Stenographers working, and one or two law clerks that you’ll bump into. I leave when I finish my work. Even though Courts adjourn at 4;30 p.m. there are days when it is not adjourned till seven in the evening. In the evening there are no fixed timings. You’ll leave when you are done for the day. On the other hand, my day at work starts at 9:30 a.m.

    Working on the other side, and this is no exaggeration, that at times over 120 matters are assigned to a Judge. The Court timings are from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and in this short period of time, it is not possible to adjudicate upon 120 cases. Judges try their best, and I have seen that. Every person wants a fair amount of time to be heard, and the judges try and give them the time. But honestly, they are just overburdened. We need to at least double the current strength of the High Court Judges. 60 would be a good number to start with.

    As a law clerk, one duty which is common to all clerks is to ensure that there are no errors; typographical or grammatical, in the Order or Judgments, before those are given to the Judges. These errors are mostly human errors, which inadvertently creep in when the orders are typed. The court rooms are packed and at times the level of noise is a little high and when the orders are being dictated in the courtroom, some word is missed out by the stenographers. Even a single comma can drastically change the meaning. It is something I have learnt working with Hon’ble Justice Mr. Sudershan Kumar Misra, and he has been a wonderful teacher is this process. His guidance has been invaluable.

    Second common task is research work. Your research skills should be very strong, and you’ll sharpen them while working with a judge. The point of law that is being debated upon, is so fine at times, but you need to find something, or be enterprising an ingeneous and try and relate several points together to get to it.

    Reading files and making short notes, or as it is called ‘peshis’ is something which other clerks do as well. Making short notes helps you learn how to sift through information and get to the point. Summarising one file into one page is an art and it requires practice.

    I don’t think there is a predictable pattern, but yes there are some very slow days at work as well. However, one interesting case will make up for it.

     

    Tell us about your work mantra? What do think are the most essential things required to excel in clerkship?

    Everyone has their own personal shortcomings or weak areas. I would only say that you should not shy away from it and work towards improving yourself. My work mantra, or rather mantras would be; work hard, drop your ego, learn how to listen, and always strive towards learning more.

     

    Do you consider pursuing an LL.M abroad? A lot of LL.M aspirants opt for judicial clerkship before higher studies; what is your thought on this?

    I would say that if one wishes to pursue an LLM, doing a clerkship is the right thing to do. As I mentioned earlier, in India a clerkship doesn’t hold much value, but for example in USA, a clerkship is viewed as a valuable experience.

     

    What will be your suggestions to our readers who wish to be a judicial clerk?

    My suggestion would be that one should seriously consider this as an option. There is a lot you can gain from a clerkship, and these are things that you will realise later. It is a good stepping stone.

     

    What are your future plans?

    I wish to continue into litigation. In fact from my batch there are only a handful who chose to be in litigation. Losing possible litigators to easy money is a loss to this field. So, for now my eyes are set here and my feet are firmly planted in the court.

  • Pralika Jain on representing Bollywood celebrities, work at Star India and LL.M in IPR from Georgetown

    Pralika Jain on representing Bollywood celebrities, work at Star India and LL.M in IPR from Georgetown

    Pralika Jain is a media and entertainment lawyer with about three years of experience in the broadcasting and entertainment industry. She graduated from GLC, Mumbai in 2011. Thereafter she worked at Star India Pvt. Ltd. for one year and then with a Talent Management Agency, CAA KWAN as a lawyer to Bollywood Celebrities. Currently, she is pursuing Masters in Intellectual Property Law at Georgetown University Law Centre.

    In this interview Pralika talks about:

    • Work experience at Star and CAA KWAN
    • Choosing Masters over a job
    • Writing an SOP and getting recommendation letters

     

    Most of our readers are law students and young lawyers. How will you introduce yourself to them?

    I would say I am a media and entertainment lawyer with about three years of experience in the broadcasting and entertainment industry. In an informal setting I would say that I have been a lawyer for the past three years, worked mainly in the media and entertainment industry, tried experimenting in the start-up space and have a passion for technology and still trying to find a way to amalgamate all of that.

     

    How did you gravitate towards law? Why law and not engineering or medical studies?

    The fear of Math made me gravitate towards law. Being inherently inquisitive growing up, I assumed engineering would be the apt choice for me, but then I realised that, only being a lawyer will give me the opportunity to explore all the facets of this world, be it business, media, technology, health care/medicine or aero-space. Being a lawyer would give me the opportunity to learn everything there is out there to learn and what better way than to get paid for it, right?

     

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    How would you describe your time at GLC, Mumbai? What sort of internships did you do while in law school?

    I thoroughly enjoyed my time at GLC on and off campus. The first two years at GLC were spent being involved in committees, as most GLC students do. This is where I think we all built our soft skills that no one teaches you in college. Directly connecting with senior lawyers, judges and other eminent personalities to be a part of our college’s activities taught us a great deal about communicating with people, respecting their time and gave us an insight to their work. This was my first preview into the world of law.

    I also enjoyed attending lectures (definitely a few) by Professor Pithawala, Professor Ratho, Professor, Professor Chuganee to name a few. From around the second year onwards I started interning full-time, like most GLC students do. Although I had a fair mix of corporate, litigation and firm internships, my internship at Disney introduced me to the world of media and entertainment, more particularly the role lawyers play in the media and entertainment industry. This internship amplified my interest in the industry and led me to pursue another internship at Viacom. I believe both these internships played an instrumental role in introducing me to an industry I never would have considered pursuing much less enjoy working there.

     

    You worked at Star India Pvt. Ltd. for a year and at CAA KWAN as a lawyer to Bollywood Celebrities. How would you describe your experiences working there?

    While I had secured a job from the on-campus recruitment at a corporate law firm, I was inclined towards media and entertainment. So I started connecting with lawyers working at various media and entertainment companies and as luck would have it, the then VP of Star and now the General Counsel of Snapdeal, Mr. Ashish Chandra responded to my cold email on LinkedIn.

    I had a quick conversation with him which led to an interview and then my first job at Star. My experience at Star set a strong foundation of law as well as the media, entertainment and broadcasting industry. Using my experience at Star as a springboard, I joined CAA KWAN as the legal counsel.

    Here, I discovered the media and entertainment industry from the other side which was an exciting experience. I was lucky to have the opportunity to work on Bollywood as well as a few deals in Hollywood. Working with celebrities was exciting at first, but it soon lost its charm, as they are your clients at the end of the day. The time spent working will be a memorable one, as I worked with a team of people who were not only brilliant at what they did but also were great mentors to me. The other thing about working in the media and entertainment industry is the informal environment, which I think contributed a lot to my growth there.

     

    Do you think courts in India are equipped to handle entertainment and media law cases?

    With the increase in entertainment and media litigation I think the courts are getting better at handling those cases. To answer your second question, I think law is never up to date with technology. Technology is growing at a rate faster than expected and no legal regime in the world is equipped for it yet.

    Were you in double minds before joining Georgetown University Law Centre? How did you prefer Masters over your job?

    I knew that I always wanted to pursue my masters, but choosing to study after working for three years was the most difficult decision to make. Once you are used to working and have a comfortable lifestyle it is difficult to get dissuaded to pursue further education. The reason I chose to pursue my masters was because my employers at CAA KWAN were very supportive of it and helped me realise the value any higher education would bring to me. I realised that if I missed out on pursuing the opportunity to study now I would get sucked into the black hole of being employed and would regret not pursuing my masters. I would encourage every student who has the opportunity to pursue their masters to do so. It is an invaluable experience and having good education has never and will never be a waste.

     

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    How did you choose Georgetown University over others? How did you go about choosing a university?

    Georgetown Law did not seem an obvious choice to me at first, but after I got admitted I researched the faculty and the subjects offered which drew me towards Georgetown Law. My professors are a mix of Judges, Practitioners, Congressmen and Law Makers. I doubt I would have had an opportunity to be taught directly by the law makers in any other school.

     

    How did you go about writing your SOP? Are there any key factors which one should keep in mind before writing the SOP?

    Writing the SOP was the most difficult bit for me. I was lucky to have a bunch of my seniors from GLC who had followed the same path help me figure how to write a good SOP. I think speaking to people who know you and have been through this process is a good start. Getting your drafts reviewed by others is also very important, as we tend to miss out on a lot of mistakes when we try to proof read our document. Another thing that is good to keep in mind while working on your SOP is being a true reflection of yourself. Writing achievements and stories that do not have a substantial background do not sound convincing.

     

    How about recommendation letters? Who all recommended you to pursue LL.M?

    I got recommended by my professors and employers. Most foreign law schools would specifically state how many letters of recommendation they want and from whom.

     

    How is your experience so far? Tell us about the faculty and facilities. Anything memorable that is stuck in your mind?

    My experience so far is great, and people don’t lie when they say the LL.M is going to be the best year of your life. I have made some great friends; I am enjoying the quality of education as well as the campus located in the heart of D.C.

     

    Where do you see yourself five years from now?

    I hope to be following my passion in the technology world in the entrepreneurial sector or attempting to decipher the media and entertainment industry, all of it as a lawyer.

     

    Lastly, what would be your parting message for our readers?

    It is a very competitive world out there, so work hard but don’t be too hard on yourself.

  • Sankalp Sharma, Partner at Sankalp Sharma & Associates on How he established an independent practice

    Sankalp Sharma, Partner at Sankalp Sharma & Associates on How he established an independent practice

    Sankalp Sharma graduated from NLIU, Bhopal in 2010. He thereafter joined the Office of Manjit Singh Ahluwalia and then moved on to work with Virender Goswami & Associates. His work at these places spanned a time period of almost 2 years. In June 2012, he started up with Sankalp Sharma and Associates.

    We asked him to share his insights of:

    • Building a career in litigation
    • Building up a firm clientele
    • Challenges of setting up a law firm on one’s own

     

    How did law happen? Did you ever think of alternate career options?

    Law for someone like me, was always the most logical thing to do, the idea was to be someone that is both independent and socially useful. Growing up all that I wanted to be is someone who’s not dependent on others for survival, I guess the idea has stuck and found the basis behind a lot of decisions that I take in life. I believe I was just made for litigation.

     

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    Tell us about your years in law school. Do you believe that excellent CGPA is the key to all success?

    Years in law school can be summarized as the most amazing learning experience both academically, socially, and personally. For a person who comes from a small city, every day spent at the NLIU was absolutely worth it. I took part in almost everything that came my way, be it mooting, client counselling, being part of organization committees of different events organized at the Institute. The idea was rather simple, I wanted to know more and more about different spheres of people in the society, how they function, how do they approach difficulties and these minute observations can only be made when you participate, no matter what event it is, different people that you meet and participate with, each and every one of them will teach you something new. I personally believe mooting definitely made a huge difference. It helped me to learn the skill of penetrative and focused research, structured presentations, anticipation and on the spot witty responses that in a real life court room make a huge difference.

    Whether CGPA is key to all success, the answer is definitely not, however CGPA is for sure key to most of the success. I am yet to find people, out of law school, who have done well for themselves academically and not in professional life. The academic years make the foundation of what you turn out to be later. In whatever little time I have spent in the profession, I can tell you this much, that it does not allow you to rework your basics, you may find people really working hard in professional life and succeeding without having great CGPA’s; however, with same hard work people with good CGPA’s have done wonders. Amongst all the fun and once in lifetime experience at the Institute, we must never forget that the basic reason we are at that place is to learn.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation?

    I fell in love with the constitution, right at the nascent stages of my college life, It was followed by contract, CPC, CrPC, Company Law, Competition law and so forth. The principle that I personally followed with my academic work was to keep it really simple, multiple readings of the bare provision followed by prolonged discussions with professors and my friends. I have found that there is no shortcut to learning, you simply have to study. Participating in events always help and one should do more and more, life post college turns extremely competitive, your participations help you hone your skills, be it speaking, logical thinking and analysis, it also helps you to built connections that help you in later years.

     

    Right after graduation, you joined the Office of Manjit Singh Ahluwalia where you worked for almost one year. How did your appointment take place? Please tell us about your experience working there.

    Mr. Manjit Singh Ahluwalia, is one of the leading advocates practicing in Delhi High Court. I had interned with him during my college years, at the last one, he made me an offer to come and join him, kind of what we call as PPO. Working with him I learnt the basics. The best thing about his office was that he had all sorts of matters, from civil to criminal work at High Court, from arbitrations to hard core trial matters. Personally he is a gem of a person, I would say an amazing defense lawyer, an intriguing legal mind with a knack of just ripping into the opposite side. He gave me a lot of freedom, right from drafting to arguments, and all that he ever said “go ahead and do it, I am right behind you”. The result was, right after passing out from the College, I was independently handling clients, arguing matters. My days with him taught me almost everything that one can possibly learn standing from defense side. He was the one, who taught me the practical fundamentals of independent litigation practice, the difficulties that you face and how to just keep going despite the ups and downs in the profession.

     

    You thereafter left the Office of Manjit Singh Ahluwalia to start working at Virender Goswami & Associates. What led to this shift? How was your experience working there?

    The Shift from Mr Ahluwalia to Mr. Goswami was a planned move. I had worked a lot with Mr Ahluwalia during my internship years as well, and after almost an year I realized that I was getting more and more comfortable, things were getting easier, I have followed a simple formula in life; don’t let yourself get too comfortable, if you are getting comfortable, means that your learning curve is starting to go down. So I decided that it’s time for me to move on, next I wanted to work at an office that has more work from the plaintiff/ prosecution side, I had to learn the art of prosecuting, Mr. Goswami again is one of the leading lawyers at Delhi High Court, I am yet to see any lawyer who is better than him in terms of cross examination of a witness, his was an art that has been learnt from years of practice, at times with him in a cross examination I could see him toying with the witnesses. Even before the cross examinations he would predict the responses to each and every question, the detailed planning and possible tactics were well thought of, the depth and understanding of evidence law that he posses is unmatched, with him I learnt looking at matters differently, more from the perspective of how something gets proved, what facts will make your case and how to put them correctly.

     

    After having worked at Virender Gowami & Associates for one year, you started your independent practice. What prompted you to make this choice and start a law firm?

    I worked with Mr. Goswami for one and a half year, the idea of starting on my own was always on my mind, the plunge was again based on the same fundamental, life getting too comfortable. While working at both the offices, I had already started working on my social contacts, people had started approaching me with small matters, once the number started increasing to a level where I felt I could take the risk of starting on my own, I just went for it.

     

    How did you overcome your initial jitters in a courtroom full of experienced lawyers and judges? Tell us about the highs and lows.

    You never overcome the small amount of nervousness, at least I haven’t , I personally believe that it’s a good thing, it means that you are serious about your job. I was never too overawed by big lawyers and judges, for me they were always people from whom I had to learn, yet maintain my own individuality. My High came in terms of one of the matter that I argued for a socially backward class girl that was thrown out of a school, the matter was greatly argued at the High Court level and ultimately went up to the Supreme Court where it was compromised with school consenting for admission. The low came in terms of a matter in the Supreme Court, The matter was relating to a lady who killed a man trying to rape her, the matter embroiled in a political controversy and resulted in her conviction for life. I tried my best to build a case up In Supreme Court, yet despite my best efforts I could not make a good case.

     

    Did you ever consider a career in the corporate sector? Is it better to work in the corporate sector for a few years before starting litigation?

    I was always inclined towards litigation, I Just loved the feel of court rooms, the big arguments, the entire set up, However, I did my internships on the corporate side as well, just to be sure that I am not made for it. Preferring corporate or litigation is always a personal choice, it is also a personality choice, some of us are simply not made for the rigors of litigation, some of us don’t have the patience to see it though, at times financial reasons don’t allow you to chose litigation as well. Litigation without doubt takes a lot of courage, a little madness, you have to be mentally strong, give up the natural human tendency to go for the comforts of life, money, stability etc. Especially when you know that you too could easily take that route. If you intent to litigate, the early you start the better it is for you, if you enter into corporate world, it makes you comfortable in terms of financial stability, and after that its hard to enter litigation where financial stability is a big question.

     

    Please tell us a bit about “Sankalp Sharma & Associates”. What is a day at work like? Is it easy to have a work-life balance?

    We are a start-up, the idea is to provide professional, honest and comprehensive solutions to legal issues. We are focused in providing legal solutions to our clients that would help them in long term business development as well. Integrity, sincerity and honesty is what we live by. Working at office is based on a simple philosophy of “we do what we say.” The most difficult part is to build up a clientele and fulfil the commitment that we give to our clients. With a start-up your reputation is always tested and is on the line each and every time. The work life balance is obviously not easy to maintain, you have to make schedule and try your best to follow it, at times it works at times it doesn’t and that’s life.

     

    If someone who works with you makes a mistake or an error in an assignment what course of action do you follow as a partner?

    Work culture is simple, be sincere and work hard, in a litigation office, the challenges are never-ending, every matter has its own twist, litigation has nothing predictable, trust me. Mistakes are part and parcel of our lives, all of us make them, and the idea is to learn and not to repeat it again. All that I expect from people who work with me is to give their 100 %, as long as you are doing it, all is fine.

     

    What were the difficulties you faced in the early days of your practice? How difficult would you say it is to build a reputable practice?

    The most difficult part in the early years of practice, especially when you are young is to make your client believe that, though you do not have grey hairs on your head, the grey matter inside is good enough to give the opponents a good run for their money. Initial infrastructure developments, financial managements, building social contacts are obvious difficulties. However, the hidden difficulties that you face is the constant question mark that people around you put up to you about your success, the capacity to keep the fire burning despite a series of bad days, lack of clients and so forth.

    It’s not only about the practice, anything in life that you want to make big, will come with its own baggage of problems, no one will ever say that I became successful in life without going through the problems associated with it. Similarly in practice the problems are many, yet you will always have answers to them, if you are willing to put your heart and soul into it.

    One cannot fix a time frame to build a clientele, for one it’s a continuous process. Secondly it greatly depends on your social contacts and connections with the right people and the hard work that you put in to it. However, in my experience, if you are reasonably active and connected and are working heard and sincere with your work, your practice should start to move in span of two years, a decent clientele would take reasonable 5 to 7 years to build.

     

    What can the law schools do to encourage more people into litigation? Do you think the law school curriculum requires overhaul?

    I personally believe, that no one can encourage you to be in litigation, it is a very personal and introspective choice in life, law schools are not structured to make someone make a certain choice. Moreover, litigation is not merely a profession, it’s how you choose to live your life till the end of days and no law school, no person can make it for you, no one can push you to take it either. It should always be a well thought of decision in life. I don’t think that law school curriculum needs an overhaul, it only needs restructuring. I have a very firm belief that the role of the law school is limited to make a young mind look at the various options he has in life, introduce him to an amazing number of subjects and choice, ,teach him to read law, and thereafter leave him free to make his own path, curriculum etc are very minute things in the bigger picture of life.

     

    Do you take interns? What do you look for in a prospective applicant?

    We do take interns, the procedure is similar to most of the places, you write to us and we respond back with loads of question to see you fit our requirement or not. What we look for is sincerity, hard work and the ‘never say no’ attitude.

     

    What would be your message to law students who dream of having their own law firm one day?

    If you have a dream be it owning your own law firm or any other thing, you have to treasure it, see it as a small plant, that has to be nurtured, protected from the storm and lightning, you have to have that belief in you and your dream to make it a reality. Hard work, sincerity, patience, perseverance, self belief, honesty, integrity and never say never attitude are qualities or pillars on which your dreams will stand.

    For litigation, you should start as early as possible, in law school focus on core subjects like Constitution, CPC, CrPC, Evidence, TPA, IPC and the likes, develop the capacity to study for long hours, develop skills of research and speaking. Participate in as many competitions that you can. Don’t focus on big names while your internships, rather focus on places that have loads of work and less hands, so that you get an opportunity to deal with the real things, work at places where you can see a variety of work, place that gives you freedom to implement your learning and ideas. Start working on your social contacts at a very early stage; decide which areas you are most comfortable with and which city you would want to start your practice at. Work for some time with a good office so as to give yourself sometime to make your presence felt in that circle and lastly, once you have that self belief that you are ready. Take the Plunge.

     

  • Anjali Sheoran on work at LPOs, Ernst & Young and LL.M in Commercial Laws from York University

    Anjali Sheoran on work at LPOs, Ernst & Young and LL.M in Commercial Laws from York University

    Anjali Sheoran graduated from Army Institute of Law in 2010.She then went on to work with an LPO and later worked with LexCounsel and Ernst & Young. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Corporate and Commercial Law from University of York. We asked her to share her experiences and strategies she used over the years.

    In this interview, Anjali talks about:

    • Work experience at UnitedLex, LexCounsel and Ernst & Young
    • Choosing Masters in Corporate and Commercial Law at University of York
    • Writing an SOP and getting recommendation letters

     

    Though it’s one of the most asked questions but yet, why law?

    I believe the best decisions of one’s life are the ones that are spontaneous. Going to law school was one such decision for me. I did not pre-plan my future in law at all even though my maternal grandfather was an advocate. However, once in law school, I adapted quickly to the field and it stuck with me ever since. What I love most about law is its ability to create a ripple effect; of course a lot of laws in the society are influenced by the needs of the society but it still fascinates me how one regulation or law has repercussions across different sectors, be it social or economic or even political.

    So, in answer to your question why law, the answer is simple; law is anything but boring. Its dynamic nature keeps you on your toes all the time and there is something new to learn every day.

     

    How would you describe your time at Army Institute of Law, Mohali?

    Army Institute of Law is still a fairly new law school and I believe it has much potential that is yet to be exploited. Having said that, my time at AIL was one of the best experiences of my life. Academics wise, it was mostly DIY (which is the case with most law schools) but nevertheless, combined studies and rigorous note-taking got us all through to the other side. Also, staying at one place for five years in a hostel was a fascinating journey for me; it is true what they say about college friends. They are indeed friends for life.

    The internships I did during college ranged from litigation to corporate laws and from advocates and law firms to companies in the end. These internships were extremely instrumental in shaping my legal career when I look back now. My first internship was with a Supreme Court advocate and although I worked with him only for about 3 weeks, I understood that litigation was not for me. Although I did not give up that easily and did two more internships in litigation before I decided it was not something I see myself doing in the future. Corporate and commercial laws always attracted me since the beginning. However, the most important thing I learnt from my internships was that it was not easy to make a mark for yourself in law firms. This is because the partners take a long time in trusting a resource and more often than not their commitment to the job is measured by the hours they spend in the office instead of their work. Also, in my experience, young lawyers or interns are not given the respect or the space to work. This is the reason, I chose to intern with Bharti Realty in my last year of college. Companies have a process of doing everything and it keeps everyone in check. In addition, seniors are much more willing to delegate their work to their junior colleagues. I say colleagues because that is how interns and young lawyers are treated in companies.

     

    anjali-sheoran-2

    After graduation, you started working at UnitedLex Corporation where you worked for one year. What had contributed towards this appointment? How was the experience working there?

    UnitedLex is an LPO (Legal Process Outsourcing) and unfortunately in India LPOs are taboo for young lawyers; or at least that was the reaction my friends gave me when I told them. However, LPOs provide a great exposure to international laws and dealing with overseas clients. It also enhances your cultural quotient on the whole and exposes to international working and quality standards. While my internships during law school helped me decide I wanted to work for companies, working with ULx made me realize my natural potential and interest in commercial law. This is where I realised and decided I want to specialise in commercial law.

    ULx specialises in contract management and litigation support and has its headquarters in UK. I was part of the contract management vertical and worked with the global counsel team of British Telecom. I’m not exactly sure what contributed to my appointment with the organisation, as I was a fresher and had no experience, so to say, in commercial law. However, once I joined the team, I worked hard and with the support, training and encouragement provided by my manager, Karma Bhutia (who is now working with GM), I was able to exceed expectations and carry out my own assignments with minimal supervision and received many great reviews from my clients.

    My experience with ULx gave me a professional foundation, in terms of both technical and transferrable skills that I used and built on in all other endeavours ever since. Working with overseas clients was a great experience as well because their style of working and the space and trust they provide to their employees and service providers is absolutely amazing. Also, working with international and UK commercial laws gave me a unique edge over my counterparts as it enabled me to comment and compare laws from different jurisdictions to advise my clients. I brought the exposure to international and EU law in my next job with LexCounsel as well and was appreciated many times for my valuable inputs on commercial law matters.

     

    After having worked at UnitedLex for one year, you joined LexCounsel, Law Offices as an Associate. How did you secure your appointment? How would you describe your experience working there?

    After having worked with ULx for more than a year, I thought it would be a different experience to work for a mainstream law firm as one of the main issues with securing a job with the law firms (without a reference) was that I did not have any experience. I applied to many law firms and secured my position at LexCounsel Law Offices in 2011. Because I already had work experience the interview was very straightforward because I had already gone through the process before and was also much more mature, in terms of my conduct during the interview.

    My experience at LexCounsel, to say the least, was a reality check. Although I excelled at contract management (which was recognised as my niche area), I had no experience in other commercial laws, like customs and excise laws, SEC regulations, FDI policies, etc. that affected commercial decision to such a great extent. Hence, LexCounsel was the organisation where I learnt a great deal about the research and interpretation of law that goes into making the final decisions that businesses make. In addition, I also dealt with many smaller businesses (as I first client in ULx was a well-established organisation) and the legal and commercial issues that they deal with in the current scenario of Indian laws.

     

    How did the shift to E&Y’s Global Counsel Office as a Senior Associate take place? Did you get an offer or did you apply for EY? Tell us about the nature of work you were entrusted with therein.

    My shift to Ernst & Young or EY (as the current brand name of the organisation stands) came about as a personal choice that I made between working with a law firm and a company. Law firms are a great place to work but over the eight months I spent with the firm, I realised there was no work life balance. Companies are much more structured and have a process or procedure for everything which makes the employees’ lives much easier and as a result provide better work life balance; which is extremely important for me.

    I was invited for an interview by EY as one of my previous managers was able to circulate my resume to the organisation. The role with EY was quite similar to my role with ULx but the difference was that, although it was outsourcing, but instead of a third party, the outsourcing was done in-house. EY global shared centre is a part of the EY organisation but our team was outsourced to other EY entities which represented the organisation in the global setup. Our team was considerably new and was handling contract management for different departments’ vendors. These vendors ranged from website and online tool development companies to event managers to companies seeking EY’s sponsorship of their events. In addition, we were also responsible for all the contracts that had to be finalised for EY’s re-branding project that was launched last year. This project was important and a great professional experience as the organisation’s entire identity (including its virtual identity) were set to be overhauled right from its logo to tagline and its mission statement.

    I had a great experience working with the UK GCO team and was appreciated by many clients for being a proactive and dedicated resource. I also received many appreciation certificates for providing consistently high quality services to my clients. I was, not only given the space to work but was also entrusted with many important projects, like overhauling of the standard form contracts of the organisation and developing a new process that we had added to our portfolio. I was also responsible was training the team in the new process; in fact, our first delivery of the project was completed in record time and the clients were extremely so pleased with our performance that they even proposed giving us more work.

     

    Recently, you’ve joined University of York for Masters. Why did you prefer Masters over your job? How did you choose University of York over others? How did you go about choosing a university?

    After I left EY, I did look for other jobs. However, I felt that my resume was slightly limited because, though I had international exposure, I did not have much experience in working as an in-house counsel for an organisation; this limited my options in terms of the kind of jobs that were being offered. Therefore, after going through a series of interviews for similar profiles, I decided to take a break from work and come to the UK for further studies. I chose UK because I have always worked with UK organisations and have a fair experience with UK and EU laws; that exposure has in fact added value to my course as well. Also, because I had worked, I knew exactly the subject I wanted to do my masters in, which was commercial law.

    To be very honest, when I started researching the options I had for masters in corporate and commercial law, my first choice was the University of Edinburgh. However, my consultants, The Chopras, helped me a lot through this process and gave me several options so that I make the best choice available to me. I think, when choosing a masters course, on must keep in mind what he/she wants out of that course. For me, it was to enhance my current professional skills set but I was sceptical about going back to school and being a law student again. Therefore, when I looked at the modules offered by various universities, University of York made the most sense. Not only is York Law School among the most highly regarded law schools in the UK, its unique Problem Based Learning (PBL) programme sets it apart from the rest of the law schools in UK. Yes, other law schools as well have some or the other form of PBL in their courses, but what is unique about YLS is that students are treated as colleagues, instead of students and we are given our space and time to get used to the process. We all had different experiences with PBLover the last term but one thing common to all of us is the environment that PBL provides to learn from each other. Even the seminars and plenary sessions by the lecturers are open to all kinds of discussions and critical analysis of the issues at hand, which is something, at least I did not experience when I was in law school and a lot of my classmates share my views on this.

    I think the most common mistake students make when selecting a University is to look at the location of the University instead of the modules available. I made the same mistake too when I initially looked at the options available to me; and this is why it important to talk to a consultant, like The Chopras, when one is thinking about overseas education. The consultants will guide you through the options that are available and the ranking of different Universities; but most importantly being experts in education consultancy so they make your life so much easier in terms of completing your applications (including advising you on the quality of your SOPs and recommendation letters) and taking you step by step in the visa process.

     

    How did you go about writing your SOP? Could you please share your SOP with our readers? Please give few tips to make one’s SOP standout. What about recommendation letters?

    My consultants provided me with most of the tips for the SOP and recommendation letters and in fact even reviewed them before they were finalised to ensure their quality. There is no set format of writing an SOP and it’s really something that reflects your personality. I believe what Universities are looking for in SOPs is how well a person can articulate themselves on paper and how or why the person will be a welcome addition to the University’s portfolio. The point is not to list all your achievements but articulate your achievements in such a manner that the positive attributes of your personality shine through. So it’s not enough for you to write that you were a hostel prefect in college or school but rather write about what qualities put you in that position of responsibility and what you learnt from the experience. Also, personal statements must include the extracurricular activities you participated in as overseas Universities are inclined towards people with a well-rounded and grounded personality.

    As for academic SOPs, what needs to be highlighted are your academic achievements, again in a manner that your professional personality shines through. For example, you may say you were a topper of your batch in your undergrad but they might prefer if you write about the qualities you possess that aided you in topping your batch (like your ability to critically analyse legal issues or your class participation, etc.). Similarly, you might want to talk about any certificates or awards you may have received while working but highlight your professional attributes that lead to you receiving the appreciation.

    Recommendation letters are usually upto the lecturers or previous employers and students have very less or no say in what they will write about them but many a times, they might not have time (especially lecturers) an they might ask the students to prepare a rough format for them which they modify on their own.

     

    Which non-academic activities make the biggest difference to an applicant’s chances? With a record number of students applying for Masters in Law, how can a candidate distinguish himself/herself in a crowd of applications?

    Non-academic activities or extracurricular activities form the most important part of a student’s personal statement when applying to an overseas University. However, the nature of extracurricular activities does not make much difference; what is important is your role therein. For example, you may just have been a coordinator in an event and another time you may have led an event organisation or be part of a larger team with a small role to play. The different roles you may have played in these activities, big or small, may show your adaptability to different situations. I talked about my training experience while I was working and my experience as a trainer, actually helped me in securing a teaching assistant position with my department. Therefore, it’s not the activity but your role in the activity that is most significant for Universities because your role and how you handled and completed reveals your qualities and that is what they are interested in.

    Further, as for distinguishing yourself in a crowd, the only thing I can suggest is “be yourself”. If one tries to follow the crowd in how to write the SOPs or recommendation letters, you would probably be selected just out of luck instead of merit. If the student wants to be selected on merit, the student must fully participate in the application process and complete all stages (like the IELTS exam, running around for the visa application, etc.) themselves instead of depending on their parents and siblings. It is only when you experience this phase that you will be able to pour out your heart and soul when writing the SOPs because you will appreciate how important that statement is for you.

    Also, some Universities have a requirement of providing an academic writing piece with the applications so it is worthwhile to research on the referencing style used by the law school and also possibly research some tips on academic writing. If you already have work experience though, this might be quite easy but it is still extremely impressive if provide them with a written piece living upto their standards of academic writing, especially in terms of paraphrasing, referencing and variety of sources.

     

    What is your topic of research for LL.M? Why did you choose that subject for research?

    I’m pursuing LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law and although we have not finalised our topics for our research dissertation, since I specialise in contract management, my research topic would most probably around the limitation of liability under contracts or the role of negotiations and standard form commercial contracts between a global organisation and a smaller vendor. The reason why I would like to look at these research topics (which will obviously have to be further developed than these rough ideas) is so that I can draw on my professional experience and tie that up with academic evidence.

     

    What advice would you give to people that are trying to decide which area of law to specialise in?

    Whenever my younger colleagues ask me this question, I always advise them to work for some time and then revisit that question. Like me there are many freshers who have no idea what field of law they are interested in when they look for work and that awareness can only come after working for at least 3-4 years. You might find your niche in the first job itself or you might have to change your job more than once to see what you want to specialise in and what kind of organisation you would want work with. So, my advice would be to take a step back, work and gain some professional experience and then think the area you might want to specialise in. One strong piece of wisdom I would like to pass down is not to follow the herd; I know of people who have done a masters in IPR just because it is a popular course and right now they are dealing with civil and criminal cases that have no connection with IPR. Hence, instead of rushing into your decision, take some time to work and then decide.

    Skills-based learning and specifically writing is as an important skill that young lawyers need. What are some of the other concrete skills that students should look to develop, both as they go into their law school and during  law school, as they prepare for their legal career?

     

    One of the most critical skills that every law student and lawyer must possess is critical analysis. Academic/legal writing is a crucial part of your legal career but if you are unable to critically analyse issues and provide quick and innovative solutions, you cannot excel at what you are doing. The other very important skill is that of reading; I know it sounds like a basic requirement but it is an acquired skill. Be it at work or during law school and masters level, law is about reading and researching and if you take more than an hour to find an answer (you usually get only about 15 mins if you are working), you have already lost the opportunity. You must know exactly where to start your research and develop the skill of skimming through bulky documents (like cases and articles) at an efficient speed. This is the one skill (if you are able to develop it) that will be especially very beneficial at masters level.

     

    Is there anything else you think a law student should know before applying for Masters or that you wished you’d know before joining University of York?

    First step is to get in touch with an education consultancy. Thereafter, research as much as you can about the University you are joining and the city where it is located and ask your consultants about every possible scenario before you come here. If you are coming to UK, be sure to open your bank account as soon as possible and get pocket money for at least the first term because finding part time job may be challenging. Also, arrange for a local number before you reach (Matrix is a good service) but change the number into some local service ASAP and you must get a railcard if you want to travel around UK (it gives you 30% discount all year round and if you play it right, you might be able to secure it at a discounted price in the freshers week).

    York Law School is one of the best and the most innovative law schools I have come across and I’m glad I made this choice even though some people did suggest London is a better place for masters.

     

    How is your experience so far? Tell us about the faculty and facilities. Anything memorable that is stuck in your mind?

    As I said earlier, York Law School is an unconventional schools I have come across and what has really stuck with me here is that not only do they say but they also treat students like young colleagues. This culture is absolutely amazing because it sheds the junior and senior and student and lecturer barriers and just encourages creativity and critical awareness about each other. The law school teaches and learns from its students simultaneously and its process of reflective writing once a module or term is over and feedback on each module after its completion provides room for constant improvement. In fact, that is the culture all around this University, every department conducts feedback surveys to constantly improve the experience of the students here.

    The faculty here is young and vibrant and very approachable; there are no constraints in walking up to the lecturers and have a chat with them about any issues you may be facing. Every student has a dedicated personal advisor who helps them throughout the course, be it academically or personally. There is a centre for English language which provides tips and workshops on how to improve your communication (especially when in an inter-cultural group) and improving your academic writing skills, including technical errors with regard to referencing and plagiarism.

    The facilities at the University are endless. It has a separate area for postgraduate students in the law school as well as the library, which is great for group study sessions. Also, the library has a wide range of books available and there are dedicated subject guides for each field where you can access over a million journals, legal websites, international law websites, local jurisdictions, and so on and so forth.

     

    What are your long term objectives?

    Although I don’t plan that ahead but since I’m a hardworking and driven individual, I see myself as an expert in commercial lawyer and an exceptional manager. I will of course eventually, if the time is right, move into starting my own company where I will not only provide exceptional client service but also be responsible for shaping young legal minds and providing them with international professional environment that I wish I had when I started working.

     

    Lastly, what would be your parting message for our readers?

    I would like to wish everyone, freshers and working professionals, all the very best for their careers and just hope they can be themselves. I hope they try something different and do something innovative in their careers and shape bring the Indian legal community up to international standards. No doubt, many Indian law firms are already setting international standards in India, but I believe it is on us, the younger and present generation, to take those standards to a whole new level such that our law schools, degrees and experience is taken into account at an international platform as well.

  • Anant Raje on choosing NUS over LSE, applying for LL.M and writing an SoP

    Anant Raje on choosing NUS over LSE, applying for LL.M and writing an SoP

    Anant Raje is a graduate from National Law Institute University, Bhopal (Batch of 2012). He has an enviable academic record and an excellent series of internships at top law firms. He has multiple publications to his name. Soon after graduation he started working at Samvatsar Advocates and Associates, Indore where he worked for two years. Currently, he is pursuing Masters in Corporate and Financial Services Law from National University of Singapore.

    In this interview, Anant talks about:

    • Quitting job and aspiring for higher studies
    • Choosing NUS, Singapore over LSE, London
    • Writing an SoP and getting recommendation letters

     

    Please introduce yourself to the readers. Tell us a little about your childhood and your background.

    I am from Indore and have spent all my childhood there. I come from a family of doctors but chose a different career path. I graduated from NLIU Bhopal and am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Corporate and Financial Services Law at NUS Singapore.

     

    When did you decide to take up law as a career? Tell us something about your college life. Being a law student, were you only focused on academics? How was the academic pressure?

    I would not say that being a lawyer was a childhood dream. However, since a legal background seemed to be a consistent trend in the modern leadership and because law as a profession requires an individual to develop various aspects his personality, I found this attractively challenging.

    The fact that I would be exposed to various subjects ranging from sociology to corporate law and at the same time get to participate in extra-curricular activities drew me towards the NLUs. This was the reason why I chose to take up mooting in college. I was lucky enough to do well in the internal pool selections and go on to represent the university in Jessup International Moot Court Competition, where our team won a memorial awardin the national rounds and Henry Dunant Moot Court Competition, where we made it to the Semi-finals and won the best memorial award.

    For developing a habit of hard work and critical thinking, I would give credit to such competitions, publishing papers and the rigorous curriculum.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing expertise and knowledge in these areas?

    Frankly, there were so many subjects to discover and know more about, that having interest in only one was tough. I was attracted to all of them and enjoyed watching them in action in the daily news. I did have some predilection towards Financial Law, Banking Law and Constitutional Law because of their large scale as well as grass-root level implications. It was for the same reason that I enjoyed Public International Law. It is deeply connected to international politics and its function in the international dynamics found my interest.

    As I mentioned earlier, trying to find the application of such laws in the daily news went a long way in helping me understand these fields better. Mooting and internships contributed to a great extent.

     

    As a law student which activities did you participate in? Tell us about your law school journey.

    Apart from the extra-curriculars, I was engaged in several organisational activities in college. These included cultural events and inter-college moots and arbitration competitions. It was always satisfying to work along with my friends towards the success of such events. I also spent my spare time working on publication in law journals, both domestic and international as well as legal magazines.

    I would say that the law school journey was rather enriching and rewarding. Living in a high competition environment teaches a person to work towards their goals even where success is a hard to get.

     

    What kind of internships did you do while you were a student?

    I tried to keep my internships as varied as possible from consumer forums and litigating firms to bigger law firms. One must remember that law is a field with too many options and one must explore them as widely as possible before making a choice. This kind of exploration provides us with a variety of experiences and a wide knowledge base.

     

    anant-raje-2

    Recently, you’ve joined National University of Singapore for LL.M. in Corporate & Financial Law. When you decided to quit job and pursue LL.M? What was your motivation behind doing LL.M.?

    I had taken up a job with a firm in Indore as it did not have tightly compartmentalized teams and it gave me the option of exploring a variety of fields at the same place. It also gave me some time to prepare for the civil services exam without losing touch with the legal field. I had placed a predetermined limit on the years I would spend on it and although my attempt at the examination was not successful, it was enriching in itself; especially as a lawyer. On the parallel, my job enabled me to zero-in on the field of law that I would like to specialize in. The next step was to apply for LLM. From what I had understood and experience proved me right, was that LLM would familiarize me with the core concepts and principles of the relevant laws with a multi-jurisdictional approach. It increases one’s ability to understand the rationale behind the law and enables a person to apply it with acumen and dexterity.

     

    How did you choose NUS over others? How did you go about choosing a university?

    Amongst other options, choosing between LSE and NUS was the toughest. Both the universities had similar curriculums, I was getting the specialization of my choice and the professors were equally accomplished with years of practical experience. Of course LSE also has a bigger brand value. But the fact that many of the NUS modules had an international as well as Asia centric approach attracted me to the curriculum. In the duration of this course, we have been exposed to Asian, European as well as American laws and legal principles. Also, a full scholarship awarded to me by NUS made it the logical choice.

     

    How did you go about writing your SOP? Are there any key factors which one should keep in mind before writing the SOP? How about recommendation letters? Who all recommended you to pursue LL.M?

    I believe the best way to write an SOPs is by avoiding taking a leaf out of other’s books. It just has to be an original and honest statement about one’s own goals, accomplishments and reasons for pursuing the degree. It should, however, not be a baseless rhetoric. One must spend weeks on each SOP, crafted uniquely for each university. It needs to be based in a thorough research on the goals of that university, the background of the professors, their mission statements and the current developments in the relevant fields. Since, LLM courses do not have entrance exams, one’s CV, the SOPs and the recommendation letters go a long way in one’s selection.

    It is best to approach the faculty that knows you best for the academic recommendation letters. It is best to plan it all well in advance and give the faculty enough time to write good recommendations. It also helps to send one’s CV across along with a request for recommendations to give them a reference of your accomplishments.

     

    How different is the style of teaching at NUS? Do they focus more on the practical aspects of the law as compared to the NLUs?

    As I said earlier, the curriculum at NUS is just what I had expected and I am thoroughly satisfied with it. The course always attempts to keep the larger picture in mind while dealing with the depths of the laws. The pedagogy is concept based and very practical. Even examinations require the candidates to write legal opinions and tender advice in hypothetical situations. The classroom environment is vibrant in most of the lectures and requires the students to speak up and analyse constantly. It really coaxes a person to think and not just accept what is being taught. Even in the NLUs some of the good teachers had a very similar approach. They did not care about whether a student is quoting the names of the cases right or regurgitating provisions verbatim. They required students to give logical and legally sound arguments and these are the subjects that I had understood best.

     

    What is your topic of research for LL.M? Why did you choose that subject for research? How is your experience so far?

    The course at NUS offers a variety of modules within a larger area of specialization and within each module there are research papers or assignments that need to be submitted. One has the option of choosing a topic of one’s own liking, subject to the professor’s approval. For example, in one such module I was required to device an enforcement regime for insider trading offences in financial markets and in another I wrote a paper on the legal nature of banker-customer relationship and its larger implications in regulatory laws. I found these modules very educational and thought inducing. They teach us to open up our minds to all the possible perspectives, analyse them and come up with novel arguments and suggestions. It is intellectually challenging and hence stimulating.

     

    Does NUS provide students with scholarships? Are there any other institutions, which provide scholarships?

    Yes NUS automatically considers every applicant for scholarships and awards them on the basis of merit. It is best to keep track of policy changes and exceptions introduced on their website. Apart from scholarships awarded by NUS, Indian students can rely on – JN Tata, KC Mahindra, Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships, Atur Foundation Scholarship, B.D Bangur Endowment (NIRMAN), Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship, RD Sethna Scholarship Fund etc.

     

    What is your view on the latest trend among law students to pursue Masters abroad? How much of a brain drain do you think this is?

    People choose to take up masters for a variety of reasons. The most common trend is to seek opportunities abroad. One must, however, consider that law as a field is rather tightly knit in every country. It is rare, although not impossible that it would open up to an immigrant lawyer. An LL.M in itself would have some value but it is not a sure-fire method of finding jobs. It is best that it be complemented with clearing internationally respected Bar examinations for example the England and Wales Bar or the NY Bar. One could also consider examinations for Solicitorships or the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme and its equivalent in such jurisdictions. To be able to manage this within a year, one must plan it in detail before setting out to do an LLM.

     

    What are your plans after completing Masters?

    I wish to come back to India to work, preferably, in the field of banking and financial law.

     

    Lastly, what would be your parting message for our readers?

    It is best to take time in discovering what they truly want to do. Some figure it out sooner than the rest but one must not rush into the rat race. In the formative years as a lawyer, it best to seek experience and knowledge. They are the strongest assets that a legal professional can have.

  • Arijeet Mukherjee, Associate at Khaitan & Co. on being an ideal student and law firm atmosphere

    Arijeet Mukherjee, Associate at Khaitan & Co. on being an ideal student and law firm atmosphere

    Arijeet Mukherjee graduated from Symbiosis Law School, with a gold medal as the class topper of his batch (batch 2012). While maintaining Rank 1, he won various moot court competitions and has multiple publications to his credit during his five years in law school. As a law student he has been quite active and participated in many debates, MUNs and conferences.By the time he graduated, he had received a PPO from Khaitan & Co

    We have taken this opportunity to ask him about the several decisive moments in his career amongst other things including:

    • Maintaining grades
    • Acing moot court competitions
    • Securing a PPO at Khaitan & Co.

     

    arijeet-mukherjee-2How did you gravitate towards Law? Tell us about your college life at Pune. What all activities did you partake in?

    I had a keen interest in matters that impacted the society and law was simply one of them; an option which I could take up as a profession. Looking back, the choice of going to law school was more than anything else, a leap of faith and as it turned out it was an excellent experience.

    Pune is one of the most fun cities to be living in as a student and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. College life was not just about academics at any point of time, the whole experience of living independently with friends and making the most of it was extraordinary. All in all, college life at Symbiosis was definitely an exciting and memorable one.

    I was involved in various extra-curricular activities and represented the college in Philip C Jessups, Raj Anand and M S Rammiah moot court competitions. I also participated in the HR and RCPNE Model United Nations. However, the activity closest to my heart was the Make a Difference project, which I was involved in as a part of the Human Rights Cell of the college, wherein I used to teach drawing to children who used to live in a nearby slum.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing expertise and knowledge in these areas?

    I was in a peculiar position where I did not have any one particular area / subject of interest per se, some aspects of quite a few subjects really interested me. For instance, I was not particularly keen on intellectual property rights law, but the aspect of pharmaceutical patents was something that really evoked interest. Overall, I can say that no one single area interested me the most, it was eclectic mix of subjects, topics and ideas which fascinated me.

    In this regard, to develop a better understanding of my likings and gain experience, I interned at quite a few places. These internships gave me an exposure to different fields and organisations. I learnt as much in my internships as I did in college, perhaps even more.

     

    You were one of the most exceptional students at Symbiosis Law School. You bagged a Gold medal for being the batch topper. Please give us a few actionable tips on managing higher grades.

    Grades are an important part of law school life, particularly if you are looking towards a future in corporate or law firms, so grades were definitely on my priority list. However, the cliché law exam clearing method of mugging answers never appealed to me. I had quite a few friends in law school, who spent months and weeks mugging answers and more often than not they were successful in getting good grades, but that was not something that I could have ever possibly succeeded in doing.

    My method of achieving high grades was simply studying smart. It is not the volume of materials that you study that can help you get good grades, but it is your understanding of the concept that matters the most. The way I used to go about preparing for my exams was to first identify the important topics, then conceptually understand those topics and create my own answers in plain and simple language, rather than repeating text book answers. This not only helped me get good grades but also made me conceptually stronger and most importantly, reduced stress levels before exams.

    One has to realise that the manner and method of studying is a personal matter and what suits one in all probability will not suit the other. No one can claim that one method is the best and the other a failure, I believe that everyone should find a way to study that they are most comfortable with and not get tensed over what others are doing. In these matters, it is best that you prepare on your own terms and not let others stress you out.

     

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    You have been the Recipient of various scholarship and awards including Ram Jethmalani Scholarship for Excellence in Law of Evidence, Advocate S K Jain scholarship for topper in B.B.A.LL.B, Advocate Nani Palkhiwala Memorial Trust Award for Excellence in Constitutional Law. How did you go about achieving this?

    As far as the Ram Jethmalani scholarship and Nani Palkhiwala scholarship go, I had developed an interest for topics of constitutional law and evidence law. It was due to this interest that I ended up studying these subjects in greater detail and that was perhaps the reason I was able to receive these scholarships. For the Advocate S K Jain scholarship, I owe it to the study pattern I followed throughout law school of studying smart and not mugging. I must admit that achieving these accolades was not an easy task, but then when one is interested in it the task does not seem uphill.

     

    You have publications in various renowned journals. How should one go about writing papers and getting the same published?

    Publications are definitely a way to gain visibility and put out your work for others to view. However, the trend of publishing something for having a fuller CV is not something I believe in. One should not write for filling up columns in one’s CV, but one should most definitely put pen to paper if one is genuinely interested in the topic.Needless to say that the quality of the article depends on the research one puts in. One important thing to bear in mind is that the articles written should not be generic “gyaan”, but the topic should be distinct and innovative, such that it arouses interest. Even if the topic is general in nature, strive to put that one additional thing that will make your article different from the others.

    As for publishing the articles, there are immense opportunities available online, I highly recommend a thorough regular check on the internet for publication opportunities. The regular publishing hotspots usually have an overflow of interest but the unconventional ones or ones lesser known in India are the ones which must also be explored.

     

    Soon after graduation, you joined Khaitan & Co. as an Associate, how did your appointment take place? What worked for you in securing the job?

    I was selected for a one month internship at Khaitan & Co, Mumbai through college. I had interned in the month of March, which typically is a mad rush season for corporate law firms as it is the financial year end. This effectively meant that even as an intern I was exposed to some big ticket transactions and got opportunity to work on some quality matters. I thoroughly enjoyed my internship experience and based on the feedback, after a brief interview, I was offered a PPO in my fourth year.

    Some of the most important factors that helped me get the PPO were my internship feedback, my grades and my previous internships experiences. As an associate now, I think one additional factor which is considered deeply is one’s attitude. Usually interns are simply judged by their sincerity at work, this sincerity only comes if you are enjoying the experience of interning. My earnest advice in this regard is to enjoy the internships as an experience and you will in all probability do well.

     

    Any tips on how one should go about framing a C.V. and prepare for an interview?

    Keep the CV short and simple, usually no one reads more than a page. Highlight what you think are your big accolades / accomplishments and sieve out the minuscule ones. It is wise to tailor your CV as per the organisation you are applying to, so that the potential employer sees synergy between what they do and what you can offer.

    As far as an interview is concerned, in my experience the most important factor is likeability. One must come across as a likeable person, whom the potential employer would like to hire and make a part of his existing team. This likeability can never be faked, so one must not try to appear something he is not and one must be absolutely comfortable in one’s own skin. Confidence is another appealing factor, if one is not sure about one’s own answer, rest assured he is paving a way for a few very difficult questions ahead. In case you do not know something, admit it and tell the interviewer your limited knowledge on the topic in a confident manner. Some basic technical skills must be polished before the interview, which would off course depend on where you are interviewing.

     

    Many lawyers would say that the actual learning takes place in the years of practice. How far would you say it is true? What was the case in your situation?

    Unfortunately, it is absolutely true generally and specifically in my case as well. You soon realise that what you learn on internships and on the job was nothing like what you were taught in law school. This gap between class room teaching and real life practice is unfortunate and the system of theoretical teaching has to undergo a change so that we have more street smart lawyers. Till the time the system changes, as a student one can greatly enhance one’s learning curve by interning as much at as many different places and organisations as possible.

     

    It’s been more than two years of your work experience in corporate law. What would you say contributes to the high attrition rate of the top law firms?

    There are many factors such as stress, pressure, seniors, larger life callings etc. However, the biggest factor that pushes one over the edge is when one stops enjoying what one does. So work in an organisation as long as you enjoy working there, else move on to what you like doing.

     

    In these two years you must have guided a lot of interns at Khaitan & Co. What do you think differentiates a good intern from the rest?  How can an intern make a positive impression in the limited time they have?

    I believe that a good intern is different from the rest on account of his sincerity. This is not to be confused with face time or perceptions, when intern is given a task he should try doing it to the best of his abilities and that all there is to it. Interns are allowed to and even expected to make mistakes.

    I personally have worked with quite a few interns, and have a personal liking for those students who are here to have fun and enjoy their internship experience. I think a fun and relaxed working attitude definitely creates a positive impression.

     

    Life for lawfirmites can be very hectic at times. What is your take on work-life balance? How do you unwind?

    I have to admit that I am struggling with that. As is well known, college life at Symbiosis is very different from work life and it takes some time to get used to working in a law firm. Work levels and stress levels cross danger marks quite often,so one really needs to take a break regularly. As far as unwinding goes, college life at Symbiosis has equipped all of us pretty well on that front.

     

    What would be your parting message to law students who want to be successful in corporate law?

    For being successful in corporate law, you do not need to dwell yourself in books, enjoy the experiences of interning and learning new things. Look out for stuff that interests you and pursue them, and most of all do only those things that you like. This quotation from Warren Buffet pretty much sums it up:

    “There comes a time when you ought to start doing what you want. Take a job that you love. You will jump out of bed in the morning. I think you are out of your mind if you keep taking jobs that you don’t like because you think it will look good on your resume. Isn’t that a little like saving up sex for your old age?”

  • Albin George Thomas, Associate at Trilegal’s International Capital Markets Team on quitting ICICI Bank

    Albin George Thomas, Associate at Trilegal’s International Capital Markets Team on quitting ICICI Bank

    albin-george-thomasAlbin Thomas graduated from NLIU in 2012. He has an enviable academic record and an excellent series of internships at top law firms. He has been associated with Legal Edge Tutorials as a content developer since his college days. Soon after graduation, he started working as an in-house counsel at ICICI Bank, Mumbai where he worked for almost 2 years. He is currently working as an Associate at Trilegal.

    In this interview, he talks about:

    • Work experience at ICICI Bank Ltd.
    • Switch from in-house counsel to law firm associate
    • Work experience at Trilegal

     

    Legal studies are still only a backup option for quite a lot of students. What motivated you to choose law as a career? How did you get through to NLIU?

    Yes, back in 2007 (the year in which I decided to pursue law) legal studies were still considered a backup option for most students. However, I think times have changed and law as a career has now become a preferred choice for most students. Personally, being from Bhopal and due to the presence of a national law university in the city, I had opportunities to interact with students from the college and their experiences motivated me to take up law.

    Like most aspiring students at that time, I enrolled myself at Law School Tutorials, which gave me a solid platform to clear law entrance exams for various national law universities, including NLIU Bhopal.

     

    How did you fare in your academics at NLIU? Would you say a great CGPA is a necessity to kick-start a good career in the legal profession?

    A law university offers a student with a plethora of prospects that include curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. I did reasonably well in academics, however, my sole focus was not to merely secure top grades, but to utilize the numerous opportunities that were offered at NLIU to further my abilities. A good CGPA can act as a stepping stone for a good legal career, especially for advanced studies and for securing jobs at top-tier law firms. However, practical application of law is vastly different from what is taught in classrooms. Therefore, it would be incorrect to say that a good CGPA is necessary to kick-start a good career.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing expertise and knowledge in these areas?

    During my graduation, I took keen interest in securities law, general corporate law, banking and finance. To further my capabilities in these specific areas, I focussed on three aspects: writing research papers on current issues, participating in moot court competitions that catered to my interest areas. Internships with various banks/financial institutions and law firms helped me gain practical insights to develop an understanding of these subjects.

    In my initial years of college, I realized that I wasn’t inclined towards litigation and therefore my focus was always on enhancing my expertise in corporate laws.

     

    During your college days, you had worked for Legal Edge Tutorial as a Content Developer. How would you describe your experience as?

    Legal Edge Tutorial was founded by one of my close friends, Harsh Gagrani. I was in my final year of college when Harsh was starting this venture. The biggest challenge we faced initially was to develop our course material that was unique and easily comprehensible, especially since this space was already dominated by established players. I thoroughly enjoyed preparing the course material, (especially the law based material) because the task of explaining legal concepts to young students who were new to the subject in a simplistic manner through illustrations was challenging.

    However, the most satisfying aspect of my stint with Legal Edge Tutorial was my teaching experience. Interacting with my students and motivating them to overcome their anxieties was a completely new experience for me.

     

    You were the convener of Centre for Business and Commercial Laws, NLIU during your 5th year in law school. What skills do you get to hone while managing such a responsibility?

    Starting out as a member of the Centre for Business and Commercial Laws (CBCL)from its inception and going on to become the convener was a fulfilling learning experience. At CBCL, we published regular e-newsletters, organized workshops on latest business and legal developments. Our aim was to ensure that students had easy access to corporate-related information.

    As convener of CBCL, I was grateful to have the opportunity of hosting a University Grants Commission (UGC) sponsored seminar for academicians and students on “Critical Issues in International Commercial Arbitration”. The seminar saw intense discussions on arbitration-related issues, and was thoroughly appreciated by participants. Based on these discussions, we submitted a list of recommendations to the UGC on changes to the arbitration legislation. Additionally, we also published a book on the subject which was a compilation of the finest seminar papers.

    During my tenure as the convener, I was given a chance to improve my leadership and management skills. Now when I look back, these organisational skills have come in handy in my professional life.

     

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    After graduation, you joined ICICI Bank as an in-house counsel. What had contributed towards this appointment? What did you take away from your experience at ICICI?

    My interest in banking & finance coupled with internships at financial institutions played a critical role in my appointment with ICICI Bank.I joined the Corporate Legal Department of ICICI Bank at its headquarters in Mumbai. My work profile included general corporate finance, debt restructuring, e-commerce and priority sector lending. The transition from being a student to a professional was exciting. As an in-house counsel, my role was two-fold: Firstly, documentation and advisory work for transactions. Secondly, I was also required to act as a transaction manager in various cross-border and high ticket financing deals. This involved liaising with offshore counsels, negotiating with clients along with bankers to ensure timely execution of the transactions.

    What I liked most about my role as an in-house counsel at ICICI was that it gave me an opportunity to directly negotiate and manage transactions at a very early stage with limited hand-holding. During my tenure, I also interacted with a lot of senior people of the legal and business fraternity that gave me useful insights into the banking and finance industry. Apart from developing my technical skills, I also worked closely with bankers that enhanced my understanding of commercials, a skill set that I believe is fundamental for transactional lawyers.

     

    After having worked at ICICI for more than 2 years, how did the shift to Trilegal take place? What does your current work profile at Trilegal consist of? How is a typical workday like?

    Being involved in the banking and finance sector for more than two years as an in-house counsel, I wanted to broaden my expertise in the field of finance. Therefore, I joined Trilegal’s International Capital Markets practice group as an Associate. Unlike how it is generally perceived, for me the transition from an in-house role to a law firm was smooth.

    Capital markets practice is vastly different from the banking practice that I was involved in for the past two years. Our team advises clients regularly on a variety of capital markets transactions including debt and equity investments, initial public offerings, further public offerings, qualified institutional placements and other related transactions as well as regulatory advice. Being a heavily regulated sector, this practice area requires lawyers to stay abreast with the latest regulatory developments. Further, due to my prior banking experience, I am also involved in the banking and finance practice of the firm specifically transactions dealing with corporate debt restructuring.

    A typical day at Trilegal involves client meetings, negotiations with opposing counsels, managing matters and drafting and review of documents.

     

    You have had the opportunity to judge theNLIU International Mediation Competition. What did you specifically look for in the mediators?

    Alternate Dispute Resolution has become a key tool in resolving commercial disputes.The NLIU International Mediation Competition is a perfect platform for law students to develop their skills especially since most leading law firms and corporates today have a vibrant disputes resolution practice. My interest in this subject stemmed from our participation at the International Negotiation Competition organised by Harvard Law School and Leipzig Graduate School of Management at Leipzig, Germany. This was a unique competition where students from leading business schools are pitted against law students to negotiate on complex hypothetical commercial disputes. This was a very enriching experience for me. While judging at the mediation competition my prime emphasis was on the temperament of the mediator, his clarity of thought and presence of mind, especially in situations where parties got aggressive during discussions.

     

    Lastly, what would be your parting message for our readers?

    Please don’t just chase grades, make use of all the opportunities your college provides and remain dedicated to your interests. As far has listing 3 activities are concerned, I would say focus on your choice of internships, read as much as possible on your areas of interest and develop public speaking abilities.

  • Kalpana Garg, Deputy Manager-Legal at Hero MotoCorp on studying law after engineering

    Kalpana Garg, Deputy Manager-Legal at Hero MotoCorp on studying law after engineering

    Kalpana Garg graduated with B.Tech degree from GGSIPU in 2009. Her interest in law led her to join  Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (IIT, Kharagpur) and pursue LL.B. During law school, she participated in various co-curricular activities including moot court competitions, debates, conferences. She also has a couple of publications to her name. Soon after Graduation she started working as an in-house counsel at Hero MotoCorp and currently works as a Deputy Manager-Legal there.

    In this interview, she talks about:

    • Pursuing Law after Engineering
    • Law school experience at RGSIPL, IIT Kharagpur
    • Appointment at Hero MotoCorp

     

    Given that most of our readers belong to legal fraternity, how would you introduce yourself to them?

    An engineer and a lawyer working as In-house IP counsel for a leading two wheeler manufacturer for the past 2.5 years handling matters related mostly to IP laws. My hobbies involve reading, writing, and traveling. I believe in Carpe Diem philosophy and live every day to be inspired by anything or everything. I love debating for hours together and gain knowledge and build my opinions over matters with diverse topics.

     

    Legal studies are still not a mainstream career option for a lot of students. Having done B.Tech from GGSIPU, what motivated you to choose law as a career? How did you prefer Law after Engineering?

    Before pursuing Law, I was an engineering student and quite good at that, trust me. Discussions related to varied things happening around such as criminal cases, company related matters and other legal matters during college hours and hostel hours made me realize my acumen towards legal matters. Saying I preferred law over engineering would be a misstatement as I didn’t choose law over engineering. I preferred to apply the knowledge of engineering concepts and law to understand things from a novel perspective. I completed my B.Tech from GGSIPU in 2009 and post that, joined law school (Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law) at IIT Kharagpur.

    During the tenure of my engineering days, till the third year, I was inclined towards pursuing higher studies in the field of my engineering. During fourth year of engineering, few subjects of second last semester were dedicated towards teaching How Patent regime affects the technological scenario; the significance of prior art and the patent system in general. Further, that was the time when TVS vs. Bajaj was in full swing, and the papers would be full of the detailed analysis of how patents were going to be the game changer. And, being an avid and voracious reader, the more I read about it, the more it convinced me that I would like to work in a field where working within IP regime would describe my passion in one sentence line.

     

    Were you in double minds before joining Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law?

    Before joining any college, any course or doing even an internship at an organization, an applicant must be sure of what he/she wants from the course/college/organization and how much the course/college/organization would be able to provide. With Rajiv Gandhi Law School, I was convinced that there would be no dearth of learning and opportunities suiting my requirements.

     

    How did you get through to Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law?

    Rajiv Gandhi School of IP Law at IIT Kharagpur conducts an extensive process to select its candidates for future at Law School. Initial rounds involve a written test with three sections Aptitude and analytical Test; Domain-based Test and Essay writing. Post that, GD/PI session is conducted for the students selected out of the written test. Group discussion round involves sharing your opinion regarding a particular legal scenario and defending your opinion in the discussion panel. Personal Interview round involves questions based on your educational domain, the reason behind aspiration to join legal fraternity, etc.

    For admission to Law school at IIT Kharagpur, the applicant should possess one of the following degrees with or without work experience.

    Degree Requirement:

    First-class Bachelors Degree in Engineering/Technology/Medicine or equivalent;

    Or, First class Masters Degree in Science Or Pharmacy or equivalent;

    Or, First Class MBA Degree with any of the above.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing expertise and knowledge in these areas?

    During law school, I was more inclined towards Intellectual property law, Constitution and economic perspective towards law. Expertise is developed over the years and it’s an ongoing process. However, knowledge in a field is developed through committed persuasion involving writing detailed articles, papers, participating in moot courts and interning in the field of interests.

    For gaining knowledge, I participated in a National Moot Court involving IP case problem, wrote several articles for college law journal and other journals. I interned with IP law firms and IP cell of companies for understanding the nuances of IP law. Furthermore, awareness regarding the changes in IP regime related to law and disputes was one of the goals and for such perspective, followed IPAB Case directory, Finnegan case updates were my bookmarks. Try to participate in national and international conferences as the interactive environment boost your knowledge and lets you defend your opinion and make new ones in the process.

     

    kalpana-garg-1As a law student which activities did you participate in?  Tell us about your law school journey from the 1st year till your final year. Did you have any guidance on how to go about your academics, co-curricular activities, and internships?

    During my tenure as a law student, I always believed in maintaining a steep learning curve in lecture rooms as well as outside them. I participated in National Moot Court competition, Parliamentary debates, essay writing and conferences mostly. Experience at Law school was full of excitements ranging from extra-curricular participation to organizing moot court within the campus, from classroom assignments to attending guest’s lectures by famous legal scholars. Every activity inside and outside the law school leaves you with a quest to learn more and achieve more.

    During law school, the unparalleled support and guidance from Professors and seniors led me to expand my horizon towards academic and extra-curricular activities. Support and guidance from batch mates and friends shouldn’t go without notice.

     

    What kind of internships did you do while you were a student?

    Internships for a law student are as important as practical classes for a theory session. I interned with practicing lawyers, law firms and companies to gain exposure of the kind of legal work involved. Internship in law firms and with practicing lawyers gives hands on experience on litigation, case studies and how to do legal research for case laws.

     

    Did you find that your law school education had prepared you sufficiently for the many tasks you were required to execute during your internships and later at your job?

    Theoretical experience always differs from practical experience. Law school education prepares you for a lot of things but job or internship comes with scenarios where working involves thinking on feet, working on deadlines and sometimes explaining legal interpretations to people with non-legal background. Preparing for such scenarios begins early these days wherein internships and summer projects narrow down the gap of learning between law school and job.

     

    You started your career at Hero MotoCorp and you currently work as a Deputy Manager there. What had contributed towards this appointment? Please tell us the recruitment process at Hero MotoCorp.

    Recruitment process at Hero MotoCorp involves on campus and off campus placements and the overall process is consistent and transparent. I was selected by Hero MotoCorp in their on campus drive.

     

    Many lawyers would say that the actual learning takes place in the years of practice. What was the case in your situation?

    Litigation and working in-house are too different grounds and involves different levels of learning. Though in my personal opinion, it actually boils down to one’s passion towards a field and field of interest. I won’t say one is better compared to other however; the pace of learning is different.

     

    Lastly, what would be your parting message for our readers?

    First and foremost, do not pursue law as a backup option or do not pursue it because the family is full of lawyers. Pursue legal studies because you desire to be a lawyer and see yourself as no one else. And, be respectful and honest towards this profession as it gives you the power to bring justice, to bring a change in the society.

  • Rijoy Bhaumik, Senior Associate at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan on a law firm career

    Rijoy Bhaumik, Senior Associate at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan on a law firm career

    Rijoy Bhaumik is a graduate from National Law Institute University, Bhopal (Batch of 2012) with a B.A.LLB (Hons.) degree. He has an enviable mooting record and an excellent series of internships at top law firms. His diligence and mettle at work was recognized when he bagged a job offer from Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (LKS) in his 5th year of law school during campus placements. Currently, he is working as Senior Associate there. We asked him to share his experiences and strategies he used over the years.

    In this interview, Rijoy talks about:

    • Co-curricular activities like mooting at NLIU
    • Importance of Internships
    • Preparing for job interviews and securing a job at LKS
    • Work and promotion at LKS

     

    Give us a brief introduction of yourself. Did you have lawyers in your family? What brought you into studying law?

    It is a very difficult thing, talking about oneself, because you often end up at a loss for words. However, that being said, I must say that such an initiative will allow young law students to learn from the experiences of others and perhaps not make the same mistakes as their predecessors. I am a first generation lawyer from a middle-class family in Kolkata. There are a few advocates in my father’s generation in the family, but in our immediate family, there is none. Choosing this career was not easy, especially considering the thrust of emphasis of the Indian education system towards engineering and science. But from an early age I was interested in Democratic Politics and the constitution.

    Moreover, I was always a talkative child and as my mother would put it, I would love to argue. In such a backdrop, as I grew up, the profession of putting forth a point of view on the basis of rights and liabilities always appealed to me. Even though I was a science student in my plus two years, I decided to try my luck at the various national law colleges that had been established then. In our time there was no CLAT, and we had to sit for each of the entrance exams individually. Luckily, I got through NLIU, Bhopal, HNLU, Raipur, NLU,Jodhpur in their second list and Symbiosis, Pune. Thereafter, my law journey started in Bhopal.

     

    rijoy-bhaumik-2

    Tell us about your time at NLIU. You seem to have participated and excelled especially in mooting activities, can you walk us through the highlights of your life in college in that sphere?

    From the very beginning, I looked at law school as an opportunity to participate and take part in various activities on offer. Naturally, moot court competitions were always regarded as the law school activity, and after winning our first internal moot in the first year, I had the confidence to try out for the University team and represent the University in national and international law tournaments. Thereafter, I would say I was extremely fortunate to have excelled in various moot court competitions, winning numerous personal accolades like speaker awards, etc.

    However, it was the team awards that really appealed to me, wherein my various teammates and I won tournaments like 2nd Christ University National Moot Court Competition 2011, Surana & Surana National Trial Advocacy Moot Court Competition 2010 and the 13th Annual M.M. Singhvi Memorial Bar Council of India International Law Moot Court Competition 2010. Of these, being the finalist in the M.M. Singhvi moot holds a special place in my heart as it was probably one of the most prestigious moots in the country back then (it was discontinued after the 2010 edition), and we bested 66 teams from all over the country to reach the finals.

    Further, it was an international law moot and we had the opportunity to argue before Hon’ble Justice Dalveer Bhandari, among other legal luminaries, and presently Justice Bhandari is a Judge of the International Court of Justice, which makes it all the more special and precious. Most of my time at NLIU was spent in jumping into various activities around the year to keep myself busy, and I am glad that it became the norm, as it was important to keep myself busy while in college as otherwise life would get monotonous.

     

    As an undergraduate student at NLIU, you took part in other activities other than mooting and also were actively involved in committees. Tell us how these activities and participation in committees helped in shaping your legal career?

    Apart from mooting I was actively involved in debating, client-counselling and alternative dispute resolution tournaments with varying degrees of success in all of them. I was part of the first debate team from NLIU to participate in both the All Asians Debating Championship and the Worlds Universities Debating Championship and won numerous speaker and team awards in national parliamentary debating championships. I was also fortunate to be adjudged Best Student Advocate in the National Client Counselling Tournament at Symbiosis Law School, Pune. But it was alternative dispute resolution that took up most of my time in my later years in law school.

    I took part in the prestigious 5th ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition 2010, organised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France and in the subsequent year I was appointed coach of the NLIU team that represented the same competition in 2011. NLIU also had various committees which regulated mooting, debating, cultural, sports, alternative dispute resolution and many other activities. I was always very eager to be part of organising committees in various years in the institution. I personally feel that one of the facets of a University is the activity that is seen around the campus and everyone in the student community should do what they can to enrich law school life through these committees.

    In the earlier years we learnt how to handle groundwork, and in later years of law school skills of man-management and financial management were required to handle various events, as most of the committees in NLIU were entirely student-run with semi-financial and logistical backing from the University. It was all a part of growing up in law school and exposed us to the tenets of an organisational structure which we have to adhere to for the rest of our lives. In my final year, I was appointed the Convener of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Cell and my team and I planned and successfully organised the NLIU-Khaitan & Co.-INADR Law School Mediation Tournament, 2012 in NLIU, Bhopal.

    This was the first time such a tournament was taking place in India, and we were backed by Khaitan & Co., Mumbai, one of the oldest and most prestigious law firms in the country. Also for the first time, we had substantial backing from the International Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR), Chicago and their various representatives all across the globe were present in training and judging the participants in the competition. As Convener of the ADRC, I was Convener of the Tournament, and it was the biggest learning experience in my law school career. Not only did the experience teach me various degrees of planning and organisation, it also exposed me to the pinnacle of mediation tournaments right here in India, and I was extremely fortunate to interact and make friends with international mediators from INADR.

    As the first of its kind in India, the Tournament was a roaring success and all 32 team slots were filled, with many teams in the waiting list.It was particularly a big highlight in the twilight of my law school career, and the experiences of delegation of work and handling an organisation tree of many volunteers shall be held with me throughout my life.

     

    rijoy-bhaumik-3You are a senior associate at Lakshmi Kumaran & Sridharan. How did your appointment at take place? Tell us about the nature of work you’re entrusted with therein and what’s a typical day like?

    Lakshmi Kumaran & Sridharan happened through the internship process for me. In May, 2011 I interned at the Delhi office of the firm and was exposed to a work area that was wholly new to me – indirect tax litigation. Through this internship I experienced first-hand, the work ethos of the firm and really liked the kind of ground breaking indirect taxation work that the firm specialised in. Thereafter, in August there was a short interview and the firm confirmed my recruitment on the basis of my internship, with most of my fifth year left before me.

    I joined the firm in their Bangalore office in June, 2012 and thereafter, in June, 2014 I was promoted as Senior Associate in the firm with greater responsibilities. The work involves a variety of areas, especially since I am posted in a new office in Kolkata, wherein we are expected to draft appeals, replies, writs, and also appear before various authorities. A typical day at work involves going to the courts or the Tribunal in the morning, and thereafter returning to draft.

     

    Lakshmi Kumaran & Sridharan have its main focus in the taxation work area. How do you feel about tax laws not being an important part of syllabus in colleges?

    My experience in L&S tells me that it is not possible to learn the law without working everyday around it. Any three-four month course in University cannot even touch the tip of the iceberg that is taxation laws, and many practitioners have spent their entire lives just practicing only a small part of tax laws. Therefore, an addition or non-addition to the syllabus in colleges shall not matter one bit, as working knowledge of the law can only be gained through experience. That being said, it is the choice of the colleges to include the subject in the curriculum, because then the students shall be exposed to taxation law and the rules of interpretation that guide tax law at an early stage.

     

    You recently got transferred from Bangalore branch of your office to Kolkata. Does the transfer bring any changes in your work?

    Bangalore office of L&S was already an established office of the firm when I joined with many attorneys already working there. I was assigned an advisory role in the office, wherein my job description was wholly involved in preparing legal opinions and preparing compliance reports, etc. However, when my partner informed me that I may be shifted back to my hometown in Kolkata, where the firm planned to open its ninth office in August, 2013, I was a little circumspect as to what it would offer. However, after shifting to the Kolkata office, we were all thrust into the deep end of the pool so to speak. We were expected to be adept at both litigation and advisory work, and also know various different areas of indirect taxation like service tax, CENVAT credit, central excise, VAT laws, customs, etc. We were a very small team leading a new office, and we all had heightened amounts of responsibility as would naturally be the case with all new offices and small teams. From advisory work, I suddenly found myself doing litigation work and appearing before courts and interfacing directly with the clients. This change was a huge jump in my legal career, as the levels of exposure heightened in Kolkata, within a minuscule span of time.

     

    What does it take to get promoted from being an associate to a senior associate at a top law firm? Which skills would you say contributed towards your promotion?

    Haha! This question is one which is best answered by my superiors! However, you get some idea as to what is required from the daily rigours of the job and when you do everything required of you consistently enough, they are bound to recognise it. For me personally, moving to a new office was a big challenge that even us junior associates had to stand up to. Due to the lack of manpower and back office support, and owing to the fact that the firm already had a strong foothold in the east, all of us were multi-tasking all the time. Therefore, due to the shift from a large office to a small new office, our responsibilities had grown manifold in a matter of a few days. I guess it brought out the best in me, wherein I was expected to appear in Courts and Tribunals, draft in the evening and even interact with clients on a regular basis, whereas back in Bangalore, we were expected to do only a fraction of such responsibilities. Due to the growth in responsibility and my reaction to the same, I guess the firm recognised the efforts and promoted me to senior associate this year. Therefore, holistically answering the first part of your question, I guess you need to step up and be counted. Mere mechanical work on what you are required to do may not be enough, you may need to try and do more than what is in your plate to convince the hierarchy that you’re ready for bigger challenges.

     

    Did you ever indulge in academic legal writing? Do you feel extra-curricular activities should be left to the discretion of students or something that students should partake in mandatorily as well? What, in your opinion, are the advantages of taking part in such activities?

    In the initial couple of years in law school, I used to be very interested in partaking in academic legal writing, and in that span of time I managed to contribute articles to 8 different journals on a variety of topics ranging from constitutional law to international law. However, as the years wore on I decided to focus mostly on other activities such as mooting, debating and such and did not particularly write anymore beyond the middle of the third year. However, since mooting particularly also involved drafting of moot memorandums, legal writing was always a huge part of the co-curricular work in which I was involved in.

    I personally believe that law school allows you to take part in a whole host of activities, and such opportunities shall come only once in a lifetime, because thereafter you end up being busy in work and family life. Therefore, every law student should take advantage of the various activities law school life has to offer, apart from the usual academic discourse, because it offers a different experience, a new way to apply and look at the law. Mooting especially teaches you how to conduct legal research and apply them to factual situations correctly, in diverse ways. You’re also given the opportunity to argue your case before various legal luminaries, even before your fledgling law career begins.

    Yes, it may not exactly replicate a courtroom scenario, but it comes close, and such experiences shall hold us in good stead in the long run. Similarly, debating teaches you how to construct logical coherent argumentation in the shortest spans of time. Every activity has some form of take-away on offer to the participant and I believe every law student should at least experience it once for sake of gaining experience, if not for anything else. In my opinion, it is the aggregate of experiences that make you the person you are today, and the more of them you have, the more diversified you are.

     

    How much time did you devote in preparation for the Jessup round moot and how difficult was it to manage it along with studies and other responsibilities? How did you balance mooting with other important stuff like college assignments?

    The Jessup moot was the single toughest assignment in my entire law school career. To this date, that moot remains an enigma of sorts, and yet it remained unconquered for me in January, 2011. It was simply a lot of work encapsulated in six months of preparation, and it was a huge handful for me in my fourth year. I have spent sleepless nights poring over articles and books on International Humanitarian Law, scratching my head trying to make sense of the sheer bulk of work required to achieve a semblance of respectability in the moot court competition. In my opinion, the Jessup is the toughest assignment in moot court competitions today simply because the best teams from each college participate in the World Cup of mooting and the competition is immense from the first rounds itself.

    Nothing is easy, and every year the Compromis/Moot Problem scales new heights of international legal discourse. The Compromis is drafted in such a way that the presence and/or absence of every word matters, and I believe that is what makes Jessup the single most difficult task facing any law student. It is also rewarding in some respects; personally, the Jessup has taught me a lot on international law, legal analysis, and precision in argumentation. Though, balancing mooting activities and other college activities along with academic discourse was not something that I found difficult in my five years, but the Jessup months were particularly difficult due to the sheer enormity of the work at hand. To this date, preparing for the Jessup itself remains the toughest assignment that I’ve had.

     

    You’ve had a wide variety of internships during your time as a college student. Do tell us about the places you’ve interned at and whether these were all planned or happened on the go?

    To be honest, I have not interned as much as my peers have, most of them have interned around 10-11 times. I have interned only 6 times in my entire law school career, however, each and every one of them has been enriching in different ways. My first internship was with a counsel, and I was expected to assist my senior in appearance before the High Court of Kolkata. My second couple of internships were in soliciting firms, and we were expected to read the brief and accompany our seniors to conferences and watch the matters. We were expected to draft opinions and writs on occasion as well. But, the internships in Khaitan & Co., AZB & Partners and finally Lakshmi Kumaran & Sridharan were the ones where I was first exposed to the nature of corporate and tax compliance work. We were expected to conduct legal research on various topics and sometimes also draft an opinion based on our research. We also assisted the associates in conducting due diligence.

    L&S was the first time I worked in tax law, and I was particularly impressed by the work ethos in the firm, which finally allowed me to make my choice. Most of my internships were planned well in advance to enable me to get the ones I wanted. These days it is particularly difficult to get a confirmed internship in a big law firm, and you need to apply much in advance to stand any chance of getting one. I did not want to burden my holidays in the initial years, as I was always engaged in various co-curricular activities in law school, however in the third and fourth years I planned well in advance before applying for any internship.

     

    Many law students strongly believes that getting a job at one of the top 3 law firms is mostly about securing a high GPA. Would you agree?

    I agree. However, securing a job at the top 3 law firms as a fresher is a mere first step. There are many ways to get there eventually through lateral transfers as an experienced professional. Personally, I was always a very average student in law school, and eventually I am at the place I want to be at the start of my legal career. Essentially, the Indian education system wants us to believe there is just one way to get where we want, which is very far away from the truth, because there are a multitude of ways to get where you want. Therefore, a high CGPA definitely helps initially, but it is not the be all and end all.

     

    How should one apply for an internship at LKS? What do you mainly look for in interns?

    L&S has a centralised internet portal at www.lakshmisri.com wherein interns can directly apply for their requisite period. L&S lays major emphasis on a strong educational background and eagerness to work in the specialisation areas of the firm, in selection of the interns. Discipline is also an important criterion in the selection of interns. L&S has an extremely streamlined process for intern selection, all centrally monitored by the Human Resource team at the Delhi office.

     

    What would be your advice to the law students aspiring to secure a job at top law firms? What do they need to do, how should they prepare in the last 2 years of law school?

    My advice to law students aspiring to secure a job in top law firms would be to gain as much working knowledge as possible, through internships, in sectors that they want to work in. A law firm will necessarily recruit you if, as a resource, they believe that you have the requisite interest in their work areas. Therefore, identification of work areas where the student wants to work in eventually has to be identified fairly early so that it reflects in their curriculum vitae through their work. No law firm expects you to know the law from day one, as that is an impossibility for a lawyer fresh out of college, but the propensity to work in a particular area and discipline in work ethics are certain criteria that are inherently required to succeed in top law firm jobs. Therefore, planning well in advance and building a CV around interest areas is essential in this day and age where competition for these jobs is immense.

     

    The opinions are of the interviewee alone and in no way the firm Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan is represented.

  • Rishabh Jogani on LL.M from Queen Mary, mooting and work in litigation

    Rishabh Jogani on LL.M from Queen Mary, mooting and work in litigation

    Rishabh Jogani graduated with a B.L.S.LL.B. degree from GLC, Mumbai in 2012. Soon after Graduation he worked at the Chambers of Senior Advocate Pradeep Sancheti, Bombay High Court for one year and then went on to pursue a Masters in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution from Queen Mary, University of London. Thereafter he returned back to India and again joined the Chambers of Senior Advocate Pradeep Sancheti, Bombay High Court.

    In this interview, he talks about:

    • Moot Court Competitions and acing them
    • Pursuing further studies and LL.M from Queen Mary
    • Choosing litigation over other opportunities

     

    Given that most of our readers are law students and lawyers, how would you introduce yourself to them?

    I would introduce myself as a young junior counsel practising before the High Court of Bombay with a keen interest in Intellectual Property Law & Arbitration. I am working with Senior Advocate Mr. Pradeep Sancheti as his junior.

     

    Though it’s one of the most asked questions but yet, why law?

    The answer to that is with another question, why not? Despite being from a business family I realised that business was not my calling in life. I preferred something more on the professional lines and law was certainly my best plausible choice.

     

    Tell us about your years in law school. What made your journey with Mumbai University worth it? What are the co-curricular activities you took part at Mumbai University?

    I studied at Government Law College, Mumbai (GLC) the oldest law school in the country. Being at GLC itself made my entire time at University worth it considering the opportunities made available to GLC students. I was greatly involved with college activities, the Rotaract Club in particular. I was President of the Club and responsible for numerous events and activites. The College in appreciation of my involvement also awarded me with the Jotimal Chuganee Trophy for leadership.

     

    rishabh-jogani-2What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing expertise and knowledge in these areas?

    My areas of interest were Intellectual Property and Arbitration.

    With regard to Intellectual Property, I did some courses from the World Intellectual Property Organisation and a Masters in Intellectual Property Law from IGNOU, New Delhi. However, the strongest addition to my knowledge in the field was an internship with Mr. Himanshu Kane of W.S.Kane & Co. who is probably one of the most knowledgable lawyers in the IP circles. Working with someone of Mr. Kane’s standing and expertise gave me great exposure to IP issues and provided me with a strong grounding with regard to IP law.

    As far as Arbitration is concerned, working with Mr. Sancheti had me learn about the various intricacies of arbitral law. I was involved with numerous arbitrations and matters arising out of them. Thereafter, I pursued an LL.M in Comparative  and International Dispute Resolution from the Queen Mary, University of London where I studied International Commercial Arbitration and Arbitration in relation to Energy Disputes. My LL.M thesis was also based on arbitration.

     

    Tell us a little about your internship at the Supreme Court of India.

    I interned with Mr. Justice KS Radhakrishnan of the Supreme Court during one of my summer vacations at GLC. The experience was extremely enriching, I would read cases and appeals coming to the Court and then attend the proceedings in Court. In the evenings, along with the other intern, we would have some discussions with the judge about what transpired in Court and what we understood from the cases.

     

    After your graduation, you started working at the Chambers of Pradeep Sancheti. What influenced your decision of working with him?

    My interest in arbitration drew me to Mr. Sancheti’s practice and the learning experience was extremely wonderful. Working with a Senior Advocate like Mr. Sancheti makes one realise that there is always scope to learn more. He is a great senior who besides being extremely nice to his juniors is always willing to answer all queries that come up in our minds.

     

    What influenced your decision to work in litigation?

    As a student I had interned at the High Court of Bombay and the Supreme Court of India as well as a few law firms and eventually joined Mr. Sancheti’s Chamber as an intern. I realised that I was never interested in working in a corporate structured firm and hence chose the litigation sector.

     

    Thereafter, you joined Queen Mary, University of London for an LL.M. At what point did you decide to pursue your Masters? What was your motivation?

    I always wanted some exposure to law on a comparative level and an LL.M was probably the best way to get that experience. After a year into practice at the Bar I decided to go for my LL.M. The zest for learning has probably been my strongest motivator and probably what drove me to the LL.M.

     

    In addition to academics, what did you do during your LL.M year at Queen Mary?

    Whilst at Queen Mary I was involved with ‘qLegal’ a project of the Legal Advice Centre of the School of Law. The work I did was quite interesting, in the sense that I was involved in drafting toolkits on legal issues. I was put in a team which had to draft notes on ‘Company Structure in the UK’ and ‘Trademarks in the UK’ meant for a non-legal audience. It was quite a task to simplify and explain legal terms and concepts but in the end was a rewarding experience.

    I also wrote the Runner Up Prize winning paper of the Preiskel Prize Essay Competition 2013-2014 for an essay titled, “Big data and Marketing – has the law caught up with the new digital reality.”

    Shortly after my exams, I worked with Zaiwalla & Co. a law firm in London. I did some very interesting work at the firm which involved research on English law and drafting litigation proceedings.

     

    How did you choose Queen Mary over other colleges? What was the decisive factor?

    The School of International Arbitration at Queen Mary is one of the best in the world and lets students study and work with famous international arbitration experts like Profs. Loukas Mistelis, Dr. Julian Lew QC, Stavros Brekoulakis and Dr. Maxi Scherer. Coupled with the fact that I wanted to live in London, Queen Mary seemed a natural choice.

    While choosing a University one should look at the specific courses offered, the courses of interest, the faculty and its reputation. One should not choose a University wholly based on rankings because not all courses offered by the top universities would have the same kind of academicians.

    The Universities in the UK employed a more wholesome approach to studying. There was certainly less classroom teaching than India but however not less learning. There was always voluminous pre-class reading that made sure that students came to lecture sessions well aware of the basics of the subject of discussion. There was a free exchange of opinion in classes and students were encouraged to express their viewpoints.

     

    What is your view on the latest trend among law students to pursue Masters abroad? How much of a brain drain do you think this is?

    Having done an LL.M myself I would certainly encourage anyone who can do one to seize the opportunity. No amount of learning is ever wasted and knowledge is something that stays with you for life. Some however, believe that a Masters abroad is easy and nothing but an expensive vacation. I would strongly disagree with that opinion for the simple reason that a Master’s degree from a reputed college is certainly not an easy task. There is a large amount of studying involved to pass the exams and extensive research that one must undertake to be able to write a thesis. If a student spends his time well then the LL.M is certainly an added advantage to his career.

     

    A lot of law students prefer corporate jobs over a career in litigation. What is your take on this? Is it better to work in the corporate sector for a few years before starting litigation?

    Corporate jobs certainly offer more money than litigation in the start and the allure of money is most understandable. Litigation in its early stages certainly is difficult, especially where finances are concerned but one reaps the reward soon after. I think that those students, who choose corporate work over litigation or vice versa, should always make an informed and practical choice, take into consideration their long term career goals and then decide what side they wish to pick. Working at a firm before joining the litigation sector is certainly advisable as it helps you deal with all facets of the profession.

     

    How has your mooting experience been? How helpful has been mooting in litigation?

    I had a tremendous amount of experience mooting for Government Law College. I represented GLC at numerous national and international moots. Mooting gets a law student as close as possible to a real Court room. There is a great deal of research and drafting involved in preparing for a moot which certainly helps one in the future at the Bar. Arguing before a moot Court also helps instil confidence in a student who eventually gets called to the Bar.

    I also had the opportunity to be part of the Queen Mary team at the Oxford Price Media Law Moot Court Competition and successfully managed to reach all the way upto the semi finals. As part of our training for the Oxford Moot, our coach was kind enough to arrange for a practice round before a sitting judge of the Queen’s Bench Divison of the High Court of Justice. Having always seen the buildings of the Royal Courts of Justice as a tourist and read a catena of English decisions the lawyer inside me harboured a wish to be able to address that Court one day. Participating in the moot fulfilled an otherwise impossible wish.

     

    Do you think the law school curriculum at the University of Mumbai requires an overhaul?

    The curriculum certainly needs an overhaul at the University of Mumbai. Students are forced to study some redundant subjects to the extent of even studying some repealed statutes. There is a lot of room for improvement at the University of Mumbai. Also, internships or some sort of work experience should also be made part of the law curriculum.