Super Lawyer

Category: Founder

  • “A meaningful legal career is not just about financial success… It’s about using your legal expertise to make a difference.” – Geetika Jain, Senior Legal Analyst at APCFSS Government of Andhra Pradesh.

    This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

    Reflecting on your journey, what inspired you to pursue a career in law, and could you share some of the challenges you faced in the early stages of your career? How did you overcome them, and what lessons did you learn along the way?

    It was soon after my ICSE Board exams, I believe in the year 2007, when I came  across a newspaper article “JOIN INDIAN ARMY- JAG ENTRY SCHEME” I remember reading that article multiple times and checking the eligibility criteria being graduate in law with other requirements. At that moment I knew my calling was Law. I wanted to pursue Law to make my career in the Indian Army. One of the few challenges I faced early in my career was probably lack of guidance and mentorship. I believe my generation was still hesitant to ask questions to Professors or Seniors Advocates in the Law field. I also feel that back in 2007 we had very less practical exposure in the field of Law like we didn’t have field trips to Court back than or limited moot court competitions. However, I was able to overcome the obstacles and I started expressing these issues through my articles for a local newspaper. These articles helped me land internships and various other competitions that helped my overall growth in the early stages of my career. 

    Your journey showcases a remarkable blend of legal expertise and academic prowess. How do you balance your roles as a practicing lawyer, senior legal analyst, and a committed Ph.D. scholar?

    “Time management is an oxymoron. Time is beyond our control, and the clock keeps ticking regardless of how we lead our lives. Priority management is the answer to maximizing the time we have” –John C Maxwell. Practicing Law is my passion ever since I entered Law School. However, being in Practice for more than 12 years now has brought me the opportunities to don many hats and be versatile in my work. Being a Senior Legal Analyst with Government of Andhra Pradesh gave me insights of seeing the difficulties that any Government Office faces during the entire litigation process and with my experience, expertise and knowledge, if I am able to assist and help in resolving an X number of cases, helping the Government is a once in lifetime opportunity. However, at the same time I always had the desire to increase my knowledge and keep my research in various field of law active, hence I decided to pursue Ph.D. I prioritise my time during the day to find balance in my work as well as my personal life. I do prepare my To-do list everyday in the morning trying to tick of all of them during the day thus achieving my roles as a scholar, analyst and an advocate. 

    As a Senior Legal Analyst at APCFSS Government of Andhra Pradesh, you’ve been instrumental in various projects. Could you shed light on a project that particularly resonated with you and why?

    As a Senior Legal Analyst at APCFSS Government of Andhra Pradesh, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to two impactful projects.  The first is the AP Online Legal Case Management System (APOLCMS), a web-based system designed for government departments and officers to manage and monitor court cases.  APOLCMS significantly improves efficiency and transparency in the legal system.

    The second project involved conducting capacity building workshops for Government Officers.  In these workshops, I had the opportunity to explain the Basics of Law, including Writs, Contempt Petitions, and different types of Writ Petitions. I also helped them develop practical skills like preparing para-wise remarks for writ petitions and counter affidavits.

    There are a couple of reasons why this project resonates with me:

    • Improved Efficiency: Prior to APOLCMS, tracking cases and maintaining a complete history was a cumbersome and time-consuming process. APOL CMS allows departments to electronically manage cases, generate reports, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments – all of which significantly improves efficiency.
    • Transparency and Accessibility: APOLCMS promotes greater transparency by providing easy access to case information. This can be helpful for various stakeholders involved in the legal process, including government departments, lawyers, and potentially even the public (depending on the specific case).
    • Overall, I believe APOLCMS is a powerful tool that is making a positive impact on the Andhra Pradesh court system. It streamlines processes, improves transparency, and ultimately helps ensure that legal matters are handled more effectively.

    Your transition from practicing advocate to assistant professor reflects a significant shift. Could you elaborate on what prompted this transition and how your experiences in legal practice inform your approach to teaching law students?

    The transition from practicing advocate to Assistant professor was indeed a significant one, driven by a few key factors:

    A Passion for Knowledge Sharing: While I enjoyed the challenge and advocacy of legal practice, I’ve always had a strong interest in sharing legal knowledge and helping others understand the intricacies of the law. Teaching allows me to delve deeper into legal concepts and ignite a passion for the law in the next generation of legal professionals.

    A Broader Perspective: Legal practice often focuses on specific cases and client needs. As a professor, I have the opportunity to present a broader perspective on the law, exploring its historical context, theoretical underpinnings, and its evolution over time. This allows students to develop a more holistic understanding of the legal system.

    Real-World Application: My experience in practice allows me to bring real-world case studies and practical scenarios into the classroom. This helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving students a better understanding of how legal concepts are applied in real-world situations.

    Mentorship and Guidance: Beyond knowledge transfer, I value the opportunity to mentor and guide law students. Witnessing their growth and development as future lawyers is incredibly rewarding.

    In short, the transition was motivated by a desire to share my knowledge, provide a broader perspective on the law, and contribute to the development of the next generation of legal professionals. My experiences in practice inform my teaching in several ways. I can use real-world examples to illustrate legal concepts, discuss the practical considerations lawyers face, and prepare students for the realities of legal practice.

    You’re the founder of The Lawgical Network, a startup aimed at bridging gaps in legal education and professional networking. What inspired you to embark on this entrepreneurial journey, and could you elaborate on the idea behind it and how the venture is progressing?

    The idea for The Lawgical Network actually stemmed from two separate observations I made about the legal field:

    The Gap in Legal Education: Legal education often focuses heavily on theory and case law, but doesn’t always adequately equip students with the practical skills they need to succeed in the real world. This can leave recent graduates feeling unprepared for the day-to-day realities of legal practice.

    Limited Networking Opportunities: Building a strong professional network is crucial for any lawyer, but early-career professionals often lack access to established practitioners or mentors. This can make it difficult to find job opportunities or build a successful legal career.

    These observations fuelled my desire to create The Lawgical Network – a platform that would bridge these gaps.

    Here’s how we’re working towards that goal:

    Practical Skills Development: We offer workshops and online resources focused on practical skills like legal writing, negotiation, and client communication. This supplements the theoretical foundation students receive in law school and prepares them for the practicalities of legal practice.

    Mentorship Programs: We connect aspiring lawyers with established professionals for mentorship opportunities. This allows mentees to gain valuable insights and guidance from experienced practitioners.

    Networking Events: We organize online and in-person networking events (depending on location) that connect law students, recent graduates, and experienced professionals. This fosters collaboration and helps build a strong legal community.

    The Lawgical Network is still a young venture, but we’ve seen positive progress. We have a growing network of members, and our workshops and resources are receiving positive feedback. We’re constantly working on expanding our offerings and building a robust platform that empowers legal professionals at all stages of their careers.

    You’ve conducted workshops and lectures on topics ranging from drafting pleadings to medico-legal practices. How do you see the role of education and outreach in shaping the legal community? what kind of questions you come across from the students in these workshops.

    Education and outreach play a fundamental role in shaping a well-rounded and informed legal community. Here’s how I see their impact:

    • Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Legal practice is constantly evolving, and new areas of law emerge regularly. Educational programs and outreach initiatives help legal professionals stay up-to-date on the latest developments, best practices, and emerging legal issues like cyber law or data privacy. This ensures they can provide competent and relevant legal services to their clients.
    • Promoting Specialization and Expertise: Workshops and targeted programs allow legal professionals to delve deeper into specific areas of law, fostering specialization and expertise. This benefits both lawyers and the public, as clients can seek out lawyers with specialized knowledge tailored to their needs.
    • Enhancing Public Awareness: Outreach programs can educate the public about their legal rights and responsibilities. This empowers individuals to navigate legal issues with more confidence and seek legal help when necessary. It can also foster a better understanding of the legal system as a whole.
    • Promoting Ethical Conduct: Educational programs can emphasize ethical considerations and professional responsibility within the legal community. This helps maintain high ethical standards and fosters public trust in the legal system.

    Now, regarding the questions I encounter during workshops, they tend to fall into a few categories:

    • Practical Application: Many questions seek to bridge the gap between theory and practice. For instance, after a workshop on drafting pleadings, students might ask about specific situations or challenges they might encounter in real-world legal documents.
    • Clarity and Specificity: Sometimes, legal concepts can be complex. I often get questions seeking clarification on specific aspects of a topic or requesting more details about a particular legal procedure.
    • Emerging Areas of Law: As new areas of law develop, like those related to technology, students are curious about their implications and how they might impact their future legal careers.

    These questions highlight the value of interactive workshops and open discussions. They allow participants to gain a deeper understanding of the legal issues at hand and prepare them for the practical realities of the legal field.

    With your expertise, what advice would you offer to aspiring lawyers looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers, particularly in navigating the evolving legal landscape?

    As someone with experience in both legal practice and legal education, here’s some advice I’d offer to aspiring lawyers looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers, especially considering the evolving legal landscape:

    Develop a Strong Foundation:

    • Master the Fundamentals: A solid understanding of legal principles, critical thinking skills, and strong legal research abilities will serve you well throughout your career. Don’t underestimate the importance of a strong foundation in core legal subjects.
    • Stay Up-to-Date: The legal field is constantly changing. Commit to lifelong learning and stay abreast of emerging areas of law, such as cyber law, data privacy, and artificial intelligence’s legal implications. Consider attending workshops, conferences, or pursuing online courses.

    Embrace Practical Skills:

    • Go Beyond Theory: Legal education equips you with the theory, but practical skills are crucial for success. Seek opportunities to develop skills like legal writing, negotiation, client communication, and case management. This can be done through internships, externships, or online resources from platforms like The Lawgical Network (shameless plug!).
    • Technology as a Tool: Technology is transforming the legal profession. Learn how to leverage legal technology tools for research, document automation, and case management. This will improve your efficiency and make you a more valuable asset.

    Find Your Niche:

    • Identify Your Interests: The legal field is vast. Explore different areas of law to discover what interests you and aligns with your values. Don’t be afraid to specialize in a specific area as you gain experience.
    • Focus on Impact: Consider the kind of impact you want to make. Do you want to advocate for social justice issues, work in environmental law, or represent individuals in a specific legal area? Align your career path with your passions for a more fulfilling experience.

    Build Your Network:

    • Connect with Others: Building strong professional relationships is key to career success. Attend industry events, join bar associations, and connect with mentors who can offer guidance and support. Platforms like The Lawgical Network can also be a helpful tool for networking.
    • Give Back to the Community: Consider volunteering your legal skills to pro bono organizations or legal aid clinics. This not only helps those in need but also allows you to gain valuable experience and make a positive impact.

    Remember, a meaningful legal career is not just about financial success. It’s about using your legal expertise to make a difference, whether it’s advocating for a cause you believe in, helping individuals navigate complex legal issues, or simply upholding the rule of law. By continuously learning, developing practical skills, and aligning your work with your values, you can make a lasting impact in the ever-evolving legal landscape

    Your articles in Speaking Tree, including “Self Motivation for Achieving Excellence” praised by Kiran Bedi, reflect a profound understanding of motivational topics. What inspires you to write on such uplifting subjects, and could you share when you first began your journey as a writer?

    Thank you for mentioning my articles on Speaking Tree! It’s truly rewarding to know that my work resonates with others, especially the praise from someone as respected as Kiran Bedi.

    My foray into writing about motivational topics stems from two main inspirations:

    • Personal Growth: I’ve always been fascinated by the power of self-motivation and its ability to propel us towards achieving our goals. Throughout my own life, I’ve encountered challenges and setbacks, and learned the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and fostering self-belief. Writing allows me to explore these themes and share the insights I’ve gained with others.
    • Uplifting Others: Life can be demanding, and it’s easy to get discouraged. I believe that by sharing stories of resilience, perseverance, and the importance of self-motivation, I can help uplift and inspire others to navigate their own challenges and pursue their dreams.

    My writing journey actually began quite unexpectedly at the age of 7, when I started contributing to Champak and Tinkle in the form of poems, limericks and drawing. It wasn’t a predefined path, but rather an organic evolution. Perhaps during a particularly reflective period in my college days, I started penning down my thoughts and observations on self-motivation and achieving excellence. As I delved deeper, I felt compelled to share these ideas with a wider audience.

    Platforms like Speaking Tree provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with others who might benefit from these messages. The positive feedback I received further fuelled my passion for writing on motivational topics. It’s a privilege to know that my words can make a difference in someone’s life.

    As a Senior Legal Analyst at APCFSS Government of Andhra Pradesh, you’re engaged in a multitude of responsibilities. Could you walk us through a typical day in your professional life and shed light on the variety of tasks that keep you occupied?

    The beauty of my role as a Senior Legal Analyst at APCFSS is the variety it offers. There’s no such thing as a “typical” day, but here’s a glimpse into the different tasks that might fill my schedule:

    Morning:

    • Review Case Files: My day often starts with reviewing case files assigned to my department. This involves analyzing legal issues, researching relevant case law and statutes using online legal databases or APOLCMS (the Andhra Pradesh Online Legal Case Management System I helped develop!), and identifying any missing information or potential roadblocks.
    • Prepare Legal Memoranda: Based on my case file review, I might draft legal memoranda for senior attorneys. These documents summarize the key facts, legal arguments, and potential courses of action for a particular case.
    • Respond to Inquiries: I frequently receive inquiries from government departments or officers needing legal guidance on various matters. These inquiries could be related to contract review, regulatory compliance, or specific legal procedures. I provide them with clear and concise legal advice, ensuring it aligns with established legal principles and government policies.

    Afternoon:

    • Attend Meetings: Collaboration is key in our department. I might participate in internal meetings with colleagues to discuss complex legal issues, strategize case approaches, or brainstorm solutions for emerging legal challenges. Occasionally, there might be meetings with external parties, such as representatives from other government agencies, to discuss interdepartmental legal matters.
    • Legal Research: In-depth legal research is a recurring part of my day. This could involve delving into specific statutes, judicial precedents, or legal scholarship to identify the most relevant legal authorities to support our department’s position in a case or provide a comprehensive response to an inquiry.
    • Draft Legal Documents: Depending on the case at hand, I might draft legal documents like petitions, notices, or affidavits. This requires meticulous attention to detail and ensuring the documents adhere to legal formatting and court requirements.

    Later Afternoon/Evening:

    • Stay Up-to-Date: The legal landscape is constantly evolving. I dedicate some time each day to staying abreast of legal developments through legal publications, online resources, or attending webinars on emerging legal issues.
    • Project Work: In addition to my daily tasks, I might be involved in ongoing projects. This could involve anything from developing legal training materials for government officers to working on revisions to departmental legal policies and procedures.

    As you can see, my day is a blend of research, analysis, writing, collaboration, and staying informed. The variety of tasks keeps the work challenging and intellectually stimulating. The ultimate goal is to leverage my legal expertise to support the effective functioning of the government and ensure legal matters are handled efficiently and accurately.

    Amidst your demanding professional life, you’ve managed to pursue diverse interests, including trekking and writing. Could you share with us what aspects of these activities bring you the most joy, and how do you unwind and rejuvenate yourself amidst your busy schedule?

    You’re absolutely right, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential, especially in a demanding role like mine. Here’s how I unwind and find rejuvenation through my hobbies:

    Trekking:

    • Connecting with Nature: Stepping away from the urban environment and immersing myself in nature is incredibly restorative. Trekking allows me to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors, breathe fresh air, and clear my head. 
    • Challenge and Accomplishment: The physical challenge of a trek is a welcome change from mental exertion. Reaching a summit or conquering a tough trail brings a sense of accomplishment and boosts my confidence. Watching the first Sunrise at 18000 feet is an incredible sight which comes after gruelling climb of 5-6 hours and that is spectacular. The other thing is unfurling our national flag/tricolour gives you goosebumps and feeling of pride and joy which motivates me to be involved in these expeditions.
    • Mindfulness and Mental Clarity: The repetitive rhythm of walking and the focus required to navigate a trail promote mindfulness. This allows me to disconnect from daily worries and achieve a state of mental clarity.

    Writing:

    • Creative Expression: Writing provides a creative outlet for my thoughts and emotions. It allows me to explore ideas in a different way and express myself creatively.
    • Helping Others: The fact that my writing on motivation and self-improvement resonates with others and can potentially help them on their journeys is incredibly rewarding.
    • Mental Stimulation: Writing keeps my mind sharp and engaged. It requires research, critical thinking, and clear communication, all of which are valuable skills that translate into my professional life as well.

    Unwinding and Rejuvenation:

    • Prioritization: The key to unwinding is prioritization. I schedule time for these activities in my calendar, treating them as important appointments. This ensures I carve out dedicated time for myself amidst my busy schedule.
    • Finding Pockets of Time: Even short breaks can be refreshing. A short walk during lunch or a few minutes of meditation in the morning can help me refocus and recharge.
    • Importance of Sleep: Getting enough quality sleep is crucial for both physical and mental well-being. I prioritize a good night’s sleep to ensure I have the energy and focus to tackle my demanding tasks.

    By incorporating these activities and prioritizing well-being practices, I’m able to maintain a healthy balance between my professional life and personal passions. This allows me to approach my work with a renewed sense of focus and creativity, ultimately making me a more effective Senior Professional. 

    Get in touch with Geetika Jain-

  • “Law is an instrument of socio-economic change for me. Being an Advocate is both a privilege and responsibility.” – Aditya Singh, Founder and Chairman of Alexis Group

    “Law is an instrument of socio-economic change for me. Being an Advocate is both a privilege and responsibility.” – Aditya Singh, Founder and Chairman of Alexis Group

    This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

    Aditya, looking back at the start of your career, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them? Could you share a bit about your journey from your early days to where you are now?

    I am a first generation Advocate and lifelong student of law. I transitioned from management consulting to law in my late twenties. At the start of my career, some of the biggest challenges were uncertainty about career direction, lack of social networks within the legal profession, moral and ethical dilemmas, cultural and social barriers, facing rejection from potential clients, getting a fair remuneration, and difficulty in building the personal brand. 

    To overcome these challenges, I started seeking guidance and mentorship from seniors at the Bar, gaining practical experience by assisting them in a variety of matters, exploring different industries, prioritizing time management, viewing rejection as a learning opportunity, engaging in networking activities, pursuing continuous learning, and remaining adaptable to change.

    I believe that by persevering, staying resilient, and embracing opportunities for growth and development, I am navigating through these challenges and progressing in my career. 

    Now, I am working on a wide variety of matters in civil, criminal, commercial, constitutional, corporate, service/employment, and labour & industrial relations domains. My focus is on corporate advisory, dispute resolution, governance and compliances, research and analysis, and legal awareness and education. I also serve as a Legal Advisor or Empanelled Advocate for various companies, firms, and organisations such as the Vodafone Idea Limited, Docland Services Limited, and Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi Association to name a few. 

    You may learn more about me and my journey on www.adityasingh.co

    Could you tell us more about Alexis Law? What kind of work does the law firm undertake, and how do you leverage its resources and network to drive your initiatives in legal practice, public policy, and youth empowerment?

    Alexis Law is a full-service law firm based out of Lucknow. The firm offers wide range of legal services, spanning arbitration and mediation, litigation, corporate advisory, policy advocacy, and more. Leveraging its resources and networks, the firm undertakes pro bono work and community engagement efforts, such as legal clinics, legal awareness camps, and educational seminars. Furthermore, the firm supports youth empowerment initiatives by offering internships, and mentorship programs, thereby promoting diversity in the legal profession. 

    Please tell us about your latest initiative – Alexis Legal? What is your vision for this initiative?

    Alexis Legal is a global alliance of legal and dispute resolution professionals. Our team includes leading advocates, consultants, chartered accountants, company secretaries, cost accountants, and insolvency professionals.

    It is a values driven and membership based organization built on the principles of equity, fairness, and trust. Our core values are Integrity, Excellence, Commitment To Justice, and Continued Innovation.

    This alliance is a one of its kind professional development platform for enhancing the income and impact of legal professionals by improving their discovery and expanding their expertise, practice areas, and jurisdictions.

    As an advocate and consultant, you’ve been involved in various legal matters across different jurisdictions. Can you share a memorable experience or case that has shaped your perspective on the legal profession and advocacy?

    Law is an instrument of socio-economic change for me. Being an Advocate is both a privilege and responsibility. I have joined this noble profession for advancing social justice, protecting human rights, and fostering positive change at both the individual and systemic levels.

    In a recent case argued by me, Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench observed that True Love Between Adolescents Can’t Be Controlled Through Rigours of Law or State Action in its reportable judgement.

    It was a case of inter-caste love marriage which turned into an ugly legal battle as the family members of the girl lodged criminal complaints against the boy and his family members. The case was of technical nature due to various stringent sections of IPC and POCSO Acts.

    After dealing the case on technical and maintainability grounds, I presented three crystallised arguments, (a) Love knows no caste boundaries, (b) Romantic relationships between consenting adolescents must not be viewed as criminal acts mechanically, and (c) Happiness and well-being of an innocent couple and their children needs to be protected by the Hon’ble Court using its inherent powers u/s 482 Cr.PC. to uphold rule of law in the society.

    Hon’ble Court graciously allowed the application by accepting our submissions along with relevant judgements and quashed all the criminal proceedings.

    In this case, my team could secure relief for the client and his family in an 11-year-old case. Overall, it was a very fulfilling experience. 

    You’ve been involved in initiatives related to the environment and climate change. How do you see the role of law and advocacy in addressing these pressing global challenges, especially from the perspective of youth engagement?

    Law and advocacy play a vital role in addressing global environmental challenges, with youth engagement serving as a catalyst for positive change. Through policy advocacy, young people can push for the development and implementation of sustainable legislation at various levels of governance. Additionally, they can utilize litigation and legal action to hold governments and corporations accountable for environmental harm, demanding justice for affected communities and action on climate change. By raising public awareness and promoting education, youth-led initiatives can mobilize communities to adopt sustainable practices and advocate for environmental solutions. 

    I firmly believe that innovation and collaboration are fostered through interdisciplinary approaches, technology, and creative solutions, driving systemic change in environmental policy and practices. Furthermore, youth engagement in international forums like the United Nations Climate Change Conferences amplifies their voices on a global scale, fostering solidarity and cooperation in addressing shared environmental challenges. 

    Overall, law and advocacy provide a powerful platform for youth to effect positive change, shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to come. Through strategic engagement in legal and advocacy efforts, young people can play a pivotal role in driving forward the global environmental agenda and promoting a healthier planet for all.

    Your participation in the UN Water Conference in New York and the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai is quite remarkable. What insights or learnings did you take away from these global platforms, and how do you bring them back to your work in India?

    Last year, I got the opportunity to participate in the UN Water Conference in New York and the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai as a representative of the Alexis Foundation.

    The 2023 UN Water Conference was held at the UN Headquarters in New York. I led a 7-member delegation and hosted an official side event on the topic – Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Blue Economy through Water Action, Cooperation and Youth Engagement at the conference. 

    During this conference, I gained a deeper understanding of the global water crisis and the importance of collaborative efforts to address water scarcity, pollution, and access issues. Learning about innovative solutions and best practices from around the world has inspired me to advocate for more sustainable water management practices in India. I have incorporated these insights into my work by promoting water conservation, supporting community-led initiatives, and advocating for policies that prioritize equitable access to clean water for all.

    On the side-lines of this conference, I also met several dignitaries from around the world and Indian leaders and diplomats such as the Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, Government of India, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, and Consul General of India, New York.

    The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference was held at the Expo City in Dubai. I led a 5-member delegation to the conference and Alexis Foundation was admitted as an Observer to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This conference offered me valuable perspectives on the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for ambitious, collective action at both the global and local levels.

    Witnessing the global dialogue and negotiations first-hand reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement in tackling climate-related challenges. I have leveraged these insights to advocate for climate resilience measures, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable development policies in India. Additionally, I am working to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities and promote climate justice principles in my advocacy efforts.

    Overall, my experiences at these global platforms have deepened my commitment to addressing pressing environmental issues and advancing sustainable development goals in India. By applying the insights and learnings gained from these conferences to my work, I strive to contribute to positive change and empower communities to build a more resilient and equitable future for all.

    Your journey includes several prestigious fellowships and certifications. How have these experiences contributed to your personal and professional growth, and what role do you see continuous learning playing in your career?

    My journey has been instrumental in shaping both my personal and professional growth. These experiences have provided invaluable opportunities for networking, mentorship, and exposure to diverse perspectives, all of which have enriched my understanding of the field of law and expanded my skill set.

    Participating in prestigious fellowships has allowed me to engage with leaders and experts, fostering mentorship relationships that have provided guidance and support in navigating complex professional challenges. These experiences have also exposed me to innovative ideas and approaches, pushing me to think creatively and critically about my work.

    Moreover, earning certifications has demonstrated my commitment to excellence and expertise in specific areas of interest such as Arbitration and Mediation, Constitutional Law, White Collar Crimes, Intellectual Property Law, Technology Law, and Right to Information. These credentials have enhanced my credibility and opened doors to new opportunities for career advancement and impact.

    Continuous learning is essential for staying relevant and effective in any career, but particularly in the ever-evolving field of law. Embracing a mindset of lifelong learning enables me to adapt to changing trends and technologies, deepen my expertise, and remain at the forefront of innovation. Moreover, it allows me to constantly refine my skills, broaden my knowledge base, and drive meaningful progress in my career.

    In essence, my journey through prestigious fellowships and certifications has underscored the importance of continuous learning in my career. By embracing opportunities for growth and development, I have become better equipped to navigate the complexities of the legal field, contribute to meaningful change, and achieve my professional goals.

    Given your background in both law and management, what approach do you employ to drive innovation and strategic thinking within your legal practice and social impact initiatives?

    As someone who has navigated the intersection of law and management, I have integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts into the firm’s strategy and operations and recommend the same to my clients and partner organizations.

    In legal practice, innovation means adapting to client needs. Therefore, Alexis Law has embraced technology to streamline processes, and enhance client experiences. Our team members embody the values of empathy, integrity, commitment to justice and continued innovation.

    To sum up, my approach combines legal acumen, management principles, and a commitment to positive change.

    When you’re not immersed in your professional endeavours, how do you like to unwind and recharge? Any hobbies or interests you’d like to share with our readers? 

    I am a firm believer in the philosophy of work-life integration. To unwind and recharge, I take short vacations every quarter and travel around the countryside in India and around the world. As a spiritual and religious person who loves nature, history, art and culture, I prefer to visit ancient temples, forts, palaces, museums and art galleries. My hobbies are photography, numismatics (collecting coins and notes), and philately (collecting stamps).

    What advice would you give to the current generation looking to pursue a career in law or advocacy, considering the evolving landscape of legal practice and social issues?

    For those aspiring to pursue a career in law or advocacy, it’s crucial to stay informed on legal trends, policy changes, and social issues, developing strong communication and critical thinking skills, and embracing technology. I believe that building a professional network, prioritizing ethics, and remaining adaptable and resilient are essential for success in the evolving legal landscape. 

    Furthermore, practical experience through internships and clerkships is invaluable, as is focusing on social impact and contributing positively to the society. Last but not the least, it’s imperative to prioritize self-care and well-being to sustain a fulfilling career amidst the demands of the legal profession. 

    Overall, aspiring legal professionals must strive for a combination of knowledge, skills, ethical integrity, adaptability, resilience and a commitment to making a difference in the society.

    Get in touch of Aditya Singh-

  • “Helping a larger community is incredibly fulfilling… It’s rewarding to know that my work contributes to their well-being and empowerment outside of formal legal proceedings.” – Sapna Patwa, Former Civil Judge & Managing Director at Legal House Law Firm.

    “Helping a larger community is incredibly fulfilling… It’s rewarding to know that my work contributes to their well-being and empowerment outside of formal legal proceedings.” – Sapna Patwa, Former Civil Judge & Managing Director at Legal House Law Firm.

    This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

    Could you please introduce yourself to our readers and share with us how you decided  to pursue a career in law? What challenges did you encounter when starting your career,  and how did you overcome them? 

    Hello, readers. My name is Sapna Patwa, and I am a former judge who served in the Madhya Pradesh judiciary for 8 years. Currently, I am practicing at the High Court of Madhya Pradesh. 

    My journey into pursuing a career in law has been a unique one, filled with challenges. Initially, after completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies in commerce (M.Com),  I got married, thereafter I took a break from academics to focus on raising my children. However, after a gap of six years, my husband encouraged me to continue my education, and  it was his support and motivation that reignited my passion for learning. 

    In my first year of pursuing my LL.M, I became acquainted with the field of judicial services. Learning about this path sparked my interest, and from then on, I dedicated myself to prepare for it. Despite the challenges of balancing familial responsibilities and academic pursuits, I persevered with the unwavering support of my husband and mother. 

    The journey towards becoming a judge was not without any obstacles. Studying law after a  significant gap presented its own set of challenges, but through determination and hard  work, I overcame them. Additionally, preparing for the judiciary exams required immense  dedication and focus, but with perseverance and the grace of the lord, I was able to  successfully clear the Madhya Pradesh Civil Judge exam in my second attempt. 

    I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my family, especially my husband and  mother, whose encouragement has been instrumental in my journey. As I continued to serve in the legal profession, I remained committed to upholding justice and making a positive impact in the lives of those I serve. 

    Your journey from a civil Judge to managing director at Legal House is inspiring. Can you share a pivotal moment or decision that led you to transition from the bench to  advocacy and legal consultancy? 

    As a civil judge, I found that dispensing justice from the bench had its limitations. Working within the confines of the judiciary restricted my ability to reach out to a broader segment of  society. Conversely, transitioning to advocacy and legal consultancy allowed me to assist a greater number of underserved individuals by being actively involved in the community. This  realization prompted me to make the transition from the bench to advocacy and legal  consultancy. 

    Your dedication to educating and guiding aspiring legal professionals is evident. What  motivated you to become a guest lecturer and a mock interview panelist at Judiciary  Gold, and how has this experience influenced your approach to practicing law? 

    My decision to become a guest lecturer and mock interview panelist at Judiciary Gold was driven by the challenges I encountered while preparing for judiciary exams myself. I struggled to find proper guidance and support during that time, and I realized that many  others were facing similar difficulties. This motivated me to become a lecturer, so I could provide aspiring legal professionals with the guidance and support I wished I had received. 

    By sharing my knowledge and experiences, I aim to help them navigate the complexities of  legal examinations more effectively. This experience has shown me the importance of  mentorship and education in the legal profession. It has also deepened my understanding of  the challenges faced by aspiring legal professionals and the need for adequate resources  and support. 

    Engaging with students has not only allowed me to give back to the legal community but has  also enhanced my own understanding of legal concepts and principles. Overall, my role as a  guest lecturer and mock interview panelist has been a rewarding experience, benefiting both  the aspiring legal professionals and myself. 

    As a former Judge, you’ve presided over numerous sensitive family law cases. Can you  share a particularly challenging case that left a lasting impact on you and shaped your perspective on family law and justice? 

    As a former judge, I’ve dealt with many difficult family law cases that have shaped my perspective on justice. One case that stands out involved a bitter dispute between two  parents over custody of their children. The hostility between them made finding a resolution  incredibly challenging. Despite my efforts to encourage cooperation, their deep-seated emotions hindered progress. 

    What made this case especially tough was seeing the impact on the children caught in the middle. Their well-being was overshadowed by their parents’ conflict, which took a toll on their emotional health. Witnessing this reinforced the importance of prioritizing the children’s best interests in family law proceedings. 

    This experience deepened my understanding of the complexities of family law and the need  for empathy in resolving disputes. It also strengthened my commitment to promoting  cooperation between parents and protecting children’s welfare. 

    While cases like these can be emotionally draining, they remind us of the importance of our role in shaping the lives of those we serve, especially in family law matters. 

    Your involvement as a legal advisor for the All India Chief Life Insurance Welfare  Association showcases your commitment to community service. How has this role  allowed you to make a positive impact beyond the courtroom? 

    Being a legal advisor for the All India Chief Life Insurance Welfare Association (CLIA) fills me with pride. It’s a chance to handle various cases from all over India, which goes beyond just  courtroom work. 

    Helping a larger community is incredibly fulfilling. By giving free legal advice to CLIA members, I not only inform them about their rights but also educate them on legal procedures and options. This knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions that  can improve their lives. 

    This role allows me to make a real, positive impact on individuals and families. It’s rewarding  to know that my work contributes to their well-being and empowerment outside of formal  legal proceedings. 

    Overall, being a legal advisor for the CLIA lets me continue my commitment to community service and create meaningful change in people’s lives, beyond what happens in the  courtroom. 

    Given your extensive experience, what advice would you give to young legal professionals aspiring to pursue a career in the judiciary or legal consultancy? 

    For young legal professionals aiming for a career in the judiciary or legal consultancy, here’s some advice. If you’re leaning towards becoming a judge, it’s important to intern in a court  for around 2 to 3 years. This hands-on experience will give you a practical understanding of  how to handle cases effectively. Remember, both fields offer diverse opportunities, so choose based on what aligns with your strengths and interests. It’s important to consider  your own nature and abilities when deciding. 

    Starting Legal House was indeed a significant undertaking for me. Leaving my honorable post was not an easy decision, but it was my family’s encouragement and support that motivated me to pursue a career as an advocate. My husband played a vital role in helping me build a client base, while my son assisted me in establishing Legal House. Despite facing challenges, such as transitioning from a prestigious position to advocateship, their support made the journey possible. 

    Beyond your legal career, what are some of your personal hobbies or interests that you enjoy pursuing in your free time? 

    Outside of my legal career, I find fulfillment in exploring spirituality, which occupies much of my free time. Additionally, I enjoy cooking as a way to unwind and express creativity in the kitchen. These interests enrich my life beyond the realm of law and provide balance and  fulfillment in my personal pursuits.

  • “There are no shortcuts in this profession, reading reading and reading.. is the only mantra to be successful, whatever be the circumstances, don’t compromise with your integrity” – Madhup Singhal, Founder & Managing Partner, MSA Legal.

    “There are no shortcuts in this profession, reading reading and reading.. is the only mantra to be successful, whatever be the circumstances, don’t compromise with your integrity” – Madhup Singhal, Founder & Managing Partner, MSA Legal.

    This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

    Your academic background includes a BSc in Science before pursuing law. What inspired your shift from the Sciences to a Legal Career, Could you walk us through the challenges you faced during the initial stages of your legal career and how you overcame them?

    To answer this, I will have to take you through my early life which is quite interesting and of course would become inspirational once I establish a successful international law firm of repute for which I am endeavouring.  

    I was a good student of Science and I was preparing mainly for JEE along with my 12th Board exams. In the Board exams,  I could not even secure First Division as my complete focus was on clearing JEE. The only reason for not securing the First Division in my Boards was getting very less marks in Physics and Chemistry practical for the reasons best known to my then respected teachers of respective subjects, though I scored very good in theories. At that time it was a major setback for me which shattered  my confidence and (gave me a huge blow)caused a big depression as well. After that I dropped a year for JEE preparation but could not succeed again. Next year, I took admission in B.Sc. but kept preparing for JEE. Just before one and half months from JEE exams I had a fever which turned into Typhoid and later on into Measles , which ruined my entire preparation and so I could not get through the JEE exams again. Since I took admission in B. Sc. Therefore, at least my year did not get wasted and with overnight studies, I could manage a score of around 70% in BSc first year. Getting this kind of marks with very less studies was a big boost to my confidence and again I prepared for JEE. My preparation was good but unfortunately that year I along with my family had met with a very severe accident due to which I could not appear in my JEE exams. The accident was such severe that I lost my memory for more than 20 days. After this I decided to leave the Science stream and decided to join the CA course. After starting the CA course, everything was going very well. In my first year of article ship, I had started conducting audits of Banks and Companies Independently. My first CA attempt was in November 1998, my preparation was good but suddenly in the last week of September 1998, I started feeling severe pain in my hand while writing. I thought it was because of over studying as at that time I used to study for around 14-15 hours in a day. I took lots of medicines but no relief and the result was my first CA attempt went futile. After that I consulted many Orthopaedic Doctors but no relief. Then one of my uncles who was an Orthopaedic Surgeon suggested consulting a Neuro physician. I consulted one of the renowned Neuro Physicians who diagnosed it as WRITER’s CRAMP (a disease wherein a person can do all works except WRITING). I took his medicines for a long time but no relief. In the meantime I lost my May 99 and Nov 99 attempt of CA course. I also tried all the therapies but I could not get relief from any. Since this problem was not curing, therefore, I could not see but a dark tunnel through my future. Then one fine day I read in the newspaper that CCS UNIVERSITY has introduced an LLB course with an objective pattern. I joined the same and because of the objective pattern I could manage to complete the LLB course despite the acute problem of Writer’s Cramp, which still has not cured. To be honest, I wanted to do LLB since beginning but along with CA and never thought that I will practise Law. Therefore, shifting to a legal career from Science was not by choice but then prevailing circumstances as enumerated. I will always remain indebted to CCS University for introducing the LLB Course in an objective pattern during those days, due to which I could complete Law and achieve this success being a first generation lawyer.

    In the initial days of my career I faced almost all the challenges which a first generation lawyer from a small town of India faces like rejection by big law firms as I did not have any God Father and I was passed out from CCS University, sometimes insult from near and dears as they used to think that I was wasting my time and I should join my father at his small pharmacy shop. My father never wanted me to sit in his pharmacy shop because he, himself started the pharmacy shop after losing his big Oil Business to his uncle and their son who fraudulently took over the same from my father, frustrations of my earlier failures and obviously monetary challenges. Therefore my early days of my career were full of challenges but I kept patience all the time and never accepted defeat from defeat. 

    Your firm, MSA Legal, offers a full range of legal services, including corporate advisory work, litigation, and arbitrations. Could you tell us more about the ethos and mission behind MSA Legal, and what sets it apart from other law firms? Additionally, what types of interns do you typically take, and what opportunities do they have to learn and grow within your firm?

    Being a small town guy,  I was not aware about the Legal Profession and used to think that CA profession is very big as compared to Legal Profession, but after joining The Chambers of Law, as an Intern, I came to know about the Legal Profession in a real sense. I found that it is no lesser than the CA profession. After completing the LLB I joined Gagrat & Company and started my career at the Supreme Court. In the initial days of my career while with Gagrat & Co. I handled Bofors Case on behalf of Hinduja Brothers, briefed almost all renowned Senior Advocates of India independently and leant about  all renowned law firms of India. Then only I dreamt of establishing my own Full Service Law Firm. After working with Gagrat where I did majorly Supreme Court & High Court Litigation and Construction Arbitrations, I joined Mr Atul Chitale, Senior Advocate. At that time he used to run his Corporate Law Firm. There I did lots of Corporate Work like Merger & Acquisitions, JV Agreements and Corporate Litigation before the Company Law Board. After working with him, I started my own company along with working with one US Company where I did a lot of work on US laws but because of some financial reasons I had to join the Corporate Houses. I joined Jubilant Energy, an Oil & Gas Company, after that Monnet Group a mining, power & steel Company, then GMR Energy a Company involved in Thermal, Hydro, Renewable and Transmission and finally Vedanta Cairn, an oil & gas company. While working in these  big Corporate Houses,  I understood business very well and while dealing with lots of Law Firms as an In House Counsel, I realised that Lawyers understand Law but not the business and therefore applicability of law in the given business scenario always remain a challenge even for a lawyer who has good understanding of law. Though since the beginning of my career, I always wanted to start my firm but when I noticed this scenario, my determination got stronger and I took a plunge of starting my own law firm. 

    I have the business knowledge of certain sectors like Oil & Gas, Power, Mining, Steel & Infrastructure besides me there are business experts of all these fields in our firm, our approach always remains very practical & solution oriented and we believe in continuity of business. That’s how our Law Firm is different from other firms. 

    I always prefer to take interns who are first generation budding lawyers, having a humble background and willing to devote time to the profession without seeking any short cuts. Being a (comparative)small full service law firm, exposure in our firm is much more as compared to other big law firms as in our firm everyone gets an opportunity of doing all kinds of matters. Therefore, in our firm, a person gets all kinds of exposure. 

    Your expertise includes contract negotiation, arbitration, and legal documentation across industries like IT, energy, and mining. What drew you to such a broad spectrum of sectors, and how do you navigate the unique legal landscapes of each?

    At the outset, I would like to state that I am not an expert and still learning from my daily experience. Advocacy is an ongoing learning process. It’s correct that I have done a lot of work relating to negotiating the high value contracts with parties situated in different geographical regions of the world. It’s just because I have worked in  different industries and could come across the nuances of the business which help a lot in negotiating agreements. As I understand the flow of transactions & steps involved in the entire cycle of the project due to which it becomes easier to find the loopholes and the same can be mitigated while negotiating a contract. Same thing applies in the  arbitrations and litigation since you are already aware of the flow of the transaction, you may anticipate questions or arguments encountered by the other side or bench. This gives an edge to you over other lawyers and you can provide better solutions to your clients.

    In addition to your professional achievements, you mentioned involvement in cooperative societies and chambers of commerce. How do you balance your legal career with community engagement, and what role do you believe lawyers should play in society?

    I am on the Advisory board of some Co-operative Societies one of them is NQOCN i.e. a society funded by WHO for creating awareness for the new born babies. My philosophy of life is that besides your professional duties you owe to the society as well and one has to give it back to the society irrespective of his family or professional commitments. I am an active member of various Chambers of Commerce like ASSOCHAM, PHD Chamber of Commerce, IOFGE and others wherein my role remains to create legal and compliance awareness among the  industry. I divide my day into several activities. I want to allocate more time for social activities but due to my other commitments, I spare a minimum 7 hours in a week. The only key is time management. Besides my already fixed commitment, for the rest of the day. I always plan my day one or two days in advance.

    A lawyer can play a very important role in society as he is aware of his duties in an equal manner as he is aware of his rights. There is one major problem in our country that here everyone is aware of his/ her rights but no-one bothers to know his/her duties towards nation and society. A lawyer can make the public aware of their duties towards the nation and society and make them more vigilant about their rights.

    Your profile highlights involvement in drafting agreements for large transactions and acquisitions. Could you walk us through the process of negotiating such complex deals and ensuring favourable outcomes for your clients?

    While starting drafting agreements for large transactions or even for small transactions, the foremost thing is the wish of your client. One has to understand in a very clear manner what exactly is the client’s requirement. After understanding the requirements of the Client, the process needs to be identified through which the transaction will go through. After understanding of the process, one has to see which laws and provisions thereof will impact the transaction. All these laws and provisions are required to be read in a very thorough manner including the precedents available as on date so that all mitigation strategies can be decided. Contract Negotiation is an art which develops over a period of time and there are no set rules for the same. It  is different in all the matters and depends on your client’s wishes and how hard it is the other side.

    Your career spans across different roles, from in-house counsel to managing your own law firm. What motivated you to transition into entrepreneurship, and what challenges did you face along the way?

    As I told you in my earlier answers after joining the profession in 2003 and joining Gagrat & Co then only I decided that one day I have to start my own law firm but being the first generation lawyer, not belonging to Delhi, not having any Godfather, I had lots of challenges to face. I always wanted to do good work for the big corporates and in the starting phase of your career, it’s very difficult that any big corporate will assign you any work, I could not get entry in any big law firm so that I could do the niche work moreover my financial position was not that I could survive in the city on my own therefore I took a cautious decision to first work as an In House Counsel to understand business, to do the niche work from the other side of table and also to collect some amount so that after starting my own practise, I can have some time to sustain in the market easily and do the quality work even on the lower rates. So that I can work for big companies and gain their trust. With the grace of God, it’s happening in a nice way.

    Considering your involvement in policy advocacy and corporate affairs, how do you perceive the evolving regulatory landscape in India, and what implications does it have for businesses and legal practitioners?

    According to me, the kind of environment this Government has created in the entire world about the INDIA and the target which the Government has put before everyone to reach up to 5 Trillion Economy in next few years and to be a developed nation by 2047, there would be lots of investment in India in next two decades. This Government, has simplified lots of things but simultaneously to maintain transparency in the business, has introduced lots of regulatory compliances (checks and balances). With the liberal policies of the Government lots of investment is coming to India due to which Indian local businesses are also growing. In case the business will grow, there would definitely be more work for the lawyers particularly who are into corporate advisory. In the present regime the involvement of a Lawyer is equally necessary and required as of CA for finance function.  

    Your experience includes working with multinational companies and startups alike. How do you adapt your legal strategies to cater to the diverse needs and scales of these organizations?

    As explained earlier, my approach to every assignment remains very unique. There is no straight jacket formula which applies to all the situations, it’s all based on the requirement of clients be it an established multinational or a start up.  The bottom line is to understand the needs of the client, understand his business, apply the prevalent law in the given scenario, that’s it.

    Apart from your legal career, what are some of your personal interests or hobbies that you find equally fulfilling? How do you manage to balance your professional life with your personal passions?

    My foremost personal interest is to serve my nation but for that it’s not the correct time as at this stage I have my other commitments.  After sometime when things will be settled, I will start giving my maximum time in serving the nation. As far as my hobbies are concerned, I used to like watching movies but in the last five years I watched very few movies and in most of them I slept. I like cooking and driving and am fond of listening to music of  Mukesh, Jagjit Singh’s Ghazals and songs of the 90s. To relax myself while cooking or driving alone I listen to songs or ghazals.

    Given your extensive experience, what advice would you offer to young professionals aspiring to build a career in law, especially in today’s competitive landscape? 

    I would like to advise following to the young professionals especially who are first generation lawyers and belong to a humble background:-

    1. There are no shortcuts in the Profession;
    2. Reading, Reading and Reading is the only mantra to be successful;
    3. Whenever you start working don’t see the time . I’m not saying that time management is not important but not at the cost of quality. and not fix any time to complete any task. Keep on working till the time you are not satisfied with your work. After submitting your work, you should not have any regrets like  if I had put in some more effort ,results could be different. Therefore always give your best;
    4. Be a good listener;
    5. Always read judgements in its entirety not the relevant para or head notes;
    6. In the initial days of the career don’t run after the money;
    7. Don’t compare yourself with your other friends who are in different professions especially in engineering or in management as they start earning very good from day one while in Legal Profession money comes late. After 20 years when you will compare you will find that you are on equal footing and after 30 years you will find yourself much ahead. Obviously some exceptions always remain;
    8. Whatever be the circumstances, don’t compromise with your integrity;
    9. This is the profession where Sky is the limit but with continuous hard work and labour. You can’t take anything lightly at any point of time when you are in this profession.

    Get in touch with Madhup Singhal-

  • “In today’s world, with increasing globalization and the opening up of the “legal market” with the proliferation of international arbitration, we also need to be proactive about adopting best practices from other practitioners and jurisdictions”- Zafar Khurshid, Senior Partner/IP Chair, TKC Partners LLP

    This Interview has been published by Pragya Chandni and The SuperLawyer Team

    Can you walk us through your journey from being a law student to becoming a founding partner at TKC Partners LLP? What pivotal moments or experiences shaped your career trajectory?

    I would say my journey toward becoming who I am today began even before law school. As an Undergraduate at St. Stephen’s College I had the opportunity to explore not only where my interests lay academically, but also to begin to explore who I was, and who I wanted to become, as a person. I wasn’t always certain about pursuing law, at the time I was quite keen on exploring the dramatic arts. By my third year I was more set on my path towards the law. Reading History helped inform that decision. 

    That was followed by three years at CLC, Faculty of Law. I was not the most academically gifted student, nor, to be candid, the most hard-working. When I first joined I was not certain whether I was pursuing law because of the expectations of family, or because it was right for me. But I found myself drawn to certain courses, particularly Jurisprudence and Intellectual Property Law, which reinforced my decision to pursue law as a career. 

    After LL.B. I joined the Office of Mr. Gourab Banerji, Senior Advocate, who was Additional Solicitor General in the Supreme Court at the time. They say you never forget your first boss – and I certainly couldn’t. Mr. Banerji provided a nurturing and professional environment for a young legal professional to learn the ropes, and to make mistakes without fear or judgment. Many of the habits I try to inculcate in my Office even today I imbibed from my boss and my colleagues in that Chamber.

    While practicing in the Courts in India has a thrill that cannot be matched, I had already begun thinking about pursuing higher studies in England. The drive had been fuelled over the years by visits to my family in the UK, and my father’s stories of his time at Oxford. The University of Oxford was my first choice. Having marginally missed a First Division I didn’t make it through. But sometimes life finds a way to give you what you need, even if it isn’t what you think you want. I joined Queen Mary, University of London for the LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law. That definitive year studying in the heart of London provided some of the most pivotal moments in my journey. Far from the nest, and challenged to break free from the shackles of rote learning, I got the opportunity to truly develop a zeal for the study of law, a joy for learning and analytical reasoning, and to dive deep into the study of Intellectual Property Law. Truly enjoying what I was learning pushed me to strive like never before, which happily culminated in graduating with Distinctions in each of my Courses. QMUL enlivened my passion for the law, and gave me some of my most endearing and enduring friendships. I can truly say that if not for that year, I would not find myself where I am today.

    After my academic success at QMUL I was accepted into Oxford, which fulfilled a burning desire I had held in my heart for a quarter of my lifetime. I spent two years at St. Edmund Hall, University of Oxford pursuing the BCL and then the M. Phil in Law. Oxford helped me take my abilities and my ardour for academia to new levels. I had the opportunity to study under and with some of the sharpest intellectual minds I ever had the privilege of interacting with, both inside and outside of the legal realm. Though I probably did struggle with “imposter syndrome” at first, being intimidated intellectually pushed me to challenge and better myself. I was privileged to have this opportunity, and I did my best to take the fullest advantage of it. I was scared, I was excited – I had worked hard to get there and I hope it’s okay to admit that, despite all my anxieties, I was proud of myself. Reaching Oxford helped me believe in my capabilities and shape the confidence that I feel one needs to push oneself to the next level professionally. Not only did I meet my best friend at Teddy Hall, but I found the freedom and space to strive towards becoming my best self.

    After returning from England, it was an adjustment being back in litigation in Delhi. The Oxford bubble had popped, and I had to find a way to transfer the skills developed during my time in academia to my professional pursuits. Despite offers and advice pushing me in other directions, I relished the chance to work under my father Mr. Salman Khurshid, Senior Advocate. His practice was varied, his grasp of the law disparate, and his academic bent familiar. Many days were spent having intellectual debates over lunch with all his juniors in the Office, and countless hours running from forum to forum – calling for familiarity with everything from Constitutional and Administrative Law to Competition and Anti-Trust. Exposure to so many different fields developed my general appreciation and grasp of law and, despite my specialisations, convinced me of the value of being a generalist – A jack of trades, master of none – but better than just the master of one.

    After a few years the opportunity presented itself to join with dear friends and colleagues to set up our own firm – TKC Partners. Once again I found myself anxious, doubting myself and my potential – but the time had come to take the skills and abilities developed over the last decade and to push myself to the next step. 

    Pivotal moments in life rarely present themselves as such when they are before us. For most of us, in life the key moments are often gradual or imperceptible until we’re much further down our path. I think every step has culminated to bring me where I am today. While some may feel more definitive, none would be the same without those that have come before.

    You’ve had significant experience in both litigation and arbitration, particularly in high-stakes cases before various forums, including the Supreme Court of India. What draws you to these areas of law, and how do you navigate the complexities they present?

    From the very beginning I knew that I was more drawn to the Courtroom than the Boardroom. While Corporate Law offered more stability and remuneration, and many of my friends went in that direction, I knew my first love was litigation. Perhaps it is, as my friends and family often insist – that I am a born lawyer – eager to argue with anyone and everyone, about anything. Or perhaps it is as my father once told me when I had more whimsical fancies of being a stage actor – that litigation and theatre have many correlating and overlapping skills – oration, diction, the ability to command a room and capture the attention of your audience.

    While litigation in India certainly has its share of drama, I think along with being an inherent performer, what draws me to dispute resolution is the thrill of argument, and the excitement and pace of litigation in India (though sometimes there is more excitement than necessary). Once I joined the profession I also had the opportunity to explore arbitration, and see many of the advantages it offers over litigation in an often over-burdened system.

    Each area of law has its own thrills and its own obstacles. Navigating the complexities is often just about weathering the storm of backlog, managing the expectations of clients unfamiliar with the system, pushing your colleagues and contemporaries to help improve the system rather than take advantage of its shortcomings, and most importantly – patience. And in today’s world, with increasing globalization and the opening up of the “legal market” with the proliferation of international arbitration, we also need to be proactive about adopting best practices from other practitioners and jurisdictions.

    As someone who has been deeply involved in intellectual property rights (IPR) practice, could you share some insights into the evolving landscape of IPR enforcement, both domestically and internationally? What are some of the key challenges you’ve encountered in this field?

    Intellectual Property is an ever-evolving discipline. While its foundational concepts may not change, its application can rapidly adapt and develop in the face of technological advances, globalisation, the clash between the interests of developed countries and the needs of developing nations, and several other such factors. One of the most important developments however, especially for growing markets such as India, is cross-border recognition and enforcement, both for international brands that bring investment and economic growth into India, as well as for home-grown brands that have found an international market.

    India has made great strides when it comes to the awareness, proliferation, recognition, and protection of IP rights. But we cannot rest on our laurels. Our infrastructure needs to catch up with the pace and requirements of market demands; we need to be proactive about facing the challenges of IP enforcement in the digital age; the level of expertise required from offices and the judiciary is not uniform across the country; and we need to ensure that a robust IP system does not create a space for IP bullying or takeover by larger vested interests against the freedom of creation and innovation.

    Your time as a Research Assistant and then co-Author for your Chapter in the publication by the Office for the Harmonisation of the Internal Market (OHIM) involved studying the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the European Union. How has this experience influenced your approach to handling IPR matters in your legal practice?

    The opportunity to co-Author a Chapter in European Case Law on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights (Bruylant, 2016), published by OHIM (now known as the EUIPO) was an exciting opportunity to delve deep into a specific issue from an unfamiliar perspective. It helped acquaint me with some of the potential conflicts and challenges that proprietors and practitioners can face when it comes to the cross-border enforcement of IP rights.

    It also helped me truly appreciate the impact and importance of Intellectual Property Law in commerce. Now known by a more appropriate name, the EU Intellectual Property Office used to be the Office of the Harmonisation of the Internal Market – which started with the remit to administer the new EU-wide unitary property right, the EU Trade Mark. Through the application and enforcement of various EU Directives, this Office played a vital role in breaking down several trade barriers in IP, showing how IP plays a pivotal role in creating, facilitating, and influencing cross-border trade and growth of mutual economies.

    I think the experience has helped me develop a foundational expertise with the issues associated with such enforcement, which aids me in advising clients with multi-national offices or businesses, and also helps with a key aspect of IP advisory – litigation management and avoidance.

    In addition to your legal practice, you’ve been actively involved in academia, including co-interviewing undergraduate law candidates at the University of Oxford. How do you balance your legal career with academic engagements, and what value do you see in contributing to legal education?

    During my time at Oxford I was primarily dedicated to purely academic pursuits. But I also had the opportunity to carry on some of my practice, in an advisory capacity. The opportunity to co-interview undergraduate students, along with Professor Aileen Kavanagh, was interesting. It was funny to be on the other side of the table just a year after getting into Oxford myself – to try and gauge and appraise these young candidates and to make recommendations on whether they should be offered a place. This was perhaps the first time I felt the weight and gravity of the influence we in the profession can have on the future of the next generation of legal practitioners, jurists, and policy makers.

    After re-joining the profession back in India I have attempted to make time to make myself available for similar opportunities through symposiums, lecture series, podcasts, etc. But balance is always the greatest challenge in the legal profession. I’ve not been able to make the time to take on more formal and structured academic roles, despite being approached a few times, as I’ve felt that I needed to provide more time to my role in growing my Firm. But it is always on my agenda to find ways to reach law students and young professionals when suitable opportunities present themselves – the worlds of academia and practice cannot be divorced from each other – this is a loss to both. I think it’s important that law students have the opportunity to know the realities of the legal profession, and to explore the profession before making the heavy commitments that it demands – this is only possible through access to practitioners who can help them gain a better understanding of law beyond their textbooks. The value in this is elementary – better, more well-rounded students will lead to a better, well-rounded legal profession.

    Your publication on ‘State-State Arbitration and its Role in Entrenching the Rule of Law in the International Legal Community’ explores a crucial aspect of international arbitration. Could you elaborate on the significance of this topic and its implications for the legal profession globally?

    First let me say what an honour it was to be given the opportunity by the PCA to co-author a Chapter in International Arbitration and the Rule of Law. It was such a privilege to be part of the PCA’s recognition of the work and contributions of the eminent and unmatched jurist and legal luminary – Mr. Fali S. Nariman – who sadly is no longer with us.

    This piece, as indeed much of the collection, focussed on various aspects and examples of international arbitration and inter-state arbitration, and how they have influenced the development and entrenchment of the Rule of Law, a traditionally domestic principle, in the realm of international law – which is traditionally driven by the concepts of sovereignty and State autonomy.

    Our article focussed on the role of interstate arbitration in promoting the rule of law, focussing on two significant PCA arbitrations – the Bay of Bengal Maritime Boundary Arbitration (between India and Bangladesh) and the South China Sea Arbitration (between China and the Philippines). An examination of cases such as these highlights several challenges that practitioners in the field of international law and international arbitration must contend with – the Rule of Law remains a somewhat contested concept in the international context, though there is a greater uniformity to the dimensions of the principles under domestic law. The nature of the disputes under these cases, and the stands taken by the Nation-States – both during and in the aftermath of these cases – highlights the challenges to international law, and the continuous necessity of the willing participation of States in maintaining its principles. Some of the lessons from the comparative analysis of these cases are particularly relevant for India today.

    Collaboration seems to be a recurring theme in your career, from assisting Senior Advocates to co-authoring publications. How do you approach collaboration within the legal field, and how has it contributed to your professional growth?

    ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together’. This traditional African proverb quite succinctly exemplifies my outlook towards law and the legal profession. In a fast-paced and often aggressive landscape, legal practitioners become hard-wired for competition – treating their practice as a zero-sum game. This can cultivate unproductive outlooks that can harm the system long-term.

    I believe some of my greatest successes have come, not from side-lining or “defeating” competitors, but from finding opportunities to collaborate and cooperate. But often this is easier said than done. Collaboration requires trust, and as they say – once bitten, twice shy. Maintaining a collaborative attitude can be difficult, especially in the face of emulous elements. But patience, belief, and a little luck, can help one find genuine contemporaries to work and grow with.

    This also informs the manner in which I aim to guide and advise Clients, encouraging them to look at conciliatory approaches, focussing on larger interests and benefits. Though Clients ca be similarly motivated/programmed – to see conciliation as a mark of timidness and weakness – but I have found that many stay with us because we show them that our approach focusses on their best interests, and often bears results in otherwise quagmired situations.

    Finally, considering your diverse experiences and accomplishments, what advice would you offer to aspiring law graduates who are about to embark on their legal careers? What key principles or strategies should they keep in mind as they navigate the legal profession?

    There may honestly be no end to the advice someone could dole out to aspiring graduates poised on the brink of starting their journeys in the profession. There is just so much to learn and experience. Some of it you may have guides and mentors that can prepare you, some you will just learn the hard way.

    One thing I would emphasise is that law is a life-long pursuit of knowledge. You must constantly be open to learning and growing. Your early years are the best time to chase diverse and varied experiences – don’t hem yourself in early – there is plenty of time in life to “specialise”. One must also focus on foundational concepts, and don’t be afraid to grow slowly – chasing the “30 under 30” label can often lead to shortcuts or missed opportunities that could be hard to make up later. You must look inwards to define your image of success, don’t chase someone else’s.

    You shape the system as much as it shapes you. It may be difficult, but always strive to better yourself, and those around you, and be slow to frustration. Surround yourself with people who push you to expand and grow. Take the best habits from your mentors, ignore the worst. You will have many unwelcome experiences, learn from them but don’t let them define you.

    Get in touch with Zafar Khurshid-

  • “Each firm I worked at contributed in a significant way to my growth and development as a lawyer”- Anantha Krishnan, Partner at IndusLaw

    This Interview has been published by Pragya Chandni and The SuperLawyer Team

    Can you walk us through your journey from studying law at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University to becoming a Partner at IndusLaw in Bangalore? What inspired you to pursue a career in law, especially focusing on corporate and commercial matters?

    I did my schooling in Chennai, loved writing, public speaking and was enthusiastic about problem solving. Around the time I was contemplating my career choice, the national law schools in India had decided to come together to conduct the common law proficiency test (CLAT), which looked like a good opportunity to explore. 

    Studying law at RMLNLU, Lucknow was a beautiful experience. I had a plethora of opportunities at my disposal, ranging from moot courts, parliamentary debates, MUNs to paper publications/presentations. Having said that, while law schools have a well thought out curriculum and they do help initiate efforts on building skills, they don’t prepare you for the fine print of any practice area and only just about scratch the surface in terms of concepts. This results in a significant void between theory and practice. To make up for practical knowledge and exposure, I spent each of my vacations doing internships, largely in the cities of Chennai and Mumbai. Mid-way through law school, I started interning with law firms, dabbling across practice areas such as litigation, project finance, intellectual property and corporate/commercial matters. I was still however looking for a specific practice area of interest, though I had developed a focused interest towards contract law and by then, corporate laws had been introduced as a subject. Around this time, an opportunity came by to participate in a national corporate law moot court competition, and we ended up winning it. What I loved about that experience was how interesting, vast and ever-evolving corporate and commercial laws were. I thoroughly enjoyed researching, drafting, preparing arguments and advocating them for that problem statement. It gave me direction that this is something I could really immerse myself in. I shifted my focus thereafter to internships solely in corporate law practice.

    From there on, it has been a voyage of dedicated and diligent learning across firms I’ve been a part of. Being a first generation lawyer, a lot of effort went into building my principles, knowledge and processes with focus on what I wanted to be and stand for as a professional. The initial years in practice went into establishing my fundamentals and processes which enabled me to deliver well thought out work products. Each deal that came by helped me build expertise on different sectors and issues around them. I’m a believer of self-assessment and feedback, used to approach my seniors on where I could improve after each deal. This helped me identified the chinks in my armoury and I worked consistently towards getting better at those. It has been a long yet fulfilling journey so far and I’m excited about what the future has in store for me.

    You’ve had a diverse range of experiences across various law firms such as Phoenix Legal and HSB Partners. How did these experiences shape your understanding of legal practice, particularly in the realms of mergers & acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital?

    Each firm I worked at contributed in a significant way to my growth and development as a lawyer. In the initial years, when I started out in Chennai post graduating from law school, I was lucky enough to be at the crossroads of the biggest overhaul of company law in Indian history. With the Companies Act, 2013 being introduced and to take effect from June 1, 2014, my first year in practice was almost entirely focused on interpretation of the new legislation and how it differed from the 1956 Act. These exercises were in fact driven by a plethora of queries from clients seeking advice on specific provisions of the 2013 Act. There were many engaging and interactive sessions with my seniors at the time to get a grasp of what we were dealing with, coupled with research drill downs, both in terms of interpretation of statutes and precedents in case laws. This helped me a great deal to get confident with my understanding of the legal practice involved in transactions and advisory. I had dealt with the 1956 Act in my internships. Hence, being able to deploy that understanding against the change in positions vis-à-vis the newly effective legislation in the 2013 Act gave me ample avenues to get better at shaping my understanding of the practice area. My stint in Mumbai was largely focused on mergers & acquisitions and venture capital. I got to do a lot of domestic and cross-border acquisitions and venture capital deals. It was a big learning curve for me which I embraced with all the efforts I could possibly put in. In your early years, observing your seniors negotiate on deals teaches you a lot, and over time, you tend to develop your own style of negotiating and handling multiple facets of the profession. 

    In any law firm, the work environment is dynamic, providing a diverse range of opportunities to learn from. With good mentors, exposure and diligence, one can dive deep into the requirements of a client and cater to its basis the demands of a given problem statement. From there on, it’s akin to polishing a precious stone, every bit of experience aggregates to fine tune a lawyer’s understanding and it only gets better with time. This, I believe, provides valuable insights and practice guidelines to develop oneself as a well reasoned and articulate legal professional capable of providing sound legal advice to clients. A couple of valuable lessons I’ve learnt over time with experiential learning are identifying client demands early on into a transaction and reflecting on them to deliver the desired results at every stage of the transaction. This varies based on the deal as well as from one client to another. For instance, a venture capital investment is akin to occupying a space in a newly built house while an acquisition is cleaning up and buying the entire house. What an investor is looking for from an investee company in an early stage venture capital investment differs vastly from what they are looking at in a late stage investment or what a buyer is looking to achieve from an acquisition. These differences range right from the level of detailing and lookback period involved in the diligence to the rights matrix to be negotiated for the relationship going forward. Negotiation is yet another skillset which requires constant learning and unlearning. With every deal, you take back something new from negotiations. Reassessment and reworking your approach to essentially figure out if your existing modus operandi could be better with the new learnings adds immense value in terms of reflecting on the outcomes of a deal. 

    Your work at IndusLaw involves advising on a multitude of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital investments, and private equity deals. Could you share with us some of the most memorable or challenging transactions you’ve worked on and what lessons you’ve learned from them?

    There are quite a few deals I’ve absolutely loved working on at IndusLaw. Some memorable transactions I’ve done here include a series of acquisitions which set up daily delivery and instant vending businesses of a leading entity in the food and groceries space. These acquisitions included a business transfer, an asset purchase and a share purchase acquisition, and each acquisition structure came with its own set of challenges. In addition, these acquisitions taught me a lot about integrating new business models into an already well-grounded and flourishing model and practical challenges in terms of doing that. One of those acquisitions also included a founder exit, which was my first experience of a co-captain leaving the ship. Another transaction recently was internalization of a leading quick commerce brand from Singapore to India as part of a larger acquisition transaction. We dove deep into the process which happens at Singapore, including by working closely with our counsel there. The timing had to be spot on, given this internalization would need to seamlessly flow into the larger goal of the internalized entity being acquired by a listed company in India. The learnings from this deal were invaluable and while we faced multiple challenges on a daily basis, solving for each of them gave me a strong understanding of the process and its possible pitfalls. 

    More recently, with the changing trends, I’ve been closely involved with startups in the fashion space and manufacturing of materials (deployable across multiple industries), in both cases, with emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly models. Transactions I’ve worked on have taught me a lot, in addition to fine-tuning my skills as a lawyer. These learnings range from interpersonal skills, understanding and appreciating the nuances of each product ecosystem (and the innovations that come with it) in this dynamic startup environment to understanding perspectives of founders who invested a lifetime of dedication, commitment and diligence to building successful businesses, and eventually decided to call it a day and sell. 

    Your expertise spans across sectors like e-commerce, healthcare, logistics, and media & entertainment. How do you stay updated with the legal developments and industry trends in such diverse areas, and how does this knowledge contribute to your advisory role?

    In a way, this was one of the main reasons I moved from Mumbai to Bengaluru. To get involved in the exciting startup ecosystem, in my area of competence. For A Long time, each sector presented itself in deals, and I loved working on each of those sectors.

    In terms of staying updated, early on in my career, I used to visit the websites of regulators such as RBI, MCA and SEBI to look for recent updates. Eventually, I figured out some useful hacks, which still serve me well to date. One of these was setting up Google alerts in my email driven by keywords. I placed a few alerts on keywords which most mattered to me, such as ‘venture capital’, ‘ministry of corporate affairs’, ‘reserve bank of india’, ‘foreign direct investment’, to hit my inbox at a time I could catch up on updates. So everyday, I get a collection of articles sourced from the web in my mailbox, to catch up on. In addition to this, I also spend some time on a weekly basis to stay updated by reading newsletters/articles by IndusLaw and other law firms (not just in my practice area but others as well), articles on legal and professional network platforms, publications by legal databases/journals, funding trends (generally through accessing periodic analysis reports released by various investors), sectors which get more traction than others and so on. Updating oneself regularly is of paramount importance in the legal services industry, and it helps a lot in staying honest and relevant with the trends. This has helped me in striking conversations with clients about what’s happening and could be expected in their sectors, the sector’s outlook going forward and so on. Another efficient way to stay updated is also to write articles. Along with our team at IndusLaw, I endeavour to write articles regularly and we put out a lot of content expressing our thoughts on a plethora of subjects. The firm also chalks out and conducts training sessions on specific subjects in each practice area, which gives me an overview in terms of thinking through and updating my understanding on those and our views on contentious issues. 

    In addition to your transactional work, you’ve also been involved in drafting legal opinions, conducting due diligence, and providing compliance advice. How do you balance the demands of these different aspects of legal practice, and what advice would you give to young lawyers looking to excel in these areas?

    Every deal is an opportunity to learn something new and nail the brief. First up, having a positive outlook on the profession is vital. Yes, the demands are rigorous and in a given day, you may be switching between multiple matters ranging from transactions to opinions to conducting due diligence to providing compliance advice. The ability to switch off from one matter to another is quite critical (and a skill in itself) in the profession and that can happen seamlessly only with a well grounded and firm understanding of each given matter. Preparation and planning prior to commencement of the transaction, establishing a workflow process and regular review sessions with the team are some of the other practices which help me navigate through multiple matters at the same time.

    I still have a long way to go in this profession, so I wouldn’t call this advice, rather a rational thought to ponder for young lawyers. Each matter is unique, treat each one of them with the attention to detail it deserves. A lawyer cannot convince a client unless they are convinced themselves. Deliberate, research and reflect on your own thought process and solutions which result from it until you’re convinced that it’s the way forward.

    There is a quote by the former secretary of state of the United States, Colin Powell, in his Thirteen Rules of Leadership – It ain’t as bad as you think! It will look better in the morning. Couldn’t ring truer in terms of being stuck in a thought loop on a problem statement. Anything complex is only an aggregation of simpler problems stacked over one another. So if you’re facing a complex problem statement, break it down into simpler ones and solve for each of them.

    Your publications reflect a deep understanding of complex legal issues, including trending topics such as GIFT City, relocation of supply chains to India and ESOPs/stock appreciation rights. Could you tell us about your approach to legal research and writing, and how it helps you in your day-to-day work?

    Research forms the fundamental base of any understanding. The more your research, the more you achieve in terms of clarity of conceptual understanding of a subject matter. I’m generally on the lookout to write articles on subjects which my practice area requires clarity on. This invariably helps me get better at my understanding of the subject as well. Once the topic is identified, conducting comprehensive research (including perspectives by various stakeholders) helps me to chalk out a framework for the article. From there on, I go into analysing precedents, statutory provisions and commentaries available on the subject. Once the above checkpoints are complete, the writing requires further deliberation (and a fair bit of drafting and rehashing) in terms of achieving coherence and flow in the article. 

    Legal research and writing has been a part of my life ever since law school. Establishing a process (as explained above) and following it religiously helps a lot, not only in terms of legal writing, but also to deal with multiple transactions at any given point of time. 

    As someone who has been deeply involved in the startup ecosystem, what are some common legal pitfalls or challenges that startups often face, and how do you guide your clients through these obstacles?

    Some of the common challenges which I’ve seen early stage startups face are keeping up with compliances, which sometimes includes obtaining necessary licenses and permits. This is understandable as startups invest a lot of their energies into solving the problem which is the genesis of their creation. Given the gamut of laws which apply to a company in India, it is quite possible to miss getting some of that paperwork done. Another challenge I would say is standardization of contracts. In early stages, there may be quite a few commercial contracts with multiple stakeholders in the startup ecosystem, such as suppliers, vendors, service providers etc., whereunder a startup may have signed up to onerous terms, such as say uncapped indemnity or not adequately covering for risks which may arise from the counterparty’s role in a contract. 

    For any such pitfalls, I prefer to explain the problem upfront to a client and then proceed to providing options which may be considered to resolve such issues, ranging from ones which could provide a quick fix for the time being to more robust and elegant long term solutions. Of course, there is gradation of the risk involved as well which goes into this process, so the client is aware which issue (and options available to fix it) needs their immediate attention as against the ones which could be addressed a little later in time.   

    Transitioning from being a law student to a successful legal professional can be challenging. What advice would you give to law students or young lawyers who aspire to follow a similar career path in corporate law and specialize in areas like mergers & acquisitions, venture capital, and private equity?

    Having interacted with quite a few students looking to enter the practice area, I would encourage young lawyers to explore their interests in law school and understand what their possible options could be. Thereafter, they should shortlist their areas of interest over the others, understand further on what each such shortlisted practice area demands. This can be easily achieved through their peer network of seniors who may be involved in those practice areas, and with the information publicly available. Understanding the rigours of the profession and what is required from their end in their formative years will go a long way in setting their expectations straight. 

    In addition to this, if young aspirants are interested in deal making, they need to do more than just understanding and reflecting the law in practice. Making a conscious effort to develop their commercial knowledge and understanding practical challenges and aspects which come along with deal making (including in terms of execution and implementation of structures) would give them a competitive edge by getting familiar with the challenges associated with deal making and solving for them. Such proactive steps would help them establish the contours of the profession and their capabilities quite early on. 

    Get in touch with Anantha Krishnan-

  • “If you are prepared to accept failures/rejections on the way & are determined to be a continuous learner (in addition to thinking outside the box) nothing in this profession is impossible & you can soar to great heights.” – Kunal Basu, Founder of Lex Loretta.

    “If you are prepared to accept failures/rejections on the way & are determined to be a continuous learner (in addition to thinking outside the box) nothing in this profession is impossible & you can soar to great heights.” – Kunal Basu, Founder of Lex Loretta.

    This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

    Could you take us through your journey from deciding to pursue law as your education to establishing Lex Loretta? What motivated you to choose law as a career path, and how did you transition from your legal education to starting your own practice?

    My name is Kunal Basu. I am a first-generation lawyer. As a child, I was fascinated by stories of the judicial services, but it wasn’t till many years later that I decided to enter law school in a bid to carve out a niche for myself in the profession. I always originally wanted to enter the judicial services & be a judge but chose to be an attorney. But when I started practicing law in ’22, I saw the reality of the legal system & how quickly shattered the hopes of a litigant could get. There are problems involved in the judicial system. On this note I told myself that come what may, I would be there for each litigant /lost soul who wanted my aid to traverse the labyrinth of long adjournments et al. That’s how my solo practice was initially born. Whilst my LLB degree provided groundwork, having a basic Drafting, Pleading & Conveyancing paper at law school easily helped me to draw up pleadings quickly sans relying on proformas.

    Your areas of practice cover a wide range, from estate transactions to criminal law. What drew you to such diverse fields, and how do you manage to navigate the complexities of each?

    In law school, I was fascinated by papers like the Transfer of Property Act, Indian Trusts Act & the Indian Stamp Act to begin with. We also had a Drafting, Pleading & Conveyancing paper as well. Being an only child, I realised that the world over, many parents have the same common pressing worry–how to pass their assets to their children in an effective manner whilst minimising chances of potential litigation. With this in mind & keeping in mind that for successful practice in trial courts, CPC & CRPC basics were crucial, I employed the system of concept-based learning–a trait that I still use to this day when practicing law in court. Using the method is how I manage to still retain the basic legal principles that help me to navigate. 

    As someone who mentors fellow attorneys facing burnout or feeling lost in their career, what advice would you give to young lawyers navigating the early stages of their profession?

    Be calm. Think with a cool mindset whenever approaching problems in your professional life. A lawyer is expected to resolve the problems of others in a calm & impassioned manner; and if this trait is followed in personal life, it can work wonders. Financials are a problem, but it’s only temporary.

    Your profile mentions a specialization in domestic violence cases involving male victims. Can you share some insights into the unique challenges faced by male victims in seeking legal recourse, and how you approach these cases?

    Whilst most cases I handle involve DV cases from the woman’s perspective, there are genuine cases involving male victims. This is because I have seen that in 99.9% cases, the victim of DV is mostly a female. At times the legal system can be biased towards a male victim & in such cases, it is a test of patience for both the lawyer & male client to navigate the legal system accordingly. As DV cases involving a male victim are special, one has to know not only the DV Act well, but also CrPC too & the basics of criminal drafting. As well as exercise a high degree of empathy.  

    With the rise of remote work and digital platforms, how has it impacted the way you deliver legal services, especially with Lex Loretta being a worldwide remote practice?

    Well… to be honest, delivery of legal services doesn’t always require a brick-and-mortar structure. All that’s required is a stable Internet connection, a secure (client) portal & a communication device. I anticipate that digital nomadism will be the new thing in the next 10 – 15 years. Remote work, I anticipate & digital platforms, I think, will be the new revolutionary approach for any business, including legal profession, to thrive post-COVID. However, I take strict measures to ensure that at no point should Lex Loretta violate advertising standards laid down by the Bar Council of India. 

    As a solo practitioner, what are some of the key challenges you face, and how do you overcome them to ensure the success of Lex Loretta?

    Being a first-generation lawyer, the hardest thing for me when I started practicing was the lack of a mentor. When I started solo practice, I faced challenges from all corners, primarily given the fact that I was a first-generation lawyer. See, most folks are biased towards any first-generation attorney (with exceptions). As days passed, I realised that the only way I could thrive was if I viewed the legal profession from a business perspective instead of cribbing. Keeping this in mind, I set up Lex Loretta on 28th Nov. 2023 by way of a written stamped charter. And it’s been a rollercoaster ride for me ever since then.

    Given your experience, what do you believe the current generation of law graduates can do to build successful and fulfilling careers in law?

    Believe in yourself. Period. Walt Disney said “If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing started with a dream and a mouse.”  It just takes a spark in you, faith, tons of patience & perseverance to set the ball rolling in this profession. If you are prepared to accept failures/rejections on the way & are determined to be a continuous learner (in addition to thinking outside the box) nothing in this profession is impossible & you can soar to great heights. But if you are influenced easily by other’s perceptions of you, then nothing good will ever happen to you.

    Away from the legal world, what are some of your personal hobbies or interests that you enjoy indulging in?

    I enjoy listening to music, sketching & going on long walks. I enjoy disconnecting from the world for a while & giving more time to myself. I also like sketching abstract objects using vivid imagination & listening to music of all sorts. 

    Internships play a crucial role in a law student’s journey. How important do you think internships are for students, and what kind of internships would you recommend for aspiring lawyers to gain valuable experience and insights into the legal profession?

    See, internships are important for every law student & fresh law graduate to realise whether they are suited for a specific area of law or not. As each area of law is different, I feel that one should choose an internship based on how they view themselves in the next five years & proceed. For instance, if you like being a criminal lawyer, focus on internships under a lawyer, Corrections Department & the judiciary (if possible). Similar goes for any other areas of law. It’s not general. 

    Get in touch with Kunal Basu-

  • “The experience of handling complex disputes is significantly more rewarding and provides greater insight into sectoral dynamics”- Adarsh Saxena, Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.

    This Interview has been published by Pragya Chandni and The SuperLawyer Team

    Can you walk us through your journey to becoming a disputes lawyer, particularly focusing on what drew you to this field and how you navigate your career path to reach your current position at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas?

    I was drawn to the law because of my love for debating and for solving puzzles. For the same reason, disputes were a natural choice. Being a first-generation lawyer, I opted to join a law firm because I felt that is where I would have the most opportunities. I was recruited directly from campus by what was then the Mumbai office of Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co. (AMSS). After AMSS split in 2015, I continued working with the same set of colleagues at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM). I worked hard and tried to approach each assignment with the same amount of intensity. Having the opportunity of working on unique cases has ensured that I have been regularly confronted with new challenges in areas of law that I have not previously encountered. I have been fortunate to have excellent mentors to guide me through my professional journey. This positive experience caused my continuation with AMSS/ CAM for over a decade. Becoming a partner in 2019 brought with it a new set of responsibilities. I believe that the most important of these involves managing a team and being responsible for the professional growth of my team members.   

    With your extensive experience in handling complex commercial litigation and arbitration cases, often with international aspects, could you share with us a particularly challenging case you’ve worked on? What were the key strategies you employed to navigate through the complexities of that case?

    A particularly challenging case I handled involved advising a court-appointed committee of administrators tasked with implementing reforms in a sports body. There were several stakeholders whose interests needed to be considered. Apart from the legal complexities involving multiple proceedings before the Supreme Court and different High Courts, I had to fulfil different roles including those of a traditional disputes lawyer (drafting pleadings, briefing senior advocates, and appearing in court) as well as those of a board-room advisor. There was little progress before the Supreme Court during the initial period. However, when different High Courts started passing orders in related proceedings and these were carried in appeal, the Supreme Court realised the need to expedite hearing of the matter. In this way, the strategy of precipitating matters before various High Courts helped progress the matter in the Supreme Court.    

    Your work spans across various sectors including sports, corporate governance, construction, infrastructure, media, banking/finance, securities, and energy. How do you approach transitioning between these different sectors when handling disputes? Are there any unique challenges or opportunities presented by each sector?

    I try to understand how each sector is organised and how the interests of each stakeholder are accommodated by the laws governing that sector. Applying this approach has helped me to understand the dynamics of the sector and I have found this invaluable when dealing with challenges unique to each sector. I have also been able to apply the learnings from one sector to another when I found similarities between them. The quality of the experience also plays a significant role. When you work at a large law firm, the nature of disputes that you work on are usually intricate and often first-of-their-kind. The experience of handling such complex disputes is significantly more rewarding and provides greater insight into sectoral dynamics.  

    You’ve represented several large Indian conglomerates, a national sports body, court-appointed committees, and directors. Could you share some insights into how you adapt your approach when working with such diverse clients and stakeholders?

    Just like every sector has its own dynamics, each client has its own values and ethos. Often, two clients in the same sector will have different approaches to similar issues because of their organisational DNA. Some clients are primarily concerned with mitigating the potential financial consequences of a dispute whereas others are more concerned with retaining the trust of their customers/ suppliers and protecting their reputation even if that entails financial consequences. Working with such diverse clients and stakeholders requires a flexible approach that is in sync with the values and ethos of the client in question. I try to discern client priorities and, as far as possible, provide solutions that I believe will fit their value system. 

    Recently, you completed your LL.M. in International Commercial & Economic Law from the School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London. How has this additional qualification influenced your approach to handling disputes, particularly those with an international dimension?

    The experience of being in a classroom after over a decade of working in a law firm was enriching. Several of my professors were active disputes practitioners and came from different jurisdictions in Africa, continental Europe, the Middle East and the USA. The varied ways in which they dealt with issues that I faced during my work in India was extremely helpful in understanding the approach in their respective home jurisdictions. This insight is invaluable when handling disputes with an international dimension, especially in advising international clients and collaborating with international law firms. The course also helped me build upon my existing work experience in commercial dispute resolution and deepen my understanding of evolving areas like business and human rights.

    As a partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, you’ve not only handled legal aspects but also been involved in business development activities and managed teams. Could you share some strategies you’ve found effective in maintaining and strengthening relationships with key clients, as well as in managing and mentoring your team?

    I have found that understanding the commercial and other considerations that drive client behaviour is useful for empathizing with the client’s situation. For corporate clients, this helps me understand the pressures that the instructing legal officer is likely to be facing from the company’s business teams. This understanding is critical to ensuring delivery of quality advice in a timely manner. It is natural for clients to want to avoid disputes but I try to ensure that they remember me as the person who helped them on their last one. 

    Empathy has also been critical to managing and mentoring team members. For this purpose, I have drawn upon my own early experiences as a junior associate and listened patiently when my team members express themselves. One thing I have learnt over the years is to recognise that each team member is different. Staffing them on assignments that play to each team member’s strengths while giving them time to become more well-rounded professionals is a strategy that I have frequently employed. In my interactions with team members, I try to be as forthright as possible whilst ensuring that they remain motivated to constantly become better versions of themselves. 

    Looking back at your career journey, what advice would you give to law students or young professionals aspiring to build a successful career in disputes law, especially in the context of the Indian legal landscape?

    Based on my personal experience, I believe that there is no substitute for hard work. I have tried to treat every assignment as an opportunity to learn something new and not merely as a task to be completed. When appropriate, I did not shy away from making suggestions and providing inputs that went beyond what was asked of me. Having a positive attitude towards learning has helped me significantly. I have found that there is something to be learnt from each and every person, no matter how young or old. This has worked out positively for me and I believe that it will do so for any law student or young professional as well. 

  • “The most rewarding aspect of having my own practice is that I get to pick my clients without having any pressures of meeting revenue targets, and I am able to create flexibility around work timings because I answer to only my clients”- Harini Subramani, Founder at HS Law & Associates

    “The most rewarding aspect of having my own practice is that I get to pick my clients without having any pressures of meeting revenue targets, and I am able to create flexibility around work timings because I answer to only my clients”- Harini Subramani, Founder at HS Law & Associates

    This Interview has been published by Pragya Chandni and The SuperLawyer Team

    Can you share with us your journey from being a financial journalist to becoming a corporate lawyer, and what inspired this transition?

    During my time as a reporter for Mint and the Wall Street Journal, I had to specifically track investment banks and write on mergers and acquisitions. As a primer, one of my sources suggested I read ‘Barbarians at the Gate’; that along with my conversations with bankers and private equity professionals got me hooked into the world of M&As. I was eager to explore the other side. 

    I had initially tried my hand at investment banking but the mundane work of creating spreadsheets and data analysis as an everyday role didn’t much enthuse me. Within a week though, I joined a boutique law firm and pursuing a business law programme at NLSIU parallely seemed natural. The law firm had a highly motivated team and enabled a varied exposure in corporate law – I learnt trademark application processes, commercial contracts drafting including transaction documents and base arbitration. I continued to write for Your Story occasionally. I had the best of both worlds and was learning something new everyday. I decided to stick on and take each day as it came.

    Given your diverse background in journalism, economics, and law, how do you believe it has shaped your approach to practicing law, particularly in M&A and commercial law?

    So my late entry in the legal world has worked to my advantage given my journalism background. While my initial degree was in economics, a lot of my learning of the law, especially around the securities market and SEBI, was from my days as a financial journalist. Aside from reviewing the regulatory sites (like MCA, SEBI and RBI) for latest circulars / amendments on a daily basis, I would routinely follow corporate announcements on the BSE and NSE. Any seasoned reporter would tell you that it’s a goldmine for story leads. When I needed guidance to understand concepts, (luckily) as a journalist I could ask industry seniors to share their knowledge. I was fortunate to be ably guided by some bankers in the equity and debt markets; I’d go armed with a lot of questions for breakfast meetings. All of this helped lay the foundation to understand not just the law but also complexities / challenges of the M&A world. Now, as I sift through the laws, my ground work in economics helps review it from a policy perspective. 

    Could you tell us about a particularly challenging case or project you’ve worked on in your legal career, and how you navigated through it?

    Every project has its own set of challenges. While I wouldn’t want to name a particular case, I’d like to share that since I handle corporate and a few litigation matters, I find a dichotomy with respect to timelines and outcomes. Because litigation has its own procedures, and owing to its sometimes time-consuming nature there’s more thrill in setting expectations for faster closures in M&A or commercial negotiations. I have to consciously set my mind to a different frame for litigation. 

    You’ve been involved in drafting various agreements and advising on regulatory matters. What are some key considerations you always keep in mind when advising clients, especially in the realm of mergers and acquisitions?

    Create an internal priority checklist of terms and flag them off – i.e., understand from the client the aspects that they are absolutely unwilling to let go off vs less important points. Discuss the business angle in the transaction as it goes in tandem. If representing an acquirer, then go the extra mile for a thorough diligence on the target to ensure that at least the key industry specific permissions are in place, and forensics on the promoter are clean.

    Your experience spans from working with Vichar Partners to establishing your own practice. What motivated you to start your own firm, and what have been some of the most rewarding aspects of being an entrepreneur in the legal field?

    After my stint at JSA – given my unconventional background, it was initially challenging for 2 law firms to accurately gauge my skill set because I could be a rainmaker and yet not as seasoned as a partner. It was easier to get clients. And some industry seniors, entrepreneurs themselves, motivated me to begin on my own. My work with one of the senior partners at Vichar (Partners) had already exposed me to the ‘business management’ side and the transparent culture in my team at JSA also helped place many things in perspective. Being a first generation entrepreneur, I had nothing to lose by charting my journey on my own. The objective has always been one of learning. The most rewarding aspect of having my own practice is that I get to pick my clients without having any pressures of meeting revenue targets, and I am able to create flexibility around work timings because I answer to only my clients.  

    As someone who has contributed to agrarian policy and worked on projects funded by organizations like the UN World Food Programme, how do you see the intersection of law and policy-making, particularly in areas like food security?

    For countries that have faced depredations of famine and hunger under colonial rule, food-security is a very sensitive and key matter of policy. Emerging nations have to safeguard and sustain their agrarian ecosystems against OECD nations’ policies at an international level. At the same time they also have to increase yield, shield themselves against crop losses as well as shift populations away from agriculture and into industry. Policy-making is a vital exercise to attain this goal while the law attempts to provide safeguards for all stakeholders during this process.

    With your interests in tennis, dance, and cultures, how do you find these aspects complementing your legal career, if at all?

    Sports and the fine arts play a vital role in expanding one’s horizons and for agility. In my view, having a wide exposure to different aspects of the society exposes me to varied thought processes and perspectives thereby enabling me to become a better lawyer. They are also an easy way to switch off and relax.

    Considering your journey and expertise, what advice would you give to law graduates aspiring to specialize in corporate law, especially in the areas of M&A and commercial law?

    Go full throttle, always try to understand the issue at hand, do your own research (the law changes and nobody knows everything), never work on an empty stomach, and continue pursuing your hobbies. 

    Get in touch with Harini Subramani-

  • “The most important thing is we should not treat clients as a single point solution for all our financial needs, we should explain to them exactly what we are going to do and the win or lose situation”- Advocate Porkodi Karnan, Founder of Polax Legal Solutions

    This Interview has been published by Pragya Chandni and The SuperLawyer Team

    Can you share the journey that led you to pursue a career in law, especially considering your background and childhood ambition?

    I am from a backward district of Tamilnadu and I am one among the four daughters of my parents. Everyone opted for various professions, but interestingly, this profession attracted me more, even in my young days.  The reason might be that the Sub Court campus at my native is existing near to my school.  I was going to school everyday by watching the court campus, with the busy advocates roaming here and there with robes.  I was very eager to know more about it and lots of questions came into my mind and the same were clarified by my father who was a teacher by profession and the entire outcome was that this is the only profession where I could question anybody, however giant he or she might be. Further I found this profession makes one closer with human problems. I am fond of moving with people and would like to be surrounded with people always. The litigation area turned out to be a good option for me. This is the main curiosity that pushed me to choose this profession as my childhood ambition approximately from my 6th standard onwards.

    With 25 years of experience in law, what inspired you to specialize in labor, service, and writ matters, particularly in the high court setting?

    Yes… after choosing law as my career, I did not have any clear idea initially. But while studying the Constitutional Law and Administrative law as subjects, my mind was very much obsessed with various decisions of the Supreme Court and High Courts questioning the excessive actions or inactions of the Government and that had driven me to concentrate my work in the High Court.

    Founding a law firm, especially one like POLAX LEGAL SOLUTIONS, requires vision and determination. What motivated you to take that step, and what challenges did you face in establishing and maintaining it?

    Being a woman, I had to balance both family life and profession, though my family is a supportive system for me. Sometimes our presence is very much needed at home to take care of our elders, kids etc. My husband, Mr.Ramar is also an advocate on the criminal side but I wanted to establish a separate office, though he is very supportive to me in personal life and professional life. I felt the necessity of someone to continue my cases even in my absence to justify my Clients.  The same was felt by my friend, Mrs.Lakshmi. We both used to help each other in all our cases from drafting to arguing. This went well and we both realised our compatibility and thus the concept of a Law Firm was coined.  The Firm was conceptualised into reality in the year 2013. We both had the determination to continue the profession without any break and that was the main reason for the concept of this Law Firm.  It is also time to show our young woman advocates that persuasion and patience in the profession would make you withstand forever. We have to create our own path to success. Moreover, since it was my childhood ambition to become an advocate, I have never felt any stress or depression in my professional life. As we face different cases, dealing with each case needs to be addressed individually and so I feel refreshed in each and every case. In fact I enjoy working and I don’t see any difficulty in family life and professional life. So go by what your heart says and life is so beautiful.  

    As a founder-partner of a leading law firm, what are some key lessons you’ve learned about leadership and collaboration, especially in an industry that traditionally has been male-dominated?

    In fact, we don’t feel any difficulty in running the firm as all the junior advocates associated with us were more co-operative, helpful and played a vital role in running our Firm. Legal profession is basically a 24 x 7 job and all of us were ready to work even at midnight, if it is necessitated by considering the urgency of the case. In fact, we created an atmosphere of joining together, working together, growing together and celebrating together. It enhanced our personal relationship also. 

    Being recognized as the only law firm with women advocates as partners running for 10 years is a significant achievement. Can you tell us about the importance of gender diversity and inclusivity in the legal profession from your perspective?

    Of course, it is a male dominated profession. When I entered into this profession during 2000, the daily cause list consisting of the list of cases published in Madras High Court consisted of 95% of male advocates names. And there were only a handful of women judges at that time, though there were well performing women seniors were found at Madras High Court. But going by the years, this trend has now changed.  In fact, I had not considered any of my co advocates, either male or female, as my competitor. I felt myself as the competitor and hence I never felt that I am running in a race along with male.  But, the way male advocates and even male judges look at the woman advocates is absolutely discriminatory. I can put an incident, one Mr.X, who is a sitting judge now, when he was an advocate made a comment to me that “a woman from a good family will not come for this profession”. This did not resist me or my character, but it made me change my perspective towards him.  One more incident to be pointed out, one of the senior advocates, who claims to be a progressive thinker,  threw a question that “from where and how do you get briefs?”. I don’t think that he could have put this question to any of the male advocates ever.

    -as in all the fields, there need not be any discrimination between male advocate or woman advocate,  and it should be termed only as “ADVOCATE”. An advocate is an advocate and where does the question of woman advocate or male advocate arise? We both are doing the same work with the same effort and determination. Even today, the Judges used to identify by saying “woman advocate”. We don’t want to be identified and we are advocates as such. 

    You’ve had the opportunity to work with esteemed companies as clients. Could you share some insights into maintaining successful client relationships and handling high-profile cases effectively?

    The issues of the clients should be given much more importance from the time of discussion with them till explaining the outcome of the cases. It is also needless to say that we have to let them explain the exact disputes or issues they are facing. Then only we can advise them of the legal solutions and we should not blindly follow their words without substantiating documents. The right legal advice given by you will make the Clients have confidence with you, sometimes, the advice could be not to initiate any legal proceedings. The most important thing is we should not treat them as a single point solution for all our financial needs, we should explain to them exactly what we are going to do and the win or lose situation. To be precise, proper legal advice, and  transparency are the key to retain your clientele. 

    Considering your extensive experience, what advice would you give to fresh graduates aspiring to pursue a career in law, particularly those interested in practicing in high courts?

    If litigation is your option, then  be ready to undergo proper training under the guidance of a senior; Be ready to work for 24 x 7; Be ready to do all the work in office, either it is drafting, research work or clerical work; get updated with latest decisions in important cases of your area of practice; spend more time in reading either case papers or the decisions related to cases; Knowledge is power in litigation so get equipped; consider each and every work as an opportunity as each and every single work done during this period would be an experience for you.  

    Get in touch with Porkodi Karnan-