Super Lawyer

Category: Founder

  • Fostering a collaborative and productive work environment is important for keeping the teams motivated, interested and invested in their work, take ownership of the work and contribute positively to the firm- Akshat Pande, Partner and Head-Corporate Practice at Fox & Mandal Solicitors and Advocates

    Fostering a collaborative and productive work environment is important for keeping the teams motivated, interested and invested in their work, take ownership of the work and contribute positively to the firm- Akshat Pande, Partner and Head-Corporate Practice at Fox & Mandal Solicitors and Advocates

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

    Can you share with us your journey and how you ended up pursuing a career in law? What inspired you to choose this path?

    After completing School, I chose to appear for CS and CA foundation exams. Since CS foundation results are released before CA foundation results, I qualified and got through CS, although I had appeared for CA foundation also and passed both of them. While studying for CS exams, I got keenly interested in law as a subject. My curiosity for law increased and I would often find myself dedicating hours to reading law books and cases. I found it extremely interesting and intellectually fulfilling and fell in love with law. After completion of CS, I enrolled myself for LLB with Delhi University. I am a first-generation lawyer in my family and I thank my stars to have landed in a profession that I like.  

    With over 18 years of experience in corporate and commercial law, you must have encountered various challenges and rewarding moments. Can you share one of your most memorable cases or experiences in your legal career so far?

    Quoting a single example from work is difficult as there have been many instances which were challenging in the beginning and rewarding when I got done with them. One of the most profoundly rewarding experiences in my career was setting up Alpha Partners in 2012. As a first-generation lawyer, my passion for creating something extraordinary from scratch fuelled my drive. However, it also presented an immense challenge—bootstrapping a startup law firm. From its inception until our merger with Fox & Mandal, I continuously grappled with the hurdle of elevating the firm to the next level, hiring talent, and enhancing practice verticals in the firm with new partners. For first-generation lawyers like me, to scale law firms to the next level without any avenues to raise finances to fund talent acquisition has been the biggest challenge. 

    As the Partner and Head of the Corporate Practice at Fox & Mandal, Delhi, you lead a team of more than 10 lawyers. What strategies do you employ to foster a collaborative and productive work environment within your team?

    Fostering a collaborative and productive work environment is important for keeping the teams motivated, interested and invested in their work, take ownership of the work and contribute positively to the firm. Few basic tenets like effective communication, clear goals, trust and collaboration, rewarding and recognising good work, encouraging learning and performance evaluation are most important and should be kept in mind by any team leader. 

    In order to instill the above in young associates, I follow Dr. House’s methods. Every assignment or transaction is discussed threadbare with the full team working on it in a 1-2 hour session so that no aspect is left out to be discussed. Such sessions are not a monologue by me but everyone is supposed to give their inputs and ask questions. Sometimes, these sessions happen in two sittings if something has to be researched and then discussed. At the end of the session, each member of the team is given a particular aspect of the assignment to complete but the team is supposed to coordinate amongst themselves and not work in silos, such as drafting is done by someone, research by others, compliances by third etc. Each one is also given a deadline also. The Senior Associate involved in the assignment is supposed to supervise and check on the work so that it is done in a timely manner. Once this delegation is over, I step aside and let the team work on the assignment. Thereafter before the deadline, an update meeting is done and questions if any are answered. Final review of the deliverables is done in a joint meeting of the team.  

    I am of the firm view that delegation is extremely important to make a strong team of good corporate lawyers. If the lawyers are not given room, they will never grow professionally and that will affect the overall efficiency and performance of the firm. It also enables them to work as a team and collaborate with each other rather than against each other. I also make sure that in every assignment, the roles of the team members are reversed so that no monotony sets in and each lawyer is getting trained in each aspect.            

    Your areas of expertise include private equity, venture capital, M&A, joint ventures, and more. Could you highlight a particularly complex or intricate deal you’ve been involved in and explain how you navigated its challenges?

    There are many such instances where deals were particularly complicated and required structuring to achieve efficiency and commercial feasibility. Typically exits become complicated, especially when it is a strategic buyout of the company through which exit is being given to investors. A lot of interests need to be balanced. Once such deal involved around 20 institutional and individual investors who were getting shares in the acquirer’s entity and the investors were sitting in an externalised holdco structure. In other M&A transactions, exits or JVs that I have handled, more than legal issues, it is the balancing of the interests of various stakeholders which requires delicate handling. Also, in case of cross border joint ventures, it is extremely important to understand cultural differences and business practices of the partners who are coming together to form the joint venture as most issues arise because things are handled differently by people from different countries and neither one is incorrect.   

    You have extensive experience in assisting multinational companies doing business in India and the UAE/MENA region. What are some unique legal considerations or cultural aspects that companies need to be mindful of when operating in these diverse jurisdictions?

    UAE is an extremely interesting jurisdiction. I have been working closely with UAE firms and clients and the experience has been extremely enriching. UAE is not very different from India culturally because of the historic cultural and business ties as well as the fact that both the jurisdictions have been influenced by the British common law system. UAE has modernised itself in its systems, processes and government dealings and there is a huge emphasis on use of technology in every aspect of governance and in general life. UAE is welcoming investors both at entity and individual level and has all necessary elements of a modern and business friendly country with congenial living standards. 

    In your experience, what are the key factors that contribute to a successful commercial transaction or project? How do you ensure that all parties involved are aligned and satisfied with the outcomes?

    As a lawyer, it is my job to protect my client’s interest to the best possible extent and so are the counsels of the other side. I believe that if all parties involved are adequately represented by lawyers, the alignment and balancing is more or less achieved. It is imperative for all types of clients to be adequately represented in this present day and age when contracts and compliances are getting more complicated and intricate. Corporate lawyers are not merely “punctuation correctors” but play an extremely important and strategic role in transactions and ensuring that clients are legally compliant, which collectively contributes to better corporate discipline, governance and makes our government’s job easier to govern.   

    With a background in advising clients across various sectors, such as healthcare, hospitality, e-commerce, and technology, how do you stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and legal developments that may impact your clients?

    Read, read and read more. There is no replacement for reading for lawyers and there is no other secret sauce. If in today’s time and age someone says that “I didn’t know” about something, that means she/he has not made an effort to read about it because information is freely available everywhere and you cannot have an excuse that something was not out there. 

    Other than reading, one should also be connected with relevant stakeholders, in-house lawyers, chartered accountants, CS’s and more importantly lawyers from other law firms and keep exchanging ideas, information and must have discussions on legal issues. In fact, I believe that corporate lawyers should make legal discussions part of their social lives so that nothing is missed out. Information monopolies have been broken down by the internet and now is the era of sharing more and more information rather than keeping it with oneself. 

    Throughout your career, you’ve been involved in assisting government organizations with real estate and infrastructure projects. What are some of the challenges and rewards that come with working on projects of such scale and importance?

    Working on government projects presents unique challenges and rewards. While the commercial compensation for lawyers may sometimes be limited and/or delayed, the experience is truly exhilarating.

    Typically the real estate and infrastructure projects that we have undertaken are large scale projects involving multiple legal, commercial and strategic issues. The tussle between remaining fair and just which is a requirement for government instrumentalities and at the same time ensure that the projects are commercially successful for them is something which needs intricate balancing. Also, the commercial expectations of the government from a particular project needs to be balanced against market realities.   

    As a prominent figure in the legal industry, you were recognized in the Forbes Legal Powerlist as one of the top 100 individual lawyers in 2022. What does this recognition mean to you, and how do you continue to strive for excellence in your profession?

    Any recognition is a validation for one’s hard work and receiving such accolades is humbling. At the same time, I guess every day is a new day of learning and one should endeavour that each day is better than the previous one. 

    Considering your diverse background in law and business, what advice would you give to fresh law graduates who are just starting their legal careers? What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for success in today’s legal landscape?

    I have few tips which may be relevant for fresh graduates:

    1. It’s not a job, it’s a profession. So treat it likewise and train yourself for that;
    2. Read, read and read. If reading makes you tired, you are in the wrong place;
    3. Have a problem solving attitude. Not creating, not fixing, but solving a problem is what is required.
    4. Go for post-graduation only when you have identified a particular area or areas of law in which you are confident you can work for long term;
    5. Do not depend on anyone else’s version of research, not articles, blogs, not even chatGPT. Find your own answers to a problem and don’t stop till you do or understand it entirely. Read, discuss, read, repeat. 
    6. Be very clear about how much money you want from your employer/firm. There is no market standard and your peers or consultants don’t decide what you get, you do. Remember, working for less is more important than asking more and not working. 
    7. Become a generalist but grab one area of expertise or industry or niche practice area and try becoming best in that. Prioritise this over money or any other alternate career options.
    8. Don’t take it too seriously if things don’t work out. Its OK not to be the best.   

    Finally, looking back on your journey and achievements, is there any specific piece of advice or life lesson that has had a profound impact on you, personally or professionally, that you’d like to share with our audience?

    Someone once told me “Be sincere, not serious’ ‘. I guess that was the most useful advice I got which I have used in my life.  

    Get in touch with Akshat Pande-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Get in touch with Abhay Pratap Singh-

  • By doing my profession I feel a sense of happiness and boost my ego because when you win a case to make a good argument you are highly appreciated by the judge the client and sometimes by the opposing counsel-Dr. Aparrajitha Ariyadasa, Senior Partner, ATD Legal Associates

    By doing my profession I feel a sense of happiness and boost my ego because when you win a case to make a good argument you are highly appreciated by the judge the client and sometimes by the opposing counsel-Dr. Aparrajitha Ariyadasa, Senior Partner, ATD Legal Associates

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

    Dr. Aparrajitha Ariyadasa, what was the motivating factor in your life that pushed you to pursue law?

    I have a family reason because my role model the father was an interdisciplinary person who was a lawyer as well as a lecturer. He inspired me to be an interdisciplinary personalty if I wanted to be socially and financially stable. I saw the luxuries of my father and from the childhood, I wanted to become a law scientist. Therefore after my Advanced Level, I joined the science faculty and simultaneously, I joined law college and became a lawyer and a science graduate at the same time. Now I enjoy all the luxuries what my father wanted me to have because of my profession.

    What aspect of your profession makes you beam with pride on a day-to-day basis?

    By doing my profession I feel a sense of happiness and boost my ego because when you win a case to make a good argument you are highly appreciated by the judge the client and sometimes by the opposing counsel. Due to that appreciation, you get a lot of motivation about the profession. As a woman specifically in a male dominated society when you become, he spotlight, it will generate you confident and sometimes over confident., appreciation, motivation, and productivity. On top of that, when you walk in a society, a lady lawyer is highly recognised socially and politically. Being a reputed lawyer will lead you to get social invitations of different societies, social events and gain lot of respect from the society as a credible and a n honourable person.

    You have touched on various areas of law in your practice, Intellectual Property, Immigration Law, Competition Law, Criminal Justice etc. Which area of practice is the most preferred by you?

    I adore Intellectual Property Law and cyber law due to the very reason that both of them are inter disciplinary law subjects which involves together with Science and IT which are my other specialized subjects in my other degrees.

     Can you tell us your experience of getting through your obstacles and setting up ATD legal Associates?

    I TOOK MY OATHS AS A LAWYER IB 2000 AND THEN I JOINED TWO MULTI NATIONAL COMPANIES AND a government organization. I ended up as a Director legal in 2008, due to the very reason my husband was pressurizing me to resign as my daughter needs to be taken to school. With this conventional attitude, I had to find my way making everyone happy. I WANTED TO BALANCE MY FAMILY and the work. I had a decent amount of capital with me and therefore, I did not want to waste my time as a housewife. No sooner had I resigned, I planned to start a law firm and rented an apartment and collected the equipment needed. I was lucky that I had only one apprentice and I took the first step to my firm. I could manage my work and the family because I was my own boss. I expanded the employees and my legal services as I had exposure to multinational companies. At last, during the covid, I could link my firm to a number of countries. My main obstacle was my conventional husband and his grumbling about a working wife who gets late home which I could manage due to my patience. Second obstacle was that the anti-feminist discourses in the country. Men did not want to retain a lady lawyer for their cases. To prevent that, I partnered a male attorney for marketing and networking, and I was in the operation. Once the first consultation was done, male clients were highly impressed and with the time, the anti-feminist attitude in males were eliminated. By now its been 21 years of my practice by now and I do not face any problem of discrimination.

    How important do you think, protecting data privacy and taking appropriate actions pertaining to cyber security are for start-up companies?

    Data privacy of startups safeguards information from loss through backup and recovery. Data security needs specifically to measures taken to protect the integrity of the data itself against manipulation and malware. It provides defence from internal and external threats. Data privacy refers to controlling access to the data in startups.

    How in your opinion have IPR laws developed and transitioned over the years in Asia?

    Yes. But the management should be streamlined. Training should be given to Patent agents. Patent drafting and registrations need more experts.

    Being a full-time lawyer and also giving your valuable time as a visiting lecturer, how do you manage to achieve a perfect equilibrium when it comes to work-life balance?

    I am my own boss. I manage my flexible times without disturbing kids and the family I play by the ear.

     Having extensive work experience across several countries in Asia, how do you think budding law graduates can pursue an international career in Law?

    They have massive opportunities if they specialize several areas such as IP, Cyber Law and data privacy.

    As the Senior Partner of ATD Legal Associates can you tell our curious readers how an average work day would be at your firm?

    8 hours

    What are the qualities you would look for in interns and new job applicants if they should apply to work at ATD Legal Associates?

    Preciseness, self-motivated, research oriented and punctuality

    What would be your words of advice for young lawyers who aim to set a career in corporate law?

    Know your law. Learn your law, further learn it until you die.

  • With the right team, right resources and right networking we make sure that we are able to provide our expertise and handle different cases- Kanika Bhardwaj, Founder of Kanika Bhardwaj Law firm

    With the right team, right resources and right networking we make sure that we are able to provide our expertise and handle different cases- Kanika Bhardwaj, Founder of Kanika Bhardwaj Law firm

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

    Can you tell us about your journey and how you ended up becoming a lawyer? What drew you to the field of law and motivated you to establish Kanika Bhardwaj Law Firm?

    My journey till date has been full of ups and downs. There were several issues from time to time. Being a first generation lawyer, I have started from scratch. There was a lack of resources, there was no office ( I used to keep my files in my car and used to meet clients at canteen or CCD.) But I must say consistency is the key and then obviously one must be passionate and love what they do. If you are not passionate about this profession, I can bet you will eventually quit. So step in this profession only if you are passionate about it. 

    I always wanted to be a lawyer. So this was fixed.  It is not the case of mine where I landed up in court with the flow. I knew this place was for me and I must get in. 

    Moreover the idea of establishing a Law Firm was there in my mind since 5th year of mine because to be honest, I did almost 12-15 internships during my college days. I knew everything in and out about the courts and I understood that litigation can only be successful if you have clients on table. If there are no clients, no cases, no matter how good you are, your practice will be considered as “FAIL”. So I started moving towards my goal of establishing a law firm and bringing clients to the table since the day one I got my Certificate of practice. 

    Kanika Bhardwaj Law Firm has been providing legal services in both litigation and the corporate sector. Could you elaborate on the types of cases, matters, disputes, and legal compliance that your firm handles on behalf of clients?

    We are dealing in hard core litigation in criminal, civil, family (matrimonial) cases. 

    We also handle matters in the High court & Supreme court of India which includes appeals, writs, SLP’s, Statutory appeals, Transfer petitions etc.

    Plus we are on panel of companies and start-ups (national & international) and handling their legal department which includes contract/ agreement drafting, legal support in meetings, all sort of legal documentation, handling employer-employee issues, arbitration support, Data protection support and alongwith this we also as “Out-House Counsel” for  these companies who choose us to be on their panel or get associated with us.

    How do you develop innovative legal strategies for your clients to ensure they are always a step ahead in each case, matter, or dispute? Can you provide an example of a successful strategy you implemented?

    Every case is different just like every body and mind is different. So legal strategy always depends upon the facts of a case and also depends upon what relief does a client want. When you are in defense, you have to find loopholes in law and process, when you are for complainant or petitioner you have to make sure that a single loophole is not left. So the strategy keeps changing depending upon case to case. 

    Moreover I make sure that my clients update me with each and every information and detail of the case so that I can make a winning strategy. At times the clients also give incomplete facts or they hide some crucial part of the facts. So the first thing I do is to make the client comfortable and take out every detail of the story that I need to know for the trial.

    Second thing I usually do is to know about the opponents. It’s a saying that you win half of the battle if you know your opponent. 

    Then I come on the laws and procedures and then finally I support my case with judgements/ precedents. 

    I also make sure to go through the facts of the case again and again for the pleadings and trial. Also I focus very much on the drafting part. Drafting is very important. I have seen some lawyers randomly draft a case through a stereotyped draft. This is wrong practice. 

    Drafting should be done carefully as the draft of the case is the foundation of the entire case. Whatever you have drafted, you cannot contradict or change the same till the Supreme Court of India. So draft carefully and take proper time in the drafting part. 

    So this is how I go but again there are several stages in between which again depends upon the facts of a case and relief that client wants. 

    To make sure that my client is one step ahead, I always keep advising my client from time to time what steps he has to take, what all evidence he has to arrange, what things he should do and shouldn’t do during the trial. At cross-examination, I make sure my client reads every detail of the file and I tell him how to answer while he is being examined. I stay connected with the client and keep him one step ahead.

    Your firm strives for legal excellence while appreciating the commercial environment in which your clients operate. How do you strike a balance between personal approach and high professional standards in delivering comprehensive legal services to your clients?

    I believe that a lawyer should not develop any personal sort of relationship with the clients. It should always be professional which makes it easier for a lawyer to work and clients also respect the same. If one develops a personal bond with the clients, the client will not take the lawyer and his instructions seriously after one point of time. A client should always have a professional picture of a lawyer in his mind. Personal approach should only be limited to an extent if a client wishes to express his emotional side in regard to his case or general/ basic information about any relevant issue.

    Could you share some insights into the team at Kanika Bhardwaj Law Firm? How does the management and operations function within the firm, and what role do you as a founder of the firm play in the decision-making?

    So we have 3 juniors as of now, one office boy, one clerk and 5-6 interns which keeps changing. Whenever we get a fresh case, the juniors do the drafting, share it with me, I finalize the draft. Meanwhile the juniors do the research work, find relevant judgments on the same. Clerk is responsible for all the fillings in the court, getting the orders, keeping a record of cases and maintaining the files and other clerical work.

    We do have a team for legal drafting too. But the final draft of the case or any legal document is always finalized by me personally. 

    Kanika Bhardwaj Law Firm handles a wide range of practice areas, including civil litigation, labor law, arbitration, corporate law, intellectual property rights, and more. How does your firm ensure expertise in such diverse areas, and what is your approach to handling different types of cases?

    With the right team, right resources and right networking we make sure that we are able to provide our expertise and handle different cases. 

    The stages in all these cases are almost the same. Every Act follows the process of CPC or CrPC. And one should also thoroughly know the Evidence Act.  The exception if any and the way of challenge, appeal of an order, the jurisdiction etc. is given in the Act itself. So if you read, everything is there in the Act itself. One just has to follow it. It is not rocket science. 

    According to me a lawyer should know everything, learn everything and do everything until he comes to a level where he can earn in Lacs for 1 hearing.

    I always aimed to provide services in diverse areas, I never wanted to restrict myself in a particular field. A lawyer should have knowledge of everything. 

    Also the expertise comes from experience. The more and different cases you will do, the more experience and expertise you will have. It is a simple funda. 

    Plus, it is very important to have the right kind of networking with seniors and other important people. At times there can be a situation where you are stuck, so one must have the right connections who can help you out in such situations. We make sure that we have the resources, networking, knowledge, expertise and skills to manage different cases. But all this is not built in a day. It cannot happen in a few days or months. It took 10 years to come this far and maybe it will take a few more years to reach a certain level where I have always dreamt of.

    In addition to handling cases in various courts and tribunals, your firm also offers retainership and contract-based legal services. Could you explain how these arrangements work and how your firm maintains effective communication and updates with clients?

    The empanelment of law firms or lawyers in government and private companies is common. We act as an “out house counsel” for several companies (both nationally and internationally) and handle their internal and external legal matters and drafting of their documents e.g. contracts, agreements, NDA’s, Legal notices, arbitration support plus we handle their litigation in court. We also provide the companies and start-ups legal advice they need from time to time. 

    For all internal issues, drafting of legal documents, legal consultation, IPR and data protection related issues we charge a monthly retainership amount depending upon the work burden of a company or start-up. And in case there is any litigation, we charge extra for court cases and the fees are pre-decided. So this is how it goes. 

    Initially the issue or drafting comes to juniors, they give me a basic draft, and then I finalize it.  The court hearings are attended by me personally. 

    All the communication is via mail and virtually via zoom or google meet. If required our office is always open on working days and working hours for in-person meetings. 

    The legal landscape is constantly evolving. How do you stay updated with local and international legal developments that may affect the interests of your clients? How does your firm adapt its strategies to incorporate these changes?

    We all stay updated with the latest judgements and rules.  Nowadays several websites online keep us updated on latest judgements, rules and amendments. Several webinars are being arranged. In fact, lawsikho is one such website that helps us stay updated. 

    For judgments we have SCC and Manupatra access plus we have access to several other newsletters.

    The scenario has now changed a lot. With the digitalization in the legal profession, it is very easy now to stay updated with national and international laws. 

    Also we keep ourselves updated from international bar associations and their pages plus we are also connected to lawyers and researchers who are working in relevant fields internationally if we want to know any specific law/ rules or guidelines. 

    As a successful lawyer and founder of Kanika Bhardwaj Law Firm, what advice would you give to fresh law graduates who are starting their careers in the legal field?

    Today I have seen the law students and fresh law graduates directly in order to maybe show- off or for whatever reason directly start their internship or practice from supreme court or high profile law firms which is a major mistake. I can bet you will not understand a word there and you will end up wasting your time. 

    The right way is to start from ground level. Start from district court. Learn Trial; learn basic things e.g. filling of a case, filing of summons, learn the art of cross- examination, the stages in civil or criminal case. Once you have mastered this, and then go to the High court/ Supreme Court. Then you will be able to understand the process and arguments in upper courts. 

    If you start from High court or Supreme Court directly, you will not know how to conduct a proper trial or you won’t be able to handle a case individually. 

    So start from the scratch, there is no short-cut. 

    Get in touch with Kanika Bhardwaj-

  • Professional growth comes each day with experience and time spent on matters- Orijit Chatterjee, Partner at Fox Mandal & Associates

    Professional growth comes each day with experience and time spent on matters- Orijit Chatterjee, Partner at Fox Mandal & Associates

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

    Could you please tell us how you ended up pursuing a career in law? Was it something you always aspired to do, or did you discover your interest in the field later on?

    Initially I was very interested and curious about matters relating to science. I passed out of school with the aptitude of pursuing science and research. Long story short, after graduating with a BSc(Hons) Degree I happened to visit law firms with my father for a few of his professional matters. The intrigue of a law firm and the challenge of each assignment attracted me towards the legal profession and I decided to pursue a career in law.

    Were there any specific events, experiences, or individuals that played a significant role in shaping your decision to pursue law as a career?

    The decision to pursue law as a career was in particular largely influenced by my Late father, Bireswar Chatterjee and my father figure Late Dinabandhu Mandal, who was the Senior most partner at Fox & Mandal. While my father was always confident that the legal profession was to be my destiny, Late Dinabandhu Mandal came across in my life as a Godman and unparalleled goliath who I was in awe of since the very first day. A larger than life figure who was respected by all around. Once embraced by him into the legal profession I could only be on the path he showed. 

    Could you share with us your educational journey and the steps you took to become a lawyer? What were some of the challenges you faced during this process?

    My educational journey started with Lamartiniere, Kolkata. I was always keen to be on the sports field and tried by hand and foot at Cricket, Football, Hockey and Athletics. This was the most important part of learning at Lamartiniere. I learnt to live life, enjoy, struggle, fight, compete, laugh, cry and make friends through extra curriculars in this institution. Studying was the next part. I completed my class 12 with an ISC degree and went on to complete my graduation with Bsc (Hons) from Scottish Church College. Lamartiniere however always stayed in my soul and continues till date. After graduating I met my Godman, Late Dinabandhu Mandal on a career defining day and decided to pursue legal studies from Hooghly Mohsin College which was offering a 3 year law course to graduates. So much was the passion then, I decided to join Fox & Mandal in my first year of law itself as a half day intern and used to slowly learn the practical application of law and study case files under the guidance of Seniors in the firm and the magnanimous shadow of Late Dinabandhu Mandal. Though Late Dinabandhu Mandal is no more, there will be no one quite like him in the firm and the legal fraternity for a very long time. The challenge was to make a mark in this legal arena which had very little room for first generation novices. I was also told by a few during those days as to why I was here in this legal profession at all and that I should move towards other pastures or perish. It was demotivating and depressing on occasions but I survived.

    What were your early experiences like as a law professional? Could you highlight some key milestones or memorable moments that helped shape your career trajectory?

    Just like any lawyer during the early 2000s trying to make a mark in Kolkata I started as a Junior assisting Mr. Shuva Mandal (currently the Managing Partner of Fox Mandal & Associates) in civil and commercial litigation cases. I always had an affinity towards company law related matters and got the opportunity of watching stalwarts such as P.C. Sen and B.K. Bachawat (to name a few) prepare and argue for matters. As time went on I found an interest in transaction documents and started honing my skills at drafting transactional documents. The most memorable assignments which I worked during those days were an infringement action against the makers of the T.V. Series “Karishma” and by first Admiralty Matter relating to the arrest of a vessel named “M.V. Stella Th”. An assignment involving setting up of the “Kolkata West International City” project also was extremely challenging and memorable. After an initial year or so with Mr. Shuva Mandal I worked with Mr. Kaushik Mandal and thereafter with Mr. Shourya Mandal (currently Co-Managing Partner of Fox Mandal & Associates). Mr. Shourya Mandal reposed utmost trust and faith in my abilities and provided the support and encouragement to achieve where I stand today. His contribution and guidance is a continuing process till date. 

    It would be incomplete if I did not mention the knowledge I acquired from two Senior Counsels of Calcutta High Court, Late Pratap Chatterjee and Mr. Ranjan Bachawat in course of the innumerable matters I had the good fortune to work with. They always took the effort to explain, reach and reprimand me. I thank them for the affection and time they contributed through their busy schedules in shaping my growth. Though Late Pratap Chatterjee is no more, all like me who happened to have the good fortune of working with him shall miss his presence for the rest of our lives.

    What drives your passion for the field of law? What aspects of the profession do you find most fulfilling?

    The passion for law is the biggest mystery for most lawyers which cannot be deciphered and /or reasoned. Maybe it is the uncertainty of things and outcome which attracts. It is a relentless drive forward to learn, practise and achieve greater milestones each day. Even the sky probably would not be the limit of this drive. The most fulfilling aspect of the profession is the scope to be innovative on the application of law and strategy. There is nothing sweeter and satisfying than the closure of a hard worked on transaction or a toughly fought and contested litigation ending in your client’s favour. The comradery and respect among colleagues, juniors and seniors is also overwhelming. Being a part of the vast legal community has always been like being part of a mammoth family which in a very unique way assures you that you belong here and that there is scope to learn and improve every day. 

    What are your primary practice areas within the field of law? Could you briefly explain what each area entails and why you chose to specialize in those particular areas?

    The primary practice areas are Corporate Law and related dispute resolution including Arbitration. Civil Commercial Litigation and Insolvency. Company Law was a subject and continues to be a subject which I have always been attracted to. The flow of events from the shaping of a transaction / deal to the situation where occasionally parties to a transaction, in course of time, fall apart for various unprecedented reasons leading to a situation of dispute resolution or litigation require parties to avail legal services. I would simply say that I find myself most comfortable and can express myself best in these situations and hence specialization to me in these verticals came quite naturally.

    Throughout your career, what are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned as a lawyer? Are there any specific cases or experiences that had a profound impact on your professional growth?

    The legal profession is definitely a marathon which spares no one. It takes a “lambi race ka ghora” to make the most of what this profession offers and succeed here.  The important lessons learnt are to respect colleagues and seniors, be patient, value time and the importance to develop a disciplined and methodical work approach. It is also essential to learn and improve from your experiences each day. Professional growth comes each day with experience and time spent on matters. However, there have been a few cases involving personalities and complex situations which have made a difference. In recent times the resolution of Rohit FerroTech Limited by Tata Steel under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was an assignment which was satisfying. Another recent matter involving resolution of disputes between promoters of Switz Foods and other shareholders was nice experience.

    What advice would you give to individuals who are considering a career in law? Are there any misconceptions about the profession that you would like to address?

    A career in law is to be chosen out of passion and the will to be a part of the large legal fraternity. Accumulation of wealth by seeing the success of established individuals should never be the criteria, they can only be an inspiration to fuel one’s desires to succeed and become better lawyers. I believe that there are no shortcuts to long lasting success here in the legal profession and people must have the aptitude for taking the grind for the long haul. Every aspiring individual considering a career in law must have patience and the will to sacrifice their time spent on recreation, friends, relations and relatives and pursue their passion of making a place in this vast legal fraternity by devoting all his mind, heart, body and soul to this noble profession. Patience coupled with the ability to sacrifice along with the will to survive and put all that one can to the demands of the legal professional is extremely essential for making a career. 

    Lastly, what advice would you like to give to fresh graduates who are entering the legal profession? What key skills or qualities should they focus on developing, and what strategies can they employ to succeed in their early years as lawyers?

    Fresh graduates need to choose where they want to be and what they want to achieve wisely. They should in today’s times dig / see deep within themselves and decide whether they have the aptitude for practising as a legal counsel at the various courts and tribunals comprising the framework of the judiciary or should they join a law firm for practising in a vertical of their choice such as Corporate law, Real Estate, Banking & Finance, Dispute Resolution etc. Some may even opt to make a career in a Corporate House as legal assistants and become a General Counsel with time.

    As for strategies irrespective of where one is and which vertical one opts for, success comes for the ones who have the will to passionately and diligently meet the requirements and demands of their profession. The passion and will to succeed must burn under all circumstances and be backed up by disciplined and consistent hard work. The ability to work and adjust with a team, various people and going forward build a team is also extremely essential. It is also an appreciated quality and essential to be ethical in practices adopted with clients, colleagues, seniors, juniors and other people associated with the legal fraternity. 

    Get in touch with Orijit Chatterjee-

  • For me, adherence to professional ethics coupled with honesty and integrity is of prime importance- Jaydeep Mehta, Advocate on Record and Designated Partner, LexStreet Advisors LLP, Advocates & Solicitors

    For me, adherence to professional ethics coupled with honesty and integrity is of prime importance- Jaydeep Mehta, Advocate on Record and Designated Partner, LexStreet Advisors LLP, Advocates & Solicitors

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

    Can you tell us about the journey that led you to pursue a career in law and establish LexStreet Advisors LLP?

    Let me start with a quote of Nasir Ali “The journey always goes, but it is not easy. It is always wrapped up with struggles and surprises” 

    My career in law was never a choice but a chance. When you do your work with good intentions with honesty & integrity, superpower plays its role. Profession of law has always been close to my heart. When I completed law graduation way back in 1989 from one of the prestigious law colleges, K.C.Law College, Mumbai,  I wanted to join practice right from day one but did not get motivation from my family and friends. Legal profession was always close to my heart. I was forced to take up a job in a private sector organization. But in my job also, I stick to the profession of law only. All throughout my career in private sector companies also, I worked in legal departments only and that is where I got opportunities to interact with various law firms and individual lawyers in Mumbai & Gujarat. During my job, 1st time way back in 1992, I got an opportunity to interact with a Senior Partner of Manilal Kher Ambalal & Co. (now MKA), a well-known law firm during the days when Harshad Mehta scam had just exposed and the Govt had then started a Special Court for tainted securities. I got an opportunity to coordinate with MKA in those days when I was employed with one of the companies of Kirloskar Group.

    After spending almost 20 years in various organizations, finally I straight away jumped into practice. Initially I started on my own and later in 2014, along with my old friends in the legal profession, we incorporated Lexstreet Advisors LLP on 5th November, 2014 and since then we have never looked back and our journey as a law firm started….

    LexStreet Advisors LLP is known for its integrity and value-based proactive services. Can you share some examples of how your firm has helped clients effectively navigate the complicated legal and regulatory landscape in the country?

    We stick to our policy and vision. We have never compromised with professional ethics, honesty & integrity. Irrespective of the size of clients, whether individual, partnership firms and corporate clients, we have dedicated the same time and resources with a proactive approach. The true value of proactive approaches does not lie in their predictive abilities. The true value lies in the disciplined process. Such approaches can examine the strengths and weaknesses in systems and services being rendered by a law firm. We listen to every client’s problem and their difficulties and understand in depth what they expect from us. The situations have arisen when we had to refuse one of our corporate clients as we were preoccupied with important assignments. This has certainly given a positive and powerful message to the corporate client. The corporate client had really appreciated our approach and next time, the same client had approached us with positive thoughts and we helped them and when they needed our assistance. 

    As a full-service law firm, LexStreet offers a wide range of legal services. Could you highlight some of the key areas of expertise and specialization within your team?

    If I have to highlight key areas, I must mention Securities law, Corporate & Commercial laws, Insolvency laws, Arbitration law, employment laws, DRT & Civil litigations as well as advisory services. Nowadays new generation law firms are not keen on civil litigation but I feel there is a big vacuum as far as civil litigation is concerned. I must also mention the non-litigation area as a practice as we have been advising the private sector as well as a couple of PSUs on legal issues. 

    Today’s  young lawyers are after M&A & PE practice but I personally feel that is not the end. Law is an ocean and it’s very crucial to select areas of practice.  At the end of the day clients must be happy and satisfied with the services.  

    LexStreet has a strong network of partners, lawyers, associates, and counsels with domain expertise. How does this network contribute to the firm’s ability to provide prompt and accurate advice to clients?

    All the partners of Lexstreet are highly experienced legal professionals having wide experience in their respective domain areas of practice ranging from 18 years to 34 years. Wide experience of every partner and associate partners have certainly contributed to the growth of the firm. We are also expanding our horizons as far areas of practice are concerned. With the introduction of new statutes by the government like Data Protection laws, Artificial intelligence, our law firm is committed to induct new talents. 

    As a designated partner and advocate-on-record with extensive experience, could you share some notable achievements or cases that you have worked on throughout your career?

    I, as an individual Partner and experienced law professional, realised that knowledge sharing is a very crucial factor. Since the last 6 years I have been regularly sharing articles on LinkedIn regularly and In-house Counsels, legal managers working in various organizations have been appreciating it. Today I have crossed close to 2700 followers / connections on LinkedIn, which is a testimony of my passion for knowledge. I have also been invited to various moot court competitions being organized by various law schools including HPNLU & Narsee Monjee. This has certainly helped to get connected with many In-house Counsels who, in turn, have been assigning briefs to our law firm.

    LexStreet places high importance on maintaining professional ethics, integrity, and moral values. How do these values translate into your day-to-day operations and interactions with clients?

    Well, let me say very honestly that today, the legal industry has turned into a big industry rather than a noble profession. However, doing business and revenue generation is one side of the profession and following professional ethics and moral values is another side of this noble profession. For me, adherence to professional ethics coupled with honesty and integrity is of prime importance, which in-turn have certainly helped us to retain our valuable clients which include large domestic as well as non-domestic companies. Business and ethics go hand in hand, if one does not follow them, they are finding it difficult to survive in today’s competitive market. 

    In the rapidly evolving legal landscape, what skills and qualities do you believe are crucial for young lawyers to develop in order to succeed in their careers?

    In today’s highly competitive market, the crucial factor is retaining existing clients and at the same time attracting new clients. I would advise young lawyers to remain very humble, diligent in his / her work is very important and more important is to maintain humility is a core value of this noble profession. For the first time, When I met one of our family friends, a retired High Court Judge for his guidance before starting my practice, he just told me, once you take up an assignment of any client, small or big, do it wholeheartedly, irrespective of any fee you get. I have kept these words in my mind.

    As a leader in the legal industry, what are some of the emerging trends or challenges that you see on the horizon, and how is LexStreet adapting to stay ahead?

    For law firms, the experience of navigating COVID-19 has accelerated the pace of change and will continue to significantly impact operations, organisational culture, and the way lawyers work. The trends that were underway before the pandemic struck to continue challenging and transforming the industry at an accelerated pace. These include client empowerment, technology adoption, law firm consolidations, new players entering the legal services sector, and value-based pricing. We are committed to adapt to the changing technology in the era of upcoming AI.

    For fresh graduates who are considering a career in law, what advice would you give them based on your own experiences and insights?Let me tell young lawyers that there is no short cut to success. Patience and perseverance will bring desired results. I would advise every young lawyer not to adopt any shortcuts to achieve success. They must be humble and respect this noble profession. Increasingly, customers expect lawyers  to demonstrate extreme trust — that is, to proactively watch out for their customer’s interests. My school batchmate, who is now a Judge in the apex court, always says that there is something like a rule of Law.

    Get in touch with Jaydeep Mehta-

  • Today businesses have become more international than ever, and multijurisdictional experience undoubtedly adds to your credibility- Nitin Kala, Co-founding Partner, RegLaw Chambers

    Today businesses have become more international than ever, and multijurisdictional experience undoubtedly adds to your credibility- Nitin Kala, Co-founding Partner, RegLaw Chambers

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

    Can you tell us about your journey into the field of law? How did you decide to pursue a career in this field?

    I am a lawyer by default. For me law was an unlikely choice. As a child I was fascinated with planes and so dreamt of pursuing a career in flying but later, since I didn’t have best of the eyesight which is quintessential for being a pilot (particularly Airforce pilot), I harbored interest in doing MBA and eventually taking up c-suite job with an MNC.  Gladly, the universe had other plans for me.    

    Soon after I graduated from Campus Law Centre in 2004, I briefly worked on the original side before trial courts and the High Court of Delhi. In 2006 I went to King’s College London for LLM. During my LLM I secured an opportunity to intern with the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, London, which is one of the leading independent research centers for international and comparative law in the world. It was only during my studies in the UK that I developed interest in law. 

    After coming back from London in September 2007, I worked briefly with Singhania & Partners. Thereafter, the same year I joined Fox Mandal Little. Here I was part of the disputes team doing general litigation and arbitration matters and worked till 2010.  

    In June 2010, I joined J. Sagar & Associates (JSA) in New Delhi, where I worked for almost 7 years. At JSA I was part of the regulatory & policy team and for the first time got introduced to the diverse infrastructure sectors such as energy, telecom, cable & broadcasting, aviation etc.

    I left JSA in December 2016 to head the legal & regulatory function for Media.Net Advertising FZ-LLC (a multibillion-dollar Ad Tech co.). It was a one-year stint as Vice President (Legal & Regulatory), based out of the company’s headquarter in Dubai, UAE, and my role involved advising the management on US, China and EU laws & regulations around the company’s business and technology and coordinating and supervising litigation matters of the company across different jurisdictions. 

    I returned to India in January 2018 to start my own firm along with my partner, who is also ex-JSA, under the name ‘RegLaw Chambers’. The firm specializes in regulatory, policy and legal matters across telecom, media & technology (TMT), cable & broadcasting, space, energy, oil & gas, aviation, environment, ports, real estate, highways and other infrastructure areas. In 2022, I was called to the Bar as Barrister in England & Wales at Gray’s Inn, London.

    What have been your key take aways from your journey as a first-generation lawyer?

    Legal profession is extremely demanding and to sustain a career in law you need to be resolute. Nothing can supplant hard work, commitment, and knowledge. Everything that is required for having a successful legal career only gets amplified for a first-generation lawyer, including the challenges. Therefore, as a first-generation lawyer one needs to have unflinching determination. In my survey the two necessary attributes that one needs as a lawyer are knowledge and articulation, both of which can be acquired with persistent hard work. 

    Could you share some insights into the nature of your work and the sectors you focus on?

    My area of practice is regulatory, disputes and general corporate commercial laws within the regulated sector of the economy, such as telecommunication, cable & broadcasting, technology, space, energy, oil & gas, aviation etc. I advise on certain highly niche areas, such as outer space, undersea cabling, IoT/M2M, privacy & data protection, investments etc. My practice is a good mix of disputes and advisory. I regularly appear before diverse regulatory fora and courts for my clients. While regulatory happens to be the core area of my work, I do take up matters on the civil and criminal side as well. 

    Since you have also worked in-house internationally, could you tell us about some of the challenges working across different jurisdictions presents?

    The fundamental challenges that multi-jurisdictional work entails are different time zones, different laws/regulations and different systems. Certainly cross border issues are generally very complex. When you are coordinating or conducting work across different jurisdictions, the foremost task is to map all applicable laws and survey precedents. Concurrently, you engage with lawyers from different jurisdiction(s) to help gauge the situation and ascertain possible outcomes and recourses available to achieve the desired outcome. All of this requires immense work since you are often working in unfamiliar jurisdictions.  

    In 2018, you started your own regulatory disputes practice under the name ‘RegLaw Chambers.’ What motivated you to establish your own firm?

    While working in the law firm I and my partner (who is also a co-founder with me in RegLaw Chambers) occasionally had chats about someday going independent. But we could not then traverse through the comfort and security of working in a big law firm. In 2016 we parted ways briefly when I left the law firm to pursue an international career. This period of staying away from India was a moment of reckoning for me. During my time abroad I worked closely with founders of billion dollar start ups and was part of the process of setting up start-ups in different countries. I suppose it was then that I gathered confidence to do something on my own and uncovered the real worth of my domain expertise. 

    How has this multi-jurisdictional experience influenced your approach to legal practice?

    Today businesses have become more international than ever, and multijurisdictional experience undoubtedly adds to your credibility.  The wide expanse of my work over the years right from litigation, negotiating deals, closing investments, and handling regulatory investigations across jurisdictions could not have been possible without my multi-jurisdictional experience. 

    The exposure to other jurisdictions surely has had an indelible impact not just personally but also professionally. It has been a point of inflection where today I am not risk averse and more versatile than ever. This aside, the confidence that I acquired in handling complex matters is supreme. 

    Could you share any memorable experiences or lessons you have learned during your journey as a lawyer that have had a lasting impact on your professional and personal life?

    If I was to telescope my several years of experiences and lessons as a lawyer, 

    I would say this – If you create value in you, it’s only a matter of time before the world finds you worthy of notice. 

    I am an ardent believer that what you make of your life is your responsibility. Do not expect people to come and help you. Also do not permit anyone to come and define you for you. Be confident and persevere through all situations.       

    As a final question, considering your extensive experience in the legal field, what advice would you give to fresh graduates who are just starting their careers in law? What skills or qualities do you think are crucial for success in the legal profession?
    My advice to young lawyers would be to constantly invest in yourself to make yourself valuable. By investing, I infer acquiring knowledge and skills needed for practice of law. Never go unprepared to court or for a meeting. Constant improvement and striving to know more than your audience must be the perennial theme. And always work with 3 Cs viz. conviction, confidence, and congruence.

    Get in touch with Nitin Kala-

  • In law, never comes a day, when you can say ‘I know it all’ – and so is probably in every field, so keep learning everyday and keep updating yourselves- Vidya Sunderam, Principal Associate at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

    In law, never comes a day, when you can say ‘I know it all’ – and so is probably in every field, so keep learning everyday and keep updating yourselves- Vidya Sunderam, Principal Associate at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

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

    Ma’am, please tell us about your journey and how you ended up pursuing a career in law? What motivated you to choose this profession?

    I come from a non-lawyer background. After finishing school, I was almost about to join Delhi University for a degree in economics when my mother suggested me to attempt giving entrance for law. I went ahead, gave a few entrance exams (no CLAT back then), got admission in a couple of law schools and joined Amity Law School (GGSIP University) as it was in my hometown Delhi. It took a few semesters to know ‘law’ as a subject and then internships to know how it is practiced. Back in law school my subjects of interest were company law and IP, and when I started writing blogs while in law school, I started enjoying these subjects so much so I pursued corporate laws since then, with an inclination towards commercial contracts. 

    Your field of practice includes general corporate, M&A, and corporate advisory. Can you explain your role and core practice areas in more detail? What kind of work do you typically handle within these areas?

    General corporate as a practice area is vast. My core practice areas are handling acquisition transactions, domestic as well as cross border, both from sell side and buy side – this would include conducting due diligence (on the target or a vendor diligence), handling transaction documentation; handling disinvestment transactions; advisory and structuring foreign investments; advisory on a wide range of corporate and commercial law matters for listed and private companies, including company law and SEBI regulations with core focus on regulations on listing, insider trading, and takeovers.

    Transaction structuring and drafting transaction documentation seem to be a significant part of your expertise. Could you elaborate on the types of agreements and documents you typically deal with?

    Each transaction involves detailed structuring, which depends on a lot of factors such as the objective of the transaction, funding methodology, residency status of parties, legal restrictions including permits from regulatory authorities, tax implications etc. Once the transaction framework is finalised, parties proceed to execute the transaction documents (commonly referred as definitive agreements). It is preferable to first negotiate and execute a term sheet wherein the parties agree broadly on the terms and conditions, and follow up the same with detailed definitive agreements. The type of definitive agreements to be executed depends on the transaction – whether a share transfer, share subscription, asset transfer, business transfer, merger, demerger etc. I primarily handle transaction documentation for acquisitions and restructuring, for listed and private companies, and have also handled prominent disinvestment deals involving public sector companies. Transaction documents I usually draft include share purchase agreements, share subscription agreements, asset purchase agreements, business transfer agreements, joint venture agreements, business cooperation agreements, framework agreements etc., along with several ancillary documentation. The drafting style varies based on who you are representing, the objective, facts and circumstances of the matter, and seek protective provisions accordingly. 

     Due diligence is an essential task when evaluating a transaction. Which sectors have you conducted due diligence reviews for, and what are the key aspects you look for during the process?

    Yes, due diligence is an essential part of an M&A transaction and is highly recommended. It is only when a due diligence review is conducted, that an investor gets to know the target closely and can help negotiate the deal and include protective measures in the transaction documents. I have conducted diligence review on several companies engaged in sectors such as manufacturing, power, healthcare, FMCG; services; hospitality; IT etc. A legal diligence report is an encyclopaedia on the target’s legal compliance status, and typically involves a review of the target’s corporate compliance, contracts, licenses, employees, properties, intellectual property, litigations etc. Transaction document negotiations depend a lot on the outcome of the diligence. In a diligence, one highlights to the client any risks they may face if they into the transaction. It is very important to highlight solutions/ mitigation for each risk highlighted in the report without which the report is certainly incomplete. It is also necessary to ensure that diligence is completed in a time bound manner so that the definitive agreements are negotiated and executed taking into account any risks. 

    What advice would you give to fresh law graduates who are just starting their careers? What are some key qualities or skills they should focus on developing?

    Fresh law graduates must remember that first and foremost it is important to be and remain focused. Spend the initial years of your career in developing a deep understanding of your practice area and the laws relating to it. I know that in the initial few years, there are many lawyers who get confused on which practice area to choose. Now here comes the role of your seniors and also your patience. Be willing to explore, but be patient to learn and put in 100% effort. If you still think you need a change, do that, provided you again put in 100% effort. In law, never comes a day, when you can say ‘I know it all’ – and so is probably in every field, so keep learning everyday and keep updating yourselves. What is also important is to never get disappointed. It is a long journey and there is space for all. Some key qualities or skills if you ask me are: discipline, willingness to learn, updating yourself every day, hard work (also smartwork), being a team player, and time management. To all the fresh law graduates – keep up the enthusiasm and yes, you have chosen a great profession and you are going to get into a great professional journey.

  • In colleges your professors will teach you different laws but to know the procedure of court of law and to be master in it, you must know the court procedure very well- Priyanka Matlane, Founder of Matlane & Grewal Legal Associates LLP

    In colleges your professors will teach you different laws but to know the procedure of court of law and to be master in it, you must know the court procedure very well- Priyanka Matlane, Founder of Matlane & Grewal Legal Associates LLP

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

    What inspired you to establish your own law firm? What challenges  did you face in the initial stages? 

    After completing my LL.B. I joined the chamber of Sr. Advocate C.A.  Ferreira was the then Assistant Solicitor General of India practicing before the High court of Bombay at GOA. Working with him in actuality, triggered a  thought to have a settled practice like him and to establish a law firm.  Before starting my law firm ‘Matlane & Grewal Legal Associates LLP’,  the journey of 10 years as an individual advocate was not so easy. There  were many difficulties as theoretical knowledge is completely different  from the practical procedure. In colleges your professors will teach you different laws but to know the procedure of court of law and to be master  in it, you must know the court procedure very well. As an advocate you  will learn new things on a daily basis. When you start your practice as an  individual advocate at a very young age is not such an easy task. Profession of  advocates used to be considered as the profession of old ones and not of  youngsters. I do remember on completion of my 6 months internship with  Ferreira sir, I shared my views to start independent practice with my family  members, frankly, telling no one was so convinced with my thought to start an independent practice as everyone thought I don’t even know the  ABCD… of the complete court procedure. Many said ‘do you know how  to draft a case? How would you give consultation to your client? What if  you lose the case? You should spend at least 5/7 years with a senior advocate  then only you can practice independently, Bla bla ssss…..  

    But it was my Guru/Mentor Mr. Vikas Lathar (Professor of Govt. College  of Safidon) and my mother who always trusted and had faith in my  abilities. They both supported me to start my journey and see I am here  today before you. 

    To have a reputed own law firm was always a biggest dream of mine. Many times I spoke to my husband about my dream to form a law firm. My  husband Navdeep Singh Grewal, who is also a part of our law firm, encouraged me to establish “Matlane & Grewal’s”. Working as an  independent advocate and running a law firm is completely different from  each other. As I am a fast learner and love to explore, I feel that working as  an independent practitioner is restricting the growth, learnings and  controlling the case types. But a firm can become one roof to offer all legal  services. Hence, ‘Matlane & Grewal Legal Associates LLP’ came into  existence.  

    Team of our law firm works passionately as a single soul without  compromising on professional ethics. Our Law firm is growing by giving  growth to our junior advocates as well as to our interns.  ‘Different brains and different abilities will work together and will grow  together’, with this mind set up I have started my own law firm.  

    With almost 10 years of experience in the field of law, what have been  some of the most memorable cases or achievements in your career? Could  you share a particularly challenging case that you successfully handled? 

    If I tell you the truth , my every case is unique and  definitely, I have achieved and learnt something or the other from my every  single case during this decade. There are many and all the cases on which I can share working experience but as you know time is limited and I can’t go on…. But I can Yes still, share my such a memorable and wonderful  experience in my 2 cases which are very much close to my heart. The first  case is of property case i.e., the Second Appeal filed before the High Court  of Bombay bench at Aurangabad and another was a criminal case filed by  the parents against their son. I personally feel both the cases were difficult  for me to handle. As in both the disputes the emotions of parties were  ultimately affected. I won a second appeal and it was a reportable judgment.  My client got his disputed land back after spending his 30 years of life in  court. The matter earlier was handled by many lawyers but when it came to me and after filing my VP on record, I ended the matter in just 1 year.  And winning a second appeal is itself an achievement and a milestone in  one’s legal career. Talking about my second case, this was a criminal  application for maintenance filed by the 80yrs old age parents against their  55yrs old son. The parents just filed the application to see their son due to  courts dates as he was separated from his parents due to past fights and  all… when on the first date of the court hearing I tried to reconcile and I succeeded , you know what the 80yrs old parents said me, ‘ beta, tum  humare ghar me humari devi maa ban ke ayi ho, tumhari wajah se humara  bichda hua beta hume wapis mil gaya.’ The matter ended happily and the parties are still living a happy family life.  

    You mentioned being highly effective at developing creative case  strategies and writing persuasive briefs. Could you share some insights into  your approach and how it has contributed to your success in the legal field? 

    Yes, we have effective strategies and we do adopt the same  strictly while dealing with the cases.  

    Firstly, we are good listeners. We listen peacefully to our clients and we  believe in transparency and keeping client’s secrecy. Secondly, we guide and consult them according to their legal requirements  and as per available legal provisions.  Thirdly, we draft our case patiently and appropriately as per court  guidelines.  Fourthly, we prepare our strategy to have effective cross, chiefs,  arguments, etc. we prepare our whole case before filing it in actual before  the court. Fifthly, we keep on doing research on landmark cases. Simply, we keep  updated our knowledge on a day-to-day basis.  

    The legal field is known for its dynamic nature and ever-changing  demands. How do you stay updated with the latest developments and  ensure that you can adapt to the evolving legal landscape? 

    As we are the generation of the 21st Century and as the technology is  developing and upgrading rapidly. Being a law practitioner, we too adapt  and adopt the use of technology and for the same my husband cum my firm  partner always supports us to maintain the balance between the old practice era and use of new technology.  

    To stay updated with the latest developments I do read newspaper on daily basis and also, we have opted for several paid subscriptions and  applications for the same. We follow SCC, MANUPATRA,  INDIANKANOON, DIGILEGAL, ETC., We are also very much active on  social media.  

    Could you share any valuable lessons or insights you have gained  throughout your career that have contributed to your professional growth  and success? 

    For me my success mantras are: keeping legal knowledge updated,  being truthful to your profession, ethical to your clients and consistency in your  working and learnings, time management, team management, leadership  and last but not least knowing the basic laws deeply.  

    How have public speaking skills helped you in your legal practice?  What tips would you give to aspiring lawyers who want to improve their  communication abilities? 

    I’m a very talkative person. and this has always helped me to make a bridge between me and my client. With ability to have proper  communication, my client never hesitates to share his/her problems with me, no matter how the situation is worsened or the facts are sensitive. To improve the communication skill, one should have good vocabulary,  one must know our basic laws and principles, keeping updated knowledge  and lastly read, read and read. Reading always helps to grow vocabulary and knowledge.  

    Lastly, what message or advice would you like to give to fresh  graduates who are considering a career in law? What qualities or skills do  you believe are essential for success in the legal profession? 

    It is the only law which ensures and gives the balance to live a happy  life. Every single individual should know their basic and fundamental  rights. Our Constitution has always safeguarded us in every manner. At least  one member of every family should have a person from the legal profession. To pursue a career in law, according to me skills such as being a hard  worker is not the only key. But you should be smart enough. You must  have the ability to take the risk factors. Your confidence should be greater.  You should keep your legal knowledge updated always, you should be a public speaker, multitasker and presentable and definitely you should be tech savvy. 

    Get in touch with Priyanka Matlane-

  • I think the only thing that any legal professional can do is to be open to new learnings, think outside the box and adapt to the changing regulatory landscape- Anubhuti Mishra, Partner at P&A Law Offices

    I think the only thing that any legal professional can do is to be open to new learnings, think outside the box and adapt to the changing regulatory landscape- Anubhuti Mishra, Partner at P&A Law Offices

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

    Please tell us about your educational background and the path that led you to pursue a career in law, particularly specializing in competition law?

    I have always had a keen interest in economics and competition law. I studied an optional paper on competition law while pursuing B.A. LLB (Hons) at Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur and participated in a few antitrust law moot court competitions. I graduated in 2013. During the first couple of years post my graduation, I was working across general corporate and project finance. But even during this period, I was closely involved in adjudicating competition law moot court competitions and academic writings related to the field. So eventually, I decided to pursue a specialized post graduate degree course in competition law in order to switch to this practice area.

    What motivated you to focus on competition law, and how did your LLM in Competition Law from King’s College, London contribute to your expertise in this field?

    As I mentioned, I was always interested in competition law as an academic stream and a practice area. I had interned in various competition law teams during my undergraduate degree and I had worked with the alumni from King’s. I also researched about the faculty in various universities offering an LLM in Competition Law and the faculty at King’s seemed to be a remarkable group of full time academicians, practitioners and ex-members of competition regulators from various jurisdictions. I had an offer from a few other universities in London and in the USA, but I ultimately decided to go to King’s. I would always encourage people to check the particular department they are interested in before deciding on a university, as this is directly related to the kind of exposure you would get and the type of people you will be networking with. This will decide the kind of opportunities you will likely encounter post your degree. Given the diverse academic and professional background of the faculty at King’s, I feel studying at King’s not only offered me a good insight into the practice of competition law in mature jurisdictions like the UK, EU and USA, but also helped me understand varied perspectives on the subject – that of academic scholars, practitioners and people who had been involved in policy making. Such understanding and exposure helps shape your own approach towards the practice area and definitely contributes immensely to your learning curve.

    Could you share some of your experiences and highlights from your work as a Partner at P&A Law Offices, especially in the area of merger control? What are some notable cases you have worked on and the outcomes you achieved?

    I have had the opportunity of working on some challenging combination filings as well as gun jumping cases, during my stint at P&A. One case that stands out is the Amazon-Future Retail case, where the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has passed an order keeping in abeyance an approval granted by it more than two years ago. This case is currently pending in appeal before the Supreme Court. It is one of the most interesting and challenging cases I have worked on not only because it involved a lot of economic analysis during the filing and review of the notification itself, but also because it involves a lot of important questions around the interpretation of the CCI’s powers of review in relation to combinations and the threshold for establishing a case of gun jumping and non-disclosure or misrepresentation in combination filings.

    In the field of enforcement and litigation, you have represented major companies like Tata Steel and Amazon. Can you discuss a specific case where you successfully defended a client against allegations of cartelization or unfair trade practices?

    I have personally worked on a cartel investigation against the Bearings Division of Tata Steel and I would consider that case to be a success as well, because despite the fact that the investigation was initiated on the basis of two leniency applications, no penalty was ultimately imposed on the opposite parties. It was quite an interesting case as it involved a lot of economic analysis of challenges faced bythe industry as such as well as examination of the evidence on record to prepare our defense. I have, in the past, successfully represented Amazon in some informations that were dismissed by the CCI at the prima facie stage itself. However, with the shift in regulatory focus since the publication of the market study on e-commerce in India, digital markets are facing increased scrutiny and it is immensely humbling and rewarding, at the same time, to have the opportunity to work on cases which will set the regulatory standards for e-commerce in India.

    As an advocate, you have also been involved in coaching and adjudicating various moot court competitions. How have these experiences shaped your understanding of competition law and its practical application?

    I have always believed that the learning of law transcends the classroom and moot courts are definitely one of the best ways to achieve conceptual clarity and test your skills of interpreting the law. This is more so in the case of Indian competition law, as the regime itself is barely a decade old and the body of jurisprudence is still evolving. And given the underlying economic and commercial analysis that is inherent to this field of law, mooting can certainly provide budding competition lawyers with the necessary skillset of legal analysis, research, procedural nuances and interpretation which can help them in the actual practice of the law.

    Apart from your legal work, you have also published articles on topics related to competition law and commercial dispute resolution. Can you briefly discuss the key points of one of your publications and its significance in the context of the Indian legal landscape?

    I think one of my first publications in the field of competition law was an article on the approach taken by the CCI in 2015 in relation to online marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal and highlighted how the CCI affirmed the principle that competition law is for the protection of the market as such, and not individual competitors. The e-commerce sector was still evolving at that time and the regulatory intervention was limited. In fact, it is serendipitous that my dissertation during my LLM was on merger review standards for multi-sided platform markets and I eventually went on to work on such cases involving digital markets. And now the regulatory focus is changing in light of the evolution of e-commerce in India in the last few years and the need of the hour is to balance the incentive for innovation while protecting competition.

    In your opinion, what are the emerging trends and challenges in the field of competition law in India, and how do you think the legal profession can adapt to these changes?

    I think these are some exciting times for practitioners of competition law, given the review of the last decade of enforcement of the Competition Act and the new amendments that have been introduced (and some of which that are yet to come into force). Both the merger control regime as well as the enforcement regime are set to undergo significant changes, both procedurally as well as substantively. Recent and proposed changes such as the introduction of confidentiality rings, green channel combination filings, settlement and commitment mechanisms, etc. are yet to be tested on ground, against the unique Indian commercial reality. This is already making businesses as well as legal practitioners recalibrate the conventional approach that was carefully developed over the past decade. I think the only thing that any legal professional (not just competition law professionals) can do is to be open to new learnings, think outside the box and adapt to the changing regulatory landscape. Learning is always a continuous process in the legal profession and that is the way to cope with evolving legal systems.

    Can you share any memorable experiences or lessons you have learned throughout your career that have had a significant impact on your professional growth?

    I believe you can always find something to learn from every new case and from every new person that you come across. It’s tough to choose any one experience which has shaped my professional growth. But if I have to cite one instance, then it would probably be working on a writ challenge that we had filed on behalf of a client against an ex parte prima facie order issued by the CCI, directing an investigation against our client. We were before the Karnataka High Court and Mr. Gopal Subramanium was leading us in the matter. The admission stage hearing went on for three consecutive days and we eventually got an interim stay. But those three days were harrowing as well as exciting. I personally believe, that I learnt the most – in terms of statutory interpretation, legal analysis, preparing for briefings and just a general sense of grit and resilience that this profession demands. Of course, working with Mr. Subramanium is a cherishable experience in itself. But I believe those three days shaped not only my knowledge of law but also my work ethic itself.

    What are your future goals and aspirations in the field of law, and what steps do you plan to take to achieve them?

    I have always admired the confluence of academia and practice in the education system abroad, in countries like the UK and USA. Being taught by both practicing lawyers and academics certainly gives you a more holistic perspective of the subject you are studying. I don’t see that as a very common practice in India and I personally, would like to get into academics at some point, along side my practice. I have been involved in a few guest lectures from time to time over the last couple of years, but I would like to be more involved in academics going forward. For which I need to manage my own time better, and I guess I shall focus on that this year.

    Finally, considering your extensive experience in the legal field, what advice would you give to law students or fresh graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in competition law?

    It is a challenging as well as rewarding area of practice. While it can be exciting to be a part of a niche practice area and an evolving system of jurisprudence, it can be equally challenging, as it will push you to push your own boundaries. While an LLM/specialization in this subject will help you connect with like-minded peers and professionals, it cannot replace hands-on learning. As I have said earlier, the learning curve is much steeper outside classrooms – in moot courts and internships. So if you are interested in this area of practice, you should focus on building your publications in this subject, participate in moots concerning this subject, intern with competition law teams to acquaint yourself with the law as well as individuals practicing this law.

    Get in touch with Anubhuti Mishra-