Super Lawyer

Category: Partners, General Counsels and Senior Advocates

  • “Continuous legal updates and the empowering ability to make firm decisions were the most   effective strategies that contributed to my personal growth in becoming a partner and leading my practice areas.” – N. Raja Singh, Partner at UKCA & Partners LLP

    “Continuous legal updates and the empowering ability to make firm decisions were the most   effective strategies that contributed to my personal growth in becoming a partner and leading my practice areas.” – N. Raja Singh, Partner at UKCA & Partners LLP

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

    Mr. Singh, can you please share with us how you began your career in corporate and commercial law and the journey that led you to become a partner at UKCA & Partners LLP? Please allow us to walk you through your journey from choosing law as a career to being a partner.

    I have had a delightful journey to read law and an arduous hike in my career until I made Partner at UKCA and Partners LLP. My dream to become a lawyer started in school when my teacher advised me to study political science to become a good lawyer. 

    In 1999, I embarked on a five-year integrated BA LLB (Hons) course. My professor, who taught me contract and company laws, highlighted the importance of and encouraged me to take up commercial and corporate law practice in Delhi. This set the course for my choices in law. 

    Post-graduation, I had the opportunity to practice under the mentorship of Dr. U.K. Chaudhary, Senior Advocate and founder of UKCA. Initially, I had to work hard to understand the jargon of commercial and corporate laws. With sincerity and hard work to cope with the pressure and deadlines, I learned the ropes. 

    As a mentor and guide to young lawyers, what specific qualities do you believe are essential for a successful career in law, and how do you nurture these qualities in your mentees?  

    One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey is the opportunity to guide and mentor many junior lawyers, helping them navigate the complexities of the legal field and develop their organizational skills. I am particularly drawn to the potential and dynamism of young lawyers. The key qualities for a successful legal career, as I have learned, includes a profound understanding of case facts, the ability to draft and interpret legal provisions, and the skill to construct a robust case or defence. As a mentor and guide, I engage young lawyers in reading the case files multiple times until the facts become second nature to them. When they come to brief me on the facts, I often find that they need to read the case file more thoroughly. This is when I read along with them, ensuring they understand the facts. I then guide them in applying the facts to the legal issues, navigating the various aspects of legal intricacy involved in the case. I also lead them in extensive legal research using all modes of study related to the case. Once they have a clear understanding of the law involved in the case, they are confident enough to draft the pleadings and present them to the court.  I also strongly encourage them to present the case before the Hon’ble Judges of various courts in India, fostering their confidence and skills and supporting their growth as legal professionals. My mentees remember me and continue to call me for any legal issues. Several of them started their own law firms, and while a few are working in-house, most are working with law firms pan-India. This is a testament to the growth potential in the legal profession and the bright future that awaits them.

    You have represented clients in some high-profile arbitration cases, including one of the biggest challenges in India. Could you tell us about the complexities and learnings from handling such significant cases?

    During my tenure at UKCA, I successfully managed a wide array of high-profile arbitrations. These cases spanned diverse sectors such as construction, investment, subscription, defence, hotels, malls, papers, and more. This breadth of experience showcases my ability to adapt and handle complex cases across various industries.  

    The MS Shoes East Limited case, a pivotal arbitration matter, was a significant milestone in my career. It involved complex laws relating to an undersubscribed Initial Public Offering (IPO). I represented over 100 underwriters who played a crucial role in MS Shoes’ IPO subscription.

    While handling MS Shoes Arbitration, I honed my skills further in SEBI law and regulations, circulars, and notifications, mainly relating to IPOs.   I also learnt the art of negotiating and dispute resolution strategies with the opposite party to bring them to the negotiation table. I have also learnt to handle pressure and the volume of documents involved in arbitration proceedings.   

    Arbitration is a key part of your practice. How do you see the role of arbitration evolving in the Indian legal landscape, and what advice would you give to young lawyers interested in this field?  

    Arbitration, an efficient alternative to the routine court judicial process, is immensely significant in swiftly resolving disputes between parties relating to civil, commercial, construction, investment, etc. 

    Amendments made in 2015 and 2019 to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act of 1996 paved the way for the evolution of arbitration in the Indian legal landscape, making it more efficient, transparent, and time-bound to complete. Additionally, India has aligned its legal framework with global best practices, so foreign investors have shown increasing trust in the Indian arbitration system. 

    The evolution of arbitration in India is not just about legal changes. It’s also about embracing technology. The COVID-19 pandemic, while disruptive, has been a blessing in disguise, accelerating the use of technology in arbitration and enabling arbitrators and parties to conduct proceedings from anywhere in the world. Further, the establishment of two institutional arbitration centres, the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA) and the Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), has led to a shift from traditional ad-hoc arbitration to these centres.

    I would like to advise young lawyers who want to practice arbitration to look for a trainee or associate position with a law firm that practices arbitration. They should inculcate the habit of extensive research and documentation, practice legal writing skills, and be well-versed in communication skills.  

    You’ve advised clients on antitrust investigations concerning price-fixing and bid-rigging. Can you share an example of a particularly challenging case and the strategies you employed to address it?

    The challenges that I encountered while advising the clients on antitrust investigations concerning price-fixing and bid-rigging are the mere allegations based upon circumstantial evidence such as proxy bidders, identical bids, communication patterns, and also frequent communications between bidders can be misinterpreted as collusion. Further, even the IP addresses and call detail records can be technical and challenging to dispute, and sharing price information, even if it’s publicly available, can be misconstrued if it appears to affect market competition. Furthermore, legitimate parallel pricing behaviours can be mistaken for collusion, requiring detailed justification.

    I advise industries to keep comprehensive and transparent documentation of bidding and pricing activities and establish and enforce internal policies to prevent anti-competitive behaviour. Providing robust evidence of independent business justifications for bids and prices and constantly monitoring and archiving communications to ensure they comply with competition laws are all important. 

    However, it’s equally crucial to understand the compliance requirements. This knowledge gives you control over your actions and ensures you are always on the right side of the law. Engaging legal and digital forensic experts to counter circumstantial evidence, cooperating with the investigating authority, and proactively addressing potential concerns are all part of a comprehensive strategy.

    As an Alternate Chairperson and Local Commissioner appointed by the court, what responsibilities do these roles entail, and how do they complement your work at UKCA & Partners LLP?

    In 2010, the Hon’ble Delhi High Court appointed me as an alternate Chairperson in a Court-convened meeting in a merger case. My role was to oversee the court-convened meeting, including following the agenda, ensuring adherence to procedural requirements as per the Companies Act, 1956, and maintaining minutes of the proceedings. I also ensured that votes and resolutions relating to the merger were thoroughly documented, conducted voting on resolutions, and ensured that resolutions were passed with due legal compliance. After the meeting, I meticulously prepared a comprehensive report detailing the proceedings and the resolutions passed and submitted it before the Hon’ble Court. 

    Again, in 2009, the Hon’ble DRT-II, Delhi, appointed me as a local commissioner to recover a hydraulic excavator from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. My role was to strategize a plan with the banker to locate where the excavator was stationed. After it was located, I visited the place and engaged local police with some personal security guards to maintain law and order, remembering that I had to recover the excavator from the road builder from the highway construction site. I managed to recover the excavator and parked it in the stockyard after preparing a list of inventories with the banker, preparing a detailed report, and submitting it before the Hon’ble DRT.      

    Acting as an Alternate Chairperson and local commissioner, I gained invaluable knowledge and skills, such as strategic decision-making, leadership, and procedural expertise, which I now apply in my regular practice. I also share my experience with my colleagues and associates, complementing the firm’s work. The experience and skills I acquire enhance my professional growth and our firm’s reputation and improve client satisfaction through better advisory and representation.  

    Given your experience in domestic and international arbitration, how do you navigate the differences in legal systems and practices across borders, and what challenges have you encountered?  

    Understanding the legal systems and practices in different jurisdictions is critical to effective arbitration. It ensures you are well-informed and prepared for any new legal developments impacting your arbitration proceedings. Thorough research on how similar disputes have been handled in different jurisdictions is essential. Mastering these differences necessitates clear communication, which is a fundamental aspect and the cornerstone of fair arbitration. 

    I have faced these challenges while enforcing arbitral awards in China, which presents challenges through various legal, procedural, and practical considerations. Chinese courts have the power to review foreign arbitral awards. Local protectionism can play a role, especially if the award is against a regional party with significant influence or importance in the region. Local courts may be reluctant to enforce awards against local companies. While China is a signatory to the New York Convention, recognising and enforcing awards from certain foreign arbitral institutions may encounter resistance. Further, locating and seizing assets in China is another significant challenge due to the lack of transparency and the ability of debtors to hide or rapidly transfer assets. 

    Continuous learning and adaptability are beneficial and essential in international arbitration. By embracing these strategies and anticipating challenges, arbitration professionals can effectively navigate the complexities of cross-border disputes.

    In your journey to becoming a partner and leading your practice areas, what personal growth strategies have you found most effective, and how do you apply them in your daily life?

    Continuous legal updates and the empowering ability to make firm decisions were the most effective strategies that contributed to my personal growth in becoming a partner and leading my practice areas.

    I apply the strategies daily by getting up early in the morning, playing sports , meditating, and reading legal news and updates. I also engage in deep reflection on myself and areas for improvement. After that, I set my goal to accomplish the task. 

    When applied daily, these strategies serve as stepping stones in my journey towards becoming a partner and leading in my practice areas.        

    How have recent global events, such as economic shifts or geopolitical changes, influenced the legal landscape in which you operate, and how do you adapt your strategies accordingly? 

    Global recent events, such as the penetration of information technologies, especially after the COVID 19 pandemic, have changed the way of litigation, including courtroom appearances, hearing, and filing of cases. 

    Filing in Courts/ Tribunals is mandatorily being done through e-filing and digital signatures. Submissions of hard copies and paper-book are dispensed with. Court and Tribunals are connected online for hearing on both ends fitted with cameras, microphones and LCD display units. Inspection of court files are available online in the High Court of Delhi and other Tribunals. All these facilities have enabled advocates to take up cases from different jurisdiction and to appear online for hearings simultaneously for different High Courts and Tribunals.

    Economic shifts have also resulted in changing the nature of cases apart from traditional civil and criminal matters. We represent parties in arbitration matters where government bodies are one of the parties. Disinvestment policies of the government and the public-private model of industries have changed the nature of disputes altogether. Now we have cases of shareholder disputes in joint-venture entities where one of the parties is a government body, e.g. Govt. of NCT of Delhi or SAIL or the Ministry of Defence. So, we are changing our strategies for litigation or arbitration accordingly.

    Outside of your professional life, what hobbies or personal interests do you pursue, and how do they help you maintain a balance in your demanding career? 

    I enjoy swimming and playing sports. Additionally, I am dedicated to supporting my community by helping residents with their difficulties and spending quality time with friends. These activities contribute to my positive outlook and help me maintain a healthy balance alongside my demanding career.  

    Get in touch with N Raja Singh-

  • “The field of cyber is ripe for youngsters to enter and the scope is immense. With each new law that is enacted in the field of cyber, the opportunities open up further”- Nappinai N S, Senior Advocate,  Supreme Court & Founder-Cyber Saathi

    “The field of cyber is ripe for youngsters to enter and the scope is immense. With each new law that is enacted in the field of cyber, the opportunities open up further”- Nappinai N S, Senior Advocate,  Supreme Court & Founder-Cyber Saathi

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

    Can you share with us what initially drew you to the field of law, and how your journey began?

    I decided to become a lawyer and declared my intent as early as in my 7th grade and am happy to share that the passion for law burns bright. Whilst I come from a family of lawyers up to my grandfather’s generation, my father’s generation skipped it. My interest in law could have stemmed from the stories I heard of the cases my grandfather handled but I faced the struggles of a first-generation lawyer whilst commencing practice.  

    You’ve handled cases in Constitutional, Criminal, Commercial, IPR, and Cyber laws. You are also a trained mediator. How did you develop such a broad spectrum of expertise, and what challenges did you face along the way?

    My initial focus was on Criminal and Constitutional laws. Interestingly, I studied law to practise criminal law – my interest in this field was strongly rooted on principles of human rights and liberties. I simultaneously also focussed on IPR as it was an evolving field at that time (1991). I value my association with an eminent and revered senior Shri. N. T. Vanamamalai, Senior Advocate for 3 years as a student intern and thereafter continued to practise from his chambers. My other senior during practice was Shri. V. Gopinath, Senior Advocate. The person who recognised my potential and added wind to my wings by making me part of the firm Amarchand Mangaldas Suresh A. Shroff & Co., (as it then was), albeit briefly, was Shri. Cyril Shroff, who I attribute my learning on client handling and composure apart from the skills I acquired in structuring of private equity and debt transactions. Apart from this, each senior counsel I have briefed for cases contributed to developing my skills and approach to law.

    Whilst I honed my skills in Constitutional and criminal laws in my seniors’ chambers, my expertise in IPR was rooted in extensive reading (which in those days of no computers or devices meant opening books and visiting libraries) and applying the same to cases, I was briefed in from early days. I also learnt to apply my learnings from litigation to draft commercial and IPR transaction documentation. My involvement in Cyber evolved from around 1995-96 due to the IPR cases I handled in software licensing. From there I gained expertise in cyber laws reading the evolving legal landscape across foreign jurisdictions and model UN laws and honing my knowledge and skills and simultaneously keeping abreast of technological advances. With cyber being an exponentially evolving field, it was imperative for me to keep reading and honing my knowledge and skills in this field since then.  

    I was truly blessed to have grown in this profession without even an iota of concern over gender bias or obstacles due to the same. I did not face the usual obstacles that I have heard from other practitioners be it those of 1st generation or lady lawyers. This was certainly a boon considering the male-dominated fields of expertise I chose. 

    There were of course the other obstacles of developing clientele from scratch as a first -generation lawyer. I have in effect set up my practice from scratch thrice – first in Chennai, then Mumbai and thereafter before the Supreme Court in Delhi. Each time I believe, at the cost of sounding cliche, that it was sheer hard work that helped. Apart from hard work my sincere advice to the young practitioners is to maintain composure and a pleasant demeanour in Court and with peers, particularly with opponents. We, as practitioners, have to learn to distance ourselves from the briefs we handle and learn to be fair. I can safely confirm that it was my advice to clients to be fair that helped garner the respect and trust of my clients. For, in the long run, the clients benefit more from a balanced approach.

    Mediation is again a passion, which I manifested in multiple forms from handling court referred mediations to assisting in formulation of and setting up of mediation centres. The training helped me to become a better Advocate, particularly whilst handling clients and negotiations such that I was able to successfully conclude litigations that were festering for several decades. Mediation training is another skill set I believe is critical for all law students. 

    Could you tell us more about your experience as Amicus Curiae before the Supreme Court and representing a State Government in the data protection case during the pandemic lockdown? What were the key issues at stake?

    The Amicus Curiae experience in “Re: Prajwala Letter dt.18.2.2015. Violent Videos & Recommendations” was profound. Of the many cases handled, this was a satisfying journey, which gave me the opportunity to contribute to online safety of women and children. I proposed the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for this purpose, and argued for use of tech to protect users, which was a first. The consensus proposals mooted through the Government Committee I was part of and the Supreme Court making the same an order of court were seminal steps towards bettering online safety. 

    The case before the Kerala High Court was during the covid pandemic and another satisfying engagement wherein I advised use of anonymisation to protect sensitive personal health information, which the State Government accepted and submitted and was made an order of Court. Significantly, under Section 43A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (as amended) (“IT Act”) Government is not covered and hence volunteering as above was a proactive measure. 

    What inspired you to start Cyber Saathi®, and what are the primary goals and achievements of the foundation?

    I founded the non-profit – Cyber Saathi Foundation (www.cybersaathi.org), which is focussed primarily on contributing to law and policy making in the field of cyber and emerging technologies and for online safety of women, children and other soft targets (such as LGBTQ+) through awareness and peer first responder support through “Be A Cyber Saathi” (Cyber Saathi translates to “Cyber Friend”).

    I first conceptualised Cyber Saathi in 2016 after a meeting in the UK during my Chevening fellowship, when I realised the gravity and spread of offences against children. The reason for the name is also based on the young adult / child psyche i.e., that they will reach out to a friend first. Hence the name “Cyber Saathi”. I must add here that each of my fellowships have contributed to my evolution and helped me to contribute more to society. My first was the International Visitor Leadership Program – IPR (2005), and then the Cybersecurity Chevening Fellowship in 2016 and thereafter my Stanford CDDRL Fellowship on Democracy, Development and Rule of Law (2019). 

    You train judges, police, armed forces, and intelligence agencies on cyber laws and safety. How do you approach such a critical and diverse audience, and what are some key messages you emphasize?

    My involvement in such training or capacity building initiatives commenced from about 2003 and continues. It has been most gratifying to have been able to contribute to nation building through these initiatives. I have conceptualised and conducted cyber law training programs spanning all subjects on cyber. Anyone who wishes to undertake such initiatives just needs to have the urge to contribute, be willing to set aside time for the same including personal time and be generous and conscientious in the preparation and sharing of knowledge. The field of cyberlaws is constantly evolving. Keeping abreast not only of law but also of technology innovations and developments is critical and ensuring the bridging of tech and law is essential to lend value to such initiatives. 

    You have been involved in various national and international committees, including presenting before the UN’s UNODC Ad Hoc Committee on Cross Border ICT Crimes and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT. How do these engagements influence policy and legal frameworks?

    It is more about how much we can contribute to the narrative. I bring my expertise as a practitioner, which I believe is the most critical, as I can speak about the practical impediments to implementing a law at grassroots level. I also contribute, as a civil society member and speak for a balanced approach ensuring protection of human rights whilst enabling law enforcement. My engagement in training and capacity building for judges and police has contributed immensely to enriching discussions and negotiations at policy level. 

    As a prolific writer and author of several seminal books on technology laws, how do you see the role of legal writing in shaping public understanding and policy?

    Books still form the foundation of practise of law and my intent was to contribute to “democratising practise of cyber”. I wanted more practitioners to enter this field of specialisation, particularly youngsters. The move from the structure I adapted in the first book to my second book probably also reflects the evolutionary process in legal writing. Whilst my first book Technology Laws Decoded (2017) published by LexisNexis was in effect a compendium on cyber laws, my second book CSassy Tales – Cybercrime Stories & The Law (2022) published by Oakbridge Publishing takes a unique approach of teaching through storytelling. I am glad to share that both books have been received extremely well both by practitioners and industry and the latter book by users also who were also the target audience.  

    What advice would you give to fresh law graduates who aspire to make a significant impact in the field of law, particularly in emerging areas like cyber law and digital rights?

    The field of cyber is ripe for youngsters to enter and the scope is immense. With each new law that is enacted in the field of cyber, the opportunities open up further. For instance, data protection is a niche field of practice and once the rules are notified in India the floodgates would open up for advisory and adversarial practice. Similarly, cybercrime, IPR and cyber are fields which are already reasonably robust and will get further impetus from emerging laws such as the Digital India Act proposed. 

    Learning basics of the technology that drives a specific field of law, understanding the intersection between law and tech and also of existing and evolving laws and always applying fundamentals irrespective of whichever field of law that a practitioner chooses are my advice to any practitioner who decides to focus on cyber laws. 

    Get in touch with N. S. Nappinai-

  • “Be open to collaborations and aim for higher. Working together with an advocate or a friend on a sharing basis will yield better results.” – Adv Pushkar Patil, Advocate at Adv Pushkar Patil and Associates.

    “Be open to collaborations and aim for higher. Working together with an advocate or a friend on a sharing basis will yield better results.” – Adv Pushkar Patil, Advocate at Adv Pushkar Patil and Associates.

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

    Could you share what motivated you to pursue a career in law and how your journey began, especially your initial experiences in the legal field?

    I am a second-generation lawyer, many people think that it is only because my father is an Advocate, that I have come into this field. It is partly true, watching him as a kid has always been the real source of inspiration. But I always wanted to be into Sports, to be honest. I have played at National Level Cricket, but being in the shoes of an Advocate is something I have always been passionate about. And if I rightly remember, I have been visiting the Court since I was 6 years old.

    Reflecting on your early career, what were some of the significant challenges you faced when you first started practicing, and how did you overcome them?

    After completing my LLB degree, I simultaneously pursued my education in Diploma in Corporate Law and a Diploma in Housing Law. I also worked with a Real Estate group that was engaged in buying and selling of properties that initially had my liking. However, I completed my LLM from University of Glasgow, Scotland and I intended to work in the United Kingdom itself. But maybe it wasn’t destined. I came back to India and immediately went to Mumbai and joined Jaykar and Partners. It was a good experience. One fine day, I got a call from my close friend who was facing multiple cases, and since the “fee” part wasn’t the initial criteria for me, I took up his cases and that’s how the real journey began. Contrary to what others think, my father did not entertain me in his firm, which I believe was a good decision. As of the challenges you may ask, yes, it was difficult, I used to take guidance from many friends and seniors who sometimes did guide well. The truth is, you never find perfection in practice, there is nothing called stability, l or fixed income, there are always going to be downfalls, it depends on every individual how sportingly he takes it and faces the situation. For me, I have always taken it positively, as the legend says, every Storm is followed by the calm.

    How did your time at the University of Glasgow, particularly studying LLM in International Commercial Law, influence your approach to legal practice and contribute to your expertise in handling complex cases?  

    There is a vast difference between studying LLB and LLM, on top of it there is a huge difference between the LLM in India as well as the LLM in Scotland. The LLM courses in the United Kingdom also differ from university to university. Just as any other ordinary kid, I was guided by the Consultancy firms to opt for a good university. In 2013, University of Glasgow, School of Law ranked No. 1. It was but natural I opted for taking admission there. The course was indeed difficult, but you learn through the course. Not just in studies, I had the opportunity to meet new people and explore new opinions, new cultures, new traditions, and new concepts and I also found small-time jobs where I made new friends. All this affects our thinking plus the Dissertation studies also helped me a lot to work on research techniques. In real life, these things help a lot. In simple words, you find out that to reach the top of the mountain, there are multiple ways, you just have to find the right ones. In situations of studying and appearing complex and complicated cases, sometimes hiring an expert along with you always gives a new direction and a new perspective with experience of course.

    You were awarded the Cyber – Techno Legal Pioneer award in 2021. Could you elaborate on the contributions that led to this recognition?

    When I begin my practice, initially I only wanted to work in the Corporate field and that was the exact reason I completed my LLM in Commercial Law and I joined a corporate firm. But down the line, handling my friend’s case and the cases referred by friends and relatives, had a variety in them. From Civil disputes, Matrimonial Disputes, criminal cases, etc., to mediation, all of this variety pushed me into the different types of matters which were neither of the same nature nor similar facts. Since I did not completely understand the law regarding electronic evidence or I would say there was not much awareness about the same in the beginning of year 2015, I started researching on the authenticity of electronic evidence. In this phase, cyber frauds had also started to begin, and this was something worth exploring. I started to handle matters that had the part of electronic evidence, electronic records and areas that covered the Information Technology Act. It is here I received appreciation from the legal fraternity, including Police officers who would also call me up and ask for guidance. I have in fact delivered over 75 lectures to various colleges and institutions which covers the topic of Cyber Crimes. The word quickly spread and it’s here. I came into contact with Dr. Rohan Nyayadhish who recommended my name for the Cyber-Techno Legal Pioneer Award in 2021. It felt really good. 

    With over 1000 cases handled, can you discuss a particularly challenging case and what unique legal strategies you employed to achieve a successful outcome?  

    Well amongst thousands of cases that me and my firm have handled, we dealt with a case of rape and bigamy. There has been a long debate as to whether Matrimonial Rape is punishable or not, but this unique case we dealt with was regarding Bigamy and cheating as well. So whether this can amount to Rape (having sexual intercourse with a second wife), was a real question. Although the Indian Penal Code defines Consent, in this case, we had to research the very concept of “Consent” obtained by deceit and fraud. The case was almost 13 years old and because of the strict guidelines of the hon’ble High Court, this case was expedited to be concluded within 3 months. The prosecution testified several witnesses to prove every section in isolation and I had the opportunity to cross-examine them at length. This case also had the angle of Information Technology where we challenged the “65B certificate” as it was not in proper format. We succeeded in getting our client acquitted because of various lacunae of the prosecution and the failure by prosecution to prove the “fraudulent intention” of our client.

    How do you see the role of technology evolving in the practice of law, particularly in the areas of criminal and cyber law, and what steps have you taken to integrate technological advancements into your legal practice?  

    Technology has become a basic need for our human society. Hate it or love it, you cannot ignore it. With the Rapid growth in digitalisation and the courts also moving towards adopting the good uses of Artificial Intelligence, there are going to be several challenges to not just the Courts, but also to the investigation agencies and this also means a good area of practice to all the lawyers to explore. Since the implementation of mandatory e-filing and the requirement to upload every application online first, we have no choice but to work in hybrid mode. So we have to adopt what is existing and although there is no smoothness in the work as yet, it will eventually become normal, we have to go with the flow and adopt the changes. For the basics, getting a good-sized semi Commercial Printer Scanner Xerox machine is what every lawyer needs along with a good speed Internet and a good Mobile Tablet with a good camera. This has been a modern-day basic in practice.

    You’ve been a guest lecturer on various legal issues at numerous prestigious institutions. How has this experience contributed to your professional growth and understanding of the law?  

    I have delivered lectures to various institutions on various topics. Every time I have to deliver a lecture, I make sure to give at least 2 full days for its preparation. I also prepare a PPT which gives the listeners an ease in understanding the concept. Once again, before any lecture, what I do is research. This is something I have learned during my LLM course and this has helped me alot to sharpen my own knowledge. To simplify it, the more and more books you read, the more and more you understand a concept and then you can explain it to the others which again sharpens your knowledge. Delivering lectures is stressful, but the sense of satisfaction that I see on the faces of the listeners at the end of it is everything that matters. In all my lectures, the only thing I try to do is, Keep it simple.

    Working with a team of 17 advocates and 6 interns at Patil and Mantri Associates, how do you ensure effective collaboration and maintain high standards of legal practice?  And  what advice would you give to young lawyers and law students who aspire to specialize in criminal and cyber law?

    To all the students, aspirants and upcoming lawyers and freshers reading this, I would suggest you, welcome and be open to collaboration on a sharing basis. You cannot become a master of all the concepts overnight. Law is vast, but you can always be smart enough to accompany another advocate who has an expertise in that matter and work alongside them for the benefit of your client and a fair amount of professional fee. With the debate going on in various parts of the country over the stipend, I would suggest you to aim for higher. “Stipend” will cut off your wings and settle you down for less, but working together along with an advocate or your friend on a sharing basis will yield better fruits. Once you are into a good experience, take up pro-bono matters, work for legal aid and use your experience, expertise and knowledge to give back to society. To the lawyers, I advise you to read a lot of articles, case laws, judgments etc and observe the cross-examinations in Trial Court, do not jump to higher courts. And to the law students, I would suggest in addition to all of these, participating in the Moot Courts, it helps.

    You’ve mentioned interests in activities like gym and American football. How do you balance these personal hobbies with the demands of your legal career? Please share how important it is to unwind yourself from work?

    Well, I do have a lot of interest in staying fit. I have been into sports since childhood; I have played National Level Cricket and have also for a brief period, been into kickboxing. I have also held the Vice-president post for Wako Kickboxing Trust, Pune and I suggest that every lawyer must give at least an hour of his busy schedule daily to work on his body. A good appearance and a wonderful personality is a positive energy. A positive energy keeps the mind calm and open to learning new things. No man on earth is so busy that he cannot give time to work on his health, so please make sure you stay fit. Be it any sport you love. Do not settle for less.

    Get in touch with Adv. Pushkar Patil-

  • “You should be passionate about what you do, spend time learning the craft and use your knowledge to solve problems for your client”- Sourav Bhagat, Partner at Fox & Mandal

    “You should be passionate about what you do, spend time learning the craft and use your knowledge to solve problems for your client”- Sourav Bhagat, Partner at Fox & Mandal

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

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

    Can you tell us what initially sparked your interest in pursuing a career in law, and how that interest developed during your time at The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences?

    I belong to a family of lawyers. I was fascinated by this profession from childhood. I was hugely inspired by watching my father practice as a lawyer. He is still a huge inspiration for me. So, from my very childhood, the legal profession was the only thing in my mind as a profession. When I was in class 12, I saw in the newspaper that Professor Menon would set up WBNUJS at Kolkata. I was fortunate enough to sit for the entrance examination and got through. Five years at WBNUJS were the best five years of my life. These are the formative years for any individual. WBNUJS has given me exposure to diverse fields of law and much beyond. My love for law in general grew further in WBNUJS. I got to interact with professors and other students, who played a huge role in my growth and development as a lawyer. WBNUJS taught us the importance of learning basic skills not only in law but also in life.  

    With 19 years of experience in the legal field, you’ve specialized in areas such as dispute resolution, real estate, and corporate advisory. What aspects of these practice areas do you find most fulfilling, and why?

    Each practice area has its own charm. Since litigation was always my first choice, I am a  little bit biased towards dispute resolution. I have gained experience in diverse areas of law due to my interest in studying different laws and use them to solve problems faced by the client. While in real estate and corporate advisory, you are generally restricted to certain aspects / branches of law, in case of dispute resolution, depending on the nature of disputes, one has to deal with diverse laws. Sometimes, we have to study legal provisions which were unknown to us and do research on such laws to prepare an argument for the client. I think the opportunity to learn laws, interpret them and use them to give relief to the client makes dispute resolution the most fulfilling for me. When our hard work in dispute resolution helps our client get the desired relief from the Court, it gives you a sense of satisfaction.      

    Your practice spans multiple industry sectors, including FMCG, construction, healthcare, and education. How has working across these diverse sectors shaped your approach to legal challenges?

    I love and enjoy learning diverse laws. While dealing with these sectors, I not only learn the laws applicable to these industry sectors but also I have to understand their businesses. Diverse experience in multiple industries and multiple practice areas have helped me acquire diverse skills which, in the era of specialization, give me an advantage in dealing with a client, who may face different legal issues.  Working across these diverse sectors have brought me a wider range of perspectives and approaches to problem-solving, which have enabled me to advise my client on diverse issues in a holistic manner. 

    One of your key strengths is effective knowledge management within your team. Can you elaborate on the strategies you use to keep your team updated with changing legal frameworks and ensure they are well-prepared for complex cases?

    I believe that we lawyers remain students of law throughout our life. We keep on learning. We learn from seniors, colleagues, juniors and clients. Once we stop learning, that will be the end of our profession. Thus, constant learning and sharing of knowledge within the team are very important aspects. We, as a law firm, encourage everyone to be updated with changing legal frameworks and share such updates within the team. In addition to usage of e-mails or WhatsApp, we encourage everyone to discuss with each other new updates – new laws, rules, notifications, judgments, amendments etc. during office hours. Such discussions help everyone gain diverse perspectives of law rather than having his own interpretation only. This helps them to apply the law in diverse cases they handle. 

    You have represented schools in West Bengal in matters related to fees charged during COVID-19 and appeared before both the High Court at Calcutta and the Supreme Court of India. How do you approach such sensitive and high-profile cases to ensure the best outcomes for your clients?

    The education sector is very important in nation building, and was severely impacted by Covid. Physical classes had to be stopped and some of the parents suffered financially. On one hand, the schools have a right to carry out their activities – which are dependent on the fees to be collected from the parents and utilizing the same for educating the students and taking care of its teachers, officers, non-teaching staff and other stakeholders. On the other hand, we have to exercise the rights of the student to get an education. There has to be balance between these two interests, which in fact are not conflicting. The schools we represented adapted very quickly and shifted to online classes for the benefit of the students. Considering the hardships faced by some of the parents, the schools had taken the decision to provide various concessions to the students who needed such concessions. We did not approach the litigation in a generic adversarial mode. We understood that given the situation, the judges would have been sympathetic to the interest of the students, because the future of the students was to be considered. Thus, our approach was to ensure that the Courts also understood the rights of the school authorities – the importance of continuation of fees so that interest of teachers, administrative staff, other staff, contractors and all other stakeholders were also protected and it was important for the students themselves that the schools should survive and be able to continue to provide education to its students. Of course, there was some financial losses to the schools initially, but the schools survived Covid and continue to provide education to its students while protecting the interest of the students, teachers and all other stakeholders.  

    You have also been involved in significant corporate transactions, such as private equity investments and business transfers. What are the most critical factors to consider during such transactions to safeguard your clients’ interests?

    Each private equity investment and business transfer is unique in its character. It is very important to understand the business part of the transaction, you can only use your legal expertise in a particular transaction if you understand the business part of it. Due diligence plays an important role in private equity investment and business transfer. If you are on a buyer side / investor side, then identifying the legal risk in the proposed transaction is very critical to safeguard your clients’ interest. You need to explain the risk to your client and advise your client regarding various ways to mitigate the risk – through changing the structure of the deal, through execution of additional documents or through incorporating appropriate clauses in the documents. It is important for the client to make an informed decision. Our job is to identify the risk and advise the client on mitigating the risk; However, sometimes, the client has to take a business call. Legal expertise should be used as a business enabler and not as a deal breaker.  

    Lastly, what advice would you give to fresh law graduates who are just starting their careers and hoping to make a significant impact in the legal profession?

    Every individual is different and each of them must find their own way to make a significant impact in the legal profession. What may have worked for somebody need not work for all. A fresher must find a right path himself which suits him. Of course he may learn from other professionals / seniors, but such learning has to be suitable for him. However, the basic template to have reasonable success in the legal profession is the same as in any other profession. It is hard work, discipline, dedication and finding the right balance. You should keep on learning and have faith in your ability. You should be passionate about what you do, spend time learning the craft and use your knowledge to solve problems for your client. You will definitely get an opportunity in this profession, you have to be ready for such opportunity and if you are prepared to take advantage of such opportunity with your hard work, you will be able to make an impact in the profession. 

    Get in touch with Sourav Bhagat-

  • “There are quite a few challenges. IP, especially prosecution of applications, has become highly commoditized and almost become a packaged service, with costs being a race to the bottom. A lot of the advice that we see is very vanilla advice without real time being spent to determine what is best for the client’s business needs and goals”- Bharadwaj Jaishankar, Partner, at IndusLaw

    “There are quite a few challenges. IP, especially prosecution of applications, has become highly commoditized and almost become a packaged service, with costs being a race to the bottom. A lot of the advice that we see is very vanilla advice without real time being spent to determine what is best for the client’s business needs and goals”- Bharadwaj Jaishankar, Partner, at IndusLaw

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

    Could you share with us what initially sparked your interest in intellectual property law, and how did you decide to pursue it as a career?

    I was lucky enough to get an internship, in my 4th year of law school, with K&S Partners (a leading IP firm in India). I had dabbled in some IP work in my previous internships, and my interest around brands and how they are protected and commercialized was piqued. However, it was at K&S Partners where this interest really became a passion. Based on my internships at K&S Partners, and the type of IP matters and issues I was exposed to, I was clear that I wanted to build my career within IP. I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to join K&S Partners upon graduation. In my career so far, I have made it a point to get different perspectives on IP, right from working with boutique IP works to working in house, in an IP role, to now working with a full service firm. This all-round approach and experience, particularly working as an in-house counsel, helps me tremendously in my role at IndusLaw. 

    With your extensive experience across various law firms and organizations, could you highlight a particularly memorable case or project that significantly shaped your understanding of intellectual property law?

    There have been several memorable matters I was lucky enough to be a part of and it will be difficult to pinpoint one specific project. That said, working on geographical indication (GI) matters, for the Government of India and for foreign GI owners, was incredibly important and special. GIs, unlike other IPs, are collective communal rights and require a slightly different mindset. I would also say that my stint as an in-house counsel afforded me some incredible opportunities and moments to learn different facets of IP law, including from a commercial lens. The learnings, as an in-house counsel, and seeing IP from the other side of the fence, was an immense learning experience; something which I cherish a lot. I would also say that working, in the past, and, even now, on matters that intersect with technology and IP has been extremely rewarding with a lot of learning opportunities. 

    Given your role as a visiting faculty at a leading law university and your participation in national and international conferences, how do you approach staying updated with the latest developments and trends in intellectual property?

    The simple answer is that time must be made to read and be in touch with new developments and precedents. It is easy to say that calendars are full and there is no time to read. However, if one really wants to keep up-to-date on new case laws and developments, time needs to be carved out. Especially in IP, where issues can be grey, and oftentimes  case laws can be seemingly conflicting with each other; that effort to read and stay updated is a must. I do ensure that, at least during work days, I try and get about 45 mins to read news and key case law updates. On weekends and holidays, I do take out more time. Additionally, within our team, we have a system of daily news updates, that are relevant to our practice, which are shared every evening, which I ensure I read before logging for the day. Another important aspect is also to speak regularly with your peers, clients and, even foreign counsels, to understand trends and developments. It, therefore, does take a combination of sources, coupled with a dedication and discipline to keep learning and staying updated. I also find that, in interacting with universities and students, one can also learn and stay updated as students are also equally updated with new trends and cases and it, therefore, does become a fantastic two way street.     

    Transitioning from working with leading law firms to being the IP and Innovation Counsel for a global FMCG organization must have been quite a shift. What insights did you gain during this transition, and how did it influence your perspective on intellectual property issues?

    The shift from private practice to an in house counsel was certainly very interesting with a lot of learnings and mindset shifts. A couple of the biggest shifts included learning how to become a commercial enabler and adjusting risk profiles. Being an in-house counsel required me to be a business partner, who was incidentally a lawyer. You get into a position where you can’t present options to other teams and say “choose which works for you”. You have to take a call, and that means collaborating and understanding commercial needs. This stint as an in-house counsel is immensely helpful to me now when I work with clients- the idea being an extended arm of their team or an extended arm to their in-house legal team. More and more, especially in IP, clients require external counsels to help them make a decision, rather than just presenting options. This has been one of the biggest shifts in approach for me- how can I, as an external counsel, help my clients meet their business goals.

    As someone deeply involved in protecting and enforcing IP assets, what are some common challenges you encounter in this field, and how do you typically address them?

    There are quite a few challenges. IP, especially prosecution of applications, has become highly commoditized and almost become a packaged service, with costs being a race to the bottom. A lot of the advice that we see is very vanilla advice without real time being spent to determine what is best for the client’s business needs and goals. We also see clients viewing IP as an expense, rather than as an asset which will mature over time. It isn’t uncommon to see IP being compromised or undervalued at the altar of costs. If India really wants to take advantage of the tremendous innovation and talent currently being seen, IP needs to be viewed maturely and beyond just as an expense outlay. This also calls for clients to be smart about who they engage with for their IP advice and strategy. IP forms the backbone of almost all businesses and it isn’t just about filing an application. A strategic mature approach needs to be brought by external counsels when counselling clients on their IP strategies.    

    With your passion for brand building and extensive experience in advising on brand-related matters, could you share some strategies you find particularly effective in nurturing and safeguarding brands in today’s competitive landscape?

    As mentioned before, taking the time to understand clients, their business and their objectives should form the basis of any IP strategy. There are so many intricacies and nuances, even to something as simple as filing a trade mark application. Fitting the legal strategy into the four walls of business objectives is really important. Another bit is not assuming that external counsels know more than clients or in-house legal teams. It pays to listen more. Part of our job is also to get clients to do some homework as well and get them to look at IP as an asset. For me personally, the focus is on building trust and reliance with the client and getting clients comfortable in our interactions and dealings. Today’s landscape does require a great amount of flexibility and transparency in our approaches. 

    Lastly, drawing from your wealth of experience, what advice would you offer to fresh graduates aspiring to build a career in intellectual property law and commercial law?

    I have a few pieces of advice: 

    1. Be ready to put in the graft in the first few years and avoid having an entitlement approach. The first few years in the profession are particularly taxing and there is no substitute other than hard work and graft. 
    1. Invest time in an organisation and avoid making quick shifts from workplace to workplace. The longer one stays at an organisation, especially the right place and with the right approach and attitude, can offer tremendous growth opportunities down the line. 
    1. Take the time to learn about the practice, the landscape of firms and how IP is viewed by law firms and in-house counsels, and then make an informed choice on how to build a career in IP law. In today’s world, the more you are informed (and the more the prep work), the easier it is to figure out the best path to take. 

    Get in touch with Bharadwaj Jaishankar-

  • “If at all there is something to chase, chase the might of the white-collar bands which signifies being subservient only to God and be fearless and truthful learned counsel. There is much more than money in-store when you are a dignified and respectable officer of the court.” – Shiv Mangal Sharma, Additional Advocate General, Government of Rajasthan

    “If at all there is something to chase, chase the might of the white-collar bands which signifies being subservient only to God and be fearless and truthful learned counsel. There is much more than money in-store when you are a dignified and respectable officer of the court.” – Shiv Mangal Sharma, Additional Advocate General, Government of Rajasthan

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

    Your journey in the legal profession has been remarkable, from your early days to founding Aura & Co. Could you please allow us to walk through your journey and share how you came to this profession and what challenges you faced during your initial days?

    Walking into the initial days of my legal career drives me a little nostalgic. However, in response to your question, I initially earned my Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree from B.S.A. Degree College and K R Degree College affiliated with the University of Agra in 1996, followed by a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the Agra University in 1999. Hence, technically my career as a legal professional commenced/ began in the early 2000s. I was admitted as an Advocate to the Bar Council of Delhi in 2000, and by 2003, I was enrolled as an Advocate with the Supreme Court of India. Since the early days of my practice, I started gaining immense recognition for my expertise in handling complex legal issues. As challenges are concerned, like every practicing advocate, I also faced some minute challenges but my dedication and devotion towards the legal profession, and the immense support of my family members gave me a drive to work hard every day and led me towards the path of becoming a successful advocate.

    As the Managing Partner of Aura & Co., you’ve managed to build a comprehensive legal service covering various aspects of law. What inspired you to establish such a diverse legal platform?  

    From the very inception of my career, I had an aim to provide my expertise in the legal field in various dimensions to society. The only vision that I have been carrying is to provide unprejudiced, unbiased, and unsurpassed legal services to my clients in the relevant legal domain. In response to your question the vision behind establishing the firm is that the firm must be chosen for the clients and take that relationship forward by making ourselves deserving enough to be their business advisers and not just legal service providers. Moreover, it is my ideology that the management of the firm should make sure the echelon and efficient functioning of the firm while providing opportunities and avenues for its members to grow and learn. The main aim to establish the firm was to encourage leadership development and transparency between management and its associates.

    Further, the establishment of the firm aims at the Firm to work with clients engaging with legal teams and the wider business to help them in achieving the right commercial outcome. As a result, the Firm aims to support the client’s technology, outsourcing, corporate and commercial needs. The structuring of the firm is intentionally coupled with effective, timely, and practical solutions the factors that are predominant in choosing the firm by the clients. The vision of the Managing Partner follows the vision the firm that is vision is to provide continued excellent and practical timely solutions to the clients.

    Your tenure as Additional Advocate General for the Government of Rajasthan must have provided unique insights. Could you please share some details of this role and the commitments that come with this? How did this experience influence your approach to legal advocacy?

    It is an opportunity for me to be appointed as Additional Advocate General for the Government of Rajasthan and represent the State of Rajasthan before the Supreme Court of India. It is a matter of immense pride that I have got such an opportunity. Being on this post for the past 3 months, I have experienced a veracity of legal arenas and the enlarged scope of working of the State of Rajasthan.

    Given your extensive background in both civil and criminal law and your involvement in law-making and policy advising at high levels, how do you navigate the complexities of cases that involve overlapping legal areas, and how do you envision the role of legal professionals in shaping public policy? 

    Like every legal practitioner, it is my role to navigate the complexities of the cases. As a matter of fact, there is a plethora of cases where there arises overlapping of legal areas, in such a situation me, and my team are inclined towards the providing best services to our clients in an efficient and ethical manner. We as a team make all possible attempts to get our clients the best legal, practical, and workable solutions for our clients.

    How do you foresee the role of international law evolving in India, and what steps is Aura & Co. taking to prepare for this shift while also promoting legal awareness and education among the general public? 

    In my opinion, India has been a significant and influential player in the global arena. It plays a pivotal role in the intricate relationship between international law and diplomacy. With its vast population, rapidly growing economy, and geopolitical influence, India is uniquely positioned to influence and shape the course of international affairs. India’s approach to international law is characterized by a delicate balance between its commitment to principles of sovereignty and non-interference and its recognition of the importance of international legal frameworks in addressing complex global challenges. India’s multifaceted role in global diplomacy and international law is the complexity of the relationship between these two critical components of international relations. As a rising global power, India’s approach to international law and diplomacy continues to evolve, and its engagements will continue to influence the ever-changing ideology of global governance. In doing so, India reinforces the interdependence of diplomacy and international law, illustrating its vital role in shaping the future of international relations and global governance. As the promotion of legal awareness and education among the general public is concerned, we as a law firm with the help of writing articles, research papers, and attending seminars have attempted to convey our thought process in the society concerning the development in international law. Also, Aura & Company with its associated Lawyers, is a law firm that has a strong international presence. The firm currently has an office in the United Kingdom under the name Aura & Company International Ltd. The firm is also in the process of opening offices in Dubai and Canada. In addition to its services, Aura & Company Lawyers’ sister concern, Auraleagueglobal, provides advice and services to clients involved in international litigation. With its expanding global reach, Aura & Company Lawyers is well-positioned to provide support and guidance to clients operating in various parts of the world.

    As one of the premier law firms in India, what qualities do you look for in potential legal interns, and what advice would you offer to students seeking internship opportunities at Aura & Co.? 

    In my opinion internships play a crucial role in our careers. Working at a competent law firm can give a law student a major competitive edge over others. As the qualities are concerned for the potential legal interns, the firm expects the interns to have a desire to learn, be punctual, be hardworking. Being a premier law firm, we provide opportunities to law students from the different areas of the country.

    Reflecting on your extensive experience, are there any cases or achievements that stand out as particularly rewarding or challenging? What made them memorable?  Also, how do you balance the demands of your various roles, from being a Senior Panel Counsel for multiple state governments to managing a premier eLaw Firm?

    As Professional Achievements are concerned I have over 3000 appearances in the Supreme Court of India.  I have been involved in numerous landmark cases reported in various law reports. I have got an opportunity to Work alongside eminent legal professionals including Harish Salve, Mukul Rohatagi, and K.K. Venugopal. I have actively engaged in seminars and conferences related to legal process outsourcing and innovative legal services. Being a legal counsel, the commitment to the cause of providing clients with professional, responsive, and diligent legal support with the degree of excellence and integrity that one expects from legal advisors. The assistance may be in connection with litigation(s) or advisory work pertaining to disputes before all Courts, Tribunals, Commissions, and other various authorities and boards with our extensive team of lawyers and officers having expertise in respective fields. These are certain reasons that helps me to balance the demands of my various roles, from being a Senior Panel Counsel for multiple state governments to managing a premier eLaw Firm.

    Apart from your professional endeavors, what personal hobbies or interests do you pursue to maintain a work-life balance? 

    I am inclined towards learning new languages.

    What advice would you give to young lawyers who aspire to take on roles as significant and varied as yours in their careers?  If at all, there is something to chase, chase the might of the white-collar bands which signifies being subservient only to God (as the ministers of the church in earlier days felt, from whom the robes and the bands are borrowed for the dress code) and be fearless and truthful learned counsel. There is much more than money in-store when you are a dignified and respectable officer of the court. As an advice to the young lawyer, firstly, a legal professional needs to be proactive. The best juniors take the initiative on seeking out problems, solutions and opportunities. They don’t just wait for these to be handed to them by their supervisor / law firms. Secondly, lawyers should take care of the easy stuff. The real value that juniors provide is all the other stuff within our control and skill level (so that the supervisors don’t have to think about it), such as proofreading and formatting; properly naming and saving documents in the right place; and carefully reading through all email attachments / relevant documents sent to us. Thirdly, communication, a lawyer who is good at communication gives an ad-on advantage to progress in this field.

    Get in touch with Shiv Mangal Sharma-

  • “Change starts with individuals who challenge the status quo and advocate for justice. Building alliances and understanding cultural nuances are key to addressing global human rights issues,” – Dr. Anthony Raju, Advocate at Supreme Court of India & Chairman of Indian National Human Rights Protection Council

    “Change starts with individuals who challenge the status quo and advocate for justice. Building alliances and understanding cultural nuances are key to addressing global human rights issues,” – Dr. Anthony Raju, Advocate at Supreme Court of India & Chairman of Indian National Human Rights Protection Council

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

    Dr. Anthony, with such an impressive and diverse list of roles – Advocate, Human Rights Activist, TEDx Speaker, and more – could you share with our readers a bit about the journey that led you to wear so many hats?

    My journey began in a very humble setting in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Growing up in a poor family, I had to work from a young age, selling newspapers and working in small shops to support my family while pursuing my education. This early exposure to hardship instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a desire to fight for justice. My legal education and subsequent practice as an advocate opened up avenues for me to address issues I deeply care about, such as human rights and social justice. Over time, my roles expanded naturally as I found myself addressing these issues in various capacities – be it as a lawyer, activist, or speaker. Each role complements the other, enabling me to make a broader impact.

    Juggling between being a lawyer, human rights activist, and so much more must be quite a feat. How do you maintain a balance between your legal profession and your various social and humanitarian roles?

    It indeed requires a delicate balance, but the key lies in passion and prioritization. My legal profession and humanitarian roles are interconnected, as both strive towards the common goal of justice and human dignity. I allocate specific times for my legal practice, social work, and speaking engagements, ensuring that each receives the attention it deserves. Effective time management and a dedicated team also play crucial roles in helping me manage these diverse responsibilities without compromising on any.

    Your dedication to human rights is evident not only in your professional life but also through your social work in tribal and underprivileged areas. What motivates you to spend a significant amount of your time in these communities, both nationally and internationally?

    The motivation stems from my early life experiences and the realization of the stark inequalities that exist in our society. Spending time in tribal and underprivileged areas allows me to directly engage with and understand the challenges faced by these communities. It’s one thing to advocate for human rights from a distance, but it’s entirely different to be on the ground, witnessing the struggles and triumphs of the people. This direct engagement fuels my passion and commitment to making a tangible difference in their lives.

    As a dynamic criminal advocate and human rights ambassador, you’ve spoken at TEDx. Can you share a moment in your career that you consider a turning point or a particularly proud achievement?

    One significant turning point was when I founded the All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties & Social Justice (AICHLS). This platform has allowed me to channel my efforts more systematically and mobilize support for various human rights causes. Another proud moment was speaking at TEDx, where I could share my journey and inspire others to join the fight for justice and equality. Receiving the “International Human Rights Awards” and honorary doctorates were also affirmations of the impact of my work and further motivated me to continue my advocacy.

    You’ve been recognized with several awards, including honorary doctorates and the “International Human Rights Awards.” How do such accolades fuel your commitment to the causes you champion?

    These accolades serve as important validations of the work being done and the causes being championed. They bring attention to critical human rights issues and inspire others to join the movement. For me, these recognitions are not just honors but also reminders of the responsibilities that come with them. They reinforce my commitment to continue advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves and to push for systemic changes that uphold human dignity and justice.

    In addition to your legal practice, you founded the International Human Rights Advisory Council. Can you tell us more about the council’s mission and some of the key initiatives it has undertaken?

    The International Human Rights Advisory Council aims to promote and protect human rights globally through education, advocacy, and direct intervention. One of our key initiatives is providing free legal aid to marginalized communities, ensuring they have access to justice. We also run awareness campaigns on issues such as child rights, women’s rights, and the right to education. Additionally, we collaborate with other organizations to address human trafficking and violence against women. Our mission is to create a world where every individual can live with dignity and freedom.

    How has your venture, Legal and Legal Associates, made a significant difference in people’s lives by providing free legal aid, intersected with your role as a criminal lawyer, and can you share a challenging or interesting case where your dedication and skills played a crucial role in securing justice?

    Legal and Legal Associates has been instrumental in providing free legal aid to those who cannot afford it, ensuring that justice is accessible to all. One particularly challenging case involved a group of tribal women who were falsely accused of theft. My team and I worked tirelessly to gather evidence, advocate for their rights, and eventually secure their acquittal. This case highlighted the intersection of my roles as a criminal lawyer and human rights activist, demonstrating the impact of dedicated legal advocacy in protecting the vulnerable.

    How does your commitment to fostering understanding through the World Inter-Faith Council for Peace & Human Rights align with your initiatives like “Giving with Compassion,” and how do you envision the intersection of human rights and interfaith dialogue inspiring individuals to contribute to social causes on an individual level for a more peaceful world?

    The World Inter-Faith Council for Peace & Human Rights and “Giving with Compassion” both stem from the belief that understanding and empathy are crucial for social harmony. Interfaith dialogue promotes respect for diverse beliefs and fosters a sense of shared humanity. By encouraging individuals to look beyond their differences and unite for common causes, we can inspire them to contribute to social justice initiatives. The intersection of human rights and interfaith dialogue is powerful because it not only addresses legal and social issues but also nurtures the moral and ethical dimensions of peace and justice.

    How has your journey as a change maker shaped your approach to navigating the complexities of international relations as a diplomat and advocate, all while realizing the profound impact that an individual can have on society?

    My journey has taught me that change starts with individuals who are willing to challenge the status quo and advocate for justice. As a diplomat and advocate, I approach international relations with a focus on collaboration and mutual respect. Understanding cultural nuances and building alliances are key to addressing global human rights issues. Realizing the impact one individual can have inspired me to continue pushing for systemic changes and mobilizing others to join the cause. It’s about creating ripples that lead to broader societal transformations.

    On a more personal note, can you share a hobby or interest that you turn to for relaxation and rejuvenation amidst your busy schedule? How does it complement your work-life balance?

    I find solace in reading and meditation. Reading allows me to explore new perspectives and ideas, which is essential for my work as an advocate and speaker. Meditation helps me maintain mental clarity and emotional balance, enabling me to handle the various demands of my roles effectively. These hobbies provide me with the necessary downtime to recharge and stay focused on my mission.

    Aside from your professional endeavors, we’ve heard that you are involved in teaching and training. What advice do you have for aspiring advocates and human rights activists entering the field today?

    My advice to aspiring advocates and human rights activists is to stay committed to the cause, no matter how challenging it may seem. Dedication, hard work, and perseverance are crucial. Always remain empathetic and understand the struggles of those you are advocating for. Continuous learning and staying informed about legal and social issues will equip you to be effective in your efforts. Lastly, never underestimate the power of collaboration and building networks, as collective action can amplify your impact.

    Ge in touch with Dr. Anthony Raju–

  • “The law is not static; it evolves over time through amendments and the introduction of new legislation to reflect changing moral and societal values”- Ashima Mandla, Partner at Mandla & Singh Law Chambers

    “The law is not static; it evolves over time through amendments and the introduction of new legislation to reflect changing moral and societal values”- Ashima Mandla, Partner at Mandla & Singh Law Chambers

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

    Can you share a bit about your journey into the field of law? What inspired you to pursue this career path?

    When I was in school, I was rather drawn to the criminal justice system, whether it was from what was covered in the news in then ongoing cases, criminal novels and shows which piqued my interest. Thereafter, I did my graduation in Psychology Honors from LSR, where my primary field of study was abnormal psychology, being intertwined with criminal laws. Even though during the first year of LL.B, like most of us, I was also equally attracted to the Corporate side and ended up interning for 6 months at Trilegal, the first day I set foot inside the Apex Court while interning with Mr. K.T.S. Tulsi sir, all my aspirations in this field shifted and I knew I wanted to practice criminal laws. 

    As a Partner at Mandla & Singh Law Chambers, what are some of the most rewarding aspects of your work?

    In litigation, mostly everyone aspires to go independent someday and establish their own practice. For me, that juncture came a little earlier than expected and Mandakini Singh, (my senior associate from the Chambers of Tulsi sir) and I started this litigation chamber in 2018. Undoubtedly, it takes significant time and effort to get your independent practice off the ground, especially being first-generation lawyers, but then there were many seniors who were exceptionally kind to us to offer support and even refer work. The most rewarding aspect in running your own practice is the opportunity to not only build cases by formation of a narrative but also to oversee the outcome. It gives you a platform and opportunity to understand your shortcomings and actively work towards growth. 

    Your involvement in drafting legislation such as the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 2019, reflects a deep commitment to legal reform. What drives your passion for advocating for change within the legal system?

    The law is not static; it evolves over time through amendments and the introduction of new legislation to reflect changing moral and societal values. As our worldview and perceptions shift, so do the nuances of the legal system. Every judgment that explains or expands the scope of any section or act is an active step toward changing the limits and understanding of the legal system. Law and society are intertwined, each contributing to shifting the perspective of the other.

    Could you tell us about a particularly challenging case you’ve worked on and how you navigated through it?

    The most challenging case has been the Tablighi Jamaat case. There were 955 foreigner nationals from 48 countries which were detained for 2 months and when the Habaes Corpus case was preferred before the High Court of Delhi for their release, overnight chargesheets were filed against the foreigners. Even though there was not a single medical report which was placed on record in the chargesheet showing anyone as Covid-19 positive, yet the narrative in the media was running contrary to the evidence on record, which also colored the public perception. The impact and perception of media trials, particularly in sensitive and high-profile cases was highlighted. Media trials can lead to premature judgments and public opinion that may not align with the legal proceedings and the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”  Furthermore, 2 months into the litigation, it surfaced that there were second FIRs against the foreign nationals and those who were repatriated on humanitarian grounds of plea bargaining after depositing costs to an extent of Rs. 52L to the Government, they were once again estopped from returning to their homes. It led to an arduous and protracted litigation” of 150 hearings, 955 bail applications, 5 writs, 44 discharge applications, 26 quashing petitions, 80 revision petitions, 15 hearings before the Supreme Court and then a trial in a Delhi court over 9 months. Even though there was not a single conviction in Delhi as even all the foreigners who chose to contest the charges in the trial were acquitted, this case was unprecedented under the unforeseen circumstances across the globe.

    The other case, which was recently viewed as a landmark judgment in Pavana Dibbur v. Directorate of Enforcement.,2023 SCC OnLine SC 1586 wherein the Hon’ble Apex Court was pleased to quash the complaint u/s 44/45 of the PML Act, 2002 (akin to chargesheet) on the ground that s. 120-B IPC can be invoked only in reference to a predicate scheduled offence, was rather challenging as a case, as there were no authorities on this issue and all judgments of the Apex Court as well as various High Courts were ambiguous. The coming of this judgment reinforced the confidence that one can build arguments from bare reading of provisions and interpretation of statutes even if there are no judicial precedents precisely on the issue. Needless to say, it would not have been possible without the fierce and structured arguments led by Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora ma’am.

    Your achievements in both academia and extracurricular activities are impressive. How do you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal interests and commitments?

    I believe that lawyers led stressful lives as is, which makes it imperative to have interests outside of work, to balance out. More often than not, the demands of every day work and deadlines puts personal lives at the backseat. I personally make it a point to travel, even if it is a short trip, whenever the opportunity presents itself. It gives you something to look forward to as well. Apart from that, there are many tournaments organized by various Bar Associations, which are an amazing way to break the ice, forge better bonds with your peers and seniors. 

    Being an Advocate-on-Record before the Supreme Court is a significant achievement. How did you prepare for and approach the examination, especially achieving such a high rank on your first attempt?

    I had started my career at the Apex Court as a junior, so I was always enchanted and inspired to become an Advocate-on-Record before the Apex Court. Truly, with running my own practice, I was able to only devote 20-25 days of study towards the examination and managed to secure a Rank #4. However, the fact that a lot of the concepts tested in this examination especially in the papers of Practice and Procedure as well as Drafting have nexus with everyday practice before the Apex Court, having practiced for 5 years, in terms of drafting, filing and arguments, before appearing in this examination made those papers fairly easy to prepare for. 

    As for the other two papers namely Leading Case and Advocacy and Professional Ethics, most of those cases were a part of the curriculum in college and hence were formative concepts which are widely referred to and relied upon across a spate of judgments and thus, if the basic concepts in law are clear, the examination is not all that tough. Therefore, the syllabus ought to not be viewed as something one can mug up for the examination, but if you truly read the judgments in its entirety, you will benefit in your practice as it will enhance your concepts and knowledge base, with concepts or sub-concepts which were perhaps not completely understood during college.

    With your experience in criminal defense litigation, what do you find to be the most common misconceptions people have about this area of law?

    It is no surprise that the salary for freshers in litigation is not comparable to the corporate sector, which has been a driving factor for an increased number of graduates preferring the latter. However, criminal defence litigation is far more rewarding in all aspects as compared to the corporate sector. Furthermore, another misconception is that criminal defence litigation is not for women, and for most of us, even our families are not comfortable with the thought of women visiting jails, police stations and lower courts. We have legal stalwarts such as Senior Advocates Ms. Meenakshi Arora ma’am, Ms. Indira Jaisingh ma’am, Ms. Rebecca John ma’am, Ms. Shobha Gupta ma’am, who are not just counted as the best female advocates, but in the list of the best advocates.  Therefore, the field is not an old boys club. 

    As someone who has accomplished a lot in their legal career, what advice would you give to recent law graduates who are just starting out in the field?

    Be patient, zealous and persevere. Law demands layers of intricate knowledge which is gathered across a spectrum of fields over a period of time. There are essentially no shortcuts to success and the only way to conjointly sustain and grow is through day-to-day perseverance. The skill-set which needs to be developed in this profession to stand out, are built over years of backbreaking work. Join offices which teach you work, develop your skills and offer you opportunity to grow. 

    Get in touch with Ashima Mandla-

  • The most challenging aspect of the international arbitration field is to break into the system which is often referred to as the “insular arbitration bubble”- Moin Ghani, Founding Partner, Alliance Laws

    The most challenging aspect of the international arbitration field is to break into the system which is often referred to as the “insular arbitration bubble”- Moin Ghani, Founding Partner, Alliance Laws

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

    Can you share with us how and why you decided to pursue a career in law? Was there a specific moment or influence that guided your decision?

    My pursuit of a career in law was more accidental than pre-meditated. I am the first lawyer in my family and did not have any idea about the legal profession before I decided to study law. 

    Even my study of the law was more out of curiosity about the subject than out of any career aspirations. By the time I was applying to go to university, I had studied science subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Pure Mathematics in addition to the social sciences and humanities like Economics, Commerce, Language, Literature, and Art. I did quite well in all the subjects but did not feel I wanted to pursue higher studies in any of those subjects. Thus, I decided to study law. 

    I eventually fell in love with international law and decided to pursue a career in that arena even though it was not something most graduates pursued at that time. International law was definitely the path less taken.  

    What was your experience like studying law at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and how did it shape your career trajectory?

    Studying law at the LSE was truly a transformative experience for me. It was indeed a privilege to be taught law by the best experts. For instance, I studied Public International Law and was supervised by Sir Christopher Greenwood, who later went on to become a Judge at the International Court of Justice in the Hague. It was also an invaluable experience to be able to attend classes with a diverse group of international students while living in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, London. The years at LSE clearly helped to broaden my horizon and exposed me to the career opportunities in the field of international law.     

    You’ve worked with top international law firms in the US and the UK. How did these experiences contribute to your expertise and influence your practice back in Bangladesh?

    I worked in the UK for Eversheds LLP in their shipping department. That work experience was my first foray into the world of arbitration arising out of shipping law. During those early years of practice, I realized that a good lawyer not only needs to understand law but needs a well-rounded knowledge base which helps to think outside the box. Many of the issues that arise during a complex case may often involve highly technical matters where one’s understanding of subjects like physics and chemistry come in handy. 

    In the United States, I got the fortuitous opportunity to work for one of the world’s leading international arbitration firms, Foley Hoag LLP. I had gone to the United States as a Fulbright Scholar on the Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship to study at the Washington College of Law at American University (“WCL”). By chance, one of the Adjunct Professors who was teaching me at WCL was also a Managing Partner at Foley Hoag LLP, which had just been engaged by the Government of Bangladesh for the arbitration of the maritime boundary disputes in the Bay of Bengal between Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India. I was fortunately in the right place at the right time and got offered a position at Foley Hoag. I was particularly keen on assisting my own country Bangladesh in an international arena. While at Foley Hoag I also got to work for countries like Ecuador and Venezuela in arbitration cases arising from investment disputes. I was part of the team that advised the Philippines in their maritime boundary dispute with China in the South China Sea.          

    My international experiences in the law firms in the UK and USA greatly helped me in my international arbitration practice. Not only did I acquire legal skills by working with the best international lawyers in the world but I also built personal lasting friendships that provide indispensable support to me even today.  

    What motivated you to establish Alliance Laws in Bangladesh, and what have been some of the significant milestones for the firm since its inception?

    The key motivation for establishing Alliance Laws was to have the freedom of choice about the kind of work I want to do. Now I only do cases that I find enjoyable or challenging. The law firm has grown exponentially since it was founded in 2019. We started with only two lawyers and in five years we have sixteen people working in the firm. Since our inception, we have assisted Bangladesh state owned entities in several international arbitration cases. In addition, we have also been involved in a number of complex cross-border transactions for international clients. The firm has been ranked by Chambers and Partners for its “Corporate and Finance” and “Dispute Resolution” works.     

    Given your extensive experience in international arbitration, what do you see as the most challenging aspects of this field, and how do you navigate them?

    The most challenging aspect of the international arbitration field is to break into the system which is often referred to as the “insular arbitration bubble”. While some progress has been made with respect to gender, ethnicity, and cultural diversity, the system is still somewhat closed and controlled by a small group of people. I feel there is a need to encourage greater diversity in the pool of professionals which work in international arbitration, both as counsel and arbitrators. 

    For my part, whenever the opportunity arises, I try to encourage appointment of arbitrators and counsel from different regions and cultural backgrounds. I also try to ensure that tribunals and my legal teams have a good gender and multicultural balance.   

    Could you highlight one or two international arbitration cases you’ve worked on that you found particularly challenging or rewarding?

    One of the most challenging international arbitration cases that I have worked on involved a dispute between my country, Bangladesh, and a Canadian energy company. The Canadian company had caused a massive explosion while negligently drilling a gas filled in northern Bangladesh and was about to get away without paying any compensation. When I was appointed to the case, half way through, I managed to get a team of lawyers together and succeeded in turning the outcome of the case in Bangladesh’s favour. It was difficult to take on a case which had been partially completed. However, in the end, it was rewarding to be able to change the outcome of the case through a combined team effort and a “never give up” mindset.     

    Lastly, what advice would you give to fresh law graduates who aspire to build a successful career in international law and arbitration?

    My advice to all fresh law graduates would be to read as much, and as widely, as possible. Reading cultivates the mind and makes one more empathetic. To be a good lawyer one only needs to understand the law. But to be a great lawyer, especially in international law and arbitration, one has to solve complex legal issues from a culturally sensitive manner. There is also no short cut to success. In legal practice, if one is to succeed one must be prepared to go per aspera ad astra (through hardship to the stars). 

    Get in touch with Moin Ghani-

  • “A good cross-examination has the potential to turn litigation in your favor. Every day in a lawyer’s life is an experience and a learning.” – Rajesh Ramanathan, Partner, Factum Law

    “A good cross-examination has the potential to turn litigation in your favor. Every day in a lawyer’s life is an experience and a learning.” – Rajesh Ramanathan, Partner, Factum Law

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

    What motivated you to pursue a career in law, and could you walk us through your journey from your early days in law school to becoming a partner at Factum Law? Additionally, could you share some of the challenges you encountered during the initial stages of your career and how you overcame them?

    The Question should be ‘Who?’ and not ‘What?”. I owe my professional life to my grandfather Mr. V.V. Ramanatha Iyer who was a prominent Lawyer in the Vellore District. As a school going kid, I used to accompany my grandfather to the Munisiff Court at Ranipet where he predominantly practised. It was his wish that I take after him. I joined Law School much against the wishes of my mother who like many others at that time thought that I would end up a Lier to be a successful lawyer. It took a while to convince her and she reluctantly agreed after I promised her that I will not Lie. It was my grandfather who sowed the seed in me to be a Lawyer and it was he who taught me that a Lawyer can be honest, truthful and successful. Legal education in those days were more theoretical unlike today and we hardly ever stepped into a Court during our Law School days. Of course there were quite a few exceptions to this and a few of my friends started interning quite early. 

    But I was a Reluctant Lawyer, when for the first time I set foot in Court almost 29 years ago.  Growing up, I was very quiet, reserved and had all qualities uncharacteristic of a Litigating  Lawyer. When I started my practise as a junior to my grandfather at Ranipet, I was just happily  going around the corridors of the Subordinate Courts as a privileged grandson but without actually knowing the fundamentals of being a Lawyer. I  felt I was in the middle of a jungle with  my eyes tied shut. I did not know what was happening.  I became a lawyer because of my  Grandfather and also because I did not know what else to do with my life.

    What inspired you to specialize in contentious and non-contentious litigation in areas such as IP, corporate, and commercial laws?

    When we started our careers as lawyers, we had only two options. Either to litigate or go inhouse. Since I followed my grandfather’s footsteps, contentious and non-contentious litigation was the obvious choice. But to sustain and keep up with that choice is a completely different challenge. I would say, Intellectual Property Rights and Commercial Laws chose me rather than me choosing them. A year into practice, my illustrious grandfather advised me to relocate and start afresh with a good Senior Practitioner at the Madras High Court. He felt that the Subordinate Courts were being bifurcated and it would be difficult for me to run around from one Court to the other in the Vellore District of Tamil Nadu. I am glad I took his advice and moved to the High Court where I was given the opportunity to join the chambers of Mr. V. Veeraraghavan, one of the most prominent Lawyers in the field of Intellectual Property Law in Chennai then.  It was more like an institution where we got to learn the practice of IPR and commercial Litigation. Mr. Veeraraghavan was instrumental in tutoring many other stalwarts like Mr. Prabhakara Reddy and Mr. Perumbulavil Radhakrishnan who were also my mentors and still continue to guide me in my journey.  All these mentors inspired me and continue to inspire me to do well. And IPR as a subject is so unique and different from all the other areas of laws, it is but natural to be drawn to this area of specialization.  

    We noticed you’re a senior panel lawyer for ‘The Institute of Chartered Accountants in India.’ How did this collaboration come about, and what does your role entail?

    I have been a Senior Panel lawyer for ICAI  the past few years. The collaboration started after a process of application and selection through an in person interaction. As a Senior panellist, I am entrusted with representing ICAI before the Madras High Court in select matters of complex legal issues. It has been both a learning and a rewarding experience representing one of the premier Statutory Bodies of the Country. 

    Given your extensive experience, what advice would you give to aspiring lawyers looking to specialize in intellectual property law?

    The Legal profession generally is a very noble profession which is also very satisfying and rewarding to all the genuine practitioners. I would most certainly tell all the youngsters who are looking at Law as a career, that honest, sincere hard work would make you very efficient and successful. It is imperative to believe that a lawyer is allowed to interpret a law but not facts. 

    Our profession has spread its wings far and wide now in terms of the avenues for a lawyer to get into. Earlier a lawyer had no other alternative but to either choose litigation or become an inhouse Counsel. But the options that are now available are much more. However,  It is my firm view that every lawyer on their enrolment should litigate in any Court of their Choice and convenience for a minimum of three years before choosing any other option. Because Litigation teaches us everything that one needs in life including Man Management. Right from just seeking an adjournment, to substantial arguments it is just an art. I always believe that the lessons a young lawyer learns from litigation in the first three years, would keep him/her in good stead for the rest of his/her life in whatever they choose to do.  So my first advice, if I may call it, is to gain experience as a litigator for a minimum period of three years before they decide to opt for any other avenues of the profession. 

    As for Intellectual Property Rights, this is the only area of law whose value stems from the public perception of such IPR (except Patents of course) and therefore every case would be different from the other. This is also a subject that just keeps evolving with every new invention and/or creative work. This to me is the unique aspect that makes it even more interesting than any other areas of law. The entry of AI now is taking to  different heights and it would be interesting to see where else it goes. 

    Can you share any insights into the legal landscape in India, particularly in terms of intellectual property rights and brand protection strategies?

    The Legal landscape is pretty promising as I believe that India of all the Major economies of the World has the best IPR protection in terms of Statutory Laws. Having said that, I also believe that we have to improve a lot in its implementation. Our Judiciary has been doing a lot to improve/ fasten the time for delivering Justice which by itself is no mean feat considering the population and the number of Judges we have. 

    As for strategies, I keep thinking that the brand owners take a long time to realise the potential value of their IPR’s and more often than not, the time delay in seeking Statutory protection by way of registering one’s brands or Patenting their new invention results in them losing value. Statutory protection of IPR’s should be the first on the agenda for a brand to be valuable. Registering a brand alone is not enough but maintaining it and protecting it from infringement at the right time is also equally important. In my little experience, I have come across quite a few brands losing their brand value just because they did not take action at the right time. It is also imperative for brand owners to understand that the cost and expenses for protecting and maintaining their brand is more of an investment than just an expense. 

    Looking back at your career journey so far, what are some key milestones or turning points that have shaped your professional growth and approach to law?

    Looking back, It just amazes me that I am able to sustain in this competitive field and quite well. I would like to think that the entire Universe comes to your aid if you just keep working without thinking about the result or the consequences. I take this opportunity to thank all my Seniors who nurtured/ mentored me and who still guide me in my journey. There are quite a few turning points since the day I started my career as a lawyer. I very vividly remember my Grandfather’s loving advice to relocate to the High Court and the day I joined the Chambers of my Senior Mr. V. Veeraraghavan who helped me transition into a High Court Practitioner. 

    The year I spent at the Franklin Pierce Law School in the USA would be the turning point or a milestone in my career. It is not only the Legal Skills I acquired there that made it a milestone, but the people I met there and the multi-cultural life that I was introduced to, changed me as a person. I went in as an Indian and returned as a true International. I still am in touch with most of my friends and teachers and I will always cherish my year at my alma mater. This camaraderie with all these people in a foreign Country for one full year taught me to be affable and friendly to all and guides me in my approach to the Legal Profession even today. Starting our own firm ‘Factum Law’ in the year 2017 was another key turning point in my professional life and with the right people to work with, this has been a very interesting and rewarding journey so far. 

    The International Trademark Association of which I have been a member since 2008, has also shaped my knowledge throughout. The Annual Meeting every year and the opportunity to meet thousands of IP practitioners from around the world in one place is always satisfying. This also helps me and my colleagues in keeping ourselves updated with all the developments of Law around the world. 

    None of this would have been possible if we did not have the right team to depend on. I am eternally grateful to all my team members for being with me through thick and thin. Thanks to them I am certain of many more milestones in my Professional life. 

    Reflecting on your time at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, could you share your experience and highlight any notable differences you observed between the educational approach there and the legal education system in India? How do you think these differences have influenced your practice of law?

    The life I spent at Pierce Law is the most memorable and life changing. I would be failing in my duty if I don’t credit Pierce Law for all of my achievements so far in my life and whatever I am destined to do more in this professional life. The Education system is more pragmatic whereas we in India still focus on theory. I am however told that it is changing here as well. There are no lectures in the US education system but only discussion. Which means you have to be prepared to be part of the discussion in every class. And you will be tested in the exams only on the discussion you had in the class. So it is imperative that you are well prepared even before attending the class and you get to participate in the discussion. This I believe is the most pragmatic way of teaching subjects and I hope Law Schools in India follow suit on this kind of pragmatic education. This has greatly influenced my thinking and my preparation for a case. 

    As a faculty member at EBC Learning and an alumnus of the Franklin Pierce Law Centre, do you incorporate your international experience and the teaching methodologies you encountered during your LLM into your approach to teaching? If so, how do you adapt these methods to suit the needs of your students and the legal education landscape in India?

    Whenever I get the opportunity to address  the students on some topic of interest, I make sure I follow the lessons learnt at Pierce Law. That of being pragmatic in my approach. So I try to make it an interactive session rather than just a lecture. This certainly aids in the students improving their thought process and their knowledge. This approach is imperative for Lawyers. I am also of the view that no Law school or college in India produces  Lawyers. They can only produce a good Law Student. It is the legal practice that moulds a student into a lawyer and that takes a minimum of three years. So a pragmatic approach would equip the students better in their transition to a professional lawyer. 

    Could you walk us through what a typical workday looks like for you, and how do you ensure you stay updated on the latest developments in the legal field amidst your busy schedule?

    Life of a lawyer is very demanding and unless we are prepared to sacrifice that ‘me time’, it will be very difficult to succeed. There are times when one feels overburdened but that comes with the territory. A typical day for me starts at 9.30 AM if not earlier. That depends on my Court work. Evenings are spent in preparing for the next day’s work and so on and so forth. Law journals and commentaries accompany me many times even in my travels. There can never be a day where a lawyer can say or feel he knows everything and the day one feels as such, would either be his last day of practice or after his retirement. Since Law is something that keeps evolving and changing with times, we as lawyers have to keep updating all the time. So I would only say ‘keep working’ to keep updated. 

    Do you remember the first time when you fought a case? Please tell us some anecdotes that happened in the courtroom.

    Very Vividly. That was my second day at the Madras High Court. I was asked to appear for a contemnor in a Trademark Infringement case against a formidable and successful lawyer who later became a Senior Counsel. I remember struggling to even mouth ‘May I please your Lordship” and the Judge had to lean forward to hear me. I was so nervous that I didn’t even know how I reacted in a room full of stalwarts. Within a few months, I became better at it and started enjoying my appearances in the High Court. Full credit to my senior who constantly encouraged me. It is those opportunities that I got from my seniors that exposed me to successful litigation early in my life. 

    Could you share with us one of the most interesting and challenging cases from your career that still resonates with you, and walk us through the complexities you encountered and how you navigated them? 

    There are quite a few. Particularly at the beginning of my career where I was assisting a Senior Counsel in a Trademark case. It was an appeal and the Senior Counsel appearing for the Appellant swayed the Bench completely in his favour. It looked as though we wouldn’t even have a chance to argue. 

    When it was our chance, all we did was to pick some errors in the Appellants documents and in no time the Division Bench turned in our favour. It showed me what presence of mind and a thorough knowledge of every single piece of paper filed in Court could do. That was a lesson I carried all through my life and I still make it a point to thoroughly study the files. You never know where the spark would come from. 

    I have also enjoyed my experiences in appearing in trial Courts and conducting cross examinations. One can never be fully prepared to cross examine a witness and a presence of mind is most essential to be a successful trial Lawyer. Conducting trials is an art by itself and every Law Student should expose himself/herself to the art of cross examination. A good cross examination has the potential to turn litigation in your favour. I will end by saying that every day in a Lawyers Life is an experience and a learning. I most certainly love the challenges that this profession throws at me every single minute.

    Thank you 

    Get in touch with Rajesh Ramanathan-