Super Lawyer

Category: Interviews

  • Avik Ghatak, Advocate, Criminal Law, on Litigation and LL.M in Human Rights Law from Univ of Exeter

    Avik Ghatak, Advocate, Criminal Law, on Litigation and LL.M in Human Rights Law from Univ of Exeter

    Avik Ghatak graduated from Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, Kolkata in 2011. He started his legal career as an Advocate in the Sub-Divisional Court of Asansol and District Court of Burdwan. Thereafter he pursued Masters from University of Exetor, Devon in International Human Rights Law. He also attended the Certificate Course on International Humanitarian Law organized by the Instituto Internazionale di Diritto Umanitario in San Remo, Italy and Geneva. He has also published numerous papers and currently practises at the High Court at Calcutta.

    In this interview he talks about:

    • Law college experience at JCC Law College, Kolkata
    • Masters at University of Exeter, Devon
    • Publishing various papers
    • Building a career in criminal law litigation at the Trial Courts

     

     

    Please introduce yourself to our readers. Tell us a little bit about your childhood and your background?

    A warm hello to all the readers of SuperLawyer. I am Avik Ghatak and I am an Advocate at the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta. It gives me immense pleasure to be able to reach out to all the readers of this forum and share my views and experiences with them.

    I was born and brought up in Asansol in the state of West Bengal. I studied at St. Patrick’s Higher Secondary School till class X and completed my higher secondary from Burnpur Riverside School.

    After that, I had gotten through to Symbiosis Law School, Pune for my LL.B., but decided to pursue my graduation from Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, under the aegis of the University of Calcutta..

    I started my career as a junior advocate at the chamber of Mr. Somenath Chattaraj at the Sub-divisional Court at Asansol.

    Occasionally, I also had the opportunity to appear before the District Court at Burdwan, West Bengal. After a year of practicing as a litigator, I got through to the University of Exeter in the U.K., from where I completed my LL.M. in International Human Rights Law. After completion of the same, I re-joined the profession and started practicing at the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta.

    While being able to give relief to clients gives me an immense satisfaction as a litigator, academics too, continues to interest me to no end. After having completed a Diploma in Cyber Laws through the distance mode, I was fortunate enough to be able to get the opportunity to attend a short certificate course in International Humanitarian Law last year.

     

    Do you have lawyers in your family? Would you say your parents were instrumental in your decision to pursue law?

    I am the 4th generation in a line of advocates. There is no dearth of advocates on my mother’s side too. My mother is also an advocate while her elder brother is an Ex-Judge of the High Court at Calcutta and his elder daughter, i.e. my cousin and her husband are advocates too.

    As interesting as it may sound, neither of my parents wanted me to pursue law as a career. In fact, I had decided on leaving Symbiosis Law School after getting through to the same, and joining the University of Calcutta, since I thought that Kolkata would be a better place to prepare for the engineering entrance exams that are held in the state. However, fate had other plans in store for me. By the end of the 1st year of LL.B., I was so interested in the subject of law, that changing my stream was no longer an option for me.

     

     

    Your father, Mr. Moloy Ghatak is a prominent lawyer & former Law Minister of West Bengal. How did he influence your career as a mentor? Did you get to hear legal discussions right from your childhood days?

    Considering the fact that almost my whole family is comprised of advocates, including both my parents, there is no denying that I did in fact, come across legal discussions and terminology from a very young age.

    Ever since joining practice, my father has been a source of constant support for me, whether as a senior to consult or a mentor to guide me through the times when I have come under duress. He has always been my idol as a human being. Now, his success as a counsel is also something that I look up to and would like to replicate in the days to come.

     

    Your father is also an MLA and a member of All India Trinamul Congress party (TMC). Did you ever think of joining politics?

    Like in advocacy, my father is not the first politician of our family. Politics in our family, to the best of my knowledge, goes back even further than advocacy. Inspired, as most young minds are during their college days, by such a background and charged with thoughts of revolutionising the prevalent scenario, I did dabble in college politics for a couple of years before realization dawned on me that politics is most certainly not my cup of tea.

     

    How would you describe your time at Jogesh Chandra Choudhuri Law College (affiliated to Calcutta University)? Please share some memorable experiences of your college life.

    In two words, it was life changing. I went to J.C.C. Law College as someone who was more interested in preparing for the engineering entrance exams next year. At the end of the 5 years there I was convinced that I would have had committed the greatest blunder of my life had I not decided to pursue a subject as interesting as law. The credit of making someone pretty disinterested in the subject to actually start loving the same goes completely to our professors and lecturers.

    There are probably too many memorable experiences to write home about. Among them, the experience of organising an art and craft competition for the students, re-launching our College’s law journal after a gap of a few years and winning the Moot Court Competition at Hazra Law College, would probably take the cake. Also, our very first class at college, where we were given a lecture by the then Principal of J.C.C. Law College, Dr. Manik Bhattacharya, remains a memorable experience for me. His statement that those coming from families having legal backgrounds ought not take success for granted since expectations from them would be sky high and almost impossible to meet and his quip that ‘A successful advocate barely ever enjoys his life and it is rather his children who do so’, shall remain etched in my memory for a long time to come.

     

    In Calcutta, universities are always charged up with a political atmosphere. How was your experience in such an atmosphere?

    Yes, I was indeed engulfed by such a political atmosphere and activism till I called quits sometime later. It is perhaps better to enter politics when we have something to give to politics rather than the other way round. The best example that comes to my mind is my father, who established himself professionally before taking the plunge. Another person from our very own High Court would be Mr. Kalyan Banerjee, who rose to the pinnacle of success as an advocate before deciding that it was time enough for him to become a legislator from a litigator.

    My experience in the midst of such an enlightened community of people, as I stated earlier, was very enriching, not only academically but also through the lessons of life that I had the opportunity to learn during my years at the University of Calcutta.

     

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

    The first and foremost thing that one should keep in mind when one intends to write a paper is whether the question that he/she seeks to answer through his/her research work or the topic he/she wishes to deal with is feasible or not. Being over-ambitious is of little help since choosing a vague or a wide ranging topic would pose significant problems for the author of the paper in collecting primary data. More importantly, to be able to collect and collate such a huge amount of information within the restricted number of words, as most journals tend to have a word limit for the submissions that one makes to them, would become that much tougher if the topic is not precise and focussed. A research paper also needs to be structured in the sense that one needs to be able to clearly define what one wants to say through the paper. The cardinal rule while writing a paper is to always remember that each line and each paragraph in the paper must be related to the question one is trying to answer in the paper.

    Also, last but not the least, there is no use in giving a long winding introduction or in merely compiling existing information vis-a-vis the topic you have chosen. What is rather of more importance is to be able to do some analysis of your own and preferably coming up with some suggestions on how to improve the law and/or the policy dealt with in your paper so that the law/policy is better adapted to the needs of an ever changing world/ society.

     

    After your graduation in graduating in 2011, you have started your criminal law practice at the Sub-Divisional Court of Asansol and also practised at the District Court of  Burdwan. What did you gather from your experience at the trial courts?

    On seeing most of my friends joining the High Court directly, I had been a bit averse to joining the lower court before making the switch to our state’s only constitutional court. It was on my father’s insistence that I went back to my hometown to start practicing as an advocate at the sub-divisional court situated there. And now I realise that it was a very good decision since when practicing at an appellate court, like the High Court, it is very necessary for you to be having a clear idea about the procedures of the trial court. And that is exactly what you gain if you practice at the lower courts, at least for some time, before making the switch to the higher courts, whether at the state or at the federal level.

     

    What influenced your decision to start your criminal practice just after graduation?

    Criminal law has always fascinated me. Not surprisingly, it had been my forte at college as well. Also, both my parents were criminal law practitioners. It is perhaps a combination of the above stated factors that influenced me to take up criminal law practice immediately after graduation. I would, however, also like to state that I consider these divisions in legal practice to be very artificial. This is especially true in the backdrop of the fact that at the graduation level we study all the major laws and as advocates, we are supposed to have a basic understanding of all or at least, most of them, even if we cannot claim to hold sway over all of them.

     

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    At what point did you decide to pursue your Masters at the University of Exeter? What was your motivation?

    It was after spending some time in legal practice that I had a lingering feeling that I still had some academics left in me. A few publications, especially a couple of them in a law journal published by the reputed and respected Common Law House publishers in Kolkata, further fuelled my thoughts in this regard. Aniket Mukherjee, one of our family friends and also a senior at J.C.C. Law College, who had himself completed his masters from the U.K., inspired me to go for an LL.M. One thing led to another and I landed up at the University of Exeter pursuing my Legum Magister.

     

    How was your experience at Exeter University?

    The experience at Exeter was vastly different from anything that I had come across in India during my graduation days. To begin with, there were no written exams for the subjects (referred to as modules therein) and hence no concept of buying the last ten years question papers and memorizing the answers . However, the absence of written exams did not mean unlimited free time since we were required to submit research essays in all the subjects we had chosen. Legal education over there depends much more on research work and analysis than over here. So, in a way, there weren’t too many shortcuts or last night studies. The path to success lay in the library, if I may say so.

    The library was absolutely fantastic with law journals from all major legal jurisdictions and systems, including those from India. Students over there are also given access to the best online journals available over the internet. I literally had almost the whole legal world at my fingertips while studying as a student at the University.

    A multi-national teaching staff, including among their ranks, a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Secretary General and also a Refugee Status Determination Officer of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and a similarly diverse student group, further enhanced the knowledge exchange process. That is something that is available at only very few law universities in India.

     

    Why have you chosen International Human Rights as your specialization for LL.M?

    Most of whom I know to have done their LL.M., have pursued International Business Laws or International Commercial Laws. Perhaps it is more lucrative in terms of job prospects. But somehow, interest in this particular branch of law continues to elude me till date. International Human Rights Law was thus, pretty much an obvious choice since international law and human rights had been as close to my heart as criminal law.

     

    How difficult was studying abroad in terms of finding accommodation, finances and settling in?

    I shall begin with the last issue put forth in this question. Settling in was never a problem in the U.K. since they have a multi-cultural society with people from various countries and cultures residing therein for a long period of time. Racism is down to a near zero. All my concerns regarding whether I would be able to integrate into the society over there or not, were laid to rest pretty soon after my arrival at the University.

    Finding an accommodation hadn’t been a problem since I had put up at accommodation provided by the University.. However, when I decided to move out, it proved to be a tough task since as per the agreement with the University, one has to get someone who, at that point of time wasn’t staying at any of the University provided accommodation, to take your place or to continue to pay the entire fees for the University accommodation for the whole year. Fortunately, I did not have to wait for long to get such a replacement. However, my suggestion to anyone reading this and contemplating to pursue his/her LL.M. abroad, would be to decide beforehand as to whether one would like to stay at University provided accommodation or at an independent accommodation because once you ink the accommodation agreement with the University, the way out of the same could be very tough and not everyone could get as lucky as I did in getting a replacement who matches the terms of the agreement.

    Lastly, it is a known fact that studying in the western countries is a much costlier proposition than studying anywhere in India. Hence, prospective students would be better advised to look for scholarships, if the same is on offer. Over and above the same, perhaps putting up at a shared accommodation and not spending too much on travelling, a natural attraction for anyone going abroad for studies, should do the trick as far as the finances are concerned.

     

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    You were as one of the 50 professionals from around the world to attend a Certificate Course on International Humanitarian Law organised by the Istituto Internazionale di Diritto Umanitario in San Remo, Italy and also in Geneva. How was the overall experience? What was this course all about?

     I had been fortunate enough to be sent, along with 15 others from my University to attend the 82nd session of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the 54th session of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women at the United Nations Office at Geneva in February, 2013. It is over there that I came to know about the Istituto Internazionale di Diritto Umanitario in San Remo, Italy. The Institute primarily deals with the military personnel from around the world, training them in the rules of engagement in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. In order to achieve their aims in this regard, they work in close collaboration with the likes of the International Committee of the Red Cross and has operational relations with the likes of the European Union and the N.A.T.O. They also organise a handful of courses for civilian personnel and I was fortunate enough to be selected to one such certificate course on International Humanitarian Law.

    The experience of being able to come into contact and converse with military personnel, diplomats, professors, personnel from the UN and other international organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, Amnesty International, Caritas etc. and lawyers drawn from a pool of countries spanning over all the continents on earth is something that perhaps cannot be expressed in words. Understandably, it was a very enriching experience.
    The course was on Humanitarian Law wherein the functioning of the same was explained to us by various military personnel and jurists, including Special Rapporteurs of the United Nations Secretary General and Judges of international courts, at times, through exercises resembling real life decision making inside the battle command centres. Also, the relation that Humanitarian Law shares with Human Rights Law, International Criminal Law and as well as International Refugee Law was explained at length, over the course of two weeks.

     

    You currently practice at the Appellate side of Calcutta High Court. How is the work atmosphere at the High Court presently?

    As time progresses, our society is faced with newer challenges that are to be overcome. And in an attempt to do that, new laws are enacted by our legislatures or amendments are made to the existing ones. More the number of laws more would be the number of litigations though there may be certain exceptions. Hence the scope for private practice at the High Court is better than ever before and I am of the firm belief that the best days are yet to come. So, under no circumstances would I say that it has become more difficult for a fresher to be successful.
    As far as the atmosphere is concerned, having practiced at other lower courts in the past, I have found the High Court at Calcutta to be much friendlier to new comers than most other places. Most seniors are more than willing to help out the juniors when the juniors find themselves on a sticky wicket. And it is not as if they do so with an expectation of getting briefed by the junior concerned. I, for example, have been fortunate to have had worked with a senior who not only allowed me to brief other senior advocates, if the clients so wished, but also to appear against him in matters where, by a stroke of fate, we ended up representing opposite parties in the same case.

    It would be advisable for a fresh graduate to not expect a huge amount of money in his bank account at the end of every month, at least for the first few years of his practice career. Advocacy surely isn’t the place where one can rake in the money right from the word go. One would do better to do away with any vanity or air of superiority and get his head down into becoming a good clerk to begin with. In the words of my senior at the Asansol Court, ‘One has to first become a good clerk if one is to become a successful advocate later on.’ Basically, one would have to know the procedure of the Court inside out before concentrating on the laws since knowing the procedures himself/herself would make him/her less dependent on others in basic matters such as those relating to the filing of a case, for example. Next comes the knowledge of law and the finesse of arguing a matter in the court, both of which one learns over a span of a life time. There are barely any last minute quick fixes or short cuts to success in this profession.

     

     

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

    A High Court Justice had once famously quipped that he is proud that his college produces eminent lawyers and jurists instead of producing ‘corporate slaves’. An ex-Supreme Court Justice, while in conversation with a representative team from our college had stated that he felt that the corporate lawyers contribute nothing to the legal field in terms of legal jurisprudence and interpretation of the laws.

    Such views, though, are generally restricted to our previous generations. Being someone from a generation, a good chunk of whose members have gone into the corporate sector or into law firms, I don’t possess such a traditional view in this regard. In fact, I do understand that in the initial days, a corporate job does seem to be much more lucrative. We are also in an age when most of our friends who go into other streams, especially engineering, get corporate jobs immediately after graduation and their lifestyle and economic stability does appeal to students of the legal field too.

    Also, some students may actually need the economic support in the form of salary that one would get on joining a corporate job or a firm after passing LL.B. That is something that advocacy, by and large, would fail to provide you with during the initial days. Also, some may not want the daily hassles and the schedule less life that comes along with a career in litigation. Hence, corporate jobs for those in the legal field is also a necessity in today’s age, as it provides an additional career option, and a pretty good one at that, to the law graduates.

    I do not have any previous experience of either interning or working in the corporate sector and hence I may not be the best person to be speaking to in this regard. However, to the best of my belief, I do not think that working for a few years in the corporate sector before starting a career in litigation would make much of a difference, especially since the nature of the work that one does at the corporate sector is vastly different from the work that one would be required to do in litigation. One’s experience in the corporate sector is useful for a career in litigation or not, would perhaps depend on how much exposure one gets to the proceedings of the courts during one’s work as a corporate lawyer. However, the experience relating to the drafting of legal documents that one would be required to undertake in the corporate sector is surely going to come in handy even in litigation.

     

    How did you get to connect with your clients? How many years of practice do you think would be required to build a firm clientele?

    I believe that working at the lower courts at Asansol, Durgapur and Burdwan went a long way in increasing contacts among the advocates practicing over there. And once I shifted to the High Court, advocates from these places found someone they knew and had worked with, to send their cases to, if and when they needed to send some matter up to the High Court. I also make it a point to visit the lower courts in and around Kolkata on a periodic basis, if and when an opportunity to do so presents itself before me. Such visits however, are never at the cost of my work at the High Court since that is my primary place of work.

    As far as direct interaction with the clients is concerned, one has to remember that most of them come to us only when they are in distress and hence, they may seem to be a bit repetitive with their questions at times and at other times, they may seem not to be able to understand your point of view due to a multitude of reasons including their general lack of legal knowledge. One would do better to keep one’s calm under such circumstances. Ultimately, no matter what one says, even the clients understand that you may lose a matter after all. What matters is that they should be able to see in you the intent to give it your best. Good behaviour with clients is a must because our very profession, after all, is in existence to help them out with their legal problems.

    As far as the number of years it would take someone to build a firm clientele is something that would vary from advocate to advocate and there is no straitjacket answer in this regard.

     

    How is your experience so far? What is your workday like? Are there new challenges every day or did work fall into a predictable pattern?

    My experience at the High Court has been exciting, complete with its share of ups and downs.
    I tend to reach court a little early, i.e. within 9:30 to 10:00, a habit that was inculcated in me by my senior, Mr. Debasish Roy, when I had joined the High Court. After completing Court in the evening I tend to be able to come back home if there are no conferences and dive headlong into studying for the cases scheduled to come up for hearing on the next day or draft documents that are to be filed in the days to come. If however, I am required to meet some senior for any conference then the time by which I am able to return home completely depends on the timing of such a conference.

    Once in this profession, one has to be ready to attend conferences that are held at the convenience of the seniors, whether they are held at midnight or before sunrise in the morning. Life, effectively becomes schedule less. But then, that is part and parcel of advocacy.

    My grandfather used to say that every day is a battle for an advocate. Quite obviously, when you are engaged in a battle on a daily basis, things would not tend to be predictable at all. Two cases may be similar but no two cases are ever the same and hence predictability is not something that one can come across in this profession since each case requires individual care due to its uniqueness, thereby throwing a new challenge at the advocate handling the same. The only thing predictable about a day in an advocate’s life is perhaps that it would be unpredictable.

     

    What would be your parting message to law students who want to litigate just after graduation?

    Hard, though intelligent work, an indomitable appetite for legal and as well as other related knowledge, loads of patience and humility can and is bound to lead to a success story after a certain point of time. Those coming into litigation must keep in mind that it is not for nothing that we are referred to as ‘Learned’ advocates from day one. We have to behave and act as learned people if we are to do justice to our profession.

    Having said that, I would like to wish all the best to all the law students wishing to become legal practitioners after graduation.

    Last, but not the least, I would also like to say, in the words of my mentor Mr. Protik Prokash Banerjee, ‘Welcome to the Glorious Uncertainty’.

     

  • Natasha Fernandes, Legal Head, B4U Television on a career in Media Law

    Natasha Fernandes, Legal Head, B4U Television on a career in Media Law

    Natasha Fernandes graduated from Government Law College, Mumbai in 2002 and had thereafter worked as in-house counsels of large corporate houses. She currently heads the Law department of B4U Television Network India Ltd.

    In this interview, she talks about:

    • Building up a career in media law
    • Strategies which she used while working with different places
    • Journey from an Assistant Legal Manager to Legal Head at B4U

     

    Given that most of our readers are law students and young lawyers, how will you introduce yourself to them? What motivated you to choose law as a career?

    Hi friends, this is Natasha Dsouza.. I head the legal for B4U Television Network India Ltd. Been here since 9 years, with a total rich legal exposure of 12 years.I pursued the 5 years law course from Government Law College, Churchgate. Having no family background in law, the hunger for knowledge was the only factor that kept me going. To be honest, Law was not a career stream for me, rather the interest to know the law of the land so that people could not take me for a ride was the motivation to learn law.

     

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    What all activities did you participate while in your college? What were your areas of interest during your graduation?

    College life was very simple, but fun. Did my 12th from P.D Lions College, Malad and then joined GLC, Churchgate for the 5 year law course. I had a lot of fun with friends but within the four corners of discipline. These years have some of the best memories and friends. College was merely education and fun. All the expertise and practical knowledge was post my completion of law.

     

    Did you do any internship during the course of your studies? What kind of work did you come across during your internships?

    No, unlike others I did not take up any internship during college. I started my career only post my graduation in law.

     

    Many lawyers say that the first year after graduation is the most difficult year for young lawyers. How was your first year after graduation?

    I had lived a very simple and protected life, home to college and college to home, never journeyed beyond, rather had always depended on friends or folks to travel to a new place.

    When I joined the law firm after my graduation, I had to appear in all courts all over Mumbai. With no knowledge of routes nor any internship training, had no knowledge about appearing in matters, it was a new world with a plethora of experience, especially with the strict judges who were not very supportive of juniors appearing before them. It was a do it and learn it yourself affair, but a journey that made me independent.

     

    You had started working at P. V Nichani & Co. right after graduation, and thereafter you joined Shapoorji Pallonji& Co. Ltd.. What led to this shift?

    I always wanted to work for a corporate. I started my career with G.P Consultants and Developers immediately after my graduation in law. On working there, I did feel the need to have procedural and court exposure and hence started my journey with P. V Nichani & Co. Worked there for a year, appeared in all Metropolitan courts in Mumbai, Small Causes Court, City Civil as well as in the Bombay High Court. After a year of enriched experience and exposure, I was approached by Shapoorji Pallonji& Co., and I took up the offer on selection.

     

    You left SP & Co. Ltd. to join Star India Pvt. Ltd as a Legal Executive. What motivated this shift? What does it take to get job at Star India at that stage?

    STAR motivated this shift. As far as getting a job is concerned, it’s always a matter of confidently marketing your experience and exposure in a way that suits the need of the Company interviewing you. It is very important to know about the job profile and whether you can handle the requirement and an honest answer to everything. It is always good to confess what you don’t know rather than to beat around the bush or lie. Coz even if you sail through the interview, any lie will make you fall flat on your face when you start work.

     

    Thereafter you started working at B4U Television Network India Ltd. Having been at B4U since 2005 as an in-house counsel, you were promoted to Legal Head; what qualities do you think helped you to achieve this status?

    I joined B4U as an Asst. Manager in 2005 and have been working here since 9 years. My qualities that helped me achieve it, is what every growing employee has..

    • Honesty and sincerity towards work;
    • No saying NO to any work;
    • Constant learning and research. No one knows everything and everyone needs to learn, so never felt ashamed to ask when I didn’t know something. It is better to ask than to make mistakes;
    • Eye to details and re-checking everything that is done;
    • Time management and prioritizing work to achieve within set timeframes
    • And above all my Drafting skills and perfection towards work

     

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

    Not true in my case. Actual learning takes place wherever there is an intention to learn. You face various challenges as an in-house counsel and also working with a corporate divides your exposure between litigation and non-litigation. Both give you a lot of learning and learning never ends.

     

    What would be your message to our readers who are budding lawyers and law students?

    • Believe in yourself
    • Be attentive to details
    • Never feel shy to ask what you do not understand
    • Stay positive and self-motivated, focus always on your goal, nothing else matters, no negative comments, no politics, when you know you are working with honest, giving your all, just stay focused, let people not bow you down.
    • Never keep ego at work.

     

  • Adithya Reddy, Advocate, Tax Matters on setting up an independent litigation practice

    Adithya Reddy, Advocate, Tax Matters on setting up an independent litigation practice

    Adithya Reddy graduated from WBNUJS in 2008 and started his career in litigation as an Associate at HSB Partners. He then moved on to work at the Department of Commercial Taxes, Government of Tamil Nadu as a Government Advocate, and continued working on a variety of commercial law and taxation matters, before leaving to set up his independent practice.

    Here, he talks to us about

    • Why internships in the first three years of law school are a waste
    • Why one must only pursue the field of law they are truly interested in
    • The pros and cons of working as a Government Advocate
    • How to set up an independent litigation practice

     

    How did you choose to become a lawyer? What were your objectives when you thought about law while still in the preliminary years of at NUJS?

    Law has always offered more career opportunities than what are commonly known. If anything, the variety of opportunities has only increased in recent years. In fact, I remember that this was the first thing Prof. Madhava Menon told me at my interview while joining NUJS in 2003. He said one should leave all career options open at least till the first 3 years of law schools.   This is what I tried to do in NUJS. While I always believed that litigation is where a lawyer can prove his worth the most, I did consider other options like pursuing academics or policy research.

    My friends had no views about my career choice. I would be exaggerating if I say I myself was keen on becoming a lawyer. I was only sure of wanting to become a professional. In fact it was my mother who was totally impressed by her friend’s son who had just graduated from NLS and was drawing a 6-digit salary. She then wanted me to join a law-entrance coaching course, which I did more out of indifference than interest.

     

    How relevant do you think are internships for a present law student?

    Most people who get a corporate job do so because of one good internship in their 3rd or 4th year. That is why, I see no reason why they should keep interning in different firms right from their 1st or 2nd year, that too twice or thrice a year. Even for litigation, it might, at best, help in gaining some basic idea about how a court works. It gives you no particular advantage when you start as practice. I am also not sure how the number of internships one does makes any difference, say to an LL.M application.

     

    When did you actually experience the learning curve? What is your opinion when people say that all that they have learnt is in their years of practice?

    My law school experience was very valuable for two reasons:

    First, as you are competing with students of very high calibre, you have to learn independently of anything that the law school may provide for.

    Secondly, a national law school by virtue of its brand and the people at its helm exposes its students to avenues and opportunities that no law student from an ordinary law school can get. I would say my learning curve increased once I found some optional subjects interesting after my third year.

    Many people say that what is taught in law schools is not relevant for a litigating lawyer. This is absolutely true for a lawyer till he establishes good practice and starts arguing cases regularly. Once a lawyer develops enough practice to argue cases involving questions of law on a daily basis his academic knowledge gives him a distinct edge over his peers. So it is important for a national law school student to stay in touch with everything he learnt in law school and keep updating himself/ herself with current legal developments. It is also important to maintain research skills which many national law school students learn well through moots etc.

     

    How was your work as a litigating lawyer at HSB Partners? Please tell us a little about your work profile while working there. Tell us what a typical day at work was like for you?

    I was a litigating lawyer. HSB has considerable amount of litigation practice. In fact I started working in the city civil court for the first few months. I worked on many high profile litigations involving top corporates in the high court. I also worked in tribunals like the Company Law Board and Consumer forum. Most of the litigation was relating to commercial disputes. I was very lucky to have worked under the firm’s partner Mr. T.K. Bhaskar who was himself a NLS graduate. He gave me full independence in handling much of his litigation practice. Mr. Bhaskar was also kind enough to entrust me with some very interesting non-litigation/ corporate matters, something I never expected.

    A typical day at HSB started with me entering office by 9.00 am, much before most other associates, and sitting with the clerk to note cases in the daily cause list. The next 30-40 minutes involved hectic searching for case bundles and last minute preparation for the day’s cases. I used to leave for court with few other colleagues and come back in the evening. The work day used to end anytime between 8 to 10 pm depending upon the amount of work required to be done for the next day.  The most hectic day used to be when a client needed an urgent case to be filed or when a case involving voluminous documentation and research was being argued in court.

     

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    Thereafter you worked as a Government Advocate for the Department of Commercial Taxes, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. How did your appointment take place? What were the responsibilities you were entrusted with?

    Many people fear taking up litigation as a career option for lack of family background or a connections in the profession. My appointment as government advocate is a great example how one can receive help in the profession independent of these things. I was recommended to become a government advocate by an Additional Advocate General only because he had noticed me as a good junior lawyer. I will forever be indebted to him.

    For the first one year (since my appointment in early 2012) I was lawyer for the TN Government’s commercial tax department. Sales Tax/ Value Added Tax is one of the few areas of taxation which falls within state government’s jurisdiction. I argued many cases on behalf of the revenue involving the subject before the High Court. This stint also gave me my first few reported judgments.

    In early 2013 the TN Government appointed a new Advocate General who is also one of Madras High Court’s most senior and knowledgeable lawyers. He had known me from before and requested me assist him in his work on behalf of the government. I readily agreed. I worked with him for one and a half years. The variety of work I did in the AG’s office was mind boggling and I can say with some lack of humility that very few young lawyers would have had such kind of exposure. This was bound to be, because government is the biggest litigant and is involved in cases touching upon almost every branch of law. A lot of credit for this would also go to the AG who treated me very kindly and gave me full independence to interact with the senior-most bureaucrats and officers in the government.

     

    How and when did you decide to quit your job and start up with independent practice?

    I decided to resign as a government advocate in October 2014 for two reasons. Firstly my work , especially in the AG’s office, left me with very little time for anything else. I was entering my 7th year in the profession with no time to think of my own practice. Developing one’s independent practice involves a lot of struggle. As a government advocate I was getting used to so much comfort that I used to have sleepless nights thinking of how I was going to manage when I begin independently some day. So I decided there was no point postponing the inevitable.

    The second reason which is less significant is that being a government advocate required one also to be loyal to the political dispensation that was in power in the state. Not only did I have no sympathies for the political party ruling in the state, but I had my own political affiliations which I could not and did not want to hide beyond a point. I always felt guilty about having to lie to people about my political views.

    Normally nobody would pay much attention to the political affiliation of a government advocate. But as government advocate attached to the AG’s office I was the centre of a lot of attention. That was when I realized that people were talking behind my back about whether I belonged to the ruling party or not. This prompted me to quicken my decision.

     

    What are you main practice areas? How has been your experience so far? Is it more comfortable be your own boss or is the pressure of work almost similar?

    It has only been three months since I started independently. For this short period I have got more work than I expected. That only makes me nervous about maintaining this momentum. A lot private work I am getting also relates to the same area I worked on as a government advocate viz. sales tax/ VAT. But I am trying to get more work in other areas.

    It is much less comfortable to be your own boss in the initial years. You have to think of how much you earn because you have expenses to meet. This is something you can blissfully ignore when you are a junior because the senior’s infrastructure, staffs etc. is already there. Also there are expectations to meet.

     

    As a practicing lawyer how did you manage to learn the basics of court room practice? Did you have anyone to guide and mentor you during the initial days of your practice?

    Every senior I worked with has been a guide and mentor. It is just not possible for me or any junior lawyer to learn court practice without observing seniors and learning how they deal with clients, judges and other lawyers. What happens in the court room is just half of the work that forms part of litigation. There is drafting which you learn more directly from your senior by reading his drafts and by taking dictations from him if necessary. Also there is filing which you learn from the clerk.

     

    How did your first hearing as an independent practitioner go? Which are the most memorable cases till now?

    Well, as I said it has been only three months since I began independently. So it is too early to talk of memorable cases. The first case I argued after setting up my own practice was for a client who was faced with an adverse sales tax assessment. The judge set aside the assessment holding that the assessing officer had not applied his mind to the issue. I need to mention here that having good judges to represent your cases before is extremely crucial for a young lawyer to make a mark. A client is often only concerned about the result of his case. Judges who pay lesser attention to a case only because it is being argued by a young lawyer put his/her career prospects in great jeopardy. I have been lucky to have appeared to before some very good judges as an independent lawyer.

     

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

    My work day currently is a lot more relaxed than what it used to be. I don’t miss my daily golf practice and spend little more time on my political/ social activities. Most importantly I don’t miss my calls or at least I ensure I return them at the earliest! This is because now I have freedom to set my own schedule. I can go to court only for the time that my cases are taken up and leave immediately after that. The major challenge is to get new work and to retain clients I’ve just got. I’ve realized that it not always possible to impress a client. As long I am convinced that I have done my best for the client I remain satisfied. These are issues which are far less relevant when you are a junior.

     

    How far is theoretical knowledge in law schools consistent with the practical arena?

    It is very important once you start arguing your cases regularly. It gives you a clear edge. It is also important to impress your senior when you are still a junior.

     

    The Bar Council of India has recently come out with new Certificate of Practice and Renewal Rules, 2014. What is your take on this?

    I think it makes sense. Though, what is technically required to be considered by the Supreme Court is only questions of law, it is very essential for a Supreme Court lawyer to know how his case might have been decided at trial. Otherwise the approach tends to be very academic and detached from facts. Also it might help sensitise lawyers to the plight of clients who have to go through the entire process before coming to the Supreme Court.

     

    How to make a conscious career choice – corporate vs. litigation?

    My advice has always been for people to go with what interests them most. If somebody genuinely believes earning good money, that too pretty early in life, is important than obviously taking up a corporate job is better. I see some of my seniors from NUJS are already partners in the biggest law firms. This is guarantee of a prosperous and comfortable life. But litigation definitely allows you to grow to your full potential as a lawyer.  The uncertainty is what is exciting. The freedom is very satisfying. Also once you are a successful litigator, there is no limit to how much you can earn.

    Another advice would be for students to be sure of what they want to do before taking the plunge. At least in litigation the competition is tough and every day you spend doing something else is a waste. There are many people with a head-start. Lawyers with a family background have a distinct advantage. They can probably afford to try out other options before joining their father/ relative’s practice. But for a fresh lawyer every day brings new opportunities and new contacts.

     

    What would be your parting message to law students who want to litigate just after graduation?

    Never shy away from litigation because of the uncertainty. That is the most interesting aspect of the career. You could be under stress not knowing what to do next, only to be pleasantly surprised the very next day. It could be in the form of a big case or a big acquaintance, but rewards will keep coming to you from the most unexpected quarters. All that you need to do is show your talent and sincerity. Also, no matter how important success is, honesty and ethics have their own charm and will hold you in good stead throughout your career.

  • Smrity Sudan, In-House Counsel, UD Group, Dubai on her experience in Corporate Law

    Smrity Sudan, In-House Counsel, UD Group, Dubai on her experience in Corporate Law

    Smrity Sudan graduated from CLC, Delhi University in 2007. She holds a B.Com degree also and is a qualified Company Secretary. She has a very rich experience of working in India and Dubai. After graduation, she started working at Bharti Airtel Ltd. and later, switched over to DLF Ltd. Thereafter she moved to Dubai and worked initially at Emirates Legal FZE and then at, Dubai Legal Eagle (Al Dhaheri International). She has recently joined UD Group, Dubai.

    In this interview, she talks about:

    • Working for Bharti Airtel Ltd. and DLF Ltd.
    • Working in Dubai as a Corporate Lawyer

     

    How would you like to introduce yourself to our readers who are mainly law students and lawyers?

    I am a Corporate Lawyer having experience globally in legal drafting, compliances and International Arbitration.

     

    When and how did you decide to study law? Which universities did you consider for your legal studies? How did you settle for CLC, DU?

    I decided to do law during my graduation. I enrolled myself for CS in 2003 and acquired interest in law subjects. I always considered CLC to be the most appropriate law college for me. Apart from being a well known university, CLC is the best law college in Delhi.

     

    Having graduated from a non-premier law school, what would you say to the future graduates of DU regarding this?

    Hardly few people manage to do law from the NLS, Bangalore. Only those who choose law as a career quite early in their lives aspire to join NLS. NLS is not the end. Look beyond and see many successful lawyers from other universities. Soli Sorabjee had graduated from Government College, Mumbai. Harish Salve did his LL.B. from Nagpur University, Mukul Rohatgi from University of Mumbai.

     

    Many lawyers say that the first year after graduation is the most difficult year for young lawyers. How did you learn the ropes and what were the biggest challenges you faced?

    Facing challenges means you are alive. You will find it in every step of your professional life. People find being exposed for the first time to the professional world a little challenging. As far as my first year of professional life is concerned, it was pleasant being associated with Bharti, a well-known brand, having great HR Policies and highly professional yet empathetic boss. First year of your work life is the year to learn the most when people are more than willing to help you learn. After that expectations begins and you are considered to be an expert. Learn and learn should be the agenda.

     

    How did you decide to shift from Bharti Airtel to DLF Ltd.?

    As I said, be open to learn the maximum in the initial years. Do not be stuck in the field you don’t find interesting. My reason for change was to learn more of corporate legal work in DLF as my profile was more of secretarial compliances in Bharti. Both are great places to gain valuable experience.

     

    You left DLF to join Emirates Legal FZE, a law firm in Dubai. What motivated this shift? How did your appointment take place?

    It was a personal reason. After getting married I had to shift to Dubai with my husband. He had secured himself a great job in Dubai and we were excited at the prospect of exploring international work life.

    But, only after 6 months of struggle Emirates Legal was the first break I got in Dubai. I felt that at that time finding a suitable job in Dubai was not easy. Despite having more than four years of experience, I was considered as a fresher. Yes, I was a fresher to a Civil Legal System and to UAE laws.

     

    Thereafter you worked as a Legal Consultant at Dubai Legal Eagle (Al Dhaheri International). How did the switch from Emirates take place? How was your experience?

    It was a right decision as I was not satisfied with the profile. Dubai Legal Eagle, an International Law firm gave me exposure to International Arbitration. It is an interesting profile for those who possess analytical abilities, enjoy arguing cases before a Tribunal consisting of members appointed from various parts of the world.

     

    You’ve recently joined UD Group, Dubai. Which events led to your induction into UD Group? Were there any interviews or selection processes?

    Being a Company Secretary and someone who has no interest to litigate, a Corporate Lawyer profile is where I find myself well fitted. Fortunately, the option of UD Group came to me through a consultant and I went through the 3 stages of interviews that lasted for almost 2 months.

     

    What does your current work profile at UD Group consists of? How is a typical workday like? Can you tell us about a few of the most challenging problems you have faced thus far?

    My work profile at UD Group consists of typical in-house counsel profile, which includes drafting of commercial contracts, negotiating transactions, Merger and Acquisitions, Restructuring, compliances etc. The most challenging part is to think on the lines of Civil Law System since my law degree is on subjects based on Common Law System.

     

    Tell us a bit about work culture in Dubai.

    The work culture is equally stressful because of long working hours. Magic Circle Firms and MNCs look for people who have acquired degrees from USA, UK, and Australia etc.

     

    How difficult was the shift to a foreign law firm?

    It was not very difficult rather it poured more confidence to deal with people from different countries and background.

     

    How has been your B.Com degree helpful in your career?

    Yes, my B.Com degree has indeed been quite helpful in understanding the commercial and business aspects of the transactions.

     

    Can you give us advice on applications and interviews, especially with foreign law firms?

    Build good CV. Approach consultants and apply directly on the websites of the Companies where you would like to apply. Register on LinkedIn and interact with people. Register on various websites offering services to find jobs like Legalweeks.com, Totallylegal.com.

     

    What made you gravitate towards this field of Corporate Law?

    I have always wanted to be a Corporate Lawyer. I followed my instincts and not the general perception of the society. I am happy to overcome the challenges coming my way.

     

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

    Believe in yourself, trust your conscience and follow your dreams. Be a winner in the field of your interest. That’s what success is.

     

  • Santhosh Mathew, Standing Counsel, Calicut University, on how he built his litigation practice

    Santhosh Mathew, Standing Counsel, Calicut University, on how he built his litigation practice

    Santhosh Mathew is an alumnus of the NLSIU, Bangalore of the 1995 graduating batch. He focused on litigation right from the beginning. A first generation lawyer, he started his practice at Dandapani Associates in 1995. He became independent and co-founded a litigation firm in 2004. He is currently a Standing Counsel for the University of Calicut. His practice areas are in Writ Petitions, Telecom, Media laws, Banking Laws, Company Law and Service Laws.

    In this interview he tells us about:

    • His first few years after graduation
    • Role of mentors in litigation
    • Work of a Standing Counsel
    • Necessary skills for the legal profession

     

    Tell us a bit about your pre-college years. What motivated you to study law?

    My grandfather was a District Sessions Judge at the time of his retirement in 1964. My father after graduating in law from the Government Law College, Ernakulam, joined ‘Malayala Manorama’ which is a leading Vernacular Daily, as its Personnel and Administration Manager. He used to take care of the Company’s legal matters His classmates from GLC, Mr. K.P Dandapani (A former Judge of the Kerala High Court and the present Advocate General of Kerala) and Mrs. Sumathi Dandapani were very close family friends.

    After completing my 10th Standard like any other youngster at that time I joined for pre degree (equivalent to present day higher secondary) and took Physics, Chemistry and Biology along with Mathematics to pursue a career in Medicine or Engineering. In time, Mr. Dandapani came to know about the National Law School of India University, Bangalore and bought an application form for me. When the entrance results came out, I was in the waiting list and hence joined ILS Pune which has an awesome campus. After two weeks, my admission at NLS Bangalore was confirmed and finally, I landed up at the “Harvard of the East” in 1990 with Roll no: BLIJ 189. The classes back then used to be held in one of the three car sheds which were converted to class rooms later on. That was the beginning of a wonderful journey in my legal Career.

     

    Tell us about your objectives while in the preliminary years of Law College. What were your plans after graduation?

    In my preliminary year my intention was to clear courses without getting too many repeats. Since I was not a very hard working student I was happy with my B+ grades! I studied the notes prepared by my Classmates Mr. Piyush Joshi and Mr. V. Umakanth. In my first year I interned with Adv. P.C. Abraham in the District court at Kottayam. I feel it is very important that all students start by doing an internship with a lawyer who practices in the lower courts and learn to draft Civil Suits and Criminal Complaints first. Merely by walking along with the Court Clerk will teach you the filing procedure.

    From the Second year onwards I used to do my internship with Mr. & Mrs. Dandapani who used to entrust me with various matters to do research and also with drafting of pleadings. My internships helped me to make up my mind to be a litigator. My appeal to all the law Students reading this is to use all the opportunities you get during your internship to decide what you want to do after graduating. Nobody will entrust you with any responsibility unless you volunteer. Only if you display a passion to take up responsibilities, the seniors with whom you intern will have the confidence or inclination to entrust you with more work. I understand that some lawyers don’t pay the interns. My appeal to those lawyers would be to loosen their purse strings a bit and pay a stipend which will at least cover their expenses.

     

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    Looking back, how significant do you think that your legal education was? When did you happen to experience the learning curve?

    I sincerely regret not being a serious law student. Since I was not a very ambitious person I was more involved in co-curricular activities and did not spend too much time participating in Moot Courts other than the mandatory ones which were required as part of the curriculum. Since we had a fine group of students from all over the country I got to learn about various cultures and made some great friends. The projects done every trimester helped us to learn about different research methodologies and made us better equipped to do legal research.

    By the time we graduated we had a clear idea as to how case law could be worked up. This helped me tremendously in my career as a lawyer. So to all the law students out there, my appeal would be to try and identify a topic you can relate to and do an honest work with all earnestness. During my LL.B. course I ended up doing a lot of absurd projects which on hindsight makes me wonder, “Why on earth did I do those projects?” Please remember that you will be the sole beneficiary of your project and if you do a shabby work, you will be fooling no one but yourself.

     

    Do you feel that there is a difference in the court atmosphere between now and when you started practice? Has it become easier or more difficult for a young lawyer to establish himself?

    I believe the present day judges are much more accommodative of junior lawyers. In Kerala the Judges never had a fascination for Senior Lawyers from outside. So the local lawyers received great exposure which resulted in improving the quality of such local lawyers. My seniors Mr. K.P. Dandapani and Mrs. Sumathy Dandapani were always encouraging and permitted the juniors to take up their own matters which helped us to build up our careers apart from being a major boost to our self esteem.

    In fact all the juniors who have been mentored by Mr. & Mrs. Dandapani have made a mark for themselves after becoming independent. I was with Dandapani Associates for 9 years from 1995 till 2004 when I set up independent practice with my wonderful partner Mr. Sathish Ninan who is my friend, philosopher and guide. So it is very important to find a good office and work with a senior for a decent span of time. Court crafting is something you don’t acquire over night. It is very important that you don’t compromise on your integrity for monetary gains. If you get a bad name in this profession, you are DOOMED.

     

    Please tell us about your experience with regard to your first few sessions in court. Has it become more difficult for a fresher to achieve success?

    In my first year of practice there was a complaint filed by the then Chief Minister Mr. E.K. Nayanar against ‘Malayala Manorama’ before the Press Council of India. The complainant had instructed Senior Counsel Mr. Rajeev Dhavan. We had instructed Mr. Gopal Subramanium. Justice Sawanth was the then Chairman of the Press Council.

    When the matter was taken up, Mr. Rajeev Dhavan started arguing and Mr. Gopal Subramaniam became unavailable as he had to go to the Supreme Court for some urgent matter. When our turn came up, “yours truly” had no other option but to argue the matter and with God’s grace we got a favourable verdict. My client was so happy that they celebrated my victory by publishing my photograph in the ‘Malayala Manorama’ newspapers by celebrating it as a victory by a young David over Goliath.

    On a lighter note, a lot of my friends at the Bar after seeing my snap in the newspaper thought I had met with an accident! This was a big boost to my budding career. Thereafter there have been numerous opportunities in the last nineteen years of my career where I have been at the right place at the right time.

    For instance, when Mont Blanc came out with the ‘Mahatma Gandhi pens’, we filed a PIL in the Kerala High Court against the sale of those pens in India alleging violation of the provisions of Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950. As a result, Mont Blanc undertook before the High Court of Kerala that it will not sell the ‘Mahatma Gandhi series’ pens in India.

    We have conducted a lot of cases before the High Court relating to issues relating to health hazards from Telecommunication Towers. We have been successfully representing most of the major cellular operators and Telecom infrastructure providers in Kerala before the various Courts. We have represented various educational institutions challenging the unreasonable restrictions imposed by the State Government which adversely affected their minority rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.

    God has been extremely kind to me. One must have the self confidence that he or she can handle any matter that comes his/her’s way. If we don’t know the subject matter in detail, we should study extra hard and consult the seniors who are experts in that field. The legal profession is a unique profession where seniors are willing to go out of their way to guide a junior counsel in need. While arguing a matter if a judge asks a question to which you readily don’t have an answer, have the humility to admit that fact and be assured most of the judges would be more than happy to grant you time to work up and make your submission. Remember Bench and Bar are two sides of the same coin and you have a duty to our client to win a case but you have a bigger duty as a responsible officer of the Court to assist the Court to arrive at legally correct judgments. Therefore, never mislead the Court.

     

    What was the role of mentors in your case? How important do you think a mentor is in the field of litigation?

    I was extremely lucky to have wonderful seniors like Mr. K.P Dandapani, Mrs. Sumathi Dandapani and Mr. Jaju Babu who are all designated Senior Counsels who mentored me and had tremendous confidence in my abilities. This motivated me to reach office at 7.30 AM and work till late night until the work entrusted was finished completely. They paid me handsomely which was also a very important factor as far as a junior lawyer is concerned. It is very important for a young lawyer to have a mentor to guide him/her just like a toddler during infancy.

     

    Please tell us about the requisite soft skills which are essential for a young lawyer to build a successful career?

    There is no substitute for hard work. Try to get a good mentor. Be ready to take whatever assignment that is given and never shirk away from responsibilities. Learn to respect your colleagues and opposite side lawyers. Invest in proper infrastructure. Don’t be concerned about money. Always be courteous to the judges. You don’t win any case by picking up a fight with a presiding officer! You will only succeed in losing not only that case but other matters too till the judge gets tired of dismissing your matters! It’s good to have aggression and self confidence but over confidence would land you in trouble. Always be prepared and never go to argue a case without preparing properly. Always take the relevant statutes and the latest case laws on the point when you go to argue a matter. Never underestimate the opposite side.

     

    How did you build up your client base? How many years of practice would you say it requires to build a firm clientele?

    There is no hard and fast rule for this. Work hard and put in your best effort when a client comes to you. Satisfied clients will in turn, get you more clients. Legal profession is a unique profession where you cannot build up a client base through marketing gimmicks. One needs a lot of luck to be at the right place at the right time. There are so many learned lawyers who have vanished due to lack of opportunities. I genuinely feel that not all are capable of being leaders. There is a lot of space for everyone here. The lawyers who are incapable of building up a client base on their own must find good senior or like minded lawyers and form a firm and learn to manage things. Some are good in impressing clients but may not be effective lawyers. These two categories can form a common platform. Gone are the days of individual practitioners. A group of like minded lawyers providing a one stop shop would become the order of the day in the future.

     

    What has been your experience of being a Standing Counsel? How is the work pressure and what are your responsibilities like?

    Being a Standing Counsel of an institution like the University of Calicut was purely providential. It was a huge responsibility. In June 2011, nearly 4000 case files were brought over to my office and I didn’t know where to start with. Within three years, I have with the support of my able colleagues Mr. Arun Thomas and Mr. Jennis Stephen, disposed off nearly 2500 cases. I consider it a huge opportunity to help students who have a genuine cause to have their grievance redressed.

    A lot of old service matters could be disposed off. The High Court judges who dealt with the jurisdiction are very efficiently disposing off matters. The biggest challenge was to build a good working relationship with the client and to get instructions on time. Giving timely legal advice and getting instructions from the various departments of the University were all difficult in the beginning but over a period of time it started functioning smoothly like a well oiled bicycle. One must learn to respect the representative of the client who comes to instruct you.

    I was fortunate to have a great team right from the Vice Chancellor till the Assistant in the Legal Department who would be ready to render all possible support and assistance. Each day was a new learning experience. Being a Standing Counsel of a prestigious institution increases your visibility and gives you tremendous exposure. You get to argue cases against the best lawyers in the field. You get to learn the subject in extenso.

     

    When you hire lawyers, what kind of skills and profile do you look for? What kind of a profile suits best to the profession?

    All the lawyers we have hired have been recommended by my friends. We have been extremely lucky to have a set of sincere hardworking colleagues. I personally feel that young associates must be delegated work depending on their potential. Over burdening a junior lawyer with work he/she cannot do will only help in demoralising them. At the same time I hasten to add that each one should be pushed to their optimum to make them good lawyers and better individuals.

    Right from the time of internship in their first year, law students must try out different options like NGOs, Law Firms, Individual practitioners etc. and by the time one completes the third year he/she must have a clear idea about where they want to be after graduating. As a junior lawyer one must not be bothered too much about the monetary aspect. For the first five years it really helps if one has a generous and understanding father.

    I was really privileged to have a great father who ensured that all my needs were to be taken care of so that I could concentrate in my work. If you are serious about the profession, you must be ready to put in long hours at work. Be assured after some time in your career those long hours you have put in as a young lawyer will definitely help you in your journey. I have seen a lot of youngsters in my time. Some of them have started their blogs, websites, entrance coaching centres etc, taken up theatre and even marriage photography mainly because most of them eventually got fagged out after learning “Law” for five years and this prompted them to do something out of the box.

     

    Do you think that achievements such as having a landmark judgment to your credit can change one’s recognition drastically?

    I don’t think so. I strongly believe each day is a new day and you have to consistently deliver your best. There is no place for complacency in this profession. You cannot afford to rest on your laurels. In fact some of my important cases which we won did not actually get the client the relief which they ultimately wanted. They were classic cases of “operation successful but patient dead”. It definitely feels nice when your peers send you a text in appreciation of your efforts after reading a reported judgment which you have argued.

     

    Do you feel that there are differences between students of ‘elite’ law schools and students from other law colleges and traditional universities?

    Frankly it is difficult to generalise. The students from the ‘elite’ law schools have a structured curriculum which makes them better equipped. I guess one gets a 5-10% head start if you graduate from a good law school. But if any student feels that he is superior in any way to his peers who have graduated from other law colleges he is a FOOL.

    Once you enter the profession if you don’t work hard, others will catch up and before you realise it, they will run over you. It is high time and the scheme and syllabus of all law colleges are also structured in a similar fashion which will do away with artificial barriers. With the right kind of opportunities and a proper level playing field, anyone with a passion will be able to make a mark in this profession.

     

    What are your views on the future of Indian legal education? How would you suggest that a law student manages to stay ahead?

    It is high time the three year courses are stopped. After retirement persons must not be permitted to enter the profession as a litigator. They could be permitted to practise in non litigation areas. The State Bar Councils must provide for a stipend for young lawyers from economically weak backgrounds to survive for at least 5 years after graduation. All lawyers have a duty to contribute to that corpus. Courses which gives more in depth exposure to applications should be evolved and incorporated into the curriculum in place of those which require mugging up and reproducing what you have memorised. An opportunity must be provided to young first generation promising law graduates to get a placement with a successful lawyer. All of us have an obligation to reach out and do our little bit for our young brothers and sisters who join the profession with all earnestness to become “social engineers”.

     

    What would be your advice to young law students? How do you think that they should approach their career?

    Don’t be an arm chair critic who looks down on everything in life. Learn to appreciate the good things in life. Equip yourself and make yourself marketable. Be ready to work hard. Be practical in what you want to achieve. Everybody cannot be a Harish Salve, K.K. Venugopal, N.R. Madhava Menon, or a Cyril Shroff. India is one of the biggest populations in the world. Everyone has a legal requirement at least once in his/her lifetime. If we can make a qualitative difference to at least one person due to our expertise we can make the world a better place to live in. Ours is a noble profession.

    Let us collectively restore its lost glory. Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

  • Sucheta Chatterjee, Indian Foreign Service Officer, on the UPSC and work experience at SEBI

    Sucheta Chatterjee, Indian Foreign Service Officer, on the UPSC and work experience at SEBI

    Sucheta Chatterjee is a graduate of WBNUJS, Kolkata (2007 Batch). Soon after her graduation she joined SEBI as a Legal Officer and had been working there for six long years, before challenging herself to the formidable UPSC.

    For her, taking the UPSC was more of an aspiration to serve the nation as an IFS Officer. She had determined that she would either serve India in the Foreign Service or continue in SEBI.

    In this interview she shares with us:

    • Work experience at SEBI
    • Deciding to take the UPSC plunge
    • Taking the UPSC prelims and the mains
    • Training period and posting

     

    How would you introduce yourself to our readers who are mainly young and enthusiastic lawyers?

    I would firstly like to congratulate them for taking up law as a career. As far as introductions go, I’m a law graduate from the National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata, and I subsequently worked in SEBI in the very niche field of capital markets and securities law, specifically in enquiry and adjudication matters. Thereafter I stumbled into the Indian Foreign Service. My first posting abroad will be in Moscow.

     

    What inclined you towards the field of legal education? Did anyone among your family and friends suggest you to choose alternate career options?

    Growing up as an adolescent in Calcutta’s politically charged atmosphere left me well coloured with a burning idealism and a fierce intolerance of injustice. At eighteen, I felt as if I could change the world and fight for the rights of the underprivileged and [sociallocker]marginalized. Therefore, I joined law school with starry eyes and I was rather disconnected from reality.

    My family and friends were very supportive and never tried to impose any course of action upon me. I remain grateful to my parents for their unflinching support even in the face of some unconventional decisions that I’ve made.

     

    How was your experience at NUJS? What activities were you involved in apart from the regular academic curriculum?

    NUJS was a wake-up call in many ways. My years there taught me some very hard lessons about the legal system. My very first encounters with the bureaucratic mode of functioning happened in NUJS, leading to several bitter-sweet incidents. All things considered, it was a very extensive learning experience that enriched my life and I feel a sense of gratitude towards my alma mater. I would specifically like to mention Professor D. Banerjee who was always an inspiration in my life. He had always told me that he felt that the civil services would be the best option for me and that he was confident that I would get selected.  I kept telling him that I couldn’t possibly get selected. Had he been alive, he would have been very happy. I miss him so much.

    As far as co-curricular activities are concerned, I can only remember a controversial monograph I’d written about the AFSPA in Manipur, which won me the first prize, to my greatest astonishment. Otherwise, I was essentially a loner and did not participate in any activity if I could help it. I was rarely in the campus after class hours and spent most of my time reading really amazing books (borrowed from the library) that had nothing to do with our academic curriculum.

     

    After graduation, you joined SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) as a Legal Officer. How did you go about the appointment? Please tell us about the recruitment process at SEBI.

    I was selected by SEBI through the campus recruitment programme. I chose SEBI over law firms because I felt that working in the government sector has certain specific advantages that are not available in the private sector.

     

    You have worked with SEBI for a considerably long time as an Assistant Legal Advisor. Please tell us about your experience there.

    I worked at SEBI for about six years! SEBI is an outstanding employer. My years there were a continuous learning experience, albeit in a very niche sphere. SEBI, and especially my colleagues there, will always remain special to me. I will always feel a sense of gratitude to them for making my debut into the legal world such an enjoyable experience.

     

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    When and what inspired you to appear for UPSC after having a secured career at SEBI?

    Will you believe me if I tell you that I appeared for the UPSC exam because I wanted to get away from my boss?! That was indeed a major factor.

    Another reason was pure wanderlust and I felt that joining the Indian Foreign Service would be a great way to live in various parts of the world, immersed in alien cultures. The fact that I have always been keenly interested in international affairs further strengthened my resolve to give it a go.

     

    When did you start preparing for the exams? When should a person ideally start preparation for the UPSC exam?

    I had severe time constraints because I was handling a full-time job while preparing for the exam. I started practicing a lot of mathematics about a few months before the preliminary examination. I focused entirely on mathematics because I felt that my performance in the quantitative aptitude part of the paper would make or break my attempt to clear the civil service exams. I studied for the main examination only after the results of the preliminary exam was declared and I was sure that I had qualified for the main exam.

    I suppose ideally a person ought to start preparing a year in advance but then I firmly belong to the school of thought that maintains that the amount of time you study is irrelevant. How you do it is what counts.

     

    Did you enrol in a coaching institute? How valuable do you think coaching institutions can be for UPSC preparation?

    No, I did not enrol myself in a coaching institute because of time constraints. Thus, I am not competent to opine about the value of coaching institutions.

     

    How many hours did you put in for your preparations every day? Is it important to have a fixed schedule or weekly targets important according to you?

    It varied from two hours to none at all. I did not maintain a fixed schedule and studied in fits and starts.

    I am sure fixed schedules and monthly targets are useful for those inclined to study in that manner. It is important to know what suits you as an individual and to create your own style of preparation. I don’t believe there is a fixed formula for success.

    What did you do to keep yourself abreast of all domestic and international current affairs? How did you study for static GK?

    I relied on The Hindu and the Indian Express to give me a fair idea of how events were playing out in local and international politics. But this isn’t something that can be started a year before the exam. It is a lifelong process and one has to keep reading all the time. I strongly believe that in the UPSC, it is accumulated knowledge that makes all the difference.

     

    Did you regularly read newspapers? How did that help you? How should one strategically use newspapers for preparation?

    I have always read newspapers regularly. It has become a habit. With time, one can instinctively pick out what’s important and what is of relatively less importance. My personal favourites are the editorial section and the opinion page. It is a mistake to cram up facts because the pattern of the UPSC paper is heavily analytical.

     

    Which books/materials did you rely on while preparing?

    A CSAT book published by Tata McGraw Hill on quantitative aptitude helped me to conquer my fear of mathematics to an extent. For the mains, NCERT textbooks were my bible, so to speak. I also highly recommend The Economic and Political Weekly as well as The Frontline magazine. Wikipedia should also not be underestimated, no matter what the pundits tell you. It also helps to choose one’s own subject for the Main Exams as it saves the trouble of learning an entirely new subject. The myth that some subjects are more “scoring” than others has effectively been busted. I stuck to my strengths – law and political science.

     

    Lakhs of people attempt the UPSC prelims and only a thousand get selected for the main written exam. Which are the prime skills and expertise required to crack the prelims?

    I will spare you a lecture on hard work and dedication because that would be an insult to lakhs of candidates who studied very hard with tremendous dedication and still did not make it. The role of chance is a big factor that is seldom mentioned by successful candidates. You have to do your best and hope that by chance you get to attempt questions which you have prepared for.

    Besides, those who have good time management skills have an obvious edge over those who do not.

     

    Please share with us your insight of attempting the prelims.

    You are interviewing me more than two years after I appeared for the preliminary examination. I cannot remember much except for the fact that most of the multiple choice questions were very tricky and designed to make one choose the wrong answer so I attempted only those questions that I felt reasonably sure about in order to avoid negative marking.

     

    What kind of posts had you opted for in the UPSC enrolment form? How do you want to serve the nation? Didn’t you think of applying for the IAS?

    In my DAP (detailed application form), I chose the Indian Foreign Service as my one and only option. I could have easily got IAS with my home cadre but I was determined to join either the IFS or remain with SEBI.

    As a diplomat, I would like to contribute to the formulation of a rational, enlightened foreign policy in consonance with the spirit of the constitution and the ideals of Panchsheel.

     

    How would you rate the main exam question paper on difficulty?

    The main examination paper was rather difficult, at least by my standards. The GS papers especially had some very tough questions that compelled a lot of thinking and planning before writing, leading to a time crunch.

     

    Did you appear for mock interviews? What are your views on taking mock interviews?

    No, I did not appear for mock interviews. So, I can’t comment on that too.

     

    Any specific strategy you would recommend us for the interview?

    I decided to be frank and forthright in my interview and not pretend to be someone I am not. The board members were all experienced bureaucrats who could easily see through all attempts at falsehood. Therefore one should respect their intelligence and not try to fool them. I was asked several highly controversial political questions and I answered all of them with candour and made no attempts to be evasive. Thankfully, I was also asked a lot of legal questions. There was one question to which I did not know the answer and I admitted my ignorance.

    “Bullshitting” is absolutely useless in the UPSC interview. Interestingly, I was even made to recite some Bengali poetry and sing a few lines of Rabindra Sangeet. I am sure the board members regretted asking me to sing the moment I opened my mouth!

     

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    How would you describe your training period? Please share some memorable moments of your training programme with our readers.

    The training at Lal Bahadur National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie, was a saga of never-ending hardship for a laidback, unorganized person like me because there is a lot of emphasis on discipline, order and method. The fun parts were the treks, village visit and weekend parties in the Officers’ Lounge. But apart from having to get up at 4:30 a.m. in the freezing cold for P.T., I think we all had a stellar time.

    The training provided at the Foreign Service Institute was excellent. We especially enjoyed ‘Bharat Darshan’, the attachments with all three wings of the armed forces and the mission attachment at Dhaka. It is a cliché to say that training is the best part of the service bit it is very true, nonetheless.

     

    After the training period, where was your first appointment?

    At present, I am undergoing desk attachment at South Block in the Eurasia Division. My first posting will probably happen around August, 2015 in Moscow, Russian Federation.

     

    Please tell us a little about your work profile working as a Foreign Services officer. What are the responsibilities you are entrusted with?

    As a Foreign Service Officer, we are entrusted with nearly everything that involves a foreign relations component, from writing concept papers, to vetting treaties and MoUs to organizing visits of heads of states etc. Our division successfully handled the recently concluded Indo-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi. We get to learn something new every day and compared to other services, political interference in the IFS is minimal.

     

    How is a typical workday like? How has your experience of being an IFS officer been so far?

    A typical workday involves getting up early and rushing to South Block by 9, dealing with little mountains of files, attending numerous phone calls and meeting a wide variety of people from all over the world. While working abroad, the experience is bound to be different.

     

    What would be your message to law students and lawyers who aspire to become a civil servant?

    It is always an asset to the civil service to have legally literate officers and I personally believe that law students and lawyers have an edge over others in the civil service exams because of the five years of rigorous training that we undergo at law schools. So if you think that the civil service is where you aim to reach, there is absolutely nothing to stop you! All the very best!

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  • Sandeep Huilgol, Tax Attorney, King & Partridge on an LL.M from King’s College and work in Civil & Tax Matters

    Sandeep Huilgol, Tax Attorney, King & Partridge on an LL.M from King’s College and work in Civil & Tax Matters

    Sandeep Huilgol is a graduate of ILS Law College, 2010 batch, and of King’s College, London, 2011 batch. For the past three and a quarter years, he has been working in Bangalore, practicing as a civil and tax advocate at King & Partridge. We asked him to share his experiences and strategies he used over the years.

    We took this opportunity to ask him about:

    • Pursuing an LL.M. from King’s College, London
    • Writing a proper SoP for an LL.M and having a Letter of Recommendation
    • Working at King & Partridge

     

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

    After I got over my initial, albeit strange dream of becoming a lumberjack in Canada, I only ever dreamed of becoming a lawyer. I was fascinated by civics and political science in school, and the book, “Yes, Minister” further strengthened my interest towards the profession. It’s been nearly ten years since I started at ILS, and I can honestly say that I’ve never looked back.

     

    How would you describe your time at ILS Pune?

    My time at ILS was a wonderful mix of academics, fun, and growing-up. To be honest, I wasn’t always too hard working as a student, but I managed to put in the extra hours either the week or night before an exam. It’s not an approach I would recommend to anyone, and looking back, I sometimes wish I had worked harder throughout the year. It’s a lesson which, hopefully, the readers of this interview can pick up from me.

     

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

    Certain subjects fascinated me, such as constitutional law, tax, and jurisprudence. Moot courts however, were something I always looked forward to. I was also very lucky to have had the experience of both, researching / speaking at moot courts, as well as judging a moot court. In my opinion, the best way to go about developing proficiency would be to participate in as many moot courts / debates / seminars as possible. While reading is something all of us can and will do, and over time, knowledge will eventually be garnered, the ability to speak / orate is something that can only be developed by trial and error. Don’t let initial setbacks put you off. Keep trying until it becomes second nature.

     

    What was your motivation behind pursuing an LL.M right after graduation? When did you finally decide that you need to do masters?

    There were a few reasons that motivated me to apply for an LL,M immediately after my graduation.

    One: I wanted to litigate and I was aware that the chances of me taking time off after commencing work were very low.

    Two: I wanted to push myself academically. Like I said, I don’t think I did justice to my academics during my time at ILS and I felt the growing need to study and learn something out of choice, and not merely for the sake of exams. King’s is a world-renowned institution and I was acutely aware of the quality of its facilities and faculty.

    Lastly, the opportunity to live abroad, and that too in a city like London, was something I could not turn down.

     

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    How did you choose King’s College, University of London over others? How did you go about choosing a university?

    There were a number of boxes I had to check before I opted for King’s. I analysed the Times UK university ratings, sought reviews from my seniors who had actually gone to the UK to do their LL.M.s, attended UK Education fairs, interviewed faculty from King’s and other colleges which had been arranged at these fairs, approached education consulting service providers and lastly, I approached a few senior lawyers in Bangalore and asked them for their views insofar as pursuing an LL.M. was concerned.

     

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

    My SoP was essentially my mission statement. It was my way of putting down on paper the events that led me to opt for law, the reasons for pursuing my masters, the person I would like to see myself become and so on.

    As for the second question, in my opinion, one’s SoP should be a reflection of one’s ideas, thoughts, and aspirations. Honesty in one’s SoP shines through. Be clear in thought and keep it simple. The reader is not going to meet you in person. The SoP is his / her only way of getting to know who you are. In other words, the SoP is your way of making a good first impression. To me, the key points are honesty, simplicity, and clarity of thought.

     

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

    Three of my professors at ILS provided me with letters of recommendation (‘LoR’). I asked only those teachers who had taught me more than one subject, and with whom I had interacted with on a more personal level. That way, I hoped that their own impressions of me would be expressed in their LoRs. It’s a tip which I’d give the readers of this interview as well. Again, if a professor asks you to draft a LoR which is to be vetted by him / her, keep it simple, don’t blow your own trumpet unreasonably, and stick to actual accomplishments / feats.

    The readers of LoRs pore over thousands of LoRs annually. They are able to discern the genuine ones from the overly self-eulogising ones.

     

    How will you compare King’s College, London with that of Indian Law Schools?

    Vastly different. The pedagogy at King’s was much more interactive and engaging. A lot of room was given for individual thought. Subjects were not taught at King’s. On the contrary, subjects were discussed and debated. It was thoroughly enjoyable. My year in London just flew by and I will always look back with very fond memories. A special mention has to be made here for my professor, Ms. Penney Lewis, who is without a doubt, the best professor I have ever had!

     

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

    My dissertation was titled, “Are our bodies really ours? A case for legalising the trade in human organs”. It’s a topic which is close to my heart and, while I admit it is a controversial topic, the legalising of trade in human organs is something I’m keen to see it happen in the near future.

     

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    You are currently working at King & Partridge, Bangalore. How did you go about bagging this job? Please tell us about the recruitment process at K&P?

    My application, via e-mail, was addressed to one of the partners at K&P. Thereafter, I was called in for a personal interview with each of the partners, pursuant to which I was offered a job in the firm, which I gladly accepted.

     

    So how did the interview go? Do you happen to recall any of the questions?

    To be honest, it’s a bit of a blur as it’s been over three years! While I can’t remember the actual questions that were posed to me, I do remember that they were more aimed at determining the person I was and discovering my general attitude and approach to work and life, as opposed to questions of a legal nature.

     

    What are your day-to-day responsibilities? How is the experience so far?

    As a practicing advocate, my work-profile consists of the following:

    (1) Drafting,

    (2) Researching,

    (3) Assisting my senior colleagues while they prepare for arguments, and

    (4) Appearances before trial courts, tribunals, and the High Court.

    Work has thus far been fascinating, rewarding, and enriching. Most importantly, it’s been fun! However I must admit that I like almost everyone else suffer from Sunday-evening blues!

     

    What would be your parting message to our readers who are mainly young lawyers and law students?

    First and foremost, enjoy your time in college! You will never get those five years again so make the most of it. Study, participate actively in moot courts / seminars / extra-curricular activities, but also remember to have fun. When work begins however, one must work hard. As clichéd as it may sound, there really is no substitute for hard work. One must read as voraciously as one can, be it work-related briefs and journals, as well as non-work related literature and newspapers / magazines. Although I have not even worked for four years, I can confidently say that it’s a rewarding career-choice. One must however be patient. Only if the foundation is strong and sturdy, which is only possible through diligence and discipline, will the latter years be fruitful. Commitment to the profession and more importantly to justice along with honesty in all walks of life, mixed with a healthy and necessary dose of sports and fun should make for a long and enriching career.

  • Hiral Vimadalal, Assistant Manager-Legal, Viacom 18 on work at law firms and in-house

    Hiral Vimadalal, Assistant Manager-Legal, Viacom 18 on work at law firms and in-house

    Hiral Vimadalal graduated from Pravin Gandhi College of Law in 2009. She is one of the founding members of Moot Court Society at Pravin Gandhi College of Law. She started her legal career as an Associate at ‘India Law Services’. Thereafter she worked at V.A. Associates and Wockhardt Limited. She has recently joined Viacom 18 Media Private Limited as an Assistant Manager – Legal.

    In this interview, we asked her about:

    • Law School experience
    • Importance of internships and co curricular activities
    • Strategies used while working with different law firms and companies

     

    Why did you decide to study Law? What inspired you to do so? How did you get through to Pravin Gandhi College of Law?

    How the idea of studying law crossed my mind is a very difficult question to answer! Ever since I was a twelve year old, I had pretty much made up my mind to study law. As a twelve year old I had practically zero exposure to what it would be like; but then languages, debates and drama were strong points of interest throughout my school time. I guess law was an extension to doing what I loved the most!

    Well, I guess it was one of those strong intuitive decisions which guide you and shape your future that might’ve inspired me.

    I missed getting into the premier law college in Mumbai and took up admission at another law college closer to home with the intention of working hard in the first year and then getting into that particular premier law college in my second year. However, two months into the course, PGCL (then known as SVKM’s college of law) published an advertisement that admissions for their new five year course were open. Knowing SVKM’s reputation of arranging world class facilities and the best faculty for all their courses, I jumped at the opportunity and moved. I am from the first batch to have passed out of the college. Making that move is one decision I am proud of!

     

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

    My key interest areas during my graduation were Intellectual Property Rights, Cyber Laws and Media & Entertainment Laws. My sister has done her MBA in marketing and my best friend is a Creative Designer; hence, I was always over exposed to the world of brands, ads and everything related! I think it was natural for my interest to lie in these areas! A silly confession – I am a brand buff and love advertisements. I am one of the few people who refrain from changing channels during advertisements.

    I had a fabulous college life, where the principal of our college along with the great faculty, ensured that each student’s interests were shown. They arranged for guest lectures and short workshops in various areas of law to ensure that all the students made an informed decision about their future.

    IPR was taken care of in college as a part of the Mumbai University curriculum and I took up a six month certificate course in Cyber Laws from ASCL, Pune. This course provided me with an extensive understanding in Cyber Laws, cases, practical problems and solutions and of course the newly introduced (at that time) Information & Technology Act.

     

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

    Since we were the first batch, we took up the initiative of setting up the Moot Court Society in our college. I was one of the founder members of the MCS along with few of my batch mates. I have participated primarily in Moot Court competitions in college and also in Client Counselling competitions, essay writing competitions and debates.

    As the years started going by and we grew as an institute, we started taking up the roles as mentors and organizers of various moots in college. We also ensured that the best team gets to represent our college in moots held by other colleges.

    Whatever that I may say about the faculty and guidance, would be less. They ensured that we had great firms/organizations/NGOs coming in for our internships and ensured that we got good exposure in whatever field that we wanted. Of course it was difficult initially being a new college, but we did phenomenally well! We had a very transparent set-up for everything and could openly share ideas and take initiatives for everything from internships, co-curricular activities and even guest lectures.

    Our college organized a one of a kind three day festival called ‘Shartrartha’ which had a series of lectures and discussions by legal luminaries. We had screenings of several trial films followed by discussions on the practicality and applicability.

     

    What kind of internships did you do while you were a student? Any remarkable experiences during your internships which might’ve contributed towards shaping your career choices?

    I’ve had varied internships throughout my college years. However, I was never working straight throughout those five years since I loved being in college and was actively involved in the fests, moots, etc. I have interned at a full service law firm in my second year (when I hadn’t even started studying the legal subjects) and went back there subsequently in my 3rd year as well. The firm gave me exposure in all sorts of litigation matters, civil and criminal, the nuances of contracts and some knowledge on IPR as well. I used to do a lot of research there, which form the basis of my research skills today.

    Towards the end of my college, I interned at a full service IPR firm, which gave me faith that I could make it as an IP lawyer while reassuring my love for IPR as well. My senior in this firm gave me a lot of insight on Trademarks and the practical applications of what we learn in college. I predominantly did the drafting of replies to the objections raised by the Trademark Registry so it was a stepping stone to what was in store!

    So these internships have shaped different skills and are a founding stone of everything that followed.

     

    What do you feel about the perception that students of certain ‘elite’ NLU’s have a much easier time in kick-starting their career as compared to law students from other colleges? Is this true at all?

    As much as I don’t want to believe it, it is true. Due to the curriculum and demi-god statuses of the National Law Schools, they manage to get the best internships, best placements and even better salaries. And it is not only the National Schools. It is even between the premier law colleges in cities vis-à-vis the others. I know how many times I have answered questions about my college and why I was not from the premier law college and what my college did. I have seen the scornful look on the faces of prospective employers when they hear that you are not from a particular college. In fact, even after a great interview, things have not worked out because I was not from a particular college.

    I think it is high time the perception changes. People should be judged by their qualifications and talent rather than a name backing their education.

     

    After graduating from Pravin Gandhi College of Law you joined ‘India Law Services’ as an Associate. How did the appointment take place?

    After completing law, I was looking for a suitable job to kick start my career. I got to know through a friend that ‘India Law Services’ was looking to hire and so I sent my resume. I met the IP partner and it all fell in place.

     

    You left India Law Services and had joined V.A. Associates. What led to this shift? How was your experience working there?

    Joining V.A. Associates was technically not a shift. The IP partner of ‘India Law Services’ started his own practice and hence the entire team shifted with him. This experience, as I always maintain, was my college to the practical world. Mr. Parelkar is one of the most knowledgeable persons I have come across and to top it, he loves to share his knowledge. I’ve got a great exposure because of him and learned the procedural aspects of IP law, infringement suits and the works. While I was only assisting in suits, it gave me an insight into what is expected in a trademark infringement suit and what must be covered to get a favourable order. I got exposure into the functioning of the Trademark Registry and the nuances of dealing with them. This was also the first real experience at dealing with the clients and the Trademark Registry.

    To sum up, all my skills have been honed by Mr. Parelkar and I would not be what I am and where I am if it were not for this experience.

     

    You thereafter left V.A. Associates to start working at Wockhardt Ltd. as Senior Legal Executive. What prompted you to keep changing your job so frequently? What was the nature of your work there?

    After working with ILS/VA Associates (which as I explained earlier was not a shift), it was time to spread my wings. I was looking for an opportunity where I could get exposure to the other aspects of IP. Even though my primary interests always have been in Media & Entertainment or Technology, Wockhardt came about and I decided to take it on since Pharma was booming as an industry and lot was happening in the Pharma IP space. My profile was IPR but my responsibility grew manifold. In Wockhardt I was handling a portfolio of 2500-3000 brands and we did everything in-house. We did not engage external counsels, except for litigations.

    The working of a company is completely different than that of a law firm. We were a small team of five-six lawyers and maintained a policy of one-for-all and all-for-one. My senior Debolina Partap might have seen something in me, for she gave me exposure in so many aspects, apart from IP. She groomed me to be an in-house counsel. By the time I left, we had set up a full procedure and SOP for the trademarks/copyrights of the company, I had interacted with a bouquet of law firms internationally for our trademarks, which gave me so much exposure to the Trade Mark policies in various countries and also helped me establish a network. These experiences are really important to shape your future and take you to the next step. I have done several TM litigations, legal notices, and been a keen observer in negotiations, which have all helped me grow in more ways than I can explain. I have done Drug Litigations which involved different laws and had me interact with various government officials. It was also the first time that I got a practical insight into compliances and labour issues. Even though the exposure was limited, I had a lot to learn. I cannot sign off without thanking the organization for giving me my first ever Divestment Transaction. The myriad levels of interaction, the due diligence, IP streamlining, documentation, numerous negotiations and discussions were an experience which I cannot justify with words. Understanding the dynamics of an organization and also the correlation between departments of a company is something that I have Wockhardt and Ms. Debolina to thank for.

     

    You’ve recently joined Viacom 18 Media Private Limited as an Assistant Manager – Legal. How did the switch from Wockhardt take place? Did you get an offer or did you apply for Viacom?

    Viacom 18 was a dream job. I remember wishing that I somehow land a job there every time I crossed the building. As I said, Media & Entertainment laws have always been a key interest of mine. I was ecstatic when the consultant called me for an interview. While Pharma is extremely lucid and has a lot to offer, I felt it was time to finally pursue a dream job and make the switch before I got labelled as a Pharma Counsel.

    The consultant called me with this opportunity and needless to say, I jumped at it. I was extremely uncertain of landing the job, given my non-media exposure, but my boss may have seen something in me, which I am forever indebted for.

     

    What does your current work profile at Viacom 18 consists of? How is a typical workday like?

    I am predominantly responsible for the IPR portfolio here as well. Viacom18 is growing every day in terms of IP and the issues are completely different. I am getting more exposure in Copyright and different areas and dimensions of IPRs which are specific to the Media and Entertainment industry. We have also undertaken to sensitize our Business Units to the TM/Copyright Law and hold training for them regularly. I have also been assigned a portion of the litigation profile, which of course is very different from the litigations I am used to handling. So in that sense I am still taking my baby steps with litigation here. My boss, Thomas George is a phenomenal person and is one of the very few “born intelligent” people. He comes from a litigation background, so he is guiding me at managing the litigations like a lawyer, rather than a Manager/In-House Counsel. He teaches in a way that one will never forget for their entire lives. I have a lot to learn from him and hopefully I am taking away as much as I can from his experiences. We have a great team here which is always willing to share and help each other. Everyone is super cool and friendly. It seems like I am working with friends, which makes work twice as exciting. I look forward to every single day here.

    A typical workday is filled with lots of work and lots of fun too. Our day starts at 10.30am and is always action packed. There are several days which are busier than others if there are deadlines in terms of notices, responses to file and if there are several matters on board for that week. But we ensure to get our daily dose of fun as well. So as I said earlier, I really look forward to each day here!

     

    Does Viacom 18 take interns? What is the process for same?

    Yes. Viacom 18 does take interns. It is need based and we usually route it through HR. Sometimes, we can refer an intern to the team in need for one. However, we do not have a regular policy for taking interns or GTs in the team.

     

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

    It is true to the last word. While your school or college will lay the foundation stone, it is the practice and what you take out of those experiences that shape the rest of your career and future. You may study the law but will not know which provisions are applicable till you actually do a case involving that law. Further, it is not about the law. It is also about strategy, sometimes avoiding the conflict and how you tie up the interest of the Business unit/client and the facts, to put your best foot forward. Communication is also extremely important. What and how much to say and when is also an important part of the exposure.

    In my case, I believe that every experience I have had during these years has taught me something. Practical aspects of the law can sometimes be very different from what it may appear in theory. This distinction will come only as you move ahead. I have been lucky to have had some great experiences and seniors who have really helped me get till where I am.

     

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

    Law is an amazing field to be in if it gives you the kick. I have never wanted to be anything else. In today’s day and age, when everything can be ‘managed’ it is important to be true to yourself and the profession. We are a big lot and have the power to do a lot if we wish!

    Cherish all your professional experiences. Every challenge you are faced with leaves a lasting impression. So I urge the readers to always be open to getting the best of the experiences, both good and bad. Trust me, the bad ones teach lessons for life! And the good ones stay with you as a fond memory and a teaching for life!

  • Rahul Rai, Competition/Antitrust & Trade Lawyer, AZB Partners on LL.M in International Trade Law from Stanford Law School

    Rahul Rai, Competition/Antitrust & Trade Lawyer, AZB Partners on LL.M in International Trade Law from Stanford Law School

    Rahul Rai graduated from WBNUJS, Kolkata in 2006 and got a PPO from Economic Laws Practice after interning there twice. He joined as an Associate after graduating and worked mostly on international trade and competition law matters.

    In 2011, he decided to pursue an LL.M and got in at Stanford Law School in the USA. He describes his LL.M experience, talks about the world-class professors and facilities and his time as an Article Editor of the International Law Journal.

    After returning to India, he joined AZB & Partners and contributed in building their competition law practice. Here, he talks about:

    • Why he didn’t take up any extra-curricular activities in law school
    • His experience as an Associate at Economic Laws Practice
    • The biggest reason he got through to Stanford Law School, USA
    • Joining AZB & Partners upon his return to India

     

    Please tell us a bit about yourself. How would you like to be introduced to our readers?

    I am a competition and international trade (WTO law) lawyer working with AZB & Partners in Bombay.

     

    rahul-rai-2How did you come to know about the newly established WBNUJS? What helped you gravitate towards law?

    Like most kids from my part of the country, I too aspired to crack the IIT-JEE. Like many, I bombed through class XI and XII and unless my parents were to buy a management quota seat in some forlorn engineering college; I stood no chance of becoming an engineer. Even if I were to get into an engineering college, I was confident about my incompetence. Throughout high school I had loved studying non-science subjects like history, economics, and civics. I fleetingly heard about Professor Madhav Menon and the National Law School in Bangalore. Law as a possible career option was becoming more and more promising- it offered the escape from sciences and also promised reasonably well-paid jobs upon graduation. The prospect of landing decent jobs helped win over my parents and their fascination of seeing their son in an IIT. The prospect of getting over the baggage of disastrous XI-XII performance (I got 2/100 in Maths in the first semester in class XI and passed my XIIth with 43/100), never to look back at sciences, studying subjects that I had enjoyed in high school and yet be hopeful of a decent job upon graduation made me zero down on law as a possible career. Thereafter, it was simple. In 2001 Google was relatively new but was catching up as a research tool. I went searching for National Law School, Bangalore and found a thread talking about Professor Menon’s move to Calcutta as the founding Vice-Chancellor of WBNUJS. I wrote the WBNUJS entrance test, got through but failed to crack the entrance to National Law School, Bangalore. So I ended up in Calcutta and WBNUJS.

     

    How would you describe your time at WBNUJS? Did you partake in extracurricular activities?

    Time at WBNUJS was fun. I entered NUJS with three other friends from school. All four of us had struggled in similar fashion to find a roof over our heads after class XII. The five years at NUJS made me cement the friendship for life. I also met some very interesting and nice people and the friendships forged during college days continue to this day. That is one of my most cherished takeaway from NUJS. Academically, when I look back, I can count 5 out of 50 subjects that were taught brilliantly. I just loved G. Ajay’s Political Science, Prof. Rudranshu Mukheerjee’s History, Prof. BS Chimni + Ms. Sheela Rai + Prof. Mritiunjoy Mohanty’s International Trade Law and M.V. Shiju’s Constitutional and Competition Law courses.

    Extracurricular activities were a strict no for me. I had spent my high school days in boarding school chasing (with reasonable success) the trophies in debates, elocutions and sports and decided to do nothing in law school unless it interested me. So, all I did, was sleep, read a few books, and spend just so much energy on studies that would offer a fighting shot at jobs.

     

    Right after graduating, you started working at Economic Laws Practice. How did the appointment take place? How difficult were the first few months of ELP given that it focuses mainly on a specific field of law?

    I had enjoyed studying International Trade Law and had done reasonably well in the course. With some good luck I landed an internship at ELP, Bombay. I think I worked hard and that got noticed. I got another opportunity to intern with ELP and I decided to work in their Delhi office. Back in 2006 there were 6 associates in their office and Samir Gandhi led the International trade practice in Delhi. Again, I think I worked hard and ELP made an offer.

    First few months at ELP were difficult. I could barely draft a two sentence email and within the first month I was working on a full blown WTO dispute. Samir was and continues to be a great mentor. I struggled with drafting for about 8-10 months and finally one day I got a draft without any red marks! Working in the area of International Trade law and doing a WTO dispute was more of fun than a challenge.

     

    How did you build up your expertise in competition and trade law? Please tell us a bit about your work profile at ELP.

    I had joined ELP with the idea of working in the area of International Trade law and the hope that someday when the Competition Act, 2002 becomes operational, take up competition law as well. I spent most of the first eighteen months at ELP working on the WTO Dispute with the US on additional and extra-additional duties on import of alcoholic beverages. I would spend 8 hours in the office and another two to three hours reading up on WTO laws. I guess once you become a lawyer, there is no substitute for reading legal texts and commentaries. I just read as much as I could between Monday to Friday, week after week and month after month while at ELP.

    Sometime in late 2007 I saw an advertisement from the Competition Commission of India for conducting market studies. I took the idea to Samir, who was extremely supportive and so was Mr. Suhail Nathani, my ultimate reporting partner at ELP. We put in our proposal to run a study on the interface between antidumping and antitrust law, the Commission accepted it and thus began my career as a competition lawyer. Again, I read and read- there is just no substitute.

    The work profile at ELP was just what I had asked for- mix of litigation, advisory and policy. Above all, ELP offered the opportunity to do what I wanted to do- trade and competition work.

     

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    What prompted you to opt for an LL.M from Stanford Law School? How difficult would you say it was gaining admission?

    The desire to study for LL.M. was driven more by the idea of experiencing life in a very good university and not so much by learning ‘law’ a little more. Perhaps, I wanted to make good for the ignominy of not even coming close to cracking IIT-JEE (I was ranked somewhere around 99000 in prelims)! An LL.M. in the US back in 2011 cost about USD 75K and therefore I wanted to go to a place which ranked amongst the very best. Stanford Law School, of course does not need my certificate. I lucked out, despite my not so great rank and CGPA at WBNUJS, Stanford granted me a seat. In retrospect I think, it was all because of my work experience at ELP.

     

    Did you apply for any scholarships? How was the academic culture at SLS?

    Stanford Law School does not offer any scholarships to LL.M.s and I had secured the Hugo Grotius scholarship at Michigan. So, it was a tough call. In the end, the lure for the sun and sand in California took me to Stanford. I also tried my luck for INLAKS where I did not even make the shortlist.

    The best part about Stanford Law School was the absence of a formal grading system which made the law school such a fun place. Once you stop pitting students against each other and get rid of the system where one student will necessarily be ranked first and other ranked last, studies become fun. Students no longer run after CGPA, take up courses that they really like and above all study than aim for the top CGPA/rank. Like most top law schools in the US, Stanford attracts the very best of faculty and students. The professors are the very best, the peer group is the most diverse and extraordinarily talented. The law school promotes multidisciplinary education in the truest sense. Some of my friends were able to take up courses at the design school, others opted for ‘coding’. I had read a little on Francis Fukuyama’s work and never knew that he taught at Stanford. Realising this, I ran to register for his introductory course of political theory and despite being very selective he was just glad to take in a trade and competition lawyer with nothing but pop political science theories to offer. Likewise, I wanted to try courses at the Stanford GSB and was able to take up one of the most sought after courses-“Build your own start-up”. If I have to sum up the academic culture at Stanford, I would say that it offers the opportunity to try different things, perhaps fail, try again and in the end if nothing works out then walk out with an experience that will certainly make you a better person, if nothing else.

     

    You were also an editor of the reputed Stanford Journal of International Law. How did this opportunity come to you?

    Stanford Law School is fairly small but has significant resources. So it offers more opportunities than one can make good of in a year’s time. Every year, the student run law journals invite applications for editors. I had spent close to four years doing trade work and so I tried my luck with the International Law Journal. It worked and I got selected as one of the article editors.

    The experience though was a little ‘under-whelming’ considering how correcting footnotes can be quite boring. The article I edited was written by one of the top trade law practitioners and it was fun to read the primary sources and test the author’s propositions.

     

    How would you say in retrospect your experience in LL.M. helped you in gaining more knowledge and expertise in competition law? Would you suggest other lawyers having a similar profile to opt for an LL.M.?

    Yes. I studied competition law under Professor Mark Lemley, who is without a doubt one of the very best professors in IP and Antitrust and Charles Koob who has one of the most unparalleled profiles as a practitioner. The lessons in Antitrust and assignments have indeed helped in the manner in which I approach an issue now.

    I would most certainly recommend people to opt for an LL.M. at Stanford. If nothing you’d come back with a lot of good friends and even if you sleep through the classes, the activity surrounding you will leave you richer in many different ways.

     

    After finishing your LL.M. you started work at AZB & Partners. What prompted you to join AZB? Were there other career options available to you?

    Of course I wanted to spend sometime in the U.S. and had managed to secure an offer from one the top firm’s with their antitrust practice in Washington DC. The law firm withdrew the offer after a few weeks of extending it. I had to come scurrying back to India and look for a job. Although AZB did not have an established competition law practice, Samir and my colleagues from ELP had moved to AZB. I spoke to Samir and Zia and was convinced about the firm’s focus on building the competition law practice. Zia was and continues to be very enthusiastic about competition law and that was a big plus. The prospect of reuniting with the old team at a firm that promised to invest in a new area of law made the decision to join AZB a fairly simple one.

    I would have considered sticking around in the U.S. if we completed the “Build your own start up” course at Stanford GSB by securing the seed capital from a venture fund. All VCs told us we were ahead of the curve (polite way of saying the idea sucks). Once the start up dream failed to take off, and the DC law firm withdrew its offer, I came back to India.  AZB happened and I did not try my luck at any other firm.

     

    Have you ever considered litigation or starting up on your own? Would you say the opportunity a firm provides for a young lawyer is worth the trade off in building a reputation?

    The romance of doing litigation never got to me. I had grown up seeing a generation of my family and family friends with nothing short of master degrees looking for jobs and not finding any. Deep down I wanted a JOB and at the moment I am happy with the sense of security the monthly pay cheque provides.

    I don’t necessarily see a disconnection between the opportunity offered by law firms and building reputation. All professions are about building trust and maintaining one’s credibility. In a law firm setting, one has to first gain the trust of his/her colleagues, immediate seniors, then the partner and finally the clients. I like the system where you are slowly exposed to different levels of responsibilities. Once you have won the trust of colleagues, seniors, partners and clients, recognition will come. On the point of building reputation I do not see any trade offs between a law firm career track and private practice track. One has to earn the trust of everyone around whether at a law firm or at a counsel’s chamber. Become trustworthy and then recognition is bound to come.

     

    What are the primary essentials of a corporate lawyer? How do you say a fresh graduate can work on building these skills?

    There is a massive gulf between what is taught at law schools and what is expected from an associate at a law firm. If you manage to learn something, there is a good chance that you will have to unlearn it all once you start working. I generally think that most students walking out of the law schools have more or less the same level of intelligence and certainly sufficient intelligence to become a successful lawyer. The real differentiator is communication skills- written and spoken. The good part is that you need not be a gifted writer or orator- these skills can be acquired. And for that you need to be very very careful in the first job you pick. Rather, the decision to take up a job should primarily be driven by the senior you’d work with. If you find the right senior, the battle is half won. And if the senior has the time and patience to guide you, then nothing like it. Else just observing every single word he/she writes and speaks, analyze the difference in approach, and very soon you would develop your own style, tempered by the basic dos and don’ts taught by the senior.

    The other skill set that law schools can never provide is the ability to handle pressure. As you progress in your career, the pressure points will change and you’d see yourself struggling again. It is a continuous process and I am yet to reach a stage where I can start preaching.

     

    What is your current work profile at AZB? How can an intern be of help while trying to learn?

    I do a mix of competition and trade law work. I would say about 85% of my work is in competition law. In competition, a bulk of my work involves representation in behavioural cases and merger notifications to the CCI. Increasingly companies are approaching us for risk assessment on their business practice and guidance on mitigating risks. We loosely call it competition advisory and compliance. In International Trade I do the occasional representation for an exporter in an anti-dumping or safeguard duty investigation.

    Interns are quite valuable as the colleagues are working full time. We try and involve interns in ongoing assignments for all types of work, including research and drafting of bits and pieces of let’s say an appeal memo. All that I look for in an intern is ability and willingness to work hard and with diligence.

     

    What would be your parting message to our readers?

    To continue to work for a long period in a law firm set up can be challenging. Unless you enjoy the work, there is just no way that you will survive. So, pick the area of law that interests you the most and make a career out of that.

  • Mrinali Kaul, Associate at Talwar Thakore, on the Company Secretary course, grades, internships and an ideal law school life

    Mrinali Kaul, Associate at Talwar Thakore, on the Company Secretary course, grades, internships and an ideal law school life

    Mrinali Kaul graduated from ILS Law College, Pune in 2012. She is a qualified Company Secretary and has an enviable academic record and an excellent series of internships at top law firms. As a law student she has been quite active and participated in many debates, MUNs and conferences. By the time she graduated, she had received a job offer from Talwar Thakore & Associates and is currently working there as an Associate.

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

    • Importance of internships and maintaining grades
    • Importance of extra-curricular activities in law school
    • Completing the Company Secretary course alongside law studied
    • Work at TT&A

     

    When did you think you were suited to a career in law? How did you get through to ILS?

    Pursuing a career in the legal field was always at the back of my mind whenever I used to read novels written by Jeffrey Archer and John Grisham. The fact that top-notch orators and politicians in the country were lawyers by qualification added to the charm of being a part of this respected profession. Being a lawyer was also listed as one of my possible career choices through an aptitude test that had been conducted in my school, DPS Greater Noida. I made the final decision to take up law and become a first generation lawyer quite late in the day i.e., after giving my class 12th board exams. According to me, the pre-requisites for a career in law are that one should have a good command over the English language, ability to reason, self-confidence and be able to put forth one’s views in a coherent manner. I believed that I possessed the necessary skillset to be a successful lawyer and therefore chose law as my calling.

    ILS admits students based on their class 12th marks and an interview thereafter. As I had a reasonably good score of 94% in class 12th, I was able to join ILS for the five year law course.

     

    Which subjects did you enjoy during your qualifying degree?

    [sociallocker]The subject which I enjoyed most was company law and this paved the way for a career in corporate law. Company law is like the Holy Bible for those planning to join a corporate law firm and it is essential to be well-versed with it. What I liked about this subject was the logical manner in which it can be understood and one can draw references from the corporate world for understanding any concept. The linkage to the corporate world made it a really interesting subject to grasp and understand.

     

    Did you ever indulge in academic legal writing? What, in your opinion, are the advantages of taking part in such activities?

    Yes, I did indulge in legal writing and the articles were published in my college journal as well as in relation to the Company Secretary course. I also represented my college in moot court competitions and quiz competitions in the various law festivals held in different colleges. I have also attended conferences individually and presented my papers there. Such events are an integral part of a law student’s life as they help you to go beyond academics and also shape your personality for the future. Often one ends up forging lifelong friendships and making useful contacts at these inter-college events. Therefore, I would definitely recommend everyone to take part in one or the other event at least once in their law school life. I do not think making it mandatory serves the purpose as then students would merely do it to fetch marks and the intention to do something on your own initiative will be lost. Law schools should not spoon-feed the students and it should be left at the discretion of the students to choose whether to pursue such activities or not.

     

    mrinali-kaul-2

    During graduation, you interned with top-notch law firms. Are there remarkable experiences during your internships that shaped your career choices later?

    My internship choices were primarily guided by my inclination to work in a corporate law firm upon graduation and therefore, I wanted to gain as much exposure as possible by interning in the top law firms in the country. During internships, I was mostly allotted research work relating to company law, securities and banking law. I have also been involved in due diligence exercises being undertaken at these firms and preparing memos on various legal issues. These internships made me realize that corporate law is really an all-encompassing term and there is a lot for me to learn in this field. Therefore, I wanted to join a corporate law firm after graduation to be able to realise my potential in this field.

     

    Would you say a great CGPA is a necessity to kick start a good career in the legal profession?

    Definitely, a great CGPA opens doors for you to bag the best internships- be it with law firms, senior counsels or even companies. It is a crucial factor during recruitments as most organisations have certain minimum CGPA requirements which one needs to satisfy to be eligible to even apply for a position as an Associate. However, having said this, marks are not the only determining factor in the long run and it is your knowledge and its application that counts ultimately.

     

    You had also managed to pursue the company secretary course. Tell us why did you chose to do it and how did you manage it with college?

    The course in ILS is structured in such a manner that it leaves you with ample time to pursue other courses, hobbies, activities, etc and pursuing two courses simultaneously was not really a difficult task. If you’re smart and efficient about your studies and prioritise well, it is quite a cakewalk. As I had joined law school with the intention of joining a corporate law firm upon graduation, I wanted to acquire any knowledge which would help me in the professional world and this is where the company secretary course came into the picture with its offering of an integrated approach to multi-disciplinary subjects such as law, business, finance, economics and accounts. Coming from a science background in school, I found this course to give me an edge over my peers as it covered newer areas of law such as competition, securities markets. These subjects were not taught as part of our curriculum in law school; hence this additional knowledge placed me ahead of my batch mates and also helped me in securing my job.

     mrinali-kaul-1

    Does graduating from a prestigious school make a difference in landing a good job in this field?

    Yes, to a certain extent in the initial years, graduating from a prestigious law school does have its benefits in the recruitment scenario. However, having said that, if you’re intelligent, hardworking and smart, there’s no reason that you should be denied an opportunity irrespective of the law school you have graduated from.

     

    Soon after graduation, you joined Talwar Thakore and Associate as an Associate. How did your appointment take place? How was your interview? Please give our readers some tips to nail a law firm interview.

    My appointment at TT&A happened through the placement committee of my college. The selection process was two-fold: the first step involved sending my resume and an application form which covered questions relating to my skills and achievements, reasons for becoming a corporate lawyer and wanting to join the firm, etc. Subsequently, the shortlisted candidates were called for a personal interview to the firm’s office in Mumbai. The interview was very relaxed and I was asked to talk about myself and questioned based on my resume. I was also given a case-study based on which my critical and reasoning skills were tested and two days later, I was given the good news that I had been chosen to join the firm.

    This was the only interview that I gave and cracked, so here are the tips from my limited interview experience:

    • Be thorough with your resume and know it like the back of your hand;
    • Research on your prospective employer firm;
    • Stay calm;
    • Maintain eye contact with all your interviewers;
    • Be properly dressed; and
    • Put your cell phone in silent mode.

     

    How tough was the first year of law firm?

    Working in a law firm as an associate is a completely different ball game from interning in one. You have to be responsible and take complete ownership of your work product. Fortunately, at TT&A, we have a very healthy working environment and all the partners and senior lawyers are very encouraging and helpful and make sure that you blend in very easily with everyone and feel at home in the firm. Honestly, I did not find the first year tough. Certainly, it involved a lot of learning as what we are taught at law school is purely theoretical. But I can safely say that with the amazing work culture at TT&A, I sailed through it like a breeze!

     

    Tell us about the nature of work you’re entrusted with therein and what’s a typical day like? What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

    At TT&A, in the initial stage of our career, we are not compartmentalized in different sectors like corporate, banking, capital markets but are allowed to work on a wide range of transactions across all practice areas that the firm has to offer. This allows us to gain exposure to a variety of legal issues across multi-disciplinary jurisdictions and decide on our specialization thereafter. I have been involved in due-diligences, drafting of transaction documents in corporate and banking transactions, preparing research memorandums and notes.
    A typical day involves researching on contentious issues, drafting transaction related documents, discussions with senior colleagues and responding to client queries by email or over calls with them. The most challenging aspect of my job has to be beating the deadlines and making sure the work product meets the clients’ expectations. My work doesn’t involve litigation and taxation at all.

     

    Does your qualification in law and company secretary complement each other in terms of your work?

    Definitely, the company secretary curriculum is such that it equips you with not only legal knowledge required in the corporate world but also the business and the financial angle of a transaction. This inter-disciplinary knowledge comes very handy during transactions as it helps you to understand the bigger picture and not merely the legal issues involved.

     

    Where do you see your career going from here?

    I aim to grow with my firm and get more experience while working on the transactions, be it in corporate, capital markets or the banking sector. I am still at a nascent stage of my career and it is important for me to absorb and gain as much knowledge as possible to build upon it later.

     

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

    Be focussed, work hard and enjoy life!

     [/sociallocker]