Super Lawyer

Category: Interviews

  • “I feel that increased technological advancement in legal practice will create better opportunities for young lawyers, will lead to increased transparency, lower rates of disputes,  faster dispute resolution, standardisation of legal fees and overall improvement of the legal system which directly impacts ease of business”- Saurabh Bhardwaj”, Partner, ORTIS Law Offices

    “I feel that increased technological advancement in legal practice will create better opportunities for young lawyers, will lead to increased transparency, lower rates of disputes,  faster dispute resolution, standardisation of legal fees and overall improvement of the legal system which directly impacts ease of business”- Saurabh Bhardwaj”, Partner, ORTIS Law Offices

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

    Can you share with us what initially inspired you to pursue a career in law, and how did your journey in the legal field begin?

    My father who is a practising lawyer inspired me to become a lawyer. He believed that my analytical skills, command on languages and oratory skills would get me immense success in the legal profession. During my college days I interned with some of the best senior lawyers of the country and was mesmerised by their personalities and their court craft. I aspired to become a senior counsel one day and that’s why I started my career as a litigator. I started my career with my father but shortly thereafter joined the office of a young and successful lawyer in Tis Hazari District court. With my mentor and first boss I got the opportunity to work on some very high stake white collar crimes cases as off-counsels for tier 1 law firms. I was taking up my own matters as well as assisting my senior in his matters. After 4 years of litigation I felt I was stagnated as I had ready playbooks for all kinds of criminal and civil litigation and the cases progressed very slowly. I felt I should expand my horizons and learn a little bit about corporate legal work before I can decide which way to go.

    At this time I got the opportunity to work in the legal department of a popular Indian mobile phone company (Micromax) where I got to draft,review and negotiate commercial agreements for the first time. During my two years of working with the said company I learnt immensely about business and the role of lawyers in ensuring good business hygiene. I would work directly with business heads of various departments and get to learn in detail about their respective departments. I understood the scale of legal operations that are there in big corporations and how to manage them using available digital tools. I also learnt how to get things done by making interpersonal bonds with people which I could never learn as a litigation counsel. Later, I started my own boutique law firm with a few of my friends from law college and started providing comprehensive legal services to startups in NCR including disputes resolution, general corporate, M&A, IPR, compliances etc. In the year 2022 I decided to finally start working on my long standing dream of starting my own business in legal-tech space and that’s when i incorporated my own company to develop a B2B legal tech SaaS platform under the brand name “TrueCounsel”

    Versatility in Legal Practice:

    Legal profession is more art than science and although I do believe in the importance of specialisation, I feel a good lawyer can do anything and everything. Many great lawyers choose to specialise in one area of law but if needed they can take up any kind of challenge. A lawyer who has the capability of representing a client before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, can also represent a client in an international arbitration, can also negotiate a high stake deal, can also become a politician, can become a great entrepreneur etc. The level of preparedness, meticulousness, foresightedness and oratory skills that are expected of lawyers, make us ready to take any challenges head-on and with ease. We are mostly performing and at best of our behaviour be it before a court or in a virtual meeting or even when casually meeting anyone in our social circle.

    You have expertise in both litigation and corporate legal work. How did you find yourself navigating both these aspects of law, and which area do you find more challenging or rewarding?

    I find myself navigating between all aspects of law quite smoothly. I believe good research is the key to do well in any area of law or business or technology. I like to take on challenging problems and solve them by sheer hard work. All areas of law are equally challenging and rewarding in my experience and I feel that I thrive under pressure. Whenever I feel that I have become comfortable and bored, I try to take on a new and bigger challenge for myself. Presently I am focussed on learning how to mentor and train the young generation of lawyers which is very different from my generation and becoming a good leader. Also I am facing the challenges of being a tech founder and running a highly competitive business which is very different from being a lawyer.

    You mention a strong aptitude for managing large volumes of corporate disputes using the latest technology. How has technology played a role in your legal practice, and how do you see it shaping the future of dispute resolution?

    The first time I started managing huge volumes of agreements, consumer disputes and recovery matters as an in-house legal counsel, I realised this was completely different from being a litigator. This was the first time I used Microsoft Excel with the help of my boss and second mentor who is also a Chartered Accountant. I understood the importance of using digital tools effectively in order to manage large volumes of data. I had been using technology for legal research during my litigation days already along with OCR tools for extracting data easily for drafting but beyond that I did not know much about the need of tech in the legal profession. This was the time when companies such as ProVakil, Vakilsearch, MyAdvo, Mikelegal etc. had also come up with the objective of solving major pain points in the legal industry using technology. These companies provided solutions for easy discovery of legal professionals, contracts workflow management, automatic updates on court cases, enforcement of IPR etc. This caught my interest immensely as I could see that any problem can be solved using technology and that India is booming with a tech workforce which can create any kind of tech very fast. During the Covid times, the necessity for incorporating tech in legal practice got highlighted and we saw fast advancement in this direction.

    I feel that increased technological advancement in legal practice will create better opportunities for young lawyers, will lead to increased transparency, lower rates of disputes,  faster dispute resolution, standardisation of legal fees and overall improvement of the legal system which directly impacts ease of business.

    Could you share one or two experiences representing clients in high-stakes disputes that have left a lasting impact on your approach to legal representation?

    During my initial litigation days and also when I was working as an in-house counsel, I got to work on some very high stake disputes involving foreign entities. I got the opportunity to work with foreign lawyers and I was highly inspired by their inquisitive approach towards understanding Indian law. I drafted memos and legal opinions which were then vetted by tier-1 Indian law firms and finally shared with these foreign lawyers and that taught me how to appreciate law from an outsider’s perspective. I became more critical and inquisitive about statutes and legal provisions. Also I learned the importance of strategising in detail at the very commencement of a dispute and factoring in all possible outcomes of every step well in advance so that you are never caught by surprise. It also taught me how to manage voluminous documents and data effectively in order to succeed in any dispute because more than law, the facts make or break a case.

    Moving on to your current role as a Partner at Ortis Law Offices, what prompted this transition, and how has this role differed from your previous experiences?

    When I merged my law firm with Ortis Law offices, I made a hard decision to stop doing everything and focus completely on corporate legal work. This decision was prompted by the need for specialisation. I had been doing everything that would come to me and even actively generating work in all possible directions but I realised that although this keeps me motivated, it is not very effective in many ways. I realised that once you have more than 10 years of experience, you must pick an area of law and focus completely on it while generating other work for your partners in the law firm. This creates a good structural foundation for scaling up your legal practice. At Ortis Law Offices I learnt how to be a good mentor and senior. Earlier I would expect a bit too much from my juniors and as a result would become very frustrated with them. This led to low motivation and a toxic environment in my team but my senior partners at Ortis Law Offices taught me how to keep your team happy and motivated and give them space to blossom. Also, while working with other partners at the firm I learnt a lot more about working with MNCs and big clients than I had in my earlier experience.

    You’ve been involved in various acquisitions, funding rounds, and legal proceedings. Could you highlight a recent case or advisory role that stands out to you and share some key lessons or insights gained from it?

    Recently I worked on the acquisition of a company undergoing financial distress wherein I had to represent the said company and its founders. At the same time I had to negotiate settlements with the creditors of the company. This was a very stressful and hectic project wherein I learned how to keep calm and stand your ground under tremendous pressure while representing the losing side in a transaction.

    As someone with over a decade of experience in the legal field, what advice would you give to law students or recent graduates who are starting their careers in law? What lessons have you learned that you believe would be valuable for them?

    My only advice to young law students and lawyers is to do as much freelance work as possible. I believe that while working with seniors or in a law firm structure or as an in-house lawyer one tends to have huge scope for error and a lot of cushion but when you freelance you are directly answerable to the client which teaches you professionalism at a whole different level. It teaches you how to value their time and provide the highest quality of services that you can. 

    Another important advice is that you must keep adding skills in your arsenal. The moment you stop updating your skills you become obsolete and redundant. I recommend that the young lawyers should use as much technology as possible while doing their research, drafting or any other work to increase efficiency and quality of their product and keep a lookout for the latest advancements in legal tech.

    Get in touch with Saurabh Bhardwaj-

  • “Passion is key, and success comes from enjoying what you do. Invest time in learning about the industry, attend training sessions, and network with peers. As you climb the ladder, mentor and guide juniors with patience.” – Shagoofa Rashid Khan, Group General Counsel & Head Corporate Affairs at National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)

    “Passion is key, and success comes from enjoying what you do. Invest time in learning about the industry, attend training sessions, and network with peers. As you climb the ladder, mentor and guide juniors with patience.” – Shagoofa Rashid Khan, Group General Counsel & Head Corporate Affairs at National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)

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

    Looking back at the journey from your CA articleship to becoming the Group General  Counsel at NIIF, how did you initially decide to pursue a career in law, and what pivotal  moments shaped your decision to specialize in corporate law and investment funds?  

    My career path has been a case of pure serendipity. I chose the CA course as my group of  friends collectively decided this was the path forward for us. After qualifying as a  chartered accountant, I thought of giving civil services a shot. Hence, I picked “law” as a  second subject. I joined Government Law College (GLC), as it was convenient to attend  morning college and get to work at my chartered accountancy firm by 11 am. I had  encountered Nishith Desai Associates (NDA) in my work-related research, and hence  when they came to GLC for campus recruitment, it was a no-brainer to sit for their  interview. From what the interviewer told me later, I came across as a no-nonsense nerd,  and when they made an offer, I accepted. That’s how my journey in the professional field  of law started.  

    In those days, NDA was a leading firm in India in the fields of international tax and  investment funds. I joined the tax team and being a CA-and-lawyer, I got pulled into the  funds team. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at NDA and lapped up every challenge /  opportunity thrown at me, be it international tax advisory, international tax policy, fund  formation, fund documentation, corporate transactions work, pro-bono advisory etc.  

    Looking back, I can only conclude that whenever I was at the fork of a decision in my  career path, I took that leap of faith and successfully ploughed my way with self-belief  and hard work as my tools. And as for the challenging days, I had the blessings and  patience of my family and guidance from friends and well-wishers to pull me through.  

    As the Group General Counsel at the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund  Limited (NIIF), what are some unique challenges and exciting opportunities you  encounter in your current role? 

    When I joined NIIF, I already had over two decades of experience behind me. The niggling  feeling was, what next. I had been an external lawyer as well as in-house, so what more  could I look forward to. In NIIF I found the next chapter in my professional life.  

    During my interview for the post, my boss-to-be asked: what is it that makes NIIF an  appealing opportunity to you? My answer was, NIIF as a sovereign anchored fund is a  unique experiment in the history of India and it would be an honor to be a part of this  history.  

    As Group General Counsel and Head Corporate Affairs (GGC-CA) at NIIF, the unique task I  had to dive right into was ‘stakeholder management’. NIIF is 49% owned by the Government of India and balance 51% by sovereign, quasi sovereign, and other institutional investors (domestic and offshore). The Board is a representative of these diverse stakeholders as  well as independent directors. Hence, as GGC-CA being trusted advisor to the  stakeholders is key. A routine day is a combination of being the voice of reason, providing  clear legal advice, addressing compliance challenges, providing guidance on governance  matters, being sounding board for new ideas, and supporting business teams in executing  strategic decisions. As fiduciary for investors’ monies, it is imperative to approach every  legal/compliance conundrum with thorough technical analysis, test alternate outcomes,  closely monitor execution and reporting.  

    NIIF offers exciting opportunities for professional growth and intellectual curiosity as we  continue to scale our various investment platforms (across various infrastructure sub sectors), expand our private markets footprint, roll out new fund products (including our  maiden India-Japan Fund) and much more.  

    From your extensive experience in structuring funds to managing acquisitions and  joint ventures, you’ve covered a wide spectrum of legal aspects. Is there a specific area  within your expertise that you find particularly fascinating or enjoy working on the  most?  

    My first love has, and continues to be, taxation. As a student, I aced the subject and had  penned “be a core member of the team to re-write the Indian income-tax act” on my  vision board! Well, I haven’t achieved that goal but I have enjoyed my tryst with various  taxation matters. Researching on and writing tax opinions has been tremendously  rewarding, tax structuring of funds, managed accounts, fund investments, strategic  ventures and other collaborations helped me to deftly leverage my passion and expertise.  Through my focus on ‘policy advocacy’, I have also made representations (and drafted  proposed amendments) on tax, legal and regulatory issues.  

    Another fascinating aspect of my professional life (which am sure, other deal junkies like  me will also confess) is negotiating complex contracts. On the execution day of any  transaction, it is absolutely satisfying to check your score card and find that the deal  breakers were addressed suitably and the terms of the resultant contract have emerged  as clear and unambiguous, thus being capable of performance as well as enforcement.  

    In one of my early transactions, when I ended up being chosen as the common counsel  for the buyer and seller of a large real estate transaction, I asked the seller-client (who  had approached me first) that aren’t you worried a common lawyer may find a middle  path rather than fight for your side? His reply has stayed with me since: there is never a  good contract with a bad counterparty and never a bad contract with a good counterparty.  A clever lawyer is one that doesn’t miss the woods for the trees. Stay focused on why that  transaction is important for your company and thereby make the right legal calls for the  longevity and success of the business.  

    As a seasoned counsel, my approach is not to treat the negotiation room as a war zone.  Rather take it as an opportunity for parties on both sides to negotiate in good faith and  with the objective of finding the best workable solution for any deadlock in the commercial imperatives. Having worked on several transactions in my career, I have  realised that a deal can take a life of its own and it is very easy to get caught in the vortex  to make the deal happen. However, knowing when to keep going and when to back off  from a transaction is a critical skill to cultivate. “Sometimes your best investments are the  ones you don’t make”1.  

    As a jury member for awards recognizing Alternate Investment Professionals in India, what qualities or achievements do you look for in professionals that make them stand  out in the field of investments and legal advisory? 

    When Aditya Gadge of Equalifi reached out to me to be a member on their jury for “40  under 40, Alternative Investment Professionals in India”, it felt like coming of age and as if  we the jury members were handing over the baton to the next generation stars. The  nominees definitely lived up to this expectation. The nominees had dedicated years to  their respective fields with passion and had strived to make a mark for themselves.  

    The qualities that I appreciate are: consistency in performance, staying focussed when  faced with a challenge, ability to spot opportunities and own the space, and bias towards  quality in execution. For professionals in the legal and compliance function the qualities  that will make them stand out are: solid foundation (educational / practical training),  ability to navigate the grays, a strong backbone to withstand pressures/not take short  term calls, foresight to spot legal/regulatory changes on the horizon and impact on the  company/business and having an affable personality.  

    Being a member of SEBI’s Working Group on AIF Regulations and other regulatory  committees, how do you see the evolving landscape of investment regulations in India,  and what role do you think legal professionals play in shaping these changes?  

    There is no doubt that we are functioning in a complex and dynamic legal and regulatory  environment. Change is the only constant. Laws are being redrawn, regulations are being  upscaled and regulators are being conferred with enhanced powers. It is no surprise that  in such a scenario, the experienced senior and her freshly minted lawyer are reading the  new law at the same time!  

    Legal professionals play a pivotal role in such times. Legal acumen and clarity in drafting  are the two key skill sets that a legal professional brings to the expert group / committee.  With her experience, the legal professional can also help the ministry / regulator sift  through the clutter and narrow down the mischief that needs to be addressed through  the new law or regulation. The new law / regulation needs to address the ostensibly  contradicting objectives of keeping the industry in check (from malpractices) and support  growth of the industry. Thus, being effective through the policy drafting process becomes  very important.

    Unfortunately, clear drafting is becoming a dying art. Have encountered many lawyers  accessing the myriad library options and walking the easy ‘copy-paste’ path. There was a  time when our seniors would dictate complicated clauses off the top of their heads. The  technological advancements and legaltech solutions have unfortunately stymied the  creativity and thinking on your feet skills of young lawyers.  

    You transitioned from working at a law firm, Nishith Desai Associates, to joining Kotak  Investment Advisors Limited. What factors or considerations influenced your decision  to make this switch, and what notable differences did you experience in working with a  firm versus working directly with a company like Kotak? 

    My primary reason for the transition was to learn the industry from the inside. As an  external counsel, you are sometimes like an ‘armchair advisor’. You provide the advice,  give the pros and cons of each option and you move on. What makes your client chose  one option versus the other, how the risk chips stacked up for each scenario and finally  did the option yield the desired result or not – are all unknown to you as you have already  shut that file and moved on to the next deliverable on your to-do list.  

    Joining Kotak gave me that opportunity to learn the business side of asset management  industry. Building and growing the business by standing shoulder-to -shoulder with the  leadership made me the business lawyer that I am today. I am privileged to have worked  across multiple business / economy cycles impacting this industry. There are lawyers I  have heard say, “in my experience….” but most of these have not had any practical  experience and are merely shooting off theoretical knowledge as experience. If one is  serious about dedicating their professional life to a particular specialisation it is  imperative that one sees that industry from the inside-out.  

    “When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s  what this storm’s all about.”2 – so is the case with going in-house. You come into your  own – you are a sharper lawyer and decision-maker, you can provide 3600 analysis of the  issue at hand (legal, tax, regulatory, compliance, governance, risk and probability of  success if challenged), and you eventually build your own name/brand within your  company and the industry. For all those who have asked me the question, should they try  an in-house role, my answer has always been – just do it, you won’t regret the decision.  

    Having navigated through prominent roles at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and IDFC  Alternatives, what unique insights or perspectives have these experiences offered you,  shaping your journey and imparting valuable lessons to enhance your growth as a legal  professional? 

    I joined Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) after 10 years of being in-house. Hence, I will  admit I had my apprehensions. However, I buckled up for the ride, decided not to look back until I had achieved a short-term goal that I had set for myself and thereafter it was  as easy as getting the hang of building your Lego masterpiece! Through my stints at each  of my law firms and employers, the learnings I have gathered are:  

     Hire wisely: Take your time to find the right mix of professionals to be on your team.  A team is as strong as its weakest link. When you hire right, the members will up the  game for each other, will learn from each other, will work collaboratively and create  a lasting professional camaraderie. The corollary also implies that you need to let go  of the one that don’t make the cut, bring the morale down or don’t work as one team.  

     Be generous with your time: not just with your clients but also your team. The clients  and team are your twin responsibility as the team head. You need to make time and  effort to understand them well in order to succeed.  

     Learn-Unlearn-Relearn: keep an open mind. There are learnings to pick up from every  interaction. When tackling a challenging matter, empty your cup and restart to find  the right solution for the client. When juniors are going through personal challenges,  be kind and patient. If the junior is a sound and committed lawyer you don’t want this  talent to get lost, be supportive and collaborate with her in navigating the path.  

     Don’t indulge in a race to the bottom: Don’t compete on price. When you know your  expertise and experience lead to a superior output then command that premium.  Work with the people who will pay the value for your worth.  

     Clarity and forthrightness: Provide clear view based on fine reading of the law and  supported by appropriate underlying research. The number of “should” opinions are  increasing, so what is the client getting from such opinions. Another one of my favorite  quotes is: contradictions don’t exist, check your premises.3 Do your best in navigating  the greys and narrowing down to the right answer / solution. Stay your ground and  don’t compromise.  

     Don’t get complacent: “On a stone that doesn’t roll, moss grows certainly”. Keep  investing in yourself and your intellectual growth.  

    With over 25 years of experience, you’ve witnessed the evolution of the legal  landscape. Could you share some challenges you faced during your early career, and  how do you perceive the changes in the education system and internship opportunities  for aspiring legal professionals today?  

    I neither came from a family of lawyers/judges nor did I spend enough time at law college  as I had to hurry back to work post lectures. I remember bungling my first (and only) moot  court appearance! I learnt the ropes along the way. From education system wise, some of  the law schools are doing an excellent job at building the foundation of sound legal  knowledge in students. However, the ‘business’ of education comes in the way at times  and churning out graduates in large numbers takes over. Law firms too hire 100-200  students from law schools and throw them at the deep end of the pool. The legal  fraternity then loses talent as either the young minds burnout or leave the profession due  to lack of mentors, sponsors or support in carving their own niche. 

    Currently, there is an  evident short supply of talent in the middle (5 to 10 years PQE) segment. Most corporates are hesitant as in the short internship stints one is neither able to extract value nor make  effective use of an additional resource. However, it is imperative for corporates to take  on the ownership of providing more internship opportunities and these opportunities  could be created not just in legal and compliance functions but also in the business teams  as it would be a wonderful opportunity for the young minds to be exposed to a ring side  view of corporate India. To the students, my advice is to do as many diverse internships  as possible. Don’t box yourself too soon, in one field or another. Try out multiple  fields/businesses/practices, you may or may not choose that field eventually but the  learnings you will gather would be transportable and will stand you in good stead.  

    You’ve been recognized in various lists, including BW Legal World’s Top 100 General  Counsel Power list. What does such recognition mean to you, and how do you think it  contributes to the representation of women in leadership roles in the legal domain?  

    Being named on the BW Legal World Top 100 General Counsel Power List 2022 was a very  humbling and rewarding experience. When one’s work is validated by a jury of eminent  seniors from your field and you stand amidst peers that you hold in high esteem, it works  like a booster shot and makes you power on with renewed energy. The women comprised  ~ 35 out of the Top 100. Surely, there is scope for many more women professionals to  make their mark in leadership roles. May our tribe increase!  

    Improving the representation of women in leadership roles in the legal domain requires  concerted efforts to not lose talented women. To begin with, recognising that most  women professionals still carry a disproportionate burden for domestic deliverables despite  both spouses having similar demanding jobs. She goes through phases where going the family way, rearing the kids and providing elder care will raise demands on her time. So long as the woman professional is committed to career, it would be helpful to provide flexible options / customised solutions with respect to role, office timings or pace of  career growth. Another solution would be to provide a path for women to return to  fulfilling roles post their career breaks.  

    Apart from your professional achievements, we’re curious to know if you have any  hobbies or interests outside of the legal world. How do you unwind and recharge  outside of work? 

    While my professional work satiates the left side of my brain, my hobbies leverage the  right side of my brain. Hence, if I wasn’t a lawyer, I would have been an artist. I enjoy  dabbling in acrylic and oil painting (on canvas) and generally indulge in creative projects  around my house. I enjoy music and in fact when tacking a badly drafted document, I  switch on my playlist and hack through the document at the beat of my favorite songs!  Being a Mumbaikar has also been a boon, as I love going for longs walks along the sea face  after a tiring work-day as the cool sea breeze and hum of the city immediately recharge  my batteries.

    The legal profession is constantly evolving. What advice would you give to young legal  professionals who are just starting their careers, especially in navigating the  complexities of corporate law and investment funds?  

    A lawyer’s life is not easy. It is a demanding career and my first piece of advice is don’t  venture in this field unless you are passionate about law. Choosing to be a lawyer because  it is a safe financial bet will lead you to disengage very soon and you will end up dragging  yourself to work unhappy and bored. You will achieve your true potential only when you  enjoy what you do. If you are a good lawyer, you can distinguish yourself from your herd  of fellow lawyers by being curious, reading the text of law / regulation thoroughly,  challenging the premises, researching underlying legal principles and absorbing from the  conversations when participating in clients meetings / leadership meetings.  

    There is no textbook / handbook on the funds industry. So, the more time you invest in  learning about the industry the better lawyer you will be. Invest time reading about the  industry players (there are many corporate biographies / founders biographies),  understand the business of investing, research the legal structural options in India and  across the globe, study the commercial clauses of fund documents closely, understand  the trends / preferences of capital allocators (investors), get an exposure to work in other  jurisdictions, and research on laws/regulations (and their evolution) in relation to the  funds industry in other countries. When in doubt, ask for help. Reach out to your partner  and request time to discuss and understand better your work, your work output and ways  in which you can improve and grow. Further, attend training sessions conducted by  industry bodies (e.g. IVCA, CII, FICCI etc.) and above all network and interact with lawyer peers as well as peers from within the industry. Lastly, when you become successful and  reach the top, remember to send the elevator back down for the others i.e. be a patient  mentor and guide to your juniors. 

    1Donald Trump, in the article available at https://www.niveza.in/stock-news/learn-investing/sometimes-your-best-investments-are-the-ones-you-dont-make-donald-trump#:~:text=Sometimes%20your%20best%20investments%20are,don%27t%20make%20%2DDonald%20Trump

    2Haruki Murakami.

    3Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand.

    Get in touch with Shagoofa Rashid Khan–

  • “Law aspirants should familiarize themselves with this disruptive technology  and understand its implications in a wide array of areas such as contract law, regulations, data privacy,  intellectual property, and digital currencies”- Anshuman Gupta, Counsel, Fox & Mandal

    “Law aspirants should familiarize themselves with this disruptive technology  and understand its implications in a wide array of areas such as contract law, regulations, data privacy,  intellectual property, and digital currencies”- Anshuman Gupta, Counsel, Fox & Mandal

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

    Sir, could you please share with our readers how your journey in law began and evolved, leading  you to specialize in commercial litigation, arbitration, and mediation? 

    I had intended to join the Indian Air Force as a reconnaissance pilot rather than practice  law. The National Defence Academy in Pune required unaided 6/6 eye vision as a visual criterion  and a passing grade in mathematics and physics in 12th standard as an educational requirement for  admission to the Air Force wing. However, when I was in my early teens, I developed myopia and  found that I struggled with mathematics. It implied that I wouldn’t even meet the eligibility criteria  to take the entrance exam. At first, I was dejected, but as they say time is a great healer! 

    Years passed by and in my high school years, I developed an interest in civics and business studies  which contained chapters on constitution, business law and ethics which propelled me to take up  commerce stream in 11th standard and eventually I pursued undergraduate course in law. I took up  internships with an independent counsel, LPO and law firms to understand different facets of law  and organizational structure of lawyers. Initially, I worked on a bouquet of dispute resolution matters, 

    My work included inter alia real estate, testamentary, writ, arbitration, commercial, company,  banking, labour and with the passage of time, I realised that my area of interest was in commercial  litigation, arbitration and mediation. 

    You’ve achieved significant recognition, being enlisted by Forbes India and acknowledged by  The Legal 500 and with experience across various industry sectors, from aviation to real estate, you’ve  covered a wide array of legal areas. How do you manage to navigate and excel in such diverse practice  areas? 

    I believe to excel in diverse legal practice areas, a thorough understanding of facts and  legal issues, effective strategy and planning, and time management are crucial. Keeping abreast of  recent updates through legal publications is also essential.  

    A successful lawyer should adopt a personable approach, comprehensively understanding the client’s  business, and creatively using resources to address the legal issues. In my view, continuous learning  and dedication to provide quality support to my clients drives my motivation to excel. In addition to  this, a successful lawyer must imbibe the spirit of learning throughout one’s career and be able to  creatively use its resources to fulfill the requirements of the client. 

    Your academic background includes an LLM in International and Commercial Law from King’s  College London. How has your international education shaped and influenced you?   

    Pursuing a master’s degree in London on a scholarship gave me a great deal of exposure  to a relatively different university pedagogy and to students from diverse backgrounds. The subjects  were more advanced and in-depth than those I studied in the undergraduate law program and writing  assignments and thesis helped me develop my research and analytical skills. Most of the assignments  which were given to us revolved around practical legal issues compelling us to apply our legal  knowledge in real-world settings. 

    Pursuing a degree abroad also made me become self-reliant and independent. I think when you face  challenges independently, you develop resilience and confidence which benefits you in various  aspects of life. 

    Interacting with fellow international students and locals enabled me to expand my network. Building  friendships establishes a global alumni network, expanding your horizons and introducing you to  diverse ideas and perspectives that may not have been part of your previous considerations.

    From your independent practice to your current role at Fox & Mandal, you’ve navigated various  professional settings. How has this journey contributed to your personal and professional growth,  and what key lessons have you learned along the way? 

    Working in diverse work environments enabled me to understand the perspectives and  challenges one goes through in its legal practice. For example, in an independent counsel setting,  one needs to pay attention to the legal cases as well as take care of administrative tasks such as billing,  operational requirements of the setup and HR aspects etc. However, in a law firm you might be  spared from the administrative responsibilities and focus only on your work that has been assigned  to you.  

    It is essential to know and understand your role in each professional setting. Once this is clear in  your mind, it will be easier to handle and navigate the work and the expectations of your seniors and  your team. Another thing to remember is that the learning in this profession never stops. The law,  and the practice, is constantly evolving. You either evolve with it or be left behind.  

    In my short professional journey, I have learnt that one must be open to embrace new opportunities. It is only when you open yourself up, wonderful opportunities come your way to help you polish  your skills and be instrumental in your professional and personal growth. 

    For law students and recent graduates aspiring to build a successful career, what advice would  you give based on your own experiences and observations within the legal industry?   

    I believe law students and graduates should act like a sponge trying to absorb knowledge  and information from wherever they receive, be it reading an article/newspaper/blog, or listening to the submissions advanced by counsels or observations made by the judge in a courtroom or  discussion on a legal topic with colleagues over lunch.  

    I also believe that one must have the hunger and passion to excel in his/her field of specialization.  In addition, one must also be honest towards the work assigned to them. When you give your all to  the matter, whether you win or lose, it does not matter, what matters is – did I give my best? If your answer is yes, you will get immense gratification, there will be no regrets. 

    I’ve learned that being organized and having your case files at hand is crucial, whether you’re  conducting your own study or research or briefing a senior counsel. 

    Another factor which is instrumental in building a successful career is having a mentor to offer you guidance and support when you require the most. I consider myself fortunate to have numerous  mentors in my field like Mr. Sanjay Kumar Pathak, Mr. Kanishk Vardhan Shahi, Mr. Sonal Kumar  Singh and Mr. Kunal Vajani who have shaped both my professional and personal development. My  deepest gratitude to all of them.  

    Considering the evolving landscape of law and legal practice, are there specific trends or changes  that you foresee impacting the field in the coming years? How should aspiring lawyers prepare for  these changes? 

    The Covid-19 pandemic has not only showcased the feasibility of remote work but also  emphasized the flourishing potential through effective work procedures and cutting-edge  technologies, a concept previously unthinkable. 

    This shift emphasizes the increasing significance of technology in the legal sector. Whether you’re a  law student or a legal professional, proficiency in working efficiently in virtual environments and  familiarity with online collaboration tools is essential in the evolving landscape. 

    One trend which is already making its impact felt across the entire world is generative artificial  intelligence (AI). AI is being increasingly used by law firms/companies nowadays for document  review, legal research, contract analysis, communication etc. Aspiring Lawyers should make  themselves acquainted with legal tech tools and understand how technology is transforming the way  we practice law. 

    Furthermore, the use of blockchain technology and smart contracts is increasing across industries, including legal practice. Despite challenges, blockchain has revolutionized the world of  technology and business. Law aspirants should familiarize themselves with this disruptive technology  and understand its implications in a wide array of areas such as contract law, regulations, data privacy,  intellectual property, and digital currencies. 

    Finally, drawing on your extensive experience, what advice would you offer to fresh law  graduates who are just starting their professional journeys in the legal field? 

    The early years of this profession are the formative years and important for the fresh  law graduates. I reckon in my early years of the profession; a senior advocate narrated the importance  of commitment in the profession by quoting United States Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story – “The law is a jealous mistress and requires long and constant courtship. It is not to be won by trifling  favors, but by lavish homage.” One needs to devote a lot of time to the subject and not be casual in  the approach. Commitment and perseverance are inseparable and work hand in hand for success. As a practicing lawyer, I have realized that learning in this profession is perpetual. Embracing the  idea of being a lifelong student is paramount, resonating with the timeless adage, “Once a student,  always a student.”

    Get in touch with Anshuman Gupta-


  • “Find what genuinely interests you. Embrace unconventional paths, don’t succumb to peer pressure. Networking is key – reach out, introduce yourself, and grow.” – Aritra Chatterjee, Manager at Herbert Smith Freehills, U.K

    “Find what genuinely interests you. Embrace unconventional paths, don’t succumb to peer pressure. Networking is key – reach out, introduce yourself, and grow.” – Aritra Chatterjee, Manager at Herbert Smith Freehills, U.K

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

    You have worked in different places including Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and Belfast. Could you share some insights into the challenges or struggles you faced along the way, and how these experiences have contributed to your personal and professional growth?

    Every jurisdiction has its unique challenges and a different regulatory landscape. There are also differences in market practices and work culture. However, exposure to such differences helps you become a better lawyer and allows you to think outside the box and bring a global perspective to help your clients. On the personal front, I don’t see it as a journey filled with struggles; on the contrary, it has been quite exciting and fun. Yes, you do miss your family, friends, and the familiarity of the place you are from, but I have been lucky to find excellent friends, colleagues, and mentors along the way. I love experiencing new places and cultures, so I have tried to make the most of it.

    You’re managing a team delivering outsourcing and transaction management solutions in your current role at Herbert Smith Freehills, ALT Finance. What unique challenges and rewards come with overseeing a team working on such diverse projects?

    I enjoy the different hats I need to wear. In addition to core legal skills, my role involves team, project, and stakeholder management. Every day is different; you need to continuously innovate and provide tailored solutions to clients at a large scale. I have been lucky to work with clients who are industry leaders, and I find solving problems for them very rewarding. I am also very passionate about people management, learning and growing together as a team, and celebrating each other’s success, which brings me a lot of happiness. 

    Having worked with major financial institutions like HSBC and JP Morgan Chase & Co., what are some of the key insights you’ve gained about the intersection of law and finance in the derivatives space?

    Derivatives is a complex and highly regulated practice area. To be a good derivatives lawyer, you need to understand different derivatives products and the economic outcomes that they are trying to achieve. You can’t afford to look at things only through the lens of laws and regulations and need to be aware of operational, credit, and reputational risks and limitations. My in-house stints at large investment banks were extremely helpful in improving my knowledge of different derivatives products as well as operational and other commercial aspects of the industry.

    You’ve managed large teams of lawyers and paralegals. What strategies do you employ to foster a collaborative and efficient working environment within your teams?

    There is no straitjacket formula – every individual is different. Appreciating these differences and creating a positive work environment based on trust and mutual respect is very important. Having fun as a team and celebrating little wins and each other’s success is also essential. To develop a high-performing team, a manager must empower and help teammates grow by giving them the support and space they need.

    You worked in different capacities including as an Associate Counsel as well as a Manging Consultant. What adjustments or learnings did you find most valuable when you shifted to a leadership role?

    It is an evolutionary process; there are always opportunities to lead the way, even when you are not formally in a leadership / managerial role. Effective delegation and leading by example are crucial. It is about striking a balance between acknowledging that you can’t do everything on your own and knowing that there are certain things that you must learn to do well yourself before delegating to others. 

    As a derivatives lawyer with a keen interest in legal technology, what advancements in legal tech do you find most promising for the future of transactional law?

    No prizes for guessing – AI is the obvious one. However, it is essential to differentiate between tech solutions that add genuine value and solve complex problems from solutions that are more bells and whistles. AI has radically changed how large-scale projects are managed and delivered in the last few years.

    The industry will generally see an increase in the adoption of tech platforms for streamlining document negotiations.

    I am looking forward to seeing the next leap in generative AI solutions. Currently, the technology is prompt engineering dependent, and there are concerns about accuracy and reliability. These issues will be ironed out pretty soon, and the technology’s ability to learn from and understand us will increase manifold.

    You’ve held diverse roles in different geographical locations. How have you navigated the cultural nuances in these regions, and do you believe that understanding cultural differences is essential for success in the legal profession, especially in the derivatives and finance sectors?

    Absolutely – at the end of the day, we are in a people-centric profession. Keeping an open mind as well as appreciating and respecting differences go a long way. I have come to realize that the world is smaller than we think it is and navigating cultural nuances or differences is not difficult as long as you keep an open mind. It is also important to appreciate cultural similarities instead of focusing on just the differences!

    Having worked across various international offices, is there a particular country that holds a special place in your heart, both professionally and personally? How has your experience in that country influenced your approach to law and life?

    Tough question. It would be impossible to single out any place. As mentioned, I have been lucky to find excellent friends, colleagues, and mentors wherever I have worked. The person I am is a culmination of my different experiences. I have learned a lot from and felt welcome everywhere.

    With your passion for quizzing, how do you balance your high-stakes legal career with your interests outside of work? Any favorite trivia or quiz moment you’d like to share?

    It is really important to have a passion or a hobby outside of work – especially for one’s mental health. Your work can get quite taxing and stressful, so it is nice to have something to look forward to outside of work. Quizzing was quite a sidelined activity when I was in law school. I and a few friends started the Quiz Club at our university (RMLNLU, Lucknow). Work does get in the way of quizzing, and I don’t get to participate or conduct as many quizzes as I would like, but I try to whenever possible.

    During the pandemic, when there were no live quizzes for obvious reasons so I started a quiz podcast with a friend. We made ten episodes on diverse topics. We were pretty surprised with how well it did on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and we had a lot of fun in the process, and it kept us going when we were trying to cope with the lockdown.

    You’ve had international stints in various countries. How do you perceive the differences in legal education between India and abroad, and what insights can you share for someone considering pursuing an LLM in India or abroad?

    I might not be the best person to answer this because I did not study law abroad. Back in law school, there were not enough courses if one wanted to be a transactional lawyer, and interaction with experts from the industry was limited. Now, that has changed significantly. Law schools do get experts from the industry frequently and offer specialised seminar courses. Private players like LawSikho have done a great job in making practical legal education accessible.

    Based on my interaction with my colleagues and law students abroad, I think firms are more proactive in reaching out and connecting with students. The process for vacation schemes and training contracts is much more efficient, accessible, and consistent across firms.

    In India, the industry can do much more to make itself accessible to law students.

    Given your successful career trajectory, what advice would you offer to the current generation aspiring to excel in the field of law, especially those interested in derivatives and legal technology?

    I am not very good at giving advice. My career path has not been very traditional. It is crucial to find out what genuinely interests you. If you are not lucky enough to do what you love, see if you can love what you do. Don’t succumb to peer pressure and take up something because everyone else is doing it.

    For someone who wants to pursue a career as a derivatives lawyer, a good understanding of the financial ecosystem and macroeconomics can definitely help.

    The legal tech landscape is evolving rapidly and has a lot of exciting career opportunities. I think developing an acumen for technology to understand how it works is important. The best way of doing it is learning how to code. You can start by playing around with low code / no code platforms and move on to learning coding. There are excellent resources all over the internet. 

    It is also vital to learn how to network effectively. Don’t be shy in reaching out to people and introducing yourself!

    Get in touch with Aritra Chatterjee-

  • “Every hearing teaches something new; every case shapes a better advocate. In the dance of law, advocacy is my rhythm, and justice is my melody.” – Sonali Chopra, Partner at Arimus Law

    “Every hearing teaches something new; every case shapes a better advocate. In the dance of law, advocacy is my rhythm, and justice is my melody.” – Sonali Chopra, Partner at Arimus Law

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

    Reflecting back on your college days, could you share your journey from how you thought of doing law to your college days, and how did you navigate the transition from college to the legal profession, especially as a first-generation lawyer? What were the challenges you encountered, and how did you overcome them to establish your career?

    I have always been my mother’s “brighter” child. When the time came for me to choose a career path, my mother casually suggested law. Being a first generation lawyer, I had no insights into the profession, its scope or its demands. In fact, I had absolutely no first-hand knowledge about the life of a lawyer, beyond what is depicted in television, movies and John Grisham novels. At that time, after I compared law to the other conventional career choices, being a lawyer excited me the most. As my curiosity drifted towards law, the decision was made. To be honest, when I look back, I think doing law was just a choice I made by chance. But almost 15 years later I can honestly say that it was one of the best choices I have made.

    I studied law at Dr. RML National Law University and I am who I am today because of what my time in law school taught me. The five years I spent in law school were very internship centric. After the internships I did in my first year of law school, I realised that they gave me the practical exposure that law school did not. From my second year in law school, I started interning, every chance I got. While not taking away from the importance of academics, I truly feel that internships gave me first-hand knowledge about the profession. They exposed me to the practicalities and realities of a lawyer’s life. 

    Owing to my internship experiences, by the end of my third year in law school, I was quite sure that I wanted to start my career as a litigation lawyer. 

    My transition from college to the legal profession was smoother than I had anticipated it to be. Before I finished my last semester, I had job offers from two litigations firms. One offer I got was on account of a long internship I did at the firm and the other one was on account of an interview I gave while I was in my last semester. 

    In 2013, Lawctopus and Legally India posted several job openings. I remember I applied for the opening of an Associate at Arimus Law. I got an interview call. The interview was assessment based and not just an interaction with the Partner, Mr. Arjun Singh Bawa. A day before the interview I was sent a fact sheet and was told to prepare arguments from both sides. The interview was like a moot court competition. I argued my case and I got the job! It was one of the most exciting interviews I ever gave. In fact, even now, 10 years later, we still follow this assessment interview model while hiring at Arimus Law.

    The only difficulty I faced during the transition was the choice I had to make between the two job offers. One was with a very reputed law firm and one was with a comparatively newer law firm. Not having a mentor in the profession to guide me in the right direction, this choice was a tough one to make. I weighed the pros and cons, as I knew them then, and took the decision to join the latter, Arimus Law. My decision was swayed by the fact that Arimus Law had more trial work. 

    During this roller coaster ride, the biggest challenge I encountered was not having a professional mentor who I could go to for advice and guidance. 

    You’ve worked with various renowned advocates and senior advocates. Can you share a memorable experience or lesson that significantly influenced your approach to legal practice?

    I have been very fortunate to have got the chance to work with several renowned advocates and senior advocates. Every interaction with another lawyer has taught me something but the key learnings I have got over the years that I still keep in mind today are:

    1. Put effort into your list of dates and synopsis. It might be the only thing a Judge reads before dealing with your case. 
    2. Pleadings can make or break a case. Draft crisply, there is no need for non-essential verbosity. 
    3. Master your brief. Don’t just read it, think about it, dream about it. Make the brief your story. 
    4. By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. 

    You’ve had a diverse and impactful legal career, starting as an Associate at Arimus Law and now being a Partner in the same firm. Can you share a memorable experience or case that has significantly shaped your journey as a lawyer?

    While I was still in law school, my mother’s ancestral property in Delhi became the subject matter of litigation. I (and also my mother) strongly believe that this case has played a major role in making me the lawyer I am today. Being a property related dispute, it has a civil law angle, a testamentary law angle and also a criminal law angle. 

    When I was in law school my mother used to go and attend the hearings of this case before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court. Before each hearing I would have long conversations with my mother about what the case was listed for, what the lawyer’s strategy was, what could be the possible outcomes of the hearing etc. Whenever I was in Delhi for an internship or a break, I used to accompany my mother for meetings with the lawyer and for the court hearings. 

    The fact that I became a litigant before a litigation lawyer changed the way I deal with my Clients today. I make an effort to be more compassionate, empathetic, honest and available to my Clients. 

    It is also this case that enabled me to, very early on in my career, familiarise myself with the dynamics of a courtroom. What I have learnt about courtroom dynamics from this case is something that I benefit from, till date. Effective advocacy is so much more than just knowing the law. During the initial years of my career, the exposure I got from this case helped me bridge the gap between the theoretical world of law and the real-world courtroom dynamics.

    This case is still pending adjudication and every hearing still teaches me something new. 

    You’ve been appointed as a Local Commissioner to record evidence in various Suits by the Ld. Judges of the District Courts of Delhi. Could you share some insights into this role and how it contributes to the legal process?

    I’d like to start by quoting from the judgment of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court passed in Pushpa Devi Vs. Bimla Devi & Ors. (AIR 2000 DELHI 141)  – 

    “…However sad as it may seem the reality today is that Suits do not reach hearing for a large number of years…Delay therefore defeats justice”

    This judgement was passed over 2 decades ago but the situation unfortunately is still the same. 

    In my active practice before the trial courts in Delhi and on the original side in the Delhi High Court I have witnessed cases languishing for years at the stage of evidence. This is solely because of the sheer burden there is on the Courts these days coupled with the lack of infrastructure. I truly believe that the process of appointing local commissioners to record evidence in suits has considerably cut short the time a suit takes to become ripe for arguments. 

    You transitioned from an independent practice to becoming a Partner at Arimus Law. What factors influenced your decision to join the firm, and how has this shift impacted your approach to legal work and professional growth?

    I started as an Associate in Arimus Law in 2013 and I worked there for almost 3 years. 

    During my time at Arimus Law, I got the chance to research, draft, participate in client meetings and appear before multiple courts in a day. Within the first 6 months at Arimus Law, Mr. Bawa gave me the opportunity to argue a matter that I had drafted and got filed before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court. One evening before the matter was listed, Mr. Bawa made me practice my arguments before him and the next date he sat next to me and told me to take the lead. Every day after I came back from Court, I had so many questions, about the law, about the procedure or about an argument I heard another lawyer make in Court. Every evening somewhere between 7 PM to 8 PM, Mr. Arjun Singh Bawa, my then boss (and now Partner) used to wrap up his client meetings and take a coffee/snack break. It was during this time that I used to go into his cabin and bombard him with all my questions and doubts. I still remember how he used to patiently answer all my questions and clear all my doubts. Soon this became a ritual. My time as an Associate at Arimus Law was enriching and very rewarding. 

    After about 3 years, I started feeling complacent at work and that is when I decided to quit Arimus Law and look for other opportunities. Over the next 3 years I worked at various other chambers and gained more experience. 

    In 2018, when I had a few clients and enough money in my account to make rent for six months, I decided to take the plunge and set up my independent practice. To be honest, it was very daunting at the beginning. There were many unsettling moments of self-doubt, unsureness and fear. But with God’s grace, luck and a lot of hard work, I think I was able to establish a successful independent practice. I never gave myself enough credit but when I survived the COVID 19 pandemic without having to give up my office space, I realised I had done something right. 

    After I started working independently, I collaborated with Arimus Law for a few matters. In the end of 2022, when we had come out of the pandemic, I began wondering, “what next?”. To my surprise, serendipitously, in the beginning of 2023, Mr. Arjun Singh Bawa offered me partnership in the firm. 

    The 2 primary factors that influenced my decision to take up this offer were the experience I had working as Mr. Bawa’s associate in Arimus Law and the collaborative work environment that a firm set up can offer more easily as opposed to independent practice.

    The shift from being an independent (first generation) counsel to a Partner in a law firm has definitely made me more equipped. With the assistance of the exceptional team that we have built at Arimus Law, I am able to do more work without compromising on quality. 

    Could you share some insights into the challenges you faced in both roles? What were the unique challenges of working independently, and how have they evolved or changed since becoming a partner in a firm? How do you navigate these challenges while maintaining the high standards of legal practice?

    The biggest challenge I faced as an independent practitioner was to acquire new clients. When I started my independent practice in 2018 I had a handful of clients. I remember the time when I had court hearings only 2-3 times a week. This was a tough adjustment after being an associate in chambers where I’d get to appear in multiple Courts in a single day. However, I used that extra time I got out of Court to work more extensively on my briefs and find ways to get my Clients favourable results. Eventually, over the years I was able to do some good work for my initial clients who then graciously recommended me to their friends and family. 

    At Arimus Law I work with 3 other Partners. Mr. Arjun Singh Bawa who primarily handles commercial and contractual disputes, Mr. Arjun Dewan who primarily handles criminal and medical negligence disputes and Mr. Arjun Mukherjee who primarily handles IPR and criminal disputes. Over the last 6 months, we have built a team of young, dynamic and very talented lawyers. I must say that it has been my absolute pleasure to have a chance to work with all the members of our team. 

    Learning to balance responsibility, not only as a lawyer but in other roles is a challenge I have faced in my current role as a Partner but I am enthusiastically learning how to be a good lawyer, a mentor, a leader, and a good team player, all at the same time. 

    You’ve revised the 16th edition of the Pollock & Mulla – Specific Relief Act, 1963. What motivated you to take on this task, and how do you believe this contributes to the legal community and practitioners?

    I believe that the legal profession and academia are interlaced. I took up this task knowing that it will complement and enrich my legal practice by providing me with a platform to learn and grow.

    I don’t know about others, but even today, in the age of the internet, search engines and legal research tools, whenever I come across a provision of law with which I am not completely familiar, I look up a commentary to find the starting point of my research. I sincerely hope the revised edition of the Pollock & Mulla – Specific Relief Act, 1963 helps members of the legal community familiarize themselves with the Specific Relief (Amendment) Act, 2018. 

    Apart from your legal pursuits, you’ve trained in Bharatanatyam and performed several Bharatanatyam Recitals under the guidance of Padma Shree Geeta Chandran. Many individuals find it challenging to sustain their passion for the arts as they become busier with their professions or during higher studies. We’re curious to know about your journey with Bharatanatyam—how did your interest in this classical dance form grow alongside your legal career?

    I was blessed to have a structured upbringing with academics, dance, sports etc. I started to learn Bharatanatyam at the age of 6. At Natya Vriksha under the tutelage of Geeta Akka, dance was just one of the multitude things I learnt. Geeta Akka filled my young mind with art, music, culture, history, mythology as well as social values of justice, equity an inclusion. Natya Vriksha was my second home. I danced regularly from the age of 6 till I turned 18, when I left to study law at Dr. RML National Law University, Lucknow. 

    Over the years I developed a passion for Bharatanatyam and all its nuances. During and even after law school I tried very hard to multitask and continue my journey in Bharatnatyam while practicing law. But both Bharatantayam and practising law are hard task masters. The practise of law leaves little time for anything else. Amidst the demands of my career in law, I could not give Bharatanatyam the time and effort it required. 

    At the age of 24, I made the very tough decision of giving up my dream of becoming a Bharatanatyam dancer. However, thanks to my Guru, Padma Shri Geeta Chandran and the Natya Vriksha Dance Company, Bharatanatyam is still a part of my life. Both my Guru and her dance company perform regularly and I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to witness these magical performances. 

    There have been days where I feel that the law took away Bharatanatyam from me, but then, in all fairness, the law has given me back so much more!

    As a panel member in various debates aired on Times Now and Mirror Now, how do you see the role of legal professionals in shaping public discourse on legal issues?

    In today’s world, the media is playing an undeniably important role in creating and shaping public opinion. There are several instances where the general public is unaware of the correct position of law in respect of certain issues. It is in such situations that legal professionals should be made part of a public discourse in order to enable them to highlight the correct position of law. This in turn gives the public the complete information that they should have to make an opinion. 

    Internships play a crucial role in a law student’s journey. Can you share insights into the kind of internships you pursued during your college days and how those experiences influenced your career choices? Additionally, what advice would you give to law students when it comes to selecting internships, especially considering the trend where many aspire to intern at tier 1 law firms?

    My recollection of my journey and transition from law school to the legal profession is a first-hand example of the importance of internships in a law student’s journey. Being a first generation lawyer I had no insight into the realities of the legal profession. Like I said earlier, my exposure was restricted to only what was depicted in television, movies and books. 

    When I started law school, I was hopelessly home sick. To begin with, internships were an excuse to go back home to Delhi. In my first year I interned with two NGOs. I bagged these internships through family acquaintances. 

    In my second year I interned with Mr. Vikas Dhawan (who is now a designated senior). He was then an advocate practicing primarily on the Original Side in the Delhi High Court. He was our lawyer in my mother’s property matter so it was again an easy internship to get. It was my time in his office that got me really excited about litigation. However, I still wanted to intern in different fields of law before deciding which one I was most interested in. 

    The next few internships were hard to get. I did not know many people in the profession and all my e-mail applications (sent months in advance) remained unanswered. But I did not lose hope! 

    I remember, in 2011, I printed several copies of my then 1 page CV and roamed the streets of Defence Colony (the hub of lawyers’ offices in Delhi). I walked into so many offices and handed over my CV to anyone who would take it. I bagged my next few internships like this. This exercise got me the opportunity to intern with Mr. P.K. Dubey ( now a designated Senior), Zeus Law, Mr. A.S Chandhiok (Senior Advocate), Sikri & Company etc.  

    I also briefly interned in the Corporate Division of O.P. Khaitan & Co. After my previous internships in the field of litigation, my short stint here was enough for me to know that I was not meant to be a corporate lawyer. The stifling hustle-bustle inside and outside the courtrooms  excited me the most. 

    I personally did not intern in any tier 1 law firm. This was only because I never got the opportunity. During my law school years I did fret a lot about not having any tier 1 law firm names on my CV but then, there was honestly not much more I could do about it. 

    I chose to not give up or lose heart. I took up every opportunity I could lay my hands on. I made connections as I went. And, I worked hard, very hard. 

    Being a first generation lawyer I can be very blunt and say, the journey can be challenging. My only advice to law students and young lawyers is to be brave, be curious, chase experience and continue learning. Take up every opportunity you can lay your hands on, be it big or small. There is no better teacher than experience!

    Get in touch with Sonali Chopra –

  • “In the dynamic realm of corporate law, success is not just about transactions; it’s about teamwork, evolving strategies, and navigating complexities. Each challenge is an opportunity to craft a lasting impact.” – Payal Dayal, Partner – Corporate Head, AKS Partners (Advocates | Solicitors | Consultants)

    “In the dynamic realm of corporate law, success is not just about transactions; it’s about teamwork, evolving strategies, and navigating complexities. Each challenge is an opportunity to craft a lasting impact.” – Payal Dayal, Partner – Corporate Head, AKS Partners (Advocates | Solicitors | Consultants)

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

    Reflecting on your journey, from pursuing law to your college days, could you share some key moments or experiences that influenced your decision to enter the legal profession? How did your time in law school shape your understanding of the legal landscape and contribute to the path you’ve taken in your career today?

    At the outset I must share that pursuing law just happened. I am a first-generation lawyer and hence the thought of doing law never came in discussions during my growing up years. But yes, one thing I knew, my grandfather wanted my father to be a lawyer so when I cleared my law entrance exam and finally got admitted to Amity Law School, I thought to myself how proud my grandfather would be, had he lived to see this day, as I get to fulfil his dreams. Other than that, it was sheer luck and destiny to do law from Amity in as much as I only gave the entrance exam for Amity Law School and cracked it!  

    Moving on to the first semester of law and the introduction to moot courts was all too overwhelming for me. I was always an active member of the moot court society and loved to participate in moot court competitions. I started admiring the dynamics of law as a field of study and enjoyed my college days to the fullest. A few subjects like International Law, Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property Law and Corporate Law were amongst my favourites. To top it all, I never missed a good internship opportunity which got me more in touch with the profession as it was practiced – being very different from our moot courts and theory we learn in college.

    After doing my final semester three-month internship with a top tier law firm in the corporate team, I decided to work in a law firm and in the corporate field rather than dawning the black robes.

    Your journey has been quite diverse, spanning from serving as an intern at organizations like Steel Authority of India Limited to your current role as Partner – Corporate Head at AKS Partners. How have these varied experiences shaped your perspective on corporate law, and what valuable lessons have you learned along the way?

    Each internship and each role in my previous law firms including the current one taught me a different lesson. As an intern at Steel Authority of India, I was involved with their ongoing arbitrations. As an intern at the International Labour Organisation, an agency of the United Nations, I gained knowledge of different aspects of labour disputes, and so on and so forth. My internship experience, irrespective of the organisation or a firm, have always been enriching ones. However, when one starts practicing, that becomes a different ball game altogether.

    What I am today in the professional field I owe to my mentor under whose mentorship I commenced my professional journey in the corporate field around 17 years back. It was truly there that my career shaped the way it has. I assisted and then independently undertook many transactions in diverse industry segments, opined on various industry specific issues, worked on FDI matters which fascinated me a lot at the time. These past learnings have eased my role and responsibility as a Partner-Corporate Head at AKS Partners. 

    The biggest learning that I take from the diverse experiences I have had is that teamwork always yields good results. You need to have trust in your team, at whatever position you are on the ladder. It plays a big role especially when you are mentoring juniors and delegating tasks to them. When I started out in the profession, my mentor always backed me. At times I would come up with ideas and solutions that my mentor had not thought of. That gave me a lot of confidence, and I have made it a point to imbibe the same confidence in my juniors. Another big learning is that clients often come to you with a ‘solution’ already in mind. Doing exactly as they say is often the easiest way but may not always be the best way. Therefore, you need to look at the problem objectively and guide them in the right direction.                            

    As a partner, you’ve represented clients before the Reserve Bank of India in compounding matters. How do you approach such regulatory challenges, and what strategies do you employ to navigate through the intricacies of regulatory compliance?

    I have appeared before the Reserve Bank of India (Mumbai) a couple of times but initially I appeared while I was still a Senior Associate. My mentor had utmost faith in me that I could handle the matter independently. Having said that, there is no shortcut to being thoroughly prepared particularly prior to appearing before the regulatory authorities. The regulatory authorities always appreciate lawyers who have systematically and carefully drafted their application and stated the reason behind a compoundable contravention. A methodically and logically drafted application taking care of all the nuances increases the chances of reaching the ears of the regulatory authorities. 

    Your horizontal practice areas include Commercial Contracts, Corporate compliance, Joint Venture/ Collaboration/ Acquisition, and more. Is there a specific area that you find particularly fascinating or challenging, and why?

    Acquisitions clubbed with market entry/ investment advisory, inter-alia, is my specialisation and what excites me the most is that each acquisition has a different strategy from the other and that there is no straitjacket formula that fits one and all. Particularly when there is a foreign company involved, FDI advisory clubbed with tax advise becomes very significant and the right structure and entry route is strategically quintessential. Very often, it is this first step which is challenging in addition to negotiating difficult aspects (usually the parked points) for which the principals are on loggerheads at the negotiating table. Having said that, taking the transaction to its righteous end, i.e., completion or closing as one may call it, excites me the most.   

    The Corporate Due Diligences you’ve undertaken covered a wide range of areas, including Labour and Industrial Laws, Environmental Laws, and Competition Law. How do you stay abreast of the ever-evolving legal landscape in these diverse fields, and how do you ensure your advice is both current and relevant?

    As a lawyer, it is one’s job to stay updated with the law at all times. I keep myself updated by reading the SCC every fortnightly and by frequenting regulator websites like RBI, SEBI, CCI, IBBI, MCA for latest notifications, master directions, press-notes, etc. on a daily basis before I begin my work for the day.

    To answer the second part of your question, before giving advise I always check the sectoral regulations and any updates on the point including in the form of apex court decisions.

    You’ve been involved in publications, including ‘The Drone Dichotomy – A Game Changer.’ What sparked your interest in this particular topic, and how do you see the legal landscape evolving with emerging technologies like drones?

    When I embarked writing on the topic, the regulations were yet to come out and the authorities were still grappling with the facts, i.e., the opportunities such a technology presented and challenges that it could pose as the idea of using “Drones” for various purposes was relatively new for the country. It immediately ignited my brainwaves to think of how this potential technology could be used and that too in a regulated way and even more towards the privacy concerns that were hovering in my mind for some time in case of absence of sufficient regulations on this aspect.

    Since then, the legal landscape has evolved substantially. The Ministry of Civil Aviation Government of India (MoCA) has framed comprehensive laws to ensure proper regulation of use of drones. The framework addresses concerns like safety standards, airspace management and privacy challenges. Of course there are several other aspects that are bound to crop up with more and more use of the technology and the regulator, i.e., MoCA, will have to come up with practical solutions whether it be on determination of liability in the event of an accident with various jurisdictions involved or accountability in case of remote controlled drones. International collaboration on regulating drone technology is no longer a far-flung concept.

    Your sector expertise ranges from Manufacturing to Renewable Energy. How do you keep yourself updated with the nuances of such varied industries, and what role does industry-specific knowledge play in your legal practice?

    I reiterate that one should keep reading and stay updated on the legal framework and nuances particularly in the sectors that one practices in. This can be done by reading the statutory framework along with the landmark judgments and articles on the point in the relevant sector.

    During your time at Amity Law School, you were an active member of the Amity Moot Court Society. Can you share your perspective on the significance of participating in moot court competitions for law students? How do you believe these experiences contribute to a student’s overall legal education and career development?

    I believe moot courts help the students in three ways. Firstly, it teaches the students to research, and not just in a bookish way but how one tackles situations in the profession. Second, it improves the drafting skills and to express oneself in an erudite manner. And most importantly, the arguing skills. Many students may not be natural speakers so it helps them to open up and become comfortable in facing the judges and making their point.

    Hence, I believe it is very important for students to participate in moot court competitions. Mere participation gives the students a lot of confidence, irrespective of winning or losing, and frankly, it teaches one how to accept defeat and prepares the students for the tough beginnings that await them.

    Internships play a crucial role in shaping a legal professional’s early career. What advice would you give to law students about choosing the right type of internship? For instance, do you recommend working under a senior advocate, in a law firm, or exploring other avenues, and why?

    I would recommend the law students to intern in every field and experience for themselves as to what appeals to them individualistically. All students cannot be pigeon-holed into any given category. Given the individualistic mindset, some may like arbitration and pursue a career accordingly, some may like litigation would accordingly prefer to pursue any further internships in the litigation wing of a firm or an individual practitioner and some would like the dynamics of the corporate set-up or some may even take to intellectual property law practice. My only advise for the students is that they should not miss any opportunity to intern and intern sincerely and explore for themselves as to what appeals to them the most.

    In addition to your professional achievements, we’d love to know more about your personal interests. What hobbies or activities do you engage in outside of the legal realm to unwind and recharge?

    The best way to unwind for me is to spend quality time with my daughter. Other than that, I like to paint and read fictional/ non-fictional books.

    Given your diverse experiences, both in law firms and as an independent legal practitioner, how would you compare the learning experiences in these different settings? What unique advantages or challenges do each offer, and how can young professionals leverage them to enhance their skills and knowledge

    My diverse experience made the difference between law firm practice and independent practice crystal clear to me. While in the latter, you are your own boss and command accordingly, in the former, depending on which rung of the ladder you are on, you mostly have a senior to poke you out of your slumber and weigh you down with lots of work irrespective of how much you already have on your plate. But then that’s what keeps you on your toes and it gives you utmost satisfaction at the end of the day to tick off things done from the to-do list one made in the morning. However, independent practice, while more lucrative, is not that easy, whether to establish or to command, as one has to be utmost sure of the advise one gives to the client as remember, you are your own boss and there is no cushion in the form of a senior. But this really enthrals you as you keep going and learn and master the art.  

    Get in touch with Payal Dayal-

  • “Since Insolvency Law is still at a fairly nascent stage, every case brings with it a new set of challenges giving you the opportunity of contributing towards the Insolvency Jurisprudence as a whole”- Himanshu Chaubey, Partner, Edictum Law & Co.

    “Since Insolvency Law is still at a fairly nascent stage, every case brings with it a new set of challenges giving you the opportunity of contributing towards the Insolvency Jurisprudence as a whole”- Himanshu Chaubey, Partner, Edictum Law & Co.

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

    Can you share the journey that led you to pursue a career in law, starting from your education at Hidayatullah National Law University? What motivated you to choose law as a profession?

    Honestly speaking I stumbled upon law by chance. I was always interested in humanities and social sciences but took up a Science in my plus 2. But I soon realised  that I was not very good at it. A friend of mine then informed me that there are these institutions called the National Law Universities and people graduating for these institutions are getting well-paying jobs. It was the first time that CLAT was being conducted for admission to these colleges. I did some research and thought that it might suit my interest. So I must admit candidly that I chose law to avoid doing Engineering and was lured by the promise of a Fat Pay Cheque .  

    As an Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court of India, you’ve handled matters of constitutional and national importance. Could you discuss a specific case that stood out to you, and how it shaped your perspective on legal practice?

    Ans. As an AOR one matter which really stood out for me was a case wherein My Client, who is an RTI Activist, was not being allowed to reside within the confines of a District on the basis of false FIR’s registered against him. The FIR’s were registered by the same people against whom action was being taken on the basis of representations made by My Client. The Supreme Court while allowing the Appeal observed and reiterated that the fundamental right of Free Movement and Residence across the Country cannot be curtailed on flimsy grounds. 

    Your experience involves representing clients in various High Courts, dealing with matters related to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Can you share insights into the challenges and strategies you often encounter in this area of law?

    Ans. An Arbitration is nothing but a trial being conducted by a judge chosen by the parties and as per rules chosen by the parties. Therefore every Arbitration has to be approached in the same manner as one would approach a Trial before a Court of First Instance. As is the case with any Trial, even in Arbitration, it is of utmost importance that all the documents and facts, which are essential for establishing the claim, are brought on record. Even though it is said that one should not hide any facts from a doctor and a lawyer, however it is also a part of Human Nature to narrate only those facts which are beneficial to us. Therefore it is our job as lawyers to even extract those facts and documents, which are harmful to us so that we are not blindsided by them during the Arbitration. If you are thorough with your facts then all other challenges are manageable.  

    In your independent practice, you’ve represented clients before the National Company Law Tribunal and drafted appeals before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal. How did this experience contribute to your understanding of corporate law and insolvency matters?

    As a firm our primary focus is towards commercial litigation and naturally that includes litigation before the NCLT and the NCLAT. Since Insolvency Law is still at a fairly nascent stage, every case brings with it a new set of challenges. That also gives you the opportunity of contributing towards the Insolvency Jurisprudence as a whole. One case that stand out for us, which also then became a landmark judgment with respect to powers of NCLT under the IBC, is the case of E.S. Krishnamurthy v. Bharath Hi-tech Builders Ltd.  We handled that case from the NCLT uptill the Supreme Court and therefore it is very close to our Hearts. 

    As an Associate at Gohil and Singh Law Chambers, you were involved in drafting and researching on petitions before the Supreme Court. Can you share a memorable case and the legal issues you tackled during that time?

    Mr. Pradhuman Gohil, has played a big role in my development as a lawyer. I worked with him for four years and extensively worked on matters before the Supreme Court. There were several cases which helped me to hone my skills as a lawyer. However one case which stands out was a Criminal Appeal in which we were defending a person convicted for murder. The case was based purely on Circumstantial Evidence and primarily based on statements of witnesses. We prepared for that matter for over six months and the hearing went on for 3 weeks. That case had all the issues can can think of a in a Criminal Case, ranging from importance of a Statement under Section 313 CrPC, Completion of Chain in a case of Circumstantial Evidence, Veracity of the testimony of a Hostile Witness, etc. 

    During your association with the office of Mr. Ajit Kumar Sinha, Senior Advocate, you were involved in researching matters before the Supreme Court and High Courts. Can you elaborate on the types of cases you worked on and the legal principles you engaged with?

    Mr. Ajit Kumar Sinha is my mentor in the profession. I did majority of my internships under him and eventually started my career with him. I worked under his guidance for 2 and a half year. During my time with Mr. Sinha, I had the opportunity to work on matters pertaining to mining laws, service laws, Land Laws, Tender Matters etc. I also had the opportunity to assist him in the Coal Scam Matter and the NJAC matter. 

    Given your diverse legal background, from constitutional matters to criminal law and commercial transactions, what advice would you offer to recent law graduates aspiring to build a versatile legal career and those interested in practicing law at a high level and dealing with matters of constitutional significance?

    My Advice to recent law graduates to not restrict themselves to practising only in one area of Law. The Beauty of the profession lies in its diversity and therefore one must try and grab onto all the work that comes their way. One must be a jack of all trades, because that goes a long way at retaining clients. The aim has to be that for your Client you should be the one stop shop. 

    Every person has a different journey and one advice that a friend of mine once gave me is to not compare my journey with that of others. Law, and especially litigation, demands perseverance. You just need to stick around and give your hundred percent, and at the cost of sounding preachy, I must say that there are no short cuts.

    Get in touch with Himanshu Chaubey-

  • “Advocacy is a blend of dedication, strategy, and continuous learning, and I believe in mastering every facet of this noble profession.” – Vikas Verma, Advocate-on-Record at Supreme court of India & founder of KMS Law Firm

    “Advocacy is a blend of dedication, strategy, and continuous learning, and I believe in mastering every facet of this noble profession.” – Vikas Verma, Advocate-on-Record at Supreme court of India & founder of KMS Law Firm

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

    What initially sparked your interest in pursuing a career in law, and could you share the motivation or experiences that led you to take the Advocate-on-Record (AOR) exam after already having an extensive 15-year career in the legal field?

    From the initial stage of my career, legal profession was passion for me, after passing my LLM, I was involved in Judiciary Coaching, then after that I was appointed as Assistant Advocate General by the Government of Haryana from 2011 to 2014, but I feel that Advocate-on-record is a prestigious position in the Supreme Court and has its own charm.

    Establishing and leading KMS Law Firm is a significant accomplishment. Could you share some insights into the challenges you faced during the initial stages of starting the firm and what motivated you to embark on this entrepreneurial journey in the field of law?

    At KMS Law Firm we have a research-oriented approach and highly experienced team which ensures a quality assistance with an assortment of legal business solutions, ranging from complex transactions. I started my journey with dedication & Hard work. 

    As the Co-Chairman of the All India Lawyers Forum, you likely engage with a diverse legal community. What initiatives or activities do you find most rewarding in fostering connections among the legal professionals across the country?

    As Co-Chairman of AILF, I have organised about 40 webinars during lockdown on different topics of law which were most significant for legal fraternity with sitting and former judges of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. I learnt a lot from the experiences from different speakers/guests who gave valuable insights on legal topics. 

    In your role as Emeritus Assistant Advocate General for the Government of Haryana, what are some of the legal and constitutional issues you advised on, and how did they contribute to the governance of the state?

    As the Assistant Advocate General of Government of Haryana, I was a younger officer of the court in the State of Haryana. I attended and presented before the constitutional court and divisional benches and dealt with different types of cases of Government during the tenure. I took an active part in proceedings of court in state matters.

    As the Managing Partner of KMS Law Firm, you’ve been involved in a diverse range of legal areas, from criminal law to constitutional Law. Can you share a case or experience that stands out to you, something that was particularly challenging or rewarding in your career?

    It was a great experience when I dealt with the most difficult cases of NDPS and argued before the Supreme Court and Justice Indira Banerjee gave good judgement on reducing the sentence and even waived off the fines also. 

    As a firm has a Research-Oriented Approach, could you elaborate on how this approach translates into delivery quality legal assistance to clients? How does the firm ensure its team stays well-informed and updated on legal developments?

    The firm boasts of a Highly Qualified Team to assist the clients with the legal and regulatory framework. The mindset of our team is a special mix of integrity, intelligence, energy, and strategy which is the backbone of our firm. It is this conspicuous character that makes our associates different from others. It is what enables us to be the best for our clients, – their guiding star, and their trusted legal advisor.

    In your extensive experience navigating litigations across various high-profile forums, including the Supreme Court of India and the High Courts, can you share a situation where the courtroom dynamics were particularly challenging, and how did you navigate through it to secure a positive outcome for your client?

    When I dealt with a civil case regarding a land dispute before the court of Hon’ble The Chief Justice of India and the court had made up its mind to deliver the verdict that the land could be divided amongst the parties to the suit. Even our case was on strong footing as the order of the lower court was in the favour of my client, but I tried to give my best before the court and the court finally passed an order in favour of my client.

    For law students aspiring to intern in the legal field, what suggestions would you give them to make the most out of their internship experiences? Additionally. Could you share insights into the types of internship your firm, KMS Law Firm, typically offers and skills you look for in potential interns?

    During the internship experiences, students should do research work and discuss the file, read the bare acts with interpretation and should attend court proceedings so as to know the practical nuances of law. Good communication and drafting skills is what we seek in our prospective interns.

    Balancing a career in law can be demanding. How do you unwind or pursue personal interests outside of your legal commitments? Any hobbies or activities that you particularly enjoy?

    Social Engineering is the best theory in the legal field. I am involved in yoga & Meditation which I enjoy after work. Generally, I like to visit new places for holiday breaks.

    Considering your extensive experience in the legal field and as a mentor to aspiring lawyers, what advice or suggestions would you offer to the coming generation of legal professionals? In your opinion, what can they do differently or better to thrive in the dynamic legal landscape and contribute meaningfully to the field?

    Seven lamps of advocacy are the most significant for every lawyer i.e., honesty, courage, wit, industry, eloquence, legal judgement and fellowship. One should always try to master these all. Also, with the advancement in technology in research work and filing it is necessary to be conversant with the developments in them and use them for one’s progress. Also reading judgment and discussing with seniors gives immense jurisprudential understanding of law. 

    Get in touch with Vikas Verma-

  • “While specialization is necessary, I strongly believe this approach is prejudicial to the interest of fresh graduates or ones with a couple of years of experience”- Anuj Bhandari, Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India

    “While specialization is necessary, I strongly believe this approach is prejudicial to the interest of fresh graduates or ones with a couple of years of experience”- Anuj Bhandari, Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India

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

    Could you please share with our listeners how your journey in law began? What inspired you to pursue B.Sc. LL.B. (Corporate Law Hons.) from the National Law University, Jodhpur?

    It’s a fairly interesting story. To be true, being from a family of lawyers and judges, my father never wanted me to be a lawyer. For the final two years of my schooling I was preparing for engineering and did not even fill the forms for law entrance examinations. After clearing the entrance test for Engineering, while depositing the fee in an engineering college in Bangalore, I felt that I don’t want to be an Engineer and rather, want to become a lawyer. Hence, I requested my father to not deposit the fee and expressed my willingness to prepare for the law entrance examination. Being from Rajasthan, NLU Jodhpur was my first preference and luckily, I cleared the entrance next year. 

    Your experience spans both litigation and corporate law. What led you to choose a career path that includes extensive practice in the Supreme Court and various other courts and tribunals?

    After my graduation from NLUJ, I was fortunate to get placed with Amarchand Mangaldas, Mumbai. I was part of the Funds Team and was involved in structuring venture capital funds. One year in Amarchand gave me hands-on experience and confidence to take up corporate work which would benefit me later in my career. However, I couldn’t see myself doing only corporate work for the rest of my life and shifting to litigation was better sooner than later. I therefore shifted to Delhi and started with a litigation journey. 

    Beauty about having an independent practice is that one is not confined to a particular forum or field of law and can push boundaries. Delhi being hub of litigation work, there are ample of opportunities in various courts and tribunals. One has to rather restrict himself from taking up work in multiple forums. I try to confine myself to the Supreme Court, but work naturally spills over to the High Court and various Appellate Tribunals. 

    You’ve worked in diverse areas such as banking, arbitration, constitution, consumer, debt recovery, and more. Could you elaborate on how you found your niche within the legal profession and the areas that resonate with you the most?

    Trend lately has been on super specialization in law. The law firms have dedicated teams to handle one subject or even one area of the subject. This trend is seen more in Tier-1 and Tier 2 law firms.  While specialization is necessary, I strongly believe this approach is prejudicial to the interest of fresh graduates or ones with a couple of years of experience.  In my view, any young lawyer should not specialise at an early stage of his career, rather a lawyer should have an experience to deal with as many subjects, fields and branches of law as possible. It not only gives an overall better understanding of law but also gives the ability to apply principles, precedents, and concepts from one field to another. Interplay of various subjects of law is an important tool which needs to be understood and applied both in courts and while undertaking advisory work. 

    I encourage my juniors to take up matters across various forums and subjects and not confine themselves to any particular field. While allocating work as well, I  ensure that my team gets to work on different subjects. I believe it not only helps them to have confidence in undertaking new assignments but will also aid them later on in their career.

    From being an associate at Amarchand Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co. to becoming a partner at Pricus Legal LLP, can you discuss the pivotal moments and experiences that shaped your career trajectory?

    Getting through Amarchand in college placement was one of the most memorable moments of my life. It was nothing short of a dream coming true, and of course it was financially highly rewarding. I was awed by the corporate culture, high profile clients and of course the stakes involved. However, having worked there for a year, I couldn’t find my calling in corporate work. As a result, I took the difficult decision of resigning from the firm and shifting to Delhi.

    I was fortunate to get a chance to work in the chamber of Mr Parag Tripathi, Senior Advocate, who was also Additional Solicitor General of India at the time. He is one of the finest orators and sharpest minds in the legal fraternity. I am proud to be part of his chamber and couldn’t have prayed for a better ‘Guru’. Working in his chamber gave me a chance of working on thousands of cases. Every day over 20 matters were listed which were split amongst 4–5 juniors. On an average each junior had to brief sir in 4 to 5 cases everyday. Every briefing used to be like a short moot court for us where we had to be ultra precise and to the point in our briefing yet making sure we don’t miss out anything relevant and at the same time answer a volley of questions. Doing this for nearly 4 years prepared us well for anything the future had to offer. 

    I took yet another difficult decision to leave the chambers of Mr. Parag Tripathi and started my practice in the later part of 2012. Subsequently,  I also cleared the Advocate-On-Record exam in 2015. 

    Having handled litigation both for individuals as well as companies, over the years, I started getting corporate advisory work as well. As we were getting corporate advisory and transactional work alongside litigation, we decided to formally incorporate Pricus Legal LLP to better manage and handle corporate work.

    Being from a litigation background, I find that the way a litigating lawyer perceives things even in any corporate transaction or documentation is very different from a corporate lawyer. Experience in litigation comes in handy to foresee possible disputes and loopholes. Therefore, as a matter of practice in our firm all corporate advisory/transaction has to go through the litigation team as well.

    As a registered Advocate-on-Record in the Supreme Court of India, you have been involved in several landmark judgments. Could you share one or two cases that you found particularly challenging or significant in your career?

    An interesting case which comes to mind is that of Bhagwan Singh v. Dilip Kumar where son of sitting MLA was involved in gang rape of a minor and was granted bail by the High Court on the ground that FIR was lodged nearly over a year after the incidence and there was no direct evidence to connect the accused with commission of alleged crime. I was representing the minor victim who approached the Supreme Court against grant of bail by the High Court. We were able to persuade Hon’ble Supreme Court to set aside the bail on the ground that High Court can’t look into the evidence at the stage of bail and should confine itself to criteria like seriousness of offence, statement of prosecutrix, likelihood of influencing the trial et cetera while deciding the bail. Judgement makes an interesting read.

    Another decision which I recollect is that of Ravi Khandelwal versus Taluka Store in which we challenged an order passed by the Larger Bench of the High Court in a reference involving question of interpreting Section 14(3) of Rajasthan Rent Control Act which provided a protection to the tenant against any suit for eviction for the first five years of tenancy. The Supreme Court overturned the conclusion of Larger Bench of High Court holding that even if a suit is filed within five years of commencement of tenancy, but during the pendency of suit five years lapse, the defect in the suit stands cured and the protection granted is achieved. However, what was more interesting was that the Hon’ble Supreme Court directed eviction of premises directly even when the appeal of the tenant was pending before the Single Judge of the High Court. Direction of eviction directly by the Supreme Court even while appeal on merits was pending before the High Court to my mind is unprecedented.

    You’ve been a panel lawyer for various esteemed organizations. How did these associations come about, and how does being a panel lawyer for such entities impact your legal practice?

    Getting any panel is fairly difficult, particularly in initial years of practice. Working in the office of ASG, all of us were empanelled with the Union of India which opened the doors for panels of other PSUs. One panel thereafter led to another over the years. Even though these panels are not usually financially very rewarding, they give an opportunity to appear and argue before the court and provide a constant source of work. In initial stages when individual clients are scarce, panel work comes in handy and ensures regular appearances before the court. 

    With your extensive experience in various legal domains, including banking, insurance, constitutional law, and more, how do you balance staying versatile with the need for deep specialization?

    There is a saying that clients choose lawyers specialization. As I mentioned earlier, I strongly believe that lawyers, particularly in litigation, should not get specialised early in their career. It is only after a few decades of practice and incidentally handling a particular kind of cases more than others, that lawyers would get specialised on their own in a particular field. Personally, I would any day choose to do a variety and different kind of work every day rather than get super specialised in any particular field. One of the reasons why I shifted from corporate to litigation was to do a variety of work, but I think that’s a very personal choice.

    Lastly, considering your journey and achievements, what advice would you like to give to fresh law graduates who are about to embark on their legal careers? What are the key lessons you’ve learned that you would like to share with them?

    I would strongly advise young lawyers to explore different fields of law for the first few years of their career before choosing and settling into one which matches their aptitude and liking. Fresh graduates should not be reluctant to change their field, particularly in the first few years of their career and do something which they can call their calling. As one progresses into his career it becomes exponentially difficult to venture into these experiments.

    I also highly recommend that every fresh graduate should start his career with litigation and rough it out in courts at least for sometime. It is only then one understands actual application of law and gives a perspective completely different from mere theoretical understanding. Even if eventually, they decide to move into a corporate setup, the experience in litigation will give them immense confidence. Getting into a super specialized team right out of college is not something I would recommend. Legal Profession is not a 5 year long but a 50 years long career and the initial few years should be an investment on oneself.

    Get in touch with Anuj Bhandari-

  • “Every client, every cross examination, every meeting, every briefing in itself presents a new experience and contributes to one’s growth”- Priyanka Sethia, Founder of the Chambers of Priyanka Sethia

    “Every client, every cross examination, every meeting, every briefing in itself presents a new experience and contributes to one’s growth”- Priyanka Sethia, Founder of the Chambers of Priyanka Sethia

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

    Ma’am, can you please provide a brief introduction about yourself and your journey into the field of law?

    Hi. I am Priyanka Sethia and I have been practicing at various Courts and Tribunals across India, as an advocate for over 10 years. 

    I graduated in the field of law in 2013 and got an LL.M. in Corporate and Financial laws in 2021, while being in the profession and gained further certifications as opportunities presented themself.

    I am a certified negotiator accredited by London School of Economics & Political Sciences [2022] and a certified POSH (Diversity & Inclusion) Trainer [2023].

    I started my own law chamber – Chambers of Priyanka Sethia, in 2021 and we take up civil and commercial matters for various individual and corporate clients as well as deal in corporate practice.

    With over 10 years of experience, you have established yourself as a prominent figure in the legal fraternity. What inspired you to pursue a career in law and eventually become an advocate?

    I have shared this before, but this story never gets old for me. So, my career in law wasn’t really a given from the very beginning and I am a first generation lawyer. My roots find themselves etched in a very traditional business family. It so happened that one day, I was late to school by a few minutes and the Head of Department, Accounts who was in charge of the School Assembly that day, asked me to go back home as I was late!

    It was however only my first late show and I was aware of the finely printed school rules and regulations, set out in our Daily Academic Planner that permitted a student three late shows before being sent back for the day. With great respect, I politely took out the Academic Planner from my bag, opened the rules section and read it out to the said school teacher which stated that I had to be given three opportunities/warnings, before I could be sent back home for being late. I certainly could attend school that day but only saw disdain in that teacher’s eyes for me, on all days thereafter. Thankfully it was my last year in school and I then realized the power of Laws and Rules framed thereunder and the joy of knowing and abiding by it and of course realized my interest in reading the fine print.

    Decision to pursue law came organically to me but the decision to choose between Litigation vs Corporate Law never comes easy for anybody. While the heart wants to be in the courts and explore the passion of arguing vociferously for the clients and their cause, the mind seeks to showcase the drafting skills. So now, my Chamber is trying to strengthen both its litigation team and its corporate practice team, by continuously levelling up with diverse certifications, hiring new talent and continuous practice. At the moment, I head both the verticals and with a recent certification in POSH (Diversity & Inclusion) Training, I hope to offer various training to Corporates, in this arena.

    You founded the Chambers of Priyanka Sethia in 2021. Could you share the motivations behind starting your own law chambers and the vision you have for it?

    I have worked with some of the most incredible seniors in Profession who have mentored me throughout and continue to handhold me through difficult situations. After assisting them for about 8 years, I realized that I was ready to explore legal practice from my own perspective. 

    And so, post the Covid scenario, with experience that I had gathered from my seniors and mentors, and a postgraduate degree in my choice of practice area, I delved into independent practice and started Chambers of Priyanka Sethia in November, 2021.

    My vision for the chamber is to render exceptional legal services to our clients while being on an upward trend in the number of fresher hirings. I take pride in the fact that I welcome freshers with 0-6m experience and it’s lovely to draw inspiration from their passion and exuberance. On the work front, the chamber is striving to strengthen both its Litigation Practice and Corporate Practice. 

    You are a certified negotiator accredited by the London School of Economics & Political Sciences. How has this certification influenced your approach to negotiations, and what role does negotiation play in your legal practice?

    While engaging in Corporate Practice, often we find ourselves negotiating terms of the contract on behalf of our clients. Many-a-times, the other party is situated outside India and has a completely different approach towards the drafts/agreements compared to the Indian scenario. Being sensitive to their background, ethos, laws and culture is the key. My certification in negotiations has helped me in bridging that gap and comes in handy especially while dealing with International Corporates and has added an edge in fostering new relationships, executing contracts, and arriving at settlements. 

    Your experience covers a wide range of legal areas, including corporate practice, commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and more. Can you highlight some key experiences that have significantly contributed to your growth as an advocate?

    Every case is a new learning. One cannot limit their learnings to the law. I strongly believe every person we meet is a new experience, we become wiser with each interaction. Every client, every cross examination, every meeting, every briefing in itself presents a new experience and contributes to one’s growth.

    Your expertise extends to regulatory compliance and privacy laws. How do you approach these complex areas, and what challenges do you typically encounter in ensuring compliance for your clients?

    To cite one instance, often we find that the law enforcement agencies are not well trained to understand and implement the law at the grassroot level. Recently, while dealing in a legal metrology matter, we observed that the department officer had no exposure to a couple of years old amendment in the law and required sensitization. Routinely issuing notices just to meet targets is a norm and needs to change. 

    You champion the cause of women emancipation. How do you integrate this advocacy into your legal practice, and what initiatives have you undertaken to contribute to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession?

    I believe having freshers on board or having non NLU advocates in the team is the biggest inclusion point in our profession. I am open to having good talent on board without any preconceived notions or unconscious biases.

    Besides, I take up matrimonial matters for marginalized women pro bono and ensure that they are taken to a logical conclusion.

    Considering your successful journey in law, what advice would you give to fresh graduates aspiring to pursue a career in law and make a mark in the legal profession?

    Success is a subjective term. On the work front, my request to fresh graduates aspiring to pursue a career in law is to be consistent. Do not give up without giving it a fair shot and some time.  Also, there is a great demand for lawyers with expertise in niche areas. One could also choose their practice area earlier on in their career and proceed further in that direction. 

    And, Pursue a hobby alongside the profession. This helps in keeping sane as well as sticking through. 

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