Super Lawyer

Category: Interviews

  • Engaging experienced tax attorneys is crucial to navigate the complex legal landscape effectively- Adarsh Somani, Partner at Economic Laws Practice

    Engaging experienced tax attorneys is crucial to navigate the complex legal landscape effectively- Adarsh Somani, Partner at Economic Laws Practice

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

    Can you tell us a bit about your journey and how you ended up pursuing a career in law, particularly specializing in taxation and related areas?

    I was born and raised in a family with a deep-rooted background in law and taxation. From a very young age, I was exposed to discussions about legal matters and the intricacies of tax law (though am not claiming that I particularly followed everything!). My father and some close relatives were established tax specialists, and their passion for their work naturally influenced my interests as I grew older.

     As I progressed through my education, I found myself naturally gravitating towards subjects that aligned with the legal and financial world. I was particularly drawn to the complexities of taxation and how it played a vital role in shaping economies and businesses. I realized that taxation was not just about numbers and calculations; it was a dynamic field with constantly evolving laws and regulations that had significant implications on individuals and organizations alike.

    After completing my legal education and obtaining the necessary qualifications, I ventured into the field of tax law, ready to take on the challenges that came with it. Over the years, I have had the privilege of assisting numerous clients with tax planning, tax controversy matters, and cross border taxation, among other areas.

     My journey in the field of law, particularly specializing in taxation, has been incredibly rewarding. I continue to be fascinated by the ever-changing tax landscape and remain dedicated to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of tax law to achieve their financial goals while ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.

     As I look back on my path, I feel grateful for the strong foundation laid by my family’s background in law and taxation, as it has shaped me into the professional I am today—one who is deeply committed to making a positive difference in the lives of those I serve.

    With almost 18 years of experience in tax law, could you share some pivotal moments or experiences that shaped your expertise and passion for this field?

    Over the course of my 18-year journey in tax law, I have encountered numerous pivotal moments & experiences that have profoundly helped my passion inch northwards for this field. Some of these moments include:

    1. Early Mentorship: Right from the guidance of my father in early stages of my career as well as in the early years of my career and support and push of my first few mentors at BMR Advisors (all seasoned tax attorney/ specialists) the expertise and passion were always enlarging. Their guidance, wisdom, and willingness to share their knowledge played a crucial role in my development as a tax professional. Witnessing their dedication to their clients and their mastery of complex tax matters inspired me to strive for excellence in my own practice.

    2. Challenging Tax Cases: Throughout my career, I encountered several highly complex and challenging tax cases that required innovative solutions. These cases pushed me to expand my knowledge, research skills, and critical thinking abilities. Successfully resolving these intricate tax issues gave me a sense of accomplishment and reinforced my passion for tax law.

     3. Staying Current with Tax Law Changes: Tax law is a constantly evolving landscape, with frequent changes to regulations and tax codes. Staying up-to-date with these developments has been a significant challenge, but it is also crucial for providing accurate and effective advice to clients. My commitment to ongoing education and continuous learning has been instrumental in maintaining my expertise in this dynamic field.

     4. Cross-Border Taxation: As businesses increasingly operate on a global scale, cross-border taxation has become my prominent area of focus. Handling these matters exposed me to the complexities of dealing with multiple jurisdictions, trade agreements and varying compliance requirements. These experiences broadened my perspective and enriched my understanding of the global tax landscape.

    5. Advocacy and Tax Reform: Throughout my career, I have been involved in advocating for changes in tax laws and regulations to benefit taxpayers and improve fairness in the system. Engaging in discussions with policymakers, participating in tax reform initiatives, and contributing to public discourse on tax-related matters allowed me to see the potential impact of legal professionals in shaping tax policy.

     6. Sharing Knowledge: As my career advanced, I found joy in sharing my expertise with aspiring tax professionals and clients alike. Conducting seminars, writing articles, and participating in panel discussions not only helped disseminate knowledge but also encouraged me to continuously refine my understanding of tax law.

    Each of these pivotal moments and experiences has contributed to my passion for tax law and my commitment to provide top-notch legal counsel to my clients. The ever-changing and intellectually stimulating nature of this field, combined with the ability to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and businesses, continues to fuel my enthusiasm for the work I do as a tax attorney.

    As a Tax Partner at Economic Laws Practice, you focus on GST, customs & trade, providing strategic transaction advisory and policy counsel. Could you shed some light on the scope and significance of these areas in the business landscape?

    ELP first of all has been blessing, more of a home coming I would say! A lawyer at a law firm, my first!.  Businesses as well as economy are all fueled by tax and trade policies. Navigating the complexities of these areas is vital for businesses to ensure tax efficiency, regulatory compliance, and a competitive edge in the global market. As a Tax Partner at Economic Laws Practice, my role involves assisting businesses in harnessing the opportunities and overcoming the challenges presented by these dynamic aspects of the Indian economy.

    You’ve advised multinational and domestic companies on tax-efficient value chains in business. What are some key principles or strategies businesses should keep in mind when aiming for tax efficiency?

    When aiming for tax efficiency in their value chains, businesses should consider several key principles and strategies to optimize their tax positions while remaining compliant with applicable tax laws. Some important principles and strategies to keep in mind include (i) Proper Entity Structure; (ii) Interplay of Customs and Transfer Pricing Compliances; (iii) Tax Treaty & Trade Agreement Utilization; (iv) Location of Intellectual Property; (v) Business Object Mapping, the most Optimum structure may not work for all businesses in view of its objectives!; (vi) Use of Tax Incentives and Exemptions; (vii) Serious credits to documentation; (viii) Flexibility for ever changing policy landscape; etc

    Also, such assignments would often involve engaging with experienced advisors & consultants on different subject matters as well as jurisdictions. The learning from these experiences can always prove to be  valuable.

    For any budding lawyer, it is important to note that while pursuing tax efficiency is a legitimate business goal, businesses must ensure that their tax strategies comply with the law and are not driven solely by aggressive tax avoidance practices, which may be subject to scrutiny and potential legal consequences. Striking the right balance between tax efficiency and compliance is crucial for the long-term success and reputation of any business.

    Indirect tax legislations can be complex and vary across different industries. What are some common challenges you encounter while advising clients, and how do you overcome them?

    Advising clients on indirect or other tax legislations presents challenges due to complexities and variations across industries. Common hurdles include interpreting ambiguous laws, staying updated with changing tax regulations, addressing cross-border transactions, and managing compliance burdens. Overcoming these challenges involves continuous research, industry-specific expertise, collaboration with subject matter experts, cautious interpretation of laws, and developing cost-effective solutions. Communication with non-tax professionals aids in ensuring client understanding. Additionally, creating robust compliance frameworks, automating processes, and representing clients in disputes or litigation contribute to providing effective advisory services.

    Tax litigations can be high-profile and challenging. How do you approach such cases, and what advice would you give to companies facing potential tax disputes?

    Approaching high-profile tax litigations requires a thorough understanding of the specific tax laws, industry intricacies, and potential implications. My strategy involves conducting in-depth research, consulting past precedents, and collaborating with experts to build a strong case. For companies facing potential tax disputes, my advice is to stay proactive by maintaining meticulous records, complying with regulations, and seeking professional advice early on. Engaging experienced tax attorneys is crucial to navigate the complex legal landscape effectively. Open communication with tax authorities, willingness to resolve disputes amicably, and a focus on compliance can help mitigate risks and achieve favorable outcomes.

     As a part of Business World’s elite 40 Under 40 Club of Young Law Achievers and being recognized by The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, what personal qualities or professional attributes do you believe have contributed to your success in the legal field?

    As a member of Business World’s distinguished 40 Under 40 Club of Young Law Achievers and having earned recognition from The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, my success in the legal field can be attributed to several personal qualities and professional attributes. Continuous learning, a proactive approach in gathering facts to build strong business acumen, effective problem-solving skills, and a commitment to innovation are some of the key factors that have contributed to my achievements. Moreover, maintaining personal integrity and cultivating professional networks and relationships have played pivotal roles in fostering credibility and growth.

    Additionally, I must acknowledge the invaluable support and contribution of my exceptional team & mentors, whose dedication and professionalism have been crucial to my personal success. Their commitment to excellence during business hours and camaraderie during social gatherings have been truly inspiring and rewarding.

     Needless to add that by embodying these personal qualities and professional attributes, I have been able to make a positive impact in the legal field, earn recognition from industry peers, and achieve success in my career as a tax specialist.

    Apart from your legal career, you also engage in speaking at tax & regulatory conventions and write articles for leading publications. How do these activities complement your professional work, and what drives you to share your knowledge in this way?

    Engaging in speaking at tax and regulatory conventions and writing articles for leading publications complements my legal career by allowing me to share my knowledge and insights with a broader audience. These activities serve as platforms to disseminate complex legal concepts in a more accessible manner, contributing to the professional development of peers, clients, and the wider community. The drive to share knowledge stems from a passion for empowering others with valuable information, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and making a positive impact in the legal and business domains. It also reinforces my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends and best practices.

    Many fresh law graduates aspire to have a successful career like yours. What advice would you give to them as they begin their journey into the legal profession, particularly those interested in taxation and related fields?

    Certain non-negotiable attributes for any aspiring lawyer include a strong focus on continuous learning, an earnest pursuit of mentorship, a willingness to embrace technological advancements, the development of impeccable communication skills, an unwavering work ethic, perseverance in navigating challenging circumstances, and a receptive attitude towards exploring diverse opportunities. These foundational qualities form the bedrock for a successful and rewarding career in the legal profession, enabling growth, adaptability, and the ability to excel in an ever-evolving legal landscape.

    Get in touch with Adarsh Somani-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Get in touch with Akshat Pande-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Get in touch with Abhay Pratap Singh-

  • Every matter brings deep learning and when you have the benefit of such tremendous experience around you, you must open yourself up to learning by osmosis- Sahil Kanuga, Co-Head, International Dispute Resolution & Investigations Practice at Nishith Desai Associates

    Every matter brings deep learning and when you have the benefit of such tremendous experience around you, you must open yourself up to learning by osmosis- Sahil Kanuga, Co-Head, International Dispute Resolution & Investigations Practice at Nishith Desai Associates

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

    Sir, Please tell us about your role as the co-head of the International Dispute Resolution & Investigations Practice at Nishith Desai Associates? What are your main responsibilities and areas of expertise within the firm?

    Thank you for reaching out. As co-head of the practice, I keep one eye on the development of the practice itself, which should always be aligned with the mission and vision of the firm, and the other eye on the day to day execution of client matters. This includes matters pertaining to cross-border disputes, internal investigations and, of late, matters pertaining to ESG advisory, especially in the domain of governance.

    As a firm of the future, we pride ourselves on identifying industries and practice areas where we feel issues on the planet as well as other countries intersect with India. The logic is that any new technology developed will have an intersect with law, the regulatory system and the tax system of India and consequently, we like to foresee the impact of such new technologies in India well ahead of time. This requires significant amount of time and effort being invested in researching how the introduction of these new technologies will intersect with the laws of India.     

    You have extensive experience in handling complex matters, including Indian and international arbitrations. Could you share a notable case or challenge you faced and how you approached it to achieve your clients’ goals?

    There are many such instances but the one case I think that stands out is where we, interestingly enough, advised the client NOT to file proceedings in India. We were advising a minority shareholder in a global business where a large portion of the business was generated in India, but the structure made it virtually impossible to initiate any proceedings in India.

    Consequently, we thought out of the box and developed a strategy to ensure that our client could prosecute proceedings initiated by him in various other jurisdictions globally using data obtained from the Indian entity i.e. from the board as well as shareholder level.

    The stakes were large enough to warrant a strategy that required patience and perseverance to play out, all without filing a single legal proceeding in India. Having said that, we were definitely doing global litigation management and working with the client’s legal team in various other jurisdictions to ensure that the commercial objectives were met. This case once again reminded us that today’s world is so small that what happens in one corner will have ramifications all over the place.     

    In addition to arbitration, you have advised on corporate and commercial laws, civil and constitutional matters, and criminal offenses. How do you approach these diverse areas of law and ensure that your legal strategies align with your clients’ business goals?

    In the world of dispute resolution, it is important to understand that arbitration is merely the process undertaken. But in addition to the commercial dispute that is on top, there may be underlying issues that may have implications under corporate law, criminal law or even constitutional law. You will have to know and apply these laws to the case at hand and see how best to further the commercial interests of the client.

    It is also important to spend enough time, listen to the client and understand how the dispute arose in the first place. Of late, we are seeing enough situations where initiating legal proceedings may not even be required. A formal mediation process is enough to help the warring parties bridge the gap. In most cases, a tempered and balanced approach may well suffice. In such cases, handling the client is even more critical. They should always know and be on board with the strategy that you are deploying.

    Investigations involving issues such as internal fraud, anti-corruption, anti-bribery, and data privacy are also part of your expertise. Can you share an example of an investigation you conducted and the potential ramifications it had under the FCPA or UKBA?

    The awareness about internal investigations in India has grown tremendously and it is good to see India Inc. developing policies and handling whistle-blower complainants in the right spirit. Having said that, we are all clear that there is still a long way to go.  Investigations are generally of two kinds. The first kind pertains to employee related infractions where it is more of a fact-finding enquiry and the consequent issues that arise. The second kind of investigation is one where the issues have regulatory implications.

    Laws such as the FCPA and the UKBA have extra territorial applicability and this means that an Indian subsidiary of a company incorporated in such a jurisdiction may well find itself on the wrong side of these laws. Some instance of an act taking place in India, where an errant employee has done something against the policies and training imparted, may well trigger a wide scale investigation and require self-disclosure to an authority somewhere else in the world. Compliance is critical. Should an issue arise, it becomes incumbent upon such companies to demonstrate the steps taken by them and remedial measures, if any, that are implemented.  

    You have been recognized as a Future Leader in the Who’s Who Legal Guide for Arbitration 2023 and have also received commendations for your track record in representing clients investigating improper conduct, whistle blowing, and other company law breaches. How do you maintain such high standards and ensure client satisfaction in your work?

    We are blessed with a wonderful work culture and excellent colleagues. I’ve also had the good fortune to work closely and learn from the best.

    Mr. Nishith Desai or Nishithbhai, as he is affectionately referred to by everyone, is a tremendous leader and encourages us is every possible way. He challenges our thinking and never hesitates to incorporate his international experience to develop best practices and next practices in the Indian context. Similarly, Vyapak Desai, Gowree Gokhale, Vikram Shroff are all rock stars in their own right. In addition, I’ve had the good fortune to work closely with global stalwarts like Zia Mody, Rajendra Barot and Shuva Mandal. When you have the opportunity to work with such legal luminaries, every moment is nothing short of a tremendous learning curve.  

    Every matter brings deep learning and when you have the benefit of such tremendous experience around you, you must open yourself up to learning by osmosis.  

    As part of the Asia Advisory Committee of the American Arbitration Association-International Center for Dispute Resolution, what is your role, and how does it contribute to your professional development and the field of international arbitration?

    The legal profession is one which has given us a lot. where you must always look for ways to give back to the community. As dispute resolution practitioners at heart, we see that the courts are tremendously overburdened and need support through effective alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Institutional arbitration is one such mechanism. It has the capability to help us resolve disputes effectively and rebuild the confidence to do business in India for global companies and investors. At the AAA-ICDR, the role is in an advisory capacity and geared towards understanding and growing the ecosystem of institutional arbitration for India. I find that serving on such committees allows us to participate, in some small yet meaningful way, in creating this infrastructure and option for building effective ADR mechanisms.       

    You have spoken at domestic and international conferences and conducted training sessions for in-house legal teams. Could you share a topic or experience from one of these speaking engagements that you found particularly impactful or rewarding?

    Sahil: Rome wasn’t built in a day. Similarly, bringing about change in the legal profession by impacting its practitioners is an ongoing process. We must always encourage experience-sharing since this is the best way for the newer generations to learn. This is not new; even we learnt from the experiences shared by our seniors. These continue to guide us at each step of the way. Infact, speaking at conferences and training sessions is as beneficial to me as it is to the attendees. I find it particularly rewarding when some individual somewhere writes to me on LinkedIn or some other social media and reflects on a particular point that they learnt from our discussion, which they felt was useful to them somewhere. When that happens, you know you are making a positive difference.   

    Could you share any insights or observations regarding the changing landscape of business regulations in India or any significant trends you’ve noticed in international dispute resolution and investigations?

    While India is doing very well on the global stage, there is a clear need to invest in the infrastructure of the judiciary as well as the procedural statutes that govern us. Enough has been said about how the judiciary is woefully understaffed for a country of our population but we must also pay attention to the fact that it is even the pay scales that are required to be improved. On the other hand, while we have the Commercial Courts Act since 2015, the fact is that it has not been implemented as envisaged. Even the Arbitration & Conciliation Act 1996 has gone through several amendments, some of which were arguably not even required. We’ve got some of the best legal minds on the planet in our midst; we just need to get them into a room and pick their mind on how the ecosystem needs to change quickly.  

    Lastly, With your expertise and experience, what advice would you give to fresh graduates who are considering a career in law? What skills or qualities should they focus on developing to succeed in this field?

    Play the long game. I know we live in the world of immediate gratification, but the legal profession is one where the long game is the one where maximum knowledge, impact and wealth is created. I’d break it up into spending the student years getting maximum internships or paralegalships so as to maximize the experience quotient. Once a student graduates, a 2-3 year investment in themselves exploring different practice areas is becoming necessary. This will ensure that the appropriate career path is chosen and an individual, over a period of time, remains happy with their choice. Another key aspect is to be agile. The world is changing quickly and certain skillsets may very well become obsolete overnight. But experience is what one always holds in good stead. Its important to be agile in one’s career choices.    

    Get in touch with Sahil Kanuga-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    8 hours

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

    Preciseness, self-motivated, research oriented and punctuality

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

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

  • I believe, the practice of law is very deep rooted with our society and social leanings and learnings- Adeel Ahmed, Advocate-On-Record at Supreme Court of India

    I believe, the practice of law is very deep rooted with our society and social leanings and learnings- Adeel Ahmed, Advocate-On-Record at Supreme Court of India

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

    Can you share with us how you became interested in pursuing a career in law and what motivated you to specialize in litigation?

    From my childhood itself, i have looked up to lawyers and the way they represent the destitute and the needy. that they are the Voice for the Voiceless, and it always intrigued me to see the process of Justice being administered in various Courts of law. I was always interested in various aspects of Law, and later on, during my studies of Political Sciences and law, i became more passionate about the same. 

    As a qualified lawyer and legal practitioner, you’ve had the opportunity to represent litigants in various courts and tribunals, including the Supreme Court of India. Could you tell us about one of your most challenging or significant cases and the impact it had?

    Every case is a challenge and is a frontier to test new boundaries and arenas of law. But some of the most perplexing of  cases have been the Public Interest Litigations with which I have been involved on ‘hate-speech’, CAA-NRC, Foreigners detention Laws, Conversion cases, Hijab ban, et al. These have been cases where not only the matter is to be handled inside Court, but also the challenge lies in containing various aspects of the case, outside the Court as well, in that dealing with public anxiety and conscience has definitely been a most daunting and uphill task

    Your expertise spans across a wide range of legal areas, such as corporate and commercial matters, taxation, real estate, family laws, women’s rights, intellectual property, and more. How do you manage to stay updated and proficient in such diverse fields?

    I’ve been an avid reader, and I try to stay updated with various legal events. Not only do Journal and Reports provide you various insights, but the fact that they are available on a digital platform, makes it easier to learn the nuances of the trade. Moreover, if your a patient listener, many a times, it’s the Client which gives you keen insight into the case.

    In addition to your litigation practice, you also work as a legal consultant to the Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi Center. Could you share some insights into your role and the type of legal issues you handle in that capacity?

    It’s been a privilege being associated with  Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi Center. It has led to a more fulfilling experience in terms of diverse kinds of legal problems with which the Institute has had to grapple with including for that matter it being an Institute of academic importance. Vetting Contracts involving international grants and funding can be a tricky piece of legal advice where you do not want the Institute to suffer, and at the same time, maintain an amiable atmosphere for academicians and staff.

    You have been empanelled with various state governments and government bodies, including the State of West Bengal and the High Court of West Bengal. How did you establish these professional relationships, and what are some key responsibilities that come with being empanelled?

    I have had the fortune of being associated with a Chamber cum office of the Late G.S. Chatterjee, and subsequently, Mr. Raja Chatterjee, who’ve been always represented and worked with and for these and other numerous States, and Bodies thereunder. It is indeed challenging to defend Government Policy, and stance, particularly, like that of West Bengal, which could be at a difference with the Center. But then such is the beauty of the Federation that we are, and such are the peculiar workings of the great Nation that we are part of.

    As a representative for public sector units (PSUs) like GAIL and NAFED, you have experience in arbitration matters and representing clients before specialized bodies like the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) and the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT). Could you discuss some of the unique challenges and strategies involved in these types of cases?

    The DRT and DRAT are the protectorate of “public money”. And if you are a defaulter the noose tightens. But yes, if you can explore alternative ways to resolve disputes, and be creative in seeking redressals, both sides stand to gain. 

    Apart from your professional work, you have also dedicated your time to social causes and volunteered for various social organizations. How do you balance your legal practice with your commitment to these important causes, and how do they complement each other?

    I believe, the practice of law is very deep rooted with our society and social leanings and learnings. During my college days, I was a peer-ed with NAZ Foundation, and was trained as an educator to educate fellow friends and students on HIV and AIDS. By being associated with such concerns, it has given my practice a social side which helps me better understand various social issues and their implications.  

    Finally, based on your vast experience and knowledge, what advice would you give to fresh law graduates who are about to embark on their legal careers? Are there any particular skills or areas of focus you would recommend they develop to succeed in the field?

    Keep your Mind Open ! You probably learned something today, but that doesn’t mean you cannot learn better, or rather unlearn tomorrow. Decide if possible which area of law you wish to pursue, and then start taking measures to achieve that by equipping yourself with the skills required. It’s these ripples which cause waves later on ! 

    Get in touch with Adeel Ahmed-

  • One of the key aspects in arbitrations is to read and decipher the terms of the contract-Abhay Itagi, Partner at MV Kini Law Firm

    One of the key aspects in arbitrations is to read and decipher the terms of the contract-Abhay Itagi, Partner at MV Kini Law Firm

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

    Can you tell us about your journey and how you ended up pursuing a career in law, particularly  in litigation and arbitration? 

    Being born to a leading lawyer in a tier-2 city, the choice was clear with limited options to  embark and explore. My interest in litigation developed in law school, primarily by participation  in Moot Courts, while I took interest in arbitration in my 5th year of law school.  

    You have experience as lead counsel in domestic and international ad hoc arbitrations. Could  you share with us a notable case or experience from your arbitration practice that was particularly  challenging or memorable? 

    Arbitrations are born out of commercial contracts. One of the key aspects in arbitrations is to  read and decipher the terms of the contract. The more prudent reading of the contract is expected  to prevail. Recently, we successfully defended a claim of damages of Rs.350 crores against our  Client POSCO-Steel. The terms of the contract appeared to be skewed but on threadbare reading  the reciprocal obligations were found to be not fully filled. As a lawyer, every case is challenging  and an add-on to one’s memory and of course makes the journey memorable.  

    As part of your role, you draft various legal documents such as pleadings, written submissions,  and petitions. What are some key considerations you keep in mind when preparing these  documents for arbitration cases or other litigation matters? 

    Every lawyer enjoys freedom to present the case. Speaking for myself, I prefer to keep my  pleadings to the material facts and not dump voluminous bald statements or documents. Material  facts are to be carved out by marshalling the facts, as presented by the Client. One of the cardinal  principles that I follow is to not plead the law in the pleadings. Secondly, it is of paramount  importance to not suppress the facts or documents even if they are not in favour of your client.  Lastly, ensure that the client has disclosed all the facts without any judgment of relevance on such  facts. 

    You have appeared before various tribunals and courts, including the National Company Law  Tribunal, Bombay High Court, and National Green Tribunal. How do these appearances differ in  terms of the skills and strategies required? 

    The fundamental difference between different fora is the law under which a person  approaches. One of the aspects that I found was the lingo, language and communication to be  different. The fora that you mentioned, in ordinary course, do not conduct full-fledged trials but are  summary proceedings, so in that sense these fora are different from civil or commercial courts.  Secondly, the time available to a lawyer to present his case in these fora is limited as compared to  trial courts, therefore, precision is key. As a matter of skill and strategy, the stage of recording of 

    evidence is absent in these fora and the matters argued and decided on the basis of facts, as  presented and the documents that are relied upon.  

    In addition to your contentious work, you also have experience in non-contentious matters  such as providing strategy advisory and legal opinions. How does your approach differ when  working on non-contentious matters compared to litigation and arbitration? 

    Non-contentious matters are not limited to advisories and opinions, it can include drafting of  agreements, liasoning and compliance with regulatory authorities. The approach while drafting a  strategy or an opinion, the primary focus is on the business of the client and to the extent possible,  avoid potential litigation or non-compliance. Whereas, in arbitration the focus is on the claims  already raised either to seek or defend depending upon which side one represents.  

    During your time at Reliance ADA Group, you were involved in strategic planning of litigation  matters across the group’s businesses. Could you share an example of how you approached  strategic planning and mitigating legal risks for a complex business case? 

    Litigations are planned sounds like cases are filed with malice, which is incorrect. Secondly,  I was one of the juniors in the team of the General Counsel, and as a junior your role is to follow  the orders. But I must say that I did get opportunities to be part of the team engaged in drafting  Share Purchase Agreements, Shareholder’s Agreement. The exercise was to modify the corporate  structure in compliance with regulatory requirements. One such work which I found interesting  was to draft an Agreement of Sale for a yacht, for which I was exposed to a completely new  regulatory and review Charter Agreements.  

    You’ve also worked as Counsel for Tata Consultancy Services in New York, primarily  focusing on contract negotiation and drafting. What are some key challenges or considerations that  arise when dealing with IT contracts, IT infrastructure, and BPO contracts? 

    IT contracts revolve around a variety of intellectual property and intellectual property rights (IPR). The challenge is always to ensure assignment of IPR that may be required and to put or  negotiate a value. The second aspect is flexibility in licensing. The software is made available on  license basis and to ascertain the limitations on the usage of the software under the license. During  my time, the concept of SaaS i.e. software as a service was developing, but back to back service  level agreements would provide uptime and backups in case of a glitch. Therefore, clauses in  respect of indemnity and liability had to be drafted carefully.  

    As a foreign associate at Translegal LLP in Washington DC, you advised U.S. clients on  investments in India and provided opinions on multinational business transactions. What were some of the unique challenges or cultural differences you encountered while working with  international clients and navigating cross-border transactions? 

    I took up the engagement right out of college to understand and acclimatize the nature of  transactions between business entities in India and the USA. One of the aspects that I observed was that the decision making process is completely different. US businesses go back to the drawing board  only in case of a deviation or an addition, whereas Indian businesses go back to seek approval.  When the transactions are both inbound and outbound, the time spent on the decision making  process becomes vital.  

    With your educational background in litigation and international dispute resolution, how have  your studies influenced your approach to resolving disputes and handling international cases? 

    The fundamental qualification of LL.B is the only requirement whether you are a lawyer or  judge of the Apex Court. The other qualifications are only to accentuate one’s understanding of  law or out of academic interest. Fortunately, for me, I pursued my post-graduate studies with  emphasis particularly on litigation and international dispute resolution. During my LL.M, I got an  opportunity to work as an intern on a case involving a ship that was registered in the Cayman  Islands, fitted with a German engine that got spoiled during its voyage in Norway, and had a Chinese crew. The ship was insured by a US Company. I can only say this to convey the complexity of  various entities. But as a student, I could observe how the approach to a dispute varies depending on the party making the claim.  

    Lastly, based on your extensive experience in the legal field, what advice would you give to  fresh law graduates who are starting their careers or considering a specialization in litigation and  arbitration? 

    I don’t claim expertise in my field except to continue to remain a student. My suggestion to  my friends is that the key to flourish is to read. When I say read, I mean books that may or may not be  related to law. During my consistent interaction with current law students, one of the dangerous  trends that has crept in is to read and borrow mostly incorrect information from substandard books.  This practice has to be curbed. Another aspect is to always, as much as possible, be aware of the  developments that are taking place at the local and the policy level and form opinions and debate. 

    Get in touch with Abhay Itagi-

  • The practitioner must give a candid and honest opinion to the best of his ability and also let the client know the probable results of anticipated or ongoing Litigation- Rahul Krishna, Advocate on Record at Supreme Court of India

    The practitioner must give a candid and honest opinion to the best of his ability and also let the client know the probable results of anticipated or ongoing Litigation- Rahul Krishna, Advocate on Record at Supreme Court of India

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

    Can you tell us about your journey and how you ended up practicing law, particularly in the areas of indirect tax cases, company law, intellectual property rights, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act?

    I gravitated towards law as a career because I felt practicing law gives you an opportunity to articulate yourself and is an intellectual challenge. Our professors back in college (Faculty of Law, Delhi University), while taking lectures and discussing case laws, would often take us to the stories of courtroom duels. Being a First Generation lawyer, I had very little exposure to the field of law. However, hearing about the Legal Luminaries and their art of advocacy fascinated me a lot. While pursuing LL.B from Law Faculty at Delhi University, the stories of its stalwart alumni further pushed me towards Litigation. I guess that’s how I ended up practicing law after my LL.B. Being a legal practitioner, in the initial years of your practice may not be monetarily rewarding, but as that is taken care of as you grow in practice, additionally, the social recognition that comes with experience is a reward in itself.

    The chamber I joined after graduation majorly had matters pertaining to Indirect Taxes and Financial Crimes. What attracted me the most about tax Statutes is that it touches practically everything and their dynamic nature. Benjamin Franklin famously said, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.”  Since Tax touches almost everything and everyone, Tax law is equally important for individuals, small businesses, MSMEs, or big enterprises. That widens the scope of practitioners of Tax law to practice before different forums for a variety of clients.

    Much is the same for corporate law, IPR, and Anti Money laundering. India, post-liberalization, has witnessed massive growth. The growing economy and greater integration with the world economy have necessitated laws to be in sync with international standards. Thus we have seen overhauls in Company law, Competition laws, the introduction of stringent Anti Money Laundering guidelines for financial/reporting entities, and an overhaul of IPR laws such as copyright, Patents, etc. Such changes have also created the need for specialist legal counsel. 

    You have extensive experience practicing before judicial and quasi-judicial authorities. Could you share some notable cases or experiences that have shaped your career as an advocate?

    The last quarter decade has seen tremendous growth in the role of Administrative Law and Quasi-judicial bodies. The Tribunalisation has opened a great many avenues for legal practitioners. Soon after I joined the Profession, I started in tribunals and before the administrative adjudicating authorities. In Tribunals, we have both Judicial Members (who are mostly Retired judges or legal practitioners) and Technical Members (those retired from Governmental departments and are no longer attached to the Government). The challenge before the Departmental adjudicating authority is that they are the serving officers of the Department itself. This raises the issue of Official Bias, which appears to be one of the biggest challenges in the adjudication process. In one of my cases, objections were raised by the Governmental Audit department with respect to the benefit of duty exemption on manufactured goods. The client had availed the said exemption, which was based on the Department’s own Notification. At the pre-Show Cause Notice Consultation stage, we furnished the authorities, precedents, and genesis of the exemption notification and the concerned law. Despite having precedents in our favor, our contentions were dismissed, and the Department went on to issue the SCN. The Original adjudicating Authority also held against us, confirming the demand. However, in a concise judgment, the Tribunal upheld our contentions and ruled in our favor. The entire process took a little over five years. That not only increased the cost of business for the client but also blocked a part of his working capital. 

    The case being adjudicated by the serving officers is a phenomenon not unique to the law related to Taxation but also pervades other statutes. Take, for example, “The Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA)”; the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit- India has the power to issue the Show Cause Notice to the Reporting entities. The Director heads the investigation and adjudicates the SCN, which is the culmination of his own investigation. The cardinal principle that no one should be a judge in his own case goes for a toss. Even in the new Goods and Service Tax Act (GST Act), as in the erstwhile Central Excise Act, the adjudication proceeding is carried by the departmental officers depending upon monetary limits, and they discharge functions in the capacity of quasi-judicial officers.

    Therefore, in the context of administrative adjudication, client counselling assumes great importance. The practitioner must give a candid and honest opinion to the best of his ability and also let the client know the probable results of anticipated or ongoing Litigation. This may help the client to decide the future course of action and be prepared for any adverse situation.

    As an Advocate on Record before the Supreme Court of India, what are the key responsibilities and challenges you face in this role?

    Practicing before the Apex court of a country is a matter of great honor and pride. But practitioners have to be mindful of the fact that they are pleading and arguing before, and sometimes against, some of the best legal minds in the country. Therefore once a year, the Supreme Court conducts an examination before enrolling an Advocate as an AOR. The examination, in addition to testing the legal understanding of the candidate, also ensures that the candidate is well-versed with the Court’s rules, practices, and procedures. But for me, the most significant duty of an advocate on record is Professional Ethics. The Apex court has frowned and has shown its discontentment with AORs who just lent their names to the pleadings without studying and verifying the same. Recently the Hon’ble Court raised concern over the indiscipline of AoRs who had filed pleadings in which derogatory remark was made about a High Court judge. Since an AOR is accountable for pleadings filed in the Apex court, he is expected to perform all due diligence. I, for example, make sure that I read every word of the draft and that the pleadings are concise and to the point. The synopsis filed along with pleadings should never be extravagant or too voluminous. Using simple language and sequential structuring of the facts and law are the main pillars of good drafting. One has to be mindful that in Fresh matters before the Supreme Court, 90 percent of the chances of getting notice issued are based on the pleadings alone. 

    Intellectual Property Rights seem to be an area of particular interest for you. How did your interest in this field develop, and how do you assist your clients in securing their intellectual property rights?

    IPR has attracted me since the days of my college. The fact that something as trivial as a Pen, an object of our daily usage, has an IP history going back more than 100 years is truly astonishing. The case laws we studied during our college days, exposed me to the novel arguments raised in the context of IPR, which were very unlike those raised in other traditional subjects.

    In fact, the first case I handled independently before the Delhi High Court dealt with the issue of Trademark infringement concerning the exhaustion of rights in parallel import cases. While researching the case, I went through several journals and articles. I specifically remember the one article written by Late Prof Shamnad Basheer, in which he examined the ambiguities in the law regarding the exhaustion of rights and Trademark infringement. These articles and case laws helped me realize the potential of issues concerning Intellectual Property Rights. Another aspect of intellectual Property that attracted me the most was the ethical aspect. The balancing of monopolistic rights and free and fair use of Intellectual Property in the face of rapid technological development is another area to watch out for.

    As for my clients, especially start-ups and freelancers, my first line of questioning is about the protection of their Intellectual Property. There are many reasons why it should be done. A simple Google search will give you a number of reasons for protecting your IP rights. 

    You mentioned your dissertation coursework on “Sports and its Interaction with the Antitrust Law.” Can you elaborate on this topic and explain the connection between sports and antitrust law?

    The origin of sports was exclusively a social phenomenon. With the increasing dominance of economics in the sporting arena, conflict with the law was only natural. One such apparent conflict we have seen the world over is the conflict between sports and antitrust laws.

    Take, for example, Sporting Bodies/Federations. We have the ruling from the Competition Commission of India that the Sporting federations are Dominant entities in terms of Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002. Therefore the question that comes to mind is whether the restrictions or the interference with the right of staff and players to carry on their Profession will amount to ‘Abuse of their dominant position.’ 

    Since these federations enjoy power under the pyramid structure of sports governance, it gives a practical monopoly to them. However, these sports federations are unique in the sense that they are the sole players in the market and have no competition from any other quarter. One of my arguments was the concept of ‘Position of strength’ as envisaged in the definition; will it necessarily need to have another existing competitor in the market, or is it sufficient to cover a single entity in the market?

    There are other hosts of issues such as broadcasting and merchandising rights, ownership and acquisition of player’s contracts by franchises, illegal cartel behavior and collusion between sporting Franchises, anti-bidding behavior between the sporting clubs, etc. 

    We have authorities from foreign jurisdictions concerning anti-competitive practices in sports, which are almost close to 100 years old. The Competition Commission of India has also caught up with the anti-competitive activities in Sports, but there is a host of issues with sports that we may see ripening into dispute in times to come. 

    Apart from your professional endeavors, you also mentioned your interest in sports. How has your involvement in sports influenced your career as an advocate, and what lessons have you learned from it?

    I am a sports enthusiast. I like spending time on the field playing sports. I have played cricket for my school and college teams. Over the period of time as a practicing advocate, I have realized the importance of fitness and a sports-ready mind. Starting point for any good practitioner of law, like any other profession, has to be a fit mental and physical setup. Sports bring a sense of discipline, instill perseverance and resilience in a person, and teach about dealing with uncertainties in life. To that extent, sports resemble the Profession of advocacy where irrespective of the intensive preparation, on a given day; it may or may not work out for you. Even if a day doesn’t work for you, given you have a good mental and physical setup, it’s relatively easier to bounce back and be better prepared next time. 

    Could you share some insights into your role as a partner at LexAlly Advisory LLP? What motivated you to establish the firm, and what kind of Litigation and consultancy support do you provide to your clients?

    We co-founded LexAlly Advisory LLP in 2015 with a vision to bring within its umbrella both the Litigation and the Advisory/consultancy part. The law firm was essentially set up, realizing the fact that it gives me more freedom and control over my working ecosystem. We started modestly and are trying to find our way. But it gives me immense satisfaction that besides the litigation work, we have been able to advise our clients in their day-to-day legal matters. What gives us greater satisfaction is the fact of dealing with new-age entrepreneurs who are coming out with all kinds of novel issues in their business. In a short period of time, we have advised our clients on issues such as business transfer/slump sale agreements, Taxation, IPR protection, general contract management, privacy policy, etc. With a rapidly changing legal landscape, we also try to keep ourselves updated with respect to the newer business models and potential legal complications with such business models. There may be challenges of great proportion running your own shop, but it also gives you that extra independence and flexibility to deal with any legal problem, and the satisfaction that comes after a good job is a reward in itself.

    As someone with experience in providing legal consultancy to business corporations and start-ups, what are some common legal compliance issues that companies face, and how do you assist them in navigating these challenges?

    Issues with the start-ups are basically domain related. For example, an App developer may face the issues of privacy policy and data protection. Another issue may be with respect to managing the IPRs related to the source code and object code of its application. And it’s a possibility that the owner of the App or IT Programme may not be the original author of such codes. Similarly, those working on disruptive technologies may need assistance in dealing with a host of issues such as IPR, Competition law, etc. The traditional business models need assistance with respect to advisory on issues of Taxation, dealing with administrative authorities, compliances under Company law, etc. Our primary goal is to guide them, provide consultancy to such entities or individuals, and avoid possible conflicts. 

    Having practiced law for over a decade, what advice would you give to fresh graduates who are considering a career in the legal Profession? What key lessons have you learned throughout your journey that you believe would be valuable for them to know?

    Over time, I have realized that the work of a legal professional requires an analytical and objective thought process. It doesn’t matter whether he/she is working as a corporate counsel, working in a law firm, or having an independent practice. For those wanting to enter the arena of Litigation, patience and perseverance are the most essential tools. Withstanding criticism and maintaining the dignity of the Court is essential. For any new entrant in the Profession of advocacy, it is also essential to listen to those who have years of experience. I recall an interesting precept that I received early in my career. While I was arguing a case, the opposite counsel started interjecting me in a loud and unsavoury tone. Naturally, I got agitated and wandered off from the line of my argument. When the matter got over, a senior Bar member sitting in the courtroom very briefly counselled me, asking me to control my reactions, maintain composure, and give due respect to the Bench. These virtues are non-negotiable for advocates. The decorum of the Court must never be disturbed. That left an indelible mark on me. 

    A legal Practitioner shall always have the insight to learn and unlearn. There will come many occasions for a practicing advocate who might not get direct counselling or words of wisdom, but just by observing the legal ecosystem and watching court proceedings,  one can learn so much. In the world of advocacy, experience is the best teacher.

    Is there anything else you would like to share with our audience, or any final thoughts or advice you would like to leave them with?

    My only advice to young advocates wanting to make a career in law is to always be thoroughly prepared. Only enter any courtroom or client counselling with thorough preparation of facts and law. Becoming a law expert may just not be enough, but keeping oneself updated with General Knowledge and current affairs is also important, as it goes a long way in developing the intellectual understanding of a legal practitioner.

    Get in touch with Rahul Krishna-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Get in touch with Kanika Bhardwaj-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Get in touch with Orijit Chatterjee-