Super Lawyer

Category: Student Achievers

  • Varun Chauhan, Law Graduate, GNU, on being the batch topper, a sports enthusiast and receiving a PPO from AMSS

    Varun Chauhan, Law Graduate, GNU, on being the batch topper, a sports enthusiast and receiving a PPO from AMSS

    Varun Chauhan is a student of GNLU, Gandhinagar, batch of 2015. During this time has has interned with Singhi & Co., Unmesh D. Shukla, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Vaish Associates, AMSS, Khaitan & Co., and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas. He helps organise ‘Justice League’, the university’s sports fest, and he is also a mentor in the Sports Committee of the university.

    Varun was most recently offered a pre-placement offer from Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co.

    In this interview we speak to him about:

    • Topping his batch in GNLU
    • Being a sports enthusiast and his involvement in the Sports Committee
    • Getting a ‘callback’ and a PPO from AMSS

     

    As a child what were your ambitions?

    As a child I wanted to be many things but when I really started exploring my career options, I decided to become a lawyer. I found law to be very interesting and challenging. It was something that was logical, yet it demanded critical and analytical reasoning. I am going to be a first generational lawyer.

     

    Tell us about your pre-college life as well as educational background.

    I did most of my schooling at St. Xavier’s Loyola Hall, Ahmedabad. There I was introduced to sports. I became a member of the school football team and represented Ahmedabad District-Urban in the U-14 level. Apart from football I used to represent my class in cricket and basketball. Another part of the school was the leadership camps that were organized by Fr. Charlie. These camps were held every year and it is here that I developed my first lessons in leadership, responsibility and oration.

     

    How did you plan your academics and other activities as a freshman?

    I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have an amazing set of seniors who were always ready to offer their advice and help. It is their advice and help which allowed me to plan my first year of law school. Since on the first day, they told me to lay most of my focus on academics and then to build an all-round CV. It is under their advice that I have planned all my semesters in GNLU. I still recall that at the end of my first semester, one of my senior’s, told me of how when he was finally preparing his CV to submit to the Committee on Recruitment Affairs-he and his friends had a difficult time in chopping down their five-six page long CVs’ to the three pages. I decided to make this my goal and it really helped me in developing different skills and laws.

     

    How do you organise events at your university?

    (Varun is an active member of the GNLU Sports Committee and have been majorly associated in organizing Justice League, the first inter college sports fests at GNLU.)

    I remember the day like it was yesterday when Mr. Surya a senior then in his fourth your saw me playing football and asked me to join the Sports Committee. Since, then I have never regretted that decision nor have I ever looked back. I have spent most of my time outside of academics working for the Sports Committee. I rose from a member in the first year to a Secretary in second to a Co-convenor in third and finally, last year I took the role of a Mentor. I believe that working in the Sports Committee has helped me immensely in becoming a person more well acquainted with the real world. My duties since joining, has been to balance the budget, to get permissions and authorizations for Sports Infrastructure, to organize Intra and Inter-University tournaments. I have spent many nights finding ways to balance budgets and to cut costs to get the best Sports Infrastructure. These challenges have helped me grow immensely and they have given me an exposure to the harsh practical realities of life.

     

    How do you manage to eke out time for sporting activities?

    If you love something, you will always find time for it. I planned my semesters according to the sports calendar. And planning over here means that, I had to decide on what to do and what not to. Which activities could be sacrificed and which couldn’t. There are many things that I had to miss out on but in the end it was all worth it.

     

    GNLU runs an academic support programme in which you work in the capacity of a teaching assistant. Tell us about the programme.

    I have been a founding member of the Academic Support Programme (ASP) since the idea for it was conceived and executed by Mr. Prashanth Ramdas. The ASP is a program where students from senior classes take sessions for juniors on their request for such sessions. These sessions are mostly requested by students who require more understanding of any particular concept or face a language barrier. I remember that I took a session where everything I said, had to be repeated by me in Hindi so that a student facing difficulties in English could understand.

     

    Tell us how you managed to excel in academics and also give time to your sporting activities.

    As I said, I was lucky to have seniors who gave me the right advice. So, since Day 1, I knew that I had to be the batch topper. The only way to manage time is to put value to it. If you are studying then put 100% to it, if you are playing or relaxing, then put 100% to it. If you are in conversation or an activity where you are not putting your 100% or where you are not enjoying, walk away from it. You need to learn to prioritize. The beauty or should I say the tough side of learning to prioritize is that the only way you can learn to prioritize is if you take on two to three things at a time. In my first year apart from being in the Sports Committee and ASP, I did not undertake any extra-activity except for a brief Vibrant Gujarat Discussion Core Committee. However, in my second year apart from Sports Committee and ASP, I presented a paper in two conferences and was part of the Maritime Conference Core Committee and did much more extra-work. The third year I did the iPleaders Entrepreneurship Administration and Business Laws course, Bridge Mediation course, a moot and of course Sports Committee and ASP. So you basically get the idea. As I got better at prioritizing, I took on more work and that in itself helped me to get better.

     

    What is your view on taking notes in class?

    Honestly, it depends on one’s personal choice. Initially I used to take notes in all classes. But, now I am very selective about it. It depends on the subject being taught and my ability to take notes in that subject. Sometimes when you take notes, you stop understanding the concept being taught, so it’s more of a personal choice of what suits you.

     

    Did you also study from books other than the prescribed ones?

    Yes and no. Again it depended on the subject and more importantly the concept. If I would find a concept to be tough, then I would even go to the extent of reading the commentary on that particularly concept. But, again this is your personal choice. You need to be smart with this.

     

    Has there been a change in your study schedule after joining law school?

    Yes. I used to spend almost every weekday of my first semester in the library for at least two to three hours. I used to read on jurisprudence and other legal issues which were relevant at the time. On Sundays’ I used to go through my notes of the week. I used to do this as I felt I was new to law and that concepts were at first hard to understand. However, since my second year the time that I spent in the library kept on decreasing and so did my Sunday’s reading. This in no way affected my ability to understand and learn the subjects being taught. The point I am trying to make is that if in your initial years you spend a lot of time in trying to understand law, then later learning different laws becomes really easy.

    It’s like the Latin motto that my school had: A Teneris Impende Laborem– Apply yourself to hard work from an early age.

     

    What is your take on peer pressure?

    Peer Pressure can make or break you in law school. Its very important to be friends with the right people. Any wrong step and it has a butterfly effect. I was lucky to have a set of friends who always helped me with my concepts, with notes, with having fun, so on and so forth. Its very important that you don’t fall prey to “peer pressure”. Something that maybe right for someone else may not be right thing for you. You are in law-school and its the time to grow up-stay young and innocent while learning but when it comes to making choices and taking tough decisions, make sure you do that with all of your own mind.

     

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    How practical do you think are the shows like The Practice, J.A.G., Boston Legal, Suits, etc. and movies like 12 Angry Men, Philadelphia, etc.?

    I would recommend watching them only after you are sure about doing law. You don’t want to be attracted to the glamour as shown in these shows. There is a difference between reality and what really happens. Nevertheless, there are a few benefits if you watch them:

    • It’s good for a conversation because most lawyers watch these shows
    • You get somewhat of a basic idea of the US legal system
    • You learn about different cases and creative lawyering
    • There is some law that you can always learn from these shows if you look closely. I learnt the Crown Jewel takeover defence from Suits.

     

    What brought you towards Corporate Law?

    My internships at Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co., New Delhi brought me towards Corporate Law. I interned here twice before getting my Pre-Placement Offer. The work that I did in Corporate Law here challenged me to analyze problems practically and critically. It intellectually stimulated me to think harder to find solutions to the issues that a transaction could face.

     

    Please tell us about the Corporate Governance course you undertook under Prof. Umakanth Varottil.

    The Corporate Governance course was organised by my university. Prof. Umakanth Varottil was invited to deliver the lectures. It is one of the best courses that I have attended. Prof. Varottil used the Socratic method of teaching which meant that we had to read and come for class. This allowed for more fruitful discussion and discourse in class.

    The questions posed by Prof. Varottil in itself challenged you to think critically and to analyze solutions to the Corporate Governance problem. This course was really helpful and it gave me a deeper understanding of Corporate Law.

     

    What are the things you consider sine qua non for positive feedback from an internship?

    An intern needs to be ready to do all kinds of work. Take all work given seriously. Don’t underestimate the importance of a single comma or full stop. Proof reading and due-diligences teach you a lot about the different types of contracts that exist and the way they are drafted. They teach a lot of how businesses run, grow and die. The best place to learn contract drafting is at an internship. It is really important to have a good all round personality. But, the most important of all is the way you speak and have a conversation in English. It is extremely important that you focus on this skill and be fluent in English. Another important virtue that you need to posses is the quality of being humble at all times. While these help you make a good first impression, the next two skills are the ones that make the entire difference when your evaluation is being filled:

    • Research Skills and
    • Eye for detail.

    Most of the work that anyone will receive at any internship is research. To work on your research skills, one should moot, write papers, intern in places where you will primarily be given more research work. To develop an eye for detail is much harder. To develop it, I recommend that you be part of committee organizing a conference or an internship committee or journal review board. One of the tasks in these committee is proof reading and editing. Initially you will be slow but with time, you will get strong at this skill.

     

    Any tips on how one should go about framing a C.V. and prepare for an interview?

    If a person is applying on their own then they should draft their CV in such a way that it stands out in a professional manner. Put your academics first and then put any moot win or huge publication or award or scholarship you received. Then comes internships. Be as specific and as to the point as you can on the work done in your internships. The top two internships should have at least four to five specific points of the work you did in those internships.

     

    Keeping academics a priority, what are the things you would say that a student should try other than academics?

    Strive to have an all round CV. Intern with different courts, companies, law firms and do it early so that when you make a final decision, you are sure about it. Represent your University in at least one moot, be part of at least one committee for two years, present at least one paper at a conference and  have at least one publication. No doubt, this will give you an allround CV, but more importantly you will have had different experiences and perspectives of working and thinking about law. These experiences are very valuable in learning and discovering strengths that you never thought you had or you could develop.

  • Medhavi Singh on winning Best Oralist at Leiden Sarin and LL.M. from NYU

    Medhavi Singh on winning Best Oralist at Leiden Sarin and LL.M. from NYU

    Medhavi Singh talks about her journey as a Law Student of National Law University, Delhi. She had been awarded the Best Individual Oralist at the Leiden Sarin Air & Space Law Moot Court Competition. She has recently been accepted for a Masters in International Business Regulation, Transnational Litigation and Arbitration at New York University.

    In this interview, she tells us about:

    • The essentials of mooting every Law Student should keep in mind
    • What goes into excelling an International Moot
    • The importance of an LL.M from a foreign University
    • The application process for an LL.M in the U.S.

     

    How would you like to introduce yourself to our readers? Tell us a bit about your childhood, your hometown and your pre-graduate life as well. What motivated you to choose law as a career?

    I am a student of Delhi Public School, RK Puram. Originally, I am from Patna City, Bihar but have been brought up in Delhi. It was in Grade 7 that I first came across abook written on the subject of law. It was “The Colour of Law” by Mark Gimenez. The protagonist of the book was so inspiring that when I finished reading the book, I immediately knew I had to become like him. Of course, I think differently now since his practice in the book was criminal, but yes, that was my first ever motivation to pursue law as a career. Having this in mind, I took up Humanities with Maths in class 11th and 12th. I knew that subjects such as History and Political Science are tested in the National Law School exams and thought that taking these subjects would definitely be advantageous, which they actually turned out to be! For example, taking up Political Science was extremely helpful in understanding the political system of India as well as the Constitution of India, which is an integral subject from the view point of the entrance examinations.

    None of my family members are lawyers and I didn’t even know anyone who was a lawyer at the time I had decided to take it up. Thankfully, my family gave both my sister and me enough freedom to decide what we wanted to do with our lives, so they were pretty content with my career-goal.

     

    How did you gravitate into mooting? When did you decide to take up mooting seriously as a law student?

    At the outset, I would like to say that there is probably nothing more fun than mooting when you’re in law school. It’s hard work, for sure but the excitement it brings to a person at law school is absolutely unparalleled. I’m not sure how I ‘gravitated’ into mooting but I guess it’s something that most of the people in law school try anyway! I liked it so much after my first try that I couldn’t stop even when I was in my fifth year! For me, mooting was always a serious activity. It was fun but only as long as the results were positive, for which you needed to be serious about your work.

    I got drawn towards mooting especially when my team reached the finals of the KK Luthra Moot Court Competition on International Criminal Law in 2011. I remember being extremely nervous about not making it to the next round right from the first round but thankfully, it worked out well for us. Arguing in front of distinguished judges, finding loopholes in settled law as well as arguing on and learning about contemporary issues with no settled law seemed extremely exciting!

     

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    You have been the Best individual Oralist at the prestigious Leiden Sarin Air & Space Law Moot Court Competition held in Romania in March this year. Please tell us about your overall experience there regarding the competitors, the judges and other ancillary things.

    This moot was the best experience possible. I had been attempting to go for this moot since the second year of college and for some reason or the other, I couldn’t go until my last year – either I didn’t make the cut or the moot wasn’t included in the list. But anyway, I finally managed to go!

    This moot was special to me because I was very fond of Aviation Law as a subject of law. It was a field of international law that was always on the ‘move’. I must commend the Leiden-Sarin Organisers on the judges that had been called for the moot. During the entire moot, not once was I asked to state the facts and the questions that were posed to my teammate and me were precise, to the point and relevant to the problem at hand. What was more exciting about this problem was that it was based on a topic which has not yet been resolved, which meant that there was scarcity of material on the topic, which in turn helped us to make innovative and new arguments, applying not only to Aviation Law but also to different facets of International Law.

     

    How much preparation did you require for this success? Did you burn the midnight oil to excel in this moot? How much dedication and hard work was necessary for to ace Leiden Sarin?

    I’m not going to make it sound easy because I don’t think that’s honestly possible. Preparing for this moot was insanely hard. NLU-Delhi has a policy that all students must remain on campus through the week, even if you are from Delhi and I was known to be the one going home all the time for some reason or the other. I can vouch that it was during the time that I was preparing for this moot that I stayed the longest on campus, that too in the December-January winters. So yes, it’ a lot of work, but I am not complaining. I actually enjoyed myself, minus the sleep deprivation!

     

    What would you say differentiates between the best oralists and the rest? What are the top three things you consider sine qua non for being a great oralist?

    I think the most important criterion for being a great oralist is to be able to read the judge and understand what they’re looking for. We all do our homework in the sense of learning pleadings, facts, authorities etc. but ultimately, it comes down to how you can satisfy the bench before you. A judge may or may not know the problem very well, so it’s extremely important to answer his/her questions in a satisfactory manner, otherwise you end up losing the rapport that you’ve built with him/her. So according to me, on the top it would be understanding what the judge is asking for – for example, either answering questions in a precise manner or a detailed manner-and delivering the same.

    Secondly, I would want to emphasise on the importance of using relevant and contemporary real-life examples to back your case. It’s extremely important to let the judges know that what you’re arguing is in fact being practised at that very moment. I think it creates a huge impact on them.

    Thirdly, it is undeniably important to focus on you mannerisms. When it comes to mooting, most people will have the same amount of knowledge as you do and the only edge that you’ll ever have is to be able to display that knowledge and deliver your arguments effectively and differently by enhancing your mannerisms.

    For the most time that I was practicing my pleadings for the Leiden-Sarin Moot, I was concentrating on speaking slower (owing to the fact that all the judges were going to be from a foreign land) and remaining composed while answering questions. The best way to remain composed is to think of the whole procedure to be a meaningful conversation between the judges and yourself and to not let yourself get intimated by them; you probably know more than them about the problem at hand if you’ve done your research well!

     

    What prompted you to apply for an LL.M. abroad? Does it help given the career you have chosen? Why didn’t you opt for an LL.M. from India given that now we have 1 year LL.M as well?

    I experienced dispute resolution on an international scale for the first time at the Global Young Leadership Conference held in the US, where I was selected to represent India. Here, I was exposed to the tactful methods of negotiation rendered by people in addressing world issues. To further delve into the realm of international dispute resolution, I took part in Model United Nations, representing different States in various committees. I believe both these events formed the initial basis of my interest in dispute resolution on an International scale.I was drawn to International Law right from the beginning when I took part in the KK Luthra moot and ultimately by the fourth year narrowed down my liking to transnational litigation and international arbitration.

    The reason why I applied to foreign universities as opposed to an Indian one is definitely the courses that were being offered by the foreign universities as opposed to the one that were being offered in India. NYU was one University that offered a course on International Business Regulation, Transnational Litigation and Arbitration. I was excited to apply for this course because it befitted my aspirations perfectly and I wasn’t getting such an option anywhere else.

     

    You have got through to an LL.M. programme at the New York University. What do you think clicked in your favour during the selection process? How did you plan your Statement of Purpose for NYU?

    I think what worked for me was the clear picture that I had in my head with respect to what subjects I wanted to study as well as what benefit I would derive out of studying those subjects and how I would be able to apply the knowledge acquired by studying those subjects to fulfill my career-goals. My SoP had clear indications of what inspired me to choose this field, how I have already started worked in this field by means of internships, research papers etc. and how studying it would help me achieve my future plans.

    I know for a lot of people, LL.Ms are just ‘further studies’ but I think it’s much beyond that. I know it’s not a pre-requisite for any activity that you would want to undertake after law school but I feel that sometimes, it is quintessential to get expertise in niche areas, especially when you want to specialise in the same.

    Building up on your profile from the view point of an LL.M is essentially maintaining excellent grades through law school. The competition can get to you sometimes but it’s not impossible. Other activities could include mooting, debating, writing papers and even being members of relevant groups at your law school.

     

    For an LL.M you needed to have a student VISA. What are the requirements for a successful VISA application? As a lot depends on the VISA application did you prepare for the interview?

    The Visa application is a long drawn one month procedure. I can answer this question for the US Universities since that’s the procedure I am privy to. You need to first apply for your I-20, for which your University will provide you with details. The US University would then send you a hard copy of your I-20 which you must keep extremely carefully. After having done that, you must pay a fees online called the SEVIS fees and must keep multiple receipts of the same. Then you have to fill out the DS-160 form and make the visa application fees in cash to the specified banks (Axis or PNB). At the bank, they would generate a number for you which you have to use to schedule an appointment with the US Embassy. Once you have received your I-20 and paid the SEVIS fees, the visa application becomes easy and there’s not much you can do. My interview was a one line question where I was asked why I was going to NYU and which subjects I was specialising in. I was asked to pick my passport up with the visa the very next day! So no, not much preparation is required for the interview. But it’s always safe to carry all the documents with you just in case you’re asked for them.

     

    What would be your message to law students who look forward to an illustrious law school life?

    I would say it’s about maintaining excellent grades in law school and having a clear picture about what you want to study and why. It’s important to ask yourself these questions to be able to figure out whether you really want it or not. Apart from this, I would recommend all of you to have at least three teachers in mind, who have credibility and are somewhat renowned in their respective fields, who would be willing to help you out with your letters of recommendation. These letters have a huge influence on your application and must not be taken lightly! The whole application procedure seems daunting and you could feel lazy at times but trust me, in the end, it’s definitely worth it!

     

  • Anish Jaipuriar, Law Graduate, NLUO, on being offered a PPO from Khaitan & Co., summer school from LSE and on mooting

    Anish Jaipuriar, Law Graduate, NLUO, on being offered a PPO from Khaitan & Co., summer school from LSE and on mooting

    Anish Jaipuriar graduated from NLUO, Cuttack, in 2014, as part of their inaugural batch. During this time he has interned with the Food Corporation of India, Khaitan & Co., Indus Legal, Zeus Law Associate, and AMSS. He has also managed the moot court committee, represented NLUO at various moots, and has also attended one of the best summer school programmes at the London School of Economics.

    Anish has received a pre-placement offer from Khaitan & Co.

    In this interview we speak to him about :

    • His mooting experience
    • Attending London School of Economics
    • Receiving a PPO from Khaitan

     

    How would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?

    Apart from law, I love watching movies, visiting new places. I am also very passionate about mooting.

    My childhood was mostly spent in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand. I completed my schooling from Delhi Public School. After having completed my Xth from there, my family shifted to New Delhi where I completed my XI and XII and finally appeared for the law entrance tests and got selected at NLUO. My parents were my inspirational sources which became the driving factor to get to where I am today and to where I want to go. I am a first generation lawyer, my father is a Chartered Accountant and has his private practice so, choosing law was something new for the entire family.

     

    What motivated you to choose law as a career?

    My ending up in law was more an accident than a well thought plan. I was all set to join Manchester University to pursue Economics (Hons.) and International Business, but due to various personal reasons I decided to pursue Economics (Hons.) from Delhi University, but the course did not suit me at all, so I decided to appear for law entrances and finally ended up in NLUO. Fortunately it turned out to be a life changer and I am happy it turned out the way it did.

     

    What co-curricular activities did you engage yourself in?

    Well, I was also a member of various student committees such Literary and Debating and for a brief period I was also associated with the Mess and Hostel committee. I spearheaded the 1st Intra-University Debating Competition for selection of a pool of debaters who would represent NLUO in different debating competition held nationally and internationally. I was also the member of editorial board of the 1st NLUO Law Review.

     

    You were the convener of The Moot Society. What skills do you get to hone while managing such a responsibility?

    In the five years of my law school life, I have regularly been associated with The Moot Society (TMS) in several capacities: as a member for one academic session, a convener for three academic sessions and as an expert advisor in my final year. Mooting is one of the most important activities that take place in a law school apart from academics. Given that my University was in its early years of establishment, as a convener you have the biggest responsibility of developing mooting culture in a law school, and with our current Mooting Premier League (MPL) ranking I feel very happy.

    These years of my association with TMS has helped me improve on my inter-personal skills, organizational skills and has made me more responsible. It helped me develop and polish my multi-tasking skills.

     

     

    How important is mooting?

    (Anish has participated in various moot court competitions like ELSA, Price Law Media, NLUD Corp, and GH Raisoni.)

    In the first few weeks of law school I decided to do four moots: two as speaker and two as researcher. When I took this decision I had no clue how it would help my CV, but sure as anything I wanted to add good content to my CV and make it long. It was only in time that I learnt it is not the number of pages in CVs that help you but the quality that you carry in it. In the four moots that I have done, one got me a Best Memorandum award and in the other one I was adjudged the Best Mooter and my team qualified into the semi-finals.

    Mooting helps you identify and improve your legal skills, the answer to the question whether it helps your CV is an absolute YES!!

     

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    Can you tell us about your experience at LSE?

    (Anish attended a summer school course at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science on Introduction to International Financial Law and Regulation.)

    LSE is one of the top schools in the world and to have its name in my CV was a big for me. The experience of being part of LSE history and to study there and walk around the campus is just something you can’t compare. No matter how great you think it is going to be, the LSE feel is just beyond imagination. Though it was a short course of three weeks, you have so many things to be done; if you intend to pass the exams and submit the essays for evaluation in time you will soon realize that this trip is not a holiday. Right from the welcome party to boat party to weekends’ trip to Oxford and Cambridge, the entire course is filled with events like opera, drama and sightseeing, LSE leaves you wanting for more.

    LSE summer school takes place in two sessions, you can select a course from each session and attend both session or you can attend just one session. The application process is online, fill in the application within deadline submit the same along with supporting documents with the application fee (request for waiver may be made), and wait for them to reply. You can check the status of your application online. For more info you can visit this webpage.

     

    Tell us what all places you interned at and how did you procure your internships?

    When it comes to internship, I find myself quite lucky, because I am sure even with the right merits and grades one may not land up a good internship. I started my first Corporate Law internship at Hemant Sahai Associates, thereafter I interned with Khaitan & Co in its Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore offices. I also had the opportunity to intern with Zeus Law Associates with its corporate team. I have also done an internship with Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co, Mumbai office.

    I got through HSA, KCo. and AMS internships trough e-mail and interview process and Zeus and litigation internship through Internship committee in place at NLUO.

     

    What kind of work did you come across during your internships?

    At KCo. I was associated with the corporate team, I was also asked to accompany a team to another city for a due-diligence work. At AMSS, I was interning in the tax team and was given mostly research work.

     

    Give us some tips on framing a CV?

    Preparing your CV is more like a balancing act; you must balance both the curriculum side, extra-curricular and co-curricular side. But again there is no straight rule for preparing your CV. To a certain extent it depends for which place the CV is meant for.

     

    You secured a PPO from Khaitan & Co. Did you have an interview before you were offered the PPO? Tell us about the interview process and how did you prepare for it?

    Yes, after completing my third and last internship at KCO, I applied for a position and was shortlisted for interview. After clearing the first round of interview, I was shortlisted for second round and after clearing the same I was then offered a PPO.

    I mostly read the basics of Company Law, and prepared my CV; one needs to know everything that has been mentioned in the CV. Companies Act 2013 was another important area of questioning.

     

    What do you think an intern should do to get the “call-back”?

    The first week of any internship is the most crucial, because they start to entrust you with work and the quicker you get the associates to give you meaningful work, the faster you can rely on them to give you good feedback which plays a crucial role for a call-back. Also, you need to give your best; seriousness and punctuality goes a long way in making an impression. No matter how small the work is, do it well and you will be noticed.

     

    Where do you see yourself five years from now?

    In five years I see myself as a senior associate. LL.M is definitely a plan, but for now I want to concentrate on what I have right now.

     

    You being from the first batch of NLUO, do you think that being from a relatively new law college made any difference?

    Being the first batch of a law school we did not have any alumni to look up to for help and support, so we had to do everything from the start. This really helped us as it made us more independent and allowed us to witness and build a law school from the scratch.

    Yes, as a new law school we didn’t have a well functioning internship or placement committee in place, so we did face a lot of trouble getting the attention of the law firms and lawyers. Even when it comes to mooting it took us a lot of time to make our mark, we learnt from our mistakes and improved upon them. As a first batch we did realise our geographical disadvantage but we have worked really hard to reduce the affect of the same, right from hosting Stetson, to organising international and national seminar and conferences.

     

    What message would you like to give to our readers?

    I will convey it in the famous words of Walt Disney: “If you can DREAM it, you can DO it.” Obstacles will come in life; no matter where and what you are just work hard, just keep in mind that every time you have to make a choice about anything, always ask yourself whether this goes toward or away from what you want? Always choose what goes towards what you want.

     

  • Rohan Mukherjee, Founder, Grayscale Legal, on environment law, entrepreneurship, and his internship experience

    Rohan Mukherjee, Founder, Grayscale Legal, on environment law, entrepreneurship, and his internship experience

     

    rohan-mukherjee1Rohan Mukherjee is a student of NLU Odisha, Cuttack, batch of 2015. In 2013 he started his own entrepreneurial venture, Grayscale Legal, a non-profit company to bridge the gap in demand and supply of good legal research. Grayscale Legal  is a Legal Assistance & Research Service Company aimed at getting law students recognized and placed on the basis of their mettle, rather than their grades. Due to Grayscale’s success he was also inducted as a fellow into Kairos Society – a worldwide association for entrepreneurs and innovators. Apart from being an entrepreneur, he has also received a pre-placement offer from India’s first Environment Law firm – Enviro Legal Defence Firm.

    In this interview he talks to us about:

    • Starting up with GrayScale Legal
    • Getting inducted into Kairos Society
    • His internship experience

    How did you gravitate towards law?

    Well, that could be a long answer for one question. See, I had given up on my science subjects in school because my interest didn’t lie there, and I saw no sense in pursuing something that I, with all my heart, didn’t see myself in. As a child, when you see your relatives around you who happen to be lawyers, enjoying a great lifestyle, it does create an illusion that life gets to be easy with a robe on. Well, of course, we learn otherwise later on, but the money and influence does play an attractive role to a teenager. Changing the world and fighting for ideals comes later.

     

    What were the different things that you did these five years at NLUO?

    Well, I do play drums and percussion, so that kept me engaged in my initial years, although I failed to set up band for the University. I write a lot, sometimes short opinionated satires, or dabble with my own black humor genre of poetry. My apprehension towards public speaking was removed when I was introduced to parliamentary debates, and those seven minutes of speaking time, still makes my adrenaline pumping. Apart from all this, I have been a part of some other ventures and organizations as well in various capacities, like being the Associate Director of Model Governance Foundation at one point. I started Grayscale Legal in my third year, which is a Legal Assistance & Research Service Company aimed at getting law students recognized and placed on the basis of their mettle, rather than their grades. I was recently inducted into the Kairos Society as well.

     

    rohan-mukherjee2Please tell us about your project Grayscale Legal.

    We are a Section 25 private limited that provides legal professionals and laymen with Legal Research and Assistance. Our basic aim is to assign students to professionals on various assignments on a monthly basis or a task wise basis in order to get their work recognized by the concerned client which in turn materializes into further opportunities and job offers.

     

    Where did you get the inspiration for this venture?

    It started as a survival instinct for myself. I knew that just my grades won’t get me ‘placed’ anywhere, but at the same time I also knew that I wasn’t a complete idiot. The only way to make a potential employer know you for your work, for the sheer ability to perform and deliver and to an extent ignore the fact that exams are not your best friend, was to take up assignments from them directly and work in exchange for recognition. Also, law offices do not have legal interns in their office all the time, and being a cloud based company, we get to fill in that gap virtually. Also, with students’ access to campus libraries, online legal databases etc., the research material is vicariously accessible to the clients as well.

     

    What factors do you think makes your project innovative and successful?

    We are far from successful at this juncture. But I would like to think of Grayscale Legal as a way to bridge the gap between campus and offices. Sure, there is nothing innovative about that, but our aim is not to simply dole out research assignments, our aim is to enable law students to generate their own pool of contacts – established professionals who recognize and recommend them for their professionalism. I should also vouch for the selfish interest factor, where a student is assigned to a client, it is up to him/her to undertake full responsibility for these projects and apart from the commission, the prospect of a  job offer, that you have managed to earn yourself is a kick in itself.

     

    Initial investment is a big issue for any start- up, how did you manage that?

    Being a cloud based company, and a non-profit one, I was able to bootstrap the initial expenditure from my father and uncle. I am fortunate that they saw some merit in this idea and were on board. Of course, our expenditure is limited to the website maintenance and incorporation costs.

     

    What challenges arise when you handle law school and entrepreneurship at the same time?

    I don’t really get worked up about on-campus matters, apart from the gnawing fact that I need to graduate next year at all cost. But for me, Grayscale Legal takes complete precedence over everything else. I mean, to be honest, I wouldn’t be where ever I am, giving this interview, I wouldn’t be attending client meetings and speaking to them on a level basis if not for this company. Every week starts off with a full blast of insecurity and every day is a pounding of anxieties when it comes to the future of the company, or daily assignments for that matter. I do tend to micromanage a lot, which was my strategy to prevent anything from getting messed up, but I am gradually training myself to let things go – or to delegate them to other people.

     

    Tell us a bit about Kairos society. What do you have to do being a part of it? How did you become a member?

    The Kairos Fellowship is designed to support individuals working on high-impact ventures. The newly inducted members are immediately entered into a community of likeminded changemakers, and they’re presented with opportunities to connect with industry leaders and influencers through Kairos events and Kairos partners. When their venture is ready for distribution, they’re encouraged to apply for this Kairos 50 venture program. You can also read a bit about it on Kairos Society

    The Kairos Society started with a vision: What if the leaders of today were friends 30 years ago, working together to solve our world’s grandest challenges? Becoming a Kairos fellow is a commitment to impact, and we hope to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to us throughout the year. More importantly, we hope to continue to support each other on the path to creating meaningful ventures, and build relationships that will last a lifetime.

    To become a member you have to be recommended by an existing fellow or apply on your own. The modalities are on their website. This is open for students working on their ventures that might have a global impact.

     

    How supportive are your parents and peers towards this project?

    Well, there is plenty of support from my parents. Rest, I haven’t really thought about. Doesn’t matter anyway. As long as you know what you’re doing, and doing it well and with complete dedication, charging after it like a rhino – Support and good wishes from third parties are just a bonus.

     

    Why are so many aspiring lawyers taking the entrepreneurial plunge?

    No campus placements? Kidding. In my view entrepreneurship and litigation walk hand in hand – the thrill and risk of starting your practice from scratch, making your services worth the client’s money, client retention, growth and expansion of business are all common areas. Of course, we are lucky to be living in this era where the internet apart from making us aware various prospects, has given birth to many ventures as well. Also people have starting to realize that a law degree is a like a passport to a multitude of fields, and is never necessarily bound in a chain. It is brilliant that many are turning to set up their own ventures that have changed the way the legal fraternity interacts with the legal ecosystem. There still has to be a burst in technological innovation in this field – we are still satisfied with an Android app of the Supreme Court listing, where as there are software programs used in other countries, by lawyers, which reduce the time taken for legal research by leaps and bounds. That level of tech-savviness still needs to come in India. Hopefully, our generation will take care of that.

     

    What specific areas of law education helped you in your venture?

    I would have to say Company Law since it is after all an incorporated entity. But frankly, no legal education really prepares you for this. Today I can rattle out the importance and use of DIN (Director Identification Number), the process of preparing and filing the MoA and AoA, the documents used, the property documents to be produced as proof for office space – and no paper prepared me for this, or it could have, but I didn’t pay attention. I mean, the idea that we could possibly register ourselves as a Section 25 company came to me after going through online articles, and then perusing through Section 25 of the Companies Act itself. Which is also interesting because strictly speaking, the provision chalks out organizations whose purposes are ‘educational’, ‘charitable’ or ‘religious’ – but it is followed by ‘or any other useful purpose’. I reckoned that our work is definitely ‘useful’ so I cast my line based purely on calculated guts.

     

    Do you intend to work for this project primarily after your graduation?

    After graduation my priorities will naturally change. I need to build myself as a legal professional first and foremost, and I realize that I will not be able to juggle both with equal dedication and in essence, fail to do justice to both of these arenas. I do intend to shift the management of the Company to another student, and of course, in our line of work it makes perfect sense for the person to be personally motivated to see the company grow and evolve and use it as means to your professional life, and that can only appeal to a student, someone who generally will possess that sense of urgency and insecurity. I will still remain a Director, but will restrict my involvement to the bare minimum.

     

    Did you get any institutional support for internships from your college?

    In my course of four years, I have interned with Sr. Adv. Uday U. Lalit, West Bengal Human Rights Commission, Enviro Legal Defence Firm (ELDF), Sinha & Co., AZB Delhi, AZB Mumbai and  followed by a string of ELDF internships.

    I would say all of them helped shape up my career choice in a great way. Sometimes, only after gaining some experience in a particular office can you be completely assured of your distaste for that work culture or professional life. I remember during my second year, when  was interning with ELDF for the first time, there was a day when the office was almost empty  and our Managing Partner, Sanjay Upadhyay simply asked me to speak to a client who would be coming in a while since he had to leave as well. I mean, it might not seem a big deal, but as a second year student, to be able to interact with a client with no one overseeing your interaction at that point was itself a kick. My subsequent internships with ELDF have been amazing as well – I have also been to our North Eastern office in Guwahati a few months back, and to be involved to this extent at this level, is something very few mentors can successfully do. Of course, you are constantly humbled by the fact when it comes to any field of law, let’s say laws concerning the environment in this case, there is so much to know – and the in-depth knowledge that is required for a person to confidently say, that yeah, I know this subject, takes a lifetime. Or perhaps, more!

     

    How did you apply to Enviro Legal Defence Firm?

    For an internship, you are required to mail the Internship In-Charge Ms. Suparna Jain at suparna@eldfindia.com and that is usually followed by a submission of your CV and a short essay encircling your statement of purpose etc. A student can intern for four weeks or more and if I remember correctly, during my second year, they did say that they take in students from their third year onwards, but I managed to get an exception since we had covered, on paper, Environmental Law as a subject in our second year.

     

    Tell us a bit about the firm, your typical workday and the overall work/life balance.

    ELDF is an independent team of erudite legal professionals, which provides services to anyone who approaches us, including Governments, Non-Government Organizations, Educational Institutions, Individuals, Private and External Agencies engaged in areas of environment and development law. We have been a part of numerous international forums and have helped in policy building in many nations. Our firm is divided into two teams – Consultancy and Litigation. There are various regional offices present in cities like Pune, Guwahati, Ernakulam and Ranchi.

    My typical work day is like any other associate at the firm. Since, I work with the litigation team, if a matter I am involved in is listed in the NGT or Supreme Court, I have to be  there for the hearing. If not, the work on the cases/projects assigned which ranges from research, drafting, client meetings, further information gathering and strategy building takes up time. The question of work/life balance is a difficult one, of course.

    I am one of those who believe that if you are passionate about your work, it is difficult to switch your ‘professional life’ off after 9 PM or maintain some form of clock for the same. I won’t say that there is an extreme pressure, but it certainly depends on an individual’s priorities. Even as an intern you are credited at par with associates, and made answerable for any screw-ups as well. Office hours would be from 10 AM to 6 PM, but as in any law office, you are expected to put in extra hours if the work demands so.

     

    What do you think interns should accomplish in the course of their internship to get a callback?

    (Rohan has secured a PPO with ELDF.)

    You have to market your strengths in any work environment. And it’s not like you have to prowl around for any work offer that may come your way, if you are genuinely interested in a particular field and feel that a particular law office shall provide you with the perfect exposure in the same, go for it.

    After a few conversations with Sanjay Sir, I had made some form of positive impression on him. Hes has also been a guide when I was setting up Grayscale Legal and was instrumental in providing his feedback on the same. It is very difficult to pin-point exactly ‘how it happened’ because it happened very naturally which is how it should be. And naturally, my work with Grayscale Legal certainly played a role in backing this up as well.

     

    Was there any interview process?

    There wasn’t any formal interview as such for this. There might be one after graduation though.

     

    Where do you see yourself five years from now?

    The initial 5 years will be difficult, and frankly, I look forward to the nudging and pushing required now. Five years is also a make-it-or-break-it period for myself; the time required to be well versed with the laws and procedures; to have substantial visibility in courts and do my work well. For me, nothing takes priority over a client’s interest – one might get into long ethical debates on the same, but let’s save that for later. For a start, apart from my legal career, I’d love to open up a quaint, warm pub, I’d like to pursue my music as well – so five years down the line, I hope I am happy with where ever I am. Or perhaps not. Being dissatisfied has worked out well for me so far.

     

    What would be your message to law students who want to start-up?

    Go for it. Trust me, you will not get a better time to fall, fail and learn again.

     

  • Aarushi Mishra, Associate, Wadia Ghandy, on being a first generation lawyer, her mooting experience, and plans for the future

    Aarushi Mishra, Associate, Wadia Ghandy, on being a first generation lawyer, her mooting experience, and plans for the future

    Aarushi Mishra is a graduate from RMLNLU, Lucknow, batch of 2014. She is currently working as an Associate at Wadia Ghandy & Co.

    In this interview, we speak to her about:

    • Interning with Wadia Ghady and getting a call back
    • Being a first generation lawyer
    • Her mooting experience

    Why did you decide to study Law?

    Honestly speaking, the first time I decided of becoming a lawyer was when in my eighth standard I read The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare and got inspired by the character of Portia in it and wished to be a lawyer like her.

    I believe that a good lawyer can truly bring about a change in the society and this belief has always motivated me to learn the subject.

     

    Do you have any lawyers in your family?

    No, I am a first generation lawyer. However, I do believe that if one has a family member with a legal background, it is quite helpful in terms of making the right choices because guidance can make a huge difference.

    I think being a first generation lawyer, I had to struggle slightly more than a few of my peers with a legal background. But I was very fortunate to be guided by seniors in my law school and even from other law schools who helped me take decisions about my career.

     

    What are the extracurricular activities you took part at RMLNLU?

    Well, I made sure I was a part of every academic or non academic activity in my college because I feel that it is very important for a law student to expose himself to every challenge that comes his way.

     

    You have taken part in a lot of Moot Court Competitions in college, can you share a few mooting experiences?

    Moot Courts are extremely important in a law student’s life, not only because it adds those extra brownie points to your CV but more importantly because it gives you that experience of working on a case as an advocate and use your intellect to the best of your abilities. Moot Courts are a great way to learn the subject inside out.

    I have participated in the Nani Palkhiwala Moot Court Competition, which is based on the law of taxation and the Leiden Sarin International Air Law Moot Court Competition which as the name suggests, is based on international air law. I got the opportunity of being a speaker in both the competitions and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

     

    Do you think mooting is beneficial for Law students or is it just to make your CV look fancy?

    I don’t think mooting should be taken as an exercise to make your CV look fancy because then one can never enjoy the experience of mooting. It is not about winning a gold in the moot court competition but it is about what you learn from that moot and how that will help you understand the subject better. I did not always win my moot court competitions but every moot court that I have been a part of has enriched my knowledge about that subject to a great extent. Moreover, I believe mooting is one of the best ways to build your confidence and sharpen your articulation skills which is very important for a lawyer. Hence, every law student must participate in moot court competitions without the fear of losing!

     

    What are the law firms at which you interned?

    I have interned at Saikrishna & Associates, Noida; Oasis Advisory, Mumbai; Amarchand Mangaldas, Mumbai and Wadia Ghandy & Co., Mumbai.

    I think each of these internships has been very enriching in terms of experience. My internship at Wadia Ghandy & Co. was the most fulfilling. The Associates and even the Partners at Wadia Ghandy & Co. were very encouraging and approachable which helped me understand the work better and enjoy it.

     

    What was the procedure you followed to apply to these law firms?

    I mostly sent e-mails on my own. The Placement Committee of my college helped me secure a few internships.

     

    What was the kind of work was allotted to you during your internships?

    During the first three years of my law school I was usually given research work pertaining to matters. However, eventually in my fourth and fifth year internships, I also got an opportunity to draft letters of intent, opinions on issues, writ petitions etc.

     

    How many times did you intern with Wadia Ghandy to get a PPO?

    I have interned at Wadia Ghandy & Co. twice, in my fourth and fifth year respectively under two different teams.

    As I had mentioned before, my internship at Wadia Ghandy was very successful in terms of experience and work. It was quite different from my other internships because I found great mentors in the Associates and Partners of Wadia Ghandy with whom I worked. Since the work environment there was very encouraging it was easier for me to interact with the seniors and seek their guidance which improved the quality of work I did.

     

    What do you think an intern should accomplish during an internship in order to get a call back?

    I think it is very important for an intern to show his enthusiasm and inclination towards the subject because unless you really show your interest in the subject, nobody would take you or your work seriously. Obviously only showing interest is not sufficient but the work assigned should be done with utmost sincerity.

     

    Did you learn any skills while interning?

    I certainly acquired skills significant for my professional life during my internships, like multitasking, communicating with the clients, and most importantly use of all possible applications of MS Word which I was completely unaware of otherwise!

     

    How do you think one should go about writing a CV when one is applying for a job?

    I would suggest the clichéd old rule –keep it short and simple!

     

    How did you go about preparing for your interview?

    I focused on the work I had done during my previous internships which I had mentioned in my CV.  Apart from that revising the basics in all core law subjects helped.

     

    Do the law firms usually provide the candidates with an option to work with the teams of their choice while recruiting?

    Yes, most of them do.

     

    How important are grades in order to secure internships?

    Not really! It is more about the kind of work you show during your internships. However, of course a high GPA is a strong catalyst in securing that job once you’ve proved your mettle to your team while interning.

     

    Your advice to the law students, who aspire to secure a job at top law firms?

    My advice to all those aspiring to get a job at a top tier firm would be: make sure you know your subjects. I think it is very important for an intern who is a job aspirant to put across his intentions very clearly to his team because unless they know what you’re there for, they would never automatically make an offer or even notice your hard work. So, just work hard and never hesitate to approach your seniors for help and guidance!

  • Roli Sharma, Associate, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, on getting a PPO, her internship experience, and the importance of mooting

    Roli Sharma, Associate, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, on getting a PPO, her internship experience, and the importance of mooting

    Roli Sharma is a graduate from RMLNLU, Lucknow, batch of 2014. She is currently working as an associate at Amarchand, Mangaldas & Suresh Shroff & Co.

    In this interview she talks about:

    • The importance of mooting
    • Her internship experience
    • Getting a PPO from AMSS

     

    Why did you decide to study Law?

    To be completely honest I was a science student and did not know what to pursue after the 12th std. In my state of utter confusion I resorted to career counseling where law was presented to me as a viable option. However, when I started preparing for the various law school entrance exams, the sheer logical analysis that was an essential part of the study of law had me hooked. I realized that there was nothing else I’d much rather study.

     

    Do you have any lawyers in your family?

    No, I am a first generation lawyer. However, I do agree that being guided by people in your own family always gives one an upper hand in terms of taking the right decisions with respect to internships and other career decisions post law school. But having said that, this is not something that cannot be overcome with the right guidance from seniors and other mentors, it essentially just boils down to putting in a little more effort on your own to ask other people for help when required. For example, I will always be thankful to seniors from my own college and also other colleges who guided me and helped me throughout law school.

     

    What are the extracurricular activities you took part at RMLNLU?

    While I was at law school I participated in moots, debates and various other literary events and even though I wasn’t exactly a classic example of a perfect athlete, I was also a part of the college basketball team.

     

    Can you tell us something about your mooting experience?

    I think the most exciting thing about the moots that I have done was the opportunity to argue issues of pressing international importance before people who are experts in that field, whether it be Price Media Law, Man Lachs, Stetson or Jessup, the common thread linking them all is that the problem generally concerns a certain issue of pressing international importance and to have industry experts question you on those issues and then finally convincing them on your point of view and having them appreciate the effort you have put in is a feeling that cannot be explained in words.

     

    roli-sharma1Do you think mooting is beneficial for Law students or is it just to make your CV look impressive?

    I won’t disagree with the fact that mooting does make one’s CV look fancy and it is also beneficial for law students in more ways than one but doing a moot simply because one thinks it will help them secure a job is complete foolishness. Most recruiters don’t really care much about the moots you have done, in fact what matters more are one’s grades, so moots coupled with decent grades is reflective of how well one can handle extra-curricular activities along with academics. However, putting aside the ‘CV value’ of moots I want to add that mooting teaches one several skills that come in handy throughout one’s legal career.

    Through the course of the various moots that I participated in, I realized that mooting teaches you certain invaluable lessons in team work, research, streamlining the research by picking out the best arguments and then drafting a good argument, it teaches one how to think out of the box to come up with novel arguments, as also to present complex concepts in a simple manner and all of these are skills that any good lawyer needs in the longer run. Another great thing about mooting is that you get to travel and meet so many interesting people, whether it be students from other law schools or judges, there is always something new to learn from almost all of them.

     

    What are the law firms at which you interned?

    I mostly interned with the general corporate teams of various full practice law firms and out of all my internships I believe my most enriching experiences would be those at AMSS, DSK, and Luthra because of the work environment and the amount I learnt at these internships.

     

    What was the procedure you followed to apply to these law firms?

    Apart from applying through the college RCC, I mostly sent out e-mails on my own to apply for internships. These e-mails were usually followed up by some more emails and phone calls. Some firms like Phoenix Legal, ELP and Bharucha also have online forms that need to be filled to apply to them. However, I must admit that getting an internship at a law firm on your own till third year is almost practically impossible, it is only towards the end of third year or fourth year that most firms start taking your internship applications seriously.

     

    What was the kind of work allotted was to you during your internships?

    The kind of work that one gets allotted depends largely on the team that a person is working with and the kind of matters that the firm is dealing with at the time of your internship. Through the course of my various internships I was allotted all kinds of work involving drafting of legal opinions, notes and agreements, and also the standard research and due diligence work.

     

    Tell us about securing a PPO at AMSS.

    I got the PPO shortly after my first internship with AMSS. However, this internship after various extensions was almost two months long.

    My internship with AMSS is my best internship so far, mostly because of the people I worked with and the quality of work I got during the internship. What made this internship different from the others I guess was the fact that I was trusted with good assignments and encouraged to think out of the box. Further, where the matter concerned a subject area that I had scarce knowledge on, I was guided by my team on how to proceed with the research, this allowed me to learn immensely and made the experience an enriching one.

     

    What do you think an intern should accomplish during an internship in order to get a call back?

    I don’t think there exists a rule book with a set number of things that an intern should accomplish to get a call back because a lot also depends on being at the right place, at the right time. However, I believe that the single most important thing that one must always remember is to work smart, never shy away from asking questions about an assignment because that helps you find out what exactly you need to deliver and saves time by preventing unnecessary research.

     

    Did you learn any skills while interning?

    I think the most important thing I learnt while interning is to juggle between various assignments and complete all of them within a given time frame.

     

    How do you think one should go about writing a CV when one is applying for a job?

    I think the simplest way to look at a CV would be to compare it to a pitch presentation, so it should focus on the work areas of the firm that you’re applying to and it should highlight all the work that one has done in that area. Apart from this, I think the other more important thing to keep in mind is that no one likes clutter, so everything on one’s CV should be short, precise and to the point.

     

    How did you go about preparing for your interview?

    Apart from basics of subjects like corporate law, contracts, property, IPR etc., I don’t think even the best of firms expect us to know everything. What matters the most I think is, knowing what you claim to know, i.e., knowing everything on your CV inside out and staying updated with the latest developments in the legal world.

     

    Do the law firms usually provide the candidates with an option to work with the teams of their choice while recruiting?

    This is something that differs from firm to firm depending on the internal firm policy but yes, most firms do provide that option.

     

    Many law students strongly believes that getting a job at one of the top three law firms is mostly about securing a high GPA. Do you agree?

    A high GPA certainly makes getting shortlisted for recruitment easier, but it is not the sole determining factor, especially in cases of PPOs where the quality of work done by an individual coupled with a decent grade is usually what counts.

     

    How should a law student prepare in the last three years of law school?

    I believe there is no substitute to hard work, so maintain your grades, work hard at all your internships, give it your best shot and get noticed. And, of course, staying abreast with all the latest legal developments is always a plus.

  • Anubhab Sarkar, KIIT, on his research experience with Prof. Martin Hunter, and internship at Freshfields

    Anubhab Sarkar, KIIT, on his research experience with Prof. Martin Hunter, and internship at Freshfields

    Anubhab Sarkar is a student of KIIT, Bhubaneswar, batch of 2015.  Anubhab had the rare opportunity to work with Prof. Martin Hunter at Essex Court Chamber in London. He had also interned with Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer. He keeps a keen interest in International Law and has also served as the president of the International Law Society at his university.

    In this interview we speak to him about:

    • Procedure for internship application to top law firms
    • His research experience with Prof. Martin Hunter
    • The difference between a UK based law firm and an Indian firm

     

    Why did you decide to study Law?

    I was introduced to law pretty early in my life as my mother is a lawyer, as clichéd as it might sound; though I never liked the idea behind this profession as an adolescent as it kept my mother away from me for long hours. While pursuing my secondary education I was firm that I had no other option of career other than being an engineer. I owe a lot to Mr. Rajneesh Singh who was instrumental in making me believe that law would be the perfect career option for me, he is undoubtedly the first pillar of my legal career. My parents were instrumental in making me gather the courage to take up law. My father used to visit NUJS to get an idea about how a modern day law school functions. I started taking a ‘crash course’ at IMS where I figured that this could something might be able to do; by that time I had seen enough documentaries of Mr. Jinnah, Mr. Gopal Subramaniam (his love for T.S Eliot, Shakespeare and how he creates a nexus between law and literature often excited me), Mr. Nariman and other great legal luminaries and was fascinated by their oratory skills, I was almost convinced that it was something I would like to do for a living. I have always been ardent public speaking enthusiast and thought it would be wonderful if I could put it to use in my daily life. The nail in the coffin was when I found a movie called Paper Chase and happened to watch it; I then realized why an institution imparting legal knowledge is called a law school and not a college. Use of logic and oratory to persuade people, bring a change, however small it might be and of course wearing suits (that never hurts!).

     

    Tell us something about being President of the International Law Students Association chapter at KIIT.

    I have been inclined to International Law since the very first year at law school; I of course owe it to a couple of seniors of mine. This prompted me to join the International Law Society (affiliated to ILSA Washington DC) which was student run society in law school. The basic idea behind this was to enhance the aura of International Law, increase quality research, impart proper mooting training, host lectures and events of such sort. When I was elected as the President for the term 2013- 2014, I decided to bring a certain change.

    The first event I organized (of course with the help of my committee members) was the 1st KIIT International Law Quiz Competition. The main reason behind this is to make sure there was proper awareness in the sense of general sensibility, quizzing is a passion and what better way to carry out an event to confirm and analyze the awareness. I was quite amazed to see out of all the teams that participated, the winner was not from a law school, rather two engineering students.

    We also have future events coming up like the 1st Ian Brownlie Moot Court Competition (which will be on the mooting schedule soon), a conference which will include speakers from each of the continent thus giving us a quality panel debate as to the status quo of the present situation in each of the continents regards to the beginning of a ‘World Court of Human Rights’. The ideology of quality research has also not been forgotten, we keep hosting lectures and our first news letter is due to release soon. It is just a passion which I am trying to carry forward as long as I can. The KCIA (KIIT Center for International Arbitration is a thought child of my senior, who when confided in me the ideas made me more than intrigued. I am sure it will be a great success.

     

    Tell us about your experience in legal editing and publishing?

    (Anubhab has been the Honourary Editor of the Sancalp Journal and co-researched and edited a book of international arbitration in addition to presenting some papers as well.)

    I believe that a law student grows mentally every day. It was a pleasure being the editor of the Sancalp Journal, it was quite an arduous task to determine and differentiate quality of research and argumentation of papers. I thoroughly enjoyed that experience. Judging others research skills meant that I had to be well read on the themes myself. I took a month just to be well versed with the themes, recent case laws and other scholarly writings so that I can appreciate the analysis of the research of the author. Editing of a book is almost a similar task but its more ‘status quo’ oriented i.e the present status regarding a doctrine, what are the case laws in relation to that doctrine, whether the case law has been over ruled and such other specifications had to be kept in mind.

    The degree of challenge was more in this regard as there was no room for error. These activities in a nutshell gives you the quality of thinking critically (quite critically I must say). You can analyze argumentations and put forth the best, you realize what is exactly required of you in a research contention, and you grow a normal understanding of comparing ideologies and then analyzing them as per your rational thinking.

     

    How important is mooting, really?

    I must say this has always been a sensitive issue, mooting has always been a passion for me since my first year at law school. According to me mooting cumulates the holistic growth of a law student, the amount of research and reading a participant has to put in enormous. It makes you think critically on your feet, teaches you how to answer judges, duck questions. Suppose you have four arguments for contention, it makes you decide your strongest argumentations as there are word limitation (in a memorandum) and time limitation (in oral rounds). It is very hard to judge your own work and this is the biggest challenge you face in a moot.

    I have done several moots and placed in few of them, one thing one must keep in mind while mooting is that research is of course the key but one of the most important aspects of mooting is confidence, you just cannot argue with your temperament down, you have to be up for it and make sure you will give it your best. One advice I would like to give aspiring moot enthusiasts (speakers) is that don’t get too worked up about speaking in front of judge as daunting as it might look, the whole idea is to analyze the judge and respond to him accordingly. You have to understand that the judge will not everything, you will have to know your strengths and play them accordingly.

    A very good advice I had received before my first moot was that a speaker should not try taking the burden on him (figuratively) but one should try and have a ‘formal learned conversation’ with judge in order to convince him/her. The judges will try everything to shake your confidence, it is mandatory to keep yourself calm and composed during the whole process. These traits are mandatory for a lawyer and thus mooting according to me way more than a CV addition.

    I have seen in foreign universities, how much importance mooting is given. The amount of resources available, coaches and research facilities are unbelievable. For example a Vis Team in University ‘X’ is selected and mentored since their first year and then they compete in the competition in their 3rd year. It is phenomenal the amount of training they get. I have seen in that the major London law schools also get moot court training from the top city law firms. Some of these law firms also host the mock Vis hearings before the actual rounds in Vienna, Austria.

    Tell us about your internship experience.

    (Anubhab has interned at PUCL, Fox & Mandal, Amarchand Mangaldas and with the Additional Solictor General in India.)

    It would be improper to rank these internships as each of these internships have been pivotal in my career, each of these internships are organizations carrying out very different activities. At PUCL, it was a dream as a first year law student having read so many landmark judgments this organization has been a part of, Fox Mandal gave me an idea as to the working of a top tier law firm. It was a challenge to prepare research notes perfectly so that the Associate would add your research to the memorandum.

    The internship with the Additional Solicitor General was a different experience altogether, this internship made me aware of the glamour present in the profession. Entering the Supreme Court with a legal legend in a Mercedes or BMW, researching on top notch celebrated cases, attending arbitration hearings at fancy hotels; it was a dream and it also told what you can achieve if you have proper and just dedication towards the profession.

    Whereas, Amarchand (which is arguably the best law firm in India) was almost living the life of a transactional lawyer. You knew you had to enter office by 9 AM but you did not have any clue regarding when you would leave for home. It was a different challenge, you had more than one task in your hand at a given time and it was mandatory to maintain deadlines. It was a fascinating experience for you’re almost treated as an employee when it comes to work. All these internships have been progressive to my development to whatever I am.  I have always been very selective towards my internships and one things that I have learnt is that it is the quality of the internships that matter, not the quantity.

     

    How did you apply for internship at the ASG’s office? What is the procedure?

    The application for an Internship at the ASG’s office is a very simple one but the selection is very limited. You will have to try and play your cards to your advantage. The normal application consists of a cover letter and your CV to the person in charge, but this does not ensure your selection. I had called him up personally and introduced myself and my zeal to work with him. I made sure I called his personal assistant once every week and kept my name around in loop. I was lucky that one evening I got a call from the ASG himself and he stated that he had come to Orissa High Court for a matter and if I wanted I could go and meet him at his hotel. You have to be persistent if you want something, it counts. Dedication and persistence has no replacement.

     

    How was your internship experience in London different from the ones here?

    (Anubhab has interned at the Essex Court Chambers, London, and at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, London.)

    Essex Court Chambers and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer both belong to the elite league of chambers and law firms, called the ‘magic circles’. Working at Essex Court Chamber can be compared to an amateur actor working with the Oceans 13 cast. It was a dream; I was working under the tutelage of Prof. Martin Hunter. My work usually consisted of researching on note points, assisting in research papers, participating in the Kings College London lectures, arranging modules and assisting him. The most amazing part of Essex Court was sharing elevators with luminaries like Malcolm Shaw, Toby Landau and other such greats, leaving aside working with Prof. Hunter himself. Freshfields was undoubtedly one of the best experiences I have ever had, arguably the best law firm in the world. The exposure an intern gets in a firm or chamber like this is unparalleled, an intern is made to be a part of client meetings, and there are separate sessions for interns enlightening them about social responsibility in a law firm. Pro bono work on a Friday was a must (also Fridays were dress down days, such that you could wear informal clothes to work, which was amazing); it consisted of assisting the homeless in London with  legal matters and other such activities. Socials were a frequent occurrence, where we could interact with any and everyone in the firm at a personal and professional level over drinks.

    The mentors were to take the interns out for lunch once a week to a nearby restaurant. These little things gives a different perspective to interns in regards to the working of a law firm and getting to know your mentor well adds to the understanding. I remember I was asked to draft a part of a memorandum along with a ‘summer associate’ from the New York office of Freshfields. You do enjoy the amount responsibility and the exposure was impeccable, managing time differences and sharing research and getting the work done. It was satisfying.

     

    What was the procedure you followed for your applications to the big shot law firms?

    Application to top shot law firms require a lot of patience, sending a mail with your CV is of course not enough. You will have to know how to sell your strengths and eclipse your weaknesses. While applying to Indian top tier firms I have often called the relevant HR first and tried to sell my strength in relation to a possibility regarding an internship in that firm. The HR will get annoyed if you push too much, you will have to be very confident and brief in what you say, once you do that, if you have done marginally well in convincing her she will ask you to send your CV. Once you do that you can place reliance on your CV for the rest to work out. In reality a HR in a top tier law firm gets almost 100 applications a day during the internship period. That conversation will surely create a mark and for the rest you can rely on your credentials. It has worked for me, the key I believe is patience and persistence, what is very important is that you have to know the limit so that it doesn’t work against you.

    Foreign Law firms on the hand have a very open process. You can apply only at a certain period and the application procedure consists of certain questions analyzing your career and character. These questions have a very critical word limit. For example, I once had faced a question which read such, ‘Mention all your achievements in school and law school, academically and co-curriculars’  the word limit was 250 words, you might think it is impossible to answer this question within 250 words but there lies the challenge of being precise and using simple English and sticking to the word limit. These simple things amount to qualification to the next round which is generally a logical reasoning test followed by an interview. Firms like Allen and Ovary, Herbert Smith and Clifford Chance has provisions for Indian students to work with them, more Indian students should avail these opportunity, even if you don’t qualify, the application procedure to these law firms teach you a lot of things. It’s quite a daunting task and an enriching experience.

     

    How important are grades?

    I believe CGPA does play an important role but only to a certain extent, one should maintain a CGPA of above 70 percent and then he/she can rely on his/her credentials to pull them through the rest. It is understood that a law school curriculum demands a lot of attention to many different things i.e. mooting, research papers, internships. It’s mandatory that you have a decent CV so that you can pull through the rest on the credibility of your CV. Everyone must be aware that Indian scenario of internship often depends on contacts but it is not that it can’t be done without contacts.

    I have believed in a simple model such that the networking you do in your first internship should open the gateway to your second and subsequently it will go on. Networking is an art, an art of dealing and mixing with people so it is essentially your work that ends up bearing results.

     

    Was your typical workday during your internships in India any different from your workday abroad?

    My normal work day in London would start with a fifteen minute walk by Chancery Lane to 64, Fleet Street (heard of legal London). At Freshfields, all the interns were supposed to meet for coffee at 9 AM the office café (Café 65) discussing our practice as we belonged to separate teams (some in arbitration, some in anti-trust etc.) . Our mentors came and picked us up and we were briefed about that days routine on our way from Café 65 to Whitefriars, the day would consist of general research work, briefing our mentor and other such activities like attending social drinks, team lunches/dinners, mentor lunches etc. The best part about interns and employees there is if your work gets over at 4 pm, you leave at 4 pm you don’t have to stay back to impress anyone for that doesn’t impress anyone. In India, though I have thoroughly enjoying working here an intern is bound to certain restrictions, an intern naturally can’t work into the office of a partner. I have noticed abroad there is no such guideline; anyone can walk in anywhere with a valid query or even for a casual chat if the person is free. There are some ideological differences but I think that doesn’t hamper the quality of work here.

     

    What were the prime difficulties you encountered interning abroad?

    To be frank there weren’t any difficulties as such (England being a common law country, there is lot of similarity with our system), in the beginning you were often unaware the standard of work/research you were expected to deliver, but my colleagues were more than welcoming and helpful. Though there were certain things which I wouldn’t call ‘difficulties’, for example my English colleagues over lunch would often humorously discuss various English Judges (like we would do, for example regarding Justice Singhvi’s Section 377 judgement) and deep threaded ‘English political occurrences’ which is not general knowledge to an Indian. I essentially had to keep track of legal developments in England and such other happenings as this a part of work environment ethos but there is no such significant ‘difficulty’.

     

    How are law firms abroad different from the ones at home?

    As I mentioned before, there is a lot more liberty for the interns in a law firm abroad. I think this is because of their intensive application procedure the holistic quality of the interns is above average, hence the exposure and responsibility given to interns is way more than that is given in Indian law firms. There is no hierarchical treatment there, you’re considered to be ‘worth it’ of you are working there. The level of responsibility is very satiating.

     

    How has your experience been working closely with such a legal luminary like Prof. Martin Hunter?

    It was living a dream to be working with a person like him. Who other than being a legal great is also a great human being. His approach to mentoring is not the traditional way, it was more like a mid way between practical and theoretical approach, it would make you think on different perspectives. One would realize along with law you learned a lot more, you learned about life. It was indeed an enriching experience, something I will remember all my life.

     

    anubhab-sarkar3Lastly, what are your plans for the future?

    I plan to do my LL.M. from Stanford University as it has been a dream; the professors and the course structures are unbelievable. The course on legal philosophy can be taken with the International Arbitration module, I have been working steady towards it hoping it will realize. I won’t be shocked if I squeeze in a couple of years of work post my graduation in order to neutralize some of the fees towards my LLM, in case of unavailability of additional funding.

    Internships are very important, it gives you a practical aspect of what you want to do in the future. Choose your internships very carefully it helps a great deal in analyzing your future chart. I have been very selective about my internships, of course this approach doesn’t often help because the place you want to work in might not have a vacancy, for such reasons it is mandatory to have a strong sense of determination. Even if you come 50% closer to your dreams, trust me it is a good run.

    Never be afraid dreaming, dreams shape us. Be optimistic, there is no replacement for hard work but that doesn’t mean you don’t have your share of fun. Don’t be a part of the rat race; keep an eye on the rat race from far away. You will get to know what you ‘don’t’ need to do. Moreover, always remember it is the noblest profession that you are in, as the greatness of a man depends on the number of people you serve, not the number of people who serve you (Something which I had picked up during my brilliant twelve years at St. Xavier’s Collegiate School). Lastly keep close to your friends; they are one of your greatest supports, I am glad to have a fantastic set of friends who I have grown up with in school. They help you channel yourself for the best!

  • Sandipan De, NALSAR, on commercial law, his diverse internship experience, and bagging a Training Contract with Allen & Overy

    Sandipan De, NALSAR, on commercial law, his diverse internship experience, and bagging a Training Contract with Allen & Overy

    Sandipan De is a student of NALSAR, Hyderabad, batch of 2015.  He has earned three gold medals through his years of B.A. LL.B. He has secured internships with the likes of PwC, Khaitan & Co., CNBC TV 18, Argus Partners (formerly Udwadia Udeshi & Argus Partners), Talwar Thakore & Associates (Indian 'best friend' firm of Linklaters LLP)Talwar Thakore & Associates, and AZB & Partners. He also received  the opportunity of signing a Training Contract with Allen & Overy, London. In this interview he talks about:

    • Taking up varied internships and developing specific interest
    • Securing a contract with Allen & Overy
    • A typical workday at a Magic Circle law firm

     

    Why did you decide to study Law? What inspired you to do so?

    I was interested in commerce and business from a very early age. I remember I used to read the Economist, BusinessWeek and preferred the Economic Times over a normal daily. I think that built up my interest in the commercial world. The choice was between doing something finance related or commercial law. I had a flair for the language and logical reasoning. I thought law would best marry both my interests. Thus, law school happened.

     

    What do you have to say about mooting at law school and legal writing for journals?

    I have done only one moot- Vis. I think I might not be best suited to air my views about mooting but I genuinely feel that mooting as an activity is over hyped in Indian law schools. During my exchange semester at Santa Clara I figured that Indian law schools seem to privilege mooting over other activities but the sort of help, coaching and resources in foreign law schools is unmatched here in India. You should definitely try your hand at mooting but it isn’t the be all and end all of law school. The experience and learning is great but it isn’t something you can’t do without. I think legal writing and editorial positions are possibly very important. The sort of skills you develop there are extremely relevant and the reason why I tried my hand more at legal writing was because it let me delve into any area I wanted- topics that interest me as opposed to the confines of a set problem.

     

    Tell us about your internship in the chamber of Senior Advocate, Saha & Ray Associates & IMS Learning Resources.

    Well a bit of both to be honest. I wanted to try out the experience of litigation and see how a small law firm worked. I liked the experience and helped me decide that I did not see myself in litigation. Transactional practice was what I wanted. I have been teaching at IMS since my second year of law school. I really like this, as it keeps me in touch with the law aspirants and I enjoy teaching really bright students and try to advise them in making informed decisions.

     

    Coal India Limited & CNBC TV 18 are unconventional internship choices. What went behind making those decisions?

    I have to admit that by this time I was sure that I wanted to be in commercial law and had a sort of idea of what I wanted to do. I planned to see commercial law in action from every different facet possible. Commercial litigation, a behemoth PSU, etc. I interned with the only show that dealt with corporate law in India, while at CNBC, and that possibly was one of the best experiences during internships because of its unconventional nature.

     

    What kind of exposure did you gain with PwC?

    I worked with the in-house counsel’s team which was in the risk management vertical. Working with a Big Four was a different cultural experience and the risk management team was a whole new experience- it was about one client and trying to ensure best practices and the best risk management policies. I am not at liberty to divulge the sort of work I did but it was really interesting, tested your mettle and understanding of the business and involved coming up with best practice policies to guard against present and future liabilities.

     

    What is a typical day like working at law firms?

    AZB is still freshly etched in my memory. It was brilliant work. The work hours were exceptionally long but I enjoyed the thrill of working on India’s biggest transactions. It involved everything from simple research work to even trying your hand at drafting documents. I have to accept that the work I got from seniors was top-notch, they relied on you, gave you responsibility, expected you to put in the long hours but appreciated you for it. UU Argus was a relatively smaller environment and I really enjoyed the personal touch and the individual attention I got. Possibly, this is where I had completely made up my mind on transactional practice.

     

    You were selected in the Winter Vacation Scheme of Allen & Overy. Our readers are very keen to know how the entire application process works and what they look for in a student when making selections?

    After you get selected for the vacation scheme A&O is the only firm which gives Indian students the option of going for a winter scheme as opposed to the conventional summer scheme. The Magic Circle and Silver Circle firms come down to a select few law schools in India and interview the candidates for their vacation schemes (which are akin to an internship) after having shortlisted students on the basis of the application form which is released in July of fourth year through the RCC.  Some law firms have more rounds after the application form including but not limited to critical reasoning and verbal reasoning tests. The interviews are usually sometime in September.

     

    How was your experience in the UK working at Allen & Overy? How did you manage the finances and accommodation?

    Finances and accommodation including travel are paid for by the firm. On top of that the firm pays you a weekly stipend. London is not just a great city but a financial, cultural and political capital. It is a thrilling experience to be working in the City of London (which is the financial district) and enjoying the thriving cultural life that London offers which is truly unparalleled. You are working in the world’s greatest financial centre on the biggest and best of deals- transactions that are FT headlines. A&O is a great place- possibly the friendliest of the Magic Circle firms, offers great quality work, exposure and training. Possibly, that is true for all of the MC firms but what really sets A&O apart is that they treat you as an individual, really care about you as a person, your career, future and training and the work atmosphere is collegiate. I never felt like ‘just an intern’. It was the best experience I had had and I was sure that if I was offered the TC A&O and London is where I wanted to be.

     

    Tell us about your typical working day and the sort of work you were expected to do? How were your fellow co-interns?

    I am presuming that you are asking about the A&O work during the vacation scheme. A standard day involved a commute on the famous London tube to work and reach ingoffice by 8:30 a.m. Put in half an hour of personal work (glancing through the FT, reading up on the topic for the client pitch exercise, mailing a couple of people to benefit from their expertise on a particular area, etc.). I would then carry out the tasks delegated to me by my Trainer, possibly meet my fellow vac schemers for coffee at eleven on the rooftop restaurant which gives you possibly one of the best views of the City and catch up on where we are with our client pitch exercise. Go back to my desk and continue with my allocated tasks. Usually there would be a networking lunch with different people drawn from diverse practices of the firm to know more about the practice areas and the firm in general. We would typically have a couple of talks scheduled by the HR, Partners, etc. during the afternoon which we would need to attend. Following that there would be that surprise drinks counter at the inhouse bar called Lavanda where you would grab a couple of drinks with your fellow vac schemers and catch up on the latest, know more about each other’s work in different departments and then head off to your accommodation unless you had a dinner or social event to attend. The dinners are usually at top-end restaurants and the social event would be really exciting stuff like ice skating at the Tower of London where you would be accompanied by your Trainer buddy and other young trainees at the firm with whom you can informally interact and they would give you informal advice and buy you a couple of drinks after a hard days’ work. You then get back to your accommodation and prepare for your interview or research for your group exercises and then try to catch some sleep to prepare for another exciting day ahead.

     

    You are joining Allen & Overy after graduation. How did this work out? What would be your advice to those law students who want to secure such a contract?

    After the vacation scheme you fill up a form for the Training Contract application and appear for an interview with a Recruitment Partner on your last day. Once you get back to India the HR will let you know the outcome within a week’s time. Be yourself. There is no one sort of personality that they are looking for. Technical competence is a given. The HR can look through if you are feigning interest and thus I would suggest that you venture down this road if you are really interested in commercial law and you know that this is your calling. Try your hand at everything in law school but keep yourself focussed. Be commercially aware. Very very aware. Do you apps very well so that your real personality is communicated through it. At the interview stage do not try to be a person you are not. I remember that a few people mentioned two so-called ‘tests’ that you need to pass- one is the client test and the other is ‘can we work with you test’. The latter is self explanatory and the former essentially points to whether the firm can put you in front of a client and can you hold your own. The other difference I have to highlight is that the foreign firms value a more holistic approach rather than just technical knowledge. As I said, technical competence is a given, client context and permeating a legal solution through a commercially viable idea is what is expected.

     

    Any tips for an intern who wants to get noticed at work by dint of her performance?

    Again, be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you are not. Work hard and network with people. Talk to people. Never be afraid to walk through someone’s door and ask for work. The worst that can happen is that person telling you that there is no work at present to delegate and you should ask someone else. Lawyers are a very intelligent crowd. Be a person whom people can work with. I would say know your politics, current affairs, music, etc. At the end of the day you need to be a person with whom everyone enjoys working with. You can spew all the jargon you want but hitting up a conversation with a person on a topic he is keenly interested in would cast a far deeper impression than knowing a particular SEBI regulation. Of course that too is important. (Remember the ‘can we work with you test’)

     

    How well do you think your education at law school prepared you for real world practice? What do you feel about 5th year in the B.A. LL.B course at NLUs? Is it sufficiently utilized or needs a huge revamp?

    I think the new academic model at NALSAR and the practical and industry oriented courses have really gone a long way in helping us prepare for the real world of practice. I have to thank the seniors and the informal mechanisms at NALSAR which are a sine qua non. I think all that forms a part of the legal education package. I like the idea of fifth year. Lot of partying to look forward to. I can’t speak for all NLU’s but the new model at NALSAR with single credit optionals on such varied subjects along with interesting opportunities like Teaching Assistantships are really exciting and I look forward to the last year of law school. I am TA-ing for Contracts and can’t wait to get back to college.

     

    You were part of the RCC at your college. What prompted you to volunteer for it?

    I am part of the RCC which is a peer-elected body as the placement process at NALSAR is completely student run. I wanted to run for the RCC because securing your job is important but if you can play a small part in facilitating your batchmates’ jobs- people whom you have literally lived with for the four years in law school- there is no satisfaction like that. The work involves negotiations with organisations, facilitating on-campus interviews, working in a team and trying to secure jobs for all. Involves drafting documents, making pitches, interacting with industry honchos, strategising and not so glorious tasks like running around getting tea, arranging desks and chairs, moving beds to arrange for interviews, etc. The experience is definitely worth it. I work with a great team of people in the RCC. I think the excellent Day Zero figures from NALSAR are a testament to that. I am proud to have a batch where everyone is behind the RCC and don’t just retire into their rooms and let the RCC do all the work. Plus, we have an extremely proactive and excellent administration who always have your back. My sincere hope is to see all my classmates placed as soon as possible.

     

    Does being from one of the top three NLUs really come with additional perks?

    Well, this might be controversial but I do believe that the top NLUs do have it better for their students. I think it is about getting an edge over others. However, it is not something that one can’t make up.

     

    How important are grades in securing a job?

    It is definitely important. It does get your foot in through the door but CGPA isn’t the only thing. At the end of the day once you are inside that interview room or in that internship it is your competence that matters and not just your gradesheet.

     

    Any advice you would like to give to law students aspiring for a job at top law firms?

    Go for it only if you really like commercial law. Try to understand the business and commercial angle to things. That makes it really interesting. Try to learn as much as you can. Contrary to the popular gyan on the topic no task is unimportant- even if you are doing a proofread you are getting the chance to see a document which you would have otherwise never seen. I would say put your mind to it try to understand the transaction, the clauses, ask questions. No one will mind if you are interested and ask questions about the work that they are doing. I think you should rather prepare from your first two years. Try to figure out early in the day where your interests lie. Whether it be commercial law, policy work, social justice or opening a restaurant- figure out early and work towards it from the beginning.

     

    Lastly, what would be your message to our readers?

    I had a great time at NALSAR over the past four years and made friends for a lifetime, had seniors that I would look up to forever, some of the greatest professors to whom I would be indebted to forever. Don’t lose yourself over CGPA and the proverbial ‘CV building’. Surely that is important but do enjoy law school. It is a unique experience. Very few careers in India offer you the sort of opportunities that law school does. Pay homage to the Old Monk, be intensely loyal to your university, make great friends, and have the time of your life.

  • Nimisha Mund, GNLU, on securing a PPO, her diverse internship experience, and the importance of extracurricular engagements

    Nimisha Mund, GNLU, on securing a PPO, her diverse internship experience, and the importance of extracurricular engagements

    Nimisha Mund is a student of GNLU, batch of 2015.  She has interned with the likes of O.P. Khaitan & Co., Solicitors & Advocates, Phoenix Legal, and Trilegal. During her time as an undergraduate she has also participated in the Herbert Smith Freehills NUJS Moot Court Competition, 2013, 15th DM Harish International Moot Court Competition, 2014 (on Public International Law), has been a member of the Legislative Drafting Clinic for the “Trade Secret Bill” under the guidance of Ms. Kalpana Reddy, First Secretary for Intellectual Property, Embassy of the United States of America, India and Mr. Hitesh Barot, Senior Intellectual Property Counsel & Vice President, Technology Policy, GE India. Her other accomplishments include being Student Research Assistant in the Microsoft Research Chair, established in GNLU and being the Elected Female Representative of GNLU, batch 2010-15.

    Nimisha has secured a pre-placement offer from Trilegal an astounding one year and seven months prior to the completion of her degree.

    In this interview we speak to her about:

    • Importance of extra-curricular activities
    • Securing top-notch law firm internships
    • And working at a top law firm and getting a PPO

    Tell us a bit about your life before college; did you have lawyers in your family?

    Well, my pre-college life did not feature anyone from the legal fraternity in it. What it did feature, however were inspiring individuals who allowed me to imbibe the qualities, which, I’d like to believe make me a good lawyer. Pre-college life otherwise was fun, much more relaxed. I played a lot of sports, and read a lot through school but inherently was the same- I approached everything with the tenacity of a bloodhound!

    Why did you decide to study Law? What inspired you to do so?

    In the beginning it was quite by accident. I had intended on concentrating on preparation for other entrances and the course I took for a month offered an hour of law coaching for four Saturdays. Once I saw the extent of analysis involved in the legal education, I, frankly, was hooked. Thereafter I decided there was no other vocational calling for me. And then of course, there’s the brass tacks!

    How important is it to have publications to your name?

    The gold stars on the CV have been identified as such because of what they show about the lawyer and not the other way round. I believe there is no better way to exhibit your legal acumen and yes, to add to your CV. Though this I feel is contingent on your manner of writing. Its about taking a stance and not just assimilating and disseminating the jurisprudence on the topic.

    How was this novel experience of working with Ms. Kalpana Reddy?

    A very rewarding experience. Learning the nuances of drafting a legislation, choosing the best from foreign legislations, interviewing the stakeholders and learning how to plug loopholes in the law is something, the gains of which I shall carry throughout my life as a lawyer. And the best part is still to come…that is when you look at that piece of legislation once it gets passed and say, Hey! I helped draft that!

    How important are extracurricular engagements?

    Extremely important. And I cannot stress on this enough. It’s a run of the mill answer but that does not take away from the truth of it- that it gives you the skill of being a good team worker bracketed by the ability to hold your own as a leader. More specifically to sports, the way you learn to push your boundaries is amazing.

    Our readers would be quite curious to know how you went about securing your internships.

    Some were on merit, while some were not. I had my heart set on Trilegal –especially after a talk we had from a Partner at Trilegal in our college, and each internship was undertaken to enable myself to deliver well at Trilegal and secure a placement. I planned to do this in the fourth year, but when our college called for internships in the third year, I decided I was prepared. One other important thing I did was, that rather than get more ‘names’ on my CV, I interned at the same place again, because that allowed me to get better work, and learn a lot more, as then they trust your capabilities.

    Did you stagger your internships throughout law school as part of a deliberate plan or did it all just happen by chance?

    Very much deliberate. Some things in corporate law really impressed me. Taking the common example of securitization for instance—such ‘man-made processes’ (for want of a better word)—the fact that people thought of such efficient systems really intrigued me. I continued with corporate law in most internships and that held me in good stead.

    While there is nothing better than hands-on-experience, one shouldn’t undermine the education you get in a classroom. Citing a simple example, while you’re at your internship, its much easier to navigate your way through laws when you are given a proposition, if you’ve studied the law beforehand.

    What kind of work did you have to do during your internships?

    Well everyone gets menial work once in a while, I did too. Take everything positively. Getting a document to proofread is still an opportunity to dissect the agreement, find out what are the boiler-plate clauses (the must haves). Few are wise enough to avail of such opportunities.  Besides that I’ve been  lucky to be given some fantastic work as well. I’m a total sucker for an innovative argument, so any proposition that had me look totally out of the box, and I loved it.

    How must one go about organising their internships?

    Well, one must start out with a litigation internship in my opinion. If you intern at a firm in the early years, it won’t really be a mutually beneficial experience, that is to say that the firm might not really gain from your contribution, but it is indisputable that you will. It might even give you an edge over others. But keep in mind that there is a high attrition rate from firms so if one day you wish to leave that field and start litigation, you should have some experience to fall back upon.

    What do you think an intern should accomplish in the course of their internship to get a “callback”?

    Diligence as well as intelligence. Deliver work on time and once you’re done you should be able to go and brief the person who allocated the work to you in the best manner. Soft Skills are important. To perform better, I’d say there’s nothing like a good dose of curiosity! Don’t shy away from asking the lawyer the background that they want the research in, it’ll give you a deeper understanding of the way things work. A simple example being, that what you might have thought was a simple research point on contingent contracts might actually be to build an argument for option contracts and the lawyer was too busy to tell you that. So ask away.

     

    Did you have to undergo an interview before securing your PPO?

    Yes, I had an interview with barely an hour’s notice! Thankfully I was abreast with the latest developments in the corporate world. The most important factor is knowing all the work in your CV in and out. Not just that but all the latest developments and anything ancillary to that. Confidence in an interview is extremely important. My advice to all reading this is that there’s one thing you constantly need  to question- “why me”. Why should they pick you out of the hordes of applicants. Everybody can have an answer, it’s hardly the holy grail and it not only increases your confidence but will shine through to your interviewer. Yet more important is that you know your audience, gauge your interviewer’s style, you need to know when you have to have the tact to swallow back an acerbic retort, as it’ll be frowned upon and when it will be appreciated.

    How important are good grades in securing a job?

    I’d say its extremely important. I’m not a topper. But it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have a great CGPA. It’s just that you have to compensate by performing much, much better.

    What should one law student aspiring for a job at top law firms do?

    I know it’s a cliché but there is no substitute for hard work. Couple that with smart work, i.e. knowing the right websites to keep you updated etc. and I think everyone will have the right concoction.

    Lastly, what would be your message to our readers?

    I’d say that we’re lucky to be in a profession where our job need not be just a means to an end. We don’t have to be just chanting “TGIF” and plod doggedly through the week but actually enjoy our work, its dynamic and analytical nature. So keep that in mind, enjoy your work, be opinionated and on a more serious note, if you pick a niche area in your work, pick it wisely.

  • Roma Das, law student, RMLNLU, on getting an offer from AMSS, her internship experience and plans for the future

    Roma Das, law student, RMLNLU, on getting an offer from AMSS, her internship experience and plans for the future

    Roma Das is a student at RMLNLU, batch of 2014.  She has secured a pre-placement offer from Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co.

    In this interview we speak to her about:

    • The importance of mooting and of grades in law School.
    • How to choose an internship.
    • What it takes to get a call back

     

    Why did you decide to study law?

    I took commerce with math in my 12th, and had not thought of doing law. But that was more cause I didn’t know much about the profession. Career counselling workshops introduced it as an interesting and viable option.

     

    Do you have any lawyers in your family?

    I don’t have any lawyers in my family. And I do think that having relatives with legal backgrounds is invaluable for everyone who wants to litigate. It makes the process much easier.

     

    What are the extracurricular activities you took part at RMLNLU?

    I participated in moot court competitions, debates and other literary events.

     

    Do you think mooting is beneficial for law students?

    I would definitely recommend mooting for every law student. After all, law school is all about developing reasoning and researching skills. However, I don’t think  mooting is the be-all and end-all of a law student’s college life. But having said that, I maintain that it is an invaluable part and reflects that one can manage extra-curricular activities as well as academics.

     

    What are the law firms where you interned?

    Apart from AMSS, I’ve interned at a couple of other firms specializing in corporate and media law.

     

    What was the procedure you followed to apply to these law firms?

    Since I was always interested in Corporate Law, I looked for firms that had that as a major practice area. Once I had zeroed in on the firms, I just sent my internship application and followed up.

     

    What was the kind of work was allotted to you during your internships?

    During the span of all of my internships, I was fortunate enough to get a wide variety of good work. So while I drafted agreements, legal opinions and notes, I also did a lot of standard research work.

     

    You secured a job with AMSS as a ‘PPO’. How was the experience of that internship?

    Roma DasI interned at AMSS once before I secured my PPO. I interned with the General Corporate Team and got good work.

     

    What do you think an intern should accomplish during an internship in order to get a “call back”?

    You should give your best to every assignment and not merely focus on mechanically completing tasks.

     

    How do you think one should go about writing a CV when they are applying for a job?

    I think it’s important that your CV reflect the kind of work you want to do.  So for example, if you’re interested in corporate law, the work you’ve done at your previous internships should reflect that.

     

    How did you go about preparing for your interview?

    I brushed up my basics: Contracts, Business Laws, Property, IPR. I also kept up with the latest legal developments and prepared everything that I’d put on my CV.

     

    Do the law firms usually provide the candidates with an option to work with the teams of their choice while recruiting?

    A preference of practice area is usually provided.

     

    Many law students strongly believe that getting a job at one of the top 3 law firms is mostly about securing a high GPA. Would you agree?

    I cannot negate the importance of grades, but at the same time would like to emphasize that ultimately it’s all about how you work, and whether your team is happy with your work.

     

    Your advice to the law students aspiring to secure a job at top law firms?

    It is absolutely essential to have a grasp on basic subjects like contracts, company law, property, Constitutional law, IPR, and arbitration. This list is not exhaustive, of course, and one needs to keep in mind their areas of interest, but the basics are essential. Apart from that, it is important to keep abreast of the legal developments taking place in the country and abroad. This is all about what one can do to build his knowledge base. The next important thing is that one should aim at internships at law firms that have the relevant practice areas. So for example, if you’re sure you want to practice Corporate Law, there is just no point in going on doing litigation internships. And good grades don’t hurt, of course. That’s the first thing recruiters see on your CV.