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  • In Conversation with: Nishant Chaturvedi, Compliance Business Partner, R & D (India)

    In Conversation with: Nishant Chaturvedi, Compliance Business Partner, R & D (India)

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

    Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this Q-A discussion are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the company they work for.

    Would you like to tell our audience about what motivated you to choose law as a career?

    For me becoming a lawyer meant learning about negotiation and people management, two of the really important skills to succeed in life.

    Nishant, we all have our struggle stories to share, and I mean not struggle specifically but yeah the obstacles that one has to overcome, would you mind throwing light upon those?

    One obstacle rather a challenging situation that I faced in my last role as an in-house counsel in the current company was leading a global project that involved folks mostly from medical background basically non-lawyers and this was difficult because we all were responsible to ensure that research trials continue without any hiccups due to this transition.

    I had to make a lot of effort to understand the science behind trials , identify relevant stakeholders and also define a governance process without undermining my counterparts from medical team. This experience gave me lot of confidence to not only design & lead projects of global significance but also work across divisions and functions to achieve success.

    These compliance processes have been there since a long time, but a sudden increase was noticed post-covid, what do you think can be the reasons for it?

    COVID 19 created frankly a perfect storm of economic pressure and operational disruption…hackers infiltrating your network or attack against corporate data science or not using IT assets for its intended purpose/ cutting & pasting data from one application to another! In other words, pandemic created new risks that business might not have had to worry about before and impact is to an extent that these risks now exceed whatever controls you previously used.

    Today the need of the hour is develop a sustainable compliance framework- one that can track/measure new risks and in parallel test and document controls as necessary, and guide remediation efforts. Most importantly, business should make proactive efforts to integrate compliance into operations because many times business change their approach/strategy without involving compliance and this means existing internal controls no longer fit their original purpose.

    In post COVID 19 world this thought process is needed to stay ahead of competitors and ensuring compliance with policies.

    People say in-house counsel should also have a business acumen, maybe if we can call them an “All Rounder” here, what are your views on the same Nishant?

    We live in world that requires us to embrace and plan for change. Same goes for in-house counsel. The common perception was ‘legal is reactive and not proactive’. But now what I see is with time its the legal function that often bears the maximum burden of changes that companies go through…all this while coping with constant demands for greater efficiency/productivity and cost savings.

    The role of the in-house lawyer has evolved into new areas such as Govt. Affairs, Audit and Compliance reporting, CSR etc… this is more than just a change of job title, it’s an acknowledgment that your in-house counsel is part of C-suite. This also conveys the strategic nature of legal function and the contribution it makes to company’s growth.

    Nishant, do you think India has been following up sincerely with the GDPR regulations/privacy protocols or like me you are also of a view that it was violated during the covid times?

    Data is the new currency and it only makes sense for companies to invest in protecting their data. India in my view seems to be on right track as outlook towards privacy has changed considerably in privacy space and this is largely because of a collaborative approach by govt and private companies. However to continue with this momentum we need to invest heavily in technology and associated controls to meet privacy requirements faster.

    Not everyone has the ability to navigate through different regulations, but you do that so well, what are the strategies for the same that you apply constantly in your routine?

    Stay informed, attend online events to keep a tab regarding changes in regulations. Some online/in person conferences can really provide useful insights. Subscribe to blogs and newsletters. Join industry associations, its a great way to stay connected with changes in your field.

    How do you maintain the work-life balance Nishant?

    I actually like to term it as work-life integration because this will bring several aspects of work life such as work, family, well-being under same roof. I can choose to manage personal tasks during work hours and vice Versa. The biggest plus I see with this approach is flexibility eg. allowing me coordinate my schedule and responsibilities more productively.

    Let tips in my experience:

    a) Learn to say no- very important part of setting boundaries

    b) ask for flexibility- open conversation about your needs vs. your employer/team needs can lead to win-win scenario

    c) make space in your schedule for family time

    d) always remember your work and managers can wait but your friends/family and personal milestones will not.

    Nishant, being a mentor yourself, please give a few pieces of advice for our readers?

    Mentorship does not have to be a formal process but in our field it’s a crucial form of support for budding lawyers/law school students. Its important to recognise that a mentee places a lot of trust so a mentor should take out time of their schedule to help mentee develop and grow. But its equally important that mentee also assumes responsibility for learning because a mentor can only give you tools and guidance.

    Lastly recognize that the mentor maybe phenomenal but will have a limit to the knowledge and abilities, its important to not get upset or disappointed because your mentor cannot answer all questions but make the most of their time and knowledge in areas where they can.

    Get in touch with Nishant Chaturvedi-

  • In Conversation with: Hina Shaheen, Advocate and Attorneys at JusContractus and Legal Author at Bar and Bench

    In Conversation with: Hina Shaheen, Advocate and Attorneys at JusContractus and Legal Author at Bar and Bench

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

    Was pursuing law planned or did it all happen by chance?

    It was anything but planned. To start with, I wanted to be a doctor but couldn’t afford coaching. Then I was drawn to psychology and it was fascinating. However, the fate had something else for me. After my graduation, I decided to sit for the law entrance of Delhi University. To my own surprise, I got a very good rank. I thought I must give it a try. First day in Law Faculty was the day of my liberation. And the rest is history.

    What can be some of the toughest considerations while someone from a non-legal background has to see before opting law as a career?

    Response: It can be quite tough for a person from a non-legal background. Firstly, law as a subject is highly demanding. Without the right guidance and mentorship, one is bound to lose the way. However before making any career decision, one must always ask why.

    What I have always advised my juniors and followed myself is, listen to your heart and follow your passion. With the passion in place, you can overcome any and all challenges.

    Another tough choice that one would face is where to start and where do I eventually want to end up. These questions don’t have an easy answer. Law is very vast, it sometimes takes years to finally find something that resonates with your disposition. Patience and persistence are the two mantras one should live by. In due time, you will find your niche.

    As someone who is well versed in arbitration matters, what initiated you into arbitration? What currently are the emerging trends in arbitration?

    Even specialising in arbitration was not planned. I got a chance to work on an arbitration matter at JusContractus. The dispute was intricate but interesting. We faced a challenge on interpretation of s.27 of the Arbitration Act, which deals in seeking court’s assistance in taking evidence. A lot of research and brainstorming went into that and that’s how my love affair with arbitration began.

    Coming to emerging trends in arbitration. The law in arbitration often has been subjected to many amendments. Essentially, an arbitration is a dispute resolution mechanism, alternate to litigation.

    The parties have autonomy to choose their arbitrator and opt for expeditious disposal of the dispute. The goal is to minimize judicial intervention. The courts have been circumspect in dealing with challenges to arbitral awards, tilt has been towards upholding the award than setting it aside. 

    Further, recently it was stated by Justice Hima Kohli, Hon’ble Judge, Supreme Court of India, at a book launch that, we have to ensure that arbitration should not become another litigation. There is a growing realization that arbitration must be simplified and be made effective through robust enforcement strategies.

    Quite often, we have seen the importance of ‘Legal Content and editing’ undervalued, what’s your take on the same?

    Response: On the contrary, I find legal journalism extremely useful and respectable. It combines the skills set of two public oriented professions. It requires attention to detail and fact-check of all dates and citations, in-depth legal research and great interpersonal skills. Legal content writing essentially constitutes a bridge between law and layman. In my personal experience, legal writing brings a ton of clarity to the thought process and helps to put a proposition in a simplified manner to get the point across, something every lawyer ought to master.

    Nowadays, people don’t have that zeal to pursue a career in litigation, what can be the reason for that apart from job security in corporate?

    Response: Litigation is like literature. One has to keep at it for a long time till you find your place in it. What I see is that in a fast paced world, there is enormous pressure on law graduates to find a lucrative placement right after college. Litigation, on the contrary, needs time and investment. Unless, you have a legal background, it takes lot of faith and perseverance to stick out.

    Corporate, on the other hand, can give you quick returns. Nevertheless, one needs to be well-versed in law in both cases, to be successful. Again, at the cost of reiteration, I must sound a word of caution that one must not be swayed by the glamour of the litigation, must follow his/her instincts and passion, as there are other  creative vocations in law as well that one must explore.

    “Best Young Achiever” award by itself sounds so special, would you mind sharing your experience and some roadmap you followed or what worked best for you so far in your career?

    It was truly special. I received the award from Late Mr. Soli Sorabjee and was in complete awe of him. Honestly, I had never imagined receiving an award for my work in arbitration. But it feels nice to be recognised. One mantra that I have followed and have brought me immense satisfaction is that whatever you do, do it to the best of your capabilities. You never know what might get attention.

    So many times we have seen contractual disputes because of a minor mistake, what can be done to improve the situation and erase the disputes?

    That’s a very good question. Often I have seen in my experience that the parties do not pay adequate attention to contract drafting and structuring. In such cases, where the contracts are undermined and the understanding assumed by the parties, without having the same incorporated in the contract, there are bound to be disputes. All contracts look just fine until they are tested in real time. The most important is the dispute resolution clause, which needs to be carefully drafted.

    Sometimes, parties in order to save costs on legal advice, often end up being embroiled in more expensive legal battles. Therefore, it is imperative that parties should seek sound legal guidance on contract drafting before signing an agreement.

    Talking about work-life balance, there has been ample amount of discussion on health issues as a lawyer, what do you believe are the best practices to maintain the equilibrium? 

    Response: Law as a profession can be quite ruthless at times. Late night research and drafting, running from one court to another and not to forget, endlessly waiting for your matter in court. These occasions can throw your health for a toss. As the greatest asset of a lawyer is his/her mind, it is all the more essential to maintain a healthy equilibrium and to keep his/her mind and body in good shape. Daily workouts, meditation, yoga, adopting healthy eating habits are some of the lifestyle changes one can include.

    Few advice for our young law professionals?

    I see legal profession as an intellectual’s delight. It is one of the most respectable professions. Becoming a lawyer is matter of prestige. It is to each one of you what you want to make of it. Don’t go by convention, go where your interest takes you.

    Do not be afraid of making mistakes, you want to have your stories of struggles to tell the younger generation. And not to forget, knowledge is power. Never stop learning and developing on your skills set. Believe in yourself and put the black suit on.

    -Hina Shaheen

    Get in touch with Hina Shaheen-

  • In Conversation with: Aonghus Kelly, Executive Director of Irish Rule of Law International.

    In Conversation with: Aonghus Kelly, Executive Director of Irish Rule of Law International.

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

    How do you see law as a career and what strategies can make the journey better when someone opts for law?

    I see it as an amazingly diverse and varied career that offers endless possibilities and opportunities. The law is one of the cornerstones of every human society for good or ill. I think pursuing a career in the type of law that interests you if at all possible is key. You will hopefully be working for many years so being enthusiastic and committed to that career will be much easier if you enjoy that area of law and are interested in it.

    Let’s not kid ourselves though, if we as lawyers don’t respect the rule of law then how can we expect others too. With the great rights we enjoy come great responsibilities.

    Being an international lawyer, how do you manage completing the tasks considering the fact that you should always be aware of the recent legal updates on the same?

    I think one has to be open to learning every single day as a lawyer, from your clients and your colleagues. There is always something new to learn and therefore grow and improve. This is particularly so in international law as you are often working with different contexts, legal systems, languages and cultures.

    The way you’ve handled critical cases is commendable, but then on the same hand, do you take the assistance of legal tech or some AI tools to manage laborious tasks in your litigation practice?

    The future of human society in general will be driven by developments in technology. The law is no different. We can already see the massive effect on the gathering of evidence that recent technologies have created. It also will be hugely important in the way we as humans deal with the effects of the climate emergency. Lawyers will have a key role in the massive improvements we need across the planet to move to sustainable methodologies that create a fairer, more just society.

    The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda that is an enormous part of legal practice today, and will only grow, also demands that we examine how technology can assist in dealing with the enormous challenges we face.

    It would be great if you can share a roadmap in terms of your career?

    I studied law after secondary school at University College Cork in Ireland. I later qualified as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand while living there. I then qualified as a solicitor in Ireland and then completed a master’s degree in International Human Rights Law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway while working a solicitor in the city.

    I then moved to the United Kingdom and worked on human rights cases there and was admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales. Following on from that I worked at the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo on mass atrocity cases from the war in that country.

    While in Sarajevo I completed a Diploma in Islamic Studies at Sarajevo University. I later moved to the Special Prosecution Office in Pristina in Kosovo where I worked on both organised crime and wars crimes cases.

    Having represented victims and worked in the prosecution I wanted to undertake some defence work. I moved to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts in Cambodia (ECCC) where I worked on the team defending IM Chaem and I was admitted as an attorney in that jurisdiction.

    After my time in Phnom Penh, I moved to Libya where I worked for the European Union on assisting our Libyan colleagues with work on their criminal justice system. Most recently I was Executive Director of Irish Rule Law International, and I have been admitted as a solicitor in Northern Ireland.

    I am presently undertaking a master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge as well as working in my present post.

    How do you manage work-life balance?

    Badly I think many of my family and friends would say. But I think I am getting better, at least I hope so, but it is a struggle I must admit. Doing a master’s in Cambridge certainly demands that I move away from work and to my studies every day. I also like to play and watch sport so that helps a lot.

    Lastly some tips for our readers?

    Well, everyone has their own route, but I think the parting words of my mother before I left the car and started in boarding school when I was 12 are still key in my view. “Never look down on anyone, never think you are better than anyone, respect everyone you meet.”

    I am a great admirer of the Stoic philosophers also, so much to learn from them and from wise thinkers around the world from Rumi to the Buddha to Mandela to Iris Murdoch. Finally, happiness is perspective, as lawyers we are lucky to have the chance to change the world, work on being happy, it will help you achieve much more.

    Get in touch with Aonghus Kelly-

  • In Conversation with: Denis Sadovnikov, Data Protection Officer, Sberbank and External Expert, Consultant and Coach at Data Privacy Office Europe

    In Conversation with: Denis Sadovnikov, Data Protection Officer, Sberbank and External Expert, Consultant and Coach at Data Privacy Office Europe

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

    Was pursuing law pre-planned for you or did it happen by chance?

    Legal profession was my deliberate choice. Since my childhood I have been passionate about my rights, rights of others, human rights, justice and the degree of compatibility of state’s legislation with law.    

    What were the struggles you faced in the beginning?

    I gained my first legal experience when I was a teenager. When I was sixteen I helped my parents in their litigations. It was arduous and disappointing sometimes. I saw incompetent judges, judges who neglected and perverted the law. And I saw plenty of pieces of legislation which were obviously outdated or unjust.

    My family was poor, that is why I started my legal education as military-police cadet (this option is completely paid by the state), this way demanded hard work not only to master the subjects but also to pursue some police duties.

    Additionally, I managed to participate in some legal scientific societies, conferences and provide vulnerable people with legal advice and help for free. During my study I got acquainted with ICRC activities and became true adherent of ICRC and IHL.

    When I graduated from the university, I gave up the career at the police service because the reality there was far from principles of rule of law and human rights priorities. Then it turned out that graduated professionals with the background of police universities are much less demanded on the market.

    That is why I had to develop, approve and demonstrate the highest level of legal professionality continuously. I tried to obtain advanced experience, pursue scientific researches and started working as lecturer in law.            

    According to you Denis, as a law student, where should the focus be on, the hard work on academics or smart work on networking and building a great skill-set?

    I think both elements are important. They complement each other. Networking helps you demonstrate your competence but you should actually have what to demonstrate.

    What are your views on AI or legal tech adoption, what restrictions will it have in the coming years?

    Every technology may be used for good and for evil, particularly, technologies which we currently embrace under AI umbrella term. These technologies are able to improve our life enormously but on the other hand they might affect human societies devastatingly.

    Particular concerns are connected to potential loss of human control, dehumanization of decision-making, surveillance, profiling and manipulation of will. Threats regarding to automation of weapon also should be stressed.

    AI needs regulation as well as we regulate nuclear energy. I believe that we should regulate such powerful technology both on international and domestic level in order to put human first and make technology serve people and uplift humans’ personality, not degrade it, prevent inflicting harm and misuse of AI systems.         

    Denis, you’ve been quite active as a Data Protection Officer since Feb 2022, what are the roles and responsibilities of the same?

    To cut a long story short, I’m responsible for development and maintaining Privacy Management System throughout AI lifecycle, including design stage, collecting data, forming dataset training of the model, its testing and deployment.

    On the one hand I should assess whether we are entitled to use particular data for development of particular model (indicate personal data, assess purposes of processing, define necessary amount of data, minimize data and processing operations, chose appropriate legal ground for processing, provide transparent communication with data subjects, weight up their reasonable expectations and the context of processing, define storage period and destruction mechanism as well as protective measures, etc.).

    On the other hand my role is to assess the possible impact of particular AI solution on data subjects’ rights and freedoms.

    DPO is both the advocate of data subject defending human rights as well as business assistant helping to find and implement solutions which are compliant with law and comfortable for users. Correlating these two points is crucial to implement Privacy by Design.

    Another significant thing is definition of applicable law and rationalizing legal requirements of different jurisdictions. It is also important to be familiar with world-best trends and approaches and be ready to implement them. Additionally, it is worth to be mentioned that DPO should make sure that all employees are aware of data protection issues and able to handle data in accordance with internal policies.

    That is why I spend huge amount of time educating and training our staff to communicate with people.       

    What are the strategies that may help someone to clear the certifications for CIPM, FIP, GDPR DPP and GDPR DPM?

    From my point of view, the best strategy is to combine theory and practice, to educate oneself continuously and try to implement all new knowledge in practice immediately. 

    Denis, can you please share the compliances for AI and legal tech in Russia?

    Russia is prominent by its IT professionals including the field of AI. Currently many small and medium companies are leaving Russia because of political instability, but leaders are in place. These are mainly two hugest companies: Sber (not only Sberbank, but the group of companies on the whole) and Yandex Group. Speaking about legal tech, I’d indicate such companies as Pravo.ru, Kept (former KPMG) Seamless (former CMS), Consultant, Garant and others.   

    As someone who is passionate about pursuing law in Russia, what are brownie points one need to always look out for?

    Russia is European country and belongs to European continental legal tradition. Russian legal system by its nature is an example of civil law jurisdiction based on Roman legal heritage. The composition of system and vast majority of legal institutions are derived from French ones, some from German.

    Influence of English law took place but was not significant. Robust French-fashion frame of law is spoil by some unreasonable derivations and poor enforcement and legal culture. Utmost positivism is a predominant way of thinking among practitioners.

    That is why it is useful to explore Russian law in the context of European jurisprudence, particularly, French.       

    Unfortunately, currently it is not the best time for jurisprudence in Russia. Legal system is not in well fit and it is continuing to be erased. Almost each new piece of legislation undermines coherence and predictability of legal order. It seems like Russian rulers are trying to follow all bad examples of Lon Fuller’s Rex.

    True sense and purposes of law are quite frequently perverted and misused during the application and enforcement. Independent judiciary does not exist. Truly speaking, the rule of law at all does not exist.

    We need a new generation of lawyers who could reinforce rule of law, priority of internationally recognised principles, universal human rights, predictability and coherence of legal system.   

    Lastly, any advice for our young legal professionals?

    Stick to your principles and aways remember that lawyer’s mission is to protect human rights and uphold rule of law and justice rather than merely apply legislation. You should be able to find law behind sophisticated and controversial language of legal texts.

    It is up to you to be creators rather than executors and improve your legal system and legal environment.

    -Denis Sadovnikov

    Get in touch with Denis Sadovnikov-

  • In Conversation with: Ananya Patil, Data Privacy Analyst at Kazient Privacy Experts, CIPP/E

    In Conversation with: Ananya Patil, Data Privacy Analyst at Kazient Privacy Experts, CIPP/E

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

    What motivated you to choose law and how do you see the competition since the time you started pursuing your career?


    I remember back in high school, my dad asked me to pick a career path. I didn’t know what it’d be at that time but I wanted something that’d combine both my passions, strategy & public speaking. When I did pick law, it wasn’t so much for altruistic reasons as wanting to do something intellectually stimulating, that I’d really enjoy. 

    I don’t believe you truly discover an industry until you’re neck deep in it. Popular media would have you believe law’s all sunshine & rainbows but there’s just as much trudging through the trenches before you get to the meadows. 

    To that end, it’s highly competitive. Wanting out of the rat race means deeply honing your craft, developing highly effective & transferable

     skills & often, specialising in a single niche. If you’re able to do that & enjoy it, the competition becomes healthy & the profession rewarding!

    There was a time Ananya when we had no advancements in terms of tech tools for legal projects, now it has changed, what are your views on the same?

    I have to be honest, I was blessed enough to enter the profession when indexing apps & research softwares were a thing & I’m all the more thankful for it. 

    There’s a lot to be said about legal tech. In a number of ways, it’s revolutionised the way we get things done, more so in this era of remote work. The automation & efficiency has led to increased client satisfaction which lends itself to greater profitability & wider market reach. 

    However, we’re talking about tools at the end of the day. A sword is only as good as the man who wields it. It’s how lawyers leverage the tech available to them that ultimately determines their true utility. 

    Ananya, our audience wants to know what are the advantages and disadvantages for a Non-Nlu Student?

    Ah the self-limiting titles we impose upon ourselves! I always had my sights set on the NLUs. Everyone I spoke to, everything I read, had led me to believe that was the only way to go. So when due to a rough period in my life, I couldn’t go to one, despite qualifying for one of the best NLUs in the country, I felt lost. 

    For a huge chunk of time, I struggled with a strange sort of handicapping disappointment. The thought of graduating from a lesser known university can undermine your confidence. But knowing what I do now, I wouldn’t get too hung up on the stigma. 

    The only merit NLUs have over non-NLUs is the launchpad they provide to your career in terms of perceived value & the opportunity to network with other budding lawyers & professors who perhaps share the same amount of passion as you. Beyond that it’s really each man to his own. 

    The advantage of being a non-NLU graduate is it forces you out of your comfort zone. You’re not spoon-fed the best resources. You empower yourself, through observation & error. You go beyond the bare minimum, adding more job-ready skills & achievements to your repertoire. It teaches you to become more enterprising. It’s a long winded journey but the hard work pays off multifold eventually. 

    Do you think Ananya that these new aspects such as NFT’s, Blockchain etc violate the standards of privacy and secrecy?

    Privacy legislations, from their inception, weren’t drafted keeping blockchains & NFTs in mind. For that reason, while I don’t believe they’re averse to privacy per se, I do believe there’s a strong need to rethink our regulations to keep up. 

    As things currently stand, NFTs & blockchain technology may provide a strong illusion of anonymity, but the inherent risks to privacy can’t be overlooked. Data protection guarantees like the right to be forgotten don’t extend themselves to blockchain autonomously, the standard of cybersecurity currently deployed to protect NFTs is dubious at best & identity theft in this space is a legitimate concern.

    Striking a balance between steadily growing technology & the delicate boundaries of privacy might just be the solution. 

    Any specific roadmap you followed for the IAPP certification programme?


    IAPP provides comprehensive, albeit sometimes confusing, guidelines on how to prepare for their certifications exams. Where most people get stuck is understanding the practical application of things. You see, IAPP tests you, not on how much you can memorise & learn but what you can apply & help operationalise. And the textbook only goes so far with that. 

    The roadmap I followed was learning with a mentor. Your journey becomes so much easier when you have someone to show you the ropes. It really comes down to doing things the right way. Do you just want to pass an exam for the sake of it? Or do you want to learn how things are done so you can do your job properly? One gets you a piece of paper that can only get your foot in the door & the other gets you the role, the promotion, the pay hike & the credibility. 

    AI will take the job of Lawyers, how far do you think this will happen? Or Maybe you think that has already started happening?


    Law, at its very core, is innately human. AI is an aid, not a solution. While indispensable in its utility, I don’t believe it’ll ever replace lawyers.

    That said, the tech we use today does cut into a huge chunk of the market that was traditionally sourced by entry-level workforce. However, I like to look at it as an inevitable but temporary impediment to demand, that will ultimately create more opportunities for lawyers to step away from menial tasks & come into more skillset rich roles.

    AI can help you draft, monitor, recommend & even predict, but it’s ultimately dependent on human judgment to bring it to fruition & I don’t see that changing anytime soon. 

    If not a lawyer, what Ananya Patil would have been in life?

    I’d love to be an author! There’s something about putting pen to paper that’s so gratifying. I’d love to play with words, weave emotions into them & tell stories. 

    Some advice for our young law professionals?

    Look at yourself as a business. You are after all, a brand in & of yourself. Like every business, you need to invest in yourself to grow. It’s a skillset based market.

    What skills can you pick up to cater to the demand? If no one’s buying your product, you’re not targeting their needs effectively.

    What tweaks can you make to your CV? Good customer service often births resounding word of mouth. Is your client happy with your work? 

    Most people don’t realise they can create opportunities for themselves. That’s where you can gain an edge. Network & observe.

    What problems can you solve? Being a great lawyer is seldom only about the law. Yet, that’s where the majority gets hung up. Look beyond the conventional & brainstorm ways to differentiate yourself. 

    Get in touch with Ananya Patil-

  • In Conversation with: Avneesh Chopra, Head (Legal) and Company Secretary at Valvoline Cummins Pvt Ltd (India)

    In Conversation with: Avneesh Chopra, Head (Legal) and Company Secretary at Valvoline Cummins Pvt Ltd (India)

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

    Was doing law pre-planned or did you instantly make a decision to pursue law?

    Yes, doing law was pre-planned. My father who is also law graduate from Delhi University introduced me to the law and law books. We used to have a small library at home where I enjoyed reading the case laws on contracts, IPC etc.

    When I went to do B. Com (H), I was introduced to contracts law, sale of goods, partnership, and property laws, where the actual journey to understand the law started.  To further enhance my knowledge of law, I also decided to pursue the Company Secretary course which provided me more insight into finance and taxation, and the law governing the corporate entities.

    Having more than 2 decades of experience in the legal industry, what strategies keep you going in this profession?

    The strategy which keeps me going is that I always consider myself a student. As a student, I am open to new learnings, changes and challenges.

    As a law student, I developed the habit of observing and learning, before interpreting and applying. While working as an in-house lawyer, I realized that to have legal knowledge is not enough; hence, I worked myself to understand the other facets of the business, competition, industry, and kept myself updated on foreign economic and  regulatory environment, as well.

    During my career, I also faced a few up and downs which fortunately helped me develop a network of mentors, comprising individuals who have supported me during testing times.

    Do you think after doing CS, it’s an easy sail for every legal professional in the corporate world? We have heard opposing arguments though from some people!

    Nothing is easy in the corporate world if you are a legal professional. The Company Secretary Course will help you understand the way in which an organization operates and functions. If you wish to work in the Legal Team of a company, then the Company Secretary course is a good option as it is designed to give you knowledge in various subjects and areas which are beyond the law as well.

    The Company Secretary works as a link between the company and its board of directors, shareholders, government, and various regulatory authorities.

    Hence, they take up diverse roles in the management, taxation and finance departments of a company and help the company in all such areas. It is incorrect to say that Company Secretary course is an easy sail; it should be kept in mind that every professional in the corporate world must prove their worth and deliver results to move up the ladder.

    Avneesh as you are experienced in dealing with POSH cases, we have heard a lot about “Quid Pro Quo Harassment” and what are the punishments for the same?

    In Latin, “Quid-Pro-Quo” means “something for something”. Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when employment, pay, benefits, title, position or other opportunities for advancement or training, are conditioned upon the submission to unwelcome sexual advances.

    Quid-pro-quo is a serious offence. It is extremely important to be very clear and transparent in all businesses dealing with employees at the workplace. The punishment depends upon a case-to-case basis ranging from disciplinary action including a written apology, reprimand, warning, censure withholding of promotion/ pay raise/ increment, termination of employment, undergo counselling etc. In some matters, it could also lead to a criminal complaint against the perpetrator.

    Reg -Tech is helpful they say in doing compliance’s, how far do you believe this?

    Definitely, any tool and technology which reduces human efforts and intervention are going to help. In a digital environment featuring complex business structures with the change of law and regulations almost happening on daily basis, organizations require tools that will keep them up to date with the latest regulatory changes thereby minimizing the likelihood of human error.

    Reg-Tech can also provide increased confidence in meeting board agendas pertaining to issues such as transparency and proactive reporting of risks and compliance. This technology also allows companies to meet regulatory-driven data activities and support submissions to regulatory bodies in an accurate and consistent manner.

    However, before implementing and recommending Reg-Tech, we as lawyers need to learn about the technology, its architecture, data models, as well as algorithms.

    We also need to understand cross-functional teams for evaluating the risks, beyond the legal risk of using manual and automated processes, along with the legal risks related to any specific Reg-Tech product. Data protection and privacy remain the most important factors to consider when using Reg-Tech.

    As tech startups are growing like never before, do you think our data is protected and the level of secrecy is maintained?

    Data is growing faster than ever. Data secrecy and conditionality are prime concerns of General Counsels (GCs). The prevalence of cyber-attacks, frauds & crime and the emergence of new regulations like CERT guidelines are forcing boards and their GCs to work closely with the chief information security officer (CISO) to make decisions about how to protect the company against cyber-attacks, respond to data breaches as well as other attacks, while complying with applicable data protection laws.

    My personal experience suggests that many tech start-ups are not investing enough time & sources and are not incorporating privacy as the default.

    In recent times, we have seen the Government withdrawing the personal data protection (PDP) Bill after receiving concerns from Indian start-ups, which suggest that data localization requirements in the draft PDP Bill are too “compliance intensive” and could hamper the ease of doing business and stifle innovation.

    The same may be true, however data security and confidentially should be paramount and should be a part of the core DNA of any start-up or organization. The tech start-ups should consider data privacy as part of their core foundation before offering any products, services, and processing data, which will enable them to be future-ready. Further, it will bring transparency and trust among the users and customers.

    How do you see the corporate world serving more opportunities to individuals in the legal world?

    Multiple opportunities are available in the corporate world for individuals. The legal department as business partners must take ownership and support the overall success of a company.

    Depending on the nature and size of the business, in-house legal work has been rising in volume, especially in specific areas like environment & safety, data protection & privacy, competition law as well as other  regulatory & compliance work arising out of amendments and change in law, compliance breaches, intellectual property protection, M&A etc.

    Another reason for the increase in legal work is the growing attention to legal budget control and better risk management, whereby in-house lawyers’ must have more knowledge about the company as compared to external lawyers.

    At present, many lawyers are contributing to multiple facets of the organization such as corporate governance, contracts, litigation, compliances, ethics, investigation, internal control & audit, employment, data privacy as well as other security matters, corporate social responsibility, policy advocacy & liaison, taxation and finance.

    The key attribute for an individual to grow in the corporate world is that they should have commercial sense, be willing to learn, explore new opportunities and be ready to work outside their comfort zone.

    Any advice for our readers?

    To succeed as an in-house lawyer, you need to be proactive, flexible, find solutions and communicate them in a concise and simple manner. You must understand the business, the industry, collaborate more with other businesses, build trust, and relationships. One must also ensure the alignment of expectations and communicate them. It is also important to remain  a lifelong learner.

    In today’s dynamic environment, if you can think and act as entrepreneur, the same is going to help you immensely.

    Get in touch with Avneesh Chopra-

  • In Conversation with: Isha Priyadarshini, Senior Manager Institutional Fraud Risk Control Unit at Niva Bupa Health Insurance

    In Conversation with: Isha Priyadarshini, Senior Manager Institutional Fraud Risk Control Unit at Niva Bupa Health Insurance

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

    What was your motivation behind choosing law as a career?

    This was more of a destiny than a chosen path. I always wanted to do MBA and be in corporate Management. Post high School while exploring career options I came to know about National Law Schools, and in the meantime NLU Patna started. While going in depth I got to know the plethora of opportunity a law student can have post completion of the degree.

    I figured out that choosing Law as a career option will be academically challenging and financially & personally rewarding. I thought choosing law would help me in improving my standard of thoughts, skills & knowledge. With this thought process I sat for entrance exam and got admission in NLU.

    How has been your journey in this profession so far? And do you think first generation lawyers have to face more challenges than the one’s having already a family of lawyers?

    Prior to globalization, there were very limited option for a law graduate to opt for. Post completion of law most of the candidates will have to go for litigation only. Moreover, for a first generation lawyer it would be difficult to even have a decent earning out of it. Most of the law students were forced to join any senior counsel wherein the incentives were very low or I would say nil. Nevertheless, this changes post globalization, plethora of opportunity were introduced in the legal field. Recent times a law graduate can opt for Litigation or Corporate Legal or Law firms or LPOs or any other intermediary platforms.

    Talking about my Journey I will definitely say that I have focused on the long run and tried to put my hands on every aspects of Legal field. Today’s time a GC position requires having hands on experience in Legal, Compliance, Risk and Audit. After 10 years post completion of my degree, when I look back there were so many different areas I have explored and I can definitely tell other aspiring lawyers to not only have full control over your current profile but also be keen to take risk and explore what more this profession can offer in various diversities.

    What are the challenges while coordinating with various departments and conducting fraud investigations, as far as I believe this takes a lot of time and research, so how do you prepare yourself?

    Every fraud investigation is different and unique in nature so you cannot apply your same textbook strategy on every case you have. You have to keep yourself upgraded and you have to use your experience, knowledge and common sense in every case.

    The key role of fraud investigator is to catch hold of the perpetrators but most importantly, our role is to create deterrence in the system to avoid further frauds. Fraudster’s will keep on finding loopholes in the system and policies and we have to keep finding different ways to catch hold of these people.

    Working endlessly and achieving so much at such a young age requires constant motivation and a crystal clear vision as well, so what’s your mantra for the same?

    Motivation will only come when you love your profession and you are ready to face new challenges. I had a neck for wanting to know everything what is going on behind the scene since childhood. This aptitude in me kept me interested and motivated to find out the truth in every investigation I do. This profession poses you with different set of challenges every day, its one of the most dynamic role one can do. My Mantra is very simple. Work with full dedication and take things to logical conclusion, achievement and success will follow.

    Are conducting insurance compliances somehow different from others or If I ask you how do you make it easier and efficient?

    The Fraud Risk and compliance functions of an Insurance Company are expected not only to protecting insurance companies from downside risks but also to shift toward providing them with strategic advice to support growth and changes.

    To execute these responsibilities, we as a function must be agile and proactive, delivering results cost-efficiently. We must tap into the power of advanced analytics and automation so that people can focus entirely on the activities that most need human judgement: mapping key processes and leveraging technology advances. We always focus on modernizing the rigid legacy systems and processes that inhibit the sharing and crosschecking of data in a timely manner, which is vital to evaluating exposures.

    What are the opportunities ahead in Reg-Tech and relative sectors? How can professionals upskill themselves?

    Legal professionals have to keep updated not only with the legislations but also with the digitized mechanism in harmony with the legislation. It cannot be denied that the regulation specific sectors have had been significantly updated with tech-based platforms in forms of AI tools. More so because of the nature of the varied segment any regulatory specific sector holds. It brings in huge doorway of opportunity to stay in Regulation specific sector, both absolutely working in it and remotely working with such sectors by being associated with AI based tools. In order to keep upskill for reg-tech sector, it is crucial to stay aware about the market and market players initially. Having said that, it shall be the practical aspect of understanding- example- contracts, competition, sectoral regulation, etc.

    Audit seems to be easier for some people, but that’s not true right? What are the preparations necessary to have? 

    Audit is a powerful tool, which allows you to establish a baseline for your legal position and response. It comprises a broader range of operational issues, or at specific areas of the systems around financial organization in more details. Internal audit might, for example, look at payroll, financial controls, process or data senstivity, etc. It definitely provides an opportunity to identify and remove the element of surprise about legal exposure and legal issues, which have not been identified by the organization’s day-to-day work.

    There is no straightjacket blueprint for the preparation; it encompasses you to have bandwidth of knowledge across legal functions. One should have a good hold of the sector they are in in order to identify risks which have otherwise not been clearly understood, or which have been masked through other controls.

    Get in touch with Isha Priyadarshini-

  • In Conversation with: Shruti Swaika, Partner at Fox & Mandal

    In Conversation with: Shruti Swaika, Partner at Fox & Mandal

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

    What motivated you to take law as a career and how has been the decision so far?

    This has a fairly clichéd answer. My mother was keen that I study law, so I started preparing for the various law school exams. However, right from then I’ve loved the subject and am glad for having taken up law. I enjoy how logical the subject is, and helping families and enabling businesses feels deeply rewarding.

    What are your views on AI or legal tech adoption, what restrictions will it have in the coming years?

    Adopting tech is extremely important. We should all adopt it as early as possible. Tech helps you do the same things more efficiently, saving time, effort and resources. This frees up the professionals to spend more time thinking of more innovative solutions. India still is a developing democracy with many fields of laws at a nascent stage. Lawyers should be able to spend more time in assisting the legal sector mature and bring it at par with international standards. I don’t see tech being able to replace that yet.

    Ma’am, do you think any road-maps help in a career like law, or like many you trust that things can happen by the flow itself?

    Man proposes, God disposes. Although roadmaps have their limitations, one should definitely have one. However, be flexible enough to change the roadmap as and when required, especially in a dynamic market like ours. However, advising on a roadmap is difficult, as each individual has their own story and the roadmap would be different for all.

    According to you Shruti, as a law student, where should the focus be on, the hard work on academics or smart work on networking and building a great skill-set?

    Both, but I feel more on academics. Networking is also important but if you want to be a good lawyer, you have to pay attention to the reading and academics. Smart work and building a great skill-set is a given and not contrary to putting in hard work on academics. They go hand in hand.

    “Unconventional careers in law will spoil your degree”, why has this misconception led many people far away from the legal industry revolution and how to excel oneself to reach heights?

    I don’t know of this misconception to exist really. I see more and more people taking up ‘unconventional’ careers in law. We now have lawyers getting into the business of law firm management, law firm branding, specialised HR for law firms, and the like. In fact, this is quite an underdeveloped space in India still.

    We hardly have any specialized firms that lend support to law firms in industry research in complex litigation’s, financial fraud research, and the like, which is much more developed in the west. I think we need many more professionals taking up “unconventional careers in law”.

    When we talk about disputes, most of the time obviously both the parties commit the same number of mistakes, and both suffer as well, before even going for conflict resolution, don’t you think there is some way out before that? 

    I don’t think it’s obvious that both parties make the same number of mistakes, though you are right, that there will often be a grey area. I do feel that most parties try to settle a matter out of Court prior to coming to lawyers and opting for the legal route. However, this is not because they opt for institutional mediation or ADR, but because they want to avoid the long delays and heavy expenses involved in coming to Court. Most people come to lawyers as a last resort, unless it’s a matter of ego.

    We already have pre-litigation mediation as a mandatory requirement for commercial litigation, which has quite honestly, been a farce.

    In fact I feel it should be quite the opposite. Our legal system should inspire confidence in the citizens that they will get timely relief and do not feel compelled to settle because of lack of confidence in the legal system.

    We read that you are a graphologist, what is it all about, is it something related to astrology?

    Graphology is the study of handwriting analysis. Astrology, at the cost of oversimplification, is the study of the impact the position of the planets at the time of our birth have on our lives. Graphology and Astrology are not directly related. I have always been interested in the occult sciences and have recently started studying Vedic Astrology also. I want to understand on what basis astrologers, who have gained quite a reputation for themselves as being charlatans, make the predictions that they do.

    Talking about work-life balance, there has been ample amount of discussion on health issues as a lawyer, what do you believe are the best practices to maintain the equilibrium? 

    I feel it is fairly difficult to maintain work-life balance at a fresher level. That is a stage when you really do need to burn the midnight oil. However, after a few years, it is not difficult to maintain work-life balance. I feel the elements you need incorporate in your life to maintain the equilibrium are

    (1) Exercise,

    (2) Spending time on a hobby,

    (3) Meeting friends, and

    (4) practicing some form of spirituality, perhaps meditation. I have maintained that practicing grounding activities of some sort are important and goes a long way in improving mental health. Meditation, journaling, light exercises, sound sleep (even if for lesser hours) help tremendously in mental health, and can be practiced even when you don’t really have work life balance.

    Few advice for our young law professionals?

    It is important for you to enjoy what you do. The profession is a marathon, not a sprint. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of reading. Whenever you are studying a branch or aspect of law, make your own notes. It will help you in future. Try to maintain your own database of caselaws from the start. Most importantly, don’t burn out.

    Get in touch with Shruti Swaika-


  • In Conversation with: Sanjay Vashishtha, Partner at Vashishtha Law Office’s

    In Conversation with: Sanjay Vashishtha, Partner at Vashishtha Law Office’s

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

    Is law something you were inclined to pursue, and why did you decided to pursue it?

    Initially law was not my first preference – it was medicine. Some proclivity caused by watching television shows such as Boston Legal etc gave birth to my legal career when I enrolled at the Faculty of Law Jamia Millia Islamia in a 5 year LLB Programme. Without slightest hesitation, I can now confirm that  I was meant to be a lawyer. In other words, patients got lucky!

    During my first few years of legal studies and mock trial competitions, I felt a sense of proclivity and interest in law as I thoroughly enjoyed the subject/discipline. On one occasion, I won an award at a Bar Council of India event and Mr R Venkatramani invited me to his office for a brief conversation. Sir as kind he is, inspired and encouraged me to join litigation. I never looked back.

    After my LL.M at McGill University, Canada, I was selected to pursue my second masters at University of Oxford – which further powered my quest to pursue litigation – and this time rights centric. The profession has been equally financially rewarding in terms of both needs and wants. Litigation as I know it provides me with opportunities to learn and grow every day, moment. Every court room provides me with a vicarious experience – unlike anything else.

    What is your current role? Could you walk us through how a normal day looks like in your life?  

    I am blessed and equally thrilled to have multiple roles. From representing Govt as a Standing Counsel/Special Counsel to Law Enforcement agencies, I have a private practice where I am represent clients before various court of records across India and primarily at Delhi.

    A normal day for me usually entails visiting at least 2-3 forums, which would ordinarily start (depending on cause list) with High Court then Trial Courts/NCLT etc. or Supreme Court. It is a challenge managing dates as we endeavour to get an effective hearing as much as practicable and possible. Most of cause list management is intuitive and cannot be managed without an efficient (which I am lucky to have).

    This follows with conferences with clients, seniors, law office management and that too with utmost punctuality when possible! At last, we finish our work, leave some for the day to come. Research and case laws – preparation for the matters listed on the following day/week is most important of all and given priority on daily basis.

    What worked well for you doing a MSC in criminology and how in the beginning it created an interest for you?

    For me MSC Criminology and Criminal justice meant a second masters. Then, I had just finished my LLM in Comparative law from McGill University, Canada. It is undeniable that my proclivity in criminal law was polished at Oxford – inasmuch it enabled me to really think critically of the underlying issues concerning administration of criminal justice in India. It helped me get a holistic understanding of both the victim and the accused.

    The society as a tertiary victim. The fact that my entire cohort was representative of people from across the world helped me gain insight into other territorial jurisdictions. Some were judges, lawyers, social activists etc. while others were academics. Therefore, it gave me an opportunity to reflect on the entire process and which comes in very handy on day to day basis.

    As a faculty for Delhi Police and other authorities, where do you see the gap to be filled while maintaining a sort of balance between Police and Courts?

    As a Faculty at Delhi Police and other institutions, the most obvious gap is – translating theory to practice in terms of procedural fairness to due process before Courts. The situation exacerbates owing to excessive pendency and work load on Investigating Officers – who have multifarious roles such as attending courts, investigation, attending emergency calls etc. Despite this, the institutional legitimacy of law enforcement agencies are often put in doubt perhaps because of one or two remote incidents. The narrative (negative ones) often spread like a wild fire thereby putting the entire executive in the dock.

    This needs to be reflected upon and worked upon as an entire society at large. The law enforcement agencies deserve due credit for managing as diverse of a society as ours, day in and day out and most importantly constructive criticism – aimed towards helping them improve. Apart from this, there needs to be a better coordination inter se judiciary and executive.

    I personally feel, the investigating officers should be allowed to join virtually where possible so as to enable them to work on their files/ investigation while waiting for their turn at various Courts and should only show up in person in cases especially called upon by the Courts. We would also benefit from joint training programmes and programmes designed to overcome hierarchical gaps between the law enforcement agencies and that of the trial judiciary – who manages the major bit of fair trail rights of the accused and that of the victims.

    How far do you consider the role of publications in a legal professional’s life?

    The role of publications and academic discourse as a legal professional is one of the most important duties bestowed upon us. This is indispensable for two reasons,

    (1) Our duty to disseminate what we learn on day to day basis

    (2) Enable young counsels / new ones to learn from our vicarious experiences as much as possible. Publications or academic discourse is one of the most important platform for a legal debate and to discuss socio-legal issues. Through publications, we are provided with a platform that enables us in identifying situations of conflict of laws, pre-empt situations surrounding conflict of laws and allow suggestions for improvement.

    Personally speaking, I have regularly published both scholarly work and have a book coming up on criminology. I personally feel that an academic heart is sine qua non for any legal practitioner be it this side or the other side of the bench.

    Being able to accomplish so much in such a short period of time, what challenges did you face?

    Well I don’t know if I have accomplished anything as of now. Accomplishment is a myth in our legal profession. The idea is to continue to thrive to learn in this knowledge based economy as I label it. The beauty of our profession is networking and making new friends so often than not. I am often astonished by unique approaches of our interns and young associates. The legal fraternity is changing for good.

    What message/advice would you like to give to the upcoming generation of law and young people in general?

    The message I would give to the upcoming generation is simple yet straight forward –

    Focus on mental health. Stay away from unhealthy social media. Study in a multidisciplinary manner. Stay updated with global affairs and spend time with your loved ones in a quality way. Learn to separate personal and professional time –

    This will enable you to procrastinate less. Best wishes to them all!

    Get in touch with Sanjay Vashishtha-

  • In Conversation with: Bambi Bhalla, Corporate Lawyer and Emissary Counsel at Cornellia Chambers

    In Conversation with: Bambi Bhalla, Corporate Lawyer and Emissary Counsel at Cornellia Chambers

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

    What was your motivation behind choosing law as a career?

    I decided to take up law as a career after my 10th boards. After interning with a fashion designer and at a couple of NGO’s and speaking to people who were working in various other fields, taking up law was a clear decision for me because I had decided that I wanted to help people by finding solutions to their legal problems. I wanted to contribute to society in a way I thought would be more effective.

    I have always had a passion for writing and I have always had strong opinions and so choosing law as a career was a means to work towards achieving everything I was setting out to do including the person I wanted to become.

    What were the challenges that you faced in the beginning of your career?

    Like every other first generation lawyer, I felt I had been thrown into the deep end of the ocean at the beginning of my career. Although, one learns to read the law and apply oneself in different scenarios in a classroom setup, when you join practice, you are immediately transformed into a professional and are expected to apply your skills and assist your seniors with all aspects of a transaction, whether it is research, contract reviewing and drafting or speaking to clients and managing them.

    The first year of practice can be a daunting experience for most lawyers, however, the initial years will also set the course for what is to come so I believe that hard work, passion, determination and the ability to push oneself and grow through the discomfort are key to ensuring a successful and meaningful career.   

    You started out as an intellectual property lawyer and then moved to corporate law. Can you tell us more about your role as an IP lawyer and how is it different from being a corporate lawyer?

    My role as an IP lawyer involved advising clients across the globe on trademark and copyright-related laws in India. I handled IP portfolios of some of the leading FMCG companies in the world and handled all aspects of trade mark and copyright prosecution. My work involved conducting clearance searches, drafting replies to examination report, strategic development and management of trade mark and copyright portfolios and appearing before the trademarks registry. I switched to corporate law after almost two years in IP.

    As a corporate lawyer I handle all aspects of general corporate advisory, commercial contracting, employment law advisory and contracting and investment transactions. I also regularly advise cloud communication companies on regulatory, policy and compliance’s issues. I believe my unique experience of intellectual property law and corporate law has helped me understand the legal requirements of a company when it comes to its business model in a holistic manner.

    As someone who is passionate about writing on various topics, how important do you think legal writing is and what are the skills that one needs to have in order?

    I have always had a flair for writing essays, poetry and screenplays throughout my school days. As lawyers, we are essentially thinkers and writers. As a young girl, I found that the best way for me to express my feelings was through writing. In law school, I had the opportunity to hone my writing skills and move up to writing articles on various legal topics that were of my interest. Research and writing was a way for me to delve deeper into subjects that interested me and to stay abreast with the latest developments in the legal field.

    I had found the way for me, as a lawyer, to express my thoughts and opinions and this helped me find my confidence professionally.

    According to you, briefly what is the right approach to drafting tech contracts and other critical documents?

    As a lawyer working in the telecommunications and technology space, we have to learn and adapt to changing technologies and bridge the gap between legal and tech to provide solutions to our clients and help them mitigate their business risks.

    From a contract drafting perspective, it is important to firstly understand the clients product and services and to ensure the clients compliance with the legal and regulatory framework surrounding its business model. It is important to have a strong understanding of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and rules including the data protections laws.

    Having a strong grasp on the industry specific regulations is also a must. For example, for clients in the digital communications space, it is crucial to understand the implications of TRAI regulations such as  the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR), 2018 on their business. It is important to incorporate appropriate clauses in the clients customer/user agreements to help mitigate any risks due to non-compliance with the such regulations. Having a good understanding of the clients licensing framework and business model is also necessary when advising in this space.

    With content writing they say your drafting improves a lot, if you agree, would you suggest only writing on legal topics or any other niche as well?

    I feel that one should write only if they are passionate about it. What started out as a personal outlet became a professional skill for me. That being said, being able to express your thoughts in a clear and concise manner is a skill which ultimately helps in professional pursuits in this industry.

    As technology related startups including legal technology are evolving at a rapid pace, how must lawyers and law firms prepare themselves for doing different types of legal work?

    This is an interesting time to be a lawyer and through our work at Cornellia Chambers we hope to disrupt the legal services industry through innovation under the guidance of our founder and mentor Ms. Pritika Kumar. Ever since the pandemic and offices becoming virtual and with the evolution of technology, everything and everyone has moved to the cloud and traditional law firms and systems are being challenged every day.

    Such innovation in the industry will not only help organizations and the community of lawyers to become more efficient but will also help in improving the issue of lack of access to justice in our country through technological means.    

    Any few important tips for young law professionals?

    Always be eager to learn, diligent and passionate about your work and never be afraid to fail.

    Get in touch with Bambi Bhalla-