Super Lawyer

Tag: Compliances

  • “I have always been fascinated by how FinTech can break down barriers of reach, scale and physical paperwork, create new opportunities, and redefine the way we think about financial services”- Sachin S., Director Legal-Regulatory & Licensing at PhonePe

    “I have always been fascinated by how FinTech can break down barriers of reach, scale and physical paperwork, create new opportunities, and redefine the way we think about financial services”- Sachin S., Director Legal-Regulatory & Licensing at PhonePe

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

    Can you share with our listeners how your journey led you to the FinTech sector, and how you came to specialize in laws governing the FinTech?

    Certainly! My journey within FinTech has been both exciting and fulfilling. It all began with a keen interest in technology and its transformative potential in financial inclusion.

    During my early years as a lawyer, I observed the rapid growth and innovation in the FinTech space. I was fascinated by how startups were leveraging technology to create innovative solutions that addressed challenges in the financial industry. This led me to delve deeper into understanding the intricacies of FinTech law which continued to do a catch up behind technical innovation.

    As I continued to work with startups, I realized that they face unique legal challenges that require specialized knowledge and expertise. From navigating complex regulatory landscapes to protecting intellectual property and ensuring compliance with evolving laws, startups in the FinTech sector need legal guidance tailored to their specific product offering and target audience.

    Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with BankBazaar, KredX, Flipkart and Razorpay leading startups at various stages of their growth. This hands-on experience has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the industry’s nuances and the legal and compliance frameworks that govern it.

    In addition to working directly with startups, I have also been actively involved in the broader FinTech community, attending closed group industry body forum discussions/ committees and seminars, and staying updated on the latest trends and developments in the industry. This continuous learning and engagement have been instrumental in honing my skills and staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving digital finance and payments industry.

    You’ve had a diverse career path, ranging from law firm to in-house counsel. How have these different roles shaped your approach to legal advisory within the startup ecosystem?

    Starting my career with a law firm provided me with a strong foundation in understanding the intricacies of legal practice and the importance of rigorous research, analysis, and advocacy. Working in a law firm environment exposed me to a wide range of clients and industries, allowing me to develop legal skills and the ability to adapt to different regulatory challenges and scenarios.

    Transitioning to an in-house counsel role was a pivotal moment in my career. It offered me a unique perspective by immersing me directly into the operational and strategic aspects of a business. As an in-house counsel, I had the opportunity to work closely with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and cross-functional teams, gaining insights into the day-to-day challenges faced by startups and the broader business considerations that influence legal decisions.

    This dual experience has enabled me to approach legal advisory within the startup ecosystem with a holistic and pragmatic mindset. I understand the importance of aligning legal strategies with business objectives, prioritizing risk mitigation while fostering innovation, and providing practical solutions that support startups in achieving their goals.

    Moreover, having navigated both the law firm and in-house environments, I appreciate the value of collaboration and clear communication between legal counsel, business leaders, and cross functional stakeholders. I strive to build strong relationships based on trust, transparency, and open dialogue, ensuring that legal advice is not only legally sound but also actionable and tailored to the unique needs of the organization.

    What sparked your interest in the FinTech and financial sectors? Could you elaborate on some of the innovative strategies you’ve employed in your legal practice?

    I have always been fascinated by how FinTech can break down barriers of reach, scale and physical paperwork, create new opportunities, and redefine the way we think about financial services.

    In my legal practice, I adopt a proactive stance towards regulatory compliance. Rather than reacting to regulatory shifts, I work with stakeholders to foresee future trends and develop compliant strategies from the get-go. This approach allows me to navigate the regulatory landscape confidently and strategically.

    Additionally, I believe in collaborative relationships between startups, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies. By fostering open dialogue and partnerships, we can create a more harmonious ecosystem that encourages innovation while maintaining regulatory compliance and consumer protection. It is important to have regular open discussions with the regulators and licensing authorities to understand their perspective and their take on risks and consumer protection.

    Given your extensive experience in areas such as digital lending, payments, and data protection, how do you stay updated with the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape in the FinTech industry?

    Staying updated with the rapidly changing rules and regulations in the FinTech industry is crucial. To maintain a comprehensive understanding, I employ a systematic approach to staying informed. This approach allows me to deepen my expertise, refine my analytical skills, and adapt to the evolving regulatory environment effectively.

    Firstly, I regularly read industry news, updates, and legal articles about FinTech. This helps me keep track of new rules or changes that could affect the industry and understand emerging trends related to FinTech.

    Secondly, I attend seminars, workshops, and conferences focused on FinTech regulations and compliance whenever possible and actively participate in industry forums. These events provide valuable opportunities to learn from experts, engage in discussions with peers, and explore important issues in the field. Participating in these events allows me to share ideas, learn new strategies, and gain different perspectives on how to address regulatory challenges effectively.

    As a mentor and leader, you’ve curated a proficient team of lawyers. How do you foster an environment of responsibility and dedication within your team, especially in such dynamic industries?

    A captain is only as good as their team! Creating an inclusive work environment and ensuring equal opportunity within the team has always been a top priority for me. Here’s how we collaboratively approach this as a team:

    Clear and open communication is fundamental to our team’s success. By setting transparent expectations and outlining our collective goals, we as a team develop a roadmap that empowers each team member to take ownership of their roles. This clarity not only offers direction but also cultivates a sense of purpose and accountability among all team members.

    In the fast-paced FinTech, the power of collective intelligence is invaluable. We foster an environment that encourages knowledge sharing, open dialogue, and teamwork. This collaborative spirit enables us to harness diverse perspectives, drive innovation, and adapt effectively to challenges.

    Recognizing the importance of celebrating achievements and milestones, we make it a point to acknowledge each other’s hard work, innovation, and dedication. This approach not only boosts morale but also fosters a culture where excellence is both recognized and encouraged.

    Throughout your career, you’ve provided guidance on contract management, regulatory compliance, and legal matters. Could you share a particularly challenging case or project you’ve worked on and how you navigated through it?

    One of the exciting projects I have worked on involved advising BankBazaar, my previous employer, on expanding into new international markets. The main challenge was dealing with different rules and regulations in each country about financial services and technology. Each place had its own laws, making it hard to make sure we followed all the rules.

    To tackle this, I led a team to study the rules in each country carefully. We looked at what the local regulations were for the FinTech industry and what risks we might face. Based on this research, we created a detailed plan to help us follow the rules in each country while still achieving the company’s goals. 

    Reflecting on your journey, what advice would you give to fresh graduates aspiring to pursue a career in law, especially those interested in specializing in the FinTech sector?

    Here’s some advice I’d give to fresh graduates aiming for a career in law, especially in the FinTech sector. First, focus on developing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills will help you tackle complex legal issues and find innovative solutions, making you stand out as a valuable legal professional. Second, be resilient and adaptable. The world outside law school can be challenging, so having the perseverance to overcome setbacks will help you grow stronger in your career.

    Next, stay updated with technology and legal advancements. The legal sector is constantly evolving, and being tech-savvy will help you work more efficiently. Also, practice negotiation skills. These abilities will be crucial when resolving deadlocks and securing positive outcomes for your clients. Additionally, seek out a mentor or guru in your field of interest. I was fortunate enough to find one who guided me through both professional and personal challenges, providing invaluable insights and support.

    Get in touch with Sachin S.-

  • “I attribute my success to a combination of continuous learning, meticulous preparation, strategic thinking, adaptability, and dedication to my craft”- Sachiv Kumar, Senior Partner, SDS Advocates

    “I attribute my success to a combination of continuous learning, meticulous preparation, strategic thinking, adaptability, and dedication to my craft”- Sachiv Kumar, Senior Partner, SDS Advocates

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

    Could you share a bit about your journey into the legal profession, particularly what led you to specialize in Banking & Finance and General Corporate law?

    My career path is a tapestry of diverse experiences, woven together by a passion and zeal for continuous learning and a relevant drive to understand the intricate legal landscape and providing strategic solutions to complex legal challenges. 

    My Journey of becoming a corporate lawyer has been very dynamic and full of exciting professional challenges. To sum up these extremely rich and eventful years (approx. 16 years) in a few sentences/para is surely an impossible task, however when I look back, the journey has been very rewarding and no experiences, challenges and detours have gone in vain. I have handled an enormous variety of matters and legal issues pertaining to Banking & Finance, General Corporate, Real Estate and Foreign Exchange Laws.  I also have experience in handling cross border deals encompassing Singapore and English laws. 

    My legal profession began when I secured placement from my college in India’s top private bank in 2008 and as an in-house counsel gained first-hand experience with the intricacies of financial laws, regulations and varied nature of transactions including project finance, corporate lending, syndications, consortium lending, etc. Working as an in-house counsel initially in a highly reputed private bank provided me with valuable insights into the legal challenges faced by financial institutions and complex documentations. This experience sparked my interest in specializing in Banking & Finance law, as I saw the opportunity to deepen my understanding of regulatory frameworks and provide strategic legal advice to financial entities. Within 4 years of my career, I was exposed to International banking and handled work related to English Laws, Singapore Laws, DIFC laws and worked on varied complex matters pertaining to these geographies along with all tier-1 international/domestic law firms and understood the nuances of International transactions which sparked my further interest in Banking and finance.

    Moreover, my role exposed me to various corporate matters, from contract negotiations to compliance issues, structuring the deals (including cross-border) and handling the clients on a day to day basis, which piqued my interest in General Corporate laws. My early days taught me to be disciplined, versatile, multi-tasking and detail oriented. 

    “You might find it funny but my friends used to call me ‘justice’ during my early days which some of them still continue to do and I was being labelled as ‘Hawk Eye’ because of my eye to minute details”. 

    What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a client and how do you balance the strategic needs of your clients?

    My approach inculcates ethics that best suit clients’ needs and works towards the satisfaction of clients. I have earned a reputation for the simple philosophy of “personal and prompt service and advice relevant to modern practical requirements of business”. My out of box thinking about a particular issue and providing a solution which is in the best interest of the client is what sets me apart. I take extra care to ensure that my client feels assured, focused and on track throughout the tenure of our arrangement.

    On various occasions, pointed out to me by my clients, my ability to deeply empathize with them, being able to put myself squarely in their shoes, and suggest a course of action that is in their genuine best interests even if it means it might not be so much in my own, has

    been the reason for winning the confidence of my clients. 

    One needs to understand that while negotiating you should only speak when it is required, be articulative, put in a fair offer and add value. While negotiating contracts my approach is to have a detailed eye on the minutest thing and find a balance. I don’t believe in taking extreme approaches and keep my calm and patience even if the discussion is going otherwise . No doubt for doing a proper negotiation you need to be prepared, have subject knowledge and confidence. I make sure that I have read the agreement and related laws before my negotiations and have thought about the best and worst outcome. 

    Balancing the strategic needs of clients with legal requirements in corporate advisory involves careful analysis and communication. I prioritize understanding the client’s goals and objectives, then develop strategies that align with both their business objectives and legal compliance. This often entails conducting thorough legal research, risk assessment, and collaborating closely with the client to ensure transparency and informed decision-making throughout the process. Effective communication and proactive management of expectations are key to maintaining this balance while navigating complex legal landscapes.

    I float ideas and suggestions and have my back up ready in case the initial recommendation/suggestion fails. Also I synchronised my thoughts and executed in such a manner that the other side get convinced with my arguments and advances. I give patient hearing to the points made by the other side and then ask them questions as to ‘why’ and ‘how’ the same is relevant to a particular issue. The idea/approach is to close the deal and find out the solutions so that the business is not affected and also legal requirements are met. There have been various instances where I have been part of major negotiations with bigger law firms/companies of the country, and I have been able to get the deal done in favour of my client with my negotiation skills and understanding of laws.

    With your extensive experience in both Indian and English law, could you highlight some of the key differences you’ve encountered when handling cross-border deals?

    Though Indian laws are based on common law principles, there are lots of differences between the two. The distinctions between Indian and foreign laws (including English Laws) encompasses various aspects, including the way commercial contracts are drafted, legal frameworks and jurisdictional principles, contract formation requirements, dispute resolution mechanisms, regulatory environments, and taxation considerations. 

    In most of the foreign geographies including England, there is no concept of stamping the contracts (except the debenture for mortgage of immovable assets), unlike India. There is no requirement of signing each and every page and only the last page is signed and executed as the burden of proof lies on the person denying the execution.  Anything above 2 (two) % of default interest is treated as damages, which can only be awarded by the courts, treatment of fixed and floating charges by the authorities under insolvency process. The loan agreement in foreign geography is based on standard Loan Market Association (‘LMA’) format in UK/European Countries and Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (“APLMA”) format which is a guiding factor and works as model loan agreements for use in various transactions and jurisdictions. Additionally, the compliance requirements, licensing procedures, and reporting obligations are slightly cumbersome in India unlike foreign countries which impacts the structuring and execution of cross-border transactions.

    Further, in Singapore, providing upward/cross guarantees are not easy unless some commercial consideration and corporate benefit is involved between the subsidiary (guarantor) and holding company. There is no requirement of board resolution in Singapore and the extract of ACRA is sufficient proof to evidence the persons authorised on behalf of the Company to execute the documents. 

    Your accolades speak volumes about your contributions to the legal industry. What do you attribute your success to, and how do you stay ahead in such a dynamic field?

    A lawyer’s work is perpetually exciting and stimulating. Please refer to the answer given in Question no.2 above, which is required to win your client and stay ahead in this dynamic field.

    Further, I attribute my success to a combination of continuous learning, meticulous preparation, strategic thinking, adaptability, and dedication to my craft. In such a dynamic field of law, staying ahead requires staying updated on legal developments, networking with peers, and being proactive in seeking out new opportunities for growth and innovation. Additionally, maintaining a strong work ethic and a passion for the law has been essential in staying ahead in this competitive environment.

    What sets me apart is my ability to understand clients’ wants, empathise with them, and ensure desired results in a time bound manner. Professionalism and courtesy towards my clients are my distinctive traits. One of my notable attributes is attention to detail and to leave no margin for errors. Reading large amounts of research, absorbing facts and figures, analysing material, and distilling it into something manageable is my key feature. In order to ensure that my clients feel assured and satisfied, I pass a legal problem through multiple screens and filters and subject it to multiple revisions to ensure a favourable outcome. 

    Further you need to be innovative in approaching clients nowadays as they have multiple options to get the desired result and to break the ice in this competitive environment one needs to be equipped with the target sectors. One of the innovative ways to get client’s attention is to keep updating your practice areas, your portfolio and your recent achievements on your website and periodically sharing information on various social media platforms and across various legal networking websites so that clients have easy access to them. Our team does extensive research on various RBI & SEBI Notifications/Circulars, Important Judgments and creates “Articles/Newsletters” and sends them to my clients so that they are informed about the latest changes in law. We are trying to focus more on making ourselves available and accessible digitally. Additionally, I also stay updated by reading newsletters/articles by other law firms and publications by legal databases/journals.

    Given your expertise in areas like Fintech Laws and Digital Lending, could you shed light on some emerging trends or challenges you foresee in these sectors?

    Certainly, In the rapidly evolving landscape of Fintech laws and digital lending, there are several emerging trends and challenges to consider:

    1. Regulatory Compliance: As Fintech innovations continue to disrupt traditional financial services, regulators are working to keep pace with new technologies while ensuring consumer protection and financial stability. Compliance with evolving regulations such as sandbox regulations, AIF regulations, Digital lending Guidelines, Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, GDPR, and AML/KYC requirements, etc. remains a significant challenge.
    2. Data Privacy and Security: With the increasing digitization of financial services, the protection of sensitive consumer data/personal data becomes paramount. Fintech firms must navigate complex data privacy laws and implement robust security measures to safeguard against cyber threats and data breaches and would need to strictly adhere to DPDPA, 2023, otherwise there may be huge penalties.
    3. Digital Identity Verification: As digital lending platforms gain popularity, the need for reliable methods of identity verification becomes critical. Fintech companies are/should explore innovative solutions such as biometric authentication and blockchain-based identity verification to streamline the lending process while mitigating fraud risks.
    4. Default Loss Guarantee (‘DLG’): With RBI coming with an overall cap of 5% on DLG structure to the LSP under Default Loss Guarantee Guidelines and all-in-cost mechanism, the Fintech’s/FIs are finding it difficult to the do the business and time and again clarity has been posed to RBI.

    Navigating these emerging trends and challenges will require collaboration between Fintech firms, regulators, and other stakeholders to foster innovation while maintaining trust and stability in the financial system.

    Handling diverse finance deals, from ship financing to asset-backed finance, must present unique challenges. Can you share a particularly memorable or challenging deal you’ve worked on and how you navigated it?

    It’s very hard to think of a memorable or challenging deal as there are quite a few and I encounter the same ‘now and then’ and I have always believed in taking up challenges and don’t like doing work where there are no challenges. The recent being the resolution of Reliance Commercial Finance and Reliance Home Finance Limited, where the matter went up to Supreme Court where the issue encompassed SEBI circular, RBI framework on stressed assets, debenture holder rights, etc. 

    Though each case presents unique complexities, but with my ‘out of box thinking’, greater and clear understanding of the issue and by staying adaptable and keeping abreast of legal developments, I am able to overcome these challenges. I think from 360 degree on any problem and filter my thought process. My approach inculcates ethics that is best suited for clients, and I ensure to put their interests over and above everything. I act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client and patience and never-giving attitude is the key. 

    In your experience, what are some common misconceptions/expectations that corporate clients have, and how do you address them?

    Some common misconceptions clients have:

    1. Cost: As there are a variety of corporate clients ranging from start up to mid-size and mid-size to big one, clients sometimes think that hiring a corporate lawyer will be too expensive. But we have modelled various categories of fee structures which are tailor made depending upon the complexity of matter and size of the corporation we are dealing with. For mid-size companies, we also offer a flexible retainership monthly model and navigate their day to day issues at a reasonable cost.
    2. Complexity: Clients sometimes believe that corporate law is overly complex and difficult to understand. We simplify legal concepts, providing clear explanations, and guiding them through the process step by step.
    3. One-size-fits-all solutions: Clients might assume that corporate legal solutions are standard and apply universally. We provide tailored legal advice to the specific needs and circumstances of each client’s business and tell them how a particular agreement cannot be used for some other deal.
    4. Timeframe: Clients may expect quick fixes or immediate results, underestimating the time required for structuring a complex contract or legal processes involved in achieving a desired result. We normally manage the expectations and provide realistic timelines so as to give quality services. In case of any urgent matter, we make sure that clients meet their deadlines even if we have to work extra hours.
    5. Importance: Some clients may not fully appreciate the critical role that corporate lawyer plays in protecting their business interests but in our discussions we have highlighted the potential risks of non-compliance and the benefits of proactive legal strategies.

    By addressing these misconceptions through clear communication, education, and personalized attention, corporate lawyers can help clients better understand the value and importance of their services.

    With your wealth of experience, what advice would you give to young lawyers aspiring to specialize in Banking & Finance and General Corporate law?

    Banking & finance is a wide spectrum. Being a banking lawyer gives you exposure to a wide variety of laws and clients. It encompasses lending, fintech lending, real estate, project finance, NCDs, Securitisation, syndications, issuance of equity, fund creation, etc. Not only as a banking lawyer but being a corporate lawyer requires resolute, unwavering, and fierce commitment to underlying principles of understanding and applying the laws. Needless to say, smart work coupled with hard work is the ultimate combination. 

    Some of my advice to young lawyers aspiring to specialize in Banking & Finance law or otherwise in any area of law would be:

    1. Passion and Zeal: First and foremost unless you are passionate and have the zeal to achieve, you cannot achieve the desired result. One needs to be mad for this profession and there is nothing called work-life balance, if you want to be successful in this profession. You need to make law your life and your life should be dedicated to law.
    2. Dream Big: Unless you dream, your dreams will never turn into reality and if you have to dream then why to dream small.
    3. Observe and Focus: Students must be very focussed during internships and should learn as much as they can and should not be in a hurry to leave early. Apart from learning legal knowledge, in my view internship is all about understanding the traits of becoming a lawyer. One should observe his/her seniors and learn the trick of the trade.
    4. USP/Impact: Create your own USP and be different from others. Make your presence felt. Please remember that it does not matter what you do, but it matters what impact and impression you create, when you leave the place.
    5. Delivery: Deliver more than what is expected.
    6. Responsible: Be responsible for your work and take onus for any mistakes. Committing a mistake is not an issue, but repeating the same and not admitting your mistake is a big problem amongst the current generation. Don’t give justification for your mistakes. Just admit it and move on. 
    7. In-depth Knowledge and Continuous Learning: Focus on building a solid understanding of  laws, including corporate law and financial principles. Read the books and bare acts instead of google research. Google is for reference and not the source of your opinion. Stay curious and open to learning. The legal landscape is always evolving, so ongoing education and professional development are critical for long-term success.
    8. Stay Updated: Keep abreast of industry trends, regulations, and market developments. The banking and finance sector is constantly evolving, so staying informed is key.
    9. Develop Analytical Skills: Hone your analytical skills to assess complex financial transactions and corporate structures. Attention to detail is paramount in these areas of law.
    10. Inter-personal skill: Build relationships with professionals in the field, including clients, mentors, and peers. Networking can open doors to opportunities and provide valuable insights. Develop strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Clear, synchronised thoughts and concise communication is key for a lawyer. One should be able to express what they think.
    11. Integrity and Professionalism: Lastly, uphold the highest ethical standards and act with integrity in all your dealings. Trust and credibility are invaluable assets in the legal profession.

    Get in touch with Sachiv Kumar-

  • “I strongly believe if you are clear on your fundamentals and have the right discipline, you can easily sail through different sectors and areas of practice”- Esha Chakravarty, Chief Compliance Officer and Group General Counsel Cloud4C/CtrlS

    “I strongly believe if you are clear on your fundamentals and have the right discipline, you can easily sail through different sectors and areas of practice”- Esha Chakravarty, Chief Compliance Officer and Group General Counsel Cloud4C/CtrlS

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

    Can you walk us through your journey from starting out as a lawyer to becoming the Chief Compliance Officer & Group General Counsel at CtrlS Datacenters & Cloud4C? What pivotal moments or experiences influenced your career trajectory?

    I am a first-generation common law jurisdiction qualified lawyer and my professional journey in the realm of corporate/commercial law and compliance domain commenced in the year 2008. I however started working practically full time whilst I was in my second year of the 5 years integrated LLB degree.  The actual reason why I decided to pursue law is because I wanted to appear for the civil service examination. However, once I started pursuing my degree, I decided to change course.  To be honest, law is one of the most nepotistic professions with a strong web of family legacy creating a launch pad for the next generation in their family. As is the case with any first-generation lawyer who does not have any legacy support in this profession, I did have my fair share of challenges, both academically as well as professionally, at the nascent stage of my career. Whilst it appears like an incident from another lifetime, during moot courts, I recall my fellow students having very well drafted and researched memorials using the resources, support and guidance of their parent’s chambers whilst me having to struggle in this front given the lack of support.  Likewise, for getting my first internship, given the fact that my college was new back then with no well established up and running placement committee, I recall several days of door to door walk-in interview attempts in the law firms based out of Fort Mumbai.  However, I finally did succeed in getting my first internship with Legal Pundits, a case law repository portal.  I was very active in my college and participated and won various intra as well as inter college debates, GDS, Moots including state levels. I strongly when one is determined and clear as regards one’s intent, guidance and support comes from unusual and unexpected quarters. 

    Whilst interning at Legal Pundits, I participated in an Exhibition where Legal Pundits had put up a promotional stall. Whilst participating in the stall, I happened to meet a solicitor who was kind enough to guide me to pursue my articles for the solicitor’s exam if I were serious about learning and building a career in this profession.  Post my short stint in Legal Pundits, I wanted to pursue a litigation-based internship opportunity. However, as luck would have it, I was guided by a Senior Counsel, Mr. Naveen Parekh, whom my father engaged in one of his matters. Mr. Parekh  guided me on the constraints inherent in litigation, both from timelines and financial standpoint and suggested that I must try getting into a corporate law firm given the potential and scope.  As luck would have it, there was a sole placement posting by DPA, a corporate law firm in my college. I got into DPA and signed up for a 3 year article ship. 

    The advantage of interning in a small firm is that you get to handle all kinds of work and get tremendous exposure in all domains, be it work or billing or relationship management. I worked in DPA whilst pursuing my law degree and whilst it was tough to juggle between academics and full time internship, the tenure at DPA and the rigorous training and work pressure laid the groundwork in shaping me as a professional in the realm of discipline, hard work, tenacity and proactive approach.  When you have limited choices, you learn to make the most of whatever comes your way. I appeared for the solicitor’s exam and cleared all my papers. I however missed my degree by 4 marks!

    After my stint at DPA, where I got exposure to general corporate, commercial contracts, PE deal and real estate, I joined Majumdar & Co., after graduating in 2008 where I worked with Mr. Neerav Merchant, a partner handling general corporate and real estate for over 3 years.  My stint at Majumdar & Partner has played a crucial role in my professional journey.  This is because the level of discipline, diligence and focus on quality of work, be it research, drafting or client relations at Majumdar helped me inculcate the right values professionally. 

    After working in law firms for over 7 years, I decided to move inhouse. Post my transition into Aegis, the ITES arm of Essar group, the journey has been upwards and onwards with amazing exposure to both IT and manufacturing sectors thanks to my stint at UPL, an agrochemical company, Datamatics, an IT/ITES company, Nuvoco Vistas Corp, a top tier cement manufacturing company and now finally in CtrlS Datacenters Ltd., and Cloud4C as CCO and Group GC. 

    With your diverse background spanning law firms and in-house roles across various industries, what motivated you to transition between different sectors and types of legal practice?

    Whilst I was working with the law firms, I got the opportunity to work on matters pertaining to different sectors, including IT/ITES, Pharmaceutical, Agro-Chemical, Heavy Industry i.e., coal and oil, Production Houses, FMCG. When you have clients from different domains and are working on different sets of issues, you invariably work on very stringent deadlines and have no choice but to acclimatize yourself as regards the relevant nuances, key variables and the sector specific issues that will have an impact on your advisory. This initial training helps you manage your time well, focus on what really matters to ensure quick turn-around and time bound support. At times whilst working as external consultant, the position adopted by in-house counsels that were not in sync with academic legal advice baffled me. I therefore was very keen to move in-house to get a well-rounded perspective and understand what are the factors that go into the decision-making process. My training and exposure in the law firms equipped me to handle and manage issues pertaining to different sectors with ease.  The motivation therefore to work for different sectors and areas of practice was the keen desire to learn, understand and eventually add value to whatever I sign up for. The different types of work also break the in-built monotony as you are always on your toes tackling new issues. 

    I strongly believe if you are clear on your fundamentals and have the right discipline, you can easily sail through different sectors and areas of practice. 

    Your expertise encompasses compliance risk management, corporate legal, and litigation domains. Could you share some key challenges you’ve faced in these areas throughout your career, and how you’ve addressed them?

    The mindset and the preparation that is needed in a corporate commercial domain as against litigation and compliance is different at many levels. However, there is a clear interdependence amongst various verticals. Whilst every role and stent had its own set of challenges, if I were to summarize the key challenge that has been common across various roles and sectors is getting your stakeholders and internal clients to appreciate your position and the rationale behind your advisory to ensure that the role of legal and compliance is not looked upon as a mere “paper pushing” activity and that cost and consequence of non-compliance is understood and factored in. Working on stringent timelines with quick turnaround time certainly cannot be labelled as a challenge but is a natural incidence of the profession and one has to make peace with it.  On some occasions, I did face mansplaining, gender and age based adverse presumption and the consequent loss of opportunities given the inherent bias. However, I could manage to overcome these roadblocks and I must acknowledge the support of all my mentors and seniors in my workspace who helped me navigate and sail through the various challenges. There are certain key non-negotiable parameters to tackle challenges. For me it was being highly proactive, taking total ownership of what you sign up for, being empathic and ensuring that folks can count upon and trust you in all your endeavors. 

    Given your extensive experience in compliance risk management, what strategies do you find most effective in developing and implementing compliance frameworks within organizations, particularly in multinational contexts?

    This is a very crucial question and goes to the heart of the inherent challenges in the risk and compliance domain. The most important strategy is to impress upon all the stakeholders that compliance is a necessary business cost and that you have to do things right the first time to set the right tone and context.  The function of compliance is very intense and all-encompassing from a process, protocol and implementation standpoint and the key strategy is to create a culture of compliance. Setting the right tone from the top is equally crucial.  Compliance is not a function in isolation and it certainly is not a one man show!  For me, as a part of effective compliance strategy, the key elements have been (a) Setting the right tone from the top; (b) Keeping abreast with the latest tools/tech and implementing the same to effectively monitor and reduce manual errors; (c) Robust training and awareness programs; (d) Continuous internal and external diligences; and (d) Ensuring that there are well defined consequences in place in case of non-compliance. 

    You’ve worked with top-tier international law firms as well as leading corporates and MNCs. How do you navigate the differences in culture, priorities, and working styles between law firms and in-house legal departments?

    With the increased focus on compliance, cost management and time bound advisory, the in-house role has become more all encompassing and challenging. I know of some of my friends who transited from top-tier law firms to in-house and were in for a rude shock. They presumed that after their stint in law firms, an in-house role would be a cake walk. Honestly, they were in for a rude shock.  In an in-house space, the buck does not stop with simply giving an opinion and/or representing and you have your skin in the game vis-à-vis ensuring that you make all the stakeholders understand the risk to effectively manage and ring fence the exposure. Also, on any given day, when you are leading the legal and compliance function, you navigate through multiple issues. For example, in a single day, you will have issues ranging from reviewing a high value contract, to advising on HR issues having legal implications, to working on a PE deal, to finalizing the pre-litigation strategy to ascertain gaps in compliance management, policy updates and on and on.  Whilst at in-house, your internal clients are lay man and they may have different levels of sensitivity and maturity vis-à-vis risk management.  Making them see through and appreciate your rationale is a challenge that is only there in the in-house domain. 

    Data protection laws and regulations, such as GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act, have become increasingly complex and stringent. How do you ensure that your organization stays compliant with these evolving standards, especially in the realm of cloud services?

    As I said, compliance and evolving regulation is a function of business and my job is to ensure that the operational and Infosec alignment are in place in sync with the ever-expanding requirement.  We do this via keeping ourselves abreast with the latest developments in law,  updating our policies, implementing necessary technical and organization measures, continuous training, and creating an ecosystem that has cross functional review and risk assessment measures in place. 

    In addition to your legal responsibilities, you’ve also managed various real estate, IPR, employee, and franchise-related matters. How do you balance the demands of these diverse legal areas while maintaining high standards of legal counsel?

    My initial training of around 7 years in the law firm where we catered to clients from different sectors and advised on different issues helped me develop the right base to work and manage a variety of issues.  However, it is also important to keep in mind that managing manifold matters is not a one man show. At a leadership level, finding the right resource and external advisors having the necessary subject matter expertise has also helped in tacking and managing issues effectively. 

    As someone with extensive experience and success in the legal field, what advice would you offer to fresh law graduates or aspiring legal professionals looking to build a successful career in today’s competitive legal landscape?

    My advice to fresh law graduates is that there is no short cut and instant gratification in this profession. You must sign up to be a lawyer if you are in for a long haul! There is no option but to be prepared for continuous hard work. You will have to be very patient and tenacious. If you do not like reading, do not even think about getting into law for reading and law goes hand in hand. It is imperative to bear in mind that given the nature of the profession, it is very important to remain objective and detached to manage stress better and do justice to the matters you are handling. This profession is very demanding and you will invariably have to invest long hours, work on the weekends and make many sacrifices at personal front. It is therefore important to have a good support system.  Focus on continuous learning and have an open mind. Ensure that you are dependable and can be trusted professionally. 

    Get in touch with Esha Chakravarty-

  • “Continuous learning is a key for any legal professional and in current times one needs to adapt to the constantly evolving legal requirements”- Sajid Nissar Mir, Senior Counsel at the Standard Chartered Bank.

    “Continuous learning is a key for any legal professional and in current times one needs to adapt to the constantly evolving legal requirements”- Sajid Nissar Mir, Senior Counsel at the Standard Chartered Bank.

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

    Can you please share a bit about your journey into the field of law? What initially drew you to pursue a career in this field, especially with a focus on corporate law?

    I am an accidental lawyer (lawyer by destiny not by choice). My journey into law was unexpected while growing up, I never imagined myself as a lawyer. During my school days I was crazy about sports (especially cricket), I wanted my passion for cricket to turn into a profession. I represented my state J&K in multiple youth competitions organised by BCCI. For a number of years, I went through the ranks of representing J&K in various national level trophies U-14, U-16 and U-19, which included Vijay Merchant, Vinoo Mankand & Cooch Behar Trophy. Also, I was among very few to have achieved a unique fear of being selected to play a national level university tournament (Vizzy Trophy) for Kashmir and Bangalore University.  However, God had some other plans and I ended up being a lawyer.

    During my college days, I just wanted to finish 3 years of my 5-year law course and get back to cricket. I had enormous support from my college, teachers, staff and friends during my entire law degree. It was because of few well-wishers in the college, I ended up staying back for 5 years and completing my law degree. Honestly speaking without those individuals, I wouldn’t have completed my law degree – A big thanks to all of them.

    After finishing my law, I took a break for a few months and started to think about my future. At that point my cricket was going as I expected and I made the decision to dive into law as a full-time career. I always wanted to start my law career away from my hometown and by doing so, I kind of restricted my areas of practice. How did I choose corporate law as a career option? I had limited options and time was running away, in my personal opinion to have a flourishing career in private practise it is important that one should be proficient in the local language of that particular place and the other option was to get in corporate side of law and catch up on the learnings which I had missed doing during my college days (like doing internships). I chose the latter, I wanted to develop strong business acumen and a solid legal foundation, corporate law just provided me the perfect platform. Also, corporate law exposes you to different laws/ regulations, you are hand in hand with various strategies of business, helps you understand the market dynamics and you are among the early adopters of new technologies around the world. These are a few reasons which were aligned with my interests, my education and my personality that I chose corporate law, and the journey hasn’t been an easy one.

    Ranging from data privacy to cybercrime protection, how do these certifications contribute to your approach to legal counsel, particularly in a fast-paced environment like the banking sector?

    Continuous learning is a key for any legal professional and in current times one needs to adapt to the constantly evolving legal requirements. The modus operandi of crime is rapidly shifting toward the internet, in India alone last year (2023) 1.13 million cases of financial cyber fraud were reported. So, it becomes pivotal for a legal profession to understand these new requirements and develop an approach which protects your organisation from getting exposed to these modern-day crimes regardless of the industry.   

    These law courses and certificates are a good source to gain specialized knowledge in different areas of law. It has definitely helped me to gain practical skills that are required in understanding, tackling and overcoming these new changeling regulations. I also make it a point to attend as many workshops, seminars and webinars conducted by various renowned law firms on the subject of data privacy and cyber security, as these events are very rich in content and backed by practical experiences.  I would recommend all the future professionals to participate in these events (when time permits), this would enhance their learning and help them in developing new skills. 

    As a Senior Legal Counsel at Standard Chartered Bank, you’ve been deeply involved in various aspects of contract drafting, negotiation, and compliance. Can you elaborate on how you balance the need for legal rigor with the demands of driving business growth?

    In the era that we are in, the role of an in-house lawyer has changed significantly from a decade ago. We need to act as business enablers rather than just legal advisers, this “value add” helps business growth of organisation.

    While being a business enabler, one must not forget that in-house counsel is the gatekeepers of an organisation. So, it is critical to deploy agile ways of working that adds commercial value to the organisation while keeping it safe, enabling it to achieve its strategy objectives with high integrity. In my current role the expectation from me is to provide advice proactively, be a business enabler, think in terms of risk (and reward), and draft documents in line with business expectations and regulatory requirements. I often get asked by my stakeholders to find solutions to various difficult questions and grey areas. But I do keep in mind my professional duty of acting in the best interest of the organisation and therefore it becomes important for me to view the question from a very different perspective than my business colleagues. While drafting or during negotiation of a particular transition regardless of the monetary value, I ensure strict adherence to the legal/ regulatory obligations, eliminating any possibility of non-compliance. 

    A crucial aspect of maintaining consistency in a rapidly evolving industry that prioritises business expansion is by knowing the boundaries between what is lawful and right (doing the right thing).

    In your role at Standard Chartered Bank, you’ve been instrumental in managing complex M&A activities and supporting various global initiatives. Could you walk us through a particularly challenging project you’ve tackled and the strategies you employed to navigate it successfully?

    Standard Chartered is an amazing place to work, especially the legal department. I have grown leaps and bounds over the past few years and gained valuable experiences. A big shout to my colleagues, the legal management team and my people leader for having faith and trusting me to take a lead on some of the complex initiatives, giving me absolute freedom to plan my strategies around these projects.  

    It’s quite difficult to pick one project, honestly every project or every transaction that I’m part of has its own set of challenges. One simple rule which I follow in my day-to-day activities is that while I am working on a matter, whether I am drafting or during contract negotiations, I never look at the names of the people/ organisations on the other side of the table, I keep my (woodpecker) focus on what is beneficial and risk free for my organisation. Last year I was given a task to empanel some of the best law firms in the world on the Bank’s global legal panel. The purpose was to use the expertise of these firms in complex scenarios across the Bank’s physical and digital footprint. The negotiations were intense and engrossing not only on the provisions of law but on policies as well, the successful completion of the project resulted in many appreciations and me getting an award.     

    Collaboration seems to be a recurring theme in your career, from brokering alliances with law firms to supporting cross-functional initiatives within the bank. How do you approach building and maintaining productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, both internal and external?

    The knowledge of the law remains one essential skill to be successful as an in-house counsel. However, the ability to develop strong relationships with stakeholders inside the business, outside counsel, and other external stakeholders to the business is critical and a crucial soft skill one must possess. Better working relationships lead to better teamwork which will help you to be less stressed, more engaged, more productive and avoid time-consuming disagreements. 

    I keep it very simple, there is no rocket science in developing this soft skill, I always put myself in others shoes to understand their requirements or pain points. First and foremost, in a house role your need to understand the business requirement, have a clear communication with internal stakeholders, clear any ambiguity, be an active listener, values their inputs or suggestions, provide them clear expectations/ timelines, go back to the drawing board and come back with a solution which should be within the boundaries of your organisational policies and regulatory requirements. Once all the internal stakeholders are aligned with the solution, I would engage the external stakeholders and replicate the similar process of communication. From many years this has really worked well for me and I have been able to build a very strong working relation within my organisation outside as well.

    Your experience spans both in-house counsel roles and consultancy positions. How do these different perspectives inform your approach to legal counsel, particularly in terms of understanding and addressing the needs of your clients?

    After 5 years of working in a corporation, I decided to take a bold and conscious step of moving out of corporate and getting into the consultancy side of law. The move wasn’t a knee jerk reaction instead it was a thoughtful decision, the primary reason being getting involved in complex legal work. The roles which I was doing in corporate were completely driven by processes and SOPs and barely required any intellect or any out of box thinking, so I felt I was restricting my skills, plus I wasn’t gaining any new knowledge apart from getting to know the corporate culture in India works (which sometimes is toxic). The move was challenging and I knew from the start it was not going to be a walk in the park, initially I started attending courts in Bangalore. After a few months, I got a retainer from a hospitality organisation and that was my first client. I was given an initial task to streamline their policies, website T&C’s, service agreements, and initiate an IP suit. I was able to successfully complete all the tasks and they offered me a permanent role, but I ended up rejecting that and continuing as a consultant. During the same time, I met a GC India of a large pharma conglomerate and he gave a task of initiating money recovery suits against many of their non paying clients, it was a 90 days assignment. I ended up working as a consultant for them for close to two years, streamlining contracts, managing external legal counsels, leading a winding up petition against a big hospital chain in India and closing down a few manufacturing factory units in India. The period of 3 years working as a consultant with many clients ranging from pharma, ecommerce, hospitality and media agencies gave me a rich experience of handling different legal requirements, which in turn helped me grow as a sound legal professional. 

    I never changed my approach towards work whether it was during my time as consultant or in house role. The basics of lawyering remain the same, doing the proper discovery, immaculate drafting, understanding the need, interpretation of statutes keeping in mind that your client or business is from a non-law background and being confident/ consistent.  Yes, a minor adjustment here and there that’s all was required while performing the roles. The legal needs of clients or businesses mostly revolve around being proactive (safeguarding measures) or in some cases being reactive (remedial actions). 

    Lastly, considering your extensive experience and achievements, what advice would you offer to law graduates aspiring to build successful careers in the legal profession, particularly in navigating the evolving landscape of business and compliance?

    Smile! I am still learning, I firmly believe achievements are yet to come, I can just relate it to my playing days, that I have just got into double figures and I need to convert this into a big hundred and then celebrate, so there is a long way to go.

    Legal profession is a noble profession, you should be trusted advisers, upright citizens and honest in your approach.  Your interests should not be our own, but should be those which align with the discharge of your duties to the law, to your client and as per the oath.

    As a budding lawyer, if your interests are in helping people in your day-to-day life, being an inspiration or being real (not role) model in society, here are few tips which you can be fruitful and helpful:

    • Stay Humble and Grateful.  
    • Continuous learning.
    • Be Forthright.
    • Exercise Diligence.
    • Go above and beyond.
    • Have Integrity.
    • Trusted Advisor.
    • Celebrate Success.
    • Smile.

    Also, you must spend time on becoming a lawyer of the future; a lawyer who is not only fluent in the law, but also the commercial and customer-centric demands of the profession (O shaped Lawyer). You need to bring in a change to the public perception of lawyers, which in many societies today is that lawyers are ripping off people, greedy, selfish and arrogant. Lawyers have a fantastic opportunity to make significant contributions to society. You are privileged, educated, articulate and hard workers – make use of your skills. As a young legal professional raises your bar, you should be beyond reproach, something that others strive to be like, and something you should be honoured to be a part of. There is no short cut to success as you keep learning, you need to put in some hard yards to master the art and by doing so you will evolve as a professional.  

    May your future be bright and prosperous! 

    Happy Lawyering!

    Get in touch with Sajid Nissar Mir-

  • “The major problem that multi-million dollar companies face while entering India to expand is choosing the wrong shareholding structure and wrong business structure delaying the corporate compliances and inviting various penalties”- Nipun Khanna, Founder, Startup Solicitors LLP

    “The major problem that multi-million dollar companies face while entering India to expand is choosing the wrong shareholding structure and wrong business structure delaying the corporate compliances and inviting various penalties”- Nipun Khanna, Founder, Startup Solicitors LLP

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

    Can you share with us your journey into law? What motivated you to pursue both chartered accountancy and a bachelor’s degree in law?

    Since I was born in the family of lawyers, I would further like to say that both my grandfather and my father, who themselves were in the field of law as regular practitioners mainly in the state High Court & from them I was fully inspired to join the profession of law. My elder brother who already had preferred to join the same profession in the established law firm Khanna And Associates. Being fully inspired & encouraged joining the law firm passionately, & finding fully satisfied positively ensuring myself in choosing this right path into the profession of law. 

    It needs no mention to state that the repute and the status that this profession owed to our family is un parallel and being able to make an impact in the society by using the law in the best interest of the society is always the motivation behind pursuing the law

    Not to forget the black uniform, the British formalities, and being able to express yourself more profoundly seemed charming to the younger version of me back in the days of opting for law.

    I always wanted to work with big corporations shoulder to shoulder and thus law and chartered accountancy both has opened this gateway for me. 

    Your expertise lies in a diverse range of legal areas, from corporate compliance to taxation and intellectual property. How did you develop such a multifaceted skill set?

    When you plan to work in business law, you have to equip yourself with whatever it takes. There is no exception to that. As a corporate lawyer your job expects you to guide your client in all the aspects of law applicable to them and since your client is a corporate entity you have to equip yourself with all the laws applicable to the entity and such dynamics keep changing with the change of law or change of business circumstances.

    Your expertise has to vary in various areas of corporate/business law :

    1. Whether it is forming/incorporating a company in the best business structure for your clients business.
    2. Devising the best tax strategy, acting as their legal architect, formulation of a plan for them to execute their business or routing the funds by abiding the banking laws thus forcing you to become an expert in banking law as well.
    3. Once when the company is set up then you have to devise various internal controls for which you have to be well versed with various auditing procedures, practices and standards enabling you to guide your client entity to manage itself without disputes and with full transparency. Thus Auditing knowledge comes into picture and you are required to have the knowledge of this field.
    4. When your client starts recruiting employees then you are assumed to be a contractual law expert along with tax and employment laws as applicable to the respective industry.
    5. When your client begins operation/production you are expected to be an expert in seeking various licenses and IPR laws.
    6. Then finally after all this spade work you reach corporate advisory. Advising provisions as applicable to directors and KMP and the entity as well.

    Thus as a corporate lawyer you have to put your mind in various branches of law that offshoots from company law itself.

    As the founder of Startup Solicitors LLP, you’ve been deeply involved in helping startups navigate legal complexities. Could you tell us about a particularly challenging case or project you’ve worked on and how you tackled it?

    As a law firm we are more likely than not to face challenges in terms of legal complexities. The world is evolving with unprecedented pace and keeping up with the AI and Web3.0 hand in hand with legalities which are not adapting with the pace of technology.

    Though there are many challenging project that came before us, but one interesting project that I would like to draw your attention to would be is of a US client who is working in the blockchain technology and wanting to launch their cryptocurrency few years back when lawmakers did not inked a word on the legality of cryptocurrency. The challenges that we faced were many :-

    1. Whether the cryptocurrency can be tendered as a legal currency in India ?
    2. Whether Crypto mining is acceptable in India ?
    3. Can Cryptocurrency be listed in regulated markets in India ? If not can a Crypto exchange be formulated ?
    4. What is the Tax applicability on crypto transactions in India ?
    5. How to report cryptocurrency to the government Authorities in India ?
    6. Which country in the globe is most suitable for ICO launch and Crypto mining if not India?

    It took us a lot of research work in both the legal and geo political field in understanding the mindsets of various countries towards crypto currency acceptance enabling us to advise the client in choosing India vs Rest of the world for its multi-billion dollar idea. Helping him find the right country for setting up business, choosing the right country for its distinctive operations keeping in mind the future plans of our client.

    Today, we can see the global acceptance of crypto currency. The law remains in grey areas in various parts of the globe.

    With your experience in assisting multi-million dollar companies expand into India and serving on their boards, what are some common challenges these companies face when entering the Indian market, and how do you address them?

    The major problem that multi-million dollar companies face while entering India to expand is choosing the wrong shareholding structure and wrong business structure delaying the corporate compliances and inviting various penalties.

    We address the same by emulating a documentary check and analyzing the business structure comprehensively from all corners and creating timeline keeping in mind the MCA compliances, RBI Compliance, FRRO Compliances and tax laws prior to executing the incorporation process for setting up company in India

    You’ve been involved in setting up new businesses and handling legal and financial consultations. Could you walk us through the process of setting up a new business, highlighting the key legal considerations and steps involved?

    Setting up a new business involves several key legal considerations and steps. Here’s an outline of the process:

    1. Choose a Business Structure: Decide on the legal structure of your business. Common options include sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. Each structure has different legal and tax implications, so it’s essential to choose the one that best fits your needs.
    2. Register Your Business: Register your business name with the appropriate government authorities. This may involve registering a “Doing Business As” (DBA) name or incorporating your business with the state.
    3. Obtain Necessary Permits and Licenses: Depending on your industry and location, you may need to obtain specific permits or licenses to operate legally. Research the requirements in your area and ensure compliance.
    4. Secure Intellectual Property Rights: If your business involves unique products, services, or branding, consider securing intellectual property rights through patents, trademarks, or copyrights. This can help protect your business from infringement and establish your ownership of valuable assets.
    5. Set Up Taxation and Financial Systems: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if necessary. Set up accounting and financial systems to track income, expenses, and taxes. Consult with a tax advisor to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
    6. Draft Legal Documents: Create legal documents such as contracts, agreements, and terms of service. These documents define the rights and responsibilities of your business and its stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and employees.
    7. Hire Employees: If you plan to hire employees, familiarize yourself with employment laws and regulations. Create employment contracts, establish payroll systems, and adhere to labor laws regarding wages, working hours, and workplace safety.
    8. Protect Your Business: Purchase insurance coverage to protect your business against potential risks such as property damage, liability claims, or employee injuries. Consider general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and other relevant policies.
    9. Comply with Regulations: Stay informed about industry-specific regulations and compliance requirements. Depending on your business activities, you may need to adhere to environmental regulations, health and safety standards, or data protection laws.
    10. Create a Business Plan: Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your goals, strategies, and financial projections. A well-crafted business plan can help attract investors, secure financing, and guide your business’s growth and development.
    11. Open a Business Bank Account: Separate your personal and business finances by opening a dedicated business bank account. This will simplify accounting, tax reporting, and financial management.
    12. Market Your Business: Develop a marketing plan to promote your products or services and attract customers. Consider online and offline marketing channels, such as websites, social media, advertising, and networking events.
    13. Stay Compliant and Adapt: Regularly review and update your business practices to ensure ongoing compliance with legal requirements and industry standards. Stay informed about changes in regulations or market conditions that may impact your business operations.

    Your background includes work with Forbes Asia Pacific Enlisted clients and conducting audits for various organizations. How do you maintain a high level of professionalism and attention to detail in your audit processes?

    That is just experience and practice. You learn every day, you evolve and you grow every day.

    Could you share a particularly rewarding moment in your career, where you felt your expertise made a significant impact on a client’s success or outcome?

    Well, there are many and I would like to share few:

    1. Standing shoulder to shoulder with my father and assisting him in arguing a matter in High Court, witnessing him argue with perfection and representing the client was not less than a reward for me in my early days of career.
    2. Now today as the time has passed since my inception in the field of law and finance I feel very happy seeing that we helped some European Jewelry companies and US based IT companies set up their base in India leading them to scale volumes and generate employment in INDIA.

    Lastly, considering your extensive experience and knowledge, what advice would you give to fresh graduates aspiring to enter the fields of law and finance? What key lessons have you learned throughout your career that you believe would benefit them?

    Be genuine. Be Honest with your client. Say no if he cannot win the case.

    Get in touch with Nipun Khanna-

  • “Working in emerging areas presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges that make work both exciting and demanding”- Nandini Nambiar, Senior Corporate Counsel, Amazon

    “Working in emerging areas presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges that make work both exciting and demanding”- Nandini Nambiar, Senior Corporate Counsel, Amazon

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

    Could you please share a bit about your journey into the fintech sector and what initially drew you to this industry?

    My journey in the fintech space started with Ola Money. When I joined Ola, I was initially working on Ola cab and other core Ola businesses. But soon an opportunity presented itself for me to take up the Ola Money charter. I wasn’t sure about what it involved (since I hadn’t worked on financial products before), but took it up as a challenge and a chance for me to learn something new. Since then, there has been no looking back for me – with Ola Money (now Ola Financial Services) and now Amazon Pay. The excitement I felt when I first started working in the fintech space, is something I still feel today. The fintech space has seen tremendous growth in the past decade, a trend that I expect will continue. I am grateful I had the opportunity to explore this sector, and work on a range of fintech products over the years, including wallets, postpaid payments, insurance, payment aggregation, mutual funds and more.

    You’ve had experience working both in-house and with law firms. How do these experiences differ, and how have they shaped your approach to legal counsel?

    That’s right, I started my work experience in law firms, and then moved to in-house roles. I personally think I got to experience the best of both worlds. The law firm experience is what helped me understand and learn the intricacies of law, and its application to everyday issues. This formative experience laid the groundwork for my subsequent transition to in-house roles. When I moved to an in-house role, I had to further learn how to translate legal advice into on-ground executable inputs, and how to deal with ambiguity. I had to analyze situations from multiple perspectives (business, tech etc.), evaluate risks, and make informed decisions in the absence of absolute certainty. I believe these experiences have made me a much better lawyer as I am able to understand and appreciate both the business and compliance aspects of operating a business.

    With your extensive background in regulatory compliance, particularly in emerging areas like fintech, what challenges have you faced, and how have you navigated them?

    Working in emerging areas presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges that make work both exciting and demanding. There is a constant exposure to the unknown! Almost every day brings forth a new scenario, a fresh set of variables, or a problem that requires novel solutions. This situation demands a combination of creativity, critical thinking, and a willingness to explore new paths.

    In the absence of established precedents, the ability to exercise sound judgment becomes paramount. Making informed decisions in the face of ambiguity requires a deep understanding of the subject matter, a thorough analysis of available information, and the capacity to weigh potential risks and benefits. It is a skill that is honed through experience and continuous learning.

    I have also found that regulators are very open to engagement and discussions. This creates a collaborative environment where regulators, industry participants, and stakeholders can work together to shape policies and regulations in a manner that promotes innovation, while ensuring public safety and welfare.

    So if I had to summarize, working in emerging areas offers a dynamic and ever-evolving environment where the unknown becomes a catalyst for growth and innovation. It is a space where individuals with a thirst for learning, a knack for problem-solving, and a commitment to excellence, can thrive and make a meaningful impact.

    Could you elaborate on your role as a strategic business advisor for legal compliance in new business operation areas? How do you stay ahead of the curve in such dynamic environments?

    As a legal counsel, it is crucial to operate as a strategic partner, collaborating with business to ensure we navigate the regulatory landscape successfully, and supporting innovation at the same time. This involves providing comprehensive advice and guidance that goes beyond the letter of the law, encompassing the spirit and intent behind regulations as well. In most instances, I have seen the goal of the regulations and business to be the same – give customers a product/ service offering, which is safe, secure, and easy to use. 

    To stay ahead of the curve, it is important to stay on top of new regulations, actively engage with the industry and regulator, and track what is happening in the industry. To balance what business wants, what customers want and what regulations mandate, is a fine balance.

    Having worked with giants like Amazon and Ola, what have been some of the most significant legal considerations unique to these tech-driven businesses?

    I have realized that each company is unique, having its own set of distinctive characteristics and objectives! For instance, I have worked on the wallet business in both Ola Money and Amazon Pay, but the kind of work I have done in both organizations is very different. Like I spoke of earlier, the advice varies considering what a particular business wants to achieve, the applicable legal considerations, technology build and so on. So, my advice would depend on various such factors. 

    These varied experiences have taught me that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to designing and implementing business and legal solutions. Each company has its unique set of requirements, customer base, and business model, which necessitates a tailored approach. Understanding these nuances is important in providing effective counsel. Also, one needs to apply the right judgement and understanding of what the regulations require, in letter and spirit, including what changes to expect, and how customers may perceive something. Factoring all this into my guidance is a critical part of how I work.

    Your educational background includes an LLM from the London School of Economics. How has this academic pursuit influenced your career trajectory?

    Education has always been a fundamental aspect of my life. Growing up, my family instilled in me the significance of acquiring a quality education. I think I always knew that pursuing a Master’s degree would be a natural progression for me. After my studies at Symbiosis, I applied for a Masters in the UK and was fortunate enough to get into LSE, where I completed my Masters in Law in Corporate and Commercial laws. My LLM experience was truly remarkable. I tried to make the most of it not just by focusing on studies (with some amazing professors), but participating in extra-curriculars, absorbing new cultural experiences, and making friends from all corners of the globe! Meeting individuals with varied backgrounds at LSE was a transformative experience. Their experiences and perspectives broadened my understanding of the legal profession and exposed me to various career options available to me. These interactions played a pivotal role in shaping my professional aspirations and goals.

    From drafting and reviewing contracts to undertaking due diligence, you’ve covered a wide spectrum of legal tasks. Can you share a particularly challenging or rewarding project from your career?

    I know it will sound like a clichéd response, but honestly, I don’t think I can pick something in particular. Each experience I have had so far, has helped shape me into the person/ legal counsel I am today. What is most rewarding for me is to work to solve problems/ challenges for customers, and every day that I am able to do that, it keeps me going! I have been working in the fintech space for almost a decade now, and I have been blessed to see this space grow and innovate. Being part of this journey has been very rewarding to me!

    As someone with rich experience in the legal field, what advice would you offer to fresh graduates aspiring to pursue a career in law, especially in the realm of corporate and commercial law?

    Firstly, one size won’t fit all! So my advice is purely based on what I have experienced. As a fresh graduate, I would say your main focus should be on learning. Find opportunities where you can do that, and build a strong foundation. Embrace opportunities to learn from senior colleagues, attend workshops/ seminars, and engage in continuous professional development. Also, don’t feel pressured to pick a specialty area of work right out of college. Experiment and try new things. When you do end up specializing down the line, you will be clear on what you want.

    What has also helped me during this entire journey, was having some great mentors. If you are fortunate enough to have a mentor, actively seek out their knowledge and learn as much as you can from them.

    Get in touch with Nandini Nambiar-

  • “Our role as in house counsels is to push the limits of permissible law and guide our business to take difficult decisions by explaining possible risk scenarios”- Ankur Deka Rabha, Founder & Managing Partner ~ Λrgħyä Legal

    “Our role as in house counsels is to push the limits of permissible law and guide our business to take difficult decisions by explaining possible risk scenarios”- Ankur Deka Rabha, Founder & Managing Partner ~ Λrgħyä Legal

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

    Can you share with us your journey of becoming a lawyer, starting from your graduation at NLSIU, Bangalore, to your current role as Managing Partner at Λrgħyä Legal?

    My journey as a lawyer began when I joined the prestigious National Law School of India University (NLS), Bangalore in the year 1997. Law school gave me a whole new perspective on life, purpose and law in general. The initial years until graduation was a period of great learning and appreciating the law, legal research and developing an analytical mindset. After graduation, I worked under a few senior counsels as a litigating lawyer in New Delhi being fortunate enough to be practising in various courts like DRT, Tis Hazari, Patiala House, High Court and Supreme Court. This is the phase in my life where I learnt the importance of PERSEVERANCE & RESILIENCE. When your salary is meagre  (compared to what your peers earn in a company or law firm) and you need to survive on that, it requires a lot of PERSEVERANCE & RESILIENCE to not give up on your dream. 

    I transitioned from a litigation lawyer to an associate in a law firm in the year 2006 when I shifted from New Delhi to Bangalore to work with a law firm dealing mostly with foreign clientele wanting to set up business in India. I was fortunate to be a part of the team managing contracts drafting and negotiations, M&A for some well known corporate clients.  This experience along with my previous experience as a litigation lawyer helped me to get into Bosch as an inhouse counsel and thus transition myself from a lawyer to a business lawyer. During this phase, I was fortunate to have both local and international exposure on various aspects of business and law in general. This phase was also about understanding and appreciating the importance of forging collaborations, understanding business, numbers, managing stakeholder expectations, managing teams, having the foresight for incoming risks and proactively taking steps to minimise risks.

    Finally the culmination of all that I had learned and experienced over the years helped me in pursuing this new phase in my professional career i.e. the setting up of Λrgħyä Legal  The firm was set up with the aim of providing affordable and high quality services to select clients. Having been an in-house counsel most of my professional life I am able to understand the pain points/areas of concerns of corporations better and provide solutions which are practical and easy to implement from a business standpoint. Currently the firm’s focus is mostly on assisting in house counsels with the day to day issues, mergers and acquisitions, secretarial assistance and compliance training. 

    With your extensive experience in various industries like healthcare, e-commerce, and IT, what motivated you to pursue a career in law, particularly in corporate and regulatory aspects?

    Few factors that contributed to my decision to join NLS and pursue a career in law. The desire to move out of Guwahati to broaden my horizon in life in general and to join a professional course which was equally relevant as that of medical and engineering courses.  I was very fortunate to be a part of this prestigious  institution.  NLS helped bring in a lot of maturity and clarity in my thoughts so once I graduated I had a clear roadmap in mind. Although someday I wanted to be an inhouse counsel, I first wanted to understand law and its nuances and see how it’s actually dealt with by courts, then law firms and finally settling down as an inhouse counsel. These experiences help me immensely while dealing with complex and critical situations which require strategic thinking. 

    Coming to the question of why I focus particularly in the area of corporate and regulatory aspect. Well I would say although these two aspects are very important, it would not be the only ones that I would need to look at if I am an in house counsel in a leadership position. One has to remember that the role of an inhouse legal counsel is about being a generalist in law, being foresighted, proactive, collaborative, approachable and generally having an idea about every aspect of law which applies to the organisation. You are the first line of defence and your internal stakeholders will look to you for answers and solutions. So I would say I am a generalist whose job is to maintain a fine balance between compliance of law while facilitating smooth business transactions. I have been really fortunate to be a part of multinational organisations which exposed me to a whole gamut of issues on various aspects of law which were really complex and some of them even path breaking, both nationally and internationally. Such experience has enabled me handle complex issues with poise and maturity. 

    You’ve held significant positions in both multinational corporations like Bosch and Essilor, as well as in consulting roles. How have these diverse experiences shaped your approach to legal counsel and leadership?

    Experience does matter and as a lawyer, I have been really fortunate to have worked with great senior counsels, being part of great teams at various law firms and finally exposed to a whole gamut of critical issues in a corporate world mostly in the IT and manufacturing side ranging from labour issues, product issues, litigation, M&A, compliance etc. After more than two decades of being in the profession, each stage of my career has taught me something new which I would not have been privy to or learnt had I continued in just one field and not delved into others. I can safely  say I have seen it all but of course with the humility to state that the learning never stops and I still think of myself as a student who has the courage and conviction to unlearn and learn if required.

    These past experiences of what it takes to drive business has an effect on how I counsel my clients today.  I look at the business and then apply law to see to what extent I can stretch my risks. Years of experience helps in a way to already visualise consequences. Hence, every suggestion or an opinion given to clients is based on their business need and practicality within the ambit of the permissible laws.  One size may not fit everyone so one has to be agile, quick and flexible to innovate. For example, I will never advise anyone to go in for litigation as a first step in a dispute situation. It should be the last resort and one needs to understand that the cost of litigation could dent a company’s bottom line.  During my stint as a General Counsel I have facilitated many negotiations and saved huge litigation costs to the companies I was associated with. 

    As someone who’s been recognized for achievements such as “General Counsel of the Year – Healthcare,” what are some of the key challenges you’ve faced as a first-generation lawyer, and how did you overcome them?

    Challenge is a perception and quite subjective. I always saw opportunities in everything that came my way and grabbed them to make a mark. There is also no alternative to hard work. Challenges are always present in life and we have to figure out a way to navigate through these challenges. Everyday something new happens which we may not comprehend nor anticipate and that is what keeps us going. Life without it will be very boring.


    I was never really dependent only on people teaching and guiding me to learn new things. Of course its importance can never be negated. However, I realised early in life to learn from experiences around me by myself as well. Time is always of the essence and sometimes you miss the bus. During one farewell, the managing director of the company asked me what I would have done differently or changed if I had the opportunity to go back in time. I replied saying none. They were valuable experiences and if I had not encountered them then I would have never learnt. Learning is not only about law, at a leadership level it is about how much you understand the business of your organisation, it is about managing people, managing expectations of your stakeholders, maintaining a fine balance between compliance and business, learning leadership skills etc. This attitude helped me rise the corporate ladder faster and become the general counsel of a listed company at a very early age where I also had to lead cross functional peers who were double my age and experience. 

    In your roles at Flipkart and Walmart, you managed legal aspects of B2B wholesale business. Could you elaborate on the complexities and nuances you encountered in navigating regulatory landscapes in the e-commerce sector?

    I will answer this question in a more generic manner rather than answering specifically with regard to my stint at Flipkart as it applies in general with every organisation in the B2B e-commerce sector. Although regulated, it is not as stringent as the B2C ecommerce sector. Nonetheless, one cannot deny the fact that compliance of the applicable regulations is very important and in order to ensure compliance we need to understand the current gaps and that is only possible through regular interactions with internal stakeholders to understand how the business is being driven. Only once you understand what is currently in place can you strategize on whether any alignment or realignment has to be undertaken. Further, there are also changes in certain areas of law or process which are constant in the B2B sector. Most of the time you will see clarifications and circulars issued by the government under FSSAI, ISI or Legal Metrology or CDSCO on a regular basis.  Sometimes interpretation of such changes becomes an issue as they could be interpreted in more than one way and this is where we need to step in to reach out to the right authorities and conclude on the correct interpretation. Likewise we also need to reach out to relevant authorities and advocate for change whenever we find new changes in law detrimental to our business interest. In general I would say in today’s fast paced business and cut-throat competition, agility and quick decision making is critical to the success of a business. Our role as in house counsels is to push the limits of permissible law and guide our business to take difficult decisions by explaining possible risk scenarios. 

    You’ve been involved in various legal domains such as M&A, compliance, and litigation management. How do you stay updated on legal developments, and how do you integrate these insights into your strategic advice for businesses?

    Overall there are a few things which we need to keep in mind as in inhouse counsel. Firstly understanding the law enables me to visualise consequences and such awareness enables me to guide internal clients in the right direction. Hence, having a proactive mindset to look out for new changes in law and how it is going to affect your organisation’s business and ensure mitigation measures well in advance by working with business colleagues to ensure smooth transition is key. I strive to continuously read and research  on relevant and complex legislations/ provisions of law to ensure that I get the required clarity of its nuances from the perspective of courts/case law to not only properly guide and advice clients but also to be able to successfully provide alternatives during negotiations. Sometimes a simple oversight could cost a lot for your clients. Therefore, it is important to have an eye for detail and the patience to read every line and use one’s analytical skills to question whether what one is looking at really applies to the current situation or not. 

    What is the story behind starting Λrgħyä Legal and embarking on a new chapter in your life. Many would see this as a huge risk stepping out of the comfort of a stable job and a successful career.

    I always had a desire of exploring and stepping out of my comfort zone to try something of my own. After a lot of thought and deliberation with my family, my peers in the industry from whom I found acceptance in the concept of our firm, I finally decided that it is about time I pursued this passion. Having spent more than two decades as a lawyer and most of part of that career as an inhouse counsel with various multinational companies gave me great insights into the various nuances/complexities of managing an inhouse team, budget constraints, work pressure and impossible timelines.  It is very difficult most of the time for in-house counsels to manage/outsource work due to the high cost of legal services. I understand that very well being in that situation myself and feeling helpless. Hence, Λrgħyä Legal was born in the month of August, 2023 with the aim of addressing such issue and coming up with affordable services without compromising on quality. Λrgħyä Legal strives to foster partnership and lasting relationship with our clients rather than just mere commercial transaction.

    Λrgħyä in Sanskrit means “Sacred Offering”. Λrgħyä Legal was set up keeping in mind the four principles: (a) Availability; (b) Affordability; (c) Quality; (d) Integrity. We collaborate with in house counsels and work on various models which helps in (i) outsourcing at affordable rates (ii) continuity of work during headcount reduction or headcount freeze (iii) managing critical manpower and reducing headcount costs and (iv) enabling ample time  to the in house counsels to focus on critical issues and (v) assisting organisation to implement compliance trainings on various legal topics. Currently the firm’s focus is mostly on assisting in house counsels with the day to day issues, mergers and acquisitions, secretarial assistance and compliance training. 

    Lastly, given your wealth of experience, what advice would you offer to fresh law graduates aspiring to pursue a career similar to yours, particularly in corporate law and regulatory compliance?

    In general, all I can say is no matter what one does, they should do it with complete dedication. Patience, Perseverance and Resilience is key to any successful career. There are no shortcuts to success. Do not be in a hurry to move on to new things without mastering what you are currently doing. 

    Get in touch with Ankur Deka Rabha-

  • Harsha Rathore, Legal Manager at Cinepolis India In a FireSide Chat with SuperLawyer On Role of In-House Counsel

    Harsha Rathore, Legal Manager at Cinepolis India In a FireSide Chat with SuperLawyer On Role of In-House Counsel

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

    Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a career in corporate law?

    I am born and brought up in Delhi. Despite being amongst the toppers in my school, I was not sure what I wanted to pursue professionally. I took up Biology with Maths in XIIth in order to keep my options open. After passing out of school, still unsure of what I wanted to do, I zeroed in on studying Business Administration on a whim, as I did not want to pursue medicine or engineering, which was the most opted for career option back then.

    It was during graduation days that I discovered my love for law when I was introduced to Business Laws as a subject. I also realized then that my natural personality traits were aligned with being a lawyer, when I used my skills to negotiate and convince my Professors and HODs to help my friends who ran into trouble with them for multiple reasons.

    Of course, being amongst the good books of my teachers helped to a certain extent in that.

    This naturally progressed into me opting for law when I cracked Delhi University’s entrance exam and studied law in the prestigious Campus Law Centre. Thereafter, I was a practising lawyer for a few years before I chose to move In-House with a Company.

    During my very enriching stint as a first-generation lawyer, where apart from handling cases for individuals, I also got to work closely with several Companies while handling their litigations and arbitrations, I got fascinated by the multi-faceted workings of a Company and the various factors that played part in assisting the top-management take crucial business decisions.

    This piqued my interest in corporate law, and life came a full circle when Business Laws subject in BBA helped me discover my inclination towards law, and after practising law and building my base in understanding the workings of a court, I moved In-House.

    What are some of the most challenging aspects of your job as an In-House Counsel?

    Law is a demanding profession, and whether you are a practising lawyer or an In-House Counsel, every day comes with new challenges, and with each challenge, comes a new opportunity. To pin-point the most challenging aspects would be difficult, as every day is different.

    The job is to assist the Company in all legal affairs, and it can involve anything and everything under the Sun.

    A regular day as an In-House counsel involves a wide spectrum of activities ranging from handling aspects of general corporate advisory, looking after the litigations of the Company, interacting with external lawyers for the same, attending matters, drafting and red-lining of pleadings and agreements, negotiating on closing deals for the Company, briefing senior counsels, interacting with several departments for assisting them in dealing with regular operational issues and commercial transactions, and so on and so forth.

    Simply put, the challenge is to align business objectives with the legal standpoint to the best benefit of the stakeholders, both internal and external, but that is also where the fun lies.

    What strategies do you use to stay abreast of legal developments in the corporate world?

    Frankly, I found it easier to stay abreast of the latest developments in law when I was a practising lawyer, as daily interactions with colleagues outside Courtrooms while waiting on matters to reach would organically help in exchanging new information.

    I did not realize the importance of relevant information just coming to you without you making conscious efforts towards the same. It is a tad bit tougher for an In-house counsel and it requires conscious efforts to stay abreast with the new developments, both in the dynamics of law and business.

    My learnings from my practise days is what works for me in staying aware of the new developments in the corporate world.

    Just that my casual chats with my colleagues outside courtrooms is now replaced with interactions with my colleagues from various departments of the Company, who enlighten me with their knowledge and new developments in their respective fields, and collectively, that gives me a bird’s-eye view of developments in the corporate world.

    Thereafter, my curiosity about the new information pushes me to read extensively on the new developments from a legal standpoint, and as a legal professional, the research skills acquired during my internship and practice days help a great extent in gathering the relevant knowledge.

    Now we are all surrounded by legal tech tools that help in contract drafting and in so many other forms as well, how do you see these tools changing the world of lawyers? What do you think the future of corporate law when AI and the role of legal tech is added on as well?

    These tools are contributing a huge deal in reducing the burden on lawyers. The contract drafting tech tools save up on a lot of time by giving a format to start with. The same, of-course, has to be worked on to suit the specific needs and requirements of the business, and in my view, the legal expertise in doing so cannot be replaced by the Artificial Intelligence behind these tools.

    Besides contract drafting tech tools, there are several other tech tools that help manage the MIS of the multiple litigation’s in a Company and helps In-House counsel in keeping a track of the matters. These tech tools also help in providing data for analyzing the reports for strategizing plans and actions of handling various matters. I see these tools as very important helping hands in assisting lawyers and In-House counsels to work in a more effective and efficient manner.

    What do you consider to be the most important skill for a successful In-House Counsel, and any roadmaps for the same?

    I am still learning new skills every day, and I think the quest to keep learning is the most important skill for a successful legal professional, whether In-House Counsel or a practising lawyer.

    Apart from that, what I have learnt till now is that it is important to put your thoughts into actions. As lawyers, we develop the skill to formulate multiple strategies and plan of actions, but it is crucial to execute the plans in a timely manner to suit the needs of a fast-paced environment of a Company. I feel there is no fixed roadmap for the same, and all ways to achieve the same are the right ways, given one is consistent, conscientious, and persistent towards it.

    Harsha, what do you consider to be the most rewarding part of your job?

    I consider the contentment I derive after a good day’s work where I feel that I contributed towards meeting the Company’s objectives and assisting the various business functions in taking important business decisions, as the most rewarding part of my job.   

    Lastly, any 4 pieces of advice for our young law generation.

    Law is an intellectually rewarding field and is an extremely demanding one as well. It is important to understand that in this field, knowledge is power, and the learning is never-ending.

    A few of my learnings that I would like to share for young professionals:

    1. Go to Courts. I know Corporate Law has been glamorized enough with the multiple perks it comes with as compared to the challenges one faces as a practising lawyer, but I cannot stress enough on knowing the basic functioning of courts before joining a Company as an In-House counsel. The courts are where all the action is, and the learnings you gather there will help you in the longer run. Once you know the drill, you would not be taken for a ride by others, and you would be a better asset to the Company. Your initial few years as a practising lawyer would also give you clarity on which industry appeals to you.
    2. Take responsibility. That’s the way you learn at the beginning of your career. There could be days when you could not present your case before court, because the clerk did not reach on time with the file, or any such fiasco. It helps to internalize the situation instead of pushing the blame on others. Analyse what you could have done better to avoid the situation, learn, and not repeat in future. Pushing on the blame or justifying yourself before your senior would only stagnate your individual growth, while taking complete responsibility would make you adept at better handling such practical problems that you may face.
    3. Don’t be afraid to fail. A cliché, but your failures will teach you more than your successes.
    4. While we are students, exams are held once or twice annually, but once you are a professional, every day is an exam, minus the syllabus. So brace yourselves for the challenges, and have fun while at it.

    Get in touch with Harsha Rathore-