Super Lawyer

Tag: High Court

  • “Success in litigation is a journey that demands dedication, patience, perseverance, and a genuine passion for the field.” – Nadeem Murtaza, Partner at Amicus Demos

    “Success in litigation is a journey that demands dedication, patience, perseverance, and a genuine passion for the field.” – Nadeem Murtaza, Partner at Amicus Demos

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

    Can you take us through the journey of your career, from your early days as a law student to becoming a Partner at Amicus Demos? What were some of the challenges you faced along the way, especially in the initial stages of your career?

    I pursued my B.A. LL.B. (Hons) at the Faculty of Law, Lucknow University, from 1998 to 2003. Throughout my five years in law school, I actively participated in court proceedings as an intern, keenly observing the accomplished lawyers and stalwarts of the Oudh Bar Association, presenting cases before various courts. Post-graduation, I started my legal practice on the criminal side, appearing before the High Court at Lucknow and handling matters in Magistrate Courts and Sessions Court. Despite facing the common challenge of limited briefs at the beginning of my career, I recognized the importance of patience. Early on, the pressure to succeed was intense, but I firmly believed in focusing on developing the necessary skills for effective courtroom advocacy, rather than solely chasing briefs and financial gains, I prioritized honing my talents and improving the quality of my work. It was a challenge to decline cases where a case was not made out, but this approach paid off over time. With time my skills grew, so did the quantity of work, leading to a subsequent increase in remuneration.

    You’ve had extensive experience practicing in the criminal side of law. What drew you to this field initially, and how has your perspective evolved over the years?

    I had the privilege of growing up in a family of legal luminaries. My grandfather, Late Justice Murtaza Hussain, embarked on his legal journey in 1944, ascending from Munsif to the esteemed position of District Judge by 1968. His illustrious career continued with elevation as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow, in 1976. Thereafter, he also served twice as the Lokayukta of Uttar Pradesh from 1983 to 1989. My father, Late Jawed Murtaza, thrived in a flourishing civil practice in Lucknow. Meanwhile, my uncle, Justice Imtiaz Murtaza, made a mark as a prominent lawyer in the criminal side. His trajectory led him to become a Judge of the Allahabad High Court in 2001, culminating in his retirement as the senior most judge in 2015.

    During my college days, I regularly interned at my uncle’s office, immersing myself in the dynamic realm of criminal law. His bustling chamber provided ample opportunities to engage with criminal cases, interact with clients, and witness the intricate interplay of legal provisions such as the Indian Penal Code, CrPC, and Evidence Act. This experience ignited my passion for criminal law, shaping my perspective and fostering a profound interest in the complexities of legal practice.

    As a partner at Amicus Demos, what do you find most rewarding about your role? Are there any particular aspects of your work that you find especially fulfilling or challenging?

    Mr. Gaurav Mehrotra is the senior/managing partner at Amicus Demos. Mr. Gaurav Mehrotra specializes in civil, constitutional, and commercial matters, while I exclusively handle criminal cases within the firm. Our professional collaboration is deeply rewarding, and the law firm feels like an extended family. Dealing with criminal matters presents a unique challenge due to its direct impact on an individual’s life and personal liberty. The stakes are inherently higher, often involving questions of life and death. As a defence lawyer, our focus extends beyond client representation; we strive to protect the rights of the accused and assist the court in uncovering the truth. One particularly challenging role for me was serving as a Special Public Prosecutor in a case involving high-profile officials and public representatives. This role demanded a distinct preparation and approach compared to our usual stance as defence counsel.

    Given your experience as a panel arbitrator for stock exchanges, could you highlight some key differences between arbitration proceedings and traditional courtroom litigation?

    There are some inherent advantages in arbitration proceedings. These proceedings are more expeditious and can be conducted in a manner to suit the better need of the parties.

    Arbitration proceedings differ from courtroom exchanges in several key aspects. Arbitration offers a private setting, allowing for confidentiality, and enables parties to choose arbitrators for a neutral stance. 

    However, there is limitation to arbitration proceedings as the same are limited to inter se parties to an agreement or contract whereas traditional trial or courtroom proceedings are more accessible and cater to the needs of the public at large. The nature and result in an arbitration is only limited to either monetary claims or breach of a contractual obligation and therefore the proceedings are limited to that extent. 

    As an arbitrator on the panel for stock exchanges, my role involves resolving disputes between market participants in a fair and impartial manner. I assess evidence, review financial regulations, and consider market practices to make informed decisions. It’s crucial to maintain transparency and uphold the integrity of the stock exchange. The dynamic nature of the financial markets requires adaptability and a deep understanding of the industry. Serving on the panel has provided me with valuable insights into the intricacies of trading and the importance of fostering trust within the financial community.

    The process is generally less formal, faster, and more cost-effective than courtroom proceedings. Arbitrators often possess industry-specific expertise. Decisions are binding with limited rights to appeal, contributing to a quicker and more final resolution compared to the traditional system.

    You’ve represented some prestigious corporations. What are some common legal challenges these corporations face, and how do you approach addressing them?

    Representing corporations in criminal matters presents unique challenges. One major issue is balancing legal obligations with the corporation’s reputation. Managing public relations during a criminal investigation is delicate, as negative perceptions can harm the company’s brand. Additionally, coordinating communication among various internal departments and legal teams can be challenging. Maintaining attorney-client privilege while interacting with corporate employees adds to the complexity. Lastly, corporations often face potential financial repercussions, including fines and regulatory sanctions, making strategic legal counsel crucial to navigate these challenges effectively.  

    Corporations often face problems due to local law and order situations as well. One such example is that a kisan (farmers’) union once lodged an FIR against a sugar mill and its officials alleging manipulation in quantity of sugarcane purchased. Often, criminal proceedings are sometimes instituted to settle civil and consumer disputes. A fitting example of such abuse is that once a criminal complaint was filed against a leading direct-to-home (DTH) television company and its directors by a consumer for some issue with respect to discontinuation of service. The proceedings were finally stayed by the High Court exercising powers under Section 482 CrPC.  

    As someone who has actively appeared before the Supreme Court of India, can you share any insights or experiences from handling cases at such a prestigious level?

    Handling cases before the Supreme Court is a demanding yet rewarding experience. The process involves intricate knowledge of Constitutional and legal principles. The Court deals with matters of national importance and the stakes are quite high. At times, though we represent a specific client, the question of law involved in the matter affects the public at large and has pan India ramifications. 

    In one of my matters one old and ailing accused who had suffered brain stroke was denied bail by Sessions Court and was sent to custody, at that time there was a Rule in Allahabad High Court to give 10 days advance notice to State before filing bail, we filed SLP before Supreme Court directly challenging the order of sessions court and the Court was apprised about the prevailing rule, Supreme Court not only granted bail to accused but also issued notice to High Court, the same led to amendment of Rules and notice period in bail matters was reduced from 10 days to 2 days in the Allahabad High Court, which hugely benefited the public at large. Similarly, I also appeared in the proceedings before the Supreme Court in the Satender Kumar Antil matter and apprised the Court regarding the laxity in implementation of the guidelines and directions issued by the Court in the State of U.P. In one of the IAs, the Court took stern view of the practice prevalent in Uttar Pradesh where the Magistrate or the Sessions Court would simply deny the grant of anticipatory bail holding that there was no apprehension of arrest since the offences entailed less than seven years of imprisonment and was thus covered by the direction issued in Satendra Kumar Antil case. The Supreme Court strongly deprecated such a practice and since then, there has been a paradigm shift in the matters regarding grant of bail and anticipatory bail in the State of U.P. in consonance with the law laid down by the Supreme Court.  

    In your experience, what would you say is the most difficult or challenging aspect of handling criminal cases, and how do you navigate through those challenges to ensure the best possible outcome for your clients?

    As a criminal law attorney, one of the most challenging aspects is navigating the emotional and personal nature of criminal cases. One of the challenges I feel is informing the client about an adverse order. As these matters relate to the life and liberty of the individual, it is emotionally challenging to inform them that the outcome was not favourable. Balancing legal representation with the human aspect of the client’s predicament requires empathy and a nuanced approach. Engaging with clients who may be facing serious consequences, emotionally charged situations, or societal stigma demands effective communication and understanding. The challenge lies in managing expectations while ensuring a robust legal defence. As a matter of principle, I always give my honest advice and opinion and inform them about the likely outcome of the case without giving them any false hope. I always advise my clients to cooperate with the investigation and trial and never abscond from the judicial process. The adversarial nature of criminal proceedings and the burden of proving innocence can be daunting. To overcome these challenges, maintaining open communication with clients and managing expectations realistically are some crucial aspects necessary in criminal law practice. Crafting a thorough defence strategy, staying abreast of legal precedents, and adapting strategies to suit the unique circumstances of each case are key elements in securing the best possible outcome for clients in the complex realm of criminal law.

    Outside of the courtroom, what are some of your personal interests or hobbies that help you unwind and recharge?

    Outside of the courtroom, I find solace in indulging my passion for poetry. Exploring the intricate beauty of language and the emotional depth of poetic expressions serves as a creative outlet. Traveling is another cherished pursuit, providing a break from the legal intricacies and allowing me to explore diverse cultures and landscapes. Spending quality time with my family is paramount; their support is my anchor amidst the challenges of court. These not only help me unwind and recharge but also contribute to a well-rounded perspective that enhances my legal practice.

    Looking back at your journey from being enrolled as an Advocate to becoming a Partner, what advice would you give to young lawyers aspiring to build a successful career in law?

    Reflecting on my journey so far, my advice for aspiring young lawyers is to embrace continuous learning, nurture a robust professional network, and cultivate a strong work ethic. Sharpen your communication skills, consider specializing in a specific legal niche, and stay adaptable to changes in the legal landscape. Uphold the highest ethical standards, persist through challenges, and strive for a healthy work-life balance. Community involvement and pro bono work not only contribute to society but can also enhance your professional reputation. Remember, success in litigation is a journey that demands dedication, patience, perseverance, and a genuine passion for the field. 

    Get in touch with Nadeem Murtaza-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Get in touch with Himanshu Chaubey-

  • “Travelling to various Courts per-se add a great value, however, arguing a matter before another Court apart from your regular Court adds more experience and sharpens the argumentative skills”- Devmani Basal, Associate Partner at SNG Partners

    “Travelling to various Courts per-se add a great value, however, arguing a matter before another Court apart from your regular Court adds more experience and sharpens the argumentative skills”- Devmani Basal, Associate Partner at SNG Partners

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

    Sir, could you please share the story of how you initially decided to pursue a career in law? Were there specific experiences or influences that led you to choose this path? 

    First of all, I am a second generation lawyer. I was motivated to pursue law from the beginning as Law is a noble profession and contributes a lot to society. Since my childhood, I have seen my Father’s contribution towards society as his core practice area was Criminal Law. However, during my college days, I was much inclined to pursue my career in the stock market being financially connected which goes to my core passion. Simultaneously, I was pursuing Law and finally, I decided to shift myself to Law especially in Commercial matters, which is a mixed bag of finance and commerce. I, then, shifted to Delhi.

    With almost 12 years of experience across litigation, commercial arbitration, and consumer and company litigation, what motivated you to specialize in these specific areas within the legal field? 

    I am passionate to read and learn more and more deep into financial activities related to business and commerce. This interest connects me with the litigation and enlightens me to understand the problem of a businessman in a much better way, which ultimately led to making a business decision. Law can be practiced by anyone but having basic knowledge over the general subject of the case either commercial, arbitration or consumer or company makes things easier to resolve the query in an effective way. Like an Advocate having understanding of stock market would be able to pursue a case related to stock market than a novice. Since I have interest in reading these topics, I was more inclined to specialise in the above specific areas in the legal field, so that I can deliver better than ordinary. 

    Your career includes appearances before various High Courts, the Supreme Court of India, and various tribunals. Can you highlight a particularly challenging case you’ve worked on and discuss the strategies you employed to navigate through it successfully? 

    It was in Sep’ 2014, when I caught up in a matter before Hon’ble Supreme Court. I briefed a Senior Advocate, however, he was stuck in a traffic jam and could not make it on time. I was called upon by the Bench to argue. With hesitation, I began and strenuously argued the matter. When I finished my arguments, my Senior reached the Court. However, by that time, the Hon’ble Court reserved the matter for order. The judgement was delivered in the month of March’ 2015 and finally, we succeeded. This case taught me to always be ready with the brief irrespective of engaging a Senior Advocate. I have fearlessly appeared before almost 11 High Courts of the country and numerous District Courts and Tribunals across the country and independently argue the matters. This rich experience and exposure are completely devoted to my Senior Colleague Mr. Ajay Abhay Monga Advocate, who always reposed faith on my skills and offered opportunity as and when it appeared.  

    Given your expertise in Consumer Laws, Commercial Law, and other areas, how do you stay abreast of the ever-evolving legal landscape, especially with regards to amendments and changes in laws and regulations? 

    In the current scenario, especially the deep presence of online updates and platforms, it becomes easy to keep updated. However, specific laws get evolved as and when I work upon a case file. I must state that sitting in Court, in idle time, is indeed a good way of learning and keeping updated, apart from learning argumentative skills and to have a broad idea about the temperament of a Judge.

    You’ve been associated with significant reported judgments, such as Millennium Wires vs. The State Trading Corporation of India. Can you share the role you played in these cases and the impact they had on your legal career? 

    As explained to you above, the case you highlighted was a game changer for me as it was an opportunity to independently argue a case before the Hon’ble Supreme Court in addition to the fact that many stakes were involved. I was quite nervous in the beginning, however, after the hearing concluded, I felt immensely satisfied with my performance and it boosted my confidence to argue a case before any Court. I was involved in the above case since it was before the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, therefore, I had good command over the facts and coupled with the fact that I briefed the Senior Advocate for hearing, so I was quite prepared with the case. The preparation, briefing and discussion with Senior and deep involvement in the case since inception, in fact, gave power and confidence to present the case independently.

    Having worked on matters related to FEMA, PMLA, and other financial regulations, how do you approach advising senior management on the legal implications of business decisions, particularly in the context of financial laws? 

    Advising on the legal implications of financial laws certainly depends upon the kind of business my client is involved in coupled with their requirements. Those days are gone by, where businesses can flourish without legal support. Presently, the laws are quite stringent, which require legal advice at every stage of business decisions. Therefore, after understanding the business model and the requirements of a particular trade, I would advise my Client in making its business decisions in line with the financial laws.

    From being an Associate to now being an Associate Partner at SNG & Partners, can you discuss the key milestones and challenges you faced in your career progression? 

    I belong to Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh and shifted myself to Delhi in Sep’ 2011 to pursue my career in law. Since, I was not much active during my college days, therefore, I was completely raw, when in fact, I entered the profession. I initially practiced with some Advocate for a period of 4 months and thereafter, I began my career with SNG & Partners in March’ 2012. Our Managing Partner, Mr. Sanjay Gupta is a kind-hearted and a great mentor, who always encourages the juniors. In the beginning, rushing from one Court to another gave me an exposure to a variety of laws. I was working under Mr. Ajay Abhay Monga, Senior Partner, who gave me ample opportunities to argue the matter independently. Later on, he handed over the outstation cases portfolio to me, which added more exposure in my experience. Travelling to various Courts is per-se add a great value, however, arguing a matter before another Court, apart from your regular Court, adds more experience and sharpens the argumentative skills. Travelling to different Courts gives independence as well as enhances decision making without the support of your colleagues. It also helps you to understand the local practices of various Courts. I must add that there are no free lunches anywhere and the same goes with different Courts in different states. You will face challenges like language barriers as all the Courts in this country are not following English as their base language but these exposures not only add experience but also shape an Advocate to argue a matter in challenging circumstances as well. My journey with SNG is full of challenges in each case, however these challenges make an Advocate. I am always thankful to my Seniors for always appreciating my work and finding me suitable for new challenges. A special regard to Mr. Monga, who has been a great mentor for me and guided me in my hard times and always motivated me.

    As someone with a rich and varied legal career, what advice would you give to fresh law graduates who are just entering the legal profession? What key lessons have you learned along the way that you would like to share with them? 

    A law graduate must understand that law is a learning process, which would never end. Therefore, reading and understanding the law and its implications are essential. Like practice makes a man perfect, similarly, the more you read, the more you gain. Law graduates, during the initial days, must visit Court everyday and observe the Advocates arguing their cases and the kind of questions raised by the Benches. This will make them understand how the case is presented. You can make notes and read the file thoroughly, however, there are certain spontaneous questions, which would arise and those questions can be answered, only with your general acumen. A law graduate must not refrain from reading the topics, which are not necessary for the kind of legal practice he/she is involved in. He/She must understand that presenting a case before the Court is an art crafted by an Advocate. Thus, every advocate has a different way of presenting the case. Thus, the argumentative skills can only be learnt, when you hear and listen in a Courtroom. I wish All the Best to all the Law graduates.  

    Get in touch with Devmani Bansal-

  • “Grey hair or lineage no longer convinces a client of you being a competent lawyer”- Praveen Kumar Jain, Managing Partner of Parens Patrice

    “Grey hair or lineage no longer convinces a client of you being a competent lawyer”- Praveen Kumar Jain, Managing Partner of Parens Patrice

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

    Could you please share with us how your journey into law began? What inspired you to pursue a career in the legal field?

    In my hometown, lawyers were not looked at with respect due to the low fees they used to command in the twentieth century. It was believed that those who could do nothing else, do LL.B. Hence, it was not a childhood dream fascinated by observing a successful lawyer in my neighbourhood or from some scenes in Bollywood movies. 

    I was living in a hostel while pursuing B.Com. Simultaneously, I was doing an articleship with a CA firm namely AAG & Associates as I wanted to become a Chartered Accountant as we knew only about being doctors, engineers, and CAs at that time. In December 2000, I unearthed a financial scam in the hostel management. However, the administrators of the hostel connived with the grifter and asked me to prove the charge after forging his confession letter. That day, I argued before the influential people to prove the clerk’s wrongdoing but they let him off scot-free. That was one of the worst days of my life when I got harassed despite being a whistle-blower. The proverb “Every cloud has a silver lining” became true to me. That night while introspecting the entire incident with my younger brother Naveen, I realised I had argued very confidently and logically before so many persons in authority. I also underwent the pain of false accusations and injustice done to me. They say “जाके पांव न फटी बिवाई, वो क्या जाने पीर पराई”. I realised getting justice was one of the most basic human rights. That was the night when I decided to stand for others in their pursuit of justice. 

    I sought time to meet Shri Ravi Sharma, Advocate, before leaving the hostel who portrayed a very good picture of lawyers in society and advised me to do LL.B. from the University of Delhi. As luck had it, the next day one of the articles of that CA firm called me to come to Delhi as he needed someone to share room rent. I immediately came to Delhi with a small briefcase in hand and cleared the entrance test of the Faculty of Law, DU and that’s how my journey commenced in law. This has turned out to be the best decision of my life to choose law as my profession and I heartily thank God for that incident.

    How did you end up specialising in arbitration and litigation?

    As far as my entry into the arbitration field is concerned, it was in 2005 when I was working in Amitabha Sen & Co., we filed an application u/s 11 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 before the “Chief Justice of India” for appointment of the Arbitrator in an international commercial arbitration titled: Secit S.P.A. vs. NTPC. I signed that application myself without engaging an AOR and approached the Registrar (Judicial) to take it on record who asked me to file it at the filing counters. But I tried to convince him that it was to be filed before the Registrar (Judicial) only as I was not approaching the “Supreme Court of India” but the “Chief Justice of India” in his administrative capacity as per the judgement in the case of Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. and Anr. v. Rani Construction Pvt. Ltd. (2000)2 SCC 388.

    After several rounds of persuasion, the Registrar (Judicial) called me to his office and informed me that Hon’ble Mr. Justice RC Lahoti, the then Chief Justice of India, had allowed the filing of our application without engaging an AOR that too through the Registrar (Judicial) for the first time and the last time as his Lordship had directed him to amend the paragraph 10 of “The Appointment of Arbitrators by the Chief Justice of India Scheme, 1996” whereby all applications thenceforth would be filed at the filing counter of the Supreme Court only. A few months after his retirement, I joined the late Justice Lahoti’s office as his Legal Assistant. I used to assist his Lordship during arbitral hearings and in writing legal opinions by doing research and preparing drafts. Just after I commenced my independent practice in April 2008, I was engaged in an international commercial arbitration. Advocates from other states and Clients started approaching me thereafter for their arbitration cases. Several cases related to arbitration law were marked to me by the Litigation Incharge, Ministry of Law & Justice when I became Senior Panel Counsel of the Union of India in December 2014 for cases before the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi. To date, I have already argued in approx 100 cases related to arbitration law before the High Court of Delhi and approx 50 arbitration cases before the Arbitral Tribunals consisting of former Chief Justices of India, former Judges of Supreme Court & High Courts, and former officers of CPWD/ MES, etc. Today, I am handling a number of high-stakes international commercial arbitrations and construction arbitrations for several ministries of the Central Government, PSUs, autonomous bodies, and private companies. That’s how my practice heavily tilted towards arbitration law. 

    You had the privilege of gaining first hand training from the Late Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.C. Lahoti, Former Chief Justice of India. How did this experience shape your professional life?

    I was his Lordship’s first junior post-retirement who got the privilege of getting first hand training under his tutelage. His Lordship was very humble and soft-spoken and would never admonish or scold his staff for any mistake whatsoever. His Lordship was very meticulous in doing his day-to-day personal and professional work which deeply influenced me. He was fond of exclusive stationery and the latest gadgets. He guided me to read the autobiographies of legal stalwarts, classic literature, and even stories of Singhasan Battisi, Baital Pachchisi and Panchatantra as they develop decision-making abilities and have hidden messages of imparting justice. I imbibed the habit of gifting books from his Lordship only. So far, I have gifted hundreds of books to my interns, associates, friends, and libraries. The lesson I learned from his way of working was “जिन खोजा तिन पाइया, गहरे पानी पैठ” meaning thereby the one who keeps trying deeply gets the desired results. He would always ask me to examine even the repealed Acts and overruled judgments before drafting any opinion or award to find out the reasons for the development of present-day laws. He used to discuss with an open mind and would allow me to change his drafts if gets convinced by my viewpoints. Likewise, I encourage all my associates and interns to come up with ideas that may seem even absurd to make them learn the art of thinking out of the box.

    Could you share insights into the international commercial arbitration case you handled before the ICC International Court of Arbitration, France in 2008-09? What challenges did you face, and how did it contribute to your professional growth?

    I started my independent practice in April 2008 and obviously did not have that much work to do. After the elevation of its counsel as a judge of the High Court of Delhi, an Indian company having business in 70 countries approached me in July 2008 for its international commercial arbitration in which the tribunal consisted of three arbitrators from different countries, the seat of arbitration was in Geneva and laws of UK/ India were applicable as per the arbitration clause. Despite my lack of experience in doing international arbitrations under the aegis of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, one of the Directors of the company who used to take a deep interest in that arbitration, entrusted the case to me. So I had to study many laws at that time including the arbitration rules of the ICC, and the laws of the UK and India. I invested in buying many latest commentaries including Chitty’s Contract, Benjamin’s Sale of Goods, Kluwer’s Yearbook Commercial Arbitration, Buhler Webster’s Handbook of ICC Arbitration, Black’s Law Dictionary, etc which were very expensive for a lawyer who had just come into independent practice. I had written an email to a legal giant of that time to give me a written opinion on a particular issue which he declined by citing the reason that giving an opinion would disable him from appearing in the matter at a later stage. I briefed 3-4 other senior advocates but somehow my client did not get enough satisfaction; hence, asked me to handle the case myself. For final arguments, my client engaged Shearman & Sterling LLP, one of the largest law firms in the USA and asked me to hand him my passport so that he could get a Visa issued to participate in the arbitral hearings in Geneva. Today I regret and laugh at the same time that I had not even heard of passports by that time. Though I immediately applied for a passport but due to no change in the schedule, my client had to leave without me. Though we lost the case, the client again approached me to draft the application u/s 34 of the A&C Act, 1996 to challenge the arbitral award. This case considerably enhanced my interest, experience and confidence in international commercial arbitrations and gave me the opportunities to read laws of different jurisdictions and to brief several senior advocates which helped me in my ensuing practice. No doubt I earned handsome fees which enabled me to get established during those initial times. Of the above incident, I wish to convey to the fresh graduates that you should always be positive and hopeful as God has its mechanism to help you through unexpected ways.

    Your profile mentions the publication of several critical articles and the delivery of speeches/ lectures to law students and professionals. How do you balance your practical legal work with academic pursuits, and how has this dual engagement enriched your legal practice?

    Mr. Vinay Vaish, Managing Partner of Vaish Associates, encouraged me to write my first article titled: Should Capital Punishment Be Given Capital Punishment – A Capital Question” while I was interning in his law firm in June 2004. That article was published in Delhi Law Review – the annual journal of the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. Thereafter, I wrote many articles that were published in the journals of NLU Jodhpur, Indian Law Institute, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, Indian Social Institute, CNN magazine, etc. By writing articles, you not only learn to identify the legal issues but also how to do multidimensional research and develop your arguments; particularly when you seek to differ with a judgement of the Supreme Court/ High Court. Further, I have never declined invitations to deliver speeches and lectures to law students and professionals. The latest one was in December 2023 to the serving officers of Military Engineer Services, Ministry of Defence. I have also delivered lectures to 4th year students at a law school in Delhi as a guest faculty during my early days of practice.

    There is no dual engagement and nothing to be balanced to write legal articles. I identify the conflicting issues while researching to argue in my forthcoming cases and shape them into articles/ case comments. I feel grateful to the late Hon’ble Mr. Justice RC Lahoti, Mr. Jagdish Sagar, Advocate, and Professor Alka Chawla, PIC of Campus Law Centre, for vetting my all articles with keen interest by taking time out of their busy schedules. 

    Due to publications, I have got many new clients who read my articles and approached me for their cases. One army man from Kolkata came to my chambers to engage me for his brother-in-law’s case as he believed that an advocate who dares to author and publish articles critical of the Supreme Court’s judgement would be dead honest. Senior Vice President of a pharmaceutical company came down from Bangalore to engage me in his several cases after reading one of my articles. During those days, law students from NLUs approached me to intern in my office after reading my articles as there were no online platforms at that time. I also got appreciation from my peers, seniors, and judges.

    You’ve been representing various government departments, PSUs, and autonomous bodies since 2014. Could you share some highlights or challenges faced while representing them before the Delhi High Court and Arbitral Tribunals?

    Representing the Central Government for me is a matter of gratification and a sense of fulfilment as well. Being the government’s counsel, you are expected to be thoroughly prepared and more responsible than the opposite party in your conduct before the court. You are appointed in cases of a wide range and having issues of national importance which is an exceptional opportunity to learn and get noticed by the judges and others present in the courtroom. Further, you get a close opportunity to learn how the government functions. I might have never appreciated how much effort the government officers make with utmost honesty and sincerity to safeguard the public money had I not been engaged by different government organisations in the last 9-10 years. However, there are certain practical and common challenges that I encounter while representing the government: 

    1. There is no monetary reward for winning the cases for the government. You need to have a strong purpose and abundant willpower that will propel you to keep burning your midnight oil.
    1. Sometimes, you don’t get proper and timely instructions due to frequent transfers of the concerned officers or their heavy workload.
    1. Difficult to find the concerned officers of different ministries as sometimes the cases get marked in late evening and you have to appear before the High Court the next morning when the opposite party might be seeking some urgent relief.
    1. Very low fee irrespective of your standing at the Bar and the nature of cases which makes it difficult to run the office. No clerkage is paid even though you have to file ten thousand pages of documents with applications u/s 34 of the A&C Act, 1996. Payment of bills gets delayed routinely. 
    1. Had a good private practice; particularly, before the Supreme Court, prior to getting panels, which suffered due to heavy workload before the High Court of Delhi and arbitral tribunals. I couldn’t appear before other High Courts also which I used to do earlier.

    Your focus has been on defending various ministries of the Government of India in construction and engineering arbitration cases. What complexities do these cases typically involve, and how do you navigate them successfully?

    Construction law is a specialised field that has its highs and hindrances. Site managers who get the work executed are not available for briefing due to transfers or retirements, and documents related to the site like works diary, site order book, cement register, steel register, test register, drawings, etc are not made available due to non-maintainability of the record properly or lack of coordination between the headquarter and the site offices. Officers briefing me and sending comments to draft pleadings have generally not visited the site. Lack of trained and separate staff leads to delayed drafting and filing which sometimes results in imposition of costs or closure of the right to place on record the pleadings. A few arbitrators held hearings at venues out of Delhi where we could not go due to the lack of provision to reimburse the actual expenses. Some of the officers are unwilling to appear as a witness as they apprehend that in case their answers turn out to be favourable to the claimant, that may land them in the soup or they may be exposed to their inadequate knowledge. There is an acute deficiency of supporting staff and logistics required for efficient conduct of arbitral hearings. Officers as well as I are overburdened which makes us have late-night conferences in the office almost every day to prepare for the arguments the next day. The claimants engage a team of lawyers led by seniors, whereas the government does not have provision for paying a minimal fee to even a single associate of its counsel.

    Further, a few of the sole arbitrators consisting of former judges may not have that much sound technical knowledge while the sole arbitrator being an engineer may not be able to appreciate the basic concept of ‘burden of proof’ and generally get completely baffled by the judicial precedents as to which one to be followed. Having a tribunal consisting of three arbitrators makes it unaffordable and the proceedings get delayed due to the non-availability of matching dates.

    To encounter some of the above difficulties, I deploy my additional staff and I have also visited a few project sites to learn the quality and status of the executed works. I insist on the presence of project managers and site staff who have contemporaneous personal knowledge. Despite so many challenges, we have finished final arguments in more than 12 big construction arbitrations in 2023 out of which 8 awards have been published. All the cases filed by the contractors have either been dismissed, including two wherein our statement of defence not taken on record, or a small percentage of the claimed amount has been allowed. In one case, we have just been awarded 35 crores for counterclaims by a former judge of the Supreme Court. Such successes and genuine appreciation from the court/ tribunal alleviate all hurdles and make you stride with added vigour.

    You’ve consistently pursued professional development, including obtaining a PG Diploma in ADR and currently pursuing an LL.M. in ADR. How do you believe these additional qualifications enhance your capabilities as a legal professional?

    I firmly believe in continuous education in the form of participating in conferences, writing articles, and enrolling in specialised professional courses in which you are practising or intend to practise. I was greatly influenced by the fact that my mentor Justice Lahoti was looking for a tutor to learn Sanskrit language to read the untranslated literature in its original form just after his retirement, showing that age is just a number. Undoubtedly, doing an LLM/ PhD is not the recipe for becoming a good advocate but may help you learn the art of doing in-depth legal research, develop the habit of reading law books for long hours, explore the law library, learn the art of legal writing in the form of research articles and projects, if you have not done all the above in your law school due to the factors of you being in part employment or for lack of guidance, etc at that time. However, you would get to learn theoretical aspects of law and may make new lifelong friends and professional connections in the classroom. Further, additional diplomas and degrees in the same field you are practising in give a little extra credibility to your profile. Moreover, I have seen some government organisations and arbitration centres give added weightage at the time of empanelment if you have done LL.M. 

    Further, my father, who has earned three master degrees, always encourages us to go for higher studies by saying that no degree remains irrelevant and it may come to your aid in future. One of the reasons for attending the classes is that Generation Z keeps me updated with the technology and young at heart.

    Lastly, considering your extensive experience and varied roles, what advice would you like to give to law students or fresh graduates who are just starting their legal careers, especially those interested in arbitration and litigation?

    Ours is such a wonderful profession where all lawyers help each other without having any kind of competition or jealousy. You ask a query in any lawyers’ WhatsApp group and solutions will start pouring in. I would advise fresh graduates to not gripe about being first-generation lawyers or from small towns or being Hindi medium/ non-NLU students – “Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done”. After coming into independent practice, I surprisingly realised that grey hair or lineage no longer convinces a client of you being a competent lawyer. 

    Never believe in the cries of nepotism and favouritism. Had it been so, I would not have won so many cases against eminent senior advocates and big law firms. The first case I won before the Supreme Court was where Ld. ASG was appearing for UOI and the recent one is against a senior known for his international arbitration practice. No judge has snubbed me for coming from a humble background. Please understand that every profession has its incomparable gestation period. For establishing in litigation you may have to ‘live like a hermit, work like a horse’ during the initial years.

    Always be grateful to society for giving us affordable education – Most of us have got education in government schools and colleges at a negligible fee. 

    “Stay hungry, stay foolish” is perhaps the most apt quote for Advocates. Keep reading the A&C Act, Contract Act, Specific Relief Act, Partnership Act, Sale of Goods Act, Limitation Act, CPC, Suit Valuation Act, Stamp Duty Act, Registration Act, Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam and General Clauses Act while waiting for your turn in the courts as many cases get dismissed for the technicalities prescribed in the above Acts.

    Pay special attention to the art of cross-examination, which is done by your seniors and even by other advocates – with this skill alone you can batten down the hatches.

    Finally, love your profession, it loves you back. Be proud of being an advocate – you are on an eternal quest of securing justice for the helpless and hapless people – sometimes the animals and nature even. God is always with you!

    The following aspects greatly contributed to the growth of my practice:

    1. One should undergo training for at least 5-6 years before establishing own chamber.
    1. Invest in buying good commentaries and study the relevant provisions before doing any drafting or making arguments in the court.
    1. As a matter of lifestyle make life-long relationships with your clients, classmates, and opposite counsel who often refer clients to you.
    1. Write articles; particularly, for legal news & views websites and professional bodies like Chartered Accountants and Company Secretaries.
    1. Read autobiographies of legal stalwarts and interviews on websites like www.superlawyer.in
    1. Don’t waste your time in cafeteria gossip, at least during the initial years.
    1. Try to grab the opportunities to argue the cases of your seniors. Most of the judges do not pass adverse orders if you fumble but they expect and appreciate good preparation at your end.
    1. Do the same level of work for a fee of rupees one thousand as you would do for a fee of rupees one lakh – this will raise your default standards of working.
    1. It is such a fast-paced profession that if you don’t realise you knew nothing 6 months back then you have wasted your last 6 months. Keep upgrading your skills by adopting technology, attending conferences, and doing specialised courses.
    1. Honesty and Integrity will grow your practice like bamboo after 8-10 years.
    1. It is not your last day in the court, it is not your last case – do your best and leave it to the fate of the client. Don’t get tempted to take a shorter route – it leads nowhere. 
    1. Have good terms with your seniors who may refer some cases to you when you leave their chambers. Mr. Vaish and the late Justice Lahoti have referred a few good cases to me. 
    1. Develop the habit of reading literature. Late Justice Lahoti used to emphasise upon reading books every day. Many times, I have referred to incidents from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagawad Gita and stories of Munshi Premchand/ Ravindra Nath Tagore and recited Dohe & Sher to cut across my viewpoints which significantly impacted the judges/ arbitrators. I listen to classics on Audible these days.
    1. Last but not the least, पहला सुख निरोगी काया. Please take care of your health to be in this unending marathon.

    Get in touch with Praveen Kumar Jain-

  • “With India experiencing rapid growth, witnessing a surge in startups and companies undergoing transformations, there is a burgeoning demand for M&A and related expertise”- Corporate Lawyer Sandip Patil

    “With India experiencing rapid growth, witnessing a surge in startups and companies undergoing transformations, there is a burgeoning demand for M&A and related expertise”- Corporate Lawyer Sandip Patil

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

    Can you provide a brief overview of your journey in the field of law, from your educational background to your current role as an in-house Legal Advisor?

    My journey began with a passion for Indian civil services, steering my interest towards law despite an initial background in mechanical engineering. Pursuing a law degree from the University of Pune, I prioritized learning over grades, delving deep into various legal dimensions through diplomas, certifications, and practical experience. Working extensively in real estate law before completing LLB, I continued to expand my expertise in diverse legal areas—Civil, Criminal, Family, Consumer, Cooperative, Commercial, Labour, and Finance. 

    Joining a Pune-based law firm with a broad spectrum of cases but limited manpower allowed me to rapidly acquire extensive knowledge. Transitioning to a corporate role in a Singapore based company, specializing in commercial, legal, and financial advisory for startups, exposed me to a new realm of laws such as Corporate, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and Cyber Law. 

    Currently, as a Legal Advisor in a cluster of companies, I handle multifaceted legal responsibilities spanning litigation management, corporate agreements, Real Estate law, IPR, Data Privacy, compliance, and due diligence. 

    In your experience at Bluebox Consulting Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, how did you handle entity creation, management, and dissolution, especially in the context of startup operations?

    During my tenure at Bluebox Consulting Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, I navigated entity creation, management, and dissolution within the startup landscape. Singapore’s legal and corporate procedures are notably straightforward, featuring user-friendly applications and streamlined processes that were quick to grasp and integrate into operations. Compared to India, the procedures are notably simpler and less cumbersome. Working closely with government agencies like ACRA & IRAS was a delight; their support further emphasized Singapore’s business-friendly ecosystem, which I found particularly favourable.

    How have skills such as Legal Research, Due Diligence, and Litigation Management been crucial in your day-to-day Work, and can you share a specific example where these skills were instrumental?

    In my current role, the company faces diverse litigations including SCC under section 138 of NI Act 1881, labor law cases, Special Civil suits, RCAs, among others. An instance that highlights the importance of my legal research skills occurred during a specific litigation where we needed case law to challenge the plaintiff’s authority to file the suit. Despite involving external counsel, my legal research proved pivotal. I uncovered relevant Case Laws that not only addressed the pertinent legal points but also showcased instances where the same individual involved in our case had committed a similar act in different cases across various High Court jurisdictions. This comprehensive research significantly contributed to our case strategy and defence.

    As someone with expertise in Contracts & Negotiation, what advice would you give to professionals entering negotiations for international agreements?

    For professionals entering negotiations regarding international agreements, I would emphasize the critical role of dispute resolution and jurisdiction clauses. Litigation costs in foreign countries such as the US and Singapore can be exceptionally high. Hence, incorporating arbitration clauses can significantly save on expenses and prove to be a more cost-effective solution.

    You have pursued various certifications, including a diploma in “US Corporate Law & Paralegal Studies.” How have these certifications enhanced your legal knowledge and skills in practice?

    These certifications I pursued, particularly the diploma in “US Corporate Law & Paralegal Studies,” have been immensely beneficial both in my current role and in my freelance endeavours. In my job, I frequently handle a diverse range of corporate agreements, many originating from foreign countries, necessitating a deep comprehension of international laws and procedures. This certification has served as a strong theoretical foundation that greatly supports and informs the practical work I undertake on a day-to-day basis.

    Pursuing a Diploma in Mergers & Acquisition is an interesting choice. How do you see this specialization shaping your future roles or contributions to your current position?

    Enrolling in a Diploma in Mergers & Acquisitions is a strategic investment in futuristic skills and opportunities. With India experiencing rapid growth, witnessing a surge in startups and companies undergoing transformations, there is a burgeoning demand for M&A and related expertise. I foresee this specialization playing a pivotal role in future roles or contributions, as M&A, being an extensive domain, already contributes, to some extent, to my current role, and I anticipate it will continue to be an asset as the complexities of M&A transactions become more prevalent in the professional landscape.

    Working at Prof. Vijayrao Kale & Associates, you dealt with a variety of litigation matters. Can you share an experience that significantly impacted your approach to legal advocacy?

    Sometimes, circumstances unexpectedly come to one’s aid. Learning directly from senior lawyers can be challenging, especially for first-generation lawyers like myself. In such situations, one must proactively seek opportunities and glean as much knowledge as possible despite facing repeated denials, frustration, and dissatisfaction.

    Fortunately, during my tenure at Prof. Vijayrao Kale & Associates, I encountered a wealth of diverse litigation cases at various stages. Despite the limited number of Advocates available to handle these cases, this situation placed a substantial burden and responsibility on me as a newcomer in the field. This pressure, however, became a catalyst for my intense learning process, and I embraced it wholeheartedly. Within a remarkably short span, I absorbed an extensive amount of knowledge and procedural insights. I acquired insights that an average lawyer might not gain even after five years in the field, all within a mere 1-2 years.

    While the pay scale was disappointing, the experience and knowledge gained were invaluable. This challenging environment became the breeding ground for exponential growth in my understanding and practical experience within the legal sphere.

    Considering your diverse experience in law, what general advice would you give to fresh graduates entering the legal profession today?

    Considering the diversity of experiences in law, my advice to fresh graduates venturing into the legal profession today revolves around the distinction between theoretical knowledge and its practical application. While understanding substantive law might seem more accessible, grasping procedural laws—often intricate and challenging to remember—poses a hurdle for beginners, especially first-generation lawyers.

    Newcomers commonly struggle in acclimating to law practice due to insufficient revision of procedural laws. In my view, it is crucial for budding legal professionals to focus on memorizing procedural laws—prioritizing the relevant and frequently used ones—right from the outset of their practice. This foundational understanding significantly eases the comprehension of court procedures and accelerates progress towards higher levels of learning within the field.

    Lastly, I would like to quote Roy Bennett for the first-generation lawyers,

     “Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end.”

    Get in touch with Sandip Patil-

  • “As a transactional lawyer, one has to comprehend all the future eventualities while drafting agreements and documents between parties”- Hemant Kothari, Advocate and Legal Consultant

    “As a transactional lawyer, one has to comprehend all the future eventualities while drafting agreements and documents between parties”- Hemant Kothari, Advocate and Legal Consultant

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

    Sir, can you share a bit about your journey in the field of law, from your early days to establishing your own chambers? What inspired you to pursue a career in law?

    I come from a small town in Rajasthan called Merta, where we stayed for the major part of my childhood before moving to Jodhpur where I completed my schooling. In Merta, my Nanaji (Maternal Grand Father) was practicing as a Sales Tax Attorney and had established a small but niche and respectable practice advising the businesses in and around Merta, on their Sales Tax compliances. Even though he was not a traditional court going lawyer and mostly did departmental practice, he was fondly referred by everyone in the town as ‘Vakil Sahab’, which I used to consider a title of respect. 

    Also, despite coming from a predominantly business family, I had keen interest in social sciences while growing up. 

    Therefore, with the benefit of hindsight, I think my choice to pursue law was the fortunate amalgam of having grown up looking up to a tall and respectable figure in my Nanaji and the opportunity to explore my interests in social sciences when I got to know about NLUs after moving to Jodhpur.

    Coming from a small town, the opportunity to study law at NLU Delhi was a privileged experience, which for me was not only a place to train as a lawyer but opened the world to me in a manner that I had not envisioned. I am what I am today because of the five years spent in the company of the dearest friends and peers, apart from some of the most exceptional faculties at NLU Delhi.

    After completing college, I joined Khaitan & Co (KCO) in Mumbai. In my first year at KCO, I rotated and worked with the Banking & Finance team, Indirect Tax team and the Investment Funds team, before finally joining the Banking & Finance team. I had a great mentor and guide in my partner at KCO, Mr Kumar Saurabh Singh from whom I have tried to imbibe the ability to think holistically as a lawyer, instead of a tunnel view, on any given issue. 

    During my time at KCO, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) had just been introduced and top 12 defaulting companies then were referred to the process under IBC. With the team at KCO, I was involved in the CIRP proceedings of three (3) companies, being Essar Steel India Limited, Alok Industries Limited, and Electrosteel Steels Limited, apart from other assignments under IBC. Invariably, all the processes went into litigation, which gave me the opportunity to work on both transactional and litigation aspects in the aforesaid matters and to closely interact with the leading Senior Advocates in the country.

    The exposure to handle litigation in high stakes matters re-affirmed my interest in litigation but at the same time, I did not want to completely forego working on the transactional side. 

    From a long term perspective, I always wanted to settle in my home state, i.e. Rajasthan.

    Accordingly, after a stint of around three and half years with KCO, I moved to Jaipur and for the first few years, I wanted to just learn as much as possible in terms of managing court practice, advocacy and understanding the intricacies of litigation. In Jaipur, I initially worked with Chir Amrit Legal LLP as a Senior Associate, where I was fortunate to learn under Mr Sanjay Jhanwar (Sr. Advocate) and Mr Prakul Khurana.

    In 2020, I joined the Chambers of Major RP Singh, Sr Advocate and the then Additional Advocate General (AAG), as Assistant to AAG and continue to work under his guidance even today. Under his guidance, I received intensive training in court craft and advocacy, which has certainly helped me improve immensely as a lawyer. He graciously allowed me the flexibility to take up my own matters and to gradually build an independent practice. 

    With the support and blessing of my Seniors, I was fortunate to set up my independent Chamber in August, 2022 after extensive training of more than six (6) years.

    Your experience includes representing the Government of Rajasthan in key disputes. Can you highlight some of the challenges and highlights from your time handling matters related to finance, revenue, indirect taxes, and other departments?

    The experience of representing government departments does help one to gain a deeper strategic understanding of matters from the perspective of the government; in understanding how the institutional machinery works on policy matters; and generally in terms of how the decisions are taken. 

    Now practicing on the private side, the learnings from my experience in representing and advising government does help me in having a better perspective in matters where the government is on the opposite side. 

    Also, governments are the biggest litigators in our legal system and in representing it, one gets to work on a diverse range of matters and really fast forwards the pace of learning.

    In your current chamber practice, you cater to both transaction advisory and dispute resolution mandates. How do you balance these two aspects of legal practice, and what unique challenges do you face in each?

    As I said, during my time at KCO, I had the unique opportunity to work on transactional and litigation aspects simultaneously, for matters under IBC. While traditionally there is a clear segregation between transactional work and litigation work, but in my experience I have realised that one is a better transactional lawyer with the experience of litigation and similarly, one is a better litigation lawyer, with the experience of transactional work.

    As a transactional lawyer, one has to comprehend all the future eventualities while drafting agreements and documents between parties. Having a perspective that how the document so drafted will be construed in arbitration or courts, if it goes in dispute, helps one to give better advise at the transaction stage. The reverse is also true for litigation lawyers, particularly for those practicing in commercial laws. 

    I have experienced so while representing and handling complex commercial arbitrations or court matters involving large volumes of contracts such as Concession Agreements, Financing Agreements, Shareholders Agreement, EPC contracts, Service Contracts, etc. 

    In terms of managing a practice to advise on both transactional and litigation aspects, I have separate teams in my Chamber which work exclusively on transactional and litigation matters, respectively and the final advise or work product is reviewed by me. The chamber also focuses on training the associates to have multi-disciplinary understanding such that they are also trained to deliver a holistic solution to the client. 

    Obviously, with my litigation practice when I am in Courts for a good part of the day, it may at times be difficult for me to singularly manage the transactional practice which requires more desk work. Therefore, I have focused on retaining and nurturing experienced associates dedicatedly working on transactional matters to be able to deliver holistic work products in a timely manner in a Chamber set up, where the end responsibility remains mine.

    Could you share an anecdote or case that was particularly challenging and how you approached it?

    There are various interesting and challenging matters which I cannot talk about since they are still sub-judice in appellate forums. 

    One of the challenging matters I did was a road construction arbitration during the COVID-19 pandemic. I found it challenging since (a) I was the only Counsel responsible for preparing, drafting, researching, coordinating with the Government Officers and also to brief the Senior Counsel on behalf of the Government to defend a claim of more than Rs. 250 Cr.; and (b) barring last one hearing in the arbitration, the entire arbitration was held virtually including for cross-examination.

    The work on this arbitration went on for around one and a half year and I had to really burn the midnight oil on many nights to prepare and be ahead of the opposite side, which was represented by a Tier-1 law firm. 

    Generally as a lawyer one is only trained to look at legal principles, but the added interesting work involved in the matter was to understand the intricacies of road construction and engineering to be able to do proper synthesis of technical matters. I cannot say I became an expert in road construction after this matter, but it certainly tells you that as a lawyer, one gets to work on a variety of matters that keeps the urge to learn alive on each day.

    While we succeeded only partly in the matter, I was humbled to have received the kind appreciation from the Presiding Arbitrator, upon conclusion of the final hearings, as also from my Senior.

    As retained advisor to large Indian business and startups, you describe your role as an external general counsel. What does this role entail, and how do you oversee both transactional and dispute mandates for your clients?

    I do not have any title as External General Counsel but in order to summarise the range of services that I deliver to my clients, I use the term in an informal manner and also because most of the clients may have in-house legal team for general compliances but not to advise and coordinate with the management / business teams on complex legal-commercial issues. 

    As I have already explained, my chamber caters to both transactional and litigation services, which has fortunately been appreciated by a number of large businesses, who have retained me for overseeing and helping them with all their transactional and litigation matters with the expectation that I understand their business and commercial needs while advising them holistically. 

    Increasingly, I have felt that the upcoming businesses or for that matter even established businesses require steady and continued legal support from a lawyer, who is in active practice interacting with other clients and not in their in-house system, to be able to have a better outsider or on-field view on various issues, as early as possible before they rake up. This is possible only based on continued association with the clients to be able to understand and appreciate the needs of the client from a broader perspective while advising on specific issues.

    In this capacity, it is not necessary that we undertake the entire work but sometimes depending on commercial requirements of the client, I advise my client to engage services of other professionals/law firms with whom my chamber works in coordination. The underlying principle being that my role is not only to provide legal services but to keep the best commercial and legal interests of my client to help them navigate their requirements. 

    Thankfully, I have been receiving positive feedbacks from my clients so far on this working model and hope to grow this area of practice more.

    Your advisory work spans restructuring, insolvency transactions, GST matters, investment fund advisory, and more. Can you share a specific transaction or advisory mandate that you found especially interesting or complex?

    The earliest and cherished experience for me was to work on a large multi-jurisdictional financing transactions during my time at KCO. Apart from the long night calls due to the difference in time zones, I learned how one has to apply the prevailing laws and regulations to tailor make an agreement by incorporating the commercial wishes of the parties in the best manner possible. Being a multi-jurisdictional financing transactions, we dealt with the rules under FEMA and the RBI directions to accommodate the terms of the transaction between parties. The entire process of negotiating on the commercial aspects with the legal interpretation of the applicable laws was something that I found really interesting and complex, as it then helped me build an understanding that as a lawyer when one negotiates or takes a position, it has to be backed by sound legal reasoning else the other side can simply roll you over.

    There are many such experiences and learnings but the core principle that I have come to understand is that as a lawyer, one must not stop thinking or prematurely jump to assumptions or conclusions and one  must keep exploring and reinterpreting the bare texts of law as much as possible.

    Considering your diverse experience and success in both private practice and government representation, what advice would you give to law graduates entering the field today? Are there specific skills or mindsets they should cultivate for a successful legal career?

    From my experience so far, I can only say that give your best at your work place. Whatever assignment or work comes your way, take responsibility for it like you have to be personally answerable to the Court or the client, for your work. If you start inculcating such an attitude, your work will speak for you.

    In terms of skill set, the fresh graduates should focus on developing a multi-disciplinary understanding and keep themselves abreast with all the new legal developments to gain knowledge about other areas of law, in which they may not be working. Law evolves and develops every day and as new entrants into the profession, you have the benefit of looking at everything from a fresh perspective to contribute to better development of law.

    Get in touch with Hemant Kothari-

  • After spending reasonable time on all the preparation, it is equally important to sleep peacefully within time and appear with a calm mind without trying to attach any emotions to your client/matter-Divanshu Gupta, Advocate, Rajasthan High Court

    After spending reasonable time on all the preparation, it is equally important to sleep peacefully within time and appear with a calm mind without trying to attach any emotions to your client/matter-Divanshu Gupta, Advocate, Rajasthan High Court

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

    Can you tell us about your journey into the field of law? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?

    I am a first generation lawyer with no lawyer in the immediate or distant family. I appeared for my 12th standard examination and parallel competitive entrance exams in 2009. I belong to a generation where the traditional career choices of medicine/engineering had just begun to phase out and emerging career choices like law, arts, actuarial science etc. had begun to phase in. Like many others, I was preparing for engineering entrance exams and used to study law/law entrance during my free time or just as a back up. Incidentally, all the law entrance exams were scheduled after all the engineering entrance exams. I could take out time and focus on the same. The one thing which intrigued me the most about law entrance was – how the overall subject was technical on one hand and yet so narrative like a story book on the other hand. I could relate very well to this unique sort of intersection.  

    You’ve had a diverse career, starting with working for a prominent law firm and now running your own law chambers in Jaipur. How did you decide to transition into independent practice?

    At and around the time I graduated, GNLU was one of the (and continues to be) most sought after institution for recruitment by top tier law firms from India and abroad. I too was one of the many candidates who wanted to be a part of this ‘to be hired bunch’. A position with a top tier transactional law firm brought much required and sought after financial comfort, peace and stability. However, the work was far away from how one traditionally perceives the practice of law, be it a layman or a lawyer. It was away from reading and understanding latest case laws, working on matters before the courts or even going to courts. Everytime I had an opportunity to visit any court or do anything related, it would bring in some natural excitement and eagerness. Untill I transitioned to independent practice, I realized that this was my calling which I had been ignoring forever due to different reasons. I first transitioned by shifting from transactional law practice to litigation practice within the same firm. Since I was already more than 4 years old in Bombay, I then considered where did I want to be in the long run. At the same time, I could see Jaipur (my hometown) continuing to grow as an emerging metro city. Many of my knowns/seniors were satisfied with litigation and overall career opportunities over here in the legal field. I did a detailed survey of lawyers and opportunities in the city and luckily some of them were kind enough to give me a holistic and unbiased picture of what law-life here is going to be like. I found this platform to be more full of opportunities without any compromise in scope of learning and exposure. After quitting my job at CAM in January 2019, I started with my practice in Jaipur in April 2019.      

    During your time with Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, you worked on project finance and later diversified into dispute resolution. How did this experience shape your legal perspective and approach?

    For all transactional law lawyers, they say that one should have working knowledge of litigation. And I feel the same other way round for litigation lawyers as well. Since the time I shifted untill now, my overall understanding of finance/transactional law continues to aid me day in and day out in ways more than one. So many litigation/legal issues these days stem from some or the other kind of emerging and complicated financial structure. In such a situation, one needs to be very adaptive to first understand the complex arrangement himself and then being able to break it down in a manner before the concerned forum that it becomes inclined to grant your client the desired relief within reasonable time.     

    It’s impressive to see the range of entities you currently represent as their empaneled advocate in Rajasthan. Can you share some of the highlights of your work with these organizations?

    A lot of the entitles of which I am a panel lawyer, are government bodies/corporations. In my limited experience and exposure, the case of such entities is often strong on paper but usually not properly represented. Many such cases relate to projects of public importance involving public money. Given the opportunity, I always try my best to deep dive into the entire case bunch/file such that false/frivolous claims, if any, are not allowed and what should remain for adjudication is the actual genuine claim. The work usually involves arbitration matters arising out commercial contracts, writ jurisdiction work arising out of service law issues, matters before the consumer forum etc.

    Dealing with complex legal issues to find simple solutions is an intriguing approach. Could you share an example of a particularly challenging case you worked on and how you managed to simplify the legal complexities for your client?

    As part of project finance practice, one works on lot of financing documents like – loan, guarantee, mortgage, pledge etc. many of which find their roots in the Indian Contract Act, 1872. I had drafted and negotiated these documents extensively for almost 4 years. Cut to 2022, I was dealing with a case of a widow lady ousted from her home by the lender bank on account of being a defaulting guarantor in a loan arrangement. While under general principles of contract law, it possibly appeared to be the right thing to do by the bank, however, her legal arrangement fell within the purview of the Rajasthan Cooperative Societies Act, 2001 which created an exception to the general rule of subrogation/co-extensive liability (Section 128 of the Contract Act) – i.e. recovery from the guarantor could only have been done after exhausting recovery mechanisms against the borrower. This is how my overall experience at a law firm doing financing documents day in and day out came in handy and based on this one point itself, we could secure back the possession of the house of our client.

    Apart from your legal practice, you also provide training for law students in various areas. What motivates you to engage in academic activities, and how do you balance them with your legal practice?

    As a law student and even before that in school, I always faced issues with respect to proper practical guidance – especially on things not available in any books or the internet. What motivates me to engage in academic activities is to eliminate fear and anxiety within then student/graduate community to take up new challenges/roles. Law for everyone including students should be a tool and not a mystery. Whenever I feel saturated or worked up with my regular legal work, it is actually the work of legal training which keeps me motivated and going.

    As a successful advocate, you have valuable experience appearing before different courts and tribunals. What advice would you give to young law graduates who aspire to excel in litigation and advocacy?

    Thoroughness in everything in my view matters a lot in litigation and advocacy. However, you cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of good (something which I also recently learned from my father). One will never feel prepared enough to appear for any kind of matter. After spending reasonable time on all the preparation, it is equally important to sleep peacefully within time and appear with a calm mind without trying to attach any emotions to your client/matter (easier said than done). The more objective your approach would be, the more you’ll be at peace leading to overall positive legal consequences.

    Your journey seems to have taken you to various cities and law firms through internships. How did these internships contribute to your growth as a lawyer, and what key lessons did you learn from these experiences?

    My internships formed the backbone of what I should be like an actual lawyer – whether it was dressing, appearance, the way I spoke, ate, walked, responded, client dealing, file management, email writing and any and everything. All of these internships were a lot about observing minutely and learning how to keep calm at the time of legal chaos, urgencies and short deadlines. Everything which an intern does or is asked to do, should not be treated as unimportant or miniscule. Every single piece of such delegated work matters to the core and can have positive/negative irreversible consequences on any matter.

    Could you share some insights into the legal landscape in Rajasthan and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents for legal practitioners?

    One unique thing about legal practice in Rajasthan which I personally like dealing with is that the practice is not dominated by one particular kind of matters/lawyers – lets say banking, service law, electricity, start ups etc. and at the same time does not allow you to maintain that kind of approach. There is available work and clientele of diverse fields which one needs to tap, be it out of choice or compulsion. Similarly, there are both young as well as experienced senior lawyers in the market, contributing to the system at large in their own unique manner. Rajasthan, being at the pinnacle of renewable energy in the country continues to offer plenty of opportunities in the area of electricity law. In terms of challenges, there are many fora which continue to work in hindi pleadings, ordersheets and arguments. While it is not a challenge for seasoned lawyers, but could possibly be a challenge for lawyers fresh out of university.

    Running your law chambers must have its own set of challenges and rewards. What are some of the most fulfilling aspects of having your own practice, and how do you navigate the complexities of managing a legal firm?

    Being your own boss is the most fulfilling as well the most challenging aspect at the threshold. There is no office/firm if you are not there in the first place either by being physically present or in form of conducting daily review meetings/discussions. As a chamber practitioner, work flows down the in the hierarchy only from a single point of contact, i.e. myself. In such times, you ought to be constantly available for resolving queries of interns and associates, queries posed by a judge in court and kept for the next day, meeting and closing deals with new clients for upcoming legal work, focusing on your own legal and overall growth, taking out time to finish complicated drafting exercises, ensuring that the same gets filed without exceeding the limitation period and so on. Ultimately, the chain of command flows from you and everything which goes wrong, the buck stops at you. This is both challenging and yet enjoyable at the same time. It keeps you on your toes always, tires you out but doesn’t ever make you feel redundant – and that in my view is the silver lining. You only grow and every bad or unfortunate incident is a learning experience. This becomes most challenging when suddenly you have to deal with a legal issue you have never dealt before. The issue is not that much with legal skill but rather with the short span of time in which you have to resolve it out. In such a scenario, all your previous experiences of being a cucumber in chaos come in handy, you spoil some and you learn from some.  

    In your experience, what are some of the critical skills or qualities that young lawyers should focus on developing to build a successful legal career?

    Patience, is not a new answer to this question. Additionally, irrespective of whether someone is in litigation, transaction or anywhere else, being well read, thorough, being able to listen more and speak less (or only when it is required), not allowing a situation to overpower your senses, demeanor, being able to manage your temper, being slightly overprepared and most importantly – being responsive and not reactive to people as well as situations are the critical skills that young lawyers should focus on developing.

    Finally, considering your journey from a young law graduate to an established advocate and legal consultant, what advice would you like to give to fresh graduates who are about to step into the legal profession?

    I would tell them and rather clarify – I continue to establish myself and we all are sailing in the same boat. It’s just that our journeys began at different points of time. The moment one starts feeling that he/she has established himself at any point of time is the moment that you have slipped into some or the other kind of comfort zone. Don’t let that happen to you. As they say, if you are the smartest in your class, you are in the wrong class. One should try to be in company of people or lawyers where there is always something new to learn. There is no dearth of legal opportunities in the market. There are so many people literally craving for the right legal advice, don’t disappoint or misguide or play around with them. I am not telling you to work for free, after all we all have to first feed ourselves and then only we can feed the law. But, don’t take up a particular legal assignment or case only for the money and at the same time don’t abandon one because of money. There will always be some or the other kind of compromise. So, see accordingly where your sense of judgment takes you as everything you’d do as part of your daily work – drafting, research, arguing, filing, marketing yourself, you’ll always find yourself amidst a set of choices or options. Exercise your choices carefully but don’t be hesitant in doing that. Lastly, if you have 60% positive inclination towards doing a particular thing or making a choice and 40% negative, do go for it as not every time one can have 100% clarity or instinct with respect to everything.   

    Get in touch with Divanshu Gupta-

  • You need a lot of patience, hard work and zeal but later on in your career, you reap the results of the hard work put in the initial years of your career- Prateek Kumar, Co-Founder & Partner at Chambers of Jain & Kumar

    You need a lot of patience, hard work and zeal but later on in your career, you reap the results of the hard work put in the initial years of your career- Prateek Kumar, Co-Founder & Partner at Chambers of Jain & Kumar

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

    Can you please share the story of what initially drew you to pursue a career in law? Was there a particular moment or experience that ignited your interest in this field?

    To begin with, I had no one in my family who was a lawyer or who I could look up to for guidance in terms of a legal career. I’m a first generation lawyer who like most regular students was preparing for engineering at a point in time. It was only in class 12 when I realised that subjects such as Physics, and chemistry which were necessary for engineering were not my cup of tea. After finishing school, I just got an inkling towards Law so I started preparing for law entrance exams and happened to clear the entrance of IP University with a good rank so I decided to pursue B.A. LLB (H) from Amity Law School affiliated with IP University which was back then one of the top law colleges for pursuing law in India. And to this day, my passion in the field has grown every day striving to be the best in the field.

    Your academic background shows a diverse range of legal coursework, from Criminal Law to Intellectual Property Rights. What led you to explore such a broad spectrum of legal disciplines during your education?

    Throughout Law School, I had an inclination towards Intellectual Property Rights (IP). One of My internships during law school was at K&S Partners which is a boutique IP firm.

    My internship at K&S laid the foundation of my interest towards IP by understanding the importance of the protection of IP in today’s era. Thereafter, I mostly interned in the field of IP in firms such as Lall and Sethi, Sai Krishna & Associates and Indus Law wherein, I got the opportunity to learn from some of the stalwarts in the field of IP. The experience gained during law school in the field of IP helped me secure a job at Lall Lahiri Salhotra (LLS) in their trademarks team where I learnt about the intricacies of Trademarks Law. However, I soon figured that this could not be my only area of practice and that my exposure could not be limited to the Trademark Registry. That in turn made me realise that I also need to explore other areas of law and especially litigation. I always had the zeal of appearing and arguing in court but being a first generation lawyer there was always an apprehension in the back of my mind about succeeding in litigation without any backing in the field whatsoever. After working at LLS for a year, I came across an opportunity at the Chambers of Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari (Former Special Public Prosecutor for CBI in Delhi High Court). I felt this was the right opportunity that would help me expand my horizon in law. Thereafter I was interviewed and I secured a job at his Chambers.

    You’ve been actively involved in organizing legal awareness programs and events like the 1st National Debate Competition on ‘Rights of Homosexuals and the LGBTQ community.’ Could you tell us how these experiences influenced your perspective on the legal profession?

    My college life at Amity Law School was very theoretical and not very vocational. Soon I realised that I would need to participate in other events as well to broaden my horizon and exposure in law. In the first year, I reluctantly participated in the mandatory moot court competition where I was selected as an extra candidate in case anyone in the first fifteen backed out.

    That competition made me realise the importance of extracurricular events in law students ‘ lives. Thereafter, I participated in the 1st National Debate Competition on ‘Rights of Homosexuals and the LGBTQ community.’ Not only were the panellists some of the top names in the field of law but when I dwelled on the insights shared at such events, I realised that law is more than just the curriculum that we were studying. The objective of law is to take everyone’s interest into account without any bias to secure everyone’s rights. Later, in my practice, I keep that at the back of my mind while dealing with cases especially involving the marginal sections of society in mind.

    Transitioning from your educational journey to professional experience, you’ve represented clients in various legal domains, including criminal trials, insurance claims, and intellectual property disputes. What motivated you to choose this diverse range of legal work?

    My first job in the field was working as a contract consultant with Ernst and Young which was a direct college placement. It was a short stint that gave me a great insight into contract vetting and more importantly, that made me understand corporate culture which has been pivotal for me to deal with my clientele at Chambers of Jain and Kumar. Thereafter, at LLS working for MNCs, I understood the importance of right advisory, diligence and prosecution in the quest to protect their IP. Thereafter, at the same time, I also started feeling the need to broaden my horizon in law and not limit my scope to just Intellectual property rights so early in my career. Later working in the Chambers of Mr. Bhandari, provided me with a solid platform to learn about the complexities of white-collar crimes and banking laws from one of the best in the field. More importantly, I learnt the art of arguing in court and the importance of court craft while representing your Client’s brief.

    The three jobs provided me with diverse experience to start my practice by the name of Chambers of Jain and Kumar with my other two partners Ms. Aarushi Jain and Mr. Yojit Pareek. We started this practice to build a full service law firm that could cater to all areas and aspects of law. Luckily, all three of us had different areas of practice coming from diverse practice backgrounds. I spearhead the litigation team in the firm wherein I represent MNCs, Corporates and Individuals in all domains of law in foras across the country up until the Supreme Court. The USP of our firm is to provide one stop solutions for all legal needs under one roof.

    During your tenure at the Chambers of Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, you were involved in complex litigations pertaining to a wide range of legal acts and codes. How did this experience shape your understanding of the intricacies of Indian law?

    I owe a lot of my understanding of law to Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari. While assisting Mr. Bhandari, I was the only junior in his chambers. His Chambers provided me with the ideal platform to assist him in representing the Central Bureau of Investigation before the Delhi High Court in some of the most high profile cases in the country. That not only made me understand the optimal usage of time while preparing for a brief but also gave me the golden opportunity to appear against some of the stalwarts in the field. Also, with Mr. Bhandari being one of the leading counsels for banking law in Delhi, I got an opportunity to assist him in complex litigations before DRTs, High Courts and the Supreme Court.

    You’ve also worked as an Associate in the Trademarks Team at Lall Lahiri & Salhotra, focusing on intellectual property rights. How has this experience impacted your perspective on the importance of protecting intellectual property in today’s world?

    At Chambers of Jain and Kumar, one of our primary areas of Practice is IPR. In my tenure at LLS, while working on some of the well-known brands, I soon realised brand counterfeiting in India is a real issue that needs to be addressed. Today consumers in India with rising awareness relate to the brand and the quality that it brings along. However, to ensure that brand identity remains in place, the importance of IP in India has increased manifold in the last decade. In a developing economy such as ours, no small brand can become big without proper IP protection in place and no big brand today can survive without a good legal team that would advise on their prosecution, diligence and litigation.

    In addition to your legal work, you’ve been engaged in pro bono activities, offering legal assistance to those in need. Could you share some insights into the motivation behind your pro bono work and its significance in your legal career?

    We at Chambers of Jain and Kumar have a policy to do at least 5 pro bono cases every year. This goal was instilled in my mind back in time during my tenure with Mr. Bhandari working on criminal matters. On the criminal side in the Delhi High Court, I got the opportunity to observe cases of undertrials wherein I used to think in my head that if this particular aspect was presented in a better way, the results could’ve been different and therefore, probably better legal representation could’ve helped that person to protect his fundamental rights. This made me certain that at later stages of my career wherever possible I would try and represent the marginal section of society because law after all cannot be limited to people who can afford top lawyers. This was also one of the reasons that I applied for the Middle income panel on the criminal side of the Delhi High Court in my endeavour to achieve the goal of representing people who do not have the means but require quality legal support.

    Finally, based on your journey from education to your current role, what advice would you like to offer to fresh law graduates who are just starting their careers in the legal field? What key lessons or principles have you learned that you believe would be valuable for them to know?

    To all the first generation lawyers, one piece of advice that I always give is that the journey is difficult but it’s not impossible. You need a lot of patience, hard work and zeal but later on in your career, you reap the results of the hard work put in in the initial years of your career. Litigation is not only limited to drafting and arguing in court but knowledge and awareness of law plays a pivotal role. With laws changing every day in the form of new legislation and judgements, one has to keep abreast of whatever is happening daily and for that one must keep reading as much as possible to increase awareness which in turn helps to provide holistic advice to your Clients to represent your case in the best possible manner.

    Get in touch with Prateek Kumar-

  • When you are a fresher, it is very important for you to find the right mentor and organization which can help you realize your abilities and nurture your potential in the profession- Yugal Anjana Bhatia, Partner at AJURE ADVOCATES & CO.

    When you are a fresher, it is very important for you to find the right mentor and organization which can help you realize your abilities and nurture your potential in the profession- Yugal Anjana Bhatia, Partner at AJURE ADVOCATES & CO.

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

    You’ve had a unique upbringing in Dubai, UAE, with a family history deeply rooted in the Gulf region. Can you share how your family’s background influenced your decision to pursue a career in law, especially given your early exposure to your mother’s law office?

    I am the fifth generation rooted in the Gulf. My mother, with over two decades of legal practice in Dubai, paved the path in law for our family. My initial aspiration was mechanical engineering, driven by a deep passion for automobiles. However, due to my physics grades falling short, this dream was not achievable.

    The idea of me becoming a lawyer was uncertain by my family and friends, as I lacked the skill of argumentation and experienced stage fright on major school events. Despite these doubts, I decided to study law in India. 

    During my third year of law college, I began interning with an independent advocate, exposing myself to the courtroom dynamics, which gained my interest in the legal profession, particularly in Mumbai. This transition was challenging as I found myself having struggles equivalent to a first-generation lawyer in Mumbai, whereas people till date do look up to me as a second-generation lawyer.

    You’ve worked on a wide range of legal matters, from property and municipal laws to consumer and society laws. Could you tell us about a case or project that you found particularly challenging or rewarding during your career so far?

    Throughout my career, I’ve encountered various challenging legal cases, each case is unique in its own way. Cases representing a Promoter/Developer in an application under Section 11 of the Maharashtra Ownership of Flats Act (MOFA) before the District Deputy Registrar are challenging at times. These cases often presented intricate legal and factual complexities when opposing them. MOFA mandates a swift resolution within six months of filing, which can be very challenging at times as property laws, society laws and municipal laws have to be kept in mind. Section 11 applications under MOFA are conducted in a summary nature. 

    I vividly recall a last-minute briefing during the second lockdown, where I was assigned to represent trustees of a Public Trust in a matter listed before the Charity Commissioner the next day. The application sought suspension of trustees, and I requested a one-week adjournment. Despite the papers being voluminous and it not being an urgent matter keeping the pandemic in mind, the Tribunal granted time till the end of the day and kept back the matter, last on board. The bench felt that I shall prepare efficiently on such short notice. This wasn’t those types of matters where adjournments were sought by my clients or their erstwhile advocates. 

    When the matter was called out again, I strongly opposed and argued against the application for suspension of the trustees. As a result, the request for an interim suspension was denied and the order came in favour of the trustees. 

    That matter was challenging yet rewarding as today I am regularly briefed by the trustees before the Charity Commissioner and before the Hon’ble Bombay High Court.

    Your work history includes being a Partner at Ajure Advocates & Co. and practicing independently. What led you to take on this dual role, and what advantages does it offer in your legal career?

    Ajure Advocates & Co. is based in UAE which was founded by my mother. I manage the Firm’s operations in India. I decided to join the law firm to gain global exposure. I am working on attaining global presence. 

    There are several NRIs in the UAE facing legal concerns and disputes in India and it has been quite convenient for these clients to visit the UAE office and brief the lawyers there, who would further coordinate and brief me with their matters in India. This has proven to be quite efficient and also provided a level of confidence to the NRIs in UAE. This also works vice versa, as there are many clients here in India who have their branch offices of their companies or their properties in the UAE and other parts of the Gulf. They brief me with their legal queries and disputes for UAE and other parts of the Gulf.  

    Additionally, with regard to my work as an independent practitioner, my colleagues who either have independent practice or firm practice, brief me separately for their matters and I am thereafter able to attend to the same independently.

    This dual role encourages connectivity on a global scale. During the pandemic, with the help of networking platforms and technology like Zoom, I got an opportunity to connect with lawyers all across the world.  

    As a legal professional with a focus on civil law and dispute arbitration, what strategies do you employ when helping your clients navigate complex legal disputes and reach favorable resolutions?

    As a legal professional practicing in civil law and dispute arbitration, my primary goal is to always prioritize my clients’ best interests. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to hold conferences with the clients at the early stage of the dispute, to understand the specific outcome they require. Occasionally, during these conferences there is a disparity between the outcome expected by the client and the strategies advised by me. In such instances, it is important that I and my clients are on the same page. Ultimately, being on the same page with your clients is paramount in avoiding adverse orders.

    After having conferences with the clients, I also hold brainstorming sessions with my team to determine the strategy, submissions and argument. While pleadings or written statements are being drafted, it is important to have the same drafted under instructions of the clients. I make it a habit to prepare written notes of submissions which includes dates and events in chronology form along with judgements relied. Written notes of submissions are quite helpful.  

    Additionally, credit also goes to the counsels appointed and my team of juniors who assist me in ensuring that the best outcome for our clients is achieved.

    Your work history also includes a role as a junior counsel with various accomplished lawyers. How did these experiences shape your approach to legal practice and your eventual transition to becoming a Partner?

    Every lawyer has a different and unique style of practice. Working with them has helped me grow as a professional. When you are a fresher, it is very important for you to find the right mentor and organization which can help you realize your abilities and nurture your potential in the profession. In fact, having the right guidance provides you with the confidence to make mistakes and learn from it in the process. 

    The seniors I had worked with were helpful. Needless to say, I learnt it the hard way which is best for the long run. 

    Practicing with an individual advocate not only boosted my legal knowledge but also helped me learn and understand how to operate your own firm. Working with a counsel was challenging when handling high-stakes matters or matters having issues on a law point where errors were not an option due to the close-knit legal community.

    After working with such experienced seniors, it is not that I have become perfect in running my own firm or that I am a top notch lawyer today. I still make mistakes and am bound to make them. Today, at this juncture, being at this position, I learn from my own mistakes and make sure they are not repeated.

    In your career, you’ve had the opportunity to appear before various legal bodies, from the Bombay High Court to the Debt Recovery Tribunal. Can you share some insights into the key differences and challenges you’ve encountered when practicing in these different forums?

    Appearing before the Bombay High Court is different compared to appearing before the DRT, NCLT, District Courts, Family Court or Consumer Forum. A fresher can never start his practice directly before the Bombay High Court. Attaining experience by drafting, appearing and arguing matters before the District Courts and different forums is really needed. For instance, if you appear before the Bombay High Court in a matter pertaining to an Appeal from Order, challenging the impugned order passed by the City Civil Court, would be very difficult to practice it in the appellate side of the Bombay High Court unless and until you aren’t well-versed with the practice of District Courts. Similarly, matters before the original side of the Bombay High Court are of high stakes. Therefore, practicing before the Bombay High Court would not be easy until and unless and until you haven’t gained experience before the District Courts and different forums in conducting few matters. 

    When I started my practice with an independent advocate, I had the opportunity to appear before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. Gradually, I appeared before the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. I further assisted my senior in one consumer complaint when he was arguing before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. Consumer Forums helped me gain confidence in my argumentation skills to appear before other Courts and Tribunals. Thereafter, I started with mentioning matters before the Bombay High Court after one year of appearances in District Courts and different forums which helped in increasing my confidence. 

    Finally, as someone with experience in personnel development and business administration within a law firm, what advice do you have for young lawyers and recent graduates looking to advance their careers and make a positive impact in their respective firms?

    Law as a profession is very vast. Today, there are various law firms that have their specialization in different areas. Young lawyers can explore their opportunities depending upon their areas of interest.

    Once associated with a law firm, avenues open to different sorts of exposure altogether. Working with their chamber colleagues ensures team work. This helps firms also as their clients are satisfied in the most effective manner.

    My advice to young lawyers would be not to give up hope and just be patient even when things look bleak in their legal practice.

    My advice to recent law graduates is to work hard, establish trusting professional relationships, and value ethics. The amount of time they give in this profession is their investment, which will give them great returns. 

    Law as a profession is growing. In the initial years, keep learning as priority instead of earning. Hard work always pays off.  

    Get in touch with Yugal Anjana Bhatia-

  • Building a reputation for integrity and professionalism is essential for establishing a successful legal career- Pratik Pawar, Partner, at J. Sagar Associates

    Building a reputation for integrity and professionalism is essential for establishing a successful legal career- Pratik Pawar, Partner, at J. Sagar Associates

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

    Can you tell us about your journey and how you ended up practicing law with a focus on litigation and alternative dispute resolution?

    My journey in the legal profession has been deeply influenced by the inspiring example of my father, an esteemed and hardworking advocate in his own right. Witnessing his dedication and success in representing clients from diverse backgrounds before the courts instilled in me a profound interest in litigation from an early age.

    I believe my foundation in law was laid through observing my father’s work, engaging in discussions with him about courtroom strategies, and purely out of curiosity reading pleadings and cross-examination notes prepared by him. These formative experiences fostered a natural inclination towards litigation and reinforced my determination to follow in his footsteps and practice as a litigator.

    During my time at law school, I pursued internships and opportunities that allowed me to gain hands-on experience in the world of litigation. One significant association was with the law firm M/s Shaunak Satpute & Co., renowned for its expertise in representing clients before various courts and tribunals. As an intern and later as an associate with this distinguished firm, I had the privilege of drafting pleadings, handling ancillary court documents, and independently arguing cases in front of the judiciary. The guidance and mentorship of Mr. Satpute, a seasoned legal professional, played a pivotal role in honing my skills and bolstering my confidence. I am immensely grateful for the platform provided by M/s Shaunak Satpute & Co., as it equipped me with the necessary skill set and fortitude to build a fulfilling career in litigation.

    My journey as a litigator has been shaped by a passion for justice, a dedication to the legal profession, the invaluable lessons learned from my father coupled with the emotional urge to follow his footsteps and esteemed mentors and guiding forces like Mr. Shaunak Satpute, Mrs.  Zia Mody and Mr. Farhad Sorabjee throughout my career. 

    You’ve had extensive experience representing clients before various courts and tribunals in India, including the Supreme Court and different High Courts. What attracted you to this area of law and how did you become involved in such diverse and complex cases?

    Indeed, the allure of litigation lies in the profound opportunity to champion our clients’ causes and seek justice before the courts. I firmly believe that advocacy in the courtroom is the heart and soul of our profession, and it is this conviction that drew me to this area of law.

    Litigation is akin to a captivating game of chess, where strategic thinking, extensive research, and meticulous preparation are paramount. The thrill of pleading one’s case before the court is matched only by the satisfaction of crafting compelling arguments and presenting them effectively. Each case presents its unique challenges, requiring a keen understanding of the law and a proactive approach to anticipate the opposing party’s moves.

    After my tenure at M/s. Shaunak Satpute & Co., I had the invaluable opportunity to join AZB and Partners, a prominent law firm in India, where I had the privilege of working closely with Mrs. Zia Mody. This experience exposed me to complex and diverse litigations and arbitrations, including high-stakes disputes involving public trusts, international commercial arbitrations, and fiercely contested corporate disputes.

    Under the mentorship of Mrs. Zia Mody, I honed my skills and cultivated a never-say-die attitude. Over the course of my six years at AZB, I had the privilege of representing clients in matters before the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court of India. Several of these landmark cases resulted in reported judgments, which further underscored the depth and complexity of the matters I handled. 

    Followed by my stint at AZB, I have been working with JSA as their disputes partner for last eleven years where I have continued to handle and lead high-value and intricate cases before various Courts, and fora.  At JSA I have had the opportunity of advising and representing diverse clients in arbitration proceedings both, domestic and international. This continued exposure at JSA has equipped me with the confidence and acumen necessary to navigate any challenge, no matter how intricate or critical. JSA has also provided me with the platform and independence to expand my practise in diverse areas of corporate & commercial disputes, as well as matters pertaining to Media & Entertainment law which include contentious matters pertaining to copyright infringements in cinematographic films, disputes pertaining to rights in a cinematographic film, legal opinions on copyright infringement, advertising standards, disparagement, advisory and documentation in relation to assignments of rights in a cinematographic film. This has shaped me into a seasoned litigator, capable of representing our clients’ interests with unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence. 

    The field of law can be quite challenging and demanding. Could you share some of the most memorable or impactful cases you’ve handled throughout your career?

    I must admit that the field of law is indeed dynamic and presents a constant stream of challenges. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of handling numerous impactful cases, each with its own unique set of facts and complexities.

    Among the most memorable and impactful cases was a dispute between two joint venture partners, which epitomized a classic shareholder’s dispute. This matter demanded urgent applications for interim relief, requiring my team to employ strategic foresight and navigate potential countermeasures. The late-night counsel conferences and rigorous internal discussions to chart the best course for our client were defining moments. Ultimately, achieving a favourable outcome in that matter remains a cherished and highly instructive experience for me as a litigator.

    Another significant case involved a contractual dispute between our client, a renowned software company, and a formidable counterparty engaged in the travel and tourism business. The counterparty resisted the appointment of an arbitrator and opposed Section 11 proceedings all the way to the Supreme Court. The complex arguments presented by both sides during the Section 11 proceedings at the High Court and the Supreme Court culminated in reported judgments in favour of our client.

    Adding a unique twist to the case, the arbitrator initially appointed by the Court on behalf of the counterparty recused himself, leading to the counterparty’s attempt to appoint an arbitrator of its choice after forfeiting its right to do so initially. My team successfully filed an application opposing this appointment, contending that the counterparty had relinquished its right and, given that the court had appointed the original arbitrator, only the court could appoint the replacement. This application, too, was contested vigorously before the High Court and the Supreme Court, ultimately resulting in a favourable judgment for our client.

    These cases exemplify the essence of practicing law, where relentless dedication, strategic acumen, and profound legal knowledge converge to secure the best possible outcomes for our clients. I take immense pride in leading our firm’s talented team to handle such impactful cases and provide exceptional legal representation to our valued clients.

    In your profile, you mentioned advising and representing clients in international arbitrations. How does the approach to international arbitration differ from domestic ones, and what are the unique challenges you face in cross-border disputes?

    Here, I must underscore that international arbitration stands apart from domestic proceedings due to its unique complexities and considerations. When dealing with cross-border disputes, we approach the process with careful attention to the applicable law governing the contract and the rules governing the arbitral proceedings. Given that, wherever necessary, engaging a local counsel or law firm specializing in the relevant law ensures sound legal advice and accurate contract interpretation, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the representation.

    One key distinction in international arbitration is the approach to discovery. The process of requesting and objecting to document production differs in form and practice compared to domestic arbitrations. Therefore, I along with my team adopt a tailored approach to address these nuanced aspects while representing our clients in international arbitrations.

    Cross-border disputes present distinct challenges, notably the fixed time frames allotted for conducting cross-examinations and advancing arguments. Adequate preparation is essential, and we meticulously adhere to time limits for cross-examination of witnesses and oral arguments. To ensure optimal performance, we conduct mock trials in advance of the hearings.

    Additionally, enforcement of foreign awards poses another challenge in cross-border disputes. My team remains vigilant in navigating the intricacies of enforcing such awards, employing our expertise to protect our clients’ interests throughout the process.

    White-collar criminal proceedings and investigations are another significant part of your practice. What drew you to this particular area of law, and how do you navigate the complexities of representing clients in such cases?

    My journey in the legal profession has been marked by versatility and adaptability. As a young litigator, I embraced the responsibility of handling both civil and criminal matters, as it was expected of me to be well-rounded in my practice. This early exposure to a diverse range of litigation mandates allowed me to develop a comprehensive skill set, enabling me to adeptly represent clients in various legal arenas.

    In recent times, the boundaries between civil and criminal proceedings have become less distinct. Commercial transactions can often lead to disputes where parties find themselves embroiled in parallel civil and criminal proceedings. Consequently, my team and I frequently find ourselves representing clients in both civil and criminal matters arising from the same transaction.

    Handling criminal proceedings and investigations demands agility and quick thinking. As we strategize, decisions must be made swiftly, always keeping in mind the imperative of minimizing risk exposure for our clients. Though it can be a demanding and sometimes stressful process, the adrenaline rush of navigating criminal cases is truly unmatched.

    To successfully navigate the complexities inherent in criminal matters, we place paramount importance on understanding the client’s perspective and the transaction at hand. Formulating a clear strategy, including anticipatory bail or bail applications, becomes essential in such cases. We also ensure that our clients are fully informed of the merits of their case, based on the charges they are facing. Sensitizing clients to the realities of the situation and emphasizing the significance of cooperating with the authorities during investigations are vital aspects of our counsel.

    When handling criminal matters for our corporate clients, we understand that certain criminal actions may be initiated as pressure tactics and may not necessarily warrant prosecution. Despite the frustration that may arise during such processes, I guide my clients through effective counter steps and actions to address these proceedings, always prioritizing their liberty and best interests.

    Your media and entertainment practice involves dealing with copyright infringements, film rights, and advertising standards. What are some of the key issues and legal nuances that arise in this area, and how do you protect your clients’ interests effectively?

    I happen to be acutely aware of the key issues and legal nuances that arise in this dynamic area of practice. Copyright infringement claims pertaining to film scripts, exclusive event photographs, and well-known trademarks, as well as cases involving comparative advertising, are among the prominent challenges faced in the realm of intellectual property. Over the years there has also been an increasing trend in matters concerning alleged copyright infringements at inter-office/corporate musical events.  

    To effectively protect the interests of our clients, we employ a comprehensive approach that begins with issuing cease and desist notices to parties infringing upon our clients’ IP rights. When necessary, we swiftly initiate appropriate legal actions seeking urgent ad-interim reliefs, which may include seeking injunctions or other forms of emergency relief. In certain cases, we also take recourse to initiating criminal proceedings under the relevant statutes to safeguard our clients’ rights under the trademarks act.

    In addition to our vigilant efforts in enforcing IP rights, I provide strategic advice to clients on matters concerning comparative advertisement, ensuring compliance with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) rules. Keeping abreast of evolving guidelines on misleading advertisement, we counsel our clients on adhering to the most recent regulatory standards to minimize legal risks.

    In a world where the media and entertainment landscape is constantly evolving, we pride ourselves on offering tailored legal solutions that safeguard our clients’ creative works, brand identities, and commercial interests. 

    Throughout your career, you’ve advised clients from various industries and regions. How do you stay updated with the ever-changing legal landscape, especially in the international arena?

    As a dedicated legal professional, I recognize the imperative of continuous learning to navigate the ever-changing legal landscape effectively. Staying updated with the latest legal developments, both domestically and internationally, is a top priority in my practice.

    To keep abreast of the dynamic legal landscape in India, I diligently monitor any amendments to statutes and the introduction of new legislative regimes. Additionally, I remain vigilant in tracking important judgments in my practice area, discussing them with my team to ensure we stay well-informed.

    Furthermore, being aware of the latest trends and practices in various industries where I advise clients is essential. This knowledge enables me to offer well-rounded and strategic legal counsel tailored to their specific needs.

    In the international arena, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the multiple opportunities provided to me by my Partner Mr. Farhad Sorabjee to meet and interact with lawyers across international jurisdictions. I have been blessed to meet legal luminaries across the globe and speak in webinars and conferences on legal trends in these jurisdictions and build strong connections across borders. I also subscribe to newsletters and publications from reputable sources in various jurisdictions to maintain an up-to-date understanding of international legal developments.

    As a seasoned practitioner, I firmly believe that continuous reading and learning are indispensable for any successful legal professional. The commitment to being a lifelong student of the law allows me to provide the highest level of legal representation to clients from diverse industries and regions.

    Could you share a particularly challenging case you’ve worked on and how you were able to find a successful resolution for your client?

    One of the most demanding and distinctive cases in my career involved a representative suit filed against my clients during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic when the Bombay High Court was functioning exclusively in a virtual manner. This case was particularly notable as it was the first matter taken up for final hearing and adjudicated virtually by the Bombay High Court, entailing extensive volumes of pleadings filed online by both parties.

    In this matter, two former employees of my client initiated a Representative Suit along with an Interim Application on behalf of 256 ex-employees before the Bombay High Court, seeking a stay on my client’s discontinuation of premium payments for medical insurance coverage. My team and I represented and defended the Company in these proceedings, which presented intricate legal issues involving the grant of mandatory injunctions and the application of promissory estoppel in India. Additionally, the court deliberated at length on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the cessation of premium payments during an extensive online hearing. 

    The outcome of this complex case proved successful for our client. The Single Judge of the Bombay High Court dismissed the Interim Application, upholding our client’s position, and observing that while Covid-19 had indeed affected both individuals and companies, it could not serve as a ground to bypass the standard legal requirements for the grant of mandatory injunctions.

    The ex-employees filed an appeal before the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court, which, too, was subsequently dismissed, affirming the favourable outcome for our client.

    The proceedings of this case were marked by the unique experience of filing comprehensive pleadings online and conducting a final hearing of a complex matter virtually. The challenges posed by this novel approach to litigation underscored the adaptability and resilience of my team. Ultimately, the successful resolution of this case stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to diligently represent our clients’ interests, even in unprecedented and challenging circumstances.

    As a seasoned attorney, what are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from your experiences in the legal profession?

    Throughout my extensive journey in the legal profession, I have gained invaluable insights and learned several key lessons that have shaped my approach as an attorney. These lessons can be summarized as follows:

    • Patience and focus are essential virtues in the legal profession. Rather than seeking immediate results, I have learned the value of staying committed to the long-term goals of my clients, meticulously working towards achieving favourable outcomes.
    • In the dynamic world of law, learning is a perpetual process. Each case and every interaction with colleagues and mentors provide opportunities for growth and knowledge enrichment. I firmly believe that the willingness to learn and adapt is a hallmark of a successful legal professional.
    • Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to receive guidance from seasoned mentors. The wisdom imparted, whether through direct teachings or subtle corrections to my work, has left a lasting impact on my approach to legal practice.
    • Regardless of the nature of a court appearance or meeting, I have learned the importance of thorough preparation. Even when seeking an adjournment, being well-prepared demonstrates professionalism and respect for the judicial process.
    • As a legal practitioner, my primary duty is to my clients. I have learned to provide them with candid and honest assessments of their cases, ensuring that they have a realistic understanding of their situation and the potential outcomes. This approach fosters trust and enables clients to make informed decisions.

    Considering your extensive experience and expertise, what advice would you like to give to fresh law graduates who are just starting their legal careers?

    To the aspiring young law graduates embarking on their legal careers, I offer the following advice, drawing upon my own experiences in the field:

    • In the pursuit of a career in litigation, it is crucial to develop a strong foundation by learning the fundamentals of litigation practice. Familiarize yourself with the process of filing a matter, addressing office objections, and understanding court procedures. Embrace the basics, as they form the bedrock of your growth as a litigator.
    • Spend time in court observing experienced counsel argue their cases. Take note of the principles of law they cite, their approach to presenting arguments, and how they handle interactions with the judges. Observing seasoned practitioners will provide invaluable insights into the intricacies of court craft.
    • Entering the legal profession may seem overwhelming at first, as the practical aspects of litigation can differ from the theoretical knowledge imparted in law school. Be patient and recognize that success in this field requires perseverance and dedication. Embrace the learning curve, and with hard work and sincerity, you will gradually find your footing.
    • As you gain experience, strive to develop a holistic approach to litigation. Understand that legal practice is not solely about arguing cases but also encompasses diligent research, drafting persuasive pleadings, and mastering the art of negotiation and settlement.
    • Uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in all your interactions. Building a reputation for integrity and professionalism is essential for establishing a successful legal career.
    • The legal profession is ever evolving, with new laws and precedents shaping the landscape. Therefore, commit to lifelong learning and stay updated with legal developments to provide the best possible representation to your clients.
    • Be patient.

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