Tag: LLM

‘History will judge us not by the number of cases we won, but by the no. of young lawyers we trained and empowered and how they contributed to the jurisprudence’- Jai Lodha, Advocate and Legal Consultant at Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur Bench , Jaipur
This interview has been published by Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

How would you like to introduce yourself to the readers? Please tell us something about your childhood and background?

Hello ! I was born in Jodhpur(Rajasthan) and raised in Jaipur (Rajasthan). I did my schooling from Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Vidyalaya (M.S.M.S.V), Jaipur. I studied law from Government Law College , Mumbai ! I did my Masters In Business Laws from NLSIU (Banglore) . I also hold a certification in Public International Law from The Hague Academy Of International Law ,Hague (Netherlands) and a diploma in Cyber Laws from The Asian School Of Cyber Laws , Pune. I am the managing partner of a law firm called “VSL Law Chambers“. The Firm bears the initials of my Father , Mr. Virendra Singh Lodha , who is a designated senior advocate and practicing primarily before Hon’ble Rajasthan High court with frequent appearances before other Constitutional Courts such as Delhi , Allahabad etc and before Hon’ble Supreme Court Of India. I have an elder brother. His name is Yash Lodha. Yash Bhaiya is a faculty member in the department of Mathematics at University of Hawaiʻin Honolulu , Hawaii. Our parents have always been extremely supportive. They have never imposed any conditions upon us. Both ‘Law’ and ‘Litigation’ happened in my case by design, by choice.

You have pursued a course in public international law from The Hague Academy Of International Law, Hague, (Netherlands) and also done Masters In Business laws from NLSIU, Bangalore. Please talk about these courses !

I hold a public international law certification from the Hague Academy Of International Law, Hague. It was an experience of a lifetime. Some of the most reputed and distinguished professors in the world taught us various courses at the academy. Imagine studying and researching in the same building complex that houses the International Court Of Justice. Infact, on two occasions we were allowed/given access to visit the Internal Court Of Justice. It definitely qualifies to be the most memorable experience of my legal journey. I did my masters in Business Laws From NLSIU, Bangalore. It is regarded as one of the toughest Post Graduate Degrees (Law). Basically it is NLSIU’s flagship Masters Programme. It is a two year course and the applicant is required to clear 10 subjects in all. In short it was like an Everest Expedition.

You have interned at different law firms and chambers, can you share with us some of the most important lessons you have learned from those experiences?

Internship lessons learnt : 1) At AZB & Partners : The importance of merit + hard work ! You have to be both meritorious and hardworking else you will not survive because competition is cutthroat ! 2) Trilegal : Camaraderie and teamwork ! 3) Dsk Legal : Compassion towards colleagues ! 4) Fox Mandal : You can only grow if you work in a team and work for larger interest of the organization. 5) Trust Legal : The importance of having a mentor and guidance. 6) Hon’ble Justice P.B Majmudar (Former Judge , Bombay High Court), Sr. Advocate Mr. Parag P Tripathi (Former Additional Solicitor General Of India, Supreme Court Of India), Sr. Advocate Mr. M.S Singhvi (Current Advocate General of The State Of Rajasthan), Sr. Advocate Mr. Ashok Mehta (Former Chairman Of Bar Council Of Rajasthan) and Sr. Advocate Mr. Virendra Singh Lodha : Devotion towards practice and passion for the law and their ability to maintain brilliant work life balance !

What kind of matters have you dealt with and what is your area of specialization ?

Initially, I worked at Agarwal Law Associates in Delhi where I had dealt with Telecom matters , Electricity Law Matters and miscellaneous matters before Hon’ble Supreme Court Of India , Hon’ble Delhi High Court and other Tribunals. In Rajasthan, I was initially associated with the chambers of Mr. Ashok Mehta , Sr. Advocate and former Chairman Of Bar Council Of Rajasthan, for a period of 2 years where I worked and practiced extensively on the original side before Trial Courts, Consumer Courts and Tribunals ! I subsequently joined the esteemed chambers of my father , Mr. Virendra Singh Lodha (Sr. Advocate) where I worked for 6 years. It was in my fathers chamber that I an opportunity to work and specialize in writs , appeals and complaints in matters and cases pertaining to Mining Laws, Intellectual Property Law ,Taxation Law, Service Law , Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, Arbitration Law ,Constitutional Law, Criminal Law , Cheque Dishonour (NI Act) , Labour Laws, Electricity Laws, Educational Matters , Motor Accident claims, , Medical Negligence etc Jaipur Bench as well as at Principal Seat (Jodhpur) as well as at National Company Law Tribunal , Service Tribunals , Consumer Courts, Commercial Courts and various other forums. I am currently serving as a Standing Counsel for The Commercial Taxes Department, Government Of Rajasthan , Jaipur and also a panel lawyer for 14 Government companies and organizations. I also represent and contest matters on behalf of a large number of private companies and Business Houses.

Can you tell us more about your YouTube channel, The Virtual Amicus, and how you came up with the idea for it?How has The Virtual Amicus helped law students and lawyers during the pandemic?

In June 2021 , I started a YOUTUBE Channel : The Virtual Amicus. The idea and objective was not only to create legal awareness but also to solve legal issues(both basic and complex) that baffle us. The goal was primarily to help out as many law students and lawyers as possible who were hit and adversely affected by covid-19. On this Virtual Platform, I invite and interview seasoned and distinguished lawyers, respected and noted professors and retired hon’ble judges. I have recorded around 126 sessions/episodes so far since June , 2021. This virtual initiative of mine was my way of giving back to the institution , profession. The idea to anchor my own youtube channel was always in the pipeline but it was covid that gave me ample time to launch/execute it ! I saw some 200 odd webinars in 2020 before I launched this virtual initiative in June 2021.

How do I approach speakers : Well this one question that I am often bombarded with !
Here is the answer. On the basis of demand for a particular session on any particular legal
issue , or legal topic , or a masters programme from any particular university or any other law course , I look for subject experts, field specialists on Linkedin and other platforms and then once I have shortlisted the names , an official invitation is sent via email.
Since its a one person venture , so I do everything myself , from
a) invitation !
b) persuasion(persuading speakers) for doing a session !
c) Preparing a Social Media Banner !
d) Preparing Q and A in case of a Q and A format !
e) Recording !
f) Editing !
g) Uploading !
For the world it’s a herculean task. But for me it’s an effortless exercise since I am extremely
passionate about it ! My virtual initiative is all set to turn 2 years old on 25th May , 2023 ! 🙂
Yes it has definitely helped scores and scores of young lawyers and law students. I keep
receiving emails about these extraordinary breakthroughs achieved by them. At this juncture
, let me clarify 3 things :
1) We are not here to ensure placements or get lawyers/law students placed. We are here
only to help them and provide them with best possible guidance.
2) Every speaker on our platform is a distinguished and a successful practitioner of
his/her field .
3) Our philosophy on the channel is that : “ Philanthropy should never be monetized” !
We have till date not monetized our channel !

What advice would you give to young professionals in the legal field?
Let me make 1 thing very clear.
First I am an officer of the court , than a lawyer to my client and lastly a managing partner of my firm.
My advice to law students :
1) Experiment as much as you can in those 3 years or 5 years of law school but never at
the cost of academics. Participate in moot courts but not at the cost of
academics/studies. Participate in College committees and essay writing competitions but not not at the cost of academics/studies. Play sports but not at the cost of academics/studies.
2) It’s legitimate to be confused after graduation. Don’t worry, If you keep the student in you alive, remain academically inclined and read and read and read , your confusion will vaporize some day.
3) Short term internships only add cosmetic value to your CV. You don’t end up doing
anything substantial or meaningful. I would recommend long term internships but not
at the cost of academics/studies. Also the quality of internships is more important than
the number/quantity of internships.
4) Remain attentive in the classroom and focus on academics/studies . Since you are a
law student , you should give first priority to class room lectures and academics/studies.
5) Try doing internships in different geographical locations and cities and states. You only learn out of your comfort zone.
6) Make as many friends as possible from different cultures , cities. Don’t confine
yourself with friends from the same hometowns.
7) Try finding a mentor in your professor. Nobody guides the way a professor does.
8) Try Understanding your parents’ anxiety especially when you are pursuing law from
a different state . Some students completely cut themselves off from their parents to
enjoy the freedom their law school offers. This type of practice is not only unfortunate but also ridiculous. One or two calls a day will not damage or hurt your freedom.
9) Last but not the least ! Fitness is very important. A fit body houses a healthy mind !
You feel a lot more confident as a person when you are fit. Do play a sport or hit the
gym on a regular basis every single day for at least 45 mins on campus.

My advice to young lawyers :
1) We are in a profession of persuasion. Our job is to be assertive , persuasive and
humble and not be rude on the dais.
2) Litigation is not a 100 meter sprint but a marathon. It takes years and years of hard
work and dedication to build a rock solid reputation as a legal practitioner. One has to
burn the midnight oil as nothing happens overnight.
3) History will judge us not by the number of cases we won, but by the no. of young
lawyers we trained and empowered and how they contributed to the jurisprudence.
4) Never take shortcuts no matter how tempting or lucrative they are. Those who run
after quick money through illegitimate means ultimately perish but those who remain
disciplined , determined ,seeking and keep their integrity strong ultimately flourish.

5) In Golden Words of Senior Advocate Mr. Janak Dwarkadas (Bomaby) , “ you will
learn the art of advocacy only if you Observe! Observe! Observe AND
ANTICIPATE, ANCTICIPATE AND ANTICIPATE . Observe the court proceedings
vigilantly and anticipate what queries can possibly be posed by the judge.
6) Brevity must be observed while making legal submissions in court of law.
Unfortunately, moot courts in law schools do not teach that. The practice of simplifying a complex legal issue and then presenting it to the court would always be appreciated by the court.

Get in touch with Jai Lodha-
- LinkedIn
April 12, 2023
No dispute settlement mechanism is free from problems or misconceptions that surround them, and international commercial arbitration has not been immune from that- Tamal Mandal, Partner, Luthra and Luthra
This interview has been published by Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

To start this conversation, please tell us your motivation behind pursuing law.

I am from that era when engineering or medicine were the preferred career choices. Hailing from Kharagpur, with the IIT KGP – a stone throw away – the expectation was that I would sit for the JEE. However, it was a chance discussion before the Class 12 board examination with a friend who wanted to pursue law as a career option that piqued my interest in the field.

From there, I started my internet research and mind you, at that time around 2004, there were only a handful of National Law Schools (five to be precise). I narrowed down on NUJS, Kolkata and NLSIU, Bangalore. As compared to now, there was not much information available online or offline regarding career options after graduating or even what to expect in the 5 years that I was going to devote in studying and hopefully enjoying my university life. Having decided to become a first-generation lawyer, I took the plunge and appeared for the NUJS entrance test in January 2004 and then the NLSIU test over the summer. To my surprise, I made it to NUJS and the result filtered in just prior to writing my final paper of the ISC (Class 12) board examination. There has been no turning back since then.

You have extensive experience in international and domestic arbitration, WTO dispute settlement, and commercial litigation. Could you tell us about a case that you found particularly challenging and how you managed to resolve it?

To my mind, the best part of being a disputes lawyer is the wide array of dispute related work that I have done over the years. Whether it is litigation or arbitration or WTO dispute settlement or investor-state dispute, I can safely say that the core premises more or less remain the same.

That said, if I have to choose one challenging case that I have worked on in the last 14 years, it has to be an arbitration dispute where I had a tough ask to resist the enforcement of a foreign award rendered in Singapore in an international commercial arbitration from being enforced in India. The client having failed in getting the award set aside in Singapore (which was the seat of the arbitration and whose courts had jurisdiction in setting side proceedings) wanted to contest the enforcement petition filed before the Delhi High Court. I had to work with very limited grounds as Part II of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 does not provide a wide latitude when it comes to opposing the enforcement of a foreign award. Nonetheless, basis research on the party who had filed for enforcement, some novel arguments on contravention of public policy were formulated and advanced as that party’s (i.e., the claimant in this case) name had been struck of the register of companies by the Registrar prior to the filing of the enforcement petition. In other words, the argument was that an enforcement petition could not have been filed by a non-existent entity and granting enforcement would be contrary to the public policy of India. This is turn led that party to file an application for restoration of the name of the company in which my client filed an application as an intervenor. Eventually, with all the lawyering and proceedings, both the parties opened talks with a view to negotiate a settlement.

What are some common misconceptions people have about international commercial arbitration? How would you address these misconceptions?

Arbitration as a mode of dispute settlement has been well received since the days of the Alabama arbitration in 1872. I don’t think there are many disagreements as to the value and efficacy of the process given the amount of party autonomy that is vested and from the fact that a wide variety of disputes (commercial, investment, trade, maritime, etc.) have been resolved using arbitration.

That said, no dispute settlement mechanism is free from problems or misconceptions that surround them, and international commercial arbitration has not been immune from that. To my mind, the most common recent criticism or misconception (if I may equate the two) concerns the costs of running with an arbitration. From the arbitrators fees to counsel fees to institution fees, it is true that there has been an uptick in the cost that a party has to bear in choosing to arbitrate a dispute. However, I believe that the cost aspect is often offset by the efficiency of the process which can lead to an arbitral award in a much shorter time frame compared to national court proceedings. Second, “well managing” an arbitration is partly in the hands of the parties and their counsels, and this can bring down costs, for example, agreeing and respecting timelines, having a document only arbitration when the claims are simple and evidence is not required, etc.

Another common misconception is that a party nominated arbitrator means you have someone on your side. The fact that arbitrators, whether it is the presiding arbitrator or the party nominees, have to be impartial and neutral is the bedrock of arbitration and to expect anything to the contrary is equivalent to discrediting the process itself.

Lastly, the so-called “standard” arbitration clauses from the past are fast losing their relevance. With the blinding evolution of the laws and processes in international commercial arbitration, having a tailor-made arbitration clause in a contract/agreement that is being negotiated is a must to not only safeguard a party’s right but also add to the efficiency of the process when a dispute materialises later from the performance or non-performance of that contract/agreement.

You have worked with the WTO as a Dispute Settlement Lawyer in the Appellate Body Secretariat. Could you explain to us the role of the Appellate Body and how it works within the WTO dispute settlement system?

The World Trade Organization (WTO), as many of the readers may know, is an intergovernmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland that was established in 1995 and deals with rules of global trade. While one function of the WTO is to negotiate new rules on global trade, the other main function is to resolve disputes between Member States arising from the interpretation and application of the WTO treaties.

In a first of its kind in the international arena, dispute settlement at the WTO was designed as a two-tiered system. To begin with, if a dispute is not resolved amicably in consultations, a panel of experts (simply called a panel) then decides the dispute that is brought by one WTO Member against another WTO Member alleging that the latter has violated or acted inconsistently with the treaty obligations it took upon itself. A panel issues a ruling which is called the Panel Report. The losing WTO Member has the right to appeal a Panel Report to a standing body of 7 experts who comprise the Appellate Body which at the time of its creation was termed as the jewel in the crown of the WTO. Each Appellate Body Member is appointed for an initial term of 4 years and can be extended for a second 4-year term.

The Appellate Body is therefore the final arbiter of disputes between WTO Member States and hands down decisions that are binding upon the litigants. The Appellate Body has the power to consider questions of law raised in an appeal and then to uphold or reverse or modify the panel’s ruling. Each appeal before the Appellate Body is handled by a division of 3 Appellate Body Members in accordance with the timelines prescribed in the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding. The Appellate Body Members are ably assisted by the Appellate Body Secretariat comprised of lawyers and support staff.

However, since late 2019, the Appellate Body is no longer functional owing to the United States blocking the appointment of Appellate Body Members. Talks are continuing in Geneva on how to resolve this crisis that requires consensus of all WTO Member States. In the meantime, for those who are wondering as to what is happening to any appeal that is filed, sadly panel reports that have been appealed since 2020 are lying still without any adjudication.

You are skilled in providing input into policy framing, strategic planning, and decision making. What are some of the challenges you have faced when advising clients on these matters?

Much of it depends on who the client is. For instance, when the client is a sovereign government, the considerations and challenges are slightly different. In advising Ministers and policy officials who may want a particular policy to be in place, one has to carefully balance articulating the magnitude of legal risk in having such a policy and what could happen if the policy was to be successfully challenged. In such instances, while there may be commercial considerations, the other important consideration is to carefully consider the larger public interest as well reputational risks in having such a policy in place. Thus, there is an inherent balancing act that a lawyer has to perform between, on the one hand legal risks and, on the other, the policy rationale.

When I have to do the same for a private client, commercial and reputational considerations become the key. And then I have to be upfront about the uncertainty of what may result from litigating/arbitrating a matter vis-à-vis costs of pursuing it, commercially as well as reputation wise. Let me give you an example, while arbitrating a dispute can result in an award relatively quickly, one has to also consider how best to enforce that award, where to enforce that award and how long will that process take. When such considerations are put forth before clients, they appreciate and take that on board and more often than not involve the layer in making a final decision.

You have a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Dispute Settlement. What inspired you to pursue this field of study, and how has it influenced your career?

From my early days in NUJS, I was pretty certain that I wanted to be a disputes lawyer. So, when I started out with the dispute resolution team at the erstwhile Amarchand & Mangaldas in 2009, I was exposed to a wide variety of proceedings before different forums – from the Supreme Court to district courts, from arbitration to mediation sessions, criminal proceedings, etc. And these varied experiences set off a spark in me to explore the field of international dispute settlement, like proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), state-to-state dispute settlement at the WTO, investment treaty arbitrations, etc.

Thus, the MIDS or the LL.M. in International Dispute Settlement offered jointly by the University of Geneva and Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies became the natural choice given the stellar teaching cast and its location in the heart of the practice of international law and diplomacy.

Be it public or private international law, MIDS provided me with an unparalleled experience in the field of international disputes. The MIDS was pivotal in my subsequent journey as an international disputes lawyer. It provided me with the platform to pursue an internship with the Appellate Body Secretariat which later materialised into a full-time position as a dispute settlement lawyer. My time at the Appellate Body Secretariat was thoroughly exciting given the types and kinds of disputes that came up for consideration at the WTO in addition to the lifelong friends I made while working there. The WTO stint in turn set me up for a position with the UK Government in London to work on UK’s international disputes engagements prior to my return to India where I am currently a Partner in Luthra and Luthra’s dispute resolution practice.

Lastly, what advice would you give to young lawyers interested in pursuing a career in international trade law and dispute resolution?

From my experience thus far, I can perhaps offer a couple of insights: first, do try and pursue higher studies from an institution and subject of your liking whether it is in the United States, the UK or mainland Europe or anywhere for that matter. I found my year of reading the LL.M. to be fulfilling not only in terms of what I learnt but also in terms of meeting new people, making new friends and getting to know different cultures especially when batchmates come from across the globe.

The second piece of insight I have to offer to young lawyers is not to super specialise early on in your legal career. If somebody is interested in dispute resolution, try working on as many aspects of it that you can i.e., do court litigation, do an ad hoc arbitration, do an institutional arbitration, try your hand at tribunal litigation (for example before the CESTAT, NCLT) and better still work on a criminal law matter before the trial courts. Take my case, over the years, I have been lucky do all of the above and that’s why I always consider myself to be a generalist disputes lawyer which I believe has helped me tremendously in the varying roles that I have taken up the last 14 years.

Get in touch with Tamal Mandal-
- LinkedIn
April 12, 2023
I believe that more minds need to understand and work on laws to govern emergency technology – Lynn Lazaro, Partner and Head of IP, Kochhar & Co., Bangalore
This interview has been published by Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

Ma’am, as a conversation starter, please tell us reason behind you choosing law as a career?

I don’t come from a family of lawyers, so choosing law as a profession wasn’t the typical choice at the time. Law as a career played to my strengths. I was generally a curious child and I enjoyed reading, with a strong sense of self and wanting to do what’s right. Being a lawyer seemed like something I would enjoy for the rest of my life, and I still do 17 years later.

Could you please elaborate your role as a cross border IP transactional attorney?

I assist foreign businesses that want to protect their IP in India, from identifying their IP assets to developing a strategy on how to protect this IP. This could range from a simple trademark or patent filing to a complex contentious dispute. In the transactional space, I assist international companies doing business in India by helping them negotiate the purchase or license of their IP assets. IP law in India has certain nuances that differ from other jurisdictions, particularly with the transfer of IP assets from one entity to another. My experience with these types of transactions has allowed me to provide very specific advice to companies where innovation is part of their business structure.

How was your experience as a teaching assistant at La Trobe University? And what were your learnings from the same?

While I did my masters at university in Melbourne, I got a part time job as a teaching assistant in the same university. The role was to teach third year business students the Australian Corporations Law module. I would take the class with around 100 students in groups of 10-15 a class and go over their class work. It was pretty apparent from the start that these business students had no interest in law and were compelled to take the class as part of their business studies. So, I would set them interactive assignments, like play acting the cases that I needed them to remember. It was the most fun job I’ve had in my life. My biggest learning was not to take life too seriously and that work can be lots of fun.

What keeps you motivated at work?

Motivating oneself is simply perspective. You can look at it as long shifts and mental exhaustion or you can feel the satisfaction of helping a client or winning a case. I choose the latter and that motivates me to put my best foot forward every day. Another huge motivation for me is to explore areas of law that many are afraid to touch, like the Metaverse and AI related concerns. This isn’t brand new; I’ve been watching and learning about this space for a few years now. I believe that more minds need to understand and work on laws to govern emergency technology. I’m very excited for the future.

How do you spend your time off?

Like any other working parent, most of my time off is spent with my kids and their activities. It’s a balance of doing chores and spending time with the family. I have two daughters who will grow up to join other powerful women in the workforce. I am reminded daily of my duty to ensure that I lead by example.

Coming to last question, any advise you would like to give to the budding lawyer out there?

I’ve noticed lately that new graduates want jobs in one specific field of law right out of law school. Real world experience is needed for overall growth as a lawyer so my advice to new graduates would be to explore working in different fields of law initially before choosing to specialize in one or the other. Corporate law, in particular, is interconnected and an M&A lawyer with IP experience or a employment lawyer with some M&A experience would have an added advantage.

Get in touch with Lynn Lazaro-
- LinkedIn
April 12, 2023
Since a patent is generally applied for an invention which is novel and inventive in nature, it is very important for a patent lawyer to be well-versed with technology-Chinthan Japhet, Associate Partner- Intellectual Property, Krishnamurthy & co. (K Law)
This interview has been published by Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

To start this conversation, please tell us about how you ended up pursuing law after pursuing B. Tech. What made you switch your profession from an engineer to a lawyer?

Indian families continue to express an undue preference for careers in engineering and medicine, to the exclusion of all else. Fortunately, for me, I had a natural inclination towards the sciences and technology and did not in the least bit mind the push towards engineering. However, the decision to then forsake a reputed job in engineering for something as alien as patent law is not something that went down very easily with my family. After a prolonged debate with them, I was able to convince them that their ideas of law and its potential for social change and empowerment influenced me considerably. And that the best way for me to marry my interest in law with engineering was through patent law, a rather specialized field of law that was gaining prominence in India. I consider myself blessed to have found my niche so early in life without much experimentation.

What was your motivation behind pursuing LLM with a specialization in IPR from USA?

After having gained sufficient work experience on Indian patent law by working in a reputed IP boutique law firm in Mumbai, I wanted to increase my range of knowledge on patent law of other jurisdictions as well. U.S.A was my first option , since I was intrigued with the advanced patent law system there. It is also very important for a patent lawyer to have knowledge of the patent practice across various jurisdictions. As an example, an Indian patent lawyer is required to be abreast with patent practices across jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, Japan, etc, since a lot of Indian tech companies have international presence in these jurisdictions. In order to gain a competitive advantage in these markets, it is essential for these Indian tech companies to obtain patent protection therein. Taking into consideration these aspects, I decided to pursue an LLM with specialization in IPR from Illinois College of Law, US which specifically caters to candidates interested in pursuing a career in patent law.

Could you tell our audience about the article which you wrote on “Software Patents -An Indian Perspective”?

The above-mentioned article discusses the patent protection for software related inventions in India. At present, since software is the core of most of the technological innovations, is considered to be the driving force with respect to current developments across sectors such as automobile, healthcare, manufacturing, networking, telecom, etc. In addition, software programs have helped in developing cutting edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things (IOT), blockchain and cognitive computing. Since there is a lot of confusion around patenting software related inventions in India, we have summarized our observations on the same based on Indian case laws and the practice followed by the Indian patent office.

Could you please elucidate your role as an Associate Partner with Krishnamurthy & Co (K Law)?

I head the patent and design practice at K Law. Since our firm is a full-service law firm, other than the core patent and design practice, such as-prosecution, analytics and litigation, we also advise clients on IP aspects in relation to M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions.

What hardships did you face during the initial days of your career and how did you overcome them?

During my initial days in the patent field, learning the art of patent drafting took some time, as there are no specific formats for drafting a patent application. Each patent lawyer will have a specific style of drafting patent applications. Therefore, to inculcate a specific style of patent drafting, which legally would be acceptable was a challenge. I overcame this challenge by going through numerous granted patent applications in India and other jurisdictions, to develop a specific style of drafting for various arts, such as electronics/electrical, mechanical and software related inventions.

What qualities do you think a good Patent Lawyer must possess?

Inventors consider an invention as their own baby, since a lot of time and effort would have gone into developing the same. In this regard, a good patent lawyer must possess the following qualities in order to facilitate the inventor in monetizing the patent:

Well-versed with the latest technology: Since a patent is generally applied for an invention which is novel and inventive in nature, it is very important for a patent lawyer to be well-versed with the cutting-edge technology.

Language: Each term drafted in a patent application may be interpreted in different ways, hence clarity and succintness of language used in a patent application would be essential in ensuring patent protection for the inventor.

Creativity: Patent lawyers have to be creative as the inventors they work with. For example, check with the inventors whether there are any alternative ways of protecting the technology, how a competitor may try to circumvent the patent, any other interpretation to the drafted patent application and emphasize on the problem that the inventor is trying to solve with the invention.

Business acumen: A patent lawyer’s responsibility in addition to facilitating in ensuring patent protection for the invention is to enable the patent owner to monetize the patent. Therefore, apart from the technology, the patent lawyer should be aware of the competitors, market for the patented product, jurisdictions, where the patented product may be sold, etc. Basis which, the patent lawyer should develop a strategy in order to ensure the client uses patent as a tool in order to gain a competitive edge in the market and monetize the patent.

Lastly, please tell us what keeps you motivated.

Inventions whether just an improvement or a breakthrough cutting edge technology, make the world a better place. As a patent lawyer, we are privileged for having helped the inventors deploy the invention to the public. This is what keeps me motivated.

Get in touch with Chinthan Japhet
- LinkedIn
March 31, 2023
Commercial law can be very interesting. Everything depends on the lenses through which one views the world!- Neela Badami, Partner at Samvad Partners
This interview has been published by Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

Ma’am, we would like to know about your motivation to pursue law.

I have always loved working with words and with people. I also thought I was good at problem solving. I love books and felt that would help in a career where I imagined the ability to be comfortable with processing large volumes of text was a plus point. I felt the law would give me the forum to marry all the things I enjoy doing.

Was it your aim to become a gold medalist or it just happened?

I think that gold medal was scored in a course which was taught very well, and that I enjoyed. A good teacher can make the driest subject matter interesting and bring alive its human dimensions. Since my interest was kindled, I had fun studying the subject. Then the gold medal ‘just happened.’

Please elucidate about your experience of pursuing LLM from the University of Michigan Law School.

One of the best decisions of my life, I think. I chose Michigan for a few reasons.

One, I wanted the experience of living and studying in a small university town (Ann Arbor, in this case).

Two, the small class size appealed to me. In the LL.M class, we really got to know each other as a group of lawyers from all over the world of all ages, with varied experiences and backgrounds.

Three, the quality of the faculty and the brilliant mix of courses on offer.

I was looking to study both international law and commercial / corporate law, and I had the best of both experiences at Michigan Law. I took corporate law courses with Prof. Vikramaditya S Khanna, and also worked as a research assistant with him. I enjoyed the experience immensely and learnt a lot, including how to think about patterns and connections between law and business; as well as how to ideate projects and test hypotheses that need to be based on vast amounts of data.

On the public international law side, I attended a course taught by ICJ judge Bruno Simma, called Leading Cases in International Law.

I also did a handful of shorter courses for sheer joy. ‘Law and Popular Literature’ was a mini-seminar which met once a month over dinner at the home of Professor Gil Seinfeld. Given my love for books, and talking about them over good food and in congenial company, I thoroughly enjoyed this. (For book lovers, here are some of the titles we read: The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin, A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr, Scott Turow’s One-L, A Trial by Jury by Professor Graham Burnett, and In the Shadow of the Law, by Professor Kim Roosevelt). Similarly, the Uncensored History of International Law, taught by Dino Kritsiotis and the late Brian Simpson, was a fascinating course where we did a variety of readings that I remember to this day.

What did it take to get the opportunity to work as a Law Clerk at the International Criminal Court?

Serendipity. In 2004, the problem theme in the Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition was ‘The Case Concerning the International Criminal Court.’ My teammates and I spent close to six months researching and writing up our memorials, taking part in the India qualifying rounds and so on. We were the first team from NALSAR University of Law to make it to the World Finals in Washington DC, so by the time we were done, we knew quite a bit about the ICC. Hence it was quite natural to put in a convincing application for a clerkship. The time I spent in the Hague at the ICC was an incredible learning experience in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual environment. The professional bonds forged there were special.

How did you end up in the commercial area of law?

Commercial law can be very interesting. Everything depends on the lenses through which one views the world!

I have always had varied interests. I think it helps for a lawyer to have a broad vision of the world. After my ICC clerkship I had worked in the Capital Markets team at Amarchand Mangaldas, Mumbai (now CAM), before I went for my LL.M at Michigan. It was a whirlwind of a time since the capital markets were ‘booming’ in 2006-07 and everyone wanted to go public. It was a great learning experience for a young lawyer to be plunged from the get-go into the middle of hectic transactions and timelines. I learnt how to think on my feet, how to process information coming at me from all sides in different forms, and how to handle the variety of stakeholders involved in a public issue (promoters, C-suite folks, investment bankers, lawyers both Indian and foreign, auditors). At large all-party meetings or ‘drafting sessions,’ sometimes I would be the only woman at the table. I think the gender ratios are much better today.

Going public brings it with a great deal of excitement for companies and it was pleasant to be a very small part of that. As capital markets lawyers we would mark-up advertisements to ensure compliance with the law before issuer companies could plaster them on billboards. I remember how tickled I would feel that a piece of paper I had marked up with a red pen would be magnified 100 times over and splashed on hoardings I’d drive under on Marine Drive.

What qualities do you think an M&A Lawyer must possess?

No two M&A transactions are exactly alike, so I would say the skill to understand first principles thoroughly and then be able to apply them in any context is key. Knowing the basics is crucial to structuring deals in compliance with the law. For new and young lawyers, there is no substitute to reading the Indian Contract Act, the Companies Act, the FEMA and Regulations/Rules made thereunder end to end. Once that is done, understanding the documentation involved in an M&A transaction, why certain clauses are written the way they are written, what is the overall structure of the document, what is its internal logic and coherence, the commercial imperatives behind clauses – all these are very important. The best M&A lawyers understand not just the law and documentation but have excellent project and people management skills as well. Transaction management is both an art and a science and M&A lawyers must wear this hat too in an M&A deal.

Please tell us more about your experience in the sectors of fintech, e-commerce and IT.

At Samvad Partners, I work a lot with startups, corporates, and venture capital and private equity funds. I have been based in the Bangalore office since 2009, so we have been very much a part of the Indian startup growth story. We can only be effective advisors when we understand the business of the client and the counterparties deeply, as well as the regulatory and policy landscape. I think as a firm, we have come to develop expertise in these sectors (amongst others) as we always try to understand the business as well as the technologies of our clients and take a holistic approach.

IT is a very broad term – I think most of my work has a tech angle to it in some way or the other. A lot of the work I do for our VC/PE clients involves their investments in tech companies, so we really need to understand the business of the target company in order to do an effective due diligence. This can be very exciting since we have to keep pace with rapid changes in technology; the law can be slow to catch up. For example, we recently examined the business of a global company operating in the Web3 space, that wanted to issue tokens instead of shares. Data protection and privacy is another space that we see quite active at the moment.

On the fintech side, we have been advising companies on a variety of new business models, including in the space of decentralized finance. We help our fintech clients structure their businesses in a legally compliant manner; as they need to be mindful of increased regulatory oversight.

E-commerce continues to be an exciting space, as consumers we are thoroughly spoilt for choice! Our work here is similar to what we do for our other clients, helping them with compliance in different areas of law – foreign exchange management, company law, consumer protection, legal metrology, food safety and standards, and so on.

The last question to you is what advice you would give to our audience who are looking forward to work in The areas of e-commerce, IT law and M&A?

It is difficult to say do XYZ to become an expert in these fields. At the end of the day, basics have to be strong because you will need your basics of contract law and company law to stand you in good stead in all of these fields. The other foundation you will need for all these fields is an understanding of the foreign exchange management regime. After the basics comes learning through experience, and reading up on sector-specific law and delegated legislation. Delegated legislation can be a maze. A good practitioner has an understanding of the overall picture and how to navigate the maze.

Over time, I have found that one typically does one’s best work when one enjoys what one is doing. So, I’d say, take the time to figure out what area of law you enjoy. Use your internships well to get a sense of the different options available. The same thing needn’t work for everyone. If there is a particular area of work you enjoy, go all-out with it. Read and learn deeply, not just the law/regulation, but white papers put out by regulators and think tanks, similar activity in other jurisdictions – be creative, think laterally, connect the dots in ways that people may not yet have thought of. Use your creative energies to their utmost. Stay abreast with the trends. Don’t expect someone else to make you an expert in the field, take the responsibility to make yourself the expert. Start writing and putting your work out there. Connect with the people in the field you’re interested in, who are doing similar work. Breathe it and live it until you achieve it. (Then, just re-double your efforts! )

Get in touch with Neela Badami-
- LinkedIn
March 30, 2023
Pooja Chakrabarti, Partner, Argus Partner on decision to study law, attending University of Oxford, importance of authoring research articles and value of networking
This interview has been published by Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

At which point in time did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in law?

I belong to a family of doctors and have virtually no lawyers in my family, however, something about the profession always excited me. I do not think that there was a particular point in time when this decision was taken, but in Class XII when I was expected to prepare for Pre-Medical Tests, I found myself looking at Law School brochures instead. Things moved fast and I joined Symbiosis International University, Pune soon after. I do not regret the decision at all and am grateful to have found my happy place.

You have completed Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford. Can you share a roadmap which will help graduates aspiring to pursue their higher studies from such prestigious institutions?

There is no specific roadmap really. Every university is different with distinct parameters to determine eligibility. Standing out is of utmost importance for candidates.

For University of Oxford, primary impetus should definitely be on securing excellent grades, as the University accepts students from only the top 1-2% in a batch. Besides, it is good to have some solid co-curricular activity on your resume, such as moots, debates etc. Demonstrating passion for a hobby or an interest outside work is also appreciated. Lastly, an original, well-articulated Statement of Purpose helps, which would demonstrate how a candidate is unique. Although I attended Oxford after working for 5 years in a law firm and had never applied for judicial clerkship, many of my classmates had worked as a judicial clerk after graduating from a law school.

Can you share some of your learnings, both on academic and non-academic fronts, while you were at Oxford.

Oxford has definitely taught me to be systematic, disciplined and thorough. Considering only the sheer volume of the course material, it was a task to keep up in class. The course material would be circulated to students well ahead of the class and it was expected that every student would be thorough with it before class. In class, we would discuss, dissect, and analyse the material. We would also write our own papers for tutorials and debate the same with the Professors. We were always encouraged to question, probe, challenge and argue, develop new theories and pen them down. I enjoyed the entire academic experience.

As far as non-academic fronts go, the University has a strong network of alumni, and I am in touch with some great friends I made there. The University also has a hectic social life with sit-down dinners, wine and cheese evenings and BOP (Big Open Parties). I have attended my fair share of these, including the long walks beside the Cherwell. Overall, I cherish the year and all it brought.

Being a litigator, you work in several areas like commercial litigation, arbitration, insolvency matters, intellectual property, constitutional law, real estate etc. Is it challenging?

Every area of law is important and challenging in its own way. I am extremely passionate about my work. As a litigator, it is important to appreciate and understand the business aspects of a transaction and only then can you provide commercially viable solutions to your client. It is also essential to adapt to the ever-evolving commercial environment and analyse how the advice and strategy will affect the client’s business. There is a new challenge every day, but I thoroughly enjoy the rush of adrenalin it brings.

Given your busy schedule, how do you allocate time for authoring research papers? Do you think that publishing papers, as a lawyer, boosts one’s career?

I am generally interested in writing about recent legal developments, and it is also a great way to stay updated, as writing also involves a lot of reading about the subject. Publishing papers improve visibility and demonstrate knowledge. It can also act as an excellent conversation starter. I have had many clients and peers approach me to discuss a particular paper I have written, and provide insights on the same. It is an effective way to stay connected to the larger ecosystem.

How do you keep yourself updated with the current legal trends, given your busy work schedule?

I am a voracious reader with varied interests. I subscribe to the databases available and follow them regularly for updates. I try to set aside some time during the workday for this purpose. Besides, Argus Partners has an extremely active and focussed Knowledge Management team that circulates regular updates on current developments, and this helps me keep updated.

Do you think good grades and moot court experience are necessary to be a good lawyer? What else do you think is required?

I don’t think there is one formula to anything. Good grades demonstrate consistency and dedication but there is no hard and fast rule that everyone who scores high marks in law school turns out to be a great lawyer. The reverse is also true. Participating in a moot court is important as it enables young minds to analyse legal issues, research on them, draft contentions and argue, but the professional world is very different from the life a law school offers. What is important for a young professional is to keep learning and stay focussed.

How important do you think it is to network with fellow lawyers and those from the professional front to grow in one’s career?

Networking is an important building block. It is important to learn from others, share experiences and insights, and be a part of the larger legal community to build connections. Networking increases visibility, enhances professional reputation and helps develop a strong personal brand. In this age, it is important to be present and active on social media applications, such as LinkedIn. One can learn a lot from one’s peers.

What advice would you give to a legal professional just starting out?

One should demonstrate a zeal to learn, hard work, integrity, and ownership. Every assignment should be treated as an opportunity to bring out the best. I always tell my junior colleagues that they should be prepared for the long haul and not get distracted or demoralised with minor setbacks. Find a mentor, if possible, and learn from them. The journey is challenging, but consistency will bring success despite impediments.

Get in touch with Pooja Chakrabarti-
- LinkedIn
March 23, 2023
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a lawyer is the continual learning that comes with the job- Ish Jain, Arbitrator at Delhi International Arbitration Centre
This interview has been published by Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

To start our conversation on a lighter note, we would like to know why did you choose to be a lawyer?

From a young age, I was drawn to the idea of a profession that would allow me to serve others while also growing and developing as a person. As I progressed through my higher education, it became clear to me that law was the ideal field to achieve these goals. I would say, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a lawyer is the continual learning that comes with the job. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities to expand one’s knowledge and skills. Whether I’m studying a complex legal issue or working on a case, I am constantly pushed to think critically. That feeling of being pushed to think critically and the feeling of ‘rush’ that comes along with it is what gets me stoked to be a lawyer. In addition, being a lawyer also provides me with a sense of purpose and fulfilment. By using my legal expertise to assist clients and advocate for justice, I can make a positive impact on society. Whether I’m working on a high-stakes commercial matter or representing an individual, I am driven by the knowledge that my work is making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Ultimately, my passion for the field of law stems from the fact that it allows me to combine my desire to learn and grow with my commitment to serving others. It is a challenging and demanding field, but I believe that the rewards of being a lawyer far outweigh the challenges.

We understand that you have so many distinguished accolades attached to your name, especially in the field of arbitration. Please tell our audience about your illustrious career as an arbitrator.

My passion for arbitration as a career was ignited during my tenure as an assistant to retired Hon’ble Justice M.S. Rane. Witnessing the transformative power of arbitration in resolving disputes sparked a deep interest within me, and I knew that this was the field that I wanted to pursue. My interest in arbitration only grew as I pursued my LL.M. from the prestigious Queen Mary, University of London, UK, where I studied Oral and Written Advocacy in Arbitration as well as International Commercial Arbitration law. This formal education not only sharpened my skills but also gave me a broader perspective on the field.

Since 2004, I have had the privilege of working in the field of Arbitration in a wide range of disputes, including complex commercial disputes, construction disputes, intellectual property disputes, technology law, Aviation law, Maritime disputes, etc. My expertise in the field has been recognized through various accolades and appointments. In the last 8 years, I have had also the privilege of serving as an independent Arbitrator and I am presently empanelled with more than 26 institutes as an Arbitrator in Asia, the UK, and the Middle East. In addition, I am also actively involved in promoting the field of arbitration and advocating for its benefits as a dispute resolution mechanism. I have been invited to speak at various conferences and seminars on the topic. I am proud to have been working in this field and am eager to continue making a positive impact through the transformative power of arbitration.

Being in the Arbitration profession since 2004, what were some of the defining moments?

In my career, I have had many defining moments that have shaped my professional journey in the field of Arbitration. From representing noteworthy real estate developers and high net-worth individuals to businesses and entrepreneurs from diverse sectors of the business community, I have had the privilege of working with some of the best lawyers in the field. However, one particular case stands out as a truly fascinating experience.

I had the opportunity to work on a case that involved a manufacturing defect in an Aircraft and the failure of the landing gear in a new Aircraft. This case not only challenged me as a lawyer, but also allowed me to push myself to the limits of my knowledge and expertise in dealing with Arbitration cases and ICC Rules. It required me to think outside the box, exercise creative problem-solving skills, and work collaboratively with a team of experts to achieve a favourable outcome for my client.

It was a defining moment in my career, as it taught me the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and strategic thinking. This experience helped me grow both as a lawyer and as an Arbitrator, and I am grateful for the lessons learned.

Overall, my journey has been filled with many defining moments, each one contributing to my growth and development in unique ways. I look forward to continuing this journey, embracing new challenges, and striving for excellence in everything that I do.

Since Arbitration is a growing field in our country, what is the major difference in other jurisdictions/countries compared to India? How do you look at the potential in this field for law practitioners in India?

Arbitration has become increasingly popular in resolving disputes in India, as well as in other jurisdictions/countries. In fact, the Bar Council of India opening up avenues for foreign law firms in India and allowing Foreign lawyers to appear for their clients in International Commercial Arbitration will definitely allow India to be one of the hubs of International Commercial Arbitration.

However, there are some notable differences between the practice of arbitration in India and other countries. One major difference I would like to point is the level of institutional support for arbitration. In some countries, such as UK, France, Switzerland, Singapore and Hong Kong, there are well-established institutions that provide administrative support and expertise in arbitration. These institutions have established rules and procedures for resolving disputes, which can make the process more efficient and reliable. Another difference is the extent to which the courts are involved in arbitration proceedings. In some countries, such as the UK and Singapore, the courts are heavily involved in the arbitration process and can play a significant role in enforcing arbitration awards.

In terms of potential for law practitioners in India, the growing field of arbitration presents a significant opportunity. As businesses in India increasingly seek to resolve disputes through alternative means, there is a growing demand for legal professionals with expertise in arbitration. This can include both lawyers who specialize in dispute resolution as well as those who have experience in related areas such as international trade and investment. Overall, the potential for law practitioners in India in the field of arbitration is significant. However, it is important for practitioners to stay up-to-date with developments in this area and to develop the necessary expertise and skills to succeed in this growing field.

As you are pursuing a PhD, how do you manage your workload and maintain a balance between your academic responsibilities, work, and life?

Balancing work, education, and personal life can be a challenging task, but it is essential to ensure that I am productive, efficient, and not compromising on my personal life. To balance these three aspects, I follow a few key strategies: First, I plan and prioritize my tasks by making a to-do list and scheduling my day accordingly. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I am making the most of my time. Second, I set realistic goals for myself, both short-term and long-term, and try to achieve them. This helps me stay motivated and focused on what I want to achieve. Third, I manage my time effectively by avoiding procrastination, limiting distractions, and making the most of my productive hours. I take short breaks in between work or study sessions to refresh my mind and avoid burnout. Fourth, I seek support from family, friends, or colleagues if needed to ease the workload and reduce stress. Finally, I maintain a healthy work-life balance by making time for myself, spending quality time with family and friends, exercising regularly, and pursuing hobbies that help me relax and rejuvenate, for e.g. picking up a sport like Tennis helped a lot. Overall, finding the right balance between work, education, and personal life is essential to avoid stress and burnout. By following these strategies, I am able to balance these three aspects and achieve my goals while also taking care of my personal life.

To wrap this conversation up, what advice would you give to legal professionals in their initial years?

To all young lawyers, I would like to emphasize the importance of merit and perseverance in achieving success. While it is true that smart work is crucial in today’s fast-paced world, however, it cannot be a substitute for hard work and effort. It is essential to put in the effort to maximize your potential and achieve your goals. For instance, if you aspire to practice in the field of Arbitration, you must dive deep into the legal and business aspects of the field. You cannot simply skim the surface; you must understand all the consequences and have the ability to listen fairly and impartially to a dispute before issuing a legally binding award. This level of expertise comes with experience, and gaining that experience requires hard work and dedication. So, my message to all young lawyers is this: strive for excellence and put in the necessary effort to achieve your goals. With perseverance, dedication, and a commitment to constantly improve, you can achieve great things in your career and beyond.

Get in touch with Ish Jain-
- LinkedIn
March 22, 2023
Anmol Maheshwari, Commissioning Editor at LexisNexis India In a FireSide Chat With SuperLawyer On LLM in IPR, Role Of Content Manager and Legal Researching
This interview has been published by Prabhjot Singh, Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

What was your motivation behind choosing law as a career?

Growing up, I spent my formative years in the company of my grandfather, who remained deeply embedded in social and political life for as long as he lived. I used to accompany him to many of his social gatherings full of lawyers, local politicians and judges which gave me an opportunity to plunge in the stirring political discussions. Every time I listened to them, I realized there was so much more to it, than what was being said. During one such event, my grandfather once said, “Look around…if you also pursue law, it will help you be whoever you want to be” and that is when I finally decided to turn his words into actions.

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

To get a job was probably the easy part but real game is to survive and thrive in it. There is a significant difference between knowing the law and its application to any legal role held by you. To put it simply, knowledge is theoretical, and skills are practical. You may be well versed with the rules of the game, its history and the statistics. But this only makes you well informed and knowledgeable, it does not make you skilled in it. To be good at a game, you must consistently practice your skills and techniques.

Similarly, in a job knowledge is not everything. Skimming through multiple case laws, absorbing wide range of legal knowledge, being able to itemize relevant legislations does form an integral part of law school curriculum. But this is only the first step. Once you enter the real world, the project or case you are handling might require advanced research and that is where you have to showcase your skills.

To be able to undertake that research, articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using verbal and written communication skills to multiple audiences, as well as to listen for meaning and understanding forms a crucial part of your career.

With LLM in Intellectual Property Laws, what drew you to this field of legal researcher and content manager, eventually as a commissioning editor?

I studied Intellectual Property Laws from Gujarat National Law University. Ostensibly, it doesn’t sound relevant to any of my jobs but my education is coming strangely handy as my course helped me develop research and writing skills, the ability to present and argue persuasively and to develop an eye for detail.

In particular, I chose to be in research and academic publishing because I have always enjoyed interacting with the professors and other scholars as they are the people really cutting edge with their subject area and sometimes many subjects at the same time. So, I thought it would be terrific to work with these people and be paid for it.

What are the essential skills, abilities and personal attributes required to make it to the field of Legal Research, Writing and Publication?

Publishing is a creative industry so commercial awareness and strong verbal and written communication skills will get one far in publishing. Focusing on research skills is also equally important. It is crucial to understand how to perform legal research, including where to start and the steps to follow. Perseverance is the key when it comes down to research.

Can you recommend trade journals, magazines or professional associations which would be helpful for our readers?

The World Trade Organisation produces a wide range of publications on various trade-related issues. Most of these publications may be downloaded from the WTO website. Also, WorldTradeLaw.net offers a free library of trade news and resources, as well as a subscription service, which provides summary and analysis of all WTO reports and arbitrations; a keyword index; a database of dispute settlement tables and statistics; and a user-friendly search tool for WTO cases, legal texts, and other documents.

How does your work affect your general lifestyle?

The working culture of publishing industry is exciting, and the working hours can be long sometimes but not insane. The industry does offers you a good work life balance. It’s a busy-buzzy environment to work in so one must be highly organized and really good at juggling between multiple tasks.

What kind of problems and challenges do you deal in the publishing process?

The biggest challenge is to procure manuscripts from authors within the scheduled time frame. Editors have to ensure that they do not miss the publishing deadline and authors don’t miss their writing deadline. For this, the editors are required to establish a tremendous working relationship with the authors which involves detailed correspondence and having a lot of empathy for the authors to be able to put yourself in their shoes.

Throughout the publication process the role of editor never ceases. At any stage between signing a contract till the product hits the market, editor is the point of contact for all concerns and queries authors might have. Suppose if you are giving the authors really tight deadlines you have to explain why that is and do what you can to help them through to avoid potential slippages. Any delays at early stages can have dramatic effects on publication schedules especially when the publishers have already been advertising a book’s release and the due date needs to be changed.

Therefore, to avoid any delays, editors spend a large part of their working week speaking with their authors. All of this is in addition to a whole myriad of administrative tasks that always need to be done.

If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? If not, what would you change?

Big YES! By the end of graduation, I was certain that litigation or working at a law firm never inspired me and during my post-graduation I realized that I am more inclined towards research and writing. Needless to say, the decision to follow my passion came with its own adjustments, particularly in terms of compensation. But the flexibility and work life balance my job offers always keeps me afloat.

What advice would you give someone who is considering being in this field?

The key to achieving anything and everything you desire is Action.

So, “Wish for it, Hope for it, Dream of it, but by all means do it.” – Leslie Levine

Get in touch with Anmol Maheshwari-
- LinkedIn
December 22, 2022
Ashirbad Nayak, Lecturer at JGLS Sonipat,In Conversation with SuperLawyer On Role of Co-Curricular Activities in Law School and Much More
This interview has been published by Prabhjot Singh, Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

How would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi, I am Ashirbad, and I am currently a Lecturer at O P Jindal Global University. I love to paint and sketch. You would always find me humming to Sufi music or Eminem, there is no in between. I have a black belt in karate, I used to run 10Ks during my Masters, and most of my free time during the work week is spent watching Instagram reels about puppies, or NFL and UFC matches. And, when I have vacations, I backpack across remote but picturesque destinations.

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in law after your Class 12 Boards?

Didn’t really have much of a choice. I was a PCMB student during my 11^th and 12^th. It was not my cup of tea. I had a disastrous JEE and AIPMT. The only option that I had was CLAT. AIPMT ended on 3^rd May, CLAT was on 10^th May. I prepared what I could within that and showed up for the exam. Quite fortunately, things have been on a upward trajectory ever since.

Tell us a little about your days in NLU Odisha?

I had the time of my life in NLUO. When I joined there really were no campus placements, only a few batches had graduated, no one really gave us guys a shot. So, we as the students, had to build up a fair bit of the institution that it has become, ourselves. Beyond the professional or academic front, I met my closest friends there, I am very fortunate that the friends I had in first year of law school, are still my friends.

I learnt karate from Akshay, who used to live in the room next to me. I learnt how to write papers from some of my seniors there. Vegadarshi taught me a lot about how to be a Speaker for a moot. More than anything, everyday was a laugh riot in the place. I wouldn’t trade those days for anything

How did you narrow down on NLU Odisha specifically to pursue your undergraduate legal studies?

Again, didn’t really have much of a choice. I got through to TNNLS in the third round of CLAT counselling. Two and a half months later, there was a vacancy at NLUO, I applied and got through. The first two months were ludicrously challenging. I was the last guy in, I had joined after the mid-sems had gotten over, I had no clue what to do. Fortunately, I persisted, and things worked themselves out. I often say that the greatest things in my life have happened to me by accident, CLAT, NLUO, my friends, St Catharine’s, and they have had the best impact on me.

What were the activities, academic or otherwise, that you undertook in your law school days which in your opinion have shaped you and your career?

Plenty of them. I had a finger in every pie. From college committees, to moots, to papers, conferences, academics, debates, MUNS, I was involved with everything. I am generally quite outgoing, and I made full use of whatever avenues NLUO offered. It went beyond just building a career, and the academic knowledge I gained from them.

I have always prided on being able to don multiple hats at the same time and juggle multiple things successfully. They have proved to be quite beneficial in life, in general. I knew everyone on campus from the Vice Chancellor to the guards manning the gate.

Quite fortunately, they all got to know pretty well. That kind of connection is invaluable. It teaches you a lot about fostering and maintaining relationships with people from all walks of life and being a reliable person for them.

I am particularly proud of the work that I did as the Co-Convenor the College’s Internship Committee, along with Mridul, my Convenor. We lead a team of 10 students, and in our time span, we broke the record of the number of internships that NLUO had ever obtained in a calendar year by a wide margin. We took the total from 4 in the previous year to 59 in our term.

What kind of internships did you engage in during your undergraduate student years which you feel were invaluable to you in reaching your current position?

I interned at mostly data protection and general corporate teams of law firms. The most significant of them would be the two stints I had at Khaitan & Co, Kolkata, in the Corp A team with Mr Supratim Chakraborty. I had a blast working with him. I learnt so much from him, Shourya Da, Risa, Pratik Sir and a whole host of other people. I have really good memories of my time there.

You had been an all rounder in NLU Odisha, because of which you were bestowed with the ‘Shri Bichitrananda Mahanty Gold Medal’. How did you manage your academics, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities at the same time?

I used every available minute that I had, and I was as efficient I could be. It was a constant drive to be the very best version of myself. I was always occupied with something or the other. And I enjoyed doing it. No one forced me to do those things, I have always been naturally inclined to set high goals and see if I can achieve them. Being engaged in so many things also kept me focused and on track. That and an aptitude to work hard. There is no substitute for the latter. In a way, it was preparation for the future, beyond the limitations of law school. That being said, it was not all work though, I made sure to have enough time to kick back and relax with my friends.

You had been National Winner and Octa-Finalist of several Indian and International Moot Court Competition. Kindly share your experience as a successful mooter of NLU Odisha.

I have only done two moots the Oxford Price Media Moot Court and NUJS HSF Moot Court. Quite fortunately I performed well in them both. Price Media 2018 was the first moot that I ever did, and I spent a year working on it. Within that time span, I did not pick up any other assignment or co-curricular activity. We managed to reach the Octa-Finals of the World Rounds and were also adjudged as the Runners-up of the South Asian Rounds. We were the first team from NLUO to qualify for the Worlds in that competition.

The next year, I took part in HSF, and it was a month of pure sleeplessness. It had some of the most thrilling rounds I have ever been a part of, and we were adjudged as the Winners of the competition.

Again, we were the first team from our college to win the competition. Of course, along the way for both the competitions we received a tremendous amount of support from friends, alumni and college resources. The only thing I had in mind while preparing for Price Media was to be the very best Speaker I could possibly be, I had always been a debater and never a moot court Speaker, so the transition had some growing pains.

The secret sauce for success in a moot is to form a team with people you are comfortable working with. That, and a tremendous amount of hard work and sacrifice.

You had an accomplished record of publishing at renowned journals from publishers like Thomson Reuters, Eastern Book Company, Wolters Kluwer and famous dailies like that of The Indian Express, The Daily Guardian, The Statesman, Deccan Herald, just to name a few. Kindly share your experience of writing papers and articles for the journals and dailies.

I have always liked to write, so I expanded upon that in law school. I started off with nascent steps, publishing in online blogs and journals, until I garnered enough experience that I felt I could write for reputed publishers. Newspaper articles are always fun, as they are short, precise and reach a much larger audience.

The books or articles that I have published with the aforementioned publishers, were based on strenuous academic research, structured in a manner that was scholarly to merit publication, but, at the same time engaging enough to keep the reader hooked. I co-authored several articles with my Registrar at NLUO, Professor (Dr) Yogesh Pratap Singh, and, it was always a joy to write with him.

How important is it for the law students to write research papers while being at the law school?

It is definitely helpful, but, there is no hard and fast requirement as such. I have often heard stuff like publishing one article in a journal is equivalent to taking part in a moot. That is simply not true. These activities teach you different skills, and a lot depends on the quality of the paper and the journal it is being published in, which is the same as the quality of a moot court and your position in the competition.

A research paper would not only give you in-depth knowledge about the topic, but also streamline the manner in which you think and present your thoughts. A useful skill for a lawyer, for sure.

You had been a student researcher of important projects of NLU Odisha, won accolades in debate competitions, youth parliaments and MUNs’. How relevant do you believe are those achievements in your success story, so far?

Very relevant. I started off with MUNs. It laid the foundation for everything else that was to follow. As regards debates, I have been doing that since my childhood days. Debates taught me to think on my feet and marshal my arguments in a systematic and convincing manner. Debates also had a tremendous role to play in eliminating stage fright for me, and to be an engaging public speaker. My time

Between the time of your graduation and your post-graduation, you had briefly worked in a renowned law firm at their Gurgaon office. Kindly share your experience of working there in the role in the intervening period between your LL.B. and LL.M.

I was associated with the General Corporate team of JSA Gurgaon for the period between my undergraduate and my Masters. It was a great experience, and I learnt a lot about transactions. The responsibilities that you are entrusted with at the beginning are immense, and you have to adapt to the needs of the clients with alacrity. It was quite an enriching experience overall.

What prompted you to opt for LL.M. from University of Cambridge within a year of completing your BA. LL.B. from a renowned National Law University?

I always knew that I wanted to do a Masters, right from my first day of law school. And I was dead set on two places: Oxford and Cambridge. No other place ever held that charm for me. I wanted to study in a place which had history dating back to centuries, ensconced amongst picturesque medieval architecture and surrounded by the best minds in the world. Safe to say that I found that and much more at Cambridge.

How relevant would you say higher studies are for a career in law, be it working in law firms / companies or pursuing an academic career?

Its subjective. People do a LLM for various reasons. Some do it to satisfy their academic curiosity, others to transition into a foreign workforce, a few people I knew did a LLM as a break from their work. But, you do learn a lot during the year you spend studying for the program. Living in a different country, finding your feet amongst new friends and in a new culture teaches you a lot about yourself, and forces you to adapt to challenges. It opens your eyes to how people from different parts of the world live and the stories that they carry with them.

For an academic career, a LLM is always a big bonus. For law firms, I cannot offer an adequate comment. At the very least, the year you spend for your LLM, if it is at a sufficiently good University, is a year in which you gain a lot of knowledge, so its always a win-win.

What does the CV of a student seeking admission in a premier university offering an LL.M program have to look like? What are the factors you feel are looked into and what are the activities that the assessors regard favourably?

At the top of the list are your marks. To get into Oxbridge or relatively similar places, you need a good enough batch rank and marks. There is no substitute for that. Apart from it, excellence in a particular field is very helpful.

If your CV can demonstrate that you have a certain level of expertise in a particular area of law, you have worked on it extensively, and you are aiming to pursue your Masters in that particular area itself, it helps establish you as a strong candidate for the program. Apart from that, everyone’s CV is different. There is no hard and fast requirements as such.

You had been the Co-President of MCR (Postgraduate student body) Committee at St Catharine’s College for the Academic Year 2021 – 2022. How was your experience of leading a student body, that too outside the country?

It was incredible. I was admitted to St Catharine’s College at Cambridge and the college had elections for the position of the Co-President of the MCR Committee. I ran against a PhD candidate and was elected. As an Indian, being elected as the head of a British College was surreal keeping in mind the positions Indians had had in the British empire barely a hundred years ago or so.

The weight of it all was not lost on me. It was a tremendous amount of responsibility though, almost like a full time job. But, it gave a great opportunity to meet people from different streams: medicine, the sciences, humanities, finance, business; and also to work with the college authorities, and help them all in whatever issues that they had. It was truly a humbling experience.

You had been a gold medallist at NLU Odisha for Public International Law. Despite your command over the subject, what prompted you go for an LL.M. in Corporate Law?

I always wanted to work in Data Protection inter-mixed with commercial law. So, most of my internships and activities were geared on that front. I loved studying PIL in NLUO, primarily because of my Professor, Ananya Ma’am, who made the entire subject extremely engrossing. The fact that I got a medal in the subject, gives me immense joy, but my career trajectory has always been centred around commercial and technology laws.

Please share with our readers how did you narrow down on University of Cambridge for pursuing your LL.M. on Commercial Law along-with data-protection laws as your additional specialisation;

I have mentioned briefly earlier about my desire to study at Oxbridge. Of the two, Cambridge became an obvious choice because of Professor David Erdos, who teaches the module of Law and Information at Cambridge. He also heads CIPIL, which has done some remarkable work on European Data Protection Law. I knew I wanted to study from him, so, it was quite easy for me to decide to opt for Cambridge.

You went to Cambridge on full scholarship. You have been a recipient of three scholarships – Prathiba M Singh Cambridge Trust Scholarship (through Cambridge Trust), J N Tata Endowment for Higher Education of Indians Abroad (through TATA Trusts), Kemp-Gooderson Law Award and other Bursary funds (through St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge). What is the secret of securing three prestigious scholarship at the same point of time for pursuing your LL.M.?

All of these scholarships are merit-cum-means based, implying that they need a certain calibre of academic standard, and the candidate ought to be in need for financial resources to fund their LLM. I had one objective in mind upon conclusion of my undergraduate program, which was to not ask my family for any funding. And I have been quite fortunate to have achieved that through the cumulative financial commitments of these scholarships. There is no secret as such. Just know your area of law well, be confident, honest and straightforward in the interviews.

Please share your experience of applying at University of Cambridge and for the scholarships, you had secured. Kindly share your experience of the application process for the LL.M. and the scholarships.

It was a bit stressful. Balancing a firm job, along with applications is a tall order. I had prepared a table with the last dates for applications of various scholarships along with their required documents. That helped me keep things on track. I had also reached out to my referees well in advance, so, that helped in avoiding any last minute hiccups regarding letters of recommendation and as such.

My one tip would be, research the Universities you want to get into well in advance, ensure that you have your transcripts and references prepared, and know yourself well for writing the statements of purpose.

In the year 2022, just after completing your LL.M. from the University of Cambridge you have joined Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat as a Lecturer. What prompted you to take the plunge in the field of academics?

A: I have always liked academia, being surrounded by young, bright minds. It is always good to give back to the next generation of students. When I was in Cambridge, Jindal came for recruitment, I applied and got through, and here I am. I am still at an early stage of my career, so, lets see where I end up in the next few years-academia, firm, an organisation, or somewhere else.

Back in your student years, did you ever see yourself becoming an instructor at a prestigious law school, sometime in the future? What did it take to get here?

Absolutely. In fact I used to teach my batchmates prior to every examination. The night before each exam, there would be an assembly of boys in the Boys Hostel in front of my room, and I would teach them whatever limited things I had read myself. These classes became known in NLUO as ‘Ashirbad classes’, and in fact in my final year, some of my batchmates put up a poster titled ‘Ashirbad Classes’ all around the campus. That was the foundation of my career in academia. So, I knew I had a future in academia for sure.

Give us a brief capsule of the life of a lecturer in a prestigious law school.

A: Its an engaging day, comprising of classes and research. It is an important responsibility to instruct students, so, you always have to be prepared for the classes. Apart from that it is always good to be in a University set up where things are quite organised and orderly.

How is your experience of working with Jindal Global Law School’s legendary instructor, Professor. Arjya B. Majumdar?

I have learnt so much from Professor Majumdar. He is pioneer of when it comes to teaching commercial law. I cannot describe accurately how much I have enjoyed working with him at Jindal. Apart from being a great educator, he is also an incredible guy. I have sought his advice on quite a few things, and they have always been eye-opening.

How important are grades, in your opinion, for a student to be eligible for employment, be it in academia or in top tier law firms?

Quite important. Never mess them up. Grades show one important thing- consistency. And that is an invaluable quality that every employer of institution looks for in a prospective candidate. So, be sure to keep them on track.

If given an opportunity, what would you do differently in your career journey up to this point?

Nothing. Not a single thing.

Is there any other suggestion you would like to give to our budding lawyers?

Do everything that you want to do. Set high dreams and demand the highest standards of excellence from yourself. There is nothing quite like regret, so make sure that when you look back on your life, you don’t have regrets about anything.

And always remember these lines “Stick to the fight when you are hardest hit, it’s when things go wrong that you must not quit.”

Get in touch with Ashirbad Nayak-
- LinkedIn
December 12, 2022
Subhrajit Chanda, Faculty of Law at Jindal Global Law School and Founder of Global Sports Policy, Review on Different Careers in Law
This interview has been published by Prabhjot Singh, Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

What prompted you to choose legal studies, post your Class 12 Boards, when you had the option to study architecture in a reputed government college?

Long story short, from the beginning itself I had been looking forward to doing something different in the governing system. I had also wanted to break the family’s custom of pursuing engineering studies, if you are being born as a boy. If one wants to work in the managing system, there are only two domains where you can start working from – while the first is Management, the other one is being law. And law is a kind of subject, which starts where management ends. Further, since inception of the universe, it has been governed by law. So, I chose law in order to fulfil my aspiration of doing things differently from the usual course. As I say, once you are a lawyer, you are not jack of all trade, but master of all trade.

Having studied your undergraduate legal studies from Amity Law School, Jaipur, Rajasthan, what were the challenges faced by you?

I think you need to first ask me why Amity Law School Jaipur. During my time, from the group of faculties, four of them were stalwarts in their subjects who happened to teach me during my course of five years of law school, helped and backed me a lot. Those were the faculties who knew their subject inside out and used to deliver lectures at global conferences on a daily basis. The faculties of the college made me interested about Amity Law School Jaipur.

Being from a traditional Bengali family with humble sports background, who has got more knowledge about engineering and medical colleges, they had no knowledge about what 5-year professional law course or law school entails. For my family, every lawyer sits below a banyan tree with a typewriter, as are shown in the typical Bollywood movies. The circa was 2012, when internet penetration was very low, and information was not very easily accessible. Therefore, having no knowledge of CLAT, I relied on two things to choose my college.

As I mentioned above, faculty was one of the reasons, the other being a little funny – it was the Indian Premier League. Amity was one of the sponsors of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the use of the logo Amity University in his bat and the Rajasthan Royals team, intrigued me into joining the law school, to pursue my five years of legal studies. Additionally, myself being an avid sportsperson, the seemingly world class sporting facilities at Amity Jaipur made me more interested to join.

After getting inside, there were lots of challenges. The timing of the library was one major concern. We used to have two libraries – one law school library and the other one was the central library.

Central library used to operate from 9 AM to 8 PM. And the law school library timing was from 9 AM to 5 PM, which means resource was not easily accessible. If, one compares that to the libraries of one of the most reputed global law schools of the country with Institution of Eminence tag, where faculties have connections with many reputed organizations in backing their students, to pursue research and internship, Amity Law School Jaipur was nothing at that point of time.

I still remember when I got my internship at IIFT (WTO Studies) and Indian Oil, it was the walk of a lonely road for me, with my shadow being the only companion. So, one may easily comprehend how tough my journey was.

What prompted you to opt for pursuing Masters of Law in Energy Law from UPES, Dehradun?

Well, while planning for doing my masters in India, I was not looking for Masters in Energy Law, it was International Trade Law which I was looking forward to specialize in. Being a sports-person, I always had a keen interest from the beginning in the domain of Sports Law and wanted to make it a strong base along with International Law.

Unlike the European Universities, which offers much flexibility to its admitted students to study and research in only in the subjects chosen for the specialisation, most Indian Universities are very inflexible.

In Indian LL.M.’s you start with some basic subjects like Legal Research Methodology and so on, and then later on towards the second half of your course, i.e., the second semester, you get your subject in which you want to pursue your masters. But this is where there was a tweak in the story.

When I was about to start my final semester at UPES Dehradun, I was informed by the University authority abruptly, that since I am the only student who had opted for the subject, they cannot provide me the same, and I have got to choose between the Corporate Law, Cyber Law and Energy Law specialisation. Hearing this I had initially decided to leave the college.

However in these testing times, my parents and two elderly professor were the ones who had supported and motivated me by suggesting that since you have spent six month, leaving the college without taking the degree, would lead to wasting of your time only. Per their advice, I continued my LL.M. in Energy Laws from UPES, with the aim of specialising in the niche domain of Energy law and that is how I got my masters in Energy Law, as there is a saying “Knowledge never goes in vain.”

When I compare my experience as a student in Indian Universities, with that of where I am employed, I can realize how stark the difference is in between them, and this is the difference which makes all the difference in the students studying in them.

Were you always bent on pursuing an academic career post completion of legal studies? How did you prepare yourself for the same?

I had not always harboured in my mind for an academic career post completion of legal studies but yes at certain corner of my mind, I had wished myself to see as an instructor. We, Indians are always complaining toward the law society that Sports Law is a niche area and that we need to work on it to make it more mainstream.

Many people also say that we need the future of the country in the Sports Law in India; but how if you asked, people will be saying it is tough to answer. Now if you look at the countries like United Kingdom, you will see how sports law is an important and developed subject, also even smaller countries like New Zealand, Croatia, Ghana etc. have a proper developed knowledge of sports and education related to it, with young lawyers supporting it.

While doing this research, it made me realize that young and future lawyers are created, only if one can share the knowledge with the future of the country i.e. the “students”.

The only way you can inspire the future and make the world a better place if you reach out to the students, and the only way a person may do so is by joining the academics. Therefore, I joined the academic side, so we can have large number of budding lawyers. Further if you say that you want to join the academics, I will suggest one should love one particular subject and gives his full dedication to it by research and publishing.

If someone is interested in an academic career in law, how would you advise the concerned professional to work towards that goal?

Well, there is only one thing I will advise them – you need to dedicate yourself toward one particular subject as your major, then try to master it by researching and publishing as much as you can.

You had been an avid sportsperson right from your school days, what prompted you to choose a career in sports law over and above a career as a sportsperson?

To answer this in depth I will provide a little introduction to my family from which I belong. See, sports run in my veins. My mom used to be a state-level cricket player and my father used to be a football referee. So one can say that I have seen sports as an activity very closely, and it has made me also attracted to sporting activity. I still remember that I used to practise cricket every weekend and football every weekday back in my childhood days.

But later part of my life, I have concentrated on football only, in which I played for Sports Authority of India Eastern Region. But later on, an injury lead me to stop the practice, but as you know, once you dedicate your love towards sports, you cannot neglect it.

So, I thought if you cannot practise the game on the field, why don’t you practise it differently, as a discipline. I still remember back in 2017/2018 Indian people were unaware about the subject of Sports Law.

There were only very few people who knew about it. Even its in developing phase today, people still get confused with management and law. But sports law has always been active in India. Looking back as far as 4th Century BC, there was a script which has mentioned about the law of games, which in most likely a board game. I researched this topic within my own studies and became aware of how most people were not aware of the existence of sports law, even in today’s society.

Nowadays, as sports law is undergoing its development phase, many new upcoming lawyers want to know about the subject. They complain about the lack of knowledge available as we don’t have that much faculty who have specialisation within the subject. So, I thought, why not take in charge without complaining like most others and start to develop future Sports Lawyers. As soon as I thought this, from that time onwards itself I tried to change my passion into an education degree, so I can create the structure and teach the same to my students.

After this, everything falls in place, and I got an admission call from Nottingham Trent University with an International Scholarship. This in itself came after sacrifice of many nights’ sleep. However, I did the same for the sake of my country and other underprivileged students from around the world, who want to study this subject and can’t be due to family or monetary reason.

Furthermore, there is more to be done for Athletes in India. These individuals suffer a lot due to lack of proper legislation / regulations of sports of any kind. Not only that, the legal system in India still now needs more research as even the Supreme Court sometimes get confused about whether some organisation representing the country will be considered as State or not. There is also a question of whether National Olympic Community will be considered as a supreme governing body or not. So, I just want to dedicate myself as a bridge to fulfil the gaps in my legal and educational systems. This has led to my love of sports developing into a passion for Sports Law

You had completed your Second Master in law (LL.M.) from the prestigious Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, with an International Scholarship. Please share your experience starting from application stage for the LL.M., to the scholarship application up to your experience of studying at Nottingham Trent University?

Well, from the beginning it is a smooth running operation compared to many Indian traditional universities, and the university authority will always be in touch with you, for every point of your application to fill the scholarship form.

Now moving toward education system, not only Nottingham Trent University, even all the British Universities has the open and flexible education system, where we can take any subject as elective subject with our law subject, and secondly in Nottingham Trent University particularly, you have one of the famous Sports Law Professor Simon Boyes, who is considered as one of the chief architect for the development of sports law in the world.

Post your LL.M. from Nottingham, you had also briefly worked at one of the prominent Football Clubs in the English Premier League Circuit. Kindly share your experience of working in the same including the work you used to do in the same organisation.

Well see life there is pretty fast and timely, so it was good experience with some commercial experience, but yes if you have habit of hard work and smart work mixer you will enjoy their work culture.

You have undertaken multiple diplomas and certificate courses, more importantly, from the International Olympic Association (IOC Young Leader), FIFA, UEFA. How do you choose courses for the purpose of skill-development?

So there is a saying knowledge is like ocean, even if you try to conquer all, still you can’t, and if you say you have learned everything it means you are only dooming yourself. For me I chose the courses at first for the thirst of the knowledge and secondly according to my student’s need because at the end of the day you are the captain of your crew which are your students.

Despite being someone involved in the development of sports law in India, you have handled assignments of teaching other law subjects at ease and is quite popular amongst your students. What is your secret in being a popular teacher amongst the students?

Thank you for saying so, but I think every student have someone who is favourite to that individual, but if you ask me I will say I always motivate them, try to listen them, collaborate with them; sometime try to empathise with them and treat them with utmost respect as upcoming future buddy lawyers.

Apart from being an Assistant Professor at Jindal Global Law School Sonipat, you are also the Assistant Director at Centre for Sports Law Business and Governance of the law school. Kindly share your experience of working in the same, so far.

It’s a dream for me to work with one of my role model and one of mentor and guru Professor Shaun Star, and really like to work under his leadership as he has taught me many things, and once it was also my dream to learn under him but that is fulfilling in another way under his leadership.

Apart from your role as a Professor, you seem to be a multi-tasker, as you handle multiple roles as an Editor, Author, Guest Lecturer, Editorial & Review Board Member. Kindly share your experience of working in multiple roles at the same point of time.

All I want to say in one sentence I enjoy to work and love to dedicate my time to the subject and development of future generation which is students

What is the recipe of your success in successful multi-tasking, which you believe law students of today should develop?

My tips to all the budding sports lawyer are to first change your passion for sport into love and interest towards the subject as like, you do same with your girlfriend or boyfriend, because subjects are like girlfriend or boyfriend only. How can you be happy if you don’t have interest in her or him? It will lead to break up, but more you are interested in a girl or boy and give him or her time she or he deserves, will give you more love in return, so same is with the subject. You have to have a passion and drive for sports to engage within the study of sports law.

The second and more important tips will be to be curious about every rule and the judgement you come across and think why it has been decided like this or it has been not done in the other way, the more you think more capable you become.

From having been appointed as a visiting faculty of SLS Hyderabad, you have gone a long way on becoming the Indian to be appointed the Ambassador of ISDE Law Business School Spain, a visiting faculty at IIM Rohtak , Research Analyst at Nehginpao Kipgen Centre for Southeast Asian Studies and an Assistant Professor at the Jindal Global Law School.

How do you find this journey in such a short span of time of a little over two years?

Well, Actually in my mind there is a thinking that when I am in this field there are lots of senior faculties who are at first senior to you and secondly they have more experience than you. So, for making it there and to sit on the chair of this assembly, one needs to be humble and spend more of their time in practising as well as sleeping less, because firstly you need to fill the gaps. Additionally, you always need to be one step ahead of them.

Amongst so many achievements in your life, what is that one failure that redefined who you are today?

Well, there is nothing as such. Even if there is, I think I have forgot the same by this time. I always like myself happy and I don’t look at the past or think about the future as you know I live each day and each moment of present as the last day, as you know present is gift to us by time.

Being avid sports personnel and being involved in the development of sports law in India, how effective do you think AI and Legal Tech can be in the meaningful development of the sports law in India?

In the world of IoT and constant change, its always helpful, as it helps to get access to more research document and case list around the world so one does not have any more barrier in the education world.

Lastly, before we end our interview, what piece of advice would you like to give to the law students of today?

I will suggest them, before if you want to win this subject, it’s advisable to first change your passion for subject into love and interest towards the subject, then try to be always humble never let it enter our head.

Secondly always keep in mind law that it is a professional subject, so don’t mug it up without understanding the subject as you know mugging it up means you will be theoretically sounded and top for many, but in court it is always not the same thing, which is mentioned in the book, you need to be practically smart.

Never think about the marks, try to think about grasping more and more into practical view.

And at last I will say them all that, it is your life, try to decorate it on way and try to be honest and listen to heart always. You all are young and will be having competitor whom you treat as enemy, then feel yourself lucky for having enemy as you know that a clever person learn more from his enemy then a fool from his friend.

If any problem comes, always keep in mind that problem is not the problem but problem is your attitude about the problem.

Get in touch with Prof. Subhrajit Chanda-
- LinkedIn
December 10, 2022