Super Lawyer

Tag: Partner

  • In conversation with Mr Arush Khanna, Co-Founder and Partner at Numen Law Offices, and India’s Former National Representative at the International Bar Association in 2019, currently holds two officer positions in the Young Lawyers Committee.

    In conversation with Mr Arush Khanna, Co-Founder and Partner at Numen Law Offices, and India’s Former National Representative at the International Bar Association in 2019, currently holds two officer positions in the Young Lawyers Committee.

    This interview has been published by Sonali Parashar, Ojuswi Sahay and the SuperLawyer Team

    How did choosing law as a career come into the picture for you? What were your law school days like at Symbiosis Law School and NLSIU?

    Truth be told, Law came in as a default option after I cleared my 12th standard. During my school days, I had aspirations of pursuing a career in cricket. I missed an opportunity of getting into the Delhi Under-17 team in the 11th grade and injured myself soon after which made the cricket option too risky for me to pursue. Since I hadn’t nurtured any other ambition by then and coming from a family of lawyers (persuasive ones at that), I was positively influenced into taking up law as a career. 

    I will always cherish the 5 years I spent at the Symbiosis Law School, Pune. Being away from home and living by myself contributed immensely to my growth as a person. I made some amazing friends who I consider as family. Once in a while, we all get together and regale ourselves by reminiscing our time in Pune. 

    The Master’s program offered by NLSIU was predominantly a distance learning program which I pursued after having spent 3 years at the Bar.  I would only have to visit Bangalore once a year for my examinations. Aligned with NLSIU’s unmatched standards, it was a challenging course especially since I was working professionally and had limited time to devote to academia. I look back with great satisfaction for having taken up this challenge. Getting my degree from the Chief Justice of India, who by convention is also the Chancellor of the College was a special feeling. 

    Being a fifth-generation lawyer, you have been fortunate to have your grandfather, Dr Lalit Bhasin, the President of the Society of Indian Law Firms and also the Managing Partner of Bhasin & Co; along with Senior Advocate Mr Sanjeev Anand, as your mentors. How essential do you believe a role model plays in one’s legal journey?

    Darius Khambatta, one of the finest lawyers at the Bombay Bar once told me that in law, you learn most through Osmosis, which means by observation. He couldn’t have put it better! 

    As a young lawyer, one longs for a sense of direction, purpose and the wisdom to know when to speak your mind and also, when to mind your speech. Ours is a heavy profession and every now and then, we need a dose of inspiration. That is why it is quintessential to have a mentor(s) in our line of work. I am indeed fortunate to have mentors like Dr Bhasin, Mr Karanjawala and Mr Anand. They have guided me at every important junction in my professional career and (*touching wood*) continue to do so. I hope I can make them proud one day. 

    You have had great wins in your litigation journey, including TGIF judgement at Hyderabad, title dispute at the Bombay High Court, and your regular appearances before the Supreme Court, amongst others. What motivates you to scale bigger heights in dispute resolution?

    The TGIF case was an inflection point in my career for it gave me the self-confidence to handle big-ticket litigation independently. I was 26 years old at the time and I still remember that I sought a passover, however, the Ld. Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad refused to grant me one and directed me to present my submissions. There was a lot of public glare to this matter as the restaurant was alleged to have served liquor to underage persons which resulted in a fatal accident. It was heartening to get a favourable order whereby the HC quashed the liquor licence suspension order inter-alia on the ground that it was passed in violation of the principles of natural justice. 

    Similarly, the title dispute before the Bombay HC was a memorable experience. Interestingly, we preferred a writ petition in this case and not a civil suit as the PSU had rejected our client’s bid for setting up an Ethanol Plant by stating that the land did not belong to the company but to the Director. I remember working tirelessly on this matter alongside my Partner, Chaitanyaa Bhandarkar and we were pleased to be rewarded by a favourable finding given by a bench of Justice Gautam Patel and Justice Madhav Jamdar after hearing us for two consecutive days. 

    Dispute Resolution (Litigation and Arbitration) has always been my primary area of practice. It is a demanding line of work and one has to learn how to burn the midnight oil.  I make sure I consistently keep motivating (and hopefully, inspiring) my team to keep pursuing excellence in what they do. Notwithstanding the result, which is not in our hands, it is about enjoying the journey, finding the strategic nuances, researching for that clincher point and giving it our best before the Court or Tribunal.  

    Let’s talk about your firm, Numen Law Offices, which you have co-founded and are a partner at. We’d love to know about the conception of this idea of establishing your own office and how have you been taking it forward?

    Back in 2018, I would visit Mumbai almost on a fortnightly basis for work. As cliche as it may sound, I remember telling my cousin while we were driving down from Walkeshwar overlooking the Marine Drive that I wish to have an office here one day. I am glad that I connected with like-minded professionals during my adventures at the Bombay High Court. Everyone understood the need to collaborate as then we would be able to provide more services under one roof. Law is a vast profession and clients prefer specialists. We started Numen Law Offices with 4 Partners, all of whom bring different skill sets to the firm’s repertoire. We currently have two offices, one in New Delhi and the other in Mumbai. We have tried our best to incorporate the best practices, be it in our core legal work or in the managerial side of the firm. We have a dedicated HR, Accounting and IT team all of whom contribute immensely to the running of the firm. It has been a challenging yet rewarding journey thus far but as Robert Frost once famously wrote, “the woods are lovely, dark and deep but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep”

    You also hold a strong association with the International Bar Association, where you were appointed as India’s National Representative in 2019 and currently hold two officer positions in the Young Lawyers Committee. Tell us about your experience at the largest bar association in the world, and how it has helped pave your journey forward?

    My appointment as a National Representative could have been a case of being at the right place at the right time. In 2017, I was selected as a scholar to speak at the IBA Annual Conference in Sydney. A day before the main conference, I attended the Young Lawyers Training Program where I was introduced to the then chair of the YLC by my friend Pranav Srivastava, who, after speaking to me for 10 minutes, suggested that I should apply for the NR position.  I did apply and as luck would have it, my candidature was approved by the YLC Board. That’s where my journey with the IBA began. I was soon appointed as an Officer at the YLC and now hold the position of the Asia Pacific Regional Forum Liaison Officer as well as the Scholarship Officer of the Committee. It’s really been a great journey with the IBA. 

    Our profession has transcended national boundaries and as young lawyers, we must look at opportunities to synergise with our global brethren. In addition to one’s core practice areas (litigation/corporate law etc.), it is important to devote time to increase your bandwidth as a professional. This not only forges life-long relationships but embellishes one’s own profile as well. 

    Amongst your various areas of specialisation including, Commercial Disputes in the field of Arbitration, Insolvency, Real Estate, Projects & Infrastructure, which area of practice excites you the most personally?

    I ventured into independent practice at a fairly young age as a result there were many days when I would not have much work to do. So any new matter coming my way got me excited. I am fortunate to be slightly busier now but that sentiment of excitement about getting a new brief or opinion is still the same as it was 6 years back. 

    All types of commercial disputes excite me. I am involved in some construction arbitrations and also doing noteworthy work in the Insolvency sector. Recently, I have also been instructed to give legal opinions on contractual issues arising out of complex infrastructure projects. They require a very nuanced yet pragmatic approach which aligns with the objectives of the company. I have some white-collar cases on my docket which makes for a great interplay between commercial and criminal jurisprudence. I am happy to be doing good work but it is still very much a work in progress. 

    Not only law practice, but legal academia is your strong suit, with over 25 publications in both national and international journals. How essential do you believe research and writing are in a lawyer’s career?

    I have always believed that legal academia and writing embellish your profile as a professional. Especially for us litigators as it allows us to express our thoughts in a non-confrontational and non-adversarial manner. It improves one’s research, analytical and drafting skills, that too on a far wider canvas as opposed to our briefs, which have several strategic restrictions. 

    At Numen Law Offices, we have started a monthly newsletter wherein our members are mandated to write one short article on a topical issue covering their area of practice. I also encourage my juniors to give lectures/talks at law schools and I do so when the opportunity arises. We try to imbibe a culture that encourages us to look and think beyond our respective briefs. 

    Finally, with so many experiences that you have gathered so early on in your career, what would your advice be for the up and coming legal professionals?

    The first advice would be that one should always feel that they are ‘up and coming’. A sense of satisfaction with one’s position at the bar leads to complacency for which there is no room in our profession. Every day there is something new to learn. We are all tenants of success and need to give our dues regularly to stay in the game. 

    However, what is most important in life, and more so in this profession is to love what you do. Some say the law is a jealous mistress, others call it a lifelong marriage. Whatever it may be, it is quintessential that one is passionate about their work. With the advent of the metaverse and the boom in IT, several new regulations and laws are likely to surface giving opportunities to young lawyers to develop new areas of expertise. The legal services sector has transcended national boundaries so young lawyers today have several opportunities to practice anywhere across the world. It is a great time to be a part of this profession so treat every day as an adventure and every conversation as an opportunity. There is a proverbial saying that if the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is now!

    Get in touch with Arush Khanna –

  • What does it take to become a partner? Sahil Narang, Partner at Khaitan & Co and AOR, Supreme Court shares his 8-year-long journey at Khaitan: from junior associate to a distinguished Partner.

    What does it take to become a partner? Sahil Narang, Partner at Khaitan & Co and AOR, Supreme Court shares his 8-year-long journey at Khaitan: from junior associate to a distinguished Partner.

    This interview has been published by Sonali Parashar and the SuperLawyer Team

    Let us begin with the most important question, did you always dream of becoming a lawyer or, did it happen by chance? Also, tell us about your journey.

    Before coming to what led me to become a lawyer- a little bit about me. I hail from Abohar, a small town, about 30 km from the India-Pakistan border, in the State of Punjab. My grandfather was a local politician and social worker, and my father was a lawyer practising at the city civil courts, Abohar who, quite often, also used to attend and appear before the District Courts at Ferozepur (later at Fazilka, a border town). So, I was exposed to the field of law at a very young age. 

    Since I grew up looking at my father, working diligently as a lawyer and collecting hundreds of books for his library every year, the curiosity towards law was imbibed in me by default. However, I had a huge interest in the field of science during my school days and wanted to become either a doctor or an engineer given the trend prevalent at that time.  I went on to study science in the 11th and 12th standard and gave competitive exams such as the IIT, AIEEE, etc. to get admission into engineering courses back then. I had an option to continue that pursuit and become an engineer, however, the innate affinity towards law imbibed within me from childhood, looking at the meticulous way my father used to practise law, pushed me to pursue the study of law. Therefore, rather than getting admission in some renowned engineering college, I enrolled in the B.A.(Hons.) program at DAV College, Chandigarh affiliated to the Panjab University, Chandigarh. I passed BA with a distinction in Political Science in 2005, post which I got selected in the three-year law course at one of the oldest institutions in the region, the Department of Laws, Chandigarh, my father’s alma mater.

    Since I was inclined to continue the study of law and give competitive examinations including the judicial services exam, I got admitted to the LL.M course at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad through CLAT. I was actively involved in research, pro bono work and co-curricular activities at the university during the LL.M course. 

    During my days at NALSAR, I was introduced to various opportunities in the field of law. I also got an opportunity to attend the Private International Law Course at the Hague Academy of International Law at, the Hague, the Netherlands in 2009. Eventually, I joined Khaitan & Co. and a decade later – here we are. 

    The present focus is on advising on regulatory issues, commercial litigation, and the representation of various clients from the entertainment and multiplex industry across India. If we draw a comparison between the global and Indian entertainment and multiplex industries, were you able to predict these advancements in the legal arena?  

    The advancement in the legal arena surrounding a sector depends upon the growth of that sector. I have been blessed to get exposure to and advise and represent clients in various sectors including in the entertainment and multiplex industry during my career. The Indian entertainment and multiplex industry caters to a very different demographic as compared to the western world. Although we receive some guidance from other countries when it comes to legal issues surrounding this sector. While there is a significant amount of autonomy and minimal regulation in western countries in the sphere of entertainment and cinemas, jurisprudence is still evolving in India. We still see heavy regulation by the government in these spheres and archaic laws which are dealing with these fields. The Indian cinema industry is faced with archaic laws which need to be updated given the fast-paced development in this area. The liberalisation of Indian cinemas and the recent shift to OTT has been a game-changer on how people consume entertainment in today’s world. The recent years have witnessed a massive influx of OTT giants such as Netflix and Amazon foraying into the Indian market. This has led to an increased reliance on Indian lawyers to assist them to find their way into the Indian space and steer clear from legal repercussions. The real challenge is for the regulation to catch up with the development of this sector.    

    You were named as one of the lawyers for Legal Era’s 40 under 40 list in the field of law for the year 2020, and you also served as the Co-Chair of Competition Law & Consumer Affairs Committee of PHDCCI for Presidential Year 2021-22. Congratulations on adding another feather to your cap. What is your next goal? Is there anything you’d like to tell us about?

    I had started with Khaitan & Co as an intern in the year 2009, got a PPO and became a Partner with the Dispute Resolution practice group, New Delhi in the year 2018. I have learnt a lot during this time. Currently, I lead a team of lawyers working on the dispute resolution side with a primary focus on commercial litigation and arbitration. The year 2020 was a very challenging year given the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It brought the best out of many of us. I was very lucky to have worked on a variety of matters despite the disruption in the legal sector because of the pandemic. It was because of the wide variety of work and the client’s recommendations that helped me get recognised in recent years. 

    However, I wish to be mindful that it’s a sea out there and there is still more to be achieved. I would want to expand my commercial litigation and arbitration practice, both domestic and international, and engage more in highly complex and challenging disputes. 

    Besides this, I would also like to contribute to the development of jurisprudence in various nuances of laws including beneficial legislations made for ease of trade and commerce.

    Having received so much from the legal fraternity, I would like to take out time to render legal advice to individuals and organisations that are unable to afford legal advice and/or cannot access legal aid. Various organisations are doing good work in this sphere. However, it is particularly overwhelming to see young law students very effectively running legal aid clinics in their colleges and effectively using social media to educate people and spread legal awareness. It would be a privilege to be associated with such benevolent activities.  

    At this juncture of my career, I would want to engage with law students and young lawyers to share the experiences and learnings, which I have received in my career to date. In fact, in furtherance of this endeavour, I have been actively participating in such webinars and would certainly like to keep that going. 

    I would conclude with a famous quote – ‘Big tasks are still out there and a lot of hard work yet to be done.

    You are involved in research and have authored some extensive research on a variety of topics. How has research work helped you stay updated with the academics as well as policy and legislative changes that we see occur from time to time?

    I think the most important tool in a lawyer’s toolbox is his / her ability to research, read and write. During my time at NALSAR University of Law, while pursuing the masters’ course, I realised that one of the best things one could invest in is books, be it academic or otherwise. This habit of reading will inculcate a life-long habit of curiosity and research.  

    This helped me immensely during my preparation for the coveted Advocate-on-record exam of the Supreme Court of India. Getting admitted is a major achievement as very few lawyers qualify in this annually held examination conducted by the Supreme Court of India.

    In addition, knowing and being abreast of the current position of law gives one confidence in dealing with and correctly advising a client.  

    Further, research methodologies would generally include comparatives analysis of legislation across jurisdictions and critique of legislation and policy prevalent in various jurisdictions. This would in turn give one perspective of laws of developed countries and what legislative changes our country may see. 

    Mr. Sahil Narang, Partner at Khaitan & Co.

    Can you give our readers a brief idea of what they need to prepare for if they want to climb the corporate ladder based on your experience representing international commercial arbitration in a variety of matters?

    There is no shortcut to hard work, perseverance, and commitment. I would add that in the initial years, a young lawyer must remain open to all kinds of work whether he/she chooses to join a law firm, a senior counsel or a chamber practice for his/her training. At a later stage, one may discover their interest in a particular field of law.  

    Further, for one to excel and climb the corporate ladder, it is important to be client-centric, innovative, detail-oriented, and prolific. These virtues will not only make one solution-oriented but also will give them an edge over other contemporaries.

    In the field of arbitration, it is important to refer to commentaries of various celebrated authors on arbitration and keep abreast of recent judgments by the courts.  

    What was the one learning experience throughout your entire career that you’d credit to have shaped your career and brought you to this point?

    My family, I would say has been my greatest motivator, and has shaped my career. Seeing my father practising law at the city civil courts, Abohar, working hard, day in and day out, motivated me at a very young age to work hard and excel in academics. Further, having roots in a very small town has made me grounded but at the same time meaningfully ambitious.

    Can you take us through a typical day in your life? Is it possible to carve out time for your other interests or hobbies given your hectic schedule as a renowned Partner at Khaitan & Co?

    In pre-covid times, most parts of my day were spent either in courts or in office. Substantial time used to be spent commuting from court to office or conferences and venues for arbitration. Travelling used to take a fair share of my time, however, with most courts and tribunals going virtual, I could save a lot of time. Consequently, efficiency increased. During covid times, my day is usually spent on reviewing drafts, attending conference calls with my colleagues in the team, clients, and senior counsel. I also make it a point to read the latest case laws of the Supreme Court and other courts on dispute resolution and arbitration. Even in my hectic schedule, I make it a point to take out time for my family. I love to read books on weekends. My favourite pastime since my college days has been to watch movies in multiplexes and the latest series on OTT platforms. I have recently picked up badminton as a sport and would also like to learn to play the piano soon.  

    What career advice do you have for our readers? In my opinion, to be successful in the field of law one must inculcate a habit of reading at a young age. One thing that has helped me in being thorough in my work is that I read every document in full, irrespective of any preconceived notions. I would advise law students to read, read and read everything you can get your hands on. To put this in perspective, my favourite quote is by Walt Disney- “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.”

    GET IN TOUCH WITH SAHIL NARANG:

  • ANSHUMAN MOZUMDAR, PARTNER AT L&L PARTNERS (FORMERLY LUTHRA & LUTHRA LAW OFFICES), SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE OF CHOOSING LAW AND GETTING THROUGH LAW SCHOOL, BEING AN INTROVERT IN A PROFESSION THAT IS OFTEN PERCEIVED TO BE FOR EXTROVERTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPATHY AND PURSUING YOUR INTERESTS

    ANSHUMAN MOZUMDAR, PARTNER AT L&L PARTNERS (FORMERLY LUTHRA & LUTHRA LAW OFFICES), SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE OF CHOOSING LAW AND GETTING THROUGH LAW SCHOOL, BEING AN INTROVERT IN A PROFESSION THAT IS OFTEN PERCEIVED TO BE FOR EXTROVERTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPATHY AND PURSUING YOUR INTERESTS

    This interview has been published by Maaz Akhtar Hashmi and The SuperLawyer Team. The Interview was taken by Priyanka Cholera.

    How would you define the term SuperLawyer? What does the word represent to you?

    I wasn’t initially comfortable with the fact that I am being interviewed as a “SuperLawyer”. I don’t think that I have achieved something that is “SuperLawyer” worthy. Most of us will have work lives spanning for 35-40 years. Even after 10 years, I feel that I have barely scratched the surface and have a long way to go. I treat my profession as a component of my life (no offence to those who think of themselves as a lawyer 24×7, 365 days a year). Possibly, legal luminaries who have created an impact on the society or fellow lawyers are more suited to such titles.

    Having said that, I do believe that there is a journey that is unique to every individual. I have mine too. My journey as a law student and a professional has been fulfilling and has had its own share of ups and downs. I feel that by narrating my journey and discussing my struggles at a personal and professional level, I may be of help to someone who is experiencing something similar or is looking for guidance or simply wants an assurance that they are on the right path.

    Do you feel serendipity played a factor in your decision to pursue a career in law? On the other hand, did engineering not seem like a better fit for you as a science student?

    I do feel that serendipity played a role in my decision to pursue law. While I must say that my decision worked out well, I didn’t really know what I was aiming to pursue in my professional life at the time of getting into college.

    I don’t have a spectacular backstory on how I decided to pursue law. It wasn’t the case that I felt inspired after reading some book, or meeting a luminary in the field of law, or experiencing some event or tragedy. I finished school from St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, Kolkata, in 2006. In those days, the general trend amongst middle-class family kids with a science background was to pursue engineering or medical. The 5-year integrated LLB wasn’t as prevalent a choice amongst students as it is today. Thankfully, students these days are a lot more aware of other professions (including law) due to the outreach of the internet and the work done by organisations such as Lawsikho.

    My initial goal was to pursue engineering and get into a top IIT. Unfortunately, my preparations took a hit when I contracted a severe case of typhoid in the 12th standard. As expected, my scores in the entrance exams weren’t adequate to secure a seat in a top engineering college. However, I didn’t want to drop a year to prepare for the next year’s entrance exams. My backup plan was to get into a reputed college and pursue an alternative stream that had good job prospects. Unfortunately (like most middle-class family kids), my decisions were driven more with the end objective of securing a decently paying job rather than choosing something which really appealed to me.

    I had heard of the 5-year integrated LLB since NLS and NALSAR were growing in popularity and NUJS was coming up the ranks. The prospect of studying at home (at NUJS) also played a part in me deciding to appear for its entrance exam. Each law university had its own entrance exam in those days. I briefly took entrance exam coaching from a private tutor and went through some of the guidebooks. While I didn’t have much idea about NLU Jodhpur, I decided to appear for its entrance exam to practice for the NLS exam scheduled to be held a couple of days after the NLU Jodhpur exam.

    I got through NLU Jodhpur and only managed to get on the waitlist of a few other NLUs. Though I wasn’t initially thrilled with the outcome, speaking to some of my teachers and school seniors allayed my concerns. NLU Jodhpur was offering an integrated B. Sc. LL.B. degree, which appealed to my science background, as well. My relatives were surprised when I told them that I was going to Rajasthan to study law. My family had to fend questions such as “why law?” and “why Jodhpur?”. While these comments created some initial doubts in my mind, I, fortunately, chose to ignore them.

    How was your law school experience? Being an introvert, did you find it challenging to get through law school? How did you overcome the initial mental barriers linked with the preconception that “introverts aren’t best suited for a legal career”?

    NLU Jodhpur’s first batch had just graduated the year before. In those days, the NLU campus wasn’t the scenic lush green campus with flower beds and so many buildings that you see today. When I stood in front of the college gate for the first time, I remember seeing vast expanses of sand and a few buildings in the middle of it. That sight was quite intimidating for a kid who had never been to a boarding school and had just left the comforts of a highly insulated middle-class environment in a city like Kolkata. My immediate reaction was to look at my father and wonder what I had done and where I had landed.

    My law school journey wasn’t a joyride as it may have been for some others. Some individuals adjust to a new environment a lot faster than others. It won’t be incorrect to say that I took about three out of my five years to fully adjust to a new city and college and “figure things out” (probably the longest amongst my batchmates). I had my own set of struggles with adjusting to a new place and life in a residential university. While I eventually learnt to figure these issues out, I realised that it is a process of self-discovery that everyone has to go through at their own pace – and there are no prizes for figuring things out sooner.  In the process, it is easy to fall prey to frustration and agony if you feel that you are unable to adapt quickly or are unclear on your future goals.

    I am an introvert. I didn’t really know what it really meant to be one until a couple of years earlier when I took a Myers Briggs personality test. It changed the way I perceive myself and helped me understand myself better. Introverts are often passed off as “shy” or “socially awkward” in our society. I used to feel like a fish out of water in college. I could not explain why I didn’t feel the urge to hang out with people more often (even with a familiar bunch of people) or was not very outspoken in my surroundings. Being an introvert does make the process of adjusting to your surroundings difficult. But I promise you – things get better with time.

    Good public speaking skills is an added advantage to every lawyer. However, it doesn’t mean that students who have initial troubles in developing these qualities cannot succeed in the legal profession. This is a misconception largely owed to how the legal profession is portrayed in movies and pop culture. I have come a long way since my initial years of college in terms of the manner in which I conduct myself. While I had my share of low points during my college and professional life, I feel that preparing well and visualizing my professional conversations made me a more confident individual. Finding my interests outside studies/work, pursuing co-curricular activities and learning new things unrelated to work also helped me immensely. At a more personal level, learning to do things without expectations and practising philanthropy (by conduct and not just economically) helped me find inner peace and gain more positivity. I also had some good mentors and teachers who helped me throughout my personal and professional journey.

    In retrospect, how would you describe your initial years at Luthra? Being a young lawyer, how did you balance work and personal commitments?

    I did several internships while in college and wrote publications in order to make my CV more compelling. For me, everything I did was about trying to get a decent job at the end of law school and find financial stability. Unknowingly, I became a part of the rat race without actually learning how to apply the knowledge in practice. It was only when I joined a law firm that I realized that this was not even the tip of the iceberg. You have to unlearn and relearn everything that you have learnt in law school, from a fresh perspective, once you join the profession. Of course, that does not take away the basic fundamentals of laws that you learn in law school – which are extremely important for any professional.

    I joined a private equity and M&A team at Luthra. When I joined, we were a team of four. Within 6 to 7 months, two colleagues (including a senior) left the firm. All of a sudden, I was reporting to the partner directly and handling client-facing work. The next year, our team recruited two more junior colleagues. I was given the responsibility of mentoring them even though I was only a first-year associate.

    The advantage of this set-up was that I wasn’t a mere cog in the wheel and was fully aware of what was happening on a transaction. I was also shouldering administrative duties and playing a managerial role while working with my junior colleagues. At times, junior associates who are a part of larger teams may lose sight of the main objective of an assignment because they aren’t being tasked with the execution of the assignment from the beginning to the end. Hence, even though I was part of a small team, I was getting direct exposure to big transactions. There was one instance where I was given a document to negotiate when I didn’t have any prior experience with negotiation. My partner encouraged me to list out the discussion points and practice what I was going to say before him prior to the negotiation. This experience was definitely a turning point in my career and made me a more confident individual. Despite these positives, there were some drawbacks and sacrifices of working in such a set-up, such as working long hours, working on weekends, losing out on social life or not being able to pursue interests outside work.

    We are looking a decade back, from being interviewed for Luthra during the campus placements and to the firm as a partner. How has this journey been for you?

    My professional journey has been fulfilling and has changed me for the better at a personal level. I have learnt to identify my strengths and translate the same into my work product. My analytical skills have greatly increased. I am also able to contribute to commercial aspects of a transaction, a quality that my clients appreciate. As I mentioned earlier, learning to swim at the deep end of the pool really helped me get early first-hand experience of the skill sets required in the field. The downsides were that I didn’t have much of a life outside the office in my growth years – hence my social life suffered. Whenever someone asks me about how it is to work in a law firm, I tell them that while the job is rewarding in various ways (including financially), it no doubt has its cons and is a tough one to stick to. For this reason, the rate of attrition in law firms is also quite high, and burnouts are quite common.

    While compensation is important, I don’t believe that people stick around in an organisation only for money or out of a sense of loyalty. They have to feel a sense of fulfilment. They have to feel valued and comfortable in the work environment. A firm or a brand name may go to the extent of assuring you of the kind of work you will get or the compensation levels. But it is never the assurance of a great work environment or culture – which is driven largely by the people in the team that you are a part of. It is therefore important for a good leader to possess empathy and good interpersonal skills.

    I stuck around at Luthra because of a positive team and office environment. I was given the freedom to grow as a professional. I made some of my closest friends in the firm. My superiors and co-workers have always been approachable enough to discuss work and personal life. I felt that I was levelling up and learning something new.  It will be incorrect to say that I didn’t have my fair share of disappointments in my professional journey. Every professional in a law firm is bound to face these moments of doubt when they start questioning whether they want to continue in the firm or not. However, overall, I am grateful for the journey and what I have managed to achieve.

    You mentioned that you had to compromise on social life early on in your professional life. Do you believe that socializing today is more about networking than it is about interacting with others?

    I don’t think that professional networking can be equated with socializing. I treat networking as part of my job, which may create opportunities for me or my firm in the future. I never paid attention to networking until I started working. Fortunately, people today are a lot more aware of the concept of networking and why it’s essential. In a week, I try to set aside a few hours to make new connections, reconnect with old ones, or read something that a connection has shared on Linkedin. Networking definitely helps every professional, and one should start as early as one can, but I feel that it’s not the most crucial requirement for a law student. Networking is a continuous process. Even if one is not good at networking initially or has started late, one can always catch up.

    In your career, you have played a key role in various transactions for brands Burger King, Starbucks Corporation and many more. Is it a milestone to represent big names that also hold a personal value as a consumer for millions? How do you keep the team spirits elevated and make a positive environment to work on high-stakes deals?

    No offence to those who feel otherwise, but I feel we corporate lawyers don’t get as many opportunities to make a difference in society as compared to litigation lawyers. While M&A, financing and IPOs form the backbone of a country’s economic activities, I personally feel that a corporate lawyer will not get the same level of satisfaction that a litigation lawyer will get after having successfully filed/argued a PIL or having secured justice for a victim.

    But while working on transactions especially involving consumer-facing parties, one does feel special. When I look at a Burger King restaurant or a Starbucks cafe today, it does bring a smile to my face. It is a representation of a tangible result of the work that I did on the transaction and gives more meaning and a sense of purpose to what I do.

    As regards your second question, I try to inculcate and build a positive work culture as the leader of my team. I detest toxic work environments and gaslighting. Unfortunately, these are quite common in a lot of workplaces and can be detrimental to a person’s self-esteem and career. People often underestimate the impact that their words can have on somebody. While I understand the need for a person to be strict with their co-workers, bad behaviour cannot be tolerated. Unfortunately, I have heard of or come across individuals in the profession who are impatient, yell at their juniors or send obnoxious emails to them when they make mistakes. I understand that it is not easy to always maintain one’s calm amidst work pressure, but one can’t treat their team in such a way. You have no right to yell at your colleagues, especially when you haven’t made an effort to educate them and explain their shortcomings. That’s your job as a senior or as a leader of the team. A lawyer’s ability to empathize with others is crucial for their growth. Everyone is built differently, has different strengths and weaknesses, and is motivated in different ways – and a team leader needs to identify that.

    Congratulations on being in the Forbes 100 Power List of 2020 and securing M&A Deal of the year (Premium) by Asian Legal Business Awards, 2020 (Thomson Reuters). What value do these titles hold on the personal and professional front? Are these a parameter of success or a checkpoint?

    I feel that awards do add some value to one’s resume and does create a good impression on a client, especially when they haven’t previously worked with you. I won’t downplay the value of such awards because it does feel good to get recognized. However, they are definitely not a measure of one’s success or quality. I have been on the side of things far too often where I have felt that I haven’t received the recognition that I deserved. So if you haven’t received an award, it doesn’t mean you are not deserving. At the same time, I will never take any such recognition for granted. At the end of the day, what matters is when the client calls and tells me that I have done a great job.

    What would you tell your younger self if you could go back in time and advise yourself about the journey ahead?

    I would be less harsh and more forgiving on myself. I would take better care of my health and well-being. I would stop putting added pressure on myself to achieve things by a certain time frame. The society sets expectations that we have to achieve certain things by a certain age. We fail to realise that there are no prizes for achieving things earlier in time. I would encourage myself to read more, learn a new language, take more interest in sports and things other than studies as there is a lot more to life than studies and work, and such pursuits help develop positivity.

    What are a few qualities you look for in a prospect when making recruiting decisions?

    Due to the kind of competition, we have in our country, the interview or selection procedure must be completed in a short period, and it may not always be an accurate representation of a candidate’s quality. Many people don’t realize that the competition is tougher in the field of law because, unlike medical or engineering, where there are more jobs and opportunities in a year, the intake in law firms throughout the country is comparatively quite low.

    I personally feel that the interview process is not the most accurate judge of a candidate though we try our best to be as objective as possible in the evaluation. For all that you know, the candidate may be having a difficult day or is generally nervous because of the pressure of trying to create an impression on the interviewer within a short span of time. Unfortunately, we have to assess what is in front of us. Personally, I would prefer to evaluate a candidate during their internship and make recruitment calls on the basis of the same. While I would definitely look into a candidate’s knowledge of basic fundamentals of law, I would also look at their ability to apply legal principles to fact situations or think through a particular problem and provide a solution using logical reasoning, even if they are unaware of the relevant law. The ability to articulate one’s thoughts efficiently also counts. During internships, I generally lookout for candidates who are able to grasp the research problem well, ask the right questions, and provide a concise and well-researched work product. Lastly, I also look for candidates who are hungry to learn and take the initiative or think out of the box to find a solution to a problem.

    What do you hope our readers will take away from your experience?

    A couple of learnings and self-realisations that have helped me in my journey:

    • Not everyone is built the same. You don’t have to be harsh on yourself or question why you behave a certain way. I suggest that everyone takes out a few minutes and attempt to take the Myers -Briggs personality test (online). The feeling of being more connected with yourself is beautiful and empowering.
    • Don’t pile up expectations on yourself or beat yourself up for not achieving them. Be easy on yourself and learn to forgive yourself for things. Everyone has their limits and weaknesses, and even I do. 
    • We don’t realize the impact our words can have on other people. Be kind to others.
    • Share and give more. To the extent feasible, talk about your failures so that others who are battling similar issues can have a better life. Be grateful to your mentors by mentoring someone else. And do so without any expectation. 
    • Never fear asking for help. At times when you feel that no one is around to help you, you will receive help from unexpected quarters. I am a big believer in the quote from Harry Potter – “Help shall be given (at Hogwarts) to those who deserve it“. I promise you that the good you do and the knowledge you impart will come back to help you when you are in need.
    • On a more professional note, set your own goals and standards (and set them high) and try to meet them instead of trying to imagine what standards your senior expects of you and trying to chase such standards. This will lend a sense of positivity to your approach. 
    • Self-evaluate yourself every six months to see if you are learning anything new or doing the same task faster or better than you did before.
    • Develop your interests, whether they are related to or unrelated to your professional life. Engage in creative pursuits outside work whenever you can.

    Get in touch with:

  • Sameena Jahangir, Partner at Kochhar and Co, shares her experience of working on Deal, entrepreneurship and hard work is the best formula for success.

    Sameena Jahangir, Partner at Kochhar and Co, shares her experience of working on Deal, entrepreneurship and hard work is the best formula for success.

    This interview has been published by Isam Kabir and The Super Lawyer Team. The Interview was taken by Priyanka Cholera.

    1. There are various acclaimed roles credited to your name, be it a law firm partner, startup founder or mentor. Which of these resonate with you the most?

     I wear different hats, but my core function is to improve myself and learn throughout the journey. The identity of a lawyer resonates with me the most. Even if I had all the money in the world and the luxury of not working, I’d still want to practice law since it’s something that I am passionate about. Law has also allowed me to teach and mentor people. 

    2.What motivated you to pursue law as a career?

    I had strayed from the law after my 10th and pursued science for 2 years with a misconception that I would become a doctor, but I realised early on in my journey that it wasn’t my cup of tea. I was entirely consumed and fascinated by law from the very first day. I come from a family of lawyers. My mother worked for a brief period as a lawyer dealing with insurance and accidental tribunal matters. At the same time, my father was a criminal lawyer, because of which the conversations in the household always circled law. My brother is an academician and teaches corporate, securities and tax laws to professional students. l I discovered a new perspective on the law when I interned at Desai & Diwanji with senior partner Aslesha Gowarikar. 

    3.Could you share with us any experience of discrimination based on your gender or any other trait, if any? 

    There is a lot of bigotry that surrounds women. The way I dress, talk and or carry/groom myself is very westernised and modern. It’s not uncommon for women to be told that they have reached a position because of the way they talk,  look and dress. I have also faced discrimination where I was denied rental houses to reside in due to my religion. There is a lot of bias in society still very prevalent even in developed metro cities which a lot of people have to face on a daily basis, be it, religion, gender, colour or caste.   I firmly believe that playing the victim card doesn’t help anyone. One has to do their part and if there is anything wrong happening not only against you but even to someone else, stand up and speak that’s the only way we can see change. Just keep working and have the results back their merit.  

    Sameena Jahangir Partner at Kochhar and Co

    Partner at Kochhar and Co

    4.Post your LLB, and while acquiring your Company Secretary (CS) from ICSI, you were a full time Articled Associate at Desai & Diwanji. How did you manage your time for your education when your legal career was in its budding stage?

    I started my CS at an early stage. I had already started preparing for it when I was doing law. I allocated any free time towards studying for it. I did not believe in studying long hours. Instead, I indulged in quality studying. I had no social life then because I directed all my focus on studying. As a result, I was both a lawyer and CS. My corporate work helped me to understand CS subjects better. 

    5. In 2019, you co-authored a book called “GOODS AND SERVICE TAX: No masterpiece was ever created by a Lazy Artist.”. Please share with us a little about the writing process. 

    I teach income tax, and I’ve always wanted to publish a book. We’ve previously written textbooks for our students, but a book is a whole other ballgame. So when the legislation for GST was passed, my brother and I decided to publish a book on it after studying the nuances. The aim was to create a useful book for CA/CFA students as well as professionals who need to work on taxes.

    Sameena Jahangir Partner at Kochhar and Co

    6.How did Lex-Sign – e signing portal materialise in 2021? Was entrepreneurship always on the checklist? 

    I have always been zealous about entrepreneurship. When I became a lawyer and started working at Desai & Diwanji, I visited startup seminars on weekends. I loved the environment revolving around discussions of ideas and business. Entrepreneurs offer new-age solutions to the management of problems. During the pandemic, I noticed that most of my clients had problems regarding the execution of documents, procurement of stamp papers, access to documents stored in their offices when personal meetings were impossible.  With the shut down of the trains, access to the office became very difficult. The idea of Lex-Sign came to my mind where we offer to provide easy digitisation of documents so that work can go on seamlessly. It’s a digitally encrypted platform for online signing, digital signing, Aadhar number based signing and procurement of stamp paper from across the country. The confidentiality of the customers is valued and protected. We rolled out this new venture with this mindset, and we’ve gotten a positive response this far. 

    7.What inspired you to move towards a more tech-savvy culture? 

    As part of the WFH culture, we realised the importance of being tech-savvy and digitalised in all aspects of our life. Therefore, it is essential to move to an online platform even for documentation to utilise the force of digitalisation fully. Most of my clients were facing this issue; therefore, something needed to be done about it. As a corporate lawyer, I understood the intricacies of privacy and data privacy laws and hence Lex Sign became a one-stop solution for e documentation.

    8.What steps are you taking to ensure that the process is simplified for anyone who is not tech-friendly or adaptive?

    For Lex-Sign, we arranged for almost no human interface requirement to carry out documentation. If someone needed to execute a document, they can simply go on the LEx Sign portal, order a stamp paper, upload the pdf document and then sign it without needing someone to handhold them through the process. 

    9.A year after joining Kochar & Co. as a senior associate, you were elevated to partnership in the shortest time. How did this transition occur?

    In Kochar, I joined as a senior associate, and within four months, I became a principal associate there. During the pandemic in September 2020, I was made a partner. The journey was very fast-paced, and the firm felt the necessity for a change in my designation. The promotions may seem fast-paced but it is the result of the 11 years  I have put into my career. 

    Sameena Jahangir Partner at Kochhar and Co

    10.You were the core council of advisors for Fincity in their acquisition by MasterCard in 2020, which was part of “Deals of the Year’ by India Business Law Journal. Attending such matters must be different from your other projects. How did you prepare to tackle this mega-deal?

    I was very fortunate to be a part of this said deal which was into the Fintech space. Like most deals, it involved long hours of work and some days felt longer than the others but I always kept a solution-oriented mindset. As a team leader, the most important thing is to not push down the agony and stress on your team members or the lower verticals. The mere role of a mentor or leader is to take control of situations when things fall apart and to accept accountability while cheering everyone else for success. I always tell people to take needed breaks, not to get burn out. That’s the only way one can perform consistently in the long run.

    I believe that in the whole scheme of things, legal advice is merely one segment. One needs to understand the issue holistically from their client’s perspective without sticking to the only nuances of the legality involved but go beyond that into the commercial aspects as well.

    11.Jahangir Tutorials was founded by you, where the mission is to impart education for ambitious CS students. Your enterprise has also achieved considerable feats like your students securing AIR 1 AIR 2 and AIR 3 examinations. Jahangir Tutorials also has a youtube channel where you upload your lectures. Has Jahangir Tutorials evolved their pedagogical approach with time? How well-received and appreciated was the response to this endeavour? 

    At Jahangir Tutorials, subjects for the Company secretary exams are taught for all levels. In the Pre-pandemic period, physical classes were conducted, and anyone with access to it could join us. With the onset of Covid, a change was made to make Jahangir Tutorials accessible to everyone by uploading our lectures online on Youtube. We received a positive response and today we are the fastest-growing CS digital class in India. This is also because we value the time of others and keep our lectures crisp and apt. We received appreciation for our online videos from people all across India and how they helped them with their preparations for CS exams. Teaching is the most fulfilling job because you get a direct stake in creating the leaders of tomorrow. 

    12.Lastly, any words to the wise?

    In my professional journey, I have learnt that there is no substitute for hard work. There is no luck or coincidences but pure results of one’s merit. Don’t let go of the focus at any point. There is no shortcut to being rich either: it’s a simple swap of service for money. However, I always believe that the ultimate important quality to possess is to make sure you’re a better person than you were yesterday. You can be the best lawyer and know the best application of your knowledge, but if you’re not kind and lack empathy, you gain nothing at the end of the day. Speak well always and use your knowledge and communication to do good for others. 

    Get in touch with Sameena Jahangir

  • Anubhuti Agrawal, Senior Counsel, Hilton, on LL.M from University of London, being partner at SAM and maintaining work life balance

    Anubhuti Agrawal, Senior Counsel, Hilton, on LL.M from University of London, being partner at SAM and maintaining work life balance

    Anubhuti Agrawal graduated from National Law School of India University, Bangalore in 2005. She joined Shardul Amarchand soon after graduation and worked there for the next three years.

    In 2008, she went to University College London to pursue her L.LM. Thereafter, she continued to work in Shardul Amarchand and later become the partner of the firm.  Anubhuti is currently Senior Counsel, Hilton Worldwide.

    In this interview, she talks about:

    • Her work experience at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas,
    • The journey from being an associate to becoming the partner of the same firm.
    • The transition from being a partner at a firm to an in-house counsel
    • Maintaining a work-life balance

     

    GIVEN THAT MOST OF OUR READERS ARE LAW STUDENTS AND YOUNG LAWYERS, HOW WILL YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THEM? DO YOU COME FROM A FAMILY OF LAWYERS?

    I am a full time professional, working as the lead lawyer for Hilton in the Indian sub-continent. I am also mother to a four and half years old super active daughter, an avid traveler and compulsive holiday planner (for myself, my family, friends, and strangers!), social worker and a budding fitness freak.

    No, I do not come from a family of lawyers – my entry into law and journey since then has been and continues to completely self-driven, self-motivated and self-created.

     

    WHAT WAS IT THAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL FIELD? WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE A CAREER IN LAW?

    As probably may be the case with other young adults my interest in law was fuelled party by reading John Grisham books; and also partly by the desire to not study engineering, medicine or computers. During one of the career counseling session at my school, I got to know about National Law School, Bangalore which seemed like a great place to be at especially with holidays every 3 months, vibrant student life, and on top of that, the career prospects after graduation seems quite high. For me I was not focused on studying law and becoming a lawyer but more focused on getting into NLS, Bangalore – I may not have chosen to do my undergrad in law if I hadn’t been selected for NLS.

     

    HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN NLSIU? DO YOU THINK LAW SCHOOL PREPARED YOU FOR THE REAL WORLD PRACTICE OF LAW? DID YOU PURSUE ANY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES? HOW DID THEY CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT?

    NLS has a very unique culture and character, especially for a dreamy-eyed sixteen year old who enters that environment. The academic standards at NLS were (and I hope still are) very high, and one always has to strive that little bit extra to excel in that tough environment – this intrinsically appealed to someone with a competitive streak like me. NLS also provided various opportunities for doing the varied activity that one wants to pursue, and I think this equipped us to manage our time effectively.

    I think NLS provided an open environment and opened up diverse opportunities for me. Most importantly NLS gave me the analytical skills required to be a successful commercial lawyer – so to that extent, yes, it gave me the tools required for the real-world practice of law.

     

    WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE AN LLM? HOW HAS IT BEEN BENEFICIAL TO YOU IN YOUR CAREER? CAN YOU TELL OUR READERS ABOUT HOW YOU SECURED A SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOUR STUDIES?

    Pursuing an LLM a few years into my professional life was not easy for me as I was at the peak of my career at Amarchand at that time. 2005-2008 were boom years for the Indian economy and consequently, I was doing great work at the firm and was involved in some marque deals. However, having secured full funding through the Chevening Scholarship and with my then fiancé (now husband) being in London together with the support and encouragement from Mr. & Mrs. Shroff made me take the decision to pursue the LLM at University College London.

    I would think to secure a full scholarship was the key factor influencing my decision to pursue the LLM – I was quite clear that I would not take a student loan or ask my parents to fund it.

    I have mixed feelings about how beneficial an LLM is for one’s career especially if you intend to come back to India. As with everything I believe the value of an LLM depends really on what you want to achieve in life and how the postgraduate degree ties-in with that goal. If someone wants to pursue a traditional law firm role in India (with the ultimate aim of becoming a partner), then to me LLM doesn’t really value add. However, when I switched my role to move in-house I have no doubt that the LLM and my work experience outside India tilled the balance in my favor. To me, a LLM is not just a degree and a line in the resume which gives additional technical legal skills but is also a year spent in getting personal experiences, acquiring soft skills, understanding people from different cultures and nationalities, understanding mindsets and decision making process followed by people from diverse background, making invaluable friends and just having fun! Therefore, my advice always is that pursue an LLM only if you get into a good university in a great city.

    Being genuine in your applications (admission and scholarship) and interviews are very important. I strongly feel that candidates need to have at least 1 area which they are passionate about which is clearly demonstrated in what they have done in the past and how the LLM would help them advance their interest. Judging panelists see hundreds of application and have can very easily identify fluff.

     

    WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION? WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO SOME OF OUR READERS WHO ARE UNDECIDED ABOUT PURSUING FURTHER STUDIES?

    I feel higher education (especially in the field of Law) gives you soft skills and experiences which are invaluable in overall personality development. For me, personally higher education has to be in an international environment where you are exposed to myriad nationalities and cultures, which not only expands your social network but gives you a first-hand understanding on the different thought process. I would say that if you have the recourses one should definitely pursue higher education but after gaining some work experience, as maturity levels are very different after just a few years of working and from a good university.

    My international experience of having completed an LLM and a secondment at Slaughter & May played a very important role in getting the position at Hilton, and also in interacting with my international colleagues at Hilton who are spread across multiple countries.

    HOW DID YOU SECURE A JOB AT AMARCHAND MANGALDAS? WHAT DID THE RECRUITERS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHILE HIRING YOU? HOW IMPORTANT WAS YOUR CGPA?

    I got a PPO (pre-placement offer) from Amarchand having completed an internship in my final year with the firm. As an intern/student, the test is not that how much you know but do you know the right places to look for answers. Recruiters, in my opinion, look for consistency and hard-working attitude, an aptitude to creatively think on your feet and ability to adjust in the organisation’s environment, to be able to imbibe its culture and value system. I think CGPA is important as it can help a candidate get their foot in the interview process (especially if they are not from a top law school) but ultimately their overall personality, knowledge and their ability to signal (subtly) to the recruiter that they are open to the challenges of a firm will land a candidate the job offer.

     

    BEING AN ASSOCIATE AND THEN A PARTNER AT A TOP TIER LAW FIRM IS VERY DEMANDING. HOW DID YOU FACE THE WORK PRESSURE?

    When you are enjoying what you are doing and your effort is recognized and rewarded the long hours do not feel like pressure. Having said that it’s not like the pressure doesn’t get to you at times, but what worked for me was being focused on the job at hand and knowing that I was not just a clog in the wheel but what I was doing played a significant role in the overall deal. Also personally I am not someone who gives up and the recent Shawn Mendes song “Sometimes I feel like giving up, but I just can’t, it isn’t in my blood…” really sums me up!

     

    BEING A FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL WITH A YOUNG CHILD, HOW DID YOU MAINTAIN A WORK-LIFE BALANCE?

    To me, the phrase “work-life balance” has given way to “work-life integration”. In today’s environment boundaries between work and personal life are so blurred that organizations need to give the flexibility to address personal needs even if that is in working hours. The important this is to ensure that work does not suffer and that you are responsible, responsive and available when needed. Obviously, there is always potential for misuse but self-discipline and dedication are key.

    I have been fortunate that I have worked at places which have allowed me to integrate my life with work, as ultimately we spend most of our adult time working. Amarchand has a daycare facility where my daughter went to from the age of six months till the last day I worked there and now Hilton offers a lot of flexibility for work-life integration.

    A supportive family environment also plays a crucial role, with my mother being the pillar behind me not only through my formative years as a young professional but even today, coupled with an encouraging husband (who is also a law firm Partner) we manage to squeeze out family time.

    While it is hard to implement I am trying to stop demanding or expecting instant responsiveness at every moment of the day, to help me enjoy every aspect of my life.

     

    HOW DID YOU RISE TO A PARTNER AT SAM? CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY OF GROWTH? WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AND AREAS OF EXPERTISE AS A PARTNER?

    I was a homegrown partner at Amarchand and then SAM, i.e. I started my career there as an intern and reached the partnership with hard work and dedication. I still remember the day my dad dropped me to the Amarchand office on the first day as an Associate there and said “may you get the corner cabin there” and I was glad I could fulfill that aspiration he had for me. In my journey to partnership at Amarchand, in addition to working hard, burning the midnight oil and having sharp legal skills, I had the faith and support of the firm and the Managing Partners. I was promoted to the partnership when I was expecting my daughter – which is a testimony to the fact that in right organizations milestone life events are not seen as roadblocks but only take you forward.

    It goes without saying that strong legal technical skills are needed for being a partner, but in addition to that partnership is essentially being an entrepreneur – do you have the ability to sell your’s and the firm’s credential and get the work defeating other equally glossy proposals? A partner (especially a junior partner) has to wear a number of hats from sourcing work to execute the same at the highest standard and in record turn-around time, to participate in firm related admin tasks and managing your team; which all require distinct skills. If each mandate won and each deal closed gives you an adrenalin rush and pushes you forward then the partnership is for you.

     

     WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO LEAVE A LAW FIRM TO JOIN IN-HOUSE LEGAL DEPARTMENT? IS IT TRUE THAT IN-HOUSE LIFE IS EASIER THAN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN A LAW FIRM?

    Having spent all my professional life at a law firm I had started questing myself as to what next. I could have continued in a law firm but essentially my life on a micro and a macro basis would not change – so the question of moving to another firm did not arise for me. While continuing to be a lawyer, I wanted to be closer to business realities and the position with Hilton provided me with that opportunity.

    There was a time when possibly it could be said that an in-house legal role was less demanding as compared to law firms. But now with complexity and maturity of businesses an in-house lawyer has to be a trusted business partner providing strategic advice to business. Think about it, in a law firm your client is a phone call away but in a company, they are in the room next door and walk in any moment they have a need! Also, an external advisors role involves highlighting risks and helping the client take a decision, but as an in-house counsel, you are supposed to take the decision – to tell me what sounds easier? There is no free lunch anywhere, it is just what works best for you as a person and professionally.

     

    HOW DO YOU STAY UP TO DATE ABOUT THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ALL THE FIELDS YOU WORK IN AND HAVE AN INTEREST IN? HOW DO YOU SUGGEST LAW STUDENTS DO SO?

    There are a number of good legal blogs and website now which give a glimpse of latest developments in the legal field together with regular updates from law firms that are circulated to clients. In addition to that, the PRS website is my go-to place if I want to find out details of any new legislation.

    In this time of rapid changes to the legal framework in India, law students should really be following news closely, changes in legal landscape relevant to them or which interests them. There is no substitute for being abreast with the latest development and the open internet world makes it much easier than when we were students.

     

    YOU HAVE PUBLISHED SEVERAL PAPERS. CAN YOU GIVE OUR READERS SOME ADVICE THAT WOULD HELP THEM IMPROVE THEIR CHANCES OF GETTING PUBLISHED?

    Knowing the journal you are writing for and its audience is very important together with using simple English. As a reader it is always a pleasure to read articles which are topical, are well researched and simply written, and the same principles apply to authors also.

     

    YOU ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN SOCIAL WORK. CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU CONTRIBUTE AND WHAT CAUSES YOU INVEST YOUR TIME IN? DO YOU THINK LAW SCHOOLS CAN ENCOURAGE LAW STUDENTS TO BECOME MORE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE?

    Contributing to society is ingrained in us as a family and is something I have been brought up with. My mother is an active volunteer with CanSupport, an NGO working with cancer survivors and caregivers. I work with her in resource mobilization and am an enthusiastic participant in their annual “Walk for life”. I am also closely associated with Delhi NCR Foodbank Network, an organization working in the area of hunger relief. I have realized that a number of young professionals want to contribute to society in their own ways, but the lack of time together with the process of identifying genuine organizations and coordinating with them seems daunting. To help in this, together with a few friends, colleagues of the legal fraternity and family members we have set up an informal group “Aid Attorneys”. As part of the group, we have funded meals for school kids and hope to do more projects in the future.

    My four-year-old daughter accompanies in all the activities and seeing her enthusiasm I feel proud that I am able to contribute in whatever small way.

     

     

  • Shubneet Panjete, Partner, Lall Lahiri & Salhotra, on a career in Trademark law, choosing specialisation, and challenges of being a partner

    Shubneet Panjete, Partner, Lall Lahiri & Salhotra, on a career in Trademark law, choosing specialisation, and challenges of being a partner

    Shubneet Panjete completed her graduation from Symbiosis Law College, Pune. She is currently Partner at Lall Lahiri & Salhotra. She heads trademark oppositions at the firm. She has been practicing trademark oppositions and has over ten years of professional experience in the field.

    In this interview, we speak to her about

    • Choosing a specialisation
    • Challenges of being a partner
    • Roles and responsibilities as a partner
    • Importance of grades in law school

     

     

     

    HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR READERS? PLEASE TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PRE-COLLEGE LIFE?

    I am an Intellectual Property Attorney, graduated from Symbiosis Law College and have been working with LLS for over a decade. My specialty is in Trademark Oppositions, where I am now a Partner. Being an Army child, I had the opportunity to study in eleven schools in under fourteen years, pretty much in all corners of our country. I got to live in a lot of different towns & cities, leading a fun & adventurous childhood. This gave me the chance to make many friends and develop my social skills.

     

    HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY AS A LAWYER?

    Right from class twelveth, I knew I wanted to study & become a lawyer. I joined Symbiosis Law College in 2003 & graduated in the year 2008. As an Associate fresh out of college my knowledge was very limited. I was encouragingly guided by my seniors and Partners especially Mr. Rahul Chaudhry, the ‘Sole Proprietor’ of the firm, Mrs. Anuradha Salhotra and Mrs. Veena Poolakal, in guiding me along the way, both professionally and personally, which helped me to firmly establish myself as an Attorney. I count myself extremely lucky for finding my field of choice in the third year of college itself while doing a one year Diploma course in Intellectual Property Rights, during which I interned at various reputed IP firms. Post college I got the opportunity to join LLS in 2008 & became a Partner after 9 years of hard work. It’s been a fun learning experience providing new challenges and growth opportunities at every step of the way. As Mark Twain said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

     

    WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON ACADEMICS? HOW IMPORTANT ARE GRADES IN LAW SCHOOL FOR AN ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER?

    Academics play a major role in developing any person in any field. Better grades help you in getting better opportunities faster. Also from a hiring perspective, interviewers do see the mark-sheets as a basis of a performance & consistency in the applicants. However, I am a strict believer of hard work coupled with a growth mindset. Even if in college you weren’t a star or a great student, you can always catch up and push forward your career with dedication and commitment. I personally have seen many friends and colleagues with stellar careers who academically weren’t that good, to begin with.

     

    HOW FAR DID YOUR INTERNSHIPS DURING LAW SCHOOL HELP YOU IN YOUR CAREER AFTER YOUR GRADUATION? HOW WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE PRESENT LAW STUDENTS PLAN THEIR INTERNSHIPS?

    As mentioned before my internships helped me find my area of interest. I personally tried interning in different legal fields, before realizing they didn’t appeal to me. My suggestion would be to shortlist your areas of interest, organize them in order of personal preference, and then use the internship opportunities judiciously to focus in on your field of choice. In case you find your calling early, focus on it. In case you don’t find it after a few experiences, keep pressing forward.

    Secondly, internships are extremely important as they help students connect and understand the theory they study with the actual practice of law. Today’s structure of a five-year course offers you the opportunity of at least 10 internships. Even for graduates pursuing a three year LLB, internships can teach and expose the candidate to a lot.

     

    HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPECIALIZATION? HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT ATTAINING EXPERTISE IN THEM?

    Once I’d shortlisted IP as my field of interest, I interned at many reputed IP firms to gain perspective about the field, and the firms as well. I did my internships in Bangalore & Delhi. I’d shortlisted a few firms where I’d ideally like to start my career. Post college I interviewed & got the opportunity to join LLS, which was at the top of my list. Since then I have been a part of the LLS family.

    My expertise in trademark oppositions came with learning while working on matters and more importantly with the clear, structured way in which LLS operates. The workflow is divided as per functional departments & not portfolios. As a result, my expertise in oppositions grew much faster and in a focused manner than it would have in another firm. With Partners and Head of Departments at the helm providing instructions, explanations, guidance, and encouragement, the learning was easy. With their mix of close management and independence, great work output and attention to client satisfaction got implanted in my daily work life. My seniors saw my eagerness & dedication to work, resulting in the Partners guiding me and helping me reach the position of a Partner myself.

     

    WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE A CAREER IN IPR AND MORE SPECIFICALLY IN TRADEMARK?

    Students who have shortlisted IPR as a career choice should definitely intern in a few IP firms to grasp the practical aspects. I can’t stress enough on the gap in the theory and practical aspects of the law that can only be learned while interning. If you have the interest, aptitude but more importantly are willing to work hard you can succeed in any field, including trademarks. Like all legal fields, reading plays a crucial role. Keep updated on case laws related to trademarks, keep a track of impactful judgments, changes and latest developments helps you being sharper than your competition.

     

    HOW CHALLENGING IS YOUR ROLE AS PARTNER, TRADEMARK OPPOSITIONS? WHAT ARE YOUR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES?

    Being a Partner in one of the best IP firms in the country is obviously a very challenging task, which motivates me to focus, grow, adapt and respond to new challenges and opportunities every day.

    I manage the trademark opposition and rectification practice of the firm for multi-national and Indian clients across all section of the industries. I am responsible for the complete management of all trademark opposition & rectification related work from my team, starting from advising clients on trademark protection strategies, including drafting and filing oppositions, cancellations, preparing evidence in support of proceedings, attending hearings etc. before the Trade Marks Registry and Intellectual Property Appellate Board. All this has to be executed in a timely manner & to the satisfaction of our client. My main job is to guide the team, ensure removal of all bottlenecks that they face in their work, and being responsible for the entire opposition and rectification value chain results.

     

    WHAT ARE THE SKILLS ONE NEEDS TO DEVELOP TO SUCCEED IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION?

    To put this across in a concise manner, you need to develop strong reading and comprehension skills along with a decent vocabulary. Also, objective analytical skills along with good communication skills will go a long way in enhancing your convincing powers towards resolving matters.

     

    WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR A LAW STUDENT TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIP AT YOUR FIRM? HOW DO YOU SUGGEST THE STUDENTS CONVERT THEIR INTERNSHIPS TO PPO?

    Anyone one interested in interning at our firm can simply send their CV’s via email to gpo@lls.in. The concerned persons will review and get back to the selected applicants.

    Converting an internship into a PPO I think has a universal formula. Work hard, show your interest in the field and connect with the required department head on completion of your internship.

     

    LASTLY, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PARTING MESSAGE TO OUR READERS?

    Choose your career as early as you can. Thereafter stay focused, do your best, grab opportunities, work hard and enjoy life.

     

     

     

  • Sonal Kumar Singh, Managing Partner, AKS Partners, on managing his firm, studying at Kings College London, and importance of higher education

    Sonal Kumar Singh, Managing Partner, AKS Partners, on managing his firm, studying at Kings College London, and importance of higher education

    Sonal Kumar Singh graduated from CCS University, Meerut, the batch of 2006. He then went on to pursue his Masters from Kings College London. He is currently Managing Partner at AKS Partners, where his work includes business development, to reach out to clients, execute the work and also handle the team well.

    In this interview, we speak to him about:

    • Studying at Kings College London
    • Tips on writing SOPs and traits required to  bag a scholarship
    • Importance of higher education
    • Managing his own firm.

     

    HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR READERS? PLEASE TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PRE-COLLEGE LIFE?

    I am a corporate and dispute resolution lawyer and the Managing Partner of AKS Partners (formerly known as M/s A.K Singh & Co.) My practice area involves Domestic and International Arbitration, Banking & Finance, IPR & Company Law. Law has always been my passion and there is nothing I enjoy more than working on a challenging case or issue.

    The best I could describe myself is as a person who believes that the only essence of succeeding in life is to constantly strive to learn more and more. I am an ardent believer in the saying “Life itself is your teacher and you are in a state of constant learning”.

    Apart from this, I would describe myself as a book lover and enthusiastic traveler.

    My pre-college life was more of fun and less of studies. I did my schooling from Gyan Bharati School, Delhi and opted for commerce as my stream in the tenth standard. I wanted to be either in armed forces or to be a Chartered Accountant, maybe because a lot of my friends wanted it for themselves. I ruled out armed forces as I was unable to bring my weight down from 100 Kgs till the end of my school life. Chartered Accountancy ruled me out when I was not able to clear my Intermediate Exams. At that time “Law” chose me, as while pursuing my LL.B. (which I was doing more as a side subject), I got an offer from King`s College London to pursue my LL.M. Lot of my friends who were also aspiring to do their LL.M. from Kings College London were more excited than me for my offer.

     

    HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY AS A LAWYER?

    I would say that my journey as a lawyer started right from the day I started my Masters in Law from Kings College London. I always believed that apart from your course studying, it is very important to interact with the dignitaries of the legal fraternity and gain as much practical knowledge and exposure as one can. While studying, I firstly interned with British Institute of International and Comparative Law based in London where my work profile was of a “Researcher”. During this internship, I extensively researched for a book “Damages in International Investment Law” which was published by BIICL. The author was kind enough to acknowledge my contribution to his work and mention the same in his book.

    After this, I started working with a London based NGO which helped the physically disabled people to get their claims and justice. Fortunately, after my course finished, I had the opportunity to work with and assist Professor Martin Hunter, a renowned dignitary in the field of arbitration. I worked with him as a Research Assistant where I was given extreme exposure to legal knowledge, the working strategies, and atmosphere of a foreign lawyer/firm. After this overwhelming experience of mine, I came back to India where I joined the practice and since then have been constantly working as corporate and dispute resolution lawyer. Meanwhile, I also cleared my exam for qualifying as a Solicitor in England & Wales.

    Over the last 12 years of practice, in the capacity of a partner of AKS Partners (formerly known as M/s A.K Singh & Co.), I have had the opportunity to work with and represent few of the top International and Government companies and clients.

    So I would say my journey as a lawyer till now has been incredibly enriching and delightful but it’s just the beginning.

     

    HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AT KINGS COLLEGE LONDON?

    Experience at King`s College London was life-changing for me. It changed me as a person. When I decided to pursue my Masters from Kings College London, the idea was to have a good time in London and also study whenever time would permit. But as soon as I landed in London, I felt differently about myself. On the first day of college, I gave my name for the post of Treasurer for the election of LL.M. Student Committee. I was surprised with my self as I had never taken such initiatives in India. It was just a beginning for me, as I started participating in everything that came my way, be it debating competitions, moot courts, mock courts, student elections and so on. Moreover, I really enjoyed the style of teaching and the exams. For the first time I came across the term “open book exam” and I was very excited and confident as well to top the College as we were permitted to take any book in the examination hall. My happiness was short-lived, as the examination paper was designed in such a manner that it was not possible to find questions in the book and write the paper unless your concepts were clear.

     

    WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION?

    I have always believed that higher education whether in India or abroad gives you better prospects and opportunities. These days in order to have a specialization of a particular law, most people pursue Masters in Law to enable them to choose a particular field of law and getting specialized knowledge in the same. Obviously, great skills and higher education gives a person an edge over others in the job market. But most of all, I believe that if someone, utilizes their time well during the LL.M. it is an extremely useful exposure that anyone can get. Your way of looking at things change. You are completely by yourself and one learns to live life as it comes. Personally higher education drastically changed my personality, perception, and way of working.

     

    WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY TRAITS ARE REQUIRED TO BAG A SCHOLARSHIP FOR LLM?

    Obtaining a scholarship for LLM especially for universities abroad is not an easy task. Scholarships are either given by the universities directly or through other government or privately funded institutions. The concept of scholarship is taken very seriously abroad as they believe that scholarship shall only be given to those who truly are in need of it or truly deserve it. If one aims to bag a scholarship for LLM, it is recommended that they need to start working beforehand for the same. Earlier you start working better it is. In my experience, the most important aspects or criteria for giving of scholarship is the working or internship background of the candidate, grades of the candidate, writing skills such as publications of articles or papers are given extreme importance.

     

    WHAT SHOULD BE KEPT IN MIND WHILE WRITING SOPS FOR LLM ABROAD?

    While writing an SOP, one needs to be more realistic and clear in their vision. The purpose of SOP is to be explained in brief to the universities as to what is your background, your achievements and your aim in future.

    One should keep in mind while writing an SOP that you should be well able to communicate your thoughts and vision across and also be clear as to what is the purpose for which they want to pursue Masters and career in Law.

     

    AS PARTNER WITH M/S A.K. SINGH & CO. (WHICH IS NOW AKS PARTNERS), WHAT ARE YOUR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND WHY DID YOU CHANGE THE BRAND NAME OF THE FIRM?

    I was promoted as a partner of M/s A.K. Singh & Co. in 2010. In the beginning, my core responsibility was to head the Arbitration and Dispute Resolution team with around ten advocates. Being a partner in charge, it was entirely my duty to do business development, to reach out to clients, execute the work and also handle the team well.

    Since then I have grown a lot professionally, as when my father Mr. Ashok Kumar Singh who was the founder of the firm M/s A.K. Singh & Co was designated as a Senior Advocate in 2015, he gave up the ownership of the firm and the working and running of the firm came majorly upon my shoulders. However there were other partners at that time, but we had to step up and jointly take the responsibility of the firm. Now in three years, with the right direction and immense support of my seniors and colleagues, we have changed the corporate name and branding of M/s A.K. Singh & Co. to AKS PARTNERS. There is a specific reason to re-brand which was to actually keep up with the market trends and to align our brand or name with the vision of the firm. Also, with the firm’s growing international practice, it was felt necessary to re-brand and rename the firm.

     

    CAN YOU RECALL THE FIRST TIME YOU APPEARED IN A SIGNIFICANT MATTER IN COURT?

    Yes, I do remember it. It`s still very fresh in my mind. Way back in 2009, I was supposed to appear in a matter with my senior. We were representing a PSU and the legal issue which was involved in the matter was ‘whether the parties are bound by the procedure laid down in the arbitration agreement, even when by subsequent exchange of letters, parties have agreed for a different procedure”. The matter was fixed at 2.15 pm before the Delhi High Court. During the lunch hours, I got a call from my Senior that he will be late and may not reach in time and as the matter is already fixed for 2.15, I should start telling the facts of the matter till the time he reaches the court. I could feel that all the blood drained down my face and my heart started falling in my stomach as I was completely not ready for it. To add to the pain, I saw Mr. Krishnan Venugopal, Sr Advocate, sitting on the other side. Though it was clear that he would be representing the Respondent, somewhere deep inside I was hoping that he is sitting to mention some other matter. I was wrong, he was opposing us in the matter. However, once I started arguing that matter, my arguments went on for almost 45 minutes. I felt relieved once I finished my arguments and turned around to see my senior sitting behind me. He didn’t say anything to me. The other side`s arguments also went on for almost 30 minutes and the order was reserved. My senior went out of the room without saying a word and I was a little confused about his poker face reaction. After fifteen minutes I saw my phone and there was a message from him-“well done”.

     

    HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF YOUNG LAW PROFESSIONALS?

    In the last twelve years of my career, I have had the opportunity to work with young law professionals. Out of that experience and as a general observation I truly believe that the young law professionals are extremely hard working, through professionals and have the zeal to succeed. The qualities are the ingredients of achieving success. So I have no two doubts that the young professionals with their qualities coupled with the opportunities will be extremely successful in future which can be seen from the fact that you would find young professionals in every part of the world in different roles.

     

    WHAT ARE THE SKILLS ONE NEEDS TO DEVELOP TO SUCCEED IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION?

    There is no set formula or skills one needs to develop to succeed in the legal profession. To succeed in anything in life including legal profession one needs to enjoy what they are doing and be patient. As far as the skills in the legal profession are concerned, it is important to have good communicational and analytical skills. An eye of a perfectionist is what makes you stand out from the crowd. You need to know the art of meeting people and communicating with them. Apart from this, time management and the zeal to learn are the most important things.

     

     

     

  • Sameer Tapia, Founder and Senior Partner, ALMT Legal, on starting his own law firm and a successful career in the field of law

    Sameer Tapia, Founder and Senior Partner, ALMT Legal, on starting his own law firm and a successful career in the field of law

    Sameer Tapia is a founding and senior partner of ALMT Legal, which was set up in London in 2000 and now has offices in Mumbai and Bangalore. He has expertise in corporate-commercial matters, dispute resolution with a strong focus on aviation, real estate, and private clients.

    Sameer graduated from Bombay University with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce. He read Law from the prestigious Government Law College, Mumbai.

    He regularly acts for various multinational clients in pursuing their contentious matters in India and has been retained by several corporates where he has advised them on commercial contracts, risk insurance, liability and regulatory matters.

    Sameer has represented clients before various foras including the Supreme Court of India. He has a strong commercial acumen in dealing with disputes in various arbitration proceedings as well. He has also advised clients in high profile family disputes and matrimonial matters and acted as an arbitrator/mediator in settling complex family disputes.

    He regularly speaks at international conferences and has submitted papers on Indian Laws. He is a regular invitee and guest speaker at law schools and other prestigious institutions in India. He has also written articles which have been published in the International Bar News, India Business Law Journal, and various other chamber publications.

    The Indian Lawyer 250, a guide to the leading business law firms of India, has featured Sameer amongst the top 40 individual leading lawyers, under the age of 45 years, in India.

     

     

    HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR READERS? PLEASE TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PRE-COLLEGE LIFE?

    Constructive Lawyer, Thinker, Traveler, Foodie, Passionate about Music Art and Culture.

    Pre College – Was an introvert and shy lad, quite an athlete in school, a sprinter!

     

    YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE ALUMNI FROM GOVERNMENT LAW COLLEGE, MUMBAI. WHAT ROLE HAS THE COLLEGE PLAYED IN SHAPING YOUR CAREER?

    A number of Legal luminaries have passed out of GLC which is notably one of the most prestigious and oldest institutions in India. The college had some very able professors and strong faculty during my time that helped me along with my theoretical experience with working as a lawyer.

     

    YOU ARE THE FOUNDING PARTNER OF ALMT LEGAL WHICH HAS GROWN TO BE ONE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BEST LAW FIRMS. PLEASE SHARE WITH OUR READERS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED INITIALLY AND WHAT IS YET TO BE ACHIEVED?

    It was difficult to set up a law firm, though I must say it was the most fulfilling experience I have had professionally the benefits of which I reap today.

    Every generation that goes by, I feel the competition and level of expertise only increase with time. The most challenging experience was to set up ALMT in the UK and then bring our footprints into India.

     

    HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPECIALISATION? HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT ATTAINING EXPERTISE IN THEM?

    It all happened very naturally – Honestly, your first mentor should be the best one! It flows from there…

     

    WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGSTERS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO PLAN TO SET UP THEIR OWN LAW FIRM?

    It’s not easy to set up a firm as a young lawyer. You must work and train with a senior for at least 10 years before you decide to take the plunge!

    That will give you a good heads start along with experience for anyone to trust you and come to you for sound advise.

     

    WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR A LAW STUDENT TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIP AT ALMT LEGAL? HOW DO YOU SUGGEST THE STUDENTS CONVERT THEIR INTERNSHIPS TO PPO?

    They must write to the Office Manager who is also in charge of HR of the firm.

     

    WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE EFFICACY OF INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY CODE. DO YOU THINK IBC COULD HELP THE GOVERNMENT AND BANKS DEAL WITH NPA ISSUE?

    It clearly has helped as we read in the press and companies being taken to task on the basis of their non-performance.

     

    WHAT IS THAT ONE CASE THAT HAS LEFT A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU?

    I cannot put a finger on one! There are so many…

     

    HOW DO YOU THINK WE COULD IMPROVE THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS IN INDIA?

    To start with we need more Courts, Judges and an aggressive judicial system which needs to catch up with the backlog of pending suits – and not allow frivolous litigation in India.

     

    IN YOUR OPINION, HAS THE RERA ACT HAS SUCCEEDED IN PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED TRANSPARENCY IN REGULATING THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR?

    Terrifically, but it has its own problems enforcing the Act.

     

    WHAT WOULD BE YOUR WORD OF ADVICE TO YOUNG LAWYERS AND LAW STUDENTS?

    Good reading habit to start with, which most students lack these days, good vocabulary and English if you want to plead and draft documents. Articulate in being well balanced in theory and knowledge of the law.

    There is a right time for everything – Most students try and get into a firm and want to work and miss out on their theoretical experience in College which offers a lot to them by way of bonding studying, moot competition etc.

    They must do a five-year course and temp with firms whilst they study law and then be sure whether they want to pursue law as a counsel or solicitor ( in a law firm ) depending on the field of law they select whilst in college

     

     

  • Philip Teoh, Partner, Azmi & Associates, shares his insight on International Arbitration and his twenty eight years of experience

    Philip Teoh, Partner, Azmi & Associates, shares his insight on International Arbitration and his twenty eight years of experience

    Philip Teoh graduated in law from National University of Singapore, Singapore in 1989. Currently, he is the Partner at Azmi & Associates. He is also Arbitrator with the Asian International Arbitration Centre [ formerly Kuala Lumpur Regional Center for Arbitration] and has conducted arbitrations in Malaysia, Singapore and internationally as Arbitrator and Counsel.

    In this interview, he talks to us about:

    • How to acquire skills to become a great lawyer.
    • His role in legal academia.
    • His experience on different cases

     

     

    HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR READERS? PLEASE TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PRE-COLLEGE LIFE?

    I am a practicing lawyer and arbitrator with 28 years of experience. I am from Penang, Malaysia and come from the same school as Datuk Professor Sundra Rajoo the Director of the Asian International Arbitration Centre [formerly KLRCA] whom you previously interviewed. Both of us studied at the Penang Free School, probably the oldest English school in Southeast Asia founded in 1816. After Penang, I went to study A levels in Singapore under the ASEAN Scholarship in 1983 at Hwa Chong Junior College. Thereafter I studied law at the National University of Singapore and graduated in 1989. I enjoyed my school life, and made lifelong friends whom I am still in touch.

     

    HOW DID YOU GRAVITATE TOWARDS THE FIELD OF LAW?

    I have always been interested on how law regulates society and business. In many ways law shapes business and vice versa. I was particularly interested in international trade and shipping as the common driver.

     

    PLEASE GIVE US AN INSIGHT INTO YOUR ROLE IN ACADEMIA.

    My interest in writing and teaching was cultivated by writing assignments in law school and the positive feedback and reinforcement by my lecturers. I had the good fortune of being taught by excellent lecturers and tutors in the law school. The brilliant minds such as Professor Tan Yock Lin who made a subject such as conflict of laws become immediately relevant and useful . Till date, I find this to be my favourite subject and I use in my shipping and international cases often. My interest in this subject culminated in my writing Halsbury’s Laws of Malaysia on conflict of laws. I was also taught by the brilliant Professor Ellinger one of the sharpest legal minds, the great Professor FMB Reynolds, who came over from Oxford, who taught Shipping and Agency. I was impressed that Professor Reynolds and Professor Ellinger were writers of textbooks and they were also very good lecturers.

    We were also fortunate to have Professor Ho Peng Kee as a vice dean who went out of his way to help students. His words of encouragement helped me spur on and to eventually obtain a second class upper in my LLB.

    I have been speaking at industry conferences within and outside Malaysia for sometime. I have lectured at the University of Malaya Law Faculty Continuing Education Programmes and I am an Adjunct Lecturer at BAC, Malaysia’s largest law schools. I spoke in Pune last August in an International Arbitration Conference where I met many Indian Arbitration Practitioners. I look forward to further speaking engagements in India.

    More than fifteen years ago, I started the series of Practitioners Texts in Malaysia in shipping and related titles. These include the Annotated Merchant Shipping which covers the law regulating Merchant Shipping, Collision, Marine Pollution. Malaysian lawyers drafting Agreements use my precedents from the Forms and Precedents on Shipping. I also wrote the Halsbury’s key titles on Equity, Conflict of Laws, Shipping, Carriers [ Land Air and Sea]. Last year I wrote the Chapter on Carriage of Goods by Sea in the Malaysian Bullen & Leake Precedents of Pleadings. These books are used by Judges, Arbitrators and lawyers. I have seen some of the texts I have written cited in Reported Judgments.

    From time to time, I have been invited to contribute to Trade Publications on matters affecting industry.

     

    WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN INSTILLING CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION IN LAWYERS?

    Lawyers must embrace change and adapt. For instance, when I started practice, lawyers did not use internet and hardly any one used email. And this was in Singapore which then was more advanced than many other Asian countries. Now email, internet, law firm websites, blogs, social media are ubiquitous. Lawyers who don’t keep up, will be lumbering dinosaurs, who eventually will be obsolete. I profile my practice and run a 20,000+ network on LinkedIn. I find this useful as a substantial part of my work is international.

    For court lawyers, practice makes perfect. Every trial, application and appeal is a challenge, we need to be able to understand and be confident on our own abilities. I was fortunate to work under Mr Harry Elias at the beginning of my law practice and I saw how he took on Queens Counsel and opponents in court. I was also fortunate to have a work attachment in a Penang law firm, which firm engaged the late Karpal Singh, easily Malaysia’s foremost Constitutional Lawyer and Politician. These were invaluable mentors and experiences which spurred me on to continue with contentious work and it has been 28 years since. From the very beginning I also consciously maintained a non-contentious aspect of my practice and I have drafted many agreements for various clients. When the Malaysian Shipping Line started its LNG Fleet, I was involved in the beginning. I was the local Counsel for the Syndication of Lenders in the Puteri LNG six new buildings in the Japanese Yards around 2002.

    So you can see law is very wide and the hard working lawyer can find learning opportunities in every case, transaction and agreement. I make the junior lawyers work hard but they learn.

    Innovation and creativity can only be spurred by attitude. If the junior lawyer takes the attitude that he / she knows everything, pretty soon he / she will know nothing.

     

    HOW DO YOU KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED WITH THE LATEST ARBITRATION ISSUES, NEWS AND CASES?

    Internet, journals and in Malaysia, the Asian International Arbitration Centre have good and relevant talks and conferences, some of which I participated as speaker. I am in touch with many practitioners worldwide and we exchange ideas.

     

    WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU THINK HAVE HELPED YOU ACHIEVE YOUR CURRENT POSITION AND STATURE?

    It all started when I entered NUS and being grateful and happy to study there. And to accept I have no ‘current position and stature’. That way I know that I have to continue to improve and to learn. Students must realise that university is only four years but a career is a lifetime. And I enjoy my work, I enjoy the challenge of difficult cases.

     

    AS A PARTNER AT AZMI & ASSOCIATE, WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

    If I have a trial, it will be straight to court and it will be the same for the whole duration of the trial. The whole day will be spent in court conducting the trial. As much as I prepare for the trial, I have long learned that it is important to adapt to what happens during the trial and be vigilant for opportunities. Some examples in the trials which I have conducted, eg. I cross examined the shipping agent who set out in his witness statement six bills of lading and asked him whether he had seen the documents he mentioned and explained in his statement, and was surprised he said no, not before trial. Another case, the chemist had detailed in four pages how carefully dangerous chemicals were packed, I asked him whether he was present during packing and he answered he could not remember. Apart from direct clients I also act for other law firms, so in these trials, I work with my instructing lawyers. I have written on the role of Counsel:

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/litigating-malaysian-courts-use-counsel-philip-teoh/

    This Wednesday was particularly rewarding as I argued an Admiralty Appeal in the Court of Appeal. There were decisions of the High Court which set aside ship arrests on wrong principles and one of these was a ship arrest I undertook. I appealed against this decision and the appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal. I was successful in arguing the appeal and this case is important as the Court of Appeal judgment will be binding and will set guidelines for parties undertaking ship arrests in the future. For more details, you can go to my LinkedIn posts:

    https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6389686362479661056/&

    https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6390524570524319744/

    The profession in Singapore and Malaysia is a fused one, so I am both Advocate and Solicitor. I also handle corporate and advisory work. If I don’t go to court, I will prepare for submissions in the office or draft agreements. From time to time I am visited by foreign lawyers who come to Malaysia for business visits. Many of these lawyers are my LinkedIn connections. My work day could also be to attend meetings with clients whether in my office or theirs.

    I try to make time to interact with the junior lawyers and interns who work and assist me. I have written on the role of the Senior lawyer as Mentor:

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/learning-law-mentors-perspective-philip-teoh/

     

    WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO YOUNG LAW STUDENTS AND LAWYERS AIMING TO BECOME ARBITRATORS IN FUTURE?

    Don’t waste the university years. What you study in university is crucially relevant even if it is not immediately obvious. Cultivate interest in subjects especially subjects Contract, Tort, Evidence. Be willing to learn everything.

    Interestingly many students approached me after my talk in Pune last August and asked how they can become arbitrators. I was taken aback as they wanted to become arbitrators without thinking of embarking into litigation.

    Arbitration like litigation is contentious / dispute resolution. Lawyers only become arbitrators if they can bring value or experience to the Dispute Resolution Process. This may take years before the lawyer can establish his reputation in court, be recognised and respected as court / Arbitration Counsel and only then can he become an arbitrator and obtain appointments.

    So I will tell the students, aim to be a great lawyer, become great advocates. The court skills are important to arbitration. Only then you can become a respected and popular litigators earning the respect of your opponents and eventually you will acquire a solid track record and reputation. Only then you will be ready to become an arbitrator; this may take decades but the diligent will achieve this.The arbitrator who does not go through this crucible will not be effective and will forever chase appointments.

     

    Link to some of his works are below:

    • Presenting your case in International Arbitration:

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/presenting-your-case-evidence-international-arbitration-philip-teoh/

    • Strategies on Managing Choice of Law along One Belt One Road:

    https://www.brinknews.com/asia/chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-managing-risks-and-disputes/

    • Speaking at AIAC Arbitration Conference

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/resolving-disputes-along-one-belt-road-philip-teoh/

    • Speaking in Pune last August

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/contemporary-issues-international-arbitration-philip-teoh/

    Philip Teoh’s LinkedIn profile :

    LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipteoh

     

     

  • Rai Mittal, Partner, Titus & Co, New Delhi shares his diverse experience of 25 years in the legal profession

    Rai Mittal, Partner, Titus & Co, New Delhi shares his diverse experience of 25 years in the legal profession

    Rai Mittal graduted in Law from CCS University, Meerut in the year 1992. Originally being a B.Com student, reading a murder case in one of the law journals at his father’s office made him realize his that Law was his true calling. Back in the early 1990’s Law when Law was not as promising as it is now, Rai started his practice at Muzaffarnagar- his hometown. Later he joined Singhania & Co. Advocates as an associate.

    Currently, he is a Partner at Titus & Co, New Delhi where his work includes- advising clients, working on opinions, formulation of strategies, drafting, legal analysis, court and arbitration appearances and guiding and supervising associates and senior associates.

    In this Interview Rai shares his insights with Rounak Biswas of SLS, Pune on the topics raised by Mihika Gupta of NLU Jodhpur.

     

    How would you describe your journey as a lawyer?

    I am currently associated with Titus & Co. as Partner. Titus & Co. was set up in the year 1997 and I have been associated with the firm since the very beginning. Prior to that, I spent one year in district court litigation practice on civil, criminal, revenue and labour law sides and thereafter about three years with Singhania & Co. Advocates and with IP firm Lall Lahiri & Salhotra.

    Over the last 25 years, I have been involved in diverse assignments and areas of  practice including commercial and corporate litigation and arbitration, intellectual property matters, general commercial and corporate work, contracts, industry specific advisory work, mergers and acquisitions, legal due diligence matters, franchise and licensing, technology transfers, FDI, regulatory work, investigations and white collar crimes, tax disputes, banking and finance, infrastructure work and employment laws.

    I have had a keen interest particularly in commercial and corporate advisory work, dispute resolution, strategically advice on legal-commercial matters and intellectual property laws.

    I like to work with a problem solving approach, endeavouring to advise clients from a commercial and practical standpoint. Having worked on a wide variety of assignments over two and a half decades, I believe that I am able to review issues as well as uncover issues from different perspectives. It’s, perhaps, like playing the role of a General Counsel while also acting as a specialist lawyer.

     

    What motivated you to pursue Law?

    It was while reading a reported murder case in a law journal (to which I got access in my advocate father’s library) that I realized that Law as a subject fascinated me. I was pursuing my final year of Bachelor of Commerce degree at that time. I had also become conscious of the fact that I enjoyed working on and solving problems, rather than doing something more of a procedural nature. I also realized that I should pursue a profession where quality matters more than quantity.

    This made me give up the idea of pursuing chartered accountancy course which I had aimed to pursue after graduation. We of course know that the role of a chartered accountant at that time was very different from what it is today.

     

    Was Law a rewarding profession when you got into it?

    In the late 1980s/early 1990s, Law as a career was not rewarding and prestigious as it is today. Very few Lawyers earned handsomely. Particularly in small cities and towns, earnings were extremely limited and working conditions of Lawyers were poor. It is really good to see how things have improved over the last couple of decades.

     

    What were your parents’ reactions to your decision to get into legal profession?

    My father, though he a successful and respected Lawyer, was fond of journalism and social work, and he could never adore the profession more. However, I was perhaps destined to become a Lawyer, true to my interest and liking. My parents, though apprehensive, were supportive throughout.

     

    How was your experience at Law school?

    I was lucky to be taught by many practicing Lawyers and scholars, even though legal education those days certainly was not in good shape. It was a lot of fun cycling to Law school and engaging in discussions on legal topics with professors and other Law students.

    Most Law schools during those days were far below today’s general standards. Only a few students seriously pursued Law as a career. Attendance in Law schools was usually low and classes were held infrequently. There were no debates, no moots, no seminars, no training and no internships. However, despite all shortcomings, there was no dearth of good Lawyers. They were probably as good and knowledgeable as one can be today.

     

    Describe your early years in the profession.

    I started practising in my home town Muzaffarnagar, U.P. The first year was amazing when I got an opportunity to work on different kinds of legal matters – which included revenue and land matters, labour Law cases, civil, criminal and consumer disputes. I practiced on the original side and in revisions and appeals at different levels with a lot of free hand. Those were the days when I learnt to implement theory in practice. I used to enjoy, which I still do, surprising the other side with a novel argument.

    As cases of substance and importance fascinated me, I moved to Delhi with the urge to practise in the Supreme Court but landed a job as an associate in Singhania & Co. Advocates. The two years of my association with Singhania was extremely useful as I was frequently worked on different tasks, right from IP to Corporate to Dispute Resolution to Firm Management. Singhania was my first experience of practising in international scenario and it was just the beginning.

     

    What are your views on the importance of higher education?

    Pursuing higher education leads to better prospects. It enhances knowledge and skills enabling a person to analyse things deeply and view a situation from different perspectives. It aids in providing a competitive edge in the career market, higher pay opportunity and better communication skills and makes a person more focused, disciplined and responsible. As LL.M is now a one-year course in most Universities in India and abroad, it makes sense to go for it.

     

    Describe your work profile at Titus & Co.

    I usually start my day in the office early. Every day is challenging as it brings up new issues of diverse nature. Meetings with clients, working on opinions, formulation of strategies, drafting, legal analysis, court and arbitration appearances and guiding and supervising associates and senior associates takes the entire day.

     

    Can you recall the first time you appeared in a significant matter in court?

    I prepared for my first few cases by organising and reading files, doing Law research, preparing notes, discussions with seniors, getting tips from colleagues and inquiring about the general attitude and nature of the concerned Judge.

    These days most of the Judges are welcoming and supporting young Lawyers. They encourage young Lawyers to come forward and plead their cases without any fear.

     

    Which are the good areas for the practice of Law?

    Any and all areas are good. It depends on your personal liking. I would suggest that one should be open to do all kinds of different assignments during the initial few years of Law practise and then choose what fits him or her the most.

     

    How do you see the future of young law professionals?

    The future of the profession looks quite promising. Opportunities in the profession are immense. With Law getting more and more complicated and of specialized nature, sincere and smart Lawyers would continue to do extremely well in the profession.

     

    What are the skills one needs to develop to succeed in the legal profession?

    To succeed in legal profession, one should have good communication, analytical and research skills and creativity and ability to persist and convince. One should be focused and have a practical approach.

    Students and young Lawyers can develop requisite skills by regular reading on Law topics, participation in debates, interacting with people in the profession and watching court proceedings. One should focus not only on curriculum, which comprises of studies, mooting, debating, etc., but also learn time management techniques, be positive and always keep looking for new learning opportunities which will help one to broaden horizon and thus help in facing new challenges that come one’s way.

    Most importantly, learn to enjoy the profession!