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  • Sneha Nainwal, on BCL from Oxford, work at LKS and moving to the UK

    Sneha Nainwal, on BCL from Oxford, work at LKS and moving to the UK

    Sneha Nainwal graduated from Symbiosis Law School in 2010. Soon after graduation, she went on to pursue BCL at University of Oxford. She has a very rich experience of working in India and United Kingdom. She then worked at LakshmiKumaran and Sridharan for about two years.

    Being a tax specialist she also has a keen interest in opportunities involving commercial litigation and arbitration.

    In this interview, she talks about:

    • Law school experience at Symbiosis and University of Oxford
    • Work experiences at LKS, SGH Martineau LLP,
    • Experience as a Contract Attorney at Bird & Bird, Hausfeld and Pinsent Masons
    • Work culture in India and the UK

     

    How would you like to introduce yourself? Please tell us about your pre-college experience.

    I am a dreamer by faith and lawyer by profession.

    My brother and I had a fairly modern upbringing that offered a unique blend of traditional values and liberal outlook. My father is a judge and my mother is a home-maker. We were always encouraged to find our own inspiration in life and so we did. While I followed my father’s footsteps and joined the legal field, my brother is now a user interface designer with Facebook in California.

    As part of our family tradition, I was sent to a boarding school in Nainital at a very young age. The 7 years spent at St. Mary’s Convent, one of India’s finest residential public schools, have had the greatest influence on my life. With its focus on an all-round education, character building and the belief that one’s competition is only with oneself, the years spent at Ramnee gave me the courage and integrity to be myself. My stay at Symbiosis Law School, on the other hand, gave me the opportunity to interact with fellow aspiring legal professionals and an inspiration to succeed. I made some great memories, and even better friends!

    I read for the BCL at the University in Oxford in 2010-2011. I then worked at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, Attorneys in New Delhi for about 2 years. Pursuant to my appointment at SGH Martineau LLP, an international law firm in London, I moved to the UK in 2014 and am currently qualifying as a Solicitor in England & Wales. I reside in London with my husband, who works in investment banking.

     

    When and how did you decide to study law? How did you settle for Symbiosis Law School?

    With most of my family being reputed members of the legal fraternity, law has always had an impact on my life. My father has served the Indian Judiciary for over 25 years. The sight of those red and black books with their slightly musty smell in his library, his typewriter and his black gown always held a strange charm for me. I was an inquisitive child, easily dissatisfied with popular reason and superficial explanations.

    At school, this nascent curiosity developed into a lively quest for academic research and love for debates. Being naturally good with numbers, I enjoyed subjects like maths and accountancy and took up the commerce stream for my ISC Levels. I came to realise that my skills were best suited for a career which demanded potential for research, logical aptitude and commercial acumen.

    The choice was between business school and law school. It was then that my father told me about the dual program in business and law (B.B.A.LL.B), being one of a kind at the time, offered at Symbiosis. It was an ideal opportunity to pursue my interest in business and law simultaneously. I took the entrance exam and there has been no turning back.

     

    When people say “Law school”, they look no further than the National Law Universities. As a graduate of Symbiosis, have you faced any such bias? What would you say to the future graduates of Symbiosis regarding this?

    It depends on who your audience is. The university league tables and rankings have created a very competitive educational environment and it’s hard to avoid its impact on one’s academic experience. An element of prestige is definitely associated with leading institutions, be it the Ivy League, Red Brick Universities or some of our very own NLUs but it isn’t a prophecy of professional success. The two things that truly matter are – what your university has to offer and what you make of that.

    Symbiosis offered me a rich gamut of opportunities, both academic and personal, and I plunged headlong into making the most of it. It was an intellectual adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed (and that’s not something you’ll hear a law graduate say often!). Those five years so moulded me that there was little room for any bias or prejudice and my career trajectory bears testimony to this fact. In addition to securing top internships and winning national moot competitions, I was offered a place at two of the most competitive law programs, BCL and MLF, at the University of Oxford and have since worked at leading national and international law firms. Similarly, my peers went on to do their LL.M at Harvard, Cambridge, NYU et al and are now working with leading law firms. The point I am trying to drive home is that meritocracy should not be underrated by us.

    To the future graduates of Symbiosis – pride and prejudice are volatile social forces and often over-rated. Your biggest competition is yourself and it is only when you don’t realize your true potential that you fail. These five years could define you – make sure you choose the definition wisely.

     

     

    Many lawyers say that the first year after graduation is the most difficult year for young lawyers. What was your experience? What were the biggest challenges you faced?

    It was a very different experience for me as I went on to do my LL.M after graduation. For me, that one year was truly inspiring. The biggest challenge was of course the BCL! It was like an intellectual roller coaster, marked with alternating phases of ingenuity and despair, but nevertheless, exhilarating. I was thrilled to interact with some of the finest minds from across the globe, in a setting that presented a confluence of cultural diversity, and was thus, a privilege in its own right. That year taught me a lot about self-discipline, time management and social networking – skills that have greatly helped me on the professional front. The year was also very enriching in terms of my social experience – I was the International Student Representative for my college, I performed at the Oxford Playhouse in a student production by ‘Chutney and Chips’ and I also shared the screen with Akshay Kumar in a scene from the Bollywood movie ‘Desi Boys’ (it was shot at Oxford)! On the personal front, too, it was an exciting year as I met my husband, Simon, in Oxford. He is the Feinstein Scholar from the Department of Economic History and we studied together at St. Catz.

     

    What prompted you to opt for BCL from University of Oxford soon after graduation? How difficult would you say it was gaining admission? What advice would you like to give about the application process?

    My reasons for pursuing the LL.M were purely intellectual, which is why I started working on my applications in the penultimate year of law school. As my focus was more on common law centric courses, I was keen on pursuing my LL.M in the UK. I only applied to Oxford and Cambridge, as they were my dream institutions, and was offered a place on two graduate law programs at Oxford – BCL and MLF. My keener interest in the subjects of Restitution and Jurisprudence, which the Oxford Law Faculty enjoys an unrivalled reputation for, led me to choose the BCL over MLF.

    The competition for any world class university is naturally fierce. The selection panels are keen to identify well rounded individuals demonstrating a balanced set of academic and extra-curricular accomplishments. While strong academic credentials are vital, a sustained participation in other co-curricular activities significantly enhances the merit your application. Personally, I see my admission into Oxford as a culmination of all past achievements throughout my academic career. Over the years, I had actively participated in internship programs, moots, sports, debates, dramatics, and pro-bono activities and every single stint was a building block in shaping my application. Having said that, I must also stress the importance of a compelling SOP. Yes, SOPs are read and taken very seriously (while being offered a place on the MLF at Oxford, I was personally told that the admissions committee was specifically impressed with my SOP). It had taken me over a month to finalise that SOP, which was proofread by all my friends and edited with painstaking attention to detail by my elder brother (in whose literary skills I have immense faith!). My recommendation letters, two academic and one professional, came from professors and a senior judge who knew me well to give a detailed and personalised account of my skills, accomplishments and personality. I must add here that the faculty at Symbiosis, particularly our then Vice Principal – Dr C.J. Rawandale, was extremely helpful throughout the process. I also submitted a written piece of work. The entire application process is quite time consuming so it is advisable to start well in advance and follow a methodical approach.

     

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    Did you apply for any scholarships? How was the academic culture at Oxford?

    I was shortlisted for the Rhodes Scholarship but did not win it. The BCL at Oxford is popularly known as the academic Everest and rightly so, for it is by far, one of the most gruelling law programs in the world. The rigour of the course may vary, to some extent, with the combination of subjects. For instance, subjects like Jurisprudence, Restitution, Conflicts, Corporate Insolvency and Evidence, amongst others, are considered to be more voluminous and exacting, but if they float your boat, then Oxford is the best place to study them. I studied restitution and loved it! What is unique about the academic environment at Oxford is that it celebrates independent thought and intellectual freedom – it makes you think! You start to look beyond the letter of the law to conceptualize ideas, challenge legal philosophy and interpret case laws in ways that you would otherwise think were not even possible. The traditional Oxford tutorials, which are not common to other graduate law programs, are an excellent opportunity to have one on one academic interaction with the faculty. Needless to say, the library resources and facilities are world class. Oxford is the city of modest geniuses and a great place to be inspired!

     

    After finishing your BCL you started work at LakshmiKumaran and Sridharan. What prompted you to join LKS? Please tell us about your days at LKS.

    I completed an internship program with LKS in the final year of law school and was offered a pre-placement offer, which I had to defer to take my place on the BCL. On my return from Oxford, I joined LKS as an Associate at their Delhi office. My reasons for joining LKS were twofold – its unrivalled reputation in tax and the work environment. In my opinion, tax is the most dynamic, multi-faceted and exciting field of law. Personally, it offers a unique opportunity to combine my core strengths in the fields of maths and accountancy with my aptitude for legal analysis in a commercial setting. I was keen on tax specialisation and LKS, with its proven expertise, was the best place to do it. LKS also has an impressive work environment, where it offers every advantage of a big firm, yet retains an originality and personal touch that is often lost in the rigid corporate culture of its other competitors. I found that very refreshing.

    My stay at LKS was personally enriching and professionally gratifying. I started out in the Indirect Tax Litigation team where I mainly dealt with excise duty matters. There was ample opportunity to take true ownership over my work under the guidance of experienced seniors. I drafted replies to show cause notices, filed appeals before higher forums and argued matters before the commissioners and tax tribunals (CESTAT). I also advised clients on tax benefits and exemption issues. I was very fortunate to work directly with the partners on some very high profile matters, particularly the excise duty demand against Cadbury India. In my second year, I was promoted to the position of Senior Associate and was also appointed as the Officer on Special Duty reporting directly to the Senior Partner. The new position offered exposure to a wider range of matters including VAT, Service Tax, Sales Tax and Income Tax. LKS will always be a very significant chapter in my career history, where I met some inspiring lawyers and made great friends.

     

    What led to your decision to leave LKS and move to the UK to join SGH Martineau LLP? How was the selection process? Please tell us about the conversion course and funding options.

    My decision to move abroad was inspired by my desire to work in an international environment and my growing interest in the field of international taxation. My love for England, however, can be traced to the influential works of Jane Austen, and my husband, Simon Holmes.

    I was looking for an international law firm that could offer early responsibility, good exposure and accelerated career development. SGH Martineau LLP was then in its post-merger phase and looking to recruit two trainees for its London office. It was a good time to join in and participate in the high-paced growth and strategic expansion of the Firm. There is something inherently rewarding about working at a firm that is in such an exciting phase of its growth. As there were only two positions available, the level of competition was very high. I made an online application and was invited to attend an assessment day, followed by a partner interview, in London. After being offered and signing the training contract, I then secured a partial exemption from SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) in respect of the GDL/LPC (the conversion course). I was required to submit elaborate documentation in support of my undergraduate studies but once again, the faculty at Symbiosis was extremely supportive. I am currently enrolled at University of Law where I am completing the remaining modules on the conversion course. As for the funding, most training contract offers include sponsorship for GDL and LPC.

    The training providers, too, offer scholarships and bursaries of their own. I won the Law First Scholarship in 2014, which is a merit based funding for postgraduate students at University of Law. I also have a sponsorship from SGH Martineau.

     

    You have recently worked with Bird & Bird LLP, Hausfeld and Co. and Pinsent Masons LLP as Contract Attorney – how was that experience? How this stint proved to be helpful here? What were the events that led to your induction? Were there any interviews or selection processes?

    As I hold a partial exemption from the conversion course, I have been working as a Contract Attorney alongside my studies. I have completed projects at Bird & Bird LLP, Hausfeld & Co. and Pinsent Masons LLP. The work portfolio has been pretty diverse, ranging from cartel pricing cases to financial fraud investigations. It has been a good opportunity to work alongside foreign lawyers and experience the work culture at different law firms. These projects are lucrative, flexible and a great platform for professional networking. Applications can be made either directly or through placement agencies. The selection process varies with the firm in question and may include an assessment day or interview. All of my placements were finalised by my agents and did not involve any interview. I was selected on the basis of my CV and previous work experience.

     

    Tell us a bit about work culture at law firms in the United Kingdom. How is it different from the Indian LLPs?

    The work culture would vary depending on where you are working. However, there are some general points of difference. There is a clearer distinction and finer balance between professional and personal lives. Punctuality is taken more seriously and workdays usually start early and end early. Working on weekends, if at all, is a rare exception. The interaction with seniors is less formal. The relationship with colleagues is less personal. There is greater global diversity.

     

    How difficult was it for you, as a lawyer who had theretofore been used to the Indian legal system, to adjust to the environment of a foreign work place?

    It has been a very refreshing change for me. The conversion course has been an excellent opportunity to solidify my theoretical knowledge of English Laws, which has translated well to practice and made the transition rather smooth. The short term projects have provided a real insight into the work culture and practice areas at different law firms. As for my Indian experience, it offers a natural advantage in terms of domestic expertise while working on cross-jurisdictional matters that involve Indian laws. I am still getting used to the differences in procedural laws, legal jargon and even the general work culture but so far, it has been rather exciting than overwhelming.

     

    Can you give us advice on applications and interviews, especially with foreign law firm?

    “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe” – Abraham Lincoln

    The key to success is preparation. It is always a good idea to do a fair bit of research on the Firm that you are applying to – its background, operational structure, work ethos, practice areas and recent deals. This will make your application less generic and highlight your interest in the Firm. Know your resume inside out and be prepared to explain/defend it. The recruitment process typically involves preliminary stages such as online psychometric tests, assessment centre and written tasks. A lot of information, useful tips and sample exercises are available online so use that to your advantage. Research your interviewer well, where possible, and ask intelligent questions. Competency based interviews are extremely popular in the UK so identify the core competencies for the role that concerns you and practice answering behavioural questions. I cannot stress enough how important this is! And now for every recruiter’s favourite buzzword – ‘commercial awareness’! Most law firms will test you for this competency at one stage or another – make sure that you are prepared to deal with it.

     

    Lastly, what would be your parting message for our readers?

    Follow your heart, not the conventions.

     

  • Medha Chhabra, Executive-Legal, Piramal Enterprises, on work as an in-house counsel

    Medha Chhabra, Executive-Legal, Piramal Enterprises, on work as an in-house counsel

    Medha Chhabra graduated from Symbiosis Law School in 2011.During law school, her internships were a mixed bag of law firms and companies including Philips and Vodafone. She started her legal career Sesa Goa Limited as an Associate Manager-Legal. Currently, she works at Piramal Enterprises Limited as an Executive-Legal.
    In this interview she talks about:
    • Law school experience at Symbiosis
    • Importance of co-curricular activities and CGPA
    • Appointment and work at Piramal Enterprises Limited

     

    Though it’s one of the most asked questions but yet, why law?

    I used to watch a lot of Hollywood movies and TV series (Boston Legal in particular) and was always fascinated by the characters depicting lawyers and their lifestyle, the courtroom drama, the confessions and the on table corporate discussions. Subconsciously, I drew an image of a lawyer as the person, who possesses righteousness and superior knowledge, has a good conscience and is guardian of common man. That is it.

     

    Tell us something about your college life? What all activities did you participate in?

    I went to Symbiosis Law School, Pune. The things I appreciate most about Symbiosis are the curriculum and the exam pattern (i.e. objective driven) which compelled the students to do an in-depth study, especially of the bare acts. The second best thing was the class timings. It offered students ample time to participate in extracurricular activities or do whatever they wanted to do.

    I was in-charge of the PR and Media relations for Symbiosis as a part of the student council. Also, I served as a student cabinet (the core decision making group for all the events organised in the college) member of Symbiosis Law School. Further, I was a member of the Corporate Law Cell of Symbiosis to enrich my area of interest.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing acumen in these areas?

    Initially, I was fascinated by intellectual property laws the most. To pursue it further, I completed a diploma in the same and worked as an intern with Mars and Partners, a Delhi based IP boutique law firm. Subsequently, my various internships with multinationals ignited my interest in Contracts, Consumer and Labour laws.

     

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    At Symbiosis Law School, you were associated with a lot of student committees. Can you share with us your some of your experiences which you think have been helpful in the long run?

    Being a part of student council demanded a lot of time and energy. It made me realise that people management and networking can be the most challenging task of all.

    Such experiences helped me evolve as an independent being and a professional.  It helped me inculcate self-discipline, being firm and empathetic. I had to be tougher on myself, take decisions for others and ensure that the same are well executed. I learnt to put individual interest aside and to work as a team and achieve common goals against pressing timelines.

     

    What kind of internships did you do in your law school? Which internships will you consider to be right at the top and why?

    My internships were a mixed bag of law firms and in-house.

    I would not say that any particular of them was better than other. I equally enjoyed all of them. All these internships helped me learn about some fundamentals of the law profession such as objectification of the issue/ legal point, developing an optimistic approach for solution, devising a plan of action and finding a solution to the same. This is the key mantra, I learnt from them, and I have applied the same to all aspects of my life.

    Our college used to offer internships during our semester breaks.

     

    Did you learn any skills while interning? What are these skills and how did you acquire them?

    While interning, in addition to what has been stated above, I learnt that hard work and perseverance are the two indispensable skills which every professional should imbibe in him/her.

    My legal acumen definitely developed during my internships. I learnt to be punctual, multitask and deliver within the pressing deadlines. Most important of all, I learnt to be meticulous and to have an eye for detail.

    Interning at different palaces gave me a fair idea as to the work culture at various places. I got an insight as to how law firm culture differs from that of a company in terms of skills and expectations which helped me take further professional decisions in my life.

     

    What do you feel about the importance of a good CGPA & networks when attempting to secure an internship?

    In my personal opinion, a good CGPA is very charming factor, not only from an internship perspective but also from a overall good resume perspective which helps you fetch a good job and may be a very good offshore study opportunity in the end. It shows consistency of efforts and academic excellence of a candidate.

    As a lawyer, networking is an essential expertise. Needless to state, it helps you by several means.

     

    What do you have to say about mooting at law school and legal writing for journals? Do they have any ‘bonus’ value when seeking jobs?

    They certainly help you understand the finer law points, their evolvement, objectivity, and learn presentations and many more skills. As a fresher, these co-curricular activities may bag you an extra point.

     

    After graduation, you joined Sesa Goa Limited as an Associate Manager-Legal. What had contributed towards this appointment? What does Sesa Goa Limited do and what was the nature of your work there?

    From college placement, I was recruited by Vedanta Resources Plc. and was offered to join their subsidiary Sea Goa Limited.

    As we know, Vedanta Resources is the largest private sector mining company in India. Sesa Goa is involved in iron ore mining, marketing and selling the same in domestic as well as international market.

    My work profile constituted of commercial contract drafting and negotiations, briefing counsels of corporate litigations, secretarial compliances and liaising with various government departments.

    I enjoyed working at Sesa and needless to state, loved the city. Legal team was excellent and highly supportive.

     

    After having worked at Sesa Goa for a year, how did the shift to Piramal Enterprises Limited take place?

    After a year I had decided to relocate to Mumbai and was looking for a job. I came to know through a friend that there is a vacancy at Piramal Enterprises Limited. I approached them myself and got recruited.

     

    What does your current work profile at Piramal Enterprises Limited consist of? What’s a typical day like?

    My work profile consists of commercial contract drafting and negotiating on behalf of business team with legal counsel of external parties like customers, vendors, suppliers etc., briefing counsels for corporate litigations and advising business teams on various day to day legal issues.

    Every day at Piramal is different and brings upon me different challenges. The day typically starts with emails and drafting agreements. To understand the need of business, I may need to attend meeting with business teams from different departments on various issues. Sometimes it leads to attending meetings with external parties as well. Not very often but there are hearings at courts for the litigation matters in which I have been involved in. My portfolio also includes international businesses of the Company, hence, sometimes, there are late evening calls with the business teams located at the jurisdictions other than India and their external parties.

     

    What would be the one misconception you’d say you’d always held about real life legal work till the time you were an intern but changed once you started working as a lawyer?

    As a student I never thought that there could be a problem in enforcing a law but as I entered the profession, I realised that the mechanism to enforce law in our country lacks strength. The factors contributing to the same, in my view, are huge population, lack of technology, and sometimes, the will of the people to obey the law.

     

    Lastly, what would be your parting message for our readers?

    Law is an ever evolving subject. I believe that one should never stop learning. Reading and keeping ourselves updated about the latest developments in various fields of law would help in professional development and skill enhancement.

    Separately, life is short, live it to the fullest. Do whatever you like and try to be the best at it.

     

  • Awani Yaduwanshi, Manager – Corporate Legal Group, ICICI Bank on work at Banks and other corporate bodies

    Awani Yaduwanshi, Manager – Corporate Legal Group, ICICI Bank on work at Banks and other corporate bodies

    Awani Yaduwanshi graduated with Symbiosis Law School, Pune in 2012. She has an enviable academic record and an excellent series of internships at top law firms. During law school, she participated in various co-curricular activities and also has a couple of publications to her name. She has also been recipient of the Best Legislative Initiator (Female) at Amity Competition on Law Reforms, 2012. Currently, she works as a Manager – Corporate Legal Group at ICICI Bank.

    We have taken this opportunity to ask her about the several decisive moments in her career amongst other things including:

    • Publications and research skills
    • Importance of co-curricular activities
    • Appointment and work experience at ICICI Bank

     

    How did you gravitate towards Law? Tell us about your college life at Pune. What all activities did you partake in?

    As a kid I was quite fascinated by software engineers. However, the credit of me choosing law over engineering goes to my uncle. I had enrolled for a one year correspondence course from Law School Tutorial in my final year of high school. Always an avid reader, by the end of my 12th standard, I was more inclined towards law as a career option, because I thoroughly enjoyed critical/verbal reasoning, staying abreast with current affairs, reading and the logical, common sense approach of law as a field of study, all of which, came more naturally to me compared to everything else. Looking back, choosing law over other career options was a giant leap of faith, a right decision made at the right time.

    I believe we were a lucky lot to spend our college life in Pune. There was a lot to explore and keep us busy at all times. Among other things academic, my time in Pune was spent doing nothing, chilling with friends, exploring places and things to do in addition to writing research papers, attending conferences, participating in client counselling sessions, presenting papers and the like.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing command and knowledge in these areas?

    To be honest, I did not have one particular interest area. As a student, I was always intrigued with how every subject, whether, contract law, tort law, international law, family law or something as procedural as CPC and IPC provided for situations, issues, problems and conflict areas. All one had to do was ask questions. The problems were already thought of, anticipated and provided for through a statute or a provision, which was always further, supplemented, debated and interpreted by the several interesting case laws. However, if I was to pick, I would say that I am particularly fond of contract law. The love started ever since I studied Section 27 and continues to date when we end up defending agreements and contracts in litigation.

     

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    What is your take on academics? How important do you say is a good CGPA for an illustrious career?

    Pune is a lovely city which ensured that college life was never just about academics. In addition to studies, five years at law school were characterised by living independently, making friends, understanding ones likes and dislikes, developing hobbies and having a lot of fun. When it comes to grades, though not one of the toppers, I would say that I managed just fine, never being on either extreme end of the spectrum.

    Personally speaking, I acknowledge that really high grades do help you get identified by a third party, usually an interviewer. However, I believe that good grades are a limited measure of how intelligent an individual is, or how successful he or she would be in his career. Good grades are a combination of multiple factors, including ones temperament on the day of the examination, manner of assessment, type of questions and sometimes even the speed in which one writes, whereas success at workplace depends on understanding your basics, knowing fundamentals, people skills, sincerity and diligence. The two should not be interrelated and everyone should focus on knowing what one claims to know thoroughly well.

     

    How did you go about securing your internships?

    I must admit that internships weren’t the easiest to secure. However, the ones that I managed were a combined effort of persistent planning, fretting, good seniors, decent contacts, an almost functional placement cell and some luck.

     

    You have publications in various renowned journals. How should one go about writing papers and getting the same published?

    Write papers when you are genuinely interested in a topic. Quality over quantity is always the rule. If you have identified your interest area, explore issues and angles surrounding it. Ask questions, formulate opinions, analyse existing material, learn about the topic and become slightly better at it than you were before writing the paper. With regards to avenues for publishing your article, lookup online websites and keep a track of conferences and seminars, journals and call for publications from colleges and other institutions.

     

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    Soon after graduation, you joined ICICI Bank as an Associate. How did your appointment take place? What worked for you in securing the job?

    I managed securing a job with ICICI Bank on day zero of placements in July 2011. That year the Bank had picked up 6 of us from close to 72 of us who sat for the placements. There was a two tier selection process comprising of group discussion and a personal interview. One has to understand that working your way through an interview involves explaining concepts and convincing a third person of your point of view rather than just quoting verbatim something from the textbooks. What worked for me, in securing my job, was a combination of focus, composure and knowing my basics well. Having a predetermined goal, coupled with drive and the confidence to push through difficult situations does leave an impact on the interviewer. Knowing your basics well and understanding concepts, seals the deal.

     

    How does your typical work day go at ICICI? What were the obstacles and challenges you faced during the initial days of job?

    My time at ICICI Bank has been fairly rewarding and the work that I have done has managed to keep me engaged and teach me something new every once in a while. The biggest benefit of being an in-house lawyer is that one deals with the commercial as well as the legal aspects of a deal which ends up being more practical and less theoretical, and helps us as transaction lawyers look at the bigger picture. One ends up reading balance sheets, understanding concepts like EBITDA, credit rating and a host of other commercial factors in addition to the legal documentation. I work for the corporate banking group and the special structuring group within the bank. Thus, my work involves documentation and ancillary issues with respect to sourcing new clients as well as focusing on accounts that may be classified as a non-performing asset and working towards restructuring the bank’s exposure in such clients.

    A typical work day at ICICI involves, negotiating with clients and with business groups within the bank who source the clients, finalising documentation, adhering to processes and meeting monthly and quarterly deadlines. Litigations involving recovery and other civil matters, coordinating with external counsels are some other aspects of work that keep us occupied.

    The challenges one may face during the initial days at work may range from settling down in a new city, to understanding your work profile, to dealing with people within and outside your team, to meeting deadlines. What needs to be remembered is that most of the issues are transient in nature and usually not as stressful as they may seem.

     

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    Any tips on how one should go about framing a C.V. and prepare for an interview?

    It may sound cliché, but its best to keep one’s CV simple. Focus on quality more than quantity and ensure that you only put your best foot forward and highlight your accomplishments, and accolades. It may also be advisable to customise your CV to suit the job you are applying for.

    With regards to interviews, it’s important to remember that having a well drafted CV is only the first step. Ensure that you are well prepared to answer and discuss anything that you have mentioned in your CV. Have opinions, remember concepts and remain composed. Confidence and composure are appealing attributes in an individual. Lastly, not even the interviewer expects you to be a walking encyclopaedia. Be sincere in what you have written and what you are trying to convey, the rest usually follows.

     

    How is the work environment as an in-house counsel different from other disciplines of law?

    To be honest, I have only worked with ICICI and thus would not be able to comment with authority on the work environments in law firms. ICICI bank as an organisation has a strong value system in place, which ensures that each employee is treated with respect. The bank follows an open door policy when it comes to addressing one’s grievances and every employee is encouraged to speak up if he feels the need to. I have heard of difficult people and difficult situations, people end up facing in law firms. However, I believe that this is too broad an issue to generalise. There are good days, and there are bad days. There are the difficult people, the self-absorbed people and the ones who are working against a deadline. That being said, a formal framework stipulating acceptable behaviour towards your juniors and seniors, does work in favour of organisations.

     

    How important do you now find your research skills?

    Ignorance of law is no excuse. As lawyers, it is important to stay abreast with the latest rulings and updates in the field of your work. While the frequency may differ, it is crucial to hone your research skills since they will always be of help at any stage of your career.

     

    How has been your experience working with interns? What do you think differentiates a good intern from the rest?

    The kind of attitude with which an intern approaches work really, works in their favour or against them. Enthusiasm, diligence and being earnest at what you do never fail to make a positive impression. Try understanding the bigger picture, get involved and have a good time. Internships are the perfect opportunities to pick up work related experiences; build your people skills, make mistakes, ask questions, understand job roles, all with limited accountability.

     

    Many people believe that working as an in-house counsel affords more work-life balance and is less demanding. Would you agree?

    After 5 years of law school, achieving work life balance, whether as an in-house counsel or as a law firm associate, does take some getting used to along with coping with the pressures of your daily job. Relatively speaking, working as an in-house counsel does afford greater scope for maintaining and sustaining the balance. That however, does not make the job less demanding, at least till you are getting paid for it. It is essential to take time out for yourself and do things that you truly enjoy doing. That more often than not makes up for the slogging.

     

    What are the tips you would like to share with our readers who are mainly students?

    • Enjoy your time at a law school. It truly is the time to have fun, make memories, friends and mistakes.
    • Plan a little and take time out to dream what you want to become in life (or at the end of five years), work towards it and be flexible.
    • Enjoy the journey rather than always worrying about what is to come. There is ample stress to follow. Take less stress when you can.
    • Develop hobbies and find your niche. There is nothing more fulfilling than doing your own thing in your own time. It will serve you well when you seek work life balance.
    • Take risks, and break a few rules. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s mostly ok.

     

  • Parineeta Srivatsa, Associate, ALMT Legal, on LL.M from NUS and Corporate Law

    Parineeta Srivatsa, Associate, ALMT Legal, on LL.M from NUS and Corporate Law

    Parineeta Srivatsa graduated from Symbiosis Law School in 2011, and thereafter she had the opportunity to pursue higher studies from the National University of Singapore. While at law school she had huge achievements in mooting. She also has rich experience of interning at top-tier Indian and foreign law firms. After returning to India, she joined MD&T Partners as an Associate. Later, she switched over to ALMT Legal.

    We asked her to share:

    • Her experience while pursuing an LL.M from National University of Singapore
    • Internship experience at foreign law firms including Allen & Overy and Allen & Gledhill
    • Work at ALMT Legal

     

    When did you decide to take up law as a career? Being a law student, were you only focused on academics? How was the academic pressure?

    I chose a career in law as a matter of elimination. I’m a first generation lawyer in my family and had no background in law apart from a general (albeit misinformed) idea from Perry Mason and John Grisham novels and the Practice marathons. I was always interested in civics, administration and constitutional studies (as part of history) in high school. In the 11th Grade, I chose to opt out of science and engineering and chose to study accounts, economics and political science. Over the course of the two years, law became a career choice and with the support of my family, the right choice. Symbiosis Law School was a game changer. In those five years, I developed a synchronous relationship with everything life in law school had to offer and the learning and un-learning that I did in those five years were the most crucial towards contributing to where I am today.

    I imbibed and absorbed everything I could from what was taught, discussed and happening around me. I will cherish my time there the most. Academics weren’t the only focus but a lot of emphasis was paid to the same. Unlike school, undergraduate school suddenly burdens you with the responsibility to make your own decisions and this takes a while to get used to. The academic pressure, too, depends on how much you opt to do and how self driven you are. I had a great support system to make sure I stayed grounded and focussed despite the million distractions per minute.

     

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    How was your LL.M experience from National University of Singapore? Did you always have higher studies in your mind? If not, what motivated you to go in for the same?

    The LL.M. at National University of Singapore was fascinating for me in every aspect. Renowned and accomplished professors, state of the art facilities, new country, hard working and dedicated students and challenging colleagues were just some of the many facets to my year in Singapore. I was more motivated than ever before to make the most of my year there and the facilities available at my disposal. The teaching style at NUS was more discussion based and there was abundant reading to be done for each class to encourage students and professors alike to bounce ideas off one and other. Focus was on peer review rather than peer to peer competition. The professors stimulate the discussions as moderators providing direction, valuable inputs, insights and opinions on a range of topics. This was different than what I’d been used to in class in India. Personally, I found writing papers more challenging than writing exams because I had to modify / un-learn my working style in order to cope with the level of detail and analyses required for each module.

    An LL.M. was always on my mind. As an undergraduate student, I was given an introduction to all fields of law and I wanted to hone my interest in corporate and business laws with further in-depth studies on the topics and gain a global perspective on the same. I ended up making some great friends and memories in the process, as well.

     

    During your days at Symbiosis and NUS, you interned with various foreign law firms like E Line Ventures, Joyce A Tan Partners and Allen & Gledhill. How are these foreign firms different from top-tier Indian law firms?

    My first foreign internship was with a children’s educational games based company in New York called E-Line Ventures. It was a small company and quite an informal environment with many creative and dynamic people. I was their only in-house legal intern at the time and I would help with research on Intellectual Property Laws, the Children’s Online Protection Policy Act and basic trademark searches. While at NUS, I had the opportunity to work with local Singaporean firms as well as foreign firms based in Singapore. From my experience on both sides of the fence, I would say that the integration into a firm and the amount of responsibility in terms of work is more qualitative in Indian firms than in foreign firms. Having said that, foreign firms are more systematic in the training provided to interns.  Associates and partners often conduct training sessions / seminars in the different fields of law and provide a general insight into the field of law that interns would be working in during the tenure of their internships.

     

    Could you please share with us on applications for internship and interviews, especially with foreign law firms?

    A strong yet crisp C.V., internships, especially in your area of interest, published articles / papers, if any, knowing your C.V. inside out (which is why it is important to have specific points and areas you’ve researched on in your C.V. instead of a general overview on the topic), and most importantly, confidence and a calm demeanour. When it comes to interviews, experience is the best tutor. Re-evaluating each interview after it’s done and picking up on all those points that I thought I’d not answered or could’ve answered better has always worked for me in the past. Also, honesty and sincerity is paramount. An interviewer will know immediately if you’re trying to guess the answer to a question you’re uncertain about.

     

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    You have also interned at Allen and Overy as an intern. Given that you had already graduated and were pursuing Masters what sort of work did you get? How would you say your legal education helped you in this internship?

    At Allen and Overy my scope of work involved drafting / reviewing closing documents and options agreements and management services agreements, among others. I attended training programs on banking transactions and general corporate and mergers and acquisitions transactions. These helped in future assignments as I wasn’t completely thrown off guard when trying to grasp agreements, jargon and more importantly, the reasoning behind the same. I also researched on enforceability of non-compete and restraint to trade clauses under Singapore laws. My LL.M. was in corporate finance and business laws, so I was equipped with a basic understanding of financial and transactional concepts in law. This helped me in some of the areas of research I was expected to do during the tenure of my internships. I also had a few practical sessions in NUS where corporate lawyers from renowned firms would provide us with problems mimicking day-to-day transactional law situations. These helped a great deal in understanding documents from a transactional perspective for future interviews and work.

     

    Do you think it makes sense to students to go overseas to study law when they want to practice in India?

    I have been asked this question many times and my answer is, monetarily and as a value add to your C.V. you can get into a top law firm without an LL.M. and more often than not people have. But purely from an academic standpoint, it is definitely a value add in terms of academic depth and learning. Further, due to flexibility, it provides you with an opportunity to explore subjects that you wouldn’t normally learn in an undergraduate degree. This may have opened doors for people who didn’t think they’d be interested in that particular field / subject of law. One of the optional modules I signed up for during my LL.M. was entertainment and celebrity law, with no background or interest in the field. It turned out to be the most interesting and engaging modules that semester. These, from an academic standpoint, may open doors for a prospective student that he/she otherwise wouldn’t have foreseen.

     

    For those students who are planning to go for higher studies, what do you think would be better- going right after graduation or going after having gained some work experience?

    I would suggest considering an LL.M. after a couple of years of work experience. Having said that, going right after your undergraduate studies has its advantages. You’re still inclined to learn and you’ve gotten used to studying and facing and tackling academic pressure. Many peers who’ve intended to break off for an LL.M after a couple of years of working have not been able to do so due to many reasons, including but not limited to secure jobs and steady incomes.

     

    Currently, you are working as an Associate as ALMT Legal. What prompted you to make this choice? What kind of work and responsibilities does an Associate at ALMT Legal generally deal with?

    I was a lateral hire in ALMT Legal from MD&T Partners. I had wonderful teachers in MD&T Partners and in my short time there I was able to absorb more than I had expected to, thanks to their guidance. Thereafter, I made the shift to ALMT Legal as I found the same to be more streamlined with my interests. My work at ALMT Legal ranges from everyday general corporate research to private equity and mergers and acquisition transactions. I enjoy working in ALMT Legal and don’t think of the work environment with dread. This is important for anyone who intends to develop a career in corporate law. It is as interesting as you make it. And thus far, in ALMT Legal, with the support of a fantastic team, I have been given responsibilities and have interesting work coming my way so I stay engaged and focussed.

     

    What is the current scenario of studying corporate law as a career option in India? What are the key qualities one should posses for becoming a corporate lawyer?

    I see courses and seminars and other reading material being offered every other day for practical courses in corporate law. It is definitely a good time to enter the field as a corporate lawyer as India is looking to emerge as a global and market-friendly economy. As regards key qualities, I would say reading and keeping abreast of developments in any field of law, whether by self or through discussions with colleagues and peers and using the resources available at one’s disposal are some of the ways in which one may have an edge over others.

     

    Do you ever feel that you missed out on the fun part of your college life?

    Symbiosis Law School ensured that fun was never neglected. As for managing with academics and ‘extra-curricular activities’, I was surrounded by brilliant peers who knew exactly how to manage that. We were young and malleable and learnt to inspire, challenge, and push each other’s limits without realising how much of it we were involuntarily absorbing for the better.

     

    Last but not least, what’s next for you?

    Exploring and pursuing interests and learning inside and outside of work. Knowledge is easily accessible these days so if you don’t know something, you have only yourself to blame. I also enjoy scuba diving, driving and travelling and discovering new places, things and people and I intend to continue to explore that as well.

  • Tulika Chakraborty, Associate at Kochhar & Co. on Corporate Law and Law Firms

    Tulika Chakraborty, Associate at Kochhar & Co. on Corporate Law and Law Firms

    Tulika Chakraborty graduated from Symbiosis Law School in 2011. She has an enviable academic record and an excellent series of internships at top law firms. During law school, she participated in various co-curricular activities including moot court competitions, debates, and conferences. She also has a couple of publications to her name. Currently, she works as an Associate at Kochhar & Co.

    In this interview, she talks about:

    • Importance of co-curricular activities like mooting, etc.
    • Appointment and work experience at Kochhar & Co.

     

    How will you introduce yourself to our readers? What motivated you to choose law as a career?

    Hi, I am Tulika Chakraborty, a corporate lawyer associated with Kochhar & Co. and an alumnus of Symbiosis Law College.

    Well, I was always charmed by the mad pace, responsibility and the glamour that comes with the legal profession. Further, with the Indian economy opening still on the upside and huge potential for growth due to liberalisation and globalisation, there seemed to be a lot of scope in the field of transactions and hence the need for corporate lawyers in the foreseeable future. To add to that, my father’s dream and motivation boosted the zeal to reach this point of success in life.

     

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    Tell us about your college life? What all activities did you participate in?

    I have always been a consistent student in college, trying to balance my course and extra curriculars. I have pursued two diploma courses from Symbiosis Law School, in addition to my regular law degree. I have been a part of certain committees and participated in programs organised by my college from time to time. College life at Symbiosis was fulfilling and has tremendously helped me grow into a comprehensive adult. I guess a good college life includes academics and life experiences.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing your skills and knowledge in these areas?

    I was always interested in foreign exchange laws. However, we did not have that as a subject back in college. It were my stints as an intern with various law firms that gave me my first true exposure to the practical side of law and it was during that time that I became sure of the area of my interest in foreign exchange laws and corporate laws. Reading articles on foreign exchange laws issued by various law firms and magazines like yours have also guided me all through the way.

     

    How was your experience serving various student committees at SLS?

    So I was a part of this committee engaged in the upliftment of rural children by way of spreading awareness regarding the necessity of primary education for children. As a part of the committee, we would visit villages etc., gather information regarding the literacy rate amongst the children, income level of a family, child labour etc. We would thereafter educate them on the necessity of having their children educated and refrain from making children work. We would also get in touch with various NGOs, obtain necessary financial assistance and provide help to the children by way of purchasing books, stationeries etc. Being a part of committees helps one to understand and deal with people having different mind sets and perceptions. This in turn helps one to become a team player, which is a crucial requirement of any profession.

     

    What do you have to say about mooting and publications? Do they have any ‘bonus’ value when seeking jobs?

    Mooting and writing journals at law school is always good since it helps one improve upon his/her research, drafting and debating abilities. These are very important skills that a lawyer is expected to possess. In my view, such co-curricular activities do have a bonus value when graduates seek jobs since it reflects a person’s passion and zeal for the legal profession.

     

    After graduation you joined Kochhar & Co. It’s been three and half years of your work experience in corporate law. What would you say contributes to the high attrition rate of the top law firms?

    I was interning with Kochhar & Co. in my last year of college and bagged a pre-placement offer there. I have got a brilliant exposure here. I believe the work environment can be difficult as times and the inabilities to handle the work pressure contribute to the high attrition rate amongst the top law firms.

     

    Many lawyers say that years of practice can make a person adept at any discipline of law. How far would you say it is true? What was the case in your situation?

    I don’t believe that is true at all. It all depends upon the exposure a person gets and his/her willingness to learn. This can happen within a couple of years of being in the industry and might not happen after years of experience as well.

    At Kochhar, I primarily handle transactions and general corporate commercial matters. In addition to this, I have got opportunities to handle real estate, insurance, employment and labour matters etc. I have got a brilliant exposure in all non-litigation matters which has helped me build my understanding of the field I seek enjoyment while working and gather a basic understanding of all practice areas at the same time.

     

    What all does your profile at Kochhar & Co. encompass?

    As I mentioned earlier, I am primarily a part of the transactions and general corporate and commercial team. When there are transactions being handled by my company, my job is to focus on those. However, I otherwise deal in commercial documentation, corporate secretarial matters, labour and employment etc.

     

    How is real legal work different from those portrayed in popular soap operas? Are there any misconceptions which law students hold?

    It is different experience to work as an intern and as a lawyer. As an intern, one is mainly entrusted with research work and one doesn’t have any responsibility towards clients etc. Once one starts working, one becomes answerable for everything one says or writes. One begins handling clients and it gives a different level of satisfaction and happiness.

    On the misconception front, I don’t think I had any major/crippling misconception but with time I have come across people who during their college tenure believe that legal profession is similar to what is shown in Boston Legal and Suits (the famous soap operas). Sooner they get ready for the grind the better.

     

    What do you think differentiates a good intern from the rest

    I believe sincerity is a very important quality which one must possess. Interns, who ask for work, research well and come back with accurate answers based on appropriate legal provisions and judicial precedents make a difference and improve his or her chances of absorption as a lawyer.

     

    Life for law-firms can be very hectic at times. How do you unwind?

    Well honestly, at Kochhar, we have sufficient work life balance. I believe in fitness and working out. I love to cook as well. All these activities act as a stress buster for me.

     

    Where do you see yourself five years from now?

    I see myself as a General Counsel of an MNC.

     

    Lastly, what would be your parting message for our readers?

    Jeremy Bentham had once said – “Lawyers are the only persons in whom ignorance of the law is not punished.” I believe as lawyers, it is important for us to keep abreast of the latest legal developments. One should strive to keep themselves regularly updated with the latest legal developments happening in our respective fields.

     

  • Arijeet Mukherjee, Associate at Khaitan & Co. on being an ideal student and law firm atmosphere

    Arijeet Mukherjee, Associate at Khaitan & Co. on being an ideal student and law firm atmosphere

    Arijeet Mukherjee graduated from Symbiosis Law School, with a gold medal as the class topper of his batch (batch 2012). While maintaining Rank 1, he won various moot court competitions and has multiple publications to his credit during his five years in law school. As a law student he has been quite active and participated in many debates, MUNs and conferences.By the time he graduated, he had received a PPO from Khaitan & Co

    We have taken this opportunity to ask him about the several decisive moments in his career amongst other things including:

    • Maintaining grades
    • Acing moot court competitions
    • Securing a PPO at Khaitan & Co.

     

    arijeet-mukherjee-2How did you gravitate towards Law? Tell us about your college life at Pune. What all activities did you partake in?

    I had a keen interest in matters that impacted the society and law was simply one of them; an option which I could take up as a profession. Looking back, the choice of going to law school was more than anything else, a leap of faith and as it turned out it was an excellent experience.

    Pune is one of the most fun cities to be living in as a student and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. College life was not just about academics at any point of time, the whole experience of living independently with friends and making the most of it was extraordinary. All in all, college life at Symbiosis was definitely an exciting and memorable one.

    I was involved in various extra-curricular activities and represented the college in Philip C Jessups, Raj Anand and M S Rammiah moot court competitions. I also participated in the HR and RCPNE Model United Nations. However, the activity closest to my heart was the Make a Difference project, which I was involved in as a part of the Human Rights Cell of the college, wherein I used to teach drawing to children who used to live in a nearby slum.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing expertise and knowledge in these areas?

    I was in a peculiar position where I did not have any one particular area / subject of interest per se, some aspects of quite a few subjects really interested me. For instance, I was not particularly keen on intellectual property rights law, but the aspect of pharmaceutical patents was something that really evoked interest. Overall, I can say that no one single area interested me the most, it was eclectic mix of subjects, topics and ideas which fascinated me.

    In this regard, to develop a better understanding of my likings and gain experience, I interned at quite a few places. These internships gave me an exposure to different fields and organisations. I learnt as much in my internships as I did in college, perhaps even more.

     

    You were one of the most exceptional students at Symbiosis Law School. You bagged a Gold medal for being the batch topper. Please give us a few actionable tips on managing higher grades.

    Grades are an important part of law school life, particularly if you are looking towards a future in corporate or law firms, so grades were definitely on my priority list. However, the cliché law exam clearing method of mugging answers never appealed to me. I had quite a few friends in law school, who spent months and weeks mugging answers and more often than not they were successful in getting good grades, but that was not something that I could have ever possibly succeeded in doing.

    My method of achieving high grades was simply studying smart. It is not the volume of materials that you study that can help you get good grades, but it is your understanding of the concept that matters the most. The way I used to go about preparing for my exams was to first identify the important topics, then conceptually understand those topics and create my own answers in plain and simple language, rather than repeating text book answers. This not only helped me get good grades but also made me conceptually stronger and most importantly, reduced stress levels before exams.

    One has to realise that the manner and method of studying is a personal matter and what suits one in all probability will not suit the other. No one can claim that one method is the best and the other a failure, I believe that everyone should find a way to study that they are most comfortable with and not get tensed over what others are doing. In these matters, it is best that you prepare on your own terms and not let others stress you out.

     

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    You have been the Recipient of various scholarship and awards including Ram Jethmalani Scholarship for Excellence in Law of Evidence, Advocate S K Jain scholarship for topper in B.B.A.LL.B, Advocate Nani Palkhiwala Memorial Trust Award for Excellence in Constitutional Law. How did you go about achieving this?

    As far as the Ram Jethmalani scholarship and Nani Palkhiwala scholarship go, I had developed an interest for topics of constitutional law and evidence law. It was due to this interest that I ended up studying these subjects in greater detail and that was perhaps the reason I was able to receive these scholarships. For the Advocate S K Jain scholarship, I owe it to the study pattern I followed throughout law school of studying smart and not mugging. I must admit that achieving these accolades was not an easy task, but then when one is interested in it the task does not seem uphill.

     

    You have publications in various renowned journals. How should one go about writing papers and getting the same published?

    Publications are definitely a way to gain visibility and put out your work for others to view. However, the trend of publishing something for having a fuller CV is not something I believe in. One should not write for filling up columns in one’s CV, but one should most definitely put pen to paper if one is genuinely interested in the topic.Needless to say that the quality of the article depends on the research one puts in. One important thing to bear in mind is that the articles written should not be generic “gyaan”, but the topic should be distinct and innovative, such that it arouses interest. Even if the topic is general in nature, strive to put that one additional thing that will make your article different from the others.

    As for publishing the articles, there are immense opportunities available online, I highly recommend a thorough regular check on the internet for publication opportunities. The regular publishing hotspots usually have an overflow of interest but the unconventional ones or ones lesser known in India are the ones which must also be explored.

     

    Soon after graduation, you joined Khaitan & Co. as an Associate, how did your appointment take place? What worked for you in securing the job?

    I was selected for a one month internship at Khaitan & Co, Mumbai through college. I had interned in the month of March, which typically is a mad rush season for corporate law firms as it is the financial year end. This effectively meant that even as an intern I was exposed to some big ticket transactions and got opportunity to work on some quality matters. I thoroughly enjoyed my internship experience and based on the feedback, after a brief interview, I was offered a PPO in my fourth year.

    Some of the most important factors that helped me get the PPO were my internship feedback, my grades and my previous internships experiences. As an associate now, I think one additional factor which is considered deeply is one’s attitude. Usually interns are simply judged by their sincerity at work, this sincerity only comes if you are enjoying the experience of interning. My earnest advice in this regard is to enjoy the internships as an experience and you will in all probability do well.

     

    Any tips on how one should go about framing a C.V. and prepare for an interview?

    Keep the CV short and simple, usually no one reads more than a page. Highlight what you think are your big accolades / accomplishments and sieve out the minuscule ones. It is wise to tailor your CV as per the organisation you are applying to, so that the potential employer sees synergy between what they do and what you can offer.

    As far as an interview is concerned, in my experience the most important factor is likeability. One must come across as a likeable person, whom the potential employer would like to hire and make a part of his existing team. This likeability can never be faked, so one must not try to appear something he is not and one must be absolutely comfortable in one’s own skin. Confidence is another appealing factor, if one is not sure about one’s own answer, rest assured he is paving a way for a few very difficult questions ahead. In case you do not know something, admit it and tell the interviewer your limited knowledge on the topic in a confident manner. Some basic technical skills must be polished before the interview, which would off course depend on where you are interviewing.

     

    Many lawyers would say that the actual learning takes place in the years of practice. How far would you say it is true? What was the case in your situation?

    Unfortunately, it is absolutely true generally and specifically in my case as well. You soon realise that what you learn on internships and on the job was nothing like what you were taught in law school. This gap between class room teaching and real life practice is unfortunate and the system of theoretical teaching has to undergo a change so that we have more street smart lawyers. Till the time the system changes, as a student one can greatly enhance one’s learning curve by interning as much at as many different places and organisations as possible.

     

    It’s been more than two years of your work experience in corporate law. What would you say contributes to the high attrition rate of the top law firms?

    There are many factors such as stress, pressure, seniors, larger life callings etc. However, the biggest factor that pushes one over the edge is when one stops enjoying what one does. So work in an organisation as long as you enjoy working there, else move on to what you like doing.

     

    In these two years you must have guided a lot of interns at Khaitan & Co. What do you think differentiates a good intern from the rest?  How can an intern make a positive impression in the limited time they have?

    I believe that a good intern is different from the rest on account of his sincerity. This is not to be confused with face time or perceptions, when intern is given a task he should try doing it to the best of his abilities and that all there is to it. Interns are allowed to and even expected to make mistakes.

    I personally have worked with quite a few interns, and have a personal liking for those students who are here to have fun and enjoy their internship experience. I think a fun and relaxed working attitude definitely creates a positive impression.

     

    Life for lawfirmites can be very hectic at times. What is your take on work-life balance? How do you unwind?

    I have to admit that I am struggling with that. As is well known, college life at Symbiosis is very different from work life and it takes some time to get used to working in a law firm. Work levels and stress levels cross danger marks quite often,so one really needs to take a break regularly. As far as unwinding goes, college life at Symbiosis has equipped all of us pretty well on that front.

     

    What would be your parting message to law students who want to be successful in corporate law?

    For being successful in corporate law, you do not need to dwell yourself in books, enjoy the experiences of interning and learning new things. Look out for stuff that interests you and pursue them, and most of all do only those things that you like. This quotation from Warren Buffet pretty much sums it up:

    “There comes a time when you ought to start doing what you want. Take a job that you love. You will jump out of bed in the morning. I think you are out of your mind if you keep taking jobs that you don’t like because you think it will look good on your resume. Isn’t that a little like saving up sex for your old age?”

  • Sonakshi Kapoor on application and getting selected for the LAMP fellowship

    Sonakshi Kapoor on application and getting selected for the LAMP fellowship

    Sonakshi Kapoor graduated in BBA.LL.B from Symbiosis Law School, Pune in 2013. She had joined as a Junior Associate at A. U. Khan & Associates and had mainly worked in litigation matters. In 2014, she applied for the Legislative Assistant to Member of Parliament (“LAMP”) fellowship, her application was accepted along with only 42 others among more than 1200 applicants.

    She tells us in details about:

    • The application procedure, dos and donts in order to get selected
    • Working with legislators and drafting private member bills and assisting them
    • Experience gathered from the LAMP fellowship

     

    How would you describe your childhood and pre – college life as well as educational background? Did you have lawyers in your family who motivated you to pursue a career in legal field?

    I spent a substantial part of my school life in a boarding school in Mussoorie. The day I declared to my parents that I had decided to study law (I was still in the 10th Grade) they were left confused and quickly dismissed it as a phase. We had no lawyers in my family, except a first cousin of my father, but growing up in a boarding school ensured a very limited interaction with my extended family. So there was no one toinspire me or eventually guide me through a legal career.  It was altogether a scary thought for my parents especially when I decided to go all the way to Pune from Noida to get a degree in law.

     

    What inclined you towards the field of legal education? Do you reckon any specific incident that made you choose law as a career?

    Growing up in a boarding school, my access to the internet or the TV was so limited that it was almost non-existent. Books were the only source of recreation and inspiration for me. By the time I was 15 and meddling with the possibilities for my future (even contemplated being an astronaut or an archaeologist), I had already drowned myself in dozens of writings and books on women rights, particularly in the Middle East. The fact that a law alone could prescribe or curtail the freedom of an individual and influence life had struck me hard and was pushing me to pursue a career that would simply empower me. Hence, Law.

     

    Tell us about your law school life, how instrumental was Symbiosis Law School, Pune in shaping up your legal career? Did you grow an interest towards policy making in law school itself?

    Moving to Pune defined a very important phase in my life and my five years in that city have been instrumental in shaping the kind of person I am today. Symbiosis Law School, despite its small campus (the college has a bigger campus now), did manage to offer an education befitting a good law school of our country. We had defined hours and a plethora of subjects to study. This not only ensured that we read and understood almost all important central legislations but we also had ample time to participate in extracurricular activities.

    It was through a pamphlet on the college notice board that I read about the LAMP fellowship and how it offered a platform for young aspirants to participate in the policy making process. I applied for it in 2013 itself, however due to the recent Lok Sabha Elections the fellowship was deferred. My professors in college, who were also helping me with my LAMP application, helped me list out other similar career options that I could apply to. But I decided to practise law and apply for the fellowship a year later.

     

    You have worked with Senior Advocates and at National Commissions including the NHRC. Any remarkable internship experience which shaped up your career? How would you recommend students to go about choosing their internships?

    Every internship gave me an opportunity to experience something absolutely different. And I am grateful for all experiences, especially the bad ones for they helped me decide on what not to pursue, for instance from my internship at Bajaj, I knew I was not the right fit for a desk job at a corporate house. During my internship with a senior advocate, I was star struck. I learnt a lot but also gathered from my peers and seniors on how difficult a successful career in litigation was especially when you don’t come from a family of lawyers. However litigation is, without doubt, the more exciting career path and even as a LAMP fellow, I sometimes do miss attending courts (even though my practise lasted a year). As a law student, one should not hesitate to intern anywhere and everywhere. It is equally important to intern in a law firm or a company as it is to intern in a district court. However it would be helpful to achieve some clarity during the last two years of your law school, so you can only focus on the work that you would want to eventually do.

     

    Being a LAMP (Legislative Assistants to Members of Parliament) fellow is a great achievement indeed – you were selected over 1200 applications that were received this year. What all did you have to do in order to get selected?

    The selection process involves filing out an application form with a Statement of Purpose and a brief note on a recent policy or law. While I breezed through my Statement of Purpose, my biggest challenge was the policy synopsis.  I analysed the 2013 legislation on food security and had a tough time battling with the 500 word limit for there was much to say. The Food Security Act is a very controversial law with very conflicting opinions on its implementation and success. However multiple revisions later, I was happy with my note and submitted my application a day before the actual deadline. I was lucky enough to be called in for an interview at the PRS office (PRS also conducts interviews via skype for outstation applicants). The Panel interviewed me on the basis of my resume and my policy note and to adjudge my interest in public policy, my understanding of the fellowship, and my future goals. I was able to aptly respond to almost all the questions except a few to which I admitted having no knowledge of. Overall the interview did go well and I eventually received a mail admitting me to the Fellowship.

     

    How does one apply for the LAMP fellowship? What are your suggestions to people who aspire to become a LAMP fellow?

    The application process generally begins by April and the deadlines are also released. The general information on the fellowship such as eligibility criteria, selection process, stipend etc., is available on http://lamp.prsindia.org/thefellowship. The Application form is also available on the website and clearly specifies the procedure for filling and submitting the form. If you wish to apply for the fellowship, then you should start keeping a tab on the everyday working of the Parliament including the bills which are introduced or eventually enacted and issues which are discussed (for instance the crisis of black money was recently debated). Once the deadlines are released, start working on your policy note by listing at least 2-3 topics that you would want to analyse and eventually decide on the policy synopsis that you would want to submit. While writing your statement of purpose, try to put down concise information relevant to your achievements and your interest in public policy and the fellowship. Do submit your application few days before the actual deadline for you may face a lot of issues with the website at the eleventh hour, with many applicants trying to submit their applications.

     

    LAMP fellowship provides an excellent opportunity to interact with Legislators at a personal level, and to understand the policy process. What have you learned in your stint as an LAMP fellow?

    As a law student and then as a lawyer, my most basic achievement was understanding our legal and political structure and as a LAMP fellow, I have continued this learning process. I have dedicated my time and potential to the cause of a Member of Parliament by contributing towards his policy and legislative debates and other Parliamentary interventions (including drafting a bill) which I know will have an impact –in a small way – on the laws and policies of tomorrow. The magnitude of this responsibility alone has been the biggest learning experience for me.

     

    Please tell us about the kind of work a LAMP Fellow is required to do in a typical workday.

    A typical work day (when the Parliament is in session) involves framing and submitting Parliamentary Questions, Matters of Urgent Public importance that my MP would want to raise in the Parliament and working on supplementary interventions. The biggest task is meeting all the deadlines set out by the Parliamentary Secretariat and complying with its procedural requirements which are very similar to the filing process in courts. The interventions and questions often revolve on issues related to the constituency of my MP. It’s a small contribution to my MP’s work but it keeps his mind free and helps him take up larger issues.

    When the Parliament is not in session, work generally revolves around preparing for the next session, drafting private member bills, working on speeches that my MP is required to deliver on various platforms, and attending workshops and training sessions organised by PRS.

     

    Do you have any interesting experience whilst being a LAMP fellow which you would like to share?

    As a LAMP fellow everyday offers a different experience. Even though I function within the confines of a schedule and various deadlines, no two days are alike. However rather than an interesting experience, I would like to share an important moment as a fellow which was when my MP raised an issue drafted by me, for the very first time, in the Parliament. It was an intervention (supplementary question) on preserving the language and culture of tribes in Kerala and it taught me the magnitude of my responsibility and of the consequences.

     

    Do you have any plans to pursue higher education in the future?

    I do wish to pursue a Masters in Public Administration and I am in the middle of shortlisting colleges and universities abroad for my higher education. In the coming months, I will begin with my application process including taking the necessary tests. I would want to eventually work as a forerunner in the framing and implementation of policies and projects that resolve important societal problems.

     

    Is there any message you would like to share with our readers?

    You should be strong and stubborn in what you want to pursue despite all resistance. Even if it is a different career path, don’t hesitate to explore it but have the courage to make mistakes for they are inevitable and sometimes the best teacher. Studying law can be tedious and monotonous mostly but it is indeed an exciting career option so be strong willed and work hard but don’t forget to have fun along the way.