Tag: Stanford

“In the coming years, I aim to contribute significantly to both the academic and practical discourse on international arbitration through publications, speaking engagements, and participation in global forums.” – Abhilasha Vij, Associate at Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP, Germany.
This interview has been published by Anshi Mudgal and The SuperLawyer Team

Coming from a commerce background, what inspired you to transition into law as a career? Were there any specific experiences or moments that steered you in this direction and set you on this remarkable path?

During my later years at school, I was inclined towards commerce and economics. However, once I started pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Delhi, I realised that I was particularly fascinated by business and company laws. I delved deeper into the subject and spoke with individuals who were pursuing careers in law. It was then that I knew this was the field I wanted to study.

In the second year of my LL.B. at the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, I encountered arbitration for the first. While interning at a law firm in Delhi, I was asked to assist with an ongoing arbitration case. Beyond providing access to an early resolution of commercial disputes, arbitration offered systematic and streamlined processes and neutrality. I was immensely impressed by the concept of an alternative forum for dispute resolution, especially in a country like India where the courts are burdened with pending litigation. This initial experience sparked my interest in becoming an arbitration practitioner.

With guidance from my mentors, I gained further experience in this field and began working as a disputes lawyer at Luthra & Luthra Law Offices.

You completed a degree of Master of International Economic Law, Business, and Policy from Stanford Law School, USA. How has this specialized education enriched your career? What aspects of the program at Stanford were particularly valuable for you, and did you encounter any challenges during your studies? How would you describe your overall experience there?

When I applied for an LL.M. at Stanford, I saw it as an option to broaden my horizons. I did not want to limit my exposure to only international arbitration. I had read about a variety of innovative courses at Stanford, such as International Business Negotiations, Regulating Artificial Intelligence, Data: Privacy, Property and Security, Facilitation, etc. I wanted to take these courses in addition to the traditional subjects and have a well-rounded experience. I am glad that my instincts paid off. For instance, International Business Negotiations involved teams from Stanford and another law school in a simulated corporate transaction over a period of three months. As an arbitration practitioner, I had never experienced the negotiation aspect of a transaction. This course provided insight into the commercial aspects of the contractual clauses that I regularly encounter in my work.

In addition to offering versatile courses, Stanford’s small class-size offered numerous opportunities to engage in rich and meaningful discussions with a brilliant set of individuals and learn more about their experiences in their respective jurisdictions. However, it was also challenging to be there. When surrounded by brilliance, it is natural to experience self-doubt at times. Fortunately, Stanford has an excellent faculty and counselors who helped me navigate these challenges.

Overall, my year at Stanford was the best investment of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed being on campus, attending classes and guest lectures, socialising with peers, and occasionally taking small trips to the beautiful parts of California!

In the early stages of your career, you worked as an associate with various firms in India. What key learning experiences from that time played a pivotal role in shaping your career trajectory? Can you recall any specific instance that was especially impactful for you?

A great benefit of studying law in Delhi was the access to full-time and part-time internships throughout most of the year. I interned at several law firms during my LL.B., which taught me many skills that are highly valued in junior lawyers. While education is crucial, having the right mentor is equally important. I was fortunate to be mentored by some of the nicest and most talented lawyers in Delhi.

I began my career as an associate with Mr. Gaurav Bahl, an excellent mentor who significantly shaped my professional path. Working with him prepared me for the next step in my career: joining a law firm. I joined Luthra & Luthra Law Offices and worked with the disputes team for the next three years. During this time, I handled arbitration matters, commercial litigation cases, and occasionally argued smaller cases in court. While it was fascinating to work on a variety of legal issues in office, it was exhilarating to argue cases before judges. Sometimes, hard work paid off in the form of favourable judgments and orders. At other times, there were invaluable lessons. To this day, working in the field of law brings me immense joy, and I would not trade it for the world.

One of the most enriching experiences at the law firm was when my partner encouraged me to handle an appeal before the Supreme Court in a matter involving complex securities law. Before addressing the legal issues, it was crucial to work closely with technical experts to understand the intricacies of the futures and options market and the role of their business. Looking back, I vividly remember how much I enjoyed working outside my comfort zone on complex legal issues and resolving them. However, achieving a favourable judgment would not have been possible without deep diving into the commercial aspects of the case. As a disputes lawyer, I believe the best results for your client can be achieved by understanding their needs and the needs of their business. Whenever I get a new case, I invest a considerable amount of time in understanding the client’s business and what a desirable outcome looks like for them.

After your time in India, you transitioned to an international practice, working with Freshfields in Dubai. How did you manage the cultural shift and navigate the complexities of international law, especially in the realm of dispute resolution? How do the legal environments in Dubai and India differ, particularly in handling arbitration and cross-border disputes?

During my LL.M., my career counsellor at Stanford encouraged me to explore global opportunities alongside my job search in the United States. The US market is challenging, and only a few firms are interested in international law graduates. I connected with several professionals, meeting arbitration practitioners over coffee in San Francisco and New York, and through virtual meetings via Zoom. During one such interaction, I came across Freshfields’ six-month trainee programme. I applied and was accepted after a couple of interviews. The programme served as a springboard for my international career. Freshfields sometimes hires from their pool of trainees, and that’s how my six-month stint turned into a full-time associate position.

Dubai is truly an international legal market. The international arbitration team comprised lawyers from different parts of the world and advised clients from several jurisdictions. The style of working was unlike what I had experienced in India, but I was fortunate to find kind and patient mentors and teammates. I worked on multi-jurisdictional arbitrations, which offered the opportunity to collaborate with local counsels from India, England, the Middle East, Australia, and other regions. On several matters, the teams included colleagues from different jurisdictions, making networking and collaborating within the firm quite easy.

It was a challenge to unlearn the traditional Indian style of drafting and embrace the US-style simple and succinct legal drafting. Moreover, the scale of the matters necessitated the use of technology, so I learned how to utilise emerging legal-tech tools to make my work more efficient. I believe it was important to approach my job with an open mind – it really makes your life easier.

A great aspect of working with an international law firm was that my work was not limited to commercial arbitration. From time to time, I engaged in investment arbitration, investigations, and non-contentious legal work. My favourite part, though, was working as a tribunal assistant in several alternative dispute resolution cases involving the International Tennis Integrity Agency and the Basketball Arbitral Tribunal.

Currently, in your role at Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP in Germany dealing in International Dispute Resolution, you handle complex international commercial arbitration and cross-border disputes. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of managing such disputes, and can you share a specific case that stands out as a significant learning experience?

I have been working at A&O Shearman since February 2024. My decision to move to Germany was motivated by personal reasons, and it was a difficult choice. I was seeking to join a team with an international practice, not limited to commercial arbitration. Over the past 14 months, I have already worked on post-M&A disputes, energy disputes, investor-state issues, and investigations.

A challenging aspect of working in the German legal market is dealing with the German language. Many contractual disputes are governed by German law, and important commentaries and case law are only available in German. Moreover, Germany is a civil law country, and the concepts can be quite different from common law. Therefore, as an arbitration lawyer, I work closely with German law experts. This collaboration provides me with an opportunity to dive into a different legal system and learn more about civil law. It is quite fascinating!

Recently, I advised on claims under a warranty and indemnity insurance in an M&A transaction. This has been a great learning experience, as I had not dealt with this issue before. It is an emerging area of disputes, and there is only limited literature on its practical aspects. As a lawyer, you must read all you can and trust your instincts. I am doing that, and it is helping me develop expertise in a niche area of law.

As someone who has built an illustrious career in international arbitration, what advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to follow a similar path? How can they position themselves early on to excel in this competitive field, and are there any specific resources or strategies you would recommend for deepening one’s knowledge of international arbitration?

First and foremost, I highly recommend gaining internship experience during your LL.B. Reading books and writing exams at law school is very different from how law functions in practice. My internships helped me realise that I wanted to specialise in dispute resolution, with a focus on arbitration.

Then, pursuing an LL.M. is a significant financial commitment. It should be viewed as an investment that may or may not yield immediate results, so it is important to remain open to all possibilities. I cannot emphasise enough on the importance of networking during your year abroad. An LL.M. is not just about studying law; it is also about developing and refining skills that will help you grow as a professional. Invest considerable time in researching law schools to find the one that meets your individual needs.

For students, I would highly recommend participating in moot court competitions. There are several arbitration-specific moot courts held both in and outside India (e.g. VIS Arbitration Moot, Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot, Sports Arbitration Moot). These competitions not only provide an opportunity to learn about arbitration in practice, but also to network with students and professionals from other cities and countries.

For young professionals, the easiest way to deepen your knowledge of international arbitration is by reading journal articles and blog posts on arbitration cases (e.g., Kluwer Arbitration, GAR) and staying updated with the developments in this field. Attending lectures and conferences on arbitration is also highly beneficial – not only for learning more about the law but also for engaging in meaningful conversations with arbitration practitioners. LinkedIn often features opportunities and scholarships to attend conferences abroad, offering a great chance to broaden your horizon before committing to an LL.M. or a job with a law firm abroad.

Given your demanding role, how do you maintain a healthy balance between your professional and personal life? Are there any hobbies or activities you engage in to relax and recharge?

Maintaining a work-life balance is a significant challenge in the legal profession. As a young professional, I often overlooked this crucial aspect. However, in recent years, I have started to take it more seriously. I greatly appreciate the work culture in Germany, where there is strong emphasis on both physical and mental well-being. This supportive environment has encouraged me to take better care of myself while continuing to excel as a lawyer.

For relaxation, I enjoy reading fiction and listening to music. Occasionally, I take holidays and plan weekend trips with family or friends to the mountains or other European cities. I also try to exercise regularly and eat healthy. Most importantly, I ensure that I take a break on weekends, unless an urgent matter requires my attention.

With such an impressive and diverse career, what do you see as the next challenge or opportunity you would like to pursue? How do you envision your career evolving over the next few years, and what legacy would you like to leave in the field of international arbitration?

As an India-qualified lawyer working with international law firms, I have had the privilege of navigating diverse legal landscapes and engaging with a variety of complex cases. The next challenge I am eager to pursue is acting as an arbitrator. In the past, I have thoroughly enjoyed being a tribunal assistant, and I am excited to experience the decision-making aspects once again.

In the coming years, I aim to contribute significantly to both the academic and practical discourse on international arbitration through publications, speaking engagements, and participation in global forums. Additionally, I aspire to mentor young lawyers, particularly those from underrepresented regions, and provide training to help them navigate the complexities of international arbitration.

Get in touch with Abhilasha Vij –
- LinkedIn
May 1, 2025
Nirupama Jayasimha, Associate, Telecom Media Tech team, Trilegal, on work and LL.M from Stanford Univ

Nirupama Jayasimha is a graduate from Bangalore University batch 2003-2008. Currently she is an associate at Trilegal, working in the Telecom, Media, Tech team. She has had a brief stint with Infosys and then she worked at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati. She has completed her LL.M. from Standford University. She has also been an Exchange Student at Université Paris X Nanterre. She shares her experience as an Exchange Student and tells us why and how an exchange programme is beneficial for a law student.

She tells us about JN Tata scholarship application and other procedures for further studies abroad. She also talks about the job opportunities available overseas.

Though it’s one of the most cliché question, but yet, why law? What were your areas of interest while you were studying law?

I come from a family of eminent lawyers and engineers. Dinner time conversations were filled with stories from the court or the latest developments in technology. This led to an interest in these fields from a very early age. My father thought I would make a better lawyer and persuaded me to take law. In the meantime, the growth of IT in Bangalore presented a unique opportunity to work at the cusp of law and technology. Most of my internships were in the legal departments of technology companies to help me understand the fundamentals of technology, business and its interaction with law.

You have been a part of Université Paris X Nanterre as an Exchange Student. How do you think such exchange programmes are beneficial for a law student? Tell us about your experience there.

When I signed up for the exchange program, apart from getting to live in Paris without paying for it, I couldn’t think of a single way the exchange program would benefit me. If anything, it seemed like opening a Pandora’s box. I had to attend classes and take exams in a language I didn’t understand well, the college administration was not sure if the courses taken in Paris would count towards graduation and I had to live away from home for eight months which I had never done before. Call it adrenaline rush, or the compulsion to be different, I just signed-up for the program. Apart from learning enough French for a lifetime, there were no immediate benefits I saw from the exchange program. It’s only much later that I reaped the benefits. While at Infosys, I worked closely with clients in France and having an idea of civil law and French was an added advantage. It may have influenced my admission to Stanford as I was one of two students in my university to have done the program. Even today, the networks I cultivated have stood me in good stead. So, I guess, my advice to anybody who wants to take up an exchange program is to go for it! Like Steve Jobs said “its only when you look back that you will be able to connect the dots”.

You have studied LL.M from Stanford University, through the J.N Tata Scholarship. Tell us in detail about the application procedure for the JN Tata scholarships and other such scholarships.

The J.N Tata scholarship requires applicants to submit a personal statement along with their application. Based on the strength of the application, candidates are shortlisted for an interview in Bombay. Candidates are interviewed by a subject-matter expert from their particular background for an hour. A week after the interview, successful applicants are intimated by mail. The final distribution of the scholarships is at a ceremony held at the Bombay House (where you may have a chance to meet Ratan Tata!). The ceremony is also attended by scholarship alumni and distinguished members of the Tata Group.

The Stanford acceptance letter comes out well past the deadline for most scholarship applications. I just made it in time for the JN Tata scholarship and that’s only because an extension was granted! However, there are a few scholarships that you can apply prior to sending out your college applications. Applying to these will ensure you don’t lose sleep after receiving the acceptance letter.

In terms of the selection process for the JN Tata Scholarship, it is hard to give a definitive answer of the traits required to bag the scholarship. My advice is that it is good to spend a few days thinking about why you want to do a LL.M, how you would use it to further your career and the interests of the society at large and then present it in your application in a compelling way. This is the most important question any scholarship panel asks and is also a defining part of the application you submit to colleges.

How was your experience with faculty and academics at Stanford University?

As a law student, I spent a lot of time reading and thinking about technology law issues like net-neutrality, P2P sharing, patent trolls, dispute resolution in e-commerce. Quite naturally, the opportunity to study at Stanford, at the bleeding edge of all the action, was an exciting prospect. And I was not disappointed at all. The Socratic method of teaching is crafted towards making you evaluate these issues by questioning the fundamentals. In addition, hearing perspectives from competing stakeholders on issues they deal with on a daily basis makes you appreciate and understand the different facets of the issue. For instance, in a panel discussion onP2P sharing, we had the ex-CEO of Napster, Hank Barry on the panel and a lawyer from Viacom. Meeting such stalwarts on a daily basis inspired me to contribute to the evolution of technology law in a meaningful way.

How is the recruitment/ placement situation for overseas students?

Well, it’s not easy to find a job. If you are looking to do an LL.M just so you may work in the US, then it may not be a wise decision. To land a job in the US, an extensive network of contacts will take you much further than a LL.M degree. When you interview for jobs after your LL.M, you are competing with JD’s. A law firm will not want to pick you ahead of a JD unless you have something a JD doesn’t. More often than not, that X-factor could be your ability to bring in work from your home country. As a general observation, I found that the network one has built in India is the most effective tool to land a job in the US.

How did you get a job as a foreign legal specialist in Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati? What kind of work did you come across?

My boss during my stint at Infosys, Samuel Mani generously referred me to a partner at Wilson with whom he worked closely. At Wilson, I worked with the Technology Transaction team which primarily worked in representing technology companies in business transactions driven by the development, use, acquisition, or divestiture of intellectual property, including licensing, mergers and acquisitions and public and private offerings. The most interesting piece of work I was involved in was preparing a memorandum for the Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher foundation on the ethics of web scraping to help prevent child trafficking. Additionally being from India, I helped in cross-border transactions involving Indian clients.

Is it easy to have a work-life balance in this profession?

I think you need to identify as early as possible, the things important to you in life and then prioritize them accordingly. For me, health, family and work are the top priorities. The most important of course is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, without which one can neither do justice to work (no pun intended!) nor spend quality time with your family. If one is disciplined, it is not hard to set aside an hour everyday for some sort of physical activity. I also don’t let work get in the way of having timely meals. As for prioritizing between family and work, it is very contextual and one cannot blindly prioritize one over the other. There are times when you may need to give up working on an important deal because you have a prior family commitment, and there are times when you have to miss a family event because you are committed to closing a deal. I think planning and being organized helps a lot in navigating this tightrope. It is also important that people at work respect your priorities and that people at home understand. I have been lucky to have a very supportive family, and colleagues at work who understand the importance of striking a work-life balance.

Is there any success mantra that you follow which you would like to share with our readers?

Howard Roark, in Fountain Head (which is my favorite book of all time) says,

“I have, let’s say, sixty years to live. Most of that time will be spent working. I’ve chosen the work I want to do. If I find no joy in it, then I’m only condemning myself to sixty years of torture. And I can find the joy only if I do my work in the best way possible to me.”

This really sums up what I believe. Any work you choose to do, do it to the best of your ability. The rest will take care of itself!

February 21, 2015
Rahul Rai, Competition/Antitrust & Trade Lawyer, AZB Partners on LL.M in International Trade Law from Stanford Law School
Rahul Rai graduated from WBNUJS, Kolkata in 2006 and got a PPO from Economic Laws Practice after interning there twice. He joined as an Associate after graduating and worked mostly on international trade and competition law matters.

In 2011, he decided to pursue an LL.M and got in at Stanford Law School in the USA. He describes his LL.M experience, talks about the world-class professors and facilities and his time as an Article Editor of the International Law Journal.

After returning to India, he joined AZB & Partners and contributed in building their competition law practice. Here, he talks about:
- Why he didn’t take up any extra-curricular activities in law school
- His experience as an Associate at Economic Laws Practice
- The biggest reason he got through to Stanford Law School, USA
- Joining AZB & Partners upon his return to India
Please tell us a bit about yourself. How would you like to be introduced to our readers?

I am a competition and international trade (WTO law) lawyer working with AZB & Partners in Bombay.

How did you come to know about the newly established WBNUJS? What helped you gravitate towards law?

Like most kids from my part of the country, I too aspired to crack the IIT-JEE. Like many, I bombed through class XI and XII and unless my parents were to buy a management quota seat in some forlorn engineering college; I stood no chance of becoming an engineer. Even if I were to get into an engineering college, I was confident about my incompetence. Throughout high school I had loved studying non-science subjects like history, economics, and civics. I fleetingly heard about Professor Madhav Menon and the National Law School in Bangalore. Law as a possible career option was becoming more and more promising- it offered the escape from sciences and also promised reasonably well-paid jobs upon graduation. The prospect of landing decent jobs helped win over my parents and their fascination of seeing their son in an IIT. The prospect of getting over the baggage of disastrous XI-XII performance (I got 2/100 in Maths in the first semester in class XI and passed my XII^th with 43/100), never to look back at sciences, studying subjects that I had enjoyed in high school and yet be hopeful of a decent job upon graduation made me zero down on law as a possible career. Thereafter, it was simple. In 2001 Google was relatively new but was catching up as a research tool. I went searching for National Law School, Bangalore and found a thread talking about Professor Menon’s move to Calcutta as the founding Vice-Chancellor of WBNUJS. I wrote the WBNUJS entrance test, got through but failed to crack the entrance to National Law School, Bangalore. So I ended up in Calcutta and WBNUJS.

How would you describe your time at WBNUJS? Did you partake in extracurricular activities?

Time at WBNUJS was fun. I entered NUJS with three other friends from school. All four of us had struggled in similar fashion to find a roof over our heads after class XII. The five years at NUJS made me cement the friendship for life. I also met some very interesting and nice people and the friendships forged during college days continue to this day. That is one of my most cherished takeaway from NUJS. Academically, when I look back, I can count 5 out of 50 subjects that were taught brilliantly. I just loved G. Ajay’s Political Science, Prof. Rudranshu Mukheerjee’s History, Prof. BS Chimni + Ms. Sheela Rai + Prof. Mritiunjoy Mohanty’s International Trade Law and M.V. Shiju’s Constitutional and Competition Law courses.

Extracurricular activities were a strict no for me. I had spent my high school days in boarding school chasing (with reasonable success) the trophies in debates, elocutions and sports and decided to do nothing in law school unless it interested me. So, all I did, was sleep, read a few books, and spend just so much energy on studies that would offer a fighting shot at jobs.

Right after graduating, you started working at Economic Laws Practice. How did the appointment take place? How difficult were the first few months of ELP given that it focuses mainly on a specific field of law?

I had enjoyed studying International Trade Law and had done reasonably well in the course. With some good luck I landed an internship at ELP, Bombay. I think I worked hard and that got noticed. I got another opportunity to intern with ELP and I decided to work in their Delhi office. Back in 2006 there were 6 associates in their office and Samir Gandhi led the International trade practice in Delhi. Again, I think I worked hard and ELP made an offer.

First few months at ELP were difficult. I could barely draft a two sentence email and within the first month I was working on a full blown WTO dispute. Samir was and continues to be a great mentor. I struggled with drafting for about 8-10 months and finally one day I got a draft without any red marks! Working in the area of International Trade law and doing a WTO dispute was more of fun than a challenge.

How did you build up your expertise in competition and trade law? Please tell us a bit about your work profile at ELP.

I had joined ELP with the idea of working in the area of International Trade law and the hope that someday when the Competition Act, 2002 becomes operational, take up competition law as well. I spent most of the first eighteen months at ELP working on the WTO Dispute with the US on additional and extra-additional duties on import of alcoholic beverages. I would spend 8 hours in the office and another two to three hours reading up on WTO laws. I guess once you become a lawyer, there is no substitute for reading legal texts and commentaries. I just read as much as I could between Monday to Friday, week after week and month after month while at ELP.

Sometime in late 2007 I saw an advertisement from the Competition Commission of India for conducting market studies. I took the idea to Samir, who was extremely supportive and so was Mr. Suhail Nathani, my ultimate reporting partner at ELP. We put in our proposal to run a study on the interface between antidumping and antitrust law, the Commission accepted it and thus began my career as a competition lawyer. Again, I read and read- there is just no substitute.

The work profile at ELP was just what I had asked for- mix of litigation, advisory and policy. Above all, ELP offered the opportunity to do what I wanted to do- trade and competition work.

What prompted you to opt for an LL.M from Stanford Law School? How difficult would you say it was gaining admission?

The desire to study for LL.M. was driven more by the idea of experiencing life in a very good university and not so much by learning ‘law’ a little more. Perhaps, I wanted to make good for the ignominy of not even coming close to cracking IIT-JEE (I was ranked somewhere around 99000 in prelims)! An LL.M. in the US back in 2011 cost about USD 75K and therefore I wanted to go to a place which ranked amongst the very best. Stanford Law School, of course does not need my certificate. I lucked out, despite my not so great rank and CGPA at WBNUJS, Stanford granted me a seat. In retrospect I think, it was all because of my work experience at ELP.

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

Stanford Law School does not offer any scholarships to LL.M.s and I had secured the Hugo Grotius scholarship at Michigan. So, it was a tough call. In the end, the lure for the sun and sand in California took me to Stanford. I also tried my luck for INLAKS where I did not even make the shortlist.

The best part about Stanford Law School was the absence of a formal grading system which made the law school such a fun place. Once you stop pitting students against each other and get rid of the system where one student will necessarily be ranked first and other ranked last, studies become fun. Students no longer run after CGPA, take up courses that they really like and above all study than aim for the top CGPA/rank. Like most top law schools in the US, Stanford attracts the very best of faculty and students. The professors are the very best, the peer group is the most diverse and extraordinarily talented. The law school promotes multidisciplinary education in the truest sense. Some of my friends were able to take up courses at the design school, others opted for ‘coding’. I had read a little on Francis Fukuyama’s work and never knew that he taught at Stanford. Realising this, I ran to register for his introductory course of political theory and despite being very selective he was just glad to take in a trade and competition lawyer with nothing but pop political science theories to offer. Likewise, I wanted to try courses at the Stanford GSB and was able to take up one of the most sought after courses-“Build your own start-up”. If I have to sum up the academic culture at Stanford, I would say that it offers the opportunity to try different things, perhaps fail, try again and in the end if nothing works out then walk out with an experience that will certainly make you a better person, if nothing else.

You were also an editor of the reputed Stanford Journal of International Law. How did this opportunity come to you?

Stanford Law School is fairly small but has significant resources. So it offers more opportunities than one can make good of in a year’s time. Every year, the student run law journals invite applications for editors. I had spent close to four years doing trade work and so I tried my luck with the International Law Journal. It worked and I got selected as one of the article editors.

The experience though was a little ‘under-whelming’ considering how correcting footnotes can be quite boring. The article I edited was written by one of the top trade law practitioners and it was fun to read the primary sources and test the author’s propositions.

How would you say in retrospect your experience in LL.M. helped you in gaining more knowledge and expertise in competition law? Would you suggest other lawyers having a similar profile to opt for an LL.M.?

Yes. I studied competition law under Professor Mark Lemley, who is without a doubt one of the very best professors in IP and Antitrust and Charles Koob who has one of the most unparalleled profiles as a practitioner. The lessons in Antitrust and assignments have indeed helped in the manner in which I approach an issue now.

I would most certainly recommend people to opt for an LL.M. at Stanford. If nothing you’d come back with a lot of good friends and even if you sleep through the classes, the activity surrounding you will leave you richer in many different ways.

After finishing your LL.M. you started work at AZB & Partners. What prompted you to join AZB? Were there other career options available to you?

Of course I wanted to spend sometime in the U.S. and had managed to secure an offer from one the top firm’s with their antitrust practice in Washington DC. The law firm withdrew the offer after a few weeks of extending it. I had to come scurrying back to India and look for a job. Although AZB did not have an established competition law practice, Samir and my colleagues from ELP had moved to AZB. I spoke to Samir and Zia and was convinced about the firm’s focus on building the competition law practice. Zia was and continues to be very enthusiastic about competition law and that was a big plus. The prospect of reuniting with the old team at a firm that promised to invest in a new area of law made the decision to join AZB a fairly simple one.

I would have considered sticking around in the U.S. if we completed the “Build your own start up” course at Stanford GSB by securing the seed capital from a venture fund. All VCs told us we were ahead of the curve (polite way of saying the idea sucks). Once the start up dream failed to take off, and the DC law firm withdrew its offer, I came back to India. AZB happened and I did not try my luck at any other firm.

Have you ever considered litigation or starting up on your own? Would you say the opportunity a firm provides for a young lawyer is worth the trade off in building a reputation?

The romance of doing litigation never got to me. I had grown up seeing a generation of my family and family friends with nothing short of master degrees looking for jobs and not finding any. Deep down I wanted a JOB and at the moment I am happy with the sense of security the monthly pay cheque provides.

I don’t necessarily see a disconnection between the opportunity offered by law firms and building reputation. All professions are about building trust and maintaining one’s credibility. In a law firm setting, one has to first gain the trust of his/her colleagues, immediate seniors, then the partner and finally the clients. I like the system where you are slowly exposed to different levels of responsibilities. Once you have won the trust of colleagues, seniors, partners and clients, recognition will come. On the point of building reputation I do not see any trade offs between a law firm career track and private practice track. One has to earn the trust of everyone around whether at a law firm or at a counsel’s chamber. Become trustworthy and then recognition is bound to come.

What are the primary essentials of a corporate lawyer? How do you say a fresh graduate can work on building these skills?

There is a massive gulf between what is taught at law schools and what is expected from an associate at a law firm. If you manage to learn something, there is a good chance that you will have to unlearn it all once you start working. I generally think that most students walking out of the law schools have more or less the same level of intelligence and certainly sufficient intelligence to become a successful lawyer. The real differentiator is communication skills- written and spoken. The good part is that you need not be a gifted writer or orator- these skills can be acquired. And for that you need to be very very careful in the first job you pick. Rather, the decision to take up a job should primarily be driven by the senior you’d work with. If you find the right senior, the battle is half won. And if the senior has the time and patience to guide you, then nothing like it. Else just observing every single word he/she writes and speaks, analyze the difference in approach, and very soon you would develop your own style, tempered by the basic dos and don’ts taught by the senior.

The other skill set that law schools can never provide is the ability to handle pressure. As you progress in your career, the pressure points will change and you’d see yourself struggling again. It is a continuous process and I am yet to reach a stage where I can start preaching.

What is your current work profile at AZB? How can an intern be of help while trying to learn?

I do a mix of competition and trade law work. I would say about 85% of my work is in competition law. In competition, a bulk of my work involves representation in behavioural cases and merger notifications to the CCI. Increasingly companies are approaching us for risk assessment on their business practice and guidance on mitigating risks. We loosely call it competition advisory and compliance. In International Trade I do the occasional representation for an exporter in an anti-dumping or safeguard duty investigation.

Interns are quite valuable as the colleagues are working full time. We try and involve interns in ongoing assignments for all types of work, including research and drafting of bits and pieces of let’s say an appeal memo. All that I look for in an intern is ability and willingness to work hard and with diligence.

What would be your parting message to our readers?

To continue to work for a long period in a law firm set up can be challenging. Unless you enjoy the work, there is just no way that you will survive. So, pick the area of law that interests you the most and make a career out of that.
January 7, 2015