Super Lawyer

Tag: The University of manchester

  • “Patience, perseverance, and hard work are the three important pills for a 1st generation lawyer,” – Gowthami Reddy D, Founding Partner at Pentallect Partners.

    “Patience, perseverance, and hard work are the three important pills for a 1st generation lawyer,” – Gowthami Reddy D, Founding Partner at Pentallect Partners.

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

    Your journey into Intellectual Property law seems quite diverse and extensive. Could you share some insights into how your career began and evolved to where you are today?

    Post my LL.M degree in Intellectual Property law, I was very keen on establishing an IPR practice.  However, it is very important for a lawyer to be exposed to many areas of practice before narrowing down to the field of liking. Therefore, I chose to practice general litigation along with IPR. In total, I worked for 4 law firms before starting on my own.  Most of my work was in the area of IPR. During my time as a junior associate, I wrote articles on different topics of Intellectual Property to explore the subject.  Writing articles on topics you would like to explore is the best way to gain knowledge on the said topic. My articles I posted on LinkedIn actually brought me clients. I also got an opportunity to train MSMEs through MSME DI Chennai which brought the much needed visibility. Patience, perseverance and hard work are the three important pills for a 1st generation Lawyer. 

    As someone who has practiced in both independent and corporate legal settings, what differences do you find in terms of approach and strategy when handling intellectual property matters?

    In both the setups, ultimately the strategy depends on the facts and circumstances of each case. In terms of approach to clients, cases, fees etcA corporate firm is extremely structured and there are systems in place to deal with multiple aspects. 

    Intellectual property law encompasses various aspects, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and geographical indications. How do you stay updated with the latest developments and best practices across these diverse areas?

    Being a lawyer; to serve your client best it is very important that you keep yourself updated. It is very essential that you read regular law journals and latest judgements, blogs, and international and national blogs. Regular reading is the key.

    Your involvement with MSMEs and entrepreneurs suggests a passion for supporting small businesses. How do you tailor your legal advice to meet the unique needs and resources of these clients?

    Like I mentioned earlier there are no hard and fast rules as to how to deal with a certain type of client. Requirements of each client, whether a person/ entity is unique and every case requires a tailor made strategy.

    Could you share a memorable case from your time at Fox Mandal Little where your expertise in copyright infringement or design registration made a significant impact on your client’s business?

    While in Fox Mandal, I was doing more of prosecution than litigation and I remember working on very prestigious brands and clients.  Many were international. It is pertinent to mention that it was here in Fox Mandal that I was exposed to the non-contentious and prosecution side of IP practice; wherein my previous and later association with other firms were more of litigation. This experience allowed me to look at and practice IPR in a 360 degree perspective.

    Reflecting on your journey thus far, what do you consider your proudest professional achievement, and what lessons have you learned along the way that you would like to impart to others in the field?

    My entire journey thus far is an achievement. Being a 1st generation lawyer and without a legal background and guidance, holding my ground so far is a great achievement for me. Apart from that I have many prestigious names in my clientele. Integrity, honesty, sincerity and hard work shall take anybody a long way. However, sometimes smart work is also important.

    You’ve authored the IP Digest and conducted numerous IPR training sessions. How do you believe education and awareness in intellectual property rights contribute to innovation and business success?

    In my experience, in the Indian scenario I have seen quite highly educated people lacking awareness on Intellectual Property Rights.  Many of them are quiet ignorant about the benefits it can offer and also the dangers of not taking certain actions at the right time. That is the very purpose of coming up with this digest so that the laymen and children can learn the importance of IPR. Exploiting one’s IPR is a practical way to success. That is what I try to reiterate in my training sessions.

    Your academic journey includes pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Manchester. Could you share some insights into how the educational experience in Manchester differed from your studies in India, and how that experience has influenced your approach to practicing intellectual property law?

    It is mostly self-learning through course works and dissertations. It was however different, and had a different perspective. Some exams were for 1hr 15 min which actually needs you to keep the subject in your fingertips. Overall, it was a good exercise to the brain and a test of your ability and calibre.

    You’ve been involved in mediation and copyright infringement cases. How do alternative dispute resolution mechanisms contribute to resolving IP disputes effectively?

    There are certain aspects of IPR that can be resolved only through courts.  However, there are disputes which could be solved by using alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Its time saving and faster compared to litigation.  It is beneficial under certain circumstances. 

    How do you typically unwind or recharge outside of your professional responsibilities? Do you have any hobbies or activities that help you relax and maintain a healthy work-life balance?

    You will actually know when you need a rest, your brain’s ability to think further stops for a minute. I do have hobbies of which reading books of literature and children’s books give me utmost pleasure. I like to watch legal dramas to keep me motivated and connected. Travel is a must and the best. Nevertheless, the best among them all is to spend quality time with family, cousins and close friends. It rejuvenates like no other.

    Get in touch with Gowthami Reddy D-

  • “Every lawyer has their own trajectory, there is no competition. My only contact is God, the rest everyone I meet in the journey is a blessing.” – Esha Mazumdar, Advocate on Record at the Supreme Court of India & Founder of Curare Legal

    “Every lawyer has their own trajectory, there is no competition. My only contact is God, the rest everyone I meet in the journey is a blessing.” – Esha Mazumdar, Advocate on Record at the Supreme Court of India & Founder of Curare Legal

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

    As a first-generation lawyer, could you walk us through your journey? What was your motivation or inspiration for pursuing a career in law? Additionally, can you share some insights about your childhood and any experiences that shaped your path? What is something unique about you that our readers should know?  

    I think not only for a first-generation lawyer but for every lawyer the journey is very unique in itself. Every lawyer has their own trajectory, there is no competition. The only difference for a first-generation lawyer is the initial years where you build your reputation, where you make a conscious choice regarding your future. The profession no doubt demands a lot of sacrifice especially if you are practising independently. For me personally, discipline and hard work are the most important things. Lot of people advice me that I should build my contacts, my only answer to them is, my only contact is God, rest everyone I meet in the journey is a blessing.

    My father in fact wanted me to become a lawyer, it was he who always encouraged me to start an independent practise. He always taught me that honesty and hard work never go in vain.

    My childhood has played the most important role in shaping my path. I belong to a family of Army and Air Force Officers. The discipline that has been imbibed in me because of my background has stayed with me and discipline in any field takes you a long way. My mother who has been a homemaker has always stressed on the importance of being financially independent.

    Unique I’m not sure but I have come to experience, if I take up a task I do not leave it mid way, I take it to it’s logical conclusion.

    You have acquired your LL.M. in International Business and Commercial Law from the University of Manchester, but as we know, dispute resolution has always been your first love. How has this international LL.M. helped shape your legal perspective and approach to dispute resolution?  

    LL.M. from Manchester has given me immense exposure and on a lighter note, I can proudly say I have friends (who are lawyers) all around the world. That apart, the understanding of different cultures, the idea of seeing things through a wider lens definitely helps in litigation. Litigation is not just about the one case that you are doing, there can be various perspectives, you just have to see which one is best suited for your client.

    Having studied and worked in the UK, what international legal trends do you think could be beneficially adopted in the Indian legal system and What changes or improvements would you like to see in legal education to better prepare future lawyers for the challenges of the profession?

    Legal education should be more practical, industry oriented and should be focussed more on creating independent thinking.

    How do you balance the varied demands of independent practice, being a founder of Curare Legal, and your past role as a Government Counsel? Please share some insights on challenges you faced since you started your firm.

    Well I was a Govt. Counsel for about 4 years, I used to be quite overburdened with Govt. work, not leaving me with much time for private matters. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed my work as a Govt. counsel also, I got an opportunity to work with some of the brightest officers. It gave me an opportunity to look at things from a very different perspective. I think every independent practitioner at some point should work on some Government panel. Not to mention I was amazed to see the knowledge that the Section officers or dealing hand had about the matter. It was an amazing experience.

    Independent practise only demands one thing, that is consistency. Consistency is key, be it hard work, be it not giving up after you have had a rough day in Court. The right balance between being open to ideas from your clients and filter when you present your case in Courts.

    The biggest challenge of course was to break even when I started the firm,  and then increase revenue enough to expand the infrastructure and to be able to pay a respectable amount to Associates, paralegals, etc. Even now in fact every month is not the same, so revenue can be a struggle in some months.

    You were the counsel in a landmark case under the new Land Acquisition Act decided by the Delhi High Court. Can you discuss the significance of this case and its impact on land acquisition laws?  

    Yes, that was a case under Section 24(2) of the New Land Act, 2013. Much water has flown since then and the recent Constitution Bench Judgment in Indore Development Authority vs. Manohar Lal & Ors. has brought about some changes in so far as the interpretation of Section 24(2) is concerned. But yes, the impact is that the acquisition under the current regime is much more difficult as it requires social impact assessment etc and even the compensation is much higher that what was provided under the 1894 Act, which was more exploitative in nature.

    What were some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your tenure as Additional Standing Counsel for the Government of Delhi?

    Challenging of course the entire work of a Govt. counsel is very challenging. I was handling quite a few matters every day, so waking up at 4 AM in the morning every day, going through the brief thoroughly because as Govt. counsel we mostly defend the interest of the public at large, secondly there’s always a sense of urgency in private clients regarding hearing of their matters, so it’s difficult to get an adjournment as a Govt. counsel.

    Rewarding aspect, of course the grind that I went through has sharpened me to prepare more than 2 briefs for lengthy arguments in about an hour or so. Also I always measure success by the people that we win and my reward is the number of officers and various staff of Departments who are still in touch with me.

    After serving as government counsel, what motivated you to return to private practice in 2021, and how has the transition been for you?   

    So honestly, as a Govt. counsel I was doing only one kind of matters. Since time was still on my side, I wanted to explore a little more and do more variety. As fate had it, I was also blessed with a daughter after I left the panel and I could effectively manage both sides i.e., taking care of my daughter and the independent matters.

    Your first independent matter was a PIL for increasing compensation for rail accident victims. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn from this experience? Being your first case, what was your overall experience, and how did it shape your approach to future cases?

    I have done two PILs, one for increasing compensation for rail accident victims and one for free sanitary pads and education on menstrual hygiene to Govt. School girls, both are very close to my heart. There were no challenges as such but PIL requires a lot of research, so doing all of it at a time when we did not have associates or interns to help with, one of the initial cases being a PIL would mean that we were paying even our office rent from our pocket but as it is said do good and good will come to you, I guess that is what happened with us. The 1996 Rules were amended, the compensation amount payable to rail accident victims was doubled.

    So far as the overall experience is concerned, I think Delhi High Court has this very unique feature of being extremely welcoming towards younger counsels. The warmth, the seriousness with which the Judges take your arguments if you are well prepared, this really helps in boosting your morale. I remember once on the Original Side, we were young, the brief had just come a day before and we were not prepared, in fact we had just gone to seek an adjournment since certain documents were yet to come. So the Judge started recording whatever we would say in the Order sheet including that we are not prepared to argue and all I said was we are very young in the profession, Lordship may kindly remove the observations, just saying that was enough and the observations were removed. So we have the most compassionate and wonderful Judges here, it’s just about having the tact and being honest to yourself and to the Court.

    Given your demanding career, how do you manage work-life balance, and what tips would you offer to other legal professionals?

    Ok I get asked this question a lot and I will not lie here, I have the most wonderful husband who is also a lawyer. He encouraged me to give the Advocate on record exam after we were blessed with a daughter and I qualified it in the first attempt. I think if you are married, having a supportive life partner is a real plus. 

    Secondly, online hearing which is constantly being encouraged by the current CJI, is of great help to women mostly. 

    Tip: I can only say keep the mental state right, as long as you are mentally fine you will sail through one additional hobby, it can be sports, photography, music, movies anything at least once a week, because the profession is very demanding, you cannot limit it to 9-5. It affects you mentally even before you know, so maintain your sanity.

    For young lawyers contemplating a specialization in their legal careers, what factors should they consider, and how did you decide on your focus areas?  Please share some tips for them to excel in their field.

    For younger lawyers, I think firstly please do not focus only on money. You have to know your work first, money will not be a problem thereafter.

    Secondly, one should not just stick to one kind of practise initially, i.e., just criminal or only civil laws. There is a lot of scope and opportunities, give yourself some time. Try different areas before you finally know what you like.

    My focus areas actually just happened to me by the kind of matters that came to me and I am still open to trying different areas. A lawyer never stops learning.

    Lastly for the younger lawyers, just have faith in the process, go through the grind, you will get there gradually.

    Get in touch with Esha Mazumdar-