Tag: UPES

“Balancing IP protection with effective cybercrime response requires a well-rounded approach.” – Navigating the Intersection of IT Law and Intellectual Property, Ravi Goyal, Partner at Scriboard
This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

Your journey in law is both impressive and inspiring. When did you decide to pursue a career in law, what or who inspired you to take this path, and what challenges did you encounter at the beginning of your career?

I am not sure if my journey can be described as either of these descriptors, but first of all, thank you for taking the time to do this. I was initially swayed towards law during a reading spree of John Grisham’s work. Around the same time, I also read ‘A Civil Action’ by Jonathan Harr and that is when I started considering law as a career option. However, when I attempted to search more about this field on the internet, I could not find any useful details and the information I did find was not too encouraging. I then dropped the idea of pursuing law.

Shortly afterwards, I came in contact with a friend’s brother-in-law who had just completed his law course at NLU, Jodhpur. That is when I was introduced to the world of NLUs and the various career options available to law graduates. Our batch eventually became the first to appear in CLAT since up till 2007 all NLUs had their separate entrance exams.

I think the major challenges I faced after graduation were related to career progression and making the right choices. However, thanks to various mentors, colleagues and friends and some self-reliance I was able to overcome these challenges – or at least I think so!

You’ve achieved a rare Reverse Domain Name Hijacking ruling under the INDRP. Could you elaborate on the details of this case and the strategic challenges you faced?

This was an interesting domain name dispute that came our way. Without making this response too academic or technical, the matter involved a generic term that was registered as a domain name by our client. The Complainant attempted to ‘recover’ this domain name under the. IN Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy [INDRP] claimed trademark rights in the said generic term. We had to conduct a lot of research into the Complainant’s background to establish that our client had registered the domain name before the Complainant started its business in India and that no single entity can have a monopoly on a generic term in typical situations. The matter was a challenging one because we did not have many past precedents under the INDRP to support our arguments and, moreover, a finding of ‘Reverse Domain Name Hijacking’ [RDNH], which we sought, was virtually never accepted under the INDRP. I am grateful that I had a great team and that the client had faith and belief in our strategy, which allowed us to go the full mile in this matter and successfully attempt the best possible outcome.

Having represented Fortune 500 companies, what are some of the emerging trends in data privacy and digital brand management that businesses should be aware of today?

I think that organisations at this point are far more susceptible to liabilities and legal claims due to the ever-increasing use of digital technology. Organisations need to be aware of all new laws and be compliant with them at all times. Moreover, since in many cases, there are no specific laws for emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence [AI], Internet of Things [IoTs], etc., it is crucial to self-regulate and follow industry best practices to safeguard the organisation from any unnecessary liability. Unfortunately, but typically, organisations should be wary of cyber fraud, brand abuse, brand impersonation, data breaches, vulnerability attacks, etc. which could very quickly compromise their reputation and operations.

Your expertise spans prosecution, management and protection of IP portfolios, and handling cyber-crimes. How do these areas intersect in your daily practice, and what complexities do they entail?

In my daily practice, managing and protecting IP portfolios, prosecution, and handling cyber crimes naturally intersect and support each other. When I safeguard my clients’ intellectual property, it often involves protecting these assets from cyber threats too. Moreover, data exfiltration/data breaches, data privacy leaks, IP infringement, etc. are closely interconnected and require constant application of both IT laws and IP laws.

The tricky part is dealing with the ever-changing nature of cyber threats and staying updated with new regulations and tech developments. I need to constantly monitor, adapt, and come up with proactive strategies to tackle risks, always striving to stay one step ahead of bad actors. Balancing IP protection with effective cybercrime response requires a well-rounded approach to ensure that our client’s interests are covered from all angles. I also constantly ensure that our clients comply with all applicable data privacy laws, intermediary guidelines/regulations and consumer protection laws to minimize their liability in this evolving technological landscape.

Could you share a bit about your transition from being at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. to becoming a Partner at Scriboard? How has this transition influenced your approach to client service and leadership?

Coming back to Scriboard was an interesting transition as I have spent the majority of my time with Scriboard since I started my career. During my time at SAM, I was able to get a first-hand experience of how a large team of nearly 30 members work in close coordination to deliver top-notch legal advice and achieve results in record time. I also had the opportunity to closely work with my Partners and gain insight into how a leading firm in India operates at the highest level. I feel that this broadened my perspective and allowed me to bring a fresh, evolved approach back to Scriboard in my second stint.

You’ve authored several publications on topics like domain name disputes and cyber laws. How do these academic pursuits complement your legal practice, and how do they contribute to the industry’s knowledge base?

I believe that it forces me to stay updated on the latest trends, cases, and regulations, which I can directly use for the benefit of my clients. This also helps to start a discourse where hundreds of articles such as mine are open to everyone’s feedback and inputs and sometimes certain views of readers and other peers can lead to interesting discussions and offer new insights and ideas.

Outside of your legal career, you’ve been involved with People Canvas, focusing on education and environmental impact assessment, and you have also founded an online education initiative and a nonprofit organization. Could you please share something about this and also How have these experiences influenced your professional perspective, and how do you balance your legal career with these endeavors?

Yes, I was part of the founding team of People’s Canvas, a registered NGO that we formed during our law school days. A faculty member of our law school, Dr. Ritumbra Manuvie, and a very good friend of mine, Asst. Prof. Shashi Kant Yadav was the primary driving force behind this NGO which aimed to work in the field of environmental law activism. I also co-founded a vertical called People’s Canvas Online Education along with Asst. Prof. Yadav with a focus on imparting awareness about Environmental Impact Assessments [EIAs] to law students, graduates and others through a first-of-its-kind Online Certificate Course. At the time, it was one of the first completely online short-term courses primarily catering to the legal fraternity. Subsequently, I founded a legal education and research organisation called ‘Student at Law’ to foster awareness and knowledge amongst law students and the legal community through a comprehensive web resource.

I believe that these experiences have played a tremendous role in shaping my professional life. This fair share of an ‘entrepreneurial’ journey during my law school days and early career helped me gain valuable experience, obtain different perspectives, and, most importantly, teach me the importance of discipline and hard work.

As a ‘Rising Star’ in Intellectual Property, according to the Legal 500, what advice would you give to young lawyers aspiring to specialize in IT laws and intellectual property?

Regardless of the practice area you choose, the concept of KISS—’Keep It Simple Silly’—is effective in every situation. This principle can be applied in both personal and professional life. While I am still working on practicing what I preach, I believe that keeping things simple is one of the best skills to acquire and enhance.

In addition, when it comes to the profession, drafting, attention to detail, research, and spoken language are essential skills that everyone should possess, regardless of their practice area. Specifically for IT or IP law, it is crucial to stay updated on developments in both legal and technological advancements to maintain a firm grasp and understanding of the field.

In addition to your extensive legal career, could you share some of your hobbies or interests and how they help you maintain a balanced and fulfilling life?

A few years ago, I would have readily said reading, but I guess I cannot say that anymore because I am now not able to take the time to read more than 3 to 4 books in a year. I am generally fond of Science Fiction, so any books or movies related to it are certainly always on my watchlist or readlist. Apart from that, I have gradually opened up to the idea of travelling and staycations as it provides an opportunity for a few quiet ones. However, during day-to-day, we are parents to a cute little Indie dog and like to spend our time following his instructions.

Get in touch with Ravi Goyal-
- LinkedIn
July 26, 2024
Adab Singh Kapoor, Managing Partner, Adab Singh Kapoor & Associates, on starting his own firm, and pursuing a Ph.D
Adab graduated from Symbiosis Law School, Pune in 2009. During his graduation he also completed the Company Secretary Course and diplomas such as Diploma in International Business Laws and Corporate Laws, Advanced Diploma in Taxation laws, Diploma in Cyber Law, Diploma in Intellectual Property Law. Subsequently, he completed his LLM in Energy Laws from UPES in 2015. Immediately after graduating, he started working with Paras Kuhad and Associates at its Delhi office, followed by a brief stint at DSK Legal at its Delhi office. In December 2011, he set up his law firm, Adab Singh Kapoor and Associates.

In this interview we speak to him about:
- His time at Symbiosis
- Setting up his own firm
- Pursuing a Ph.D
When did you decide to take up law as your profession?

I was a science student and was contemplating a career in engineering, as was the sentiment amongst most of my batch mates then in St. Patrick’s School, Asansol, West Bengal. However, after class 12, I did not see myself pursuing further studies in Engineering. It was at that time when I figured that I should pursue a career which resonated with my strengths and interests. I was into public speaking and enjoyed it and felt that I should pursue a career which required public speaking and good communication skills. It was at this point that a career in law started making sense and I decided to pursue it.

Tell us a bit about your time as an undergraduate student at Symbiosis International University.

The five years were the most formative years of my life. Not only were we trained academically but were also given opportunities to take several initiatives. As such it contributed to our all around development and has stood me in good stead. Certain bold and brave decisions taken early in my professional career may have been more difficult to take had it not been for the initiatives which were taken in Symbiosis and which were duly encouraged by the management. Symbhav ‘09 was one of them! Organizing the fest on a magnified scale, that too for the first time, presented its own set of challenges. It was our staunch belief in the cause that made the fest a success and now a legacy! The cardinal lessons that I learnt on entrepreneurship, teamwork as well as marketing played their part when I started my own practice.

I was also fortunate to have stayed at the Symbiosis International Hostel for five years wherein I had the opportunity to interact with several international students and learn about their culture and backgrounds. Also, staying on campus gave me the opportunity to witness several programs held at the Vishwabhavan Auditorium, thereby further enhancing my learning experience.

What are the activities that you took up in law school?

I was fortunate to be involved in several extra curricular and co-curricular activities in Law School. I deeply value the trust reposed in me by Dr. Shashikala Gurpur (Principal), Dr C J Rawandale (Vice Principal) and the faculty of Symbiosis Law School, Pune and for their constant support and guidance. I was the First President of the Student Council in 2009, Convenor of the first edition of Symbhav, 2009, which, was the first cultural-cum-sports fest of Symbiosis Law School, Pune and which is continuing till date. Besides, I was the founding member of the Tech Legal Cell as well as the Sports Committee of the Law School. I also initiated the Make a Difference (MAD) project, under the aegis of the Human Rights Cell, at Law School, which was an initiative to teach under-privileged children.

At Law School, I always focused on maximizing my time by ensuring that I remain productive. With respect to balancing academics and the different co-curricular activities, my approach had always been to direct my energy into doing what I was doing with whole-hearted devotion and dedication. If I was keen to participate in an extra-curricular or a co-curricular activity, then with single-minded focus I worked towards doing it well. A few weeks before the examinations, the focus shifted to studies. Over the years, I have realized the importance of having a schedule and trying to stick to the schedule, whether daily or weekly. That way, one can lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.

What were you areas of interest during your legal education?

At law school, I was always open to explore different areas of legal practice. That is one of the reasons I pursued courses and diplomas in different areas. I believe that one should have a varied skill-set and therefore ought not specialize too early.

I continue to have interest in varied fields of practice and apart from running a full-service law firm, I am also continuing with my academic pursuits.

What are the causes you feel strongly about?

Women empowerment is a cause I am passionate about. I have worked for this cause in association with various NGOs both in India and abroad. Also, I used to offer weekly legal counselling and awareness sessions to the marginalized women on issues of domestic violence. I am also founder of a trust by the name Punyakarta that inter alia addresses the cause of women empowerment.

Could you tell us about the internships you took up, and what you learnt from those experiences?

Internships are an opportunity to observe real-life practitioners in action and gain an insight into competitive and unpredictable world that is not as forgiving as the professors in law-school. My internships were diverse. I would attribute significant elements of my assimilated courtroom craft to the mentorship that I received from Senior Adv. Mr. Arun Jaitley, Senior Adv. Mr. Ashok De and Adv. Mr. Tapan Chatterjee. I also assimilated assorted legal acumen due to my internships at Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB & Partners. My internship with Hon’ble Mr. Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, was a very enriching experience as well.

From a law student to a lawyer, how will you describe the transition?

My transition from a law student to a lawyer is analogous to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly! In hindsight, I realize that participating in varied set of activities at law-school such as mooting, debating apart from actuating societies such as Tech Legal Cell infused the necessary practical skills, which were required to sustain myself at the time when I was stepping into the profession.

Tell us about your early professional experiences at Paras Kuhad & Associates, Advocates.

My stint with Paras Kuhad & Associates will always remain special, as it was my first job. I was selected through the campus recruitment process during my final year at Law School. I would like to reiterate the fact that no matter how prepared you think you are for the legal profession, and as clichéd as it might sound, reality hits you only when you actually start working. Remarkably, at Paras Kuhad, I was afforded the opportunity to argue even in the Supreme Court, which is uncommon for someone who is new to the practice. Apart from instilling tremendous confidence in me, this further fortified my conviction that I was meant for litigation.

What motivated you to quit your job at Paras Kuhad & Associates, Advocates to take up a position with DSK Legal?

I had a short stint with DSK Legal where I was given an opportunity to work upon regulatory matters. Working at DSK Legal made me realize the importance of Energy laws as an upcoming field, after which I decided to pursue an LLM in Energy Laws from UPES, Dehradun.

What tips would you give students and young lawyers who are inclined to research and academic writing?

I think that it is imperative for any researcher to develop his own perspective on concurrent and pervasive legal issues as well as the courage to bring into light his own independent thought process through his articles. Essentially, law students should try to find existing gaps in the academic sphere and try to fill those gaps as opposed to rehashing what is already available.

What are the challenges and learning opportunities that you were faced with while starting your independent practice in 2011?

The real challenge for me, after starting my individual practice lied in multi-tasking. There lies a certain level of formidability in delivering quality work while you are balancing the entrepreneurial aspects of the job. However, if you are determined to be a little different from the established firms out there, you tend to thrive in the challenge. Additionally, finding the right people is also a quandary, which vexed me during my initial phase of my independent practice. Having said that I believe that if one keeps a professional approach and is determined to make it somewhere, these hurdles can easily be crossed.

Can you please share with the readers your work profile so far?

Firm administration, Personnel Management, Business Development, apart from the work itself are some of the regular chores that one has to go through. I also believe that one should be nimble-fingered while following the whole process of assigning and delegating tasks to the right people. Other than developing my own practice, it is also important for me to ensure that there is holistic development of all the firm members. I try to work from the perspective that everyone evolves into a better professional.

What motivates you to continue your formal learning, how do you make time for it given your busy schedule?

(Adab has pursued an LLM in Energy Laws and is presently pursuing a PhD in Legal Studies.)

Lawyers never stop learning! As banal as that it may sound, it holds true. I still consider myself to be a learner of law and in my view the whole process of formal learning ensures that my perspective is broadened.

On what parameters do you choose the cases you work on?

Initially, I accepted whatever work came to me. Subsequently I focused more into dispute resolution. In my opinion, when starting up, one should not be too selective in choosing the work and should see to it that he/she is able to obtain as well as work upon a variety of client deliverables.

Did you have a mentor or guide during the formative years of your career?

The significance of mentorship cannot be undermined in our profession and I believe that every young law student/ lawyer should make sincere efforts to foster a relationship with the right kind of people in the legal industry.

I would always be grateful to the mentorship that I received from Senior Adv. Mr. C.M Lall. It is his ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance is what amazed me the most. In addition to being adroit at courtroom craft, he is also an excellent family person.

What books, judgments that you have read would you say have played an integral role in shaping your legal philosophy?

I was greatly inspired by movies such as A Few Good Men and Chariots of Fire. I still remember the quote from the movie Chariots of Fire; “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure.” This quote is significant because it cleared my head that I should pursue a career in litigation.

What advice would you like to give our readers, who are mostly law students and young lawyers?

Do not join the bandwagon. Do what you believe in. Through the profession also devote time to serve the society and humanity.
June 5, 2017
Harshita Khurana, Associate at SAM on what can you do to land job at top law firms
Harshita Khurana graduated from University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun in 2015. She has been the University’s scholarship holder. She holds a medal for being the top scorer of her batch. She has represented UPES both nationally and internationally. She has also represented India in World Business Forum, New York. Her best achievements include winning Moot Courts, University Medal, Academic Scholarships, best speaker award at the various national level debate. She has worked with Wadia Ghandy & Co., Mumbai in their Banking and Finance team. Harshita is currently working with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Mumbai.

In this interview, Harshita talks about:
- Her experience at the Law School and what incidents from college days contributed to shaping her career as a Lawyer
- Her internship experience. How one should go about internships and how it can benefit in the career ahead.
- Her thoughts about activities like Mooting, Debating and Publications
- What were the biggest hurdles in the first few months of the start of her career
- How one should about framing their C.V.
What prompted you to think of law as a career? If not law, what other options would you have considered for your career?

I am a first-generation lawyer, so yes the choice was challenging. But to start off, it was my family and teachers who saw my grit in oration, topical debates and liberating discussions. Later, I started realising my inclination towards law and policy, and …here I am. As a Corporate Lawyer, when you represent your client in a deal wherein all that he has earned for his entire lifetime is at stake, the trust they place in you brings a lot of responsibility, and that’s where the true satisfaction of being a lawyer comes from. However, had I not been a Lawyer, I might have considered journalism as one of the possible avenues. Again, for the similar reasons.

Tell us about your law school experience. Share some highlights from your college days that shaped you as a lawyer.

It has been tremendous. The experiences have been instrumental in shaping me, both professionally and as a person. Those five years have taught me that doing law is not just a chase for money and recognition, it taught me to have a voice of your own but at the same time be tolerant to the contrary opinions. I was fairly good in academics but at the same time, I always had a flair for extracurricular activities. Be it moots, quiz contests, debating, or even sports. I did it all.

Did you do any internship during your studies? How should a law student have a structured pattern for internships and what is its importance in shaping the career ahead?

Absolutely. The best part of being a law student is being exposed to numerous internships and legal training at various organisations. I have personally done approximately ten internships before graduating, and this helped me verify my areas of interest.

If you are not a part of the so-called ‘NLU-Hype’, you might have to face problems. In all my internships/external assignments, the first thing I was asked was that which college I am from, even before my name. And that’s how people may judge the quality of work they can expect from you. Prove otherwise and show your worth. After graduation, despite being a non-NLU candidate, I had offers from Wadia Ghandy and Hewlett-Packard. And now, it’s Amarchand. So, if you are good enough you don’t need a big name to add stars to your candidature, you will create your stamp.

And yes, I would take this opportunity to address all those who come from a complete non-legal background as me. We know how things work these days, and when you don’t have a direct contact to call a law firm’s senior associate or a partner for fixing your internship in your preferred slot, you will face difficulties. But don’t loose hope, keep following up and keep trying. This way, I’ve had a good fortune of working with the reputed law firms, corporate houses, the best advocates. You must make a choice only after trying your hands at all possible options. What we read as a law student and what we get to practice as a full-time lawyer is very different. So, before going for a final promenade, we should experience all that’s in the lane.

What are your thoughts on activities like mooting, debating and publications in journals? What skills do law students acquire by engaging themselves in such activities?

I put them first on my priority list. I have myself been an avid mooter. As a law student, mooting is the most enriching exercise that gives us a firsthand experience of being an advocate. It’s a platform for the law students to hone their oratory and research skills. Publications are again, critical. Especially when done in the areas one wants to explore. Research in your probable areas of interest can help you verify your interest and guide you in deciding the best pick.

What helped you shape your current professional profile within the field?

I graduated with Hons. in Corporate Laws. So, though I always had a knack for corporate and commercial laws, I was unsure about the area of specialization to be chosen within this domain. Developing expertise comes through practice and expediency. I am still a learner and an explorer. Landing in the niche field of banking and finance was by chance, but continuing this would be my choice. A long way to go from here.

What were the biggest hurdles and challenges in the first few months? How did you deal with them?

It takes a while to learn the ropes. The legal profession is demanding, the stakes are high, and it can be harsh on the one making mistakes. But mistakes are bound to happen if you are new, so take the onus and fix it. Apart from that long working hours, heaps of paperwork and research requires a lot of whip-smartness. But the zeal you see around in your colleagues, seniors, and the enthusiasm they carry even after working for 15-20 hours at a stretch brings a lot of motivation from within. One needs to be flexible to adjust to a law firm’s environment.

How is your experience so far? How’s your workday like?

Truly amazing. Every day there’s a new task in hand to look forward to. Law firms are very quick and swift in their working as compared to any other place. When I joined, on the first day I was briefly given an insight of the work and the nature of transactions and from the very next day I was made to handle the transactions, complete documentation, attend the clients, etc. Now, that’s where the direct market exposure and learning comes from.

The day is usually hectic; we work for almost 10-12 hours a day on an average. However, it’s very important to balance work and life. Juggling the demands for each can be difficult in the beginning, but don’t let one invade the other.

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

For the CV, the most important thing is a clear depiction of your areas of interest. This can be done through the diverse range of internships, moots, publications, etc. Now coming to CGPA. The saddest part of our education system is that we focus on making a student more marketable by quantifying academics. So no matter how much I disagree, a piece of advice would be to have a decent CGPA. For an interview, just study the organisation well and be yourself. Do not settle for anything that’s not your forte or not a part of your plan.

What would be your parting message to law students?

I am learning this, and I definitely want to share..no matter how lucrative an opportunity in hand looks, you must always have the courage to say ‘NO’ if it’s not in tune with your long term goals.

Be a ‘self-made’ person, chase your dreams, and once you’ve done that… you can proudly call yourself a ‘superlawyer’.
March 14, 2016
Nikita Mamtani, Founder LegalHire talks about being an entreprenuer and the Legal Industry

Nikita Mamtani graduated in 2012 from UPES, Dehradun. She grooms lawyers for a foothold in the legal industry. She had started working at Thomson Reuters months before graduating. The work profile of Academic Specialist for more than a year in Reuters Legal Education business, bestowed on her the opportunity of interacting with plethora of law students, law college authorities and legal professionals of different segments of the industry. A professional with skills in marketing, networking and building relationships, client management with a flair for sales moving to helping students and professionals grow was a natural progression for her.

When and how did you decide to study law? Which universities did you consider for your legal studies?

I still remember it was in the year 2006, just a month before my 12th board exams when my father got furious and asked, “what have you thought about your career ahead? What do you want to do in life?” And my sudden answer was, “I want to pursue law, just like you.” So, without even giving it a thought, my unexpected answer made me study law.

I gave entrance exam for almost all the NLU’s that time and some of the private universities, like Symbiosis. UPES College of Legal Studies was established in 2007, when I gave entrance exams for the second time. I had already decided to switch my field from law to mass media, but then results of UPES were out and I went ahead with pursuing law.

Do you think being from a non-NLU has ever proved to be a hindrance for you? Many non-NLU students complain that they feel being discriminated against during career opportunities. What has been your experience?

No, not at all. Never did I think I felt discriminated in the industry where opportunities were concerned. The biggest example of which is getting a PPO. I started working before having a law degree in my hand. What I feel is Law colleges do play a crucial role in your overall career growth, but it’s ultimately the individual, who makes his career path. There are extensive and equivalent resources available, one needs to grab the most and achieve the best of them.

Tell us about your internships. Did you get any institutional support for internships from your college?

I had a varied experience during my internships, from Corporate to Law Firms to NGO’s and last but not the least, Courts. I intentionally chose to intern in different segments of the industry to understand & decide, where I see myself after graduating. Internships made me witness the actual career in law. It was much more than and very different from what we used to learn in law school.

Although there was a Placement & Internship Cell in the college, of which, I was a part for almost four years, I preferred getting all my Internships personally.

You have done a Judicial Clerkship at High Court of Madhya Pradesh during your graduation. Tell us about your experience as a Judicial Clerk of Justice Rajendra Menon.

Interning as a Judicial Clerk was a unified experience of both, Bar & the Bench. It was this internship, which clarified the real picture of Indian Courts to me, be it the top lawyers, govt. Advocates or a struggling law graduate. Justice Menon was a great mentor, down to earth, explaining extensively every time I had some query.

Tell us about your work at Thomson Reuters as an Academic Specialist. What were the key responsibilities which you undertook as an Academic Specialist?

As an Academic Specialist at Thomson Reuters Professional Skills Training business, my experience ranged from handling the Academics of online courses to managing law firms and law colleges. I was also involved in the development & expansion of Professional Skills Training for those legal professionals with work experience who were interested in upgrading their skills. My role required not only sound administration and management skills but also brought to the forefront my skills in sales and marketing activities.

You started up as a Legal Education Consultant at a very young age. What motivated you to choose this career? Did you aspire to become a Legal Education Consultant?

I am a PR person. I liked networking, meeting new people, sharing experiences and then bringing out a change, some transformation. At Thomson Reuters, I got it all, but wanted to explore more, which I felt can be done only once I work independently. The decision of becoming a Legal Education Consultant went stronger over the period, with my experiences in the Industry, as and when I used to meet more and more law students.

You have also started your own independent legal practice at High Court of Madhya Pradesh besides your job as a Legal Educational Consultant. How do you manage both at the same time?

I take up selective cases in High Court. My consulting activities take more of my time than the Courts. So it becomes easy as I prioritise my core working area. At the High Court, I focus on PIL’s and civil matters, mostly arbitration cases. As a consultant, I focus on law students and students who aspire to have a career in law. Outlining their journey from entering a Law School to stepping in the Legal Industry as a professional is my forte. I get to meet all such students in Law Schools and CLAT coaching centres. Consulting becomes much easier through various online platforms where I stay connected with students.

Why did you decide upon opening a Legal Consultancy Firm? What motivated you to start Legal Hire India? What is the story of your start-up?

Law happened by chance and not by choice to me.

In my earlier days of preparing for entrance exams and then in my initial years of law school, I always wanted to do something out of the box. Young entrepreneurs in the Legal Education industry always enthralled me. My career objective was then to not only get into the Legal Industry, but to have a diversified profile too.

Thereon, I wanted all my skills like marketing, networking, building relationships, helping students and professionals grow, to materialize.

My driving force was the ever stride of doing something different from what is expected of a law graduate, and hence Legal Hire India…

Your consultancy firm also conducts Career Counselling. Have you had students who had great profile but still couldn’t make to any Top tier Law Firms after graduation?

I appreciate the passion of a law student wanting to get into Top tier law firm and to have that tag.

But it’s all the game of skill set. You can always play with that and mould the direction of your career path.

As from my professional experience, I firmly believe it’s always better to be a big fry in a small company, rather than being a small fry in a big company.

Five years from now, where do you see Legal Hire India?

My short term goal as to Legal Hire India is making it instrumental in the HR and recruitment process of Indian Legal Industry. Every law student should get the best & the most from this industry, be it an NLU graduate or a non-NLU. Our mission also quotes, “Redefining the Legal HR Industry.”

What would be your message to law students who dream of having their legal consultancy firm one day?

If you have flair of different professional skills and want to get out of the traditional segments after graduating, go for it..!!!

And in the end, I would say, follow your Heart. Although it’s an old saying, but I feel this is what works well always. One should end up doing what one loves to do as soon as it is discovered, and the path to success automatically becomes easier.

December 20, 2014