Editor’s Note
INDIA’S REVOLUTIONARY ADVOCATES
AswitheverythingelselegalprofessioninIndiahas
evolvedwithglobalization,rapidindustrialization, andliberalizationoftheeconomy.Similarly,the futureworldoftheIndianLegalsectorwillbedividedinto twohalves:Pre-pandemicandpost-pandemic.
Inthepre-pandemictimes,theIndianjudiciaryandthe legalsystemwereconservativeinadoptingnovel technologieslikedigitalization.Theywerehesitanttogofor virtualcourts,whichmanyhadneverevenheardof.
However,inthepost-pandemictimes,theIndianlegal systemhasshownpraiseworthytransformationindigital technologiesandvirtualhearingsalmostovernight.These werethetryingtimesforthelegalprofessioningeneraland formanysecondaryandtertiaryleveladvocatesand lawyersinparticular
Abhishek Joshi Deputy Editor abhishek.joshi@insightssuccess com
Thereweresomeamongstthemwhonotonlyconvinced thecourtstogovirtualbutalsohelpedtheirpeersinfacing suchunprecedentedchallengingtimes.Thus,theyemerged fromthepandemicbecauseoftheirpatience,perseverance, compassion,andnever-dyingattitude.Theyusedtheir humaneapproachandtech-savvyattitudetosmoothlygel withtheonlinecourtsandvirtualhearings.
Today,duetotheeffortsoftheseexceptionaladvocates,the legalprofessioninIndiaisattheintersectionofan innovativeoutlookandanadepttechnologicalmindset. Changingnormswillbethefutureofthispost-crisisera. Theseever-innovativeplayersaregaininganadvantage overtheirsituationsastheycomprehendtheacumentoface unexpectedscenarios.
Theseoutstandinglawyersarefromthedifferentpathsof societyanddistinctstratumofthelegalfield.Yetonething
theyshareincommonistheiroptimism,enthusiasm,and wisdomcombinedpersonality.
Inordertocelebratetheirextraordinarysuccessstories, InsightsSuccess’sbrand-neweditionof‘India’s Outstanding Lawyers -2022’hasbroughtforyoutheiraweinspiringjourneys.Addedintotheeditionaretwonovel articlescraftedbyourin-houseeditorialteamtogiveyoua modernlegalperspective.
FlipthroughthefollowingpagesandbeapartofIndia’s transforminglegalprofessionalongwithIndia’s RevolutionaryAdvocates.Readontokeeplearning!
Prompt Legal S ervices
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AdvMaheshShanbag
AdvMrunal BharatPandya
AdvPakhiGarg, AdvisorandIPRHead
AdvRippleHamza, SeniorPartnerand SeniorLegalAdvisor
AdvSvetlanaKhiyungdzuzu Domino, CriminalDefenseCounsel, FounderandManagingPartner
AdvVidyaAdsule
NeeleshBanthia, Owner
PractisingLawyer, DistrictCourt
PractisingLawyer, DistrictCourt
WorldCyberSecurity Forum(WCSF),Delhi
KadenBoriss
ElohimandAssociates
AdvocateMaheshShanbagisapractisinglawyerinthedistrictcourt ofSangli,MaharashtraandisinvolvedwithdifferentNGOs,namely–ConsumerForumSangli.
AdvocateMrunalBharatPandyaisamongthetoplawyersinNashik withover10yearsofexperienceinDivorce,GST,lawcases.
AdvPakhiGargisanexperiencedIn-housecounselworkingwith Gartner(India).
Adv.RippleHamzaisacorporatelawyerwithmorethanthreedecades ofexperienceinmultiplejurisdictionsaroundtheworld,especiallyin India,Iran,Russia,Thailand,EasternEuropeandArabcountries.
MsSvetlanaisanAdvocate,LegalAdvisor,Ambassadorand Socialactivist.
VersatileLawPartners
Banthiaand Co.Advocates
AdvocateVidyaAdsuleisthefounderofVersatileLawPartners,and shehasmorethan30yearsofexperienceinlaw
BanthiaandCo.Advocatesfocusesonpropertylawandland mattersacrossthecountryandmajorlyserves archdioceses/diocesesandnon-secularcongregationsofthe RomanCatholicChurchspreadacrosstheworld.
Overtheyears,individuals havetakennoteofthefact thatleadershiphasenhanced, modified,shaped,andredefined inspirationalpersonalities.Theseare thepeoplewhotransformother entities’livesbystrivingtomakea differencewiththeirmentorshiptraits. Suchfewpeoplehavethezealand perseverancetomakeadifferencein theworld.Onesuchindividualwhois lookeduponasatorchbearerof
excellenceisMr.NeeleshBanthia, Owneroftheprestigiouslawfirmin India,BanthiaandCo.Advocates.
Beingtheownerofoneoftheleading lawfirmsinIndia,heacquiresposition amongsttheyoungestfirmownersin Indiaandhisconsistentperseverance, persistence,commitment,andvision hasassistedBanthiaandCo.Advocates toemergeasamultifacetedlawfirmin thenationandtheworldatlarge.
Atpresent,Mr.NeeleshBanthiaand hisfather,Mr.B.S.Banthia(Supreme CourtAdvocate)arerunningthefirm withutmostdedicationand strengthenedadherencethroughoutthe country Theconsistencyinregardwith bringinginthebestlegalmindsunder oneroofisshowcasedthroughthe effortsputinbyMr.Neeleshandhis father.Afirmthatventuredoutin 1953,withmerely10advocatesand3 offices,thatverysamefirmintoday’s
paradigmhasmorethan400legal practitionersworkingunderitsbanner in23officesspreadglobally
TheInceptionStory
Legaltranscendencehasbeenan integralpartoftheBanthiafamilyfor decades.LateShriMishrilalJiSb. Banthia,greatgrandfatherofthe Owner,Mr.NeeleshBanthia,beganhis careerin1927atBaran,Rajasthan whereheexercisedhisjudicialpowers
duringtheBritishperiod.Thislegacy wastakenoverandcontinuedbyhis grandfatherlateShriNihalSinghjiSb. Banthia,whoestablishedBanthiaand Co.Advocatesin1953withtheoffices headquarteredatBhopal(Madhya Pradesh)India.
andnon-secularcongregationsofthe RomanCatholicChurchspreadacross theworld.Thankstothepresenceof thefirminnearlyallthestatesinIndia, expertiseinlocallawshasbecomeits forte,thusensuringutmostcompetency inavailabilityoflegalsolutionswithin everybeing’sproximity.
Mr.NeeleshstartedhiscareerasaPilot andthenworkedinvariouscountriesat dynamiclegalpositions.Inthe succeedingyears,herealisedthathe couldprovideanewdirectionanda strategizedworkenvironmenttothe firmandmakeitreachgreaterheights. Aftergainingworkexperiencein variouscountriesbeyondtheborders ofIndia,hemasteredthetraitsof professionalismandstarteddisplaying thisthroughhisworkinIndia. Furthermore,hechosethisprofession tocarryonthefamiliallegacyand bringinganecessarychangeinthis professionwithadynamicapproach andbyoptingmeanstoreorientthe conventionalwaysoflegalpractice.He startedthejourneywithcommitment, honesty,obedience,andtheabilityto delivertheworkintheleastpossible time.
ProfessionalServices
Thefirmfocusesonpropertylawand landmattersacrossthecountryand majorlyservesarchdioceses/dioceses
Thefirm’spassiontowardsservingthe legalprofessionhasstimulatedits activitieseveninternationally, currentlyhavingsixinternational officesinDubai,Japan,Singapore, Turkey,theU.K.,andtheU.S.
Asidefromthis,thefirmalsooperates twoDelegateInternationalOfficesin NewYorkandChicago.The cumulationofalltheseestablishments affirmsthatBanthiaandCo.Advocates providesamultitudeofservices concerninglegaloutsourcing, paralegal,andsecretarialserviceswith ateamofover400+advocatesworking underthefirm’sbanner.
Mr.NeeleshBanthiabelievesin maintainingfriendlyandcordiallongtermrelationshipwithhisclients, whichisaskillsetthatmajorityofthe lawyerslackintoday’slegalmilieu. Thisdefinitelyprovideshimwithan edgeoverotherpeoplewhoareputting intheireffortsinthefield.
TheInspirationalSaga
Mr.NeeleshBanthiabeingaseasoned lawyerandbearingexperiencein handlinglegalmattersacrossthe world,hasmorethan20yearsoflegal wisdomandprofessionalismtohis nameandiscurrentlymanagingateam ofaround350+lawyers.Heis specializedinhandlingvarietyoflegal worksfromdifferentjurisdictions acrossallcontinents.
RewardsandAwards
Followingaretherewardsofthe company:
• BanthiaandCo.Advocateshas beenrecognizedamongtheTOP 10PROMISINGLEGAL CONSULTANTSININDIAby LegalConsultantsMagazine, September2017.
• Reviewedasoneofthe50MOST PROMINENTCONSULTING COMPANIESin2018,January edition.
• ReviewedastheCONSULTANT OFTHEYEARin2018bythe CEOMAGAZINE2018.
• ReviewedastheCONSULTANT OFTHEYEARin2018by SILICONINDIA2018.
• AcknowledgedastheBRANDOF THEYEARin2018by BUSINESSCONNECT
• ReviewedasMOST ADMIRABLECOMPANIESto watchin2018byPRIMEVIEW MAGAZINE.
• Thefirmhasstarteditsnewoffice recentlyinTokyo,Japanasan AssociateOfficewith HARAGUCHILawofNations OFFICE.
• BanthiaandCo.Advocateshas recentlycarriedoutatie-upwitha MexicobasedCompany MAKILATEGLOBAL BUSINESS.
• Achievements
• BanthiaandCo.Advocateshas successfullycompleted64yearsin thelegalprofession.
• BanthiaandCo.Advocatesisthe firstfirminIndiahaving establishedatie-upofficein TurkeyandJapan.
• Thefirmhasmadeamarkby openingeightinternationaloffices acrosstheglobeandserving clientsacrosstheworld.
• Thefirmisservingaround20 archdiocese/dioceseand80 religiouscongregationsglobally, inthecurrentscenario.
• ThefirmhasstartedaUKbased KPOcompanywithinthename andeleganceofBanthiaLegal ServicesUKLtd.
• Mr.NeeleshBanthiawasawarded withthemembershipofthe prestigiousInternationalCouncil ofJurists.
HurdlesintheExpedition
Thejourneyfrom3to24officeswasn't easytoaccomplishandcertaintrials andchallengesfacedbythe establishmentandMr.NeeleshBanthia were:
• Mr.NeeleshBanthiawasgetting intoadistinctsegmentfieldwithin thecatholicsystem,whichproved tobeamassiveobstaclesincehe isanon-Catholicindividualand hadtobeatunidentifiedbarriersof competition.
• Mr.NeeleshBanthiatookthe decisiontocontinuethetopoffice inBhopal(M.P.)wherehis grandfatherpracticed,ratherthan shiftinghisofficetoametrocity. Atthatpointalbeitandeventoday itisastandardperceptionwithin thebusinessandlegalfieldthat therearen'tmanyopportunitiesif operationsarefromanon-metro city.However,hiszeal, commitmentandtheconsistent traitofpositivethinkingconverted thisdeedtobehisbestdecision. Hecontemplatedandrealisedthat theexpensesinBhopalarequite
minimalandtravellingconsumes lowamountoftimeascompared tometrocities.Hetookonboarda numberofprofessionalswithhim fromacrosstheworldwhopossess expertiseinavarietyoffields. Theyprovidedworldclass servicestohisclientswhilebeing basedinBhopal,whichis definitelyworththepraise.
• OneofthemajorhurdlesforMr NeeleshBanthiawastoalterthe conventionalandconformist approachpertaininginregardwith practiceinthelegalfield.Hefaced thechallengeofturningthe directionofthefirmtowardsbeing formulatedintoalegal consultancyfirminsteadofa litigationfirm.Sincethetimehe joinedthefirm,theinclinationof majorityofthelawyerswas towardspracticinglitigation,and
• notmanyunderstoodthe importanceofconsultancyandout ofthecourtsettlement.Theculture oflookingbeyondacertainpigeon holewithabroadperspectivewas instilledbyhimintothe individualsofBanthiaandCo. familyandhencetheseriesof transitionsandplansthathave beenexecutedbyhimhave cumulatedintotheexcellence possessedbythefirm.
JourneytowardsSuccess
Equippedwithstate-of-the-art professionalservicesand communicationfacilities,thefirm pinpoints‘expertiseinlocallaws’asits forte.Ensuringmaximumcompetency, inadditiontothemultitudebenefits thatpropagateasimpleraccesstolocal resources,anin-depthresearchand investigationmechanismoptedbythe firmcuratesaknowledgebankthat assistsintheunderstandingand implementationoflocallaws.Spotting ‘RegularizationofProperties’asfirm’s flagshipoffering,BanthiaandCo. Advocatesalsodealsininternational investmentandpropertymatters.
AsperMr.NeeleshBanthia,thecredit forthesuccessofthefirmgoestothe wholeteamwhohasworkedwithhim dayandnightfortherisingofthisfirm notonlydomesticallybut internationallyaswell.The establishmenthasdiversifiedthelegal professionbyimpartingdiscipline, commitmentandhonestyandhas instilledtheabilitytodeliverworkas fastaspossible.
CreativityandInnovation
BanthiaandCo.asalawfirmdoesnot believeindesignationsorlabelsand alwaystriestobridgethegapbetween seniorandjunioradvocates.They recentlytooknoteofthefactthat thoughseniorlawyershavethe requirednecessaryworkexperience, juniorlawyershaveaverypromising
commandovertechnology The establishmenttriestobringtogether andfusethesetwotogetherinorderto providethebestpossibleresultsto clientsinavarietyofsectors.
Withintheperipheryourworkspace, weencouragethedevelopmentand visualizationofnewbusinessideasfor theexpansionofthefirmindifferent fieldsandplacesandalsothegrowthof allassociatedindividuals,whilst maintainingapressure-free environmenttoenableeveryoneto workanddelivertotheoptimumlevel oftheirproductivity
StrategiestoFollow
Drivenbythemottotoensurethe availabilityofpromptlegalservices whereverandwheneverneeded, BanthiaandCo.Advocatesbelievesin theadoptionofdynamicalterations broughtforwardbythe transformations,insteadoffollowing thetraditionalandconventional methodsofadvocacy.
Itfosterstomaintainalong-term, comprehensiverelationshipwithits esteemedclients.Theybelieveinthe commitmentandenergyoftheyouth, astohowtheydrawinspirationfrom theirsurroundingsandhowthey channelizetheirthoughtprocessand forthatveryreason,mostofthe advocatesintheestablishmentare belowtheageof50years.
OpportunitiesAhead
Atpresent,maximumadvocatesacross thenationareboundtothearchaic methodsofpractice.They'reunableto adapttothedynamicenvironmentand acceptthetechnologicaladvancements thathavepoppedupwithinthe profession.
InMr.Neelesh’sopinion,theIndian paradigmlackstheprowessof professionalism,organization,and managementtechniquesandforthat
veryreason,mostofthetime,the clientsareunsatisfiedandinternational communitylookdownuponus Indians.
Bychangingthescenariointhefirm, Mr.Neeleshistryingtoincludealittle initiativebyprovidingafarbetter, healthierandtrustworthyenvironment tohisclient.Alongsidethis,agrowth orientedandafriendlyandresponsive atmospheretoyoungadvocatesand buddinglawyersofthecountryensures thatthefirmandallindividuals workingunderitsnameattaingrowth mutually
Asofnow,thefirmisplanningon expandinggloballyinmorecountries. Apartfromthatithasalreadyentered intootherventureslikeknowledge processoutsourcingthroughits registeredcompanyinUKwiththe nameofBanthiaLegalServicesUK Ltd.Theteamhasalsostarted enhancingontheduediligenceand complianceinreferencetoproperty andinvestmentmatters.
Futuredevelopmentsmaybeinclusive ofstartinganofficeinCanada, Australia,Kuwait,AbuDhabi,France, andventuringintomorelegalfields.
Withtheopeningoftopnotchlaw schoolsinIndia,whichdeliverthe humblestpossibleeducationtoyouth alongsidebuildingtheirotherskills. Theteamsurelycanforeseeabright futureinthisfield.Thefield,asa fraternityhavetounderstandits responsibilityinimpartingthebest trainingtoitsfuturegenerationsin ordertoensurethattheupcoming advocatesaremuchmorecompetent, knowledgeable,andprofessional.
Peopleneedtounderstandthat advocacyisaservice-orientedfieldand withtheevolvingdynamic environment,itneedstoacceptthe changesinthelegalfieldaswell.
Mahesh Shanbag
Serving the Indian Legal Paradigm Dynamically
ThelegalspaceinIndiaisevolvingata
dynamicpace.Theindustryhasseenalotof transformationsovertheyearsintermsof trialsatthecourttofast-trackingthejudgement process,everythinghaschangedwiththechanging times.Seldompeoplefindthattherearesome challengeswhileappealingtothecourt,thoughthere arestrugglesbuttheyarenotsoprominentlikethey usedtoinearliertimes.Technologicaldevelopments haveenabledlegalprofessionalsandthejudiciaryto actinaccordancewiththedynamicsifdigitizationand providesolutionsthatareuptothetrendingmarket requirements.
WithallthechangeshappeningintheIndianlegal sector,thelegalprofessionals,consultants,and lawyersneedtostayabridgedwiththelatesttrends. Theyhavetoprovidetheirclientswithexceptional servicesandsolutionssoastogetjusticeforthemina rightway.Theireffortsinprovidingtheclientswith therightkindofserviceisthekeytoacquiremore
clientsandrecognition.Thatiswhy,ithasbecome paramountthateverylegalprofessionalmust understandtheclient’scoreconcernandaddressthe issueproperly
Thisiscrucialmainlyinthecriminalcases.Criminal lawisthebodyofthelawthatdescribescriminal offenses,regulatestheapprehension,charging,and trialsforthesuspectedindividuals.Itdecidespenalties andmediumoftreatmentleviedforconvicted offenders.“Criminallawisonlyoneofthemediums throughwhich,organizedsocietiessafeguardthe securityofindividualinterestsandensurethesurvival ofthegrouporacommunity,”saysAdvocate MaheshShanbag,apracticinglawyerinthedistrict courtofSangli,Maharashtra.
ACriminalLawExpert MaheshspenthisentirechildhoodinVithafrom wherehehails.HehascompletedhisLLBfromILS CollegePunein1997.HegraduatedfromWillingdon
‘‘ My ambition was to help people by giving competitive exams and becoming an officer and get myself involved in public service. But as I graduated, I came to know that there are a lot of limitations in this field. I realized that there are still other areas through which, I can help the society in a positive way or in a contributing manner. Being a lawyer made that possible for me
College,Sangliandstartedindependentpracticethere only.HehascompletedhisLLBfromILSCollege Punein1997.Mahesh’sprofessionaltenureincludes servinginthecriminallawdomainlargely.Hehas beeninpracticing1998. Maheshisoneofthe renownedcrimelegalspecialistsinSangli.
Talkingaboutthechallengesinpracticinginthe criminallawdomain,hementionsthattherearebulky andlengthycasesintermsofdocumentationandlack ofphysicalevidencebecomesamajorhindrancewhile handlingthecases.“Hence,probingthecasebecomes achallenge,”statesMahesh.
Hehasdonesomepro-bonocasesforthepeoplefrom unprivilegedsectionofthesocietyandhascontributed totheirupliftmentinadynamicway.Especially,he hashelpedawomaninrehabilitatingherlifefrom scratchwhenshewasonthevergeofgettingadivorce fromherhusband.Thatcasewasveryemotionaland veryclosetohisheartatthetime.
Hefeelsgreatsatisfactioninachievingthisfeat.The factthathecaneffectivelycontributetowardsanexfelon’slifeinaproductivemannerputshimatpeace. HehasbeeninvolvedwithdifferentNGOs,namely–ConsumerForumSangli.Maheshhasalsocontributed towardsLion’sClub’sactivities.
Afterbrowsingthroughvariouscareeropportunities, Maheshdecidedtooptforbecomingalawyerashe feltthatitwasthemostsuitablewayforpublic service.Hewantedtopursuepublicservice examinationslikeUPSC/MPSC.
Butafterthoroughcontemplation,hefixatedon becomingalawyer.“ItbecameevidentthatifIwork diligentlyinthecourt,Icanproducebetterresultsand helppeopleefficiently,”concludesMahesh.
OPa ence is the key to success “ “
Mrunal Pandya
utstandinglawyersaredrivenbythepassionto deliverjusticetotheirclients.Theyupholdthelaw andtreatalltheirclientswithequalrespect.These lawyersbelieveincompletingeverycaseasfastaspossible, whilereapingthebestoutcomefortheirclients.
OnesuchdedicatedlawyerinIndiaisnoneotherthanMr. MrunalPandya.Mr.Mrunalwasborninafamilyof advocatesandhasbeenacquaintedwiththisprofession sincechildhood.Althoughinitiallyhehadverylessinterest ofbecominganadvocate,butgraduallyaftercompletinghis tenthgrade,hestartedgaininginterestinthesaidfieldof advocacybecauseofthesolereasonthateachcaseis different.Hebelievesthatthismakestheprofession differentfromothersbecausehemustfacenewchallenges everyday.Moreover,thisprofessionalsochallengeshimto usehiswitandcommonsense.Mr.Mrunalalsoleverages hisknowledgecoupledupwithskillsthathelphisclientsto conquertheirlegalchallengesandcomplications.
Mr.Mrunalstatesthatthelegalparadigmorpatternof advocacyisjustmasteringthefactstoagreatextent;
however,asalawyerhehasalwaysintendedtobecome masteroffacts.Thisisbecausealthough,therearemany studymaterialsavailable,butfactshavetobethoroughly andcarefullystudiedalongwithchronologicalhappening ofevents.
GuidedbyEruditeMentors
Mr.Mrunalwasinitiallymotivatedbyhisfathertostudy lawandbecomealawyer Thereafter,hestartedpracticing asalawyerandinitiallyworkedwithAdvVaibhavN JadhavandthereafterwithAdvAjayMToshiniwal.Under theirastuteguidance,Mr.Mrunalembarkedonthepathof howtobecomeagoodlawyer."Adv.AjayMToshiniwalis aseniorlawyerfromNashikwhoalsohasarichheritageof legalknowledgeandisasecond-generationlawyerlikeme. Underhisguidance,Igottolearnimmenseandreceived masteryoverseveraltypesofcases",statesMr.Mrunal.He wasalsoguidedimmenselybyAdv.SandeepShinde (MumbaiHighCourt),thefounderofErgoJuris.
AMasterfulSpecialist
Mr.Mrunalprovidesexcellentservicesinallkindsof
labour,industrial,civil,consumer,matrimonial,debts recoverytribunalaswellasdocumentationservicestohis severalclients.Furthermore,hespecializesincriminal mattersnotconcernedwithbodilyoffencessuchasmatters concernedwithNegotiableInstrumentsAct,offencesother thanbodilyoffencesunderIndianPenalcode1860suchas cheating,BreachofTrust,etc.Mr.Mrunalismostly associatedwithmorethan50corporatecompanies,where helooksafteralltheend-to-endlegalservicesofthe companiesonalllegalfrontiers.Hehasgainedtremendous experiencebyworkingfordifferenttypesofcompanies rangingfrommanufacturingcompaniestohospitalstobig hotels.
ViewsonthePandemicSituation
Mr.MrunalbelievesthatCovid-19hasbeenachallenging timeandoneofitskindaboutwhichnobodyhadanysortof ideaorpreparation,andhence,ithasbeenchallenging.The maindifficultyfacedduringthistimeisthatduetothe entirepandemicsituation,thehearingsofthecaseshave beenslowedtoagreatextent,whichisbeyondanyone's control.Hefurtherstatesthatitistoughtomakeclients understandastowhytheexpectedreliefassortedbythem fromcourtistoughtobedeliverednowduetoimproper functioningofthecourt.
Mr.Mrunalexpressesthatpostthepandemic,many traditionallegalpracticesandprocedureswillstart changingandwillbealtered.Firstly,thee-hearingsandefilingswillhavelotofimportance.Thematterspostedfor finalargumentswillbeheardbythejudgesonline.Healso opinesthatthecourthallsareverysmallintrialcourtsand socialdistancingisnotpossible.Thesamecourtfileis beingseenbyseveralpeopleandthisincreasesthechances ofpossiblecoronavirusinfection.Toavoidthis,the paradigmofthelegalprofessionneedstobeshifted whereinthefilingsofcasesmustbeonlineandsupporting documentshavetobeuploadedonlineandthehearingof thesamehavetobeonline.Thiswilldecreasethecrowdin courthall,bothofpaperandpublic.Itwillalsoprotect spreadingofthecoronavirusinfectionamongstjudges, stenographers,andothercourtstaff.
WordsonTechnologicalAdvancement
Mr.Mrunalbelievesthattechnologicaladvancementisthe needtothehour.Heisoftheopinionthatthelegalfieldis theonewhichhasseentheleastofthesame.However, slowlybutgraduallytransitionishappening.Thee-courts programoftheHon'bleApexCourthashelpedtobringalot oftransparencyforthelitigants.Further,artificial intelligenceisonesuchareathatstillcanintroducefurther developmentsinthelegalfield.Mr.Mrunalopinesthat technologicaladvancementhasbeenagamechangerasa lawyercannowadayssearchforcitationsofSupreme CourtandHighCourtsontheinternet.Theycanget informationregardingthedateofanycase,casestatus,
dailyroznama,judgesofleave,andallsuchcrucialdatain justaclickofthemouse.
OpinionsabouttheChangingParadigm
Speakingaboutthechanginglegalindustry,Mr.Mrunal statesthatnothingremainsthesameforeverandeverything evolvesinsmallbitseveryday.Hestatesthatthelegal professionisnoexception.Theindustryisslowly witnessingsignificantchangesandismarchingtowards achievingfurthergreatness.Mr.Mrunaladds,"Forinstance, fewdecadesback,certaincaseslikecasesofrentcontrol werefloodedincourthallswhichtodayhavealmostgone, similarlye-contractdisputecases,cybercomplaints,etc., whichwerenotseenatthattimearegrowingtoday.”
WordsofEncouragement
Addressingtheup-and-cominglawyers,Mr.Mrunalstates thatthelegalprofessionisverypromisingandhas tremendousopportunitiesfortheindividualsinterestedin givingtheirbestandbringingchange.However, continuous,andrepetitivestudyaboutthelawsand awarenessoflatestjudgmentsoftheHon'bleHigherCourts alongwithwittycommonsenseisveryimportantfor lawyerstosucceedintheprofession.Further,patienceisthe keyandtillacertainage,onehastoworkhardwithutmost dedicationonwhatevercasestheygetanddeliverthe resultstotheirclient.Thiswillgraduallyhelpthemtoget crucial,important,andhigh-profilecases/matters.
ThoughtsontheLegalScenario
Mr.MrunalopinesthatthecurrentIndianlegalscenariois changing.TheMinistryofLaw,LawCommission,andthe BarCouncilofIndiaaretakingeffectivestepsindelivering speedyjusticetolitigantsandthejudgesarealsoworking hardforthesame.Hebelievesthatcriminaltrialsarenow takinglesserdurationtobeconcluded,andcivilcasesstill takesometime,howeverthenumberofadjournmentsat eachstagehavenowbeencappedandthatishelpful.Mr. Mrunalfurtherexpressesthatthepandemichasmadeit clearthatthereisahugerequirementofonlinehearingsin thelegalsystem.Additionally,theNashikCourthadstarted itsfirstpilotprojectfore-filingandthesaidprojectwas inauguratedbySupremeCourtJudgeHon'bleJustice Chandrachud.
FutureForesight
Speakingaboutthefuture,Mr.Mrunalbelievesthatheis stilllearningandhasalottolearnaboutthisnoble profession.Heisalsooftheopinionthatifhekeeps workingwithconstantdedicationandhardwork,thefuture willberewarding.
The Future of Legal Space in India Legal
Therearehardlyanylegalsystemsasdiverseyet sophisticatedasthelegalsysteminIndia.Thecourt proceedingsandthelegalspacethatIndianlaw offersaresimplyincredible.However,ifwelookbackat historythenthelawyershavetostruggletomakealiving bypracticinglaw
Inthe1980stopracticelawinIndia,youeitherhadtohave afamilybackgroundoflawyersorhadtodoasidebusiness thatcouldsupportyourlivingexpense.Thosewerehard timesfortheyoungandbuddinglawyersinthosetimes.
However,timeshavechangedsincethen.Thearrivalof privateinstitutesalsoaddedmorevalue,andmorelawfirms cameintoexistence.Withthis,itbecamemucheasierfor thenewpassing-outlawyerstofindajobthatreallypaid themwell.
TheSacredLaw
ThehistoryofIndia,itsculture,diversityisamongstthe manythingsonwhichthelawhasbeenmadeandbrought intopractice.WhatremainedsacredintheIndianlegal spaceisthatthelawappliesequallytoeveryone,andthe justicedonewillbeblind.
AbrightfutureforwomeninlegalspaceinIndia
IndianLegalsystemisquiteoldandismajorlydominated bymenfromthebeginning.However,withthenumberof lawfirmscomingincreasinginadevelopingcountrylike India,therehasbeenasignificantincreaseinthenumberof womenpracticinglaw TheSupremeCourtofIndiahasa verylongandrichhistory
Inthelast71years,only11womenjusticeshavemade theirwaytotheApexcourtofIndia.Whereas,insomeparts oftheworldthepercentileofwomenjudgesdelivering justicewasindoubledigits,comparedtoIndiawhich happenstohaveaverypoorrecord.
Butastheysay,everycloudhasasilverlining,The NationalLawSchoolscameintoexistenceandmanylaw firmsthatbelieveinwomanempowermentareexpectedto changethenumberssoon.Thenumberofwomenentering thelegalspacethroughcorporatelawfirmsis spontaneouslyincreasing,promisingwomenawonderful careerinthelegalspace.
LawandTechnology:thenextbigthinginthelegal space
Technologyhasbroughtsignificantdevelopmentacross manysectorsvaryingfromtransportation,education, healthcare,evenfinance,andthelistgoeson.Technologyin lawisexpectedtobringahugechangeinthewaylawis currentlypracticedandinlegalproceedings.
Technologicaladvancementscanbringinahugedifference intheprocessofidentificationofthelawswhicharebeing broken,collection,preservation,andpresentationof evidenceinalegalcase.Thiswillnotonlyeffectivelylower theburdenonlawyers,butitcanrevolutionizethelegal space.Theinfluenceoftechnologyonthelawinthecurrent pandemichasbeenremarkable.
Currently,theworldisinformation-centric,andlawthatis basedonevidencecanmaketheprocedureveryeasyand accessibleforlawyersevenwithnoexperienceinthelegal space.Informationprocessingandspeechsynthesisarea fewofthemanyareaswheretechnologyespeciallyAIcan help.
Thefuturethatdemandsqualityalongwithquantity
TheBarCouncilofIndiahasrecognizedover1400colleges orinstitutesinIndia.Despitehavingahugenumberof colleges,thereisonlyahandfuloffullcollegesthatare consideredelite.Itwastheseelitecollegesthatyoungsters wholovedlawfancies.
Itisalsobecauseofthecorporatefirmsthatofferhuge paymentsforthepass-outsthatmorestudentsfocusedon practicinglaw.Itisduetothisthatthefutureoflegalspace inIndia,demandsqualityaswellquantityfromtheyoung andbuddinglawyers.
Acompletelydifferentfutureliesahead
Earlier,thescenariowasquitedifferent,whenonlypeople havingarecognizablebackgroundhadagoodandstable environmentwhilepracticinglaw.Now,thescenariois completelydifferent,asthelegalsectorneedsmanpower anditistheknowledgethatreallymakesthedifference.The internshipsandotherprogramsthatallowotherstolearn lawwhilepracticingitcanbeagame-changerfortheyouth.
ThefutureofthelegalspaceinIndiaisexpandinginevery directionpossible.Theintroductionoftechnologyandother thingscanhelpinexpandingthespaceinthelegalsector
TheoutstandinglawyersofIndiaupholdthelawand
focusonprovidingjusticetotheneedy Theytreat everyclientwithequalrespectandconsidereach caseequallyimportant.Theselawyersholdtheentirecourt inawewiththeirfabulousargumentskills.Theyare responsibletowardsdeliveringtimelyandqualityjustice.
Onesuchdedicatedlawyerwhonevergivesupandfights eachcasewithzealanddedicationisnoneotherthanPakhi Garg.SheservesastheAdvisorandIPRChiefofWorld CyberSecurityForum(WCSF),Delhi
InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Ms.Pakhishares aboutherjourney,hermotivation,thevariouschallenges thatshehasfacedthroughouthercareer,andherfuture plans.ToknowmoreaboutMsPakhi,readthefollowing interview:
Enlightenuswithyourprofessionaljourneyintothe legalparadigm.
AftermygraduationfromNainital(KumaunUniversity)in 2015IdidmyPGinCyberLawsfromIndianLawInstitute (ILI)in2016andthenIcompletedmyLLB(H)from AmityLawSchool,Noidain2019.
MyprofessionaljourneystartedinJuly2019(justaftermy LLB)andIwasplacedasalegalconsultantinPwCIndiain Gurgoan.Inthesameyear,Ialsojoinedmyfriends’techno legalconsultancynamed,WorldCyberSecurityForumas an“AdvisorandIPRchief”whichisaNPOandwearestill runningourorganizationthataimsincreatingcyber awarenesstothenetizens.
Then,afterapprox.eightmonthsofmyservicewithPwC,I switchedtoSinghandAssociatesinGurgoantill2021.
Then,IreceivedajobofferfromGartnerIndiainGurgaon andIamcurrentlyworkingthereasanin-housecounsel.
Whatmotivatedorinspiredyoutobeinthelegalspace?
Sincemychildhood,Iwasfascinatedwiththewaylawyers andadvocatesdressandargueinthecourtoflaw.Then whenIgrewupIwantedtooptforcriminallitigationas thatwastheonlythingIknowtillthetimeIgetmyself admittedinthelawschool.But,thereIgotalotofnew prospectiveandduringthelawschoolIparticipatedunder manyactivitieslike:mocktrials,mootswerethereasons thatenhancedmyskillsandmademelovelawevenmore. Anothercreditgoestomylawschoolprofessorslike: MrunalD.
Buvama’am(PracticingAdvocate,SupremeCourtofIndia) asshewasthefirstpersonwhointroducedthesegmentof lawtomeduringmyPGProgram.Thenotherprofessorsof minelike:Dr.BhavnaBatra,Ms.PalkaRishi,MsSwati Kaushal,Ms.KalpanaJayas,Mr.VibhorGuptaetc. encouragedmetodobetterandbetter.Andevenmylearned friendslike:Dr.NachiketaMittalandMsMeghaAhujaare alsothepeoplewhohelpedmeoutineverysphereofnot justprofessionalbutpersonallife.Theirteachingswerea lifetimelessonsformeandwhateversmallIhavedoneso farisbecauseofallthesepeople.
Kindlytalkaboutthevariousorspecializedlegal offerings,solutions,orservicesthatyouprovidetoyour clientele.
WorldCyberSecurityForumisatechnolegalconsultancy thataimsincreatingcyberawarenessfornetizens.As WCSFisaNPO,henceweofferserviceslike:Cyber Counselling,TechnoLegalConsultancy,Contract Administration,Workshops,Trainings,Courses,Webinars
withsubjectmatterexpertstoencouragepeopletojoinus andmakethisdigitalplaceabetterandsafeworld.Our teampossesshighlyexperiencedandlearnedacademicians, professors,practicingadvocates,cybersecurityanalystsetc.
Asalawyer,whatchallengeshaveyoufacedinthis ongoingCovid-19pandemic?
Duringpandemic,themajorchallengewasworking remotelyandontheinitialstageitwasabsolutelyhectic andchaotic.Clientswerealsofacingtheissueingetting connectedwithusasnoteveryoneistechfriendly.Butnow, ithasbecomeatrendandpartofthelife.So,stillcopping upwiththisworkstyle.Financialaidwasanothermajor challengebutslowlyandgraduallyeverythingisshapingup onitsown.
Howtechnologicaladvancementsinthelegalspacehas helpedyouinovercomingthosechallenges?
Thankstoallthevideoconferencingappsandotherapps thathasactuallyhelpedusinworkingremotely.Because beforecovidera,wehardlyuseappsforvideocallsbutnow yourworkisbasedonthem,andthegrowingtechhasreally madeitswiftasforeverypurposewehavevariousapps andthat’stheamazingpartofthetechnology.Like:If someonewantstofixanappointmentwithme,Iuse “Calendly”appforitasitisveryreliableandeasytogo app.Theuserwillalsogetthenotificationofthe appointmentfixedbytheclientandtheclientisalsofreeto taketheappointmentasperhisownavailabilityand convenience.Besidesthatotherappsarealsoplayingmajor roleineasingmyworklife.
Howlegalpracticehasevolvedovertheperiodoftime?
Arethereanysignificantchanges?
Thecourtisworkinghardtodeliverthejusticeinatime boundmanner.Previously,therewereafixedworkinghours forthecourtbutnowtheyhaveworkedharderevenwhole nightsandgavesomelandmarkjudgements.The competitionishighandgrowingdaybydaywhichisalso encouragingjudicialofficers,advocatesandotherstaff memberstoupdateandupgradethemselves.Thecorporates areactuallyinvestingtheirresourcesintrainingtheir employeeswhichisabiggesteffortfromtheirside.They aregivingthemtheopportunitytoprovethemselvesinthe workplaceandmanyarestillworkinghardtoprovetheir worth.Thesearesomesignificantchanges.Thelawschools andcollegesarealsounderstandingtheworthofpractical knowledgehencetheyarealsocallingsomeeminent spokespersontosharetheirknowledgewiththeirstudents.
Whatadvicewouldyougivetotheaspiringlegal enthusiastswhoarewillingtobecomelawyersandstep intothelegalspacetoday?
Ireallywishtosharethesepoints:
• Focusonthesocietalissuesandtrytotakerelevant action.
• Readalotandlearnasmuchasyoucan.
• Haveconfidenceandpatience.
• Workonthebasicsoflaw.
• Startresearchingthroughvalidatedsources.
• Bepunctualandreadytotakeandfacechallenges.
• Openyourselftoexplorethisfield.
Wheredoesyourendeavorsleadyoutointhecoming years?Kindlytalkaboutyourfuturescenario. Wearerigorouslyworkinghardtocreatethecyber awarenessamongstnetizensandhencewearecomingup withvariousworkshops,trainingthatfocusesonthe
practicalaspectthatneedstobetakencare.Wealso emphasisonthecorporatetrainings.Innearfuture,our trainingswillbefocusedontheteenagersandwomento makethemunderstandthecorrectusageoftheinternet. Alongwiththat,wewillbecomingupwiththejournal publicationwhereallthecyberenthusiastswillbeableto readandsharetheirblogsandresearchworkwithus.
WhatisthecurrentscenariooftheIndianLegalSpace accordingtoyou?
Thecoronaviruspandemichascausedlockdownsinvarious countriesaroundtheworld,disruptingallaspectsoflife includingIndia'slegallandscapeforanuncertaintime.It hasshedaharshlightontheoutdatedwayofadministering justice,teachinglaw,andprovidinglegalservices.In2016, inthememorablejudgmentof Anita Kushwaha v Pushap Sudan,theconstitutionalbenchoftheSupremeCourtof Indiaruledthataccesstojusticeisafundamentalright guaranteedbyarticle14oftheIndianConstitution.I steadfastlyacceptthateveninastateoffluxcausedbythe lockdown,accesstojusticehasnotbeenimpeded,andthe swiftresponsebyembracingtechnologyandformulating electroniccourtsandvideoconferencingisastepforward andmuchmorepositivethannoaccesstojusticeamidst coronaviruspandemic.
TheIndianlegalsystemisnostrangertotechnologyand hasconstantlykeptabreastofthelatesttechnological developments.Forexample,theadventoftheInternetand informationtechnologyresultedintheenactmentofanew statute,namelytheInformationTechnologyAct,2000,and theamendmentstothecenturies-oldIndianEvidenceAct, 1872.Recentstepstowardsthedigitizationofjusticeand courtadministrationareestablishingvirtualcourtsand electronicfilings.
ElectroniccourtswerelaunchedaspartoftheNationalPeGovernancePlan(NeGP)in2006.However,thesudden andsurprisingarrivaloftheCOVID-19emergencyhas givenamoreprominentfillipinachievingaquickchange inthemodeofadministrationofthecourtsinthecountry. Wehavealsoseentheriseofalternativedisputeresolution mechanismsinIndiaduringthepandemic.
Notallarefamiliarwiththeseadvances,yetthecurrent conditionsdemandthatwebecome,oratleastthatwemake effortsbecausethenearfuturewillbethetimeof technology.TheadministrationofcourtsinIndiaafterthe adventoftheCOVID-19crisishascertainlyacceleratedthe shifttoe-justiceeventhoughmanychallengesarebeing faced.
Ripple Hamza
An Expert in Cross Border Litigation
Thelegalveteransinblackcoatsaretheones,who dedicatetheirlivesinstudyinglawandbuildinga healthysociety.Lawyersarethehard-workingand confidentleadersofournation.Butthestrugglebehind beingsuchanamazinglytalentedpersonalitywithasoaring spiritisimmeasurable.Therearemanythings,which smoothsthisstrugglingjourneyandoneofthemis supportivefamilyculture.Asupportivefamilycanmake one’slifewonderful.
Thecriticalartofbeing‘successful’inlifecanbeachieved withfamilybeingthebackboneduringyourstruggle.It developsafoundationforthemostpowerfulpersonalities, whofurtherbuildsahealthysociety.
Whilesearchingforsuchpowerfulpersonalitiesforthe edition,India'sOutstandingLawyers-2021,wecameacross awonderfulandtalentedperson,Mr.RippleHamza.Heis asincereandinspiringadvocate,amotivatingindividual, whotheyouthaspiretobeoneday.Mr.Hamzabelieves thathisfamily’ssupporthasplayedthemostvitalrolein hispersonal,aswellasprofessionallife.
Inthefollowinginterview,Mr.Hamzawillbriefusabout hisjourneyofbeingoneofthemostinspiringadvocates.
THE
LEGALFIELD Has A Lot To
To HUMAN RIGHTS
Activists And Everything
Hewillalsosharehisviewsonhowthelegalspacecanbe improvedandwhatchallengeshefacedduringtheCovid19pandemic.Hewillalsodiscusshowhemanagedto overcomethechallengesandadvicethelegalenthusiasts, whowishtoenterthelegalspace.
Followingarethehighlightsofinterview:
Enlightenuswithyourprofessionaljourneyintothe legalparadigm.
Ihavealwayswantedtopursueacareerthatpromoteda knowledgeofbeingabletosocialiseandinteract.Iwas verycleartooptlawforhigherstudiessinceschooling.My parentswerehighlysupportiveinthatregard.Igraduatedin LawfromUniversityofCalicutandlandedajobasa corporatelawyer.Inspiredtomakethelegalpracticemore efficient,Ipreferredacareergapanddidaspecialisationin I.P.fromtheW.I.P.O.academy,Geneva,andfollowedasa legalresearcheratGulfInstituteforInternationalLaw, Dubai.Inthedynamicglobaleconomy,cross-border litigationhaswitnessedarapidincrease. International arbitrationhassignificantlyaidedtheprocess.
Cross-borderlitigationispronetochallengesthatdonot arisetothesameextent,asindomesticdisputes.Mycourse ofemploymentwithmultiplelegalsystemsaroundthe worldespeciallyinIndia,Iran,Russia,Thailand,Eastern Europe,andArabcountriesinmattersrelatingtoGovernmentLiaisoning,Maritimelawandothercorporatelegal affairshashelpedinmanagingthelegalrisks,business prioritiesandregulatoryrequirementsacrosswide-ranging cultures.Ihavealsobeenapartoftheverywellacclaimed legalenterpriseslikeGammonGroupGCC,Singhaniaand Co.LLP,andSlashSecureEurope.
DuringtheinitialstageofGeorgia’seconomicdevelopment,apartnershiplawfirmnamedMalatsidzeandRipple ConsultingLtd.,wasalsoestablishedinthecountry.There upon,manyforeigncompaniessettheirfootin.Today, Georgiahasfullygrowntobeatourism-basedeconomy.
Shiparrestreleasesinworld’stoughestjurisdictionslike Iranthatdonotcomplywithmanyinternationalrulesand practiceswerealsofacilitatedandnegotiated.AsaSenior
India's Outstanding Lawyers-2021
LegalAdvisoratKadenBoriss,aglobalallianceof independentandautonomousfull-servicelawoffices,my careerhaswitnessedaremarkabletrajectory.Some milestonesinlifeincludesbeingenlistedasoneamongthe top50lawyersincross-borderpracticeatSentosa,Singapore,in2019.
Italsogavemeimmensepleasureinhavingdelivered variouslecturesandbeinganinvitedspeakerinseminars andworkshopsbasedonInternationalLawandCrossBorderlitigation,conductedworldwide.Owingtomy interests,apartfromthelegalprofession,Iamavisiting facultyinInternationalLawatAllianceUniversity, Bengaluru,andhavealsoservedasavisitingfacultyin InternationalBusinessRelationsatIndiraGandhiOpen University,Kerala.Servicesasalegalcommentatorand consultantarealsodelivered.
Whatmotivatedorinspiredyoutobeinthelegalspace? Myentryintothelegalparadigmwasnot-so-merecoincidence.Sincechildhood,theambientenvironment comprisedofsomemaritimelawyers.Myfatherworkedin ashippingcompanyandasachild,Iwasintrigued watchingthelawyersguidingandadvisinghiminhiswork andtalkingaboutvariouscountriesandrulesacrossthe ocean.Someinspirationwasdrawnfromthem,tolookinto thedetailsofinternationalfacetsofthefieldoflaw Asthe timepassed,insightsofinternationallawandpractices developed,andthefieldofviewgotmoreserious.My fatherwaskeenandmyunwaveringpoolofsupportand inspirationinthejourneyofbecominganinternationally acclaimedlawyer
MyareasofexpertiseincludeMaritimeLaw,Interpol, Cross-borderdisputes,PolicyMaking,Acquisitions, Corporatecompliance,Regulatorywork,LegalAuditing andCorporateGovernance.
Asalawyer,whatchallengeshaveyoufacedinthis ongoingCovid-19pandemic?
Kindlytalkaboutthevariousorspecializedlegal offerings,solutions,orservicesthatyouprovidetoyour clientele.
HavingworkedasaSeniorlegaladvisoratKadenBoriss,a globalallianceoffull-servicelawfirmsandlegalenterprisesspecializedinlawpracticeandrenderinglegaladvice toclients,thefocuswasmoreinCommercialandCorporate,LitigationandDisputeResolution,andCross-border disputes,inadditiontootherprominentareasoflaw.Also, beingarecognizedMediator,Arbitrator,Negotiator,and OmbudsmanbytheFederationofIntegratedConflict ManagementandInternationalCommercialDisputes Tribunal,myservicesareofferedintheADRdomainas well.Ihavealsobeenanadvisor,mentor,businessstrategist,andinvestorinmanyaspiringstart-upsandindustries inIndiaandaroundtheglobe,inadditiontoservingasa Pro-BonoCounselonIBARoasteratInternationalBar Association.
TheCovid-19pandemichasaffectedthelegalfraternity drastically.Asuddenresortfromphysicaltocomplete digitalmeans,wasquitestrenuousatthebeginning. Voluminousconversionofdataintodigitalmeans,wasalso timeconsumingandhectic.Theslowingdownofentire legalprocessmeantlessbillingsandinturnlesspay The outbreakofCoronavirusishavingasignificantimpacton themaritimeindustry,asthedemandfortransportationof goodsinandoutofcountriesfell,shipsandtheircrewsare stuckatsea,portsmaybeclosed,andvesselsdelayedby beingquarantined.
Howtechnologicaladvancementsinthelegalspacehas helpedyouinovercomingthosechallenges?
Theextentofthepandemichasconfronteduswithnew avenuestocarryalong.Asitissaidthat,whenthegoing getstough,toughgetsgoing.
Onlinehearings,virtualmeetings,andremoteworkinghas helpedtokeepthingsintacttosomeextent.Toworkfrom homeinpyjamas,insteadoflawyersuits,andinone’s comfortzoneisappreciatedbyavastnumberofyoung lawyers.
Mr. Ripple Hamza
Howlegalpracticehasevolvedovertheperiodoftime? Arethereanysignificantchanges?
Somesignificantchangeshavesweptthroughthis traditionalprofession.Rapiddigitaladoptionisthe foremostofall.Contentmarketinggrowthbymeansof socialmediacaneasilyhelptoengagewithpotential clients.Lawyersareleavingthesafeandwellplayingworld ofconventionalpracticestobuildtheirownniches. Growinglegal-techmarketoffersthelawyerssimplified casemanagementprocedure,streamlinedcommunication andhandyaccessforreference.E-filingofcomplaints, virtualmodesofhearingareallprecursorsofafullydigital andautomatedlegalsphere.
Whatadvicewouldyougivetotheaspiringlegal enthusiastswhoarewillingtobecomelawyersandstep intothelegalspacetoday?
Thelegalfieldhasalottoofferforanyone,fromcorporate lawyerstohumanrightsactivistsandeverythingin between.Therearenohardandfastrules.Forinstance,asa solopractitioneryouhavetowearamultitudeofhatsand carryoutmanyroles.Thelegalfraternityhasgrownintoa volatile,highlycompetitive,technologicallyadvanced, digitised,anddynamicrealm.Hence,constantupskilling andupdatingismandatory.
Lawyersaredetailoriented,usethattoyouradvantage. Standingoutfromcompetitors,whilevyingforthesame jobopportunitiesisverymuchdependentonindividual skills,strength,experience,andexpertise.
Wheredoesyourendeavoursleadyoutointhecoming years?Kindlytalkaboutyourfuturescenario.
Thereareplanstohaveacareer-switch.Inmorethanthree decadesofthisjourney,Ihaveenvisionedsomeshort-term aswellaslongtermplans.Toenlistafew;acareerbreak fromKadenBorisstopsthelist,followedbysettingupa newlawfirmtobenamedCGL,encompassingacompetent teamconsistingofyounggenerationlawyers.Foralawyer, everyriskismitigated.Theprocessofleavingajobto establishanewenterprisemaybedaunting,butifyoucan breakthegoalsintotinysteps,theendeavourbecomesfar moremanageable.
Mybackground,interest,andexpertiseinMaritimelaw acrosstheglobehasfurnishedampleinformationand insightsastothecontrastingpublicinternational,private regulations,andpracticesactuallyinplace.Relatively straightforwardprocedurescanbecomecomplicated,where theyspanborders,anditisimportanttobeawareofthese additionalhurdlesandhowbesttonavigatetheminthe practicalsense.Iintendtomakeitaccessibletothepublic
atlarge,compilingthedataintoabook.Itisintheinitial stageofitsinception.
WhatisthecurrentscenariooftheIndianLegalSpace accordingtoyou?
AmajordrawbackoftheIndianjudiciarysincedecades,has beenthehugebacklogofcases.Unfortunately,thepandemichasmadeitworse.Yet,thecourtshaveadoptedto restrictonlinehearingsandtribunalhearings,usingZoom andPolycomconferencingdevices.Inthelongrun,thisisa blessingindisguisetoruleoutthecausesofpiledupcases. Technologycanbeusedasatool,tomonitorthelong pendingcases.Forinstance,makinguseofAIcanlighten theresearchworksthatajudgehastodotoreviewcases. Also,makinguseofsecuredencrypteddatatransfer,makes theflowofcommunicationeasierandcredible.
Howthelegalparadigmlookslikepost-pandemic globally?
Thepandemicandresultingshutdownshaveadversely affectedallwalksoflife,andthelegalsphereisno exception.Theentiresystemhaswitnessedaprofound disruptionandthankstotechnology,thesystemdidn’t collapsecompletely.Itisinevitablethatthepandemicwill leaveanimprintonthefunctioningofjudiciary,ascomparedtothependencyofcases,butithasalsopavedwayto neweravenuesforservingjustice,otherthantheconventionalmeans.Themajortakeawayisthatwehaveadopted electronicfiling,remoteworking,videoconferences,and otheroptionsforholdingvirtualhearings.Iftakenalong further,thiscanleadtomoreorganisedschedules,lesser wastageoftime,andtimebounddisposalofcases.
Asthecurrentsituationdemands,nearlythree-fourthofthe entirejudicialproceedingstobevirtual,bymeansof technologicalassistance,itisofutmostimportancethat legalprofessionalsupskillthemselvestothelatesttechnologicaladvancements.Thepost-pandemiceraisgoingto revolutionisetheindustrybyincorporationofArtificial Intelligence,Cybersecurity,DataAnalytics,andPrivacy, etc.,tothelegalfraternity.Virtualofficesandlegalresearch databaseshavealsooccupiedtheirslots.Thisboomis expectedtocreateaslewofnewcompaniesandplatforms. Embracingthenewtransformationrequirestheright technologicalfoundation,tohaveaccesstothetoolsthe organisationorthecircumstancedemands.Personal brandingbyusingsocialmediamarketingisalsoan alternativeforthoseinterestedincarvinganicheoftheir own.
aEasy Steps to Establish/Open in India
Manyadvocatesandlawyersarelookingtoopensmall independentlawfirmsinthepost-pandemicnewnormal. Thetrendisrisingbecauseofthemanyattractivebenefitsit offers,includingself-employment,client-centricity,andsettingone’s ownrules,standards,practicepolicies,andnorms.Also,whateverthe monetarycompensationacquiredcomesdirectlytothefirm’sowner andnottosomethird-partybusinessowner
Althoughthebenefitslookveryalluring,establishing,growing,and runningalawfirmsuccessfullyisanarduoustask.Addacontingency planfortheunprecedentedandunavoidablecircumstanceslikethe pandemic,andtheprospectuslooksmuchtrickier,ifnotimpossible.
However,supposeonewishestoopenandrunasuccessfullegalfirm. Inthatcase,theyshouldnotbeworried,aswe,afterconducting secondaryresearch,havebroughtforthemsomeeasytipsthat,ifthey implementedintheirapproach,willhelpthemimmensely
WhoisEligibletoOpenaLawFirm:
AnIndianindividualresidingandwhoisacitizenofIndia,having completed21yearsofage,holdingalawdegreefromaBarCouncilof IndiarecognisedUniversity,andwhoisregisteredwithanyofthe
IndianStateBarCouncil,iseligibletoestablishoropena lawfirmanywhereinIndia.
OtherRequirements:
Therearesomeotherrequirementswhicharemandatory andmustbefollowed.
Whenyousayafirm,itneedsofficespace,beityourhome. Butthepropertymustberegisteredinthenameofthe applicant.Similarly,astheproprietor,onehastoconsider registeringtheirlegaltrademarktogiveanidentityand protectitlegally
Furthermore,thenumberoflawyersthefirmwishestohire orpartnerwithmustbespecifiedtotheBarCouncilof India,theirroles,financing,liability,management,record keeping,taxes,andspecialisation.
Also,fundingorlegitimatesourcesoffinancemustbe securedfromsavings,loans,orearningssothatthecosts mustbesetuptosurvivetheinitialcommencementphase.
Althoughiftheadvocatesorlawyerswhoarealready registeredwiththeBarCouncilofIndianeednothaveto registertheirlawfirms;albeittheywillpromisetofollow certaincompliancesandrequirementsincasetheirfirm beginsgeneratingsubstantialprofits.
ProcedureforRegistrationofaLegalFirminIndia:
Evenbeforesettingupalawfirm,theapplicantmustbe sureaboutthetypeofLegalEntitytheywishtosetupand issuitsthemthebest.Thistypewillthendecideuponthe firm'sstructureandformatofregistration.
Theprimarycompliancenormforanyfirmisthatallits membersmustberegisteredaspractisinglawyerswithany StateBarCouncilofIndia.
Further,therearethreetypesofLegalStructuresavailable inIndiaunderwhichonecanestablishalawfirm.
Ÿ Sole Proprietorship-Astraightforwardbusinessformat underwhichonecanopenandrunabusinessisasole proprietorshipwhichisnotalegalentity
Instead,thesoleproprietorshiponlymentionsthatacitizen ofIndiaownsaparticularbusiness,andtheywillbesolely andpersonallyresponsibleforitsfunctioning,operations, anddebts.
ThereisnoformalprocedureinIndiaforregisteringsuch anentitycalledasoleproprietorshipLawFirm.
Further,theBarCouncilofIndiahascertainrestrictionsfor suchSoleProprietorshipLegalfirms,andthusadvocates andlawyerswhowishtoestablishalawfirmdonotgofor thisoption.
Ÿ Partnership Firms-Onecanalsostartapartnershiplaw firminIndia.Allsuchentitiesaredirected,regulated, andgovernedthroughtheIndianPartnershipAct1932. Sincetherearenofinesorpenaltiesforregistering partnershipfirms,theirregistrationisnotmandatory.
Ÿ limitedliabilitypartnership(LLP)isatypeof partnershipfirmwheresomeorallpartnersholdlimited liabilities.Itmeansthefirmcontainspartnershipsas wellasacorporationfactor
InanLLP,eachofthepartnersisliableforonlytheir misconductornegligenceandnotresponsiblefortheother partner’sbusinessconductornegligence.Buttoregistera lawfirmunderLLP,thefirstthingrequiredisthe DesignatedPartnerIdentificationNumber(DPIN),for whichonehastoapply.OnemustalsoacquireaDigital SignatureCertificate(DSC)byapplyingforittoo.
OnceappliedfortheDSC,anLLPFirm’suniquenamewill beasked.Afterthename’sregistration,theMinistryof CorporateAffairs(MCA)willbenotified,andthenamewill befiledforincorporation.Theprocessendswiththe approvaloftheCertificateofIncorporation.Afterthat,the LLPnamemustbeapprovedbytheMinistryofCorporate. Further,everyLLPmustgetaregisteredPermanent AccountNumber(PAN)andTaxAccountNumber(TAN).
EstablishingtheFuture:
Thoughtheregistrationofalawfirmisneithernecessary normandatory,doingsomakescertainkindsoflegalrights applicableonthefirmanditsmembers/partners.
Allthreelegalstructurehastheirdifferentprosandcons, benefits,drawbacksandproceduresforregistration.Before registeringalawfirm,itisessentialtoconsidervarious factorsliketypes,structures,size,management,finances, tax,profits,loans,andotherliabilities.Itvariesaccordingto theowner’sownershipstructurebestviableforthem.
Intoday’scompetitiveenvironmentandfuture’s unpredictablescenarios,itwillbeaconstantchallengefor eventhemostqualifiedadvocatesandlawyersin maintainingandgrowingasuccessfullawpractice.Thus, theycansecuretheirfuturebytakingtheirfirststepby openingalawfirm.
-GauravPRWankhade
Svetlana Khiyungdzuzu
Leveraging the Power of Redemption
Acrimeisconsideredagrave offenseagainstmorality.An offensesogreatthatsociety shunstheindividualscommitting crimesandshowsthemofmercyor redemption.However,these individualsarestillhumanbeingsand deserveachancetobecomebetter peopleandcontributetosocietyina positiveform.
Imaginepeoplemakingamistake, askingforhelp,beggingfor forgivenessandnoone’slisteningto theirpleas.Unfortunately,thisistrue forsomanyindividualsfrom unprecedentedbackgroundshaving psychologicalproblems,wrongly
Practice of law is a great profession in which every individual has their own ability “ “ “ “
convictedpeoplewhodon’thave adequateknowledgeabouttheir constitutionalrights.
Fortheseindividualswithlittletono hope,someoneadvocatingontheir behalf,believinginthem,andsimply showingsomehumanityisahuge blessing.SvetlanaKhiyungdzuzu Domino,theManagingPartnerof Elohim,NewDelhi,isanextraordinarypractitioneroflaw,enabling accesstojusticeforthelessfortunate.
Svetlanabelieveseveryonedeserves justiceandeveryonedeservesasecond chance,achanceatredemption.She’s restoringone’sfaithinhumanity,a caseatatime.
HerProfessionalJourney
Asalawyer,Svetlanabeganhercareer withanominalstart,facingmany challengesbeingawomaninearly daysofherAdvocacypractice.
Aspartofhercriminaldefense,her majorcriminaldefensecaseshave beensuccessfullyhandledbyherand shesucceededinanumberofmajor cases.Shewentontoworkinthe criminalmilieu. Shewentontowork inthecriminalmilieu,wherelawyers playanimportantroletoachieve justiceforaclientandtocontributeto makingtheworldabetterplace.
AspiringInitiatives
Svetlana’sfatherinspiredhertobein thelegalspace.Shehasobservedthat theroleofalawyerisparamounttodo withthecriminalcases,contributingto thesocietybyhelpingcriminalsto becomeagoodhumanbeing.
RangeofSpecialties
Svetlanabelievesinproviding resolutionoriented,pragmaticadvice andsolutiontotheclients.Herteam exclusivelyhandleslitigationmatters incivil,criminal,andcorporate commercial.Courtswithaheavy emphasisonspecializationinmajor CriminalDéfense,Drugs,Murder, Bureaumatters,Custommatters,and CBImatters.
HerleadcasesareCharlseHowell 2017IntelligenceBureau,IsmailBarua andKyrian2017NCB,PaulMueda 2018NCB.MartinandJanHerm Herbest2018IntelligenceBureau, Biggestdrugrecoverycases
Ehsanualla2019specialcell,Ahmad Shah2019CrimeBranch,Kennedy, Anayo2018CrimeBranch,andNorist intelligentbureau2018.
Also,forDelhipoliceasafaculty member,sheemphasiseslectureson MCOCA,Terrorism,Drugs,Human trafficking,NCB,andcrimebranch.
PandemicChallenges
“Therearesignificantchangesto business,economy,andmarketin almosteverycountry,includingthe legalindustry.AfterCovid’s nomenclature,thecourtsareslowand delayingtheprocessofjusticeand resolution.Ithaspostponedoral argumentsandcancelinghearings, conferencesthatarenotdirectlyrelated topendingcases,”saysSvetlana.
“Althoughcriminalcourts,alongwith legalservicesagencies,aredelaying closingorgoingcompletelyremote andcasesarecroppedup,”sheadds.
Domino
EnhancedbyTechnology
Duringhertimeinthelegalfield,she sawtheriseinflexibleworking.Apace technologyallowslawyerstowork fromtheirhomeorofficesallwhile servingtheirclientsinthefield.
Thishasremovedagreatdealofstress fromherday,allowinghermoretime tothinkaboutherclients'problemsand howtosolvethem.Shespendsmostof hertimeinlegalpracticequietly assessing,strategizing,and hypothesizing.Inthis,technologyhas helpedheralotbysavingtimeof travelling.Itcanbeaccessedfrom anywhereandgiveshermoretimeand energytoputonpotentialworkto solvecases.
EvolutioninLaw
Technologyhashelpedalotand substantiallyimpactedhow informationisdisseminated,aswellas howpeopleinteractwithawiderange ofobjects.
Theprocessofdiscoveryisnow streamlined,excesstoresourcesand legalresearchpreviouslycompleted overdayscanbewrappedupinhours.
AdvicetotheNovices
“Itisaboutapplyingyourownideas andmethod,sodon'tcopyothers,be authentic.Itshouldnotbeabusiness endeavor,civilityamonglawyers shouldnotdiminish,”Svetlana concludes.
Svetlana Khiyungdzuzu Domino Criminal Defense Counsel F ounder and Managing partner at E lohim
Advocate
AstheCovid-19hassloweddownthehearingin
courts,ithasbecomedifficulttoexpectjusticeon time.Thecourtshavestartedonline,whichisnot possibleforeveryonetoattend.Thecaseshavebeen postponed,canceled,orrescheduledduetothepandemic. Thelawyerstoohavefacedcrisisduetotheclosureof courts.Manylawfirmsaretryingtheirbesttoservethe public.
OnesuchlawfirmisVersatileLawPartnersthathave beenfacingchallengesduetoCOVID-19pandemic.But thefirmistryingitsbesttogetjusticefortheirclients.The firmisfoundedandmanagedbyAdvocateVidyaAdsule AdvocateVidyahasmorethan30yearsofexperiencein lawandhasalwaysgivenherbestfortheclients.
Inthefollowinginterview,Vidyasharedwithusabouther entirejourneyandmotivationtobuildVersatileLaw Partners.VidyaalsosharedhowCOVID-19pandemic impactedherfirmandhowsheovercamethechallenges. Shealsobriefedusaboutherfuturegoalsandafewtipson howsheaspirestobeoneofthelegalenthusiasts.
Followingarethehighlightsoftheinterview:
Enlightenuswithyourprofessionaljourneyintothe legalparadigm.
HavingcompletedmygraduationinCommercein1985,I hadajobofferwithLadyRatanTataInstituteasAccounts Clerkwithasalarywhichwasconsideredas‘Abundant’at thatpointoftime.However,thatdidn’tstopmefrom pursuinglaw,andIcompletedmyLLBdegreein1988post whichIgottheSanadtopracticefromBarCouncilof MaharashtraandGoain1989.WhilepursuingLLB,Iwas beingcriticizedinmycirclefornothavingtakenthejobat LRTI.However,nowthatIlookbackuponmy32yearsof journey,itwasoneofthebestcareerdecisionsIcouldever make.
WhilePursuingLLB,IworkedwithSeniorLawyerssuch asSolicitorArvindNagvekarandCo.andGovt.Pleader MahabaleshwarMorje.Igainedconsiderableknowledgein thefieldofoperationsofvariousCourts,respective
jurisdictionandapplicablelawsimplementationsfor enforcementofcivilrightsincludingthemodalitiesand variouslegalaspectsofnon-litigationpracticelikeproperty /realestatelawandconveyancing,draftingcommercial documents,andconductingofduediligences.
Aftergainingpreliminaryandbasicknowledgeinthereal estateandpropertylaws,IjoinedaDeveloperbythename of‘OurTown’asLegalAdvisorin1990.Havingadecade ofstintinlandacquisition,Ihadashortstintofalmost1 yearat‘AhujaConstructions,’whereIhandled25+ redevelopmentprojectsandhandledlegalaspectsof developmentonMHADAandCIDCOallottedplotsto Societies.
Thefirstofmycorporatebreakcamein2001whenIwas offeredtheroleofLegalManageratICICIBank.There,I wasprimarilyresponsibleforformulatinglegalpoliciesand procedures,draftingloandocumentationsfor20+products andduediligencetocheckcompliancesofpoliciesrolled outbybusiness.
WithinsixmonthsofjoiningICICIHomeFinance,Iwas diagnosedwithesophaguscancer,howeverthisdidnot hampermypassionforwork,andIcontinuedworkingdaily whileundergoingtreatmentforalmost6months.Withina spanoftwoyears,IgotdoublepromotiontoChiefManager andwasalsoawardedasthebestperformerinLegalRisk andPolicyDepartment.
Basedontheaboveachievements,Iwastransferredtothe CorporateLegaldepartmenttohandlelegalaspectofthe entireRetailandLiabilityBusiness,whereIgotrolledout standardizationofthelegaldocumentsintheretail mortgagefinancebusinessandcreatedvariouslegalprocess manuals.Forthis,IreceivedtheBestlegaldealoftheyear awardin2005.
Havingtakenagoodamountofexperienceinthemortgage finance,banking,andcorporatelegalfield,IjoinedKotak MahindraInvestmentsinabidtogainexposureinthe PrivateEquityparadigmasVicePresidentLegalin2005. Later,IreturnedintoICICIfold(asVPLegaland Compliance),althoughthistimeitwasICICIVenture,a 100%subsidiaryofICICIBank.
InJanuary2012,IjoinedWadiaGroup’sEntityBombay Dyeingandhandledlegalaspectsoftheir500+acresFE DinshawLandsatThane.In2014,IleftBombayDyeing andjoinedHammurabiandSolomonaDelhibasedlawfirm tosetuptheirMumbaiOffice.IwaswiththemtillJuly 2015.
ThereafterinAugust2015,IshiftedtoPuneandjoined KoltePatilGroup,alistedentitytoHeadthelegalaspects ofKoltePatilGroup.IwaswiththemtillMarch2016.In April2016,IjoinedJPInfraGroupatMumbai,handled procuring70+acresoflandsforthematMitraRoad.I workedwiththemtillDecember2017.
InJan2018,IjoinedRNAGroupasSr.GeneralCounsel (LegalandCompliance).Iwaswiththemtill2019January ThereafterinJanuary2019,IjoinedAshwinShethGroup forshortperiodoftimetillMay2019andinthose5months ofperiod.
However,whiledoingeachofassignmentinvariousreal estategroup,Iwasdoingmyindependentpracticeand realizedmypotentialbeingnotfullyutilizedinthejob assignmentthosecametome.Hence,Itookadecisionto quittheassignmentswithparallelin-housejobassignments
DevelopersandstartedfocusingonmyindependentFirm practicesince2019.
AwardsandRecognitions:
Iwasselectedas:
• Top100PowerfulWomeninLawinIndiain2017-18 byWorldwideIntellectualProfessionalForum
• ‘StarWomeninLaw’byLegalErain2018-19
• BestLegalHeadoftheYearbyMarketingMavrickin 2019
• ListedinTop100LawyerstobefollowedonLinkedIn (Worldwide)
• h ps://blog.ipleaders.in/100-lawyers-oneshould-follow-on-linkedin/
Whatmotivatedorinspiredyoutobeinthelegalspace?
Asayounglady,Iwashighlyambitiousandrefusedto settleforless.Further,Ilovedchallengesandthesame couldnotbeofferedbythemonotonousjobofferingpost mycommercegraduation.Overandabovehavingstayedin achawl,Inoticedthatthecommonmanwasalways deprivedofalotoftheirlegalrightsandwantedtomakea differencebyhelpingsuchstrataofpeopleinwhateverway possible.
Kindlytalkaboutthevariousorspecializedlegal offerings,solutions,orservicesthatyouprovidetoyour clientele.
MyfirmisMulti-ServiceLawFirmalongwithProBono Practicefortheneedy Our areas of practice are:
• BankingandFinance,
• RealEstate
• InsolvencyandBankruptcySecuritizationLaw
• PrivateEquity,CorporateandCommercial
• ConsumerandMediaLaws
• LitigationandDisputeResolution(Civilaswell Criminal)
• Givingsolutionstoday-todaylegalfunctionsof Clients
• End-to-endContractmanagement
• ServicingIndividualclientsincludingtheProBono cases.
Asalawyer,whatchallengeshaveyoufacedinthis ongoingCovid-19pandemic?
Although,theWorkfromHomeScenariohasnotaffected thenon-Litpractice,itispertinenttonotethattherehas beenasubstantialreductioninquantumofassignmentsas thenumberofdealsthataretakenaheadforclosurehave substantiallyreduced.Mainly,duetothegeneralpsyche amongtheentrepreneurs/promoters’businessestosaveon theirreservesratherthaninvestingorusingitforcapital expenditure.Thishasbeenpredominantlyseenwiththe MSMEclientsmainlyonaccountoftheoperationsand functioningbeenaffectedduetoPandemicandattimes leadingtoreductionintheprofits.Therefore,survivalhas becomethepriorityover,growthandexpansion.
Ihavefacedthechallengeslikeadministrationofworkand litigationsduetorestrictionsimposedthequantumof deliverablehaveaffected.However,Ihavecopedupby beingontoestotakecareofallurgentandimportantwork assignmentsoftheclients.Furthermore,thequantumof workhasreducedthoughtheefficiencyofworkandcostof runningfirmhasconsiderablyreduced.
Howtechnologicaladvancementsinthelegalspacehas helpedyouinovercomingthosechallenges?
CurrentlymostofCourtscontinueonlineanditisaboon forlawyersasthereiscostreduction,increaseinefficiency andfirmcanhandlemultiplemattersinmultiplecourts sittingatOffice.Thus,ithasledtoscalingofourfirm practice.
Duetoeverythingmovingtotheonlinemode,thecostof operationshassubstantiallyreducedasonecanwork remotelyandconductmeetingsthroughMicrosoftTeams, GoogleMeet,etc.Intoday’stime,allyouneedisagood internetconnection,andyouaregoodtogoevenworkfrom theremotestlocation.Oneofthemajorthingsthathasbeen positivelybenefitedis,timemanagementduetozerotravel timeandallotherunnecessarydisturbances.
However,worklifebalancetoanextenthasaffected,asat timesitbecomesaroundtheclockworkingexpectationsby theClientandlawfirms.
Infact,thishaspromotedalotofnewlegalbusinessideas givingrisetoanumberofwebsiteswhichhelpinthe executionofthedocumentsintheonlinemode,however
theotherchallengeis,iftoomuchofdataisonline,the hackersatlargewillhavetheopportunitytoadverselyuse suchdata.So,itsfacilitationbytechnologyusewith exposuretosuchrisks.
Howlegalpracticehasevolvedovertheperiodoftime? Arethereanysignificantchanges?
Legalprofessionisanimportantpillarforadministrationof justiceandifitisnotwell-organized,courtwillnotbeto administeranddeliverjusticeeffectively.Legalpractice fromthetimeIstartedcareerinprofessionandasitis today,haveconsiderablychangedandmajorchangesare seeninfollowingaspects:
• Researchwasdifficultearlierasitwasmoremanual andnowmultiplelegalsearchengineswhichthrow casesinjustamatterofsecondsareavailable.Thisisa bigfacilitatortoknowtheprecedentsandrulingsof differentcourts.
• Inearlierdays,StenowithTypewriterwasmust. However,sincetheuseofComputersmultiple assignmentsofdraftingcanbeparallelhandledinstead oftypinggestationperiodandthesavingsystemhas facilitatedtheproofreadingwhichwasearlierby generationofprintsforproofreadingandcorrection andnowadaysonecandoonthecomputeritself.
• AccesstoSeniorCounselandtoknowtheir whereaboutsearlierwasabigchallengeasone resourcewastallyrequiredtofollowthem.Nowdueto cellphonesandmessagingsystematthespurofthe momenttheco-ordinationcanhappen.
• Inlitigationinalmostallcourts,thecasestatusis availableonlinewhereas,earlierithadtobedone manuallybyvisitingrespectivecourtoritsrecord department.Thisallowsthelawyerstosavethewait
periodandefficientlyusethesameforother assignmentsclosure.
• Awarenessamongstnewbreedoflawyersismoreas theLegalMedia/journalismhasemergedasabig facilitator
• IntroductionsofvarioussystemslikeOnline stamping/frankingofdocumentsandonlineregistration ofdocuments,onlinesearchesoftitle,online availabilityofrevenuerecords,entityrecordonline, filingofcompliancesbyvariousentitiesandonline applicationforregistrationsystemintroduced,has comeinabigwaytofacilitatetheefficienthandlingof legalassignments.
Whatadvicewouldyougivetotheaspiringlegal enthusiastswhoarewillingtobecomelawyersandstep intothelegalspacetoday?
Myadvicetoaspiringlegalenthusiastswouldbetopursue lawONLYifyouhavepassionforitanddonottakeitfor thesakeofnootheralternativetothem.
Secondly,beingfromeminentlawschoolsalongwithgood gradesinlawschoolmaybethebasicrequirementforthe entryinnichelawfirmsorcorporates.
However,thepracticalknowledgeofoperationsofthe Court,lotsofeffortsarerequiredtobeputinanalyzingthe casesandformulatingthecauseofactiontoknowthebest availablecourseofactionpermissibleunderapplicable laws.TrialCourtsexposureisMUSTbothforciviland criminalareaspracticeaspirants.Depthknowledgeofthe corelawslikeIndianConstitutionCorporateLaws, Regulationsgoverningdifferentbusinessesandspecific fieldrelatedlawsexpertiseisrequiredtobedeveloped.
Inpractice,thereisabiggergestationperiodinvolved.So, thesuccesscanbeachievedonlythroughperseverance, hardworkandfullcommitment.However,forIn-house Rolesinthebeginningisthelearningperiod.Hence,though theemolumentsmaybelowbuttheaspirantneedstobe takingsuchassignmentopportunitywherethereislotof technicallegalwork.Morelearningandgrowthcomewhen oneputsfullcommitment.Also,In-houselawaspirant needstolearntofacilitatebusinessandcannotmerelyflag legalissuesandsitquiet.Theymustlearnskillstofinda wayoutbyputtingatwork,theriskmitigationmechanism.
Initially,inbothrolesindependentpracticeandin-house assignment,oneneedstohavelotsofpatience,hungerfor knowledgeandneedstobeavoraciousreaderandneedsto keepthemselvesabreastofallamendmentsandupdatesin
legalfieldbywhichtheywillhaveedge.Suchapproach willhelpindesiredgrowthoftheaspirantintoaneligible legalprofessionalismycandidadvice.
Wheredoesyourendeavorsleadyoutointhecoming years?Kindlytalkaboutyourfuturescenario. SinceIhavesetupanindependentlawfirm,primaryfocus willonthegrowthandexpansionofthesame,notjustin termsofclientsbutalsointermsofpracticeareasand geographies. Further,Iamalreadydoingamentorrolefor lotsofjuniorlegalprofessionalsandhaveformulated varioussocialmediaknowledgesharinggroupsforguiding them,whereverpossible.
ThisisoneoftheaspectsIwillcontinuouslybedoing. Further,Iamalsosharingcommonpracticesandjob assignmentsavailabilitywithvariousfirms/organizations throughformationofvarioussocialmediagroupswhichI willcontinuetodotoachieve:‘GivingBacktoSociety.’
Further,Iintendwritingbooksinthelegaldomainspecially relatedtoDraftingandConveyancing,CorporateLawsand LegalFictionwhichisunderway.
WhatisthecurrentscenariooftheIndianLegalSpace accordingtoyou?
CurrentscenarioofIndianLegalSpacelooksvery promising.Variousredundantlawshavebeenscrapped, whilesomelawshavebeenconsolidatedintonewcode. Additionally,manyNewLawshavebeenintroduceddueto evolutionofeconomyaswellofbusinesses. Sincethe businessesandeconomiesaregettingmodernizedwithnew formsofriskcomingintotheplay,thelawsarealsoin parallelevolvingandchangingtoaddresssuchnew challenges.
ThenewgenerationofthepopulaceinIndiaaremoreaware ofthelegalrightsandhence,lawyersareconsultedevenfor thesmallestoftheissues,whichhasinturnhelpedthe growthoflegalprofession.
SinceIndiaisaDevelopingCountry,theLegalSystemwill keepevolvingtokeeppacewiththegrowthoftheeconomy anditwillhappenwithtime,asthecurrenttimesare unpredictablepostcovid,willseealotofchangeinlaw enforcementprocessesandjusticedeliverysystemsinIndia providedthereisapoliticalwilltopasssomelaws,which willcreatelotsofruckusandunrestfore.g.,UniformCivil Cod,etc.
