Adv. Tarun Sharma graduated from Symbiosis Law School Noida in 2016. He is a qualified Accredited International Mediator by Alternative Dispute Resolution Group London, which is recognized by the Law Society of England and Wales and the General Council of the Bar. He is eligible to practice as a mediator in the UK and the USA. Adv. Sharma has been practising in the High Court of Delhi since 2016.
Q1. You have pursued your graduation from Symbiosis Law School Noida. How was your experience at law school and what are some of the most valuable lessons you learned in those years?
If I were to answer this question honestly, I never really knew what to do after my 12th grade. So my father told me to not wait for my board results and to start studying for entrance tests. He made me sit in eight entrance tests from fields ranging from commerce, law to hotel management. Once the results came out, I cleared seven entrance exams and in almost all the tests, my legal aptitude scores were the highest. So we thought that the calling of law was pretty clear. Hence law transpired and I joined Symbiosis Law School, Noida.
Symbiosis Law School (SLS) is a well-known institution in India, it offers rigorous academic programs in law. It typically engages in a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical exercises to develop a strong understanding of legal concepts and skills. The demanding lecture hours are well combined with a wide range of extracurricular activities, including moot court competitions, debates, seminars, conferences, etc. These activities provide students with opportunities to enhance their practical legal skills, network with professionals, and gain exposure to various areas of law. But hands down, the distinguishing feature of SLS is the push to do internships during your 5 years. I think the focus of SLS in motivating students/learners to do internships is extremely helpful and in fact, helped me understand why I wanted to make a career in litigation.
Therefore, the overall experience was great at Symbiosis, and it taught me valuable lessons which still guide me through my journey as a lawyer.
Q2. Starting as an Associate at Karanjawala & Co., you now hold the position of a Senior Associate. What is your work profile like and what extra does the role demand?
Yes, I joined Karanjawala & Co. as an Associate and was promoted to Senior Associate in 2022. The journey has been challenging and rewarding at the same time. Though there is a distinction on paper between a Senior Associate and an Associate, in reality, I tend to work alongside Associate colleagues of the firm and tend to continue doing the same work as them in addition to my responsibilities as a senior. In short, I believe the role of a Senior Associate demands a higher level of expertise, responsibility, and leadership compared to an Associate. A senior is always expected to have a deeper understanding of the law, and the ability to handle complex legal matters more independently while handling clients more independently.
Having said that, at Karanjawala & Co. an Associate from day one is groomed to become a Senior Associate in the future, and hence my transition f was seamless and well supported by Ms Meghna Mishra, my guiding force & partner.
Q3. How do you believe can freshers train themselves in mediation and what challenges lie ahead of them in their early years?
Training oneself in mediation as a fresher can be a rewarding endeavour, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. To embark on a career in mediation as a newcomer, it’s essential to begin with a solid foundation. Start by acquiring a comprehensive understanding of what mediation entails, its core principles, and how it distinguishes itself from other methods of dispute resolution. You can achieve this by enrolling yourself in mediation courses and workshops, available both online and in person. Secondly, immerse yourself in the practice of conflict resolution. Delve into scenarios involving disputes, even in non-legal contexts. This hands-on experience is invaluable for refining your problem-solving and negotiation skills. Additionally, if the opportunity arises, observe seasoned mediators in action to gain insights into their techniques and approaches.
Networking is a crucial aspect of building a successful mediation career. Connect with established professionals in the field by attending conferences, seminars, and industry-related events. The wisdom and expertise you acquire from these connections can be invaluable. Engaging in mediation competitions, such as those hosted by leading law colleges, can be a great way to gain early confidence and practical experience. Challenges will undoubtedly arise for freshers in this field. One significant challenge is the absence of practical experience in handling real disputes, which can impact your confidence and decision-making as a mediator. To counter this, seek internships or volunteer opportunities.
Freshers may need to work harder to establish their credibility and gain the trust of parties seeking mediation. Moreover, mediation often involves emotional parties, handling emotions, conflicts, and maintaining neutrality can be challenging, especially for those new to the field and Mediators must adhere to strict ethics.
Q4. Was litigation always on your agenda or did you develop a liking towards it eventually?
I consistently endeavoured to intern at each and every place that I possibly could, be it chambers, corporates or law firms. I was sure that wherever I interned, I would substantially gain practical knowledge and experience. I always have believed that internships are extremely critical to help understand one’s interests and visualize the path one has to take. In that sense, I believed that I had nothing to lose. Hence, on one hand, I thoroughly explored the corridors of the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court and on the other, I stationed myself every year at law firms during vacations, such as Trilegal, Induslaw, Shardul A. Mangaldas, Fox Mandal, among many others. Such a wide range of internship opportunities helped me understand the everyday workings and nuances of laws, be it civil, criminal or corporate.
In my penultimate year of law school, I realized that my calling was only in litigation. I was drawn towards litigation and the internships most definitely, opened me to a whole new world. I interned twice in the litigation team of Karanjawala & Co. New Delhi. I had a fantastic experience interning with the firm which attracted me towards the Firm and made the experience even more worthwhile.
Q5. Who do you consider to be your role model in the field?
This is a difficult question to answer. I don’t believe I have any role models as such. However, I have had the opportunity to sit in courtrooms and observe the greats of this profession argue matters. I have always been attracted to every good argument made at the bar regardless of the name, seniority, or stature of the advocates. Each experience has moulded me in some fashion or the other. In fact, some of the finest and most thoughtful arguments I have come across have been by non-designated counsels. Having said that, if I must take one name, it has to be the unparalleled style and praxis of Mr Rajiv Nayar Sr. Advocate. His aura inside and outside the courtrooms has always attracted me and I endeavour to continue to learn from him with each and every opportunity I get.
Q6. You have interned at the litigation department of many tier-1 firms including Trilegal and Amarchand Mangaldass. How was each experience different from the other?
Every law firm, be it Tier 1 or not, has its own unique style of working. My experience in all law firms was equally enriching, I believe it is very difficult to compare one to the other. One thing common between all the firms that are Tier 1 is that they all are extremely client-focused and meticulous in handling the requirements of their clients. This is an important lesson I acquired from these organisations and have tried my level best to incorporate it into my practice as well.
Q7. To what extent do you think mooting helps in a litigation-based career?
For many people pursuing a career in law, whether they develop a liking for litigation can vary widely. Some individuals may enter law school with a strong desire to become litigators due to their interest in courtroom drama, advocacy, and the excitement of arguing cases in front of judges and juries. Others might develop a preference for litigation after exposure to mooting competitions, internships at law firms, or legal clinics during their education.
So, mooting is one such tool which renders you the actual courtroom experience, it helps people build confidence in speaking and presenting their ideas to others. It helps to build a person’s confidence so that they are not scared to put their points forward and can effectively defend cases. Preferences often evolve as individuals gain practical experience and exposure to different aspects of the legal profession. Some may find that they enjoy the challenges and intellectual rigour of litigation, while others might thrive in the strategic and negotiation-oriented aspects of transactional work. Mooting helps law students by providing practical implications and knowledge that they would not find in books and would be unaware of because practical and theoretical knowledge are like two sides of the same coin, and to pass the hurdle, you must study both, even though they appear to be the same but are opposite in reality.
Ultimately, the decision to pursue a career in litigation or any other legal field depends on individual interests, strengths, and career goals. It’s important for individuals to explore different areas of law during their education and early career stages to determine where their passion and aptitude lie.
Q8. What do you see for yourself in the future? What are your plans?
I do see myself continuing to strive in this profession in some form or the other. After having had an enriching and exuberating 7 years of learning in this profession, I do believe that the time will be ripe soon, to pursue the rest of the journey in this profession through the aegis of my independent chamber/practice. I have had the pleasure of working and learning from the best in the profession and I do look forward to charting the course of an independent practice soon.
Q9. Finally, what is your advice to our readers?
For all the law learners and students in college, my advice is to enjoy your time and do not be shy about working hard. There is no substitute for hard work. I believe that to struggle in this profession, the flame of curiosity should never extinguish and that shall drive oneself to continue to seek knowledge and untold experiences this profession has to offer. We should always be humble and show respect to our seniors and for a matter of practice to the juniors too, in the profession, after all this is one of the noblest of professions.