Mohini Priya Advocate has an active litigation career spanning over ten years. An alumnus of Government Law College Mumbai, Ms. Mohini was previously litigating at the Jharkhand High Court after which she qualified for the Advocate-on-Record examination. Her life is a beautiful journey of making it big in the Financial Capital of India. Here is Ms. Mohini Priya in conversation with Desi Kaanoon-
Q. Tell us about your life as a law student.
A. To be honest, taking up law as a career was a last-minute decision for me. In those days admission to Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai used to be based on the 10+2 score, and therefore I managed to get through. However, the first semester in GLC was a roller coaster ride for me. I was unaccustomed to the hostel life, the local trains, and the fast pace of the city, hailing from a small city (Patna). Having said that, Mumbai still holds a very special place in my heart, as that is the city where I met some of my best friends and future colleagues. Living in a hostel, away from family taught me several survival skills and gave me some real eye-openers. In GLC we used to have morning lectures which would get over by 11 am, so I had ample time in hand post our regular classes. I, therefore, joined some of the college societies. I became a part of the Moot Court Association which was then the most active Society of our college. I was also an active member of the Legal Aid Society of my college, which primarily involved frequent visits to jails and meeting the under-trial and prisoners convicted of petty crimes, and arranging for free legal aid for them. Besides, I was also a member of the Student’s Council of GLC and was actively involved in organizing several events and lecture series. So all that kept me very busy. I also actively participated in moot court competitions and even represented my college at the State Levels. Mooting although considered to be an extra-curricular, is something whose importance cannot be undermined as it provides holistic learning of the law. Mooting does not merely mean arguing and defending from one’s point of view but also teaches us basic Court etiquette, in addition to honing our drafting, research, and public speaking skills. Although during the first two years of my law, I focused a lot on academics and extracurricular. Towards the end of my second year, I realized that internships also played a very important role in a student’s life. Thanks to the convenient lecture timings, I was able to do internships throughout the year, both corporate and litigation. It was only in my final year of college that I decided to go for pure litigation. All in all, as a student of law, I did not just learn law but took home some important life skills which largely make me the person I am today.
Q. What skills do you think a litigator needs to be successful?
A. First of all, there is no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to litigation. It’s an organic process and each one of us needs to carve out our niche. Legal acumen is something that is developed over years. What my 11 years of practice as a lawyer have taught me is that the client is ‘God’. Supreme Court practice brings clients from all walks of life, from corporate giants to people with humble backgrounds, and for each of them, it is the Court of last resort. As a litigator, we have to understand the needs of the client and for that, clear communication is a must. The second most important thing for a litigator is to remain accessible. We must remember that being self-employed, we are lawyers 24/7 and for that effective time management is something we need to work upon, to strike a work-life balance. As a litigator, we need to be able to think on our feet as more often than not, in a courtroom one is faced with a situation where a curated argument wouldn’t work. The real skill lies in getting the best out of the worst, which requires creative thinking. Also, a lawyer requires a strong judgment at the core of their practice to reasonably conclude the limited amount of information they receive.
Q. How was the experience of representing Maharashtra Student’s Union in the UGC matter?
A. I was approached by the Maharashtra Student’s Union to file an Intervention Application in the ongoing UGC matter regarding the cancellation of final year examinations amid the covid pandemic. As I was inclined towards the cause, I decided to take it up, Pro Bono. Time was a major constraint and I had to burn the midnight oil to draft the petition overnight and get it filed the very next day. However, the real challenge lay in getting a proper hearing in the Virtual Courts, as there were connectivity issues and sometimes the mics and cameras wouldn’t work. To overcome the same and to make sure that all the legal issues involved in the case were properly addressed, we sought permission from the Court to file Written Submissions in advance of our oral arguments. This served to inform and expand the scope of argument in Court and became the cornerstone of the argumentation in subsequent hearings.
Q. Who has been your mentor who taught you important life lessons?
A. My grandfather has been my biggest role model. A man of exceptional talent and humility, he always let his work speak for him, and that is what I aspire to be. He taught me to always see both sides of a coin and keep my mind open. Another important quality that I have imbibed from him is the ability to remain calm in unfavorable situations, something which I feel all of us need to survive in the legal profession. My father, who keeps me driven and makes sure I always have my feet on the ground. My senior reposed trust in me and introduced me to Supreme Court practice. Last but not the least, my husband who being a lawyer himself knows what it takes and has an eye for detail, and keeps reminding me that there are no shortcuts to success.
Q. What do you think is the significance of holding a prime position in a Moot Court Society and how it benefits one’s career?
A. Although knowledge has no substitute, people’s skill is something that gives us an edge over the rest when it comes to building a successful career in law. Being in the Moot Court Association (MCA) of my alma mater helped me hone that to a great extent. Being in a prominent position in the MCA, I got the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the top legal luminaries which boosted my confidence and communication skills and at the same time helped me stay humble. In addition to giving me great exposure to the legal fraternity, being a part of the Moot Court Association also helped me develop my organizational and time management skills. We as a team organized several National and International Moot Court Competitions. That would include drafting a moot problem, getting sponsors, coordinating with the teams, briefing the judges, and generally a lot of running around. We would sometimes spend around12-14 hours a day in the “Committee Room” which was our second home, the MCA being one big family. All this required a lot of planning and preparation and made me good at handling pressure. All in all, being a part of the MCA helped me have a broader outreach, develop some good contacts and learn some major life skills, which play a vital role in building a strong litigation practice.
Q. What do you wish you had known when you started your career that you know now?
A. Life does not always go as planned, but there is more than one road to success.
Q. What guidance would you like to give new law associates?
A. Take baby steps, stick to basics, and stay humble. There will be failures and setbacks, what is important is to keep moving. Pure litigation has a longer gestation period, it’s a cotton ball that grows over some time. So patience is a virtue. And always remember, success is not a noun but a verb, so keep hustling.