Mr. Sahil Modi is an alumnus of Amity Law School, Noida. After working in the Criminal Litigation team at Karanjawala & Company for more than four years, he has now joined the Chambers of Abhimanshu Dhyani. Here are a few excerpts of his conversation with the Editor-in-Chief of Desi Kaanoon, Priya Chaudhary–
Q1. How were your days at law school like?
A. Law school days were fun, frolic and immensely productive. From maintaining almost 100% attendance (P.S. There is no substitute for classroom lectures) throughout my law programme to have met over a thousand new people; while pursuing and developing requisite skill, knowledge and proper orientation towards life and career, I have not only benefited my personality but have also earned trust and relations.
I had a routine and I didn’t like any deviations. I ensured a healthy and multidisciplinary lifestyle that not only included academics, sports, and music but eventful daily meals with my favourites.
Q2. What additional skills do you think legal writing demands in order to ace the same?
A. To develop and enhance legal writing, one must invest an hour’s time in reading – Judgments, Pleadings, Law Books, etc.- daily. Proper understanding & application of laws is necessary.
Q3. Please share your experiences interning with Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra.
A. I will always be grateful to Ms. Luthra for having imparted an unmatched approach towards law, practice and procedures. I worked under her mentorship for almost 16 months. Undoubtedly, the Chamber is an exceptional school to learn to draft pleadings & procedural law. Her multifaceted practise and experience have helped me develop my ability to reason and analyse given facts and situations. The best part about working at her Chambers is the opportunity to appear before courts at all levels – District Courts, High Courts & the Apex Court – and tribunals.
Q4. Your team had been adjudged as the Quarterfinalist in the 11th All India Moot Court Competition Government Law College. What went behind the preparation?
A. To prepare for a Moot Court Competition, the following points are noteworthy:
a)Speaker(s) must be thorough with the Moot proposition i.e., a proper understanding of cited facts;
b)All the members of the team must have a basic understanding of the applicable laws. In addition to the statute, one must read the source/origin document (Eg. Parliamentary Debates, Judicial precedents etc.) to understand the legislative intent and purpose of the applicable laws;
c)Every claim and assertion must be strengthened by extant laws/ precedents; which requires thorough research;
d)Moot Memorials must be precise and concise;
e) Lengthy deliberation over issues involved in a proposition is essential;
f)Speaker must be prepared to reason arguments advanced and to answer the questions put to him/her; and
g)Articulated arguments.
Q5. Please describe your role as an Associate at Karanjawala & Company. How does your daily work enable you to achieve your professional goals?
A. I joined Karanjawala & Co. in July 2019. My role as an Associate Advocate has been increasing with the passing of each day. I am a part of the Criminal Litigation Team headed by Mr. Sandeep Kapur, Senior Partner. After joining Karanjawala & Co., I have majorly worked upon and appeared against prosecution alleging offences under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, Indian Penal Code, 1860, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
The additional learning, skill development and experience related to my daily work would definitely enable me to achieve my professional goals.
Q6. How would you suggest our readers secure internships at tier 1 law firms? What do they need to keep in mind?
A. I would rather suggest the readers think about the following internship opportunities:
a)Internship at Police Station;
b)Internship under an Advocate practising before a district court;
c)Judicial Clerkship;
d)Internship at Law Libraries
e)Internship at Jails / Prisons
In response to your question; to secure an internship at a tier-I law firm the student must apply for it well in time (at least 3-4 months in advance). The Application should be sent through proper channels (preferably by mail) and only to the person concerned. The Application must contain only relevant and necessary information. The most important aspect of securing an internship is to ‘follow-up’ with the concerned person.
Q7. You have been the recipient of Sh. Baljit Shastri Award (for Human & Traditional Values) and a gold medal for achieving the First position in Academic Performance. What was your study routine like?
A. As pointed earlier (See Pt.1), I had a routine. I didn’t like any deviations. Attending classroom lectures regularly is the key to my success. My study routine in addition to classroom learning involved reading Judgments, Law Books, etc. daily (30 Mins. – 1 Hour).
Q7. How did you work on your research abilities?
A. To strengthen my research ability, I initially focus on understanding the topic of research. A proper understanding of the topic/proposition helps in reaching the relevant part of applicable law, effectively. Thereafter, a comprehensive reading of the applicable law is essential. I always prefer reading a commentary, over any other research platform. Knowledge about general principles of interpretation of laws is also necessary to build research ability.
Q9. Having various publications to your credit, has your focus particularly been towards writing topics on your areas of interest?
A. I prefer writing on topics that are unrelated and remote to areas of my interest. It helps me to explore the untouched & unread areas of law. Furthermore, it builds a stronger multidisciplinary approach towards law and its application.
Q10. You have been a part of a few online sessions on preparing for the workplace lately. How has the experience been like? What significant queries/points were raised during these sessions?
A. It has always been a rich & rewarding experience while guiding students/law graduates to prepare for their prospective workplace. Following are a few noteworthy queries generally raised:
- How to determine which field of law is best suited to an individual?
- How to check if a job is suitable?
- How to apply for a job?
- What is the required skill set for a particular job?
- How to achieve maximum growth in the workplace?
- How to leave a workplace, if it is not productive?
- Impact of quitting the job within a few days of recruitment
[ Last edited on 7.10.2023]