Outstanding Women Lawyers | 2022

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The way of business solutions VOL 06 | ISSUE 08 | 2022

Outstanding

Lawyers REDEFINING NORMS

HOW WOMEN LAWYERS ARE BREAKING THE STEREOTYPES AND CHANGING THE LEGAL PROFESSION?

LADY LAW

HOW THE LEGAL PROFESSION IS EMBRACING THE MODERN PHENOMENA OF GENDER EQUALITY?

Mumtaz

Altaf Fathima,

Business's Legal Counselling Stalwart

A Young, Vibrant and Distinguished Advocate on Record

Editor’s Note CELEBRATING SPIRITED VICTORIES OF GENDER EQUALIZERS

A

lthough everyone agrees that change is the only constant, everybody finds it hard to adopt the change easily, even if that change is positive. In the United Kingdom, over a hundred years ago, that is on 6th February 1918, women were allowed to vote after the passing of the Representation of People Act. It paved the way for enhanced women's participation in society.

Similarly, in 1919, first time in western history women could become solicitors after the royal approval of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act. However, the same British Colonial Government has to face women's suffrage movements in India during 1918 – 1929 that all British Provinces and Princely states could grant women the right to vote, and in the limited case allowed them to participate in the local election by standing as a candidate. Likewise, in 1923, the then government had to pass the Legal Practitioners (Women) Act which removed women's disqualification on the only basis of sex or gender, stating in its affirmation that henceforth no woman will be disqualified from entering into the legal profession because

Abhishek Joshi Deputy Editor

abhishek.joshi@insightssuccess.com

they were of different sex or gender than men. It further stated that women could admit or enroll themselves as legal practitioners and pursue legal professions in the Indian judiciary.

This was the victory of a Bengali Lady, Regina Guha – of Jewish Bengali Ancestry – who after getting her MA degree in 1913, and a Bachelor of Law degree from Calcutta University in 1916, admitted an application to be allowed in the District Judge's court of Alipore as a pleader. It was the first 'person case – women to be qualified as persons just like men and not their property' in India. Regina's application was then forwarded to the Calcutta High Court.

Although Regina lost the case, only in the next year did Sudhanshubala Hazra submit a second 'person case' in September 1917. Although rejected first-time Hazra filed the application again in February 1918, that as a Bengalee Woman by nationality she has every right to appear in the examination, which was finally given to her by the Calcutta University. Thus, Hazra passed her pre-law exam in 1919,

and intermediate law exam in 1920. Again, after passing those exams Hazra had to fight just like Regina to gain admittance to the court to act as a lawyer which was denied.

However, all these historic events paved the further battles, and in 1923 when The Legal Practitioners (Women) Act was passed in the UK, Hazra with widespread praises and salutations could now become British India's first Vakil of the Patna High Court.

Insights Success's latest edition of 'Outstanding Women Lawyers 2022' praises, salutes, and celebrates Modern women lawyers' courage and daring akin to that of Regina and Hazra. Flip through the following pages and have a fantastic read!

CONT C o v e r

08

S t o r y

Mumtaz A Young, Vibrant and Distinguished Advocate on Record

S p e c i a l

p r o f i l e

Altaf Fathima

Business’s Legal Counselling Stalwart

14

TENT P r o f i l e s

22 30

Rachika Agarwal Sahey Rising Star of the Corporate Legal Arena

Sneh Parikh Personi cation of the Legal Charisma

A r t i c l e s

18 REDEFINING NORMS

HOW WOMEN LAWYERS ARE BREAKING THE STEREOTYPES AND CHANGING THE LEGAL PROFESSION?

26 LADY LAW

HOW THE LEGAL PROFESSION IS EMBRACING THE MODERN PHENOMENA OF GENDER EQUALITY?

Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal Deputy Editor Abhishek Joshi Managing Editor Gaurav PR Wankhade

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Outstanding

Women Lawyers

2022 Featuring

Firm

Brief

Altaf Fathima, Partner and Legal Advisor

L&L Partners Law Offices

Altaf Fathima is a Partner, at L&L Partners Law Offices Hyderabad and has expertise in criminal, contractual, matrimonial, corporate and commercial disputes across a range of sectors and real estate, among others.

Celia Jenkins, Partner

Tuli & Co

Celia Jenkins is a partner at, and heads Tuli & Co’s product development, regulatory and corporate insurance practices.

Economic Laws Practice

Mumtaz Bhalla is a Partner in the Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Practice of ELP. She is an AOR with the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Mumtaz has over 13 years of experience in the field of litigation and dispute resolution.

Argus Partners

Rachika joined the Firm's Delhi office as a Partner in the Corporate and Infrastructure practice in 2021. She has worked on a broad range of deals, particularly in the power, oil and gas and mining sectors.

Ritika Ahuja, Director

Anand and Anand

Ritika Ahuja is a director at Anand and Anand in Noida. With an experience of 14 plus years in IP, she specializes in patent prosecution, patent drafting and patent analysis in the ICT and medical equipment domain.

Sharmil Bhushan, Partner

HSA Advocates

Sharmil Bhushan is a partner and corporate lawyer at HSA having experience in M&A, PE/VC investments, debt funding, corporate finance, regulatory issues, capital market, financial services etc.

Sneh Parikh, Partner

J Sagar Associates

A Partner at JSA, Sneh Parikh focuses on dispute resolution and handles all types of litigations before the Supreme Court of India, Bombay High Court, NCDRC, Civil Courts, Sessions Court, etc.

Tanu Banerjee

Khaitan & Co Llp

Tanu Banerjee is a Partner in the Corporate and Commercial practice group in Khaitan's Mumbai office. She focuses on technology, media, entertainment, corporate and commercial laws.

Mumtaz Bhalla, Partner Rachika Agrawal Sahay, Partner, Energy and Infrastructure and Corporate and M&A

Mumtaz A Young, Vibrant and Distinguished Advocate on Record

I handled civil trials, criminal trials, appeals, writs, consumer cases etc. which made me a confident individual.

Outstanding Women Lawyers | 2022

I have been IBA’s regional representative from India in the Criminal Law Committee from 20192021 and am a member of young MCIA’s steering committee from 2019.

Mumtaz Bhalla is an AOR with the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.

The interest of the client is paramount for me. Moreover, the very fact that I can handle both civil and criminal trial add to my client’s comfort as it appears to be a one-stop-shop for them.

A Tech-Transparent Judiciary: Regarding the latest integration of technology and judiciary, Mumtaz expresses, “COVID has taught us the importance of technology.” No one in 2019 imagined that Indian Courts, especially District Courts, could hear matters virtually. With the onset of the pandemic, the Indian legal system seamlessly adapted to the virtual system by using technology.

By using software to encourage e-filings and mandating ehearings, technology has increased the efficiency of legal offices and the productivity of clerical workers. With the advent of legal tech, there is greater transparency between legal firms and clients. Online research databases have replaced law books, digital contracts have replaced physical copies, and countless other advancements have transformed the legal industry.

The client is Paramount: Some unique specialities and factors make Mumtaz stand out as an influential personality in the legal profession. Her out of the box approach, genuine practical advice as opposed to armchair advice, and the ability to think on her legs make her excel in her domain.

If a client comes with a totally warped case, Mumtaz does not lower the client’s morale by telling them that it is messed up. Instead, she tries to resolve their issues by using her legal skills in the most expeditious manner. Mumtaz feels, “The interest of the client is paramount for me.

Moreover, the very fact that I can handle both civil and criminal trial add to my client’s comfort as it appears to be a one-stop-shop for them.”

Present Solicitation and Future Counsel: Mumtaz’s advice to aspiring legal enthusiasts willing to step into the legal space today is intelligent. She says, “Don’t be fascinated by the glamour being a lawyer brings in. The glamour comes in much later after years of arduous work and luck!”

According to Mumtaz, Indian law firms are becoming more inclined toward the Counsel practice model switching from the solicitor’s model. “The system has realised that the interest of the client is best subserved if they possess both counsel and solicitor skills,” Mumtaz concludes.

Altaf Fathima Partner and Legal Advisor

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Outstanding Women Lawyers | 2022

Altaf Fathima Business’s Legal Counselling Stalwart

Be it criminal, contractual, matrimonial, corporate and commercial disputes across various sectors, Altaf Fathima is every corporate entity’s best bet.

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possible angle but has honed her legal expertise for decades by actually being a Junior Standing Counsel in Supreme Court and Counsel practicing at High Courts, Lower Courts and Tribunals.

The biggest challenge they still face is legal issues, including corporate and commercial disputes, real estate legalities, contractual claims, white-collar crimes, debt recovery, consumer litigation, etc.

Those who had been successfully defended by her know her as Altaf Fathima. And others in the legal profession recognise her as the business’s legal counselling stalwart.

Be it criminal, contractual, matrimonial, corporate and commercial disputes across various sectors, Altaf Fathima is every corporate entity’s best bet.

business has to combat challenges on various fronts. From its inception to its smooth running and prospering, it is always constantly battling with various issues, big or small. Moreover, these challenges were amplified during the pandemic, so much so that many business entities struggled to keep up.

And to solve these problems, they need an expert legal counsellor who not only understands each issue from every

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The Perfectly Captivating Advisor A graduate from the first batch of the NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Altaf got her degree from the Law school in 2003 and started her practice before the Supreme Court of India under the guidance of eminent Senior Counsel Mr V.R. Reddy and assisted him on a variety of matters before Supreme Court including the Arbitrations and Consumer Disputes.

After working with Senior for four years, she started her independent practice, wherein she appeared before various forums and Tribunals apart from her regular practice at Supreme Court. Altaf appeared in various criminal matters and public interest litigations and carved a niche for herself by appearing against prominent lawyers of the Supreme Court as the Junior Standing Counsel for the combined State of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Having been appointed by esteemed judges of Supreme Court as amicus curiae in various complicated criminal matters, she assisted the bench in the appropriate interpretation of the law as applicable to the underlying complex set of facts.

After becoming Advocate-on-record in 2013, Altaf shifted her independent practice to Hyderabad and regularly appeared before the High Courts, tribunals and appellate bodies in diverse civil, criminal and corporate litigation at original and appellate levels for various clients.

Quality of services and striv ing to add more value by addressing and assisting clients in diverse ways are our key USPs that make us the preferred one-stop law firm for our clients.

Having seen Altaf's plethora and diversity of experience, L&L Partners Law Offices partnered with her in 2016 to start its Hyderabad office, and Altaf has been associated with L&L since then.

With over 18 years of extensive and highly regarded experience, Altaf’s expertise spans criminal, contractual, matrimonial, corporate and commercial disputes across a range of sectors and real estate, among others. She also advises clients on diverse issues such as contractual claims, white-collar crimes, debt recovery, consumer litigation, etc.

An Unshakeable Dedication to Clients’ Interests L&L Partners Law Offices has been consistently noted and recognised amongst India’s leading full-service law firms since its inception in 1990. L&L Partners has a team of over 350 lawyers, including 73 partners, with offices strategically spanning the Indian territory in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

Over the last two decades, L&L Partners has assisted various renowned multinational corporations in setting up their presence in India, and navigating the complex, dynamic and ever-evolving Indian legal system.

The Firm regularly advises on transactions and matters involving diverse business sectors and practise areas, including but not limited to banking and finance, capital markets, competition and anti-trust, corporate commercial, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution (Litigation and Arbitration), anti-corruption and compliance, international trade (WTO) Laws and Policy and Advisory, project infrastructure and Energy, tax (direct and indirect), real estate and construction, aerospace and defence (procurement and production), insurance and reinsurance, intellectual property - patents and trademarks, oil and gas, health and pharmaceuticals, private equity and venture capital investments.

Inspired by Adversities According to Altaf, a first-generation lawyer who works as an independent practitioner gets a very limited range of work due to the general perception of high-end clients such as multi-national corporations to go to a well-established lawyer or a law firm for matters involving high stakes.

However, she says, “The difficulties and challenges faced by me as an independent practitioner for obtaining expertise in high-stake transactions and advising on diverse issues is what motivated me to switch to the business consultancy model.”

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L&L Partners has assisted various renowned multina tional corporations in setting up their presence in India, and navigating the complex, dynamic and ever-evolving Indian legal system.

Close Encounter with the Challenging Times As per Altaf, operating a law firm in Hyderabad was a challenge and still continues to be one since clients prefer to go to independent lawyers considering they are most costeffective or prefer hiring law firms from bigger cities such as Delhi or Mumbai when matters involve high stakes.

She continues, “Quality speaks for itself, and the high quality and value that we deliver have proven successful in retaining and augmenting our clientele.

However, creating a balance between our professional fee versus client expectations and industry standards continues to remain a challenge that we strive to address in the best way possible.”

Unique Success Prepositions Altaf shares, “Quality of services and striving to add more value by addressing and assisting clients in diverse ways are our key USPs that make us the preferred one-stop law firm for our clients.

We work on matters diligently with thorough research and an in-depth legal and business-focused analysis that is targeted at the wider aspects of the case. This approach automatically multiplies the quality and value that we deliver and maximises client satisfaction.”

operating in full strength, and virtual hearing was addressing only limited matters. This led to an immense delay in the closure of disputes that would have otherwise closed and client reluctance in paying fees and engaging lawyers for new mandates.

Recovering accrued fees from clients was also a huge challenge considering the lockdown and associated cost implications. In this scenario, it was extremely difficult for law firms to meet the fixed operational cost, including the retainership fees paid to full-time professionals, support and the expenses for running the offices.

But Altaf reveals, “Having said that, we stood together during the pandemic and continued to stand by our clients, our staff, and we came out of that scenario better and stronger.”

Legal Enterprise Wisdom As an established leading legal expert, Altaf’s advice to the budding entrepreneurs and enthusiasts aspiring to venture into the business consultancy industry is sincere.

She says, “I would recommend that it is extremely important to be aware of and accordingly strategise your business venture at par with the applicable industry standards.”

While relationship-building and business awareness are necessary, it is equally crucial to be updated about the recent developments in the legal field and be committed, sincere, and honest towards the profession to ensure that quality is delivered and not compromised with. A combination of the foregoing skills would enable one to excel in a business consultancy model.

Future Insights When asked how she envisions further strengthening her law firm’s stronghold in the future, Altaf concludes with a smile, “Hyderabad is an emerging market for law firms, and with the quality of work we offer, we aim and are confident that we will be able to develop a better clientele and also be able to retain them by ensuring their confidence and faith in our deliverables.”

Strengthening Up through COVID-19 Altaf states that COVID-19 had a tremendous impact on the practice of independent lawyers because the courts were not

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How Women Lawyers

are Breaking the

Stereotypes and Changing the

Legal Profession?

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Redefining Norms

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long-standing tradition over millennia or from the dawn of civilization cannot be broken in a day or two, or by one or two individuals. A tradition as strong as gender stereotyping. However, over generations, Indian women are increasingly breaking these barriers of stereotyping and joining the ranks of men in every field be it industry, be it academics, healthcare, or even the judiciary.

In the field of judiciary or legal profession, presently, there are 15% of registered advocates out of over 1.7 million, who are women. The number is not great. It is lower for the number of High Court judges as there are only 83 judges out of the present 680, who are women. In percentage terms, it only comes to 12%. The number is even lower for the Supreme Court judges as only four out of 33 are women.

Walking on the Road to Equality However, it is a start, as the present Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana has vouched for fifty per cent reservation for women at all levels in India's Justice System. In very noble words CJI urges all the women of the world to unite. He further says doing so they will break the shackles and will lose the chains binding them.

The collegium, too, this time, broke the record when they appointed three women judges to the Supreme Court in a go. Furthermore, projected to become India's first women CJI in 2027, Justice Nagarathna is looked upon as the proverbial breaker of that traditional glass ceiling further.

This is the positive mindset change brought by the Indian constitutional motto of Unity in Diversity, as only diversification can do societal transformation.

And Indian judiciary is on its way to embracing this drive of diversification to include more women in its garb. Slowly but surely it has begun shading its misconceptions, patriarchal mindset and gender stereotypes. Likewise, in law schools, women are outnumbering men, and more of them are now joining the corporate legal sector. Similarly, women's representation in decision-making bodies, organizations and institutions is gradually increasing.

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Although women had been battling for a long to set evaluation criteria based on competition, so that they could come forth and prove their mettle, all the moves by the judiciary are signing positively in that regard.

Driving Diversification Supreme Court of India's sitting judge Justice AK Sikri emphasised in his keynote the crucial role the Indian legal profession has to play in transforming the judicial system inside out so that it could put itself as a role model in front of society. Along with enhancing the number of women's representations at the lower level, the process has been set in motion to clear the path of women towards advancing to the higher echelons too.

Women lawyers and advocates are very crucial in this transformation of the legal profession which currently is in the phase of change due to modernization, digitalization, expansion of services, and talent retention. First, these women lawyers are battling the work-life balance. Now with digitalization and virtual hearing they can manage it more effectively. Many more are influencing other people to take notice of the issues and barriers they are facing. That way they are making a point that the time is ripe to equate symbolism with affirmative action.

She shares her own experience as a young child-raising mother who had to take breaks in between because of her maternity and she had to work more to break the re-entry barriers. But she did it. Today, she says that she looks back at that time as a learning experience which helped us in becoming and seeing herself as a mainstream lawyer and not just a women lawyer who is stereotyped and sidetracked.

A Positive Future Legal Profession Continuing on Madhavi's experience, Centre for Policy Research professor Lavanya Rajamani says that it is high time when the judiciary must compel all its stakeholders to stop playing the blame game and pointing out women for their lack of representation. Rather she says that the Indian judiciary's future lies in converting continuously increasing women's participation at the lower level of the judiciary into their career growth as the high court supreme court lawyers, judges, and finally CJI of India just like the current contender Justice Nagarathna.

Levelling the Playing Field A senior advocate Arvind Datar said that it is really heartwarming to see that women's representation in many institutions like law schools, corporate law firms, Tax consultancy and CA firms, is constantly increasing which is really a positive sign for the future of the Indian Judiciary.

He further stressed the need for more positive approaches and vital changes to be carried out at all the levels of decision-making, selection and appointment-making institutional bodies like the judicial service exam commission, Bar Association, Lawyers associations, and collegium, so that hereafter the women representation will only enhance.

Breaking the Barriers A supreme court advocate Madhavi Divan said that more and more people are accepting that law practitioners like herself are now expected to have more aggression and tenacity. She also said that these are the necessary virtues which are crucial when it comes to passing a bar exam as well as a case in the court of law.

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- Gaurav PR Wankhade

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Rachika Agrawal Sahay The Partner, Energy and Infrastructure and Corporate and M&A

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Outstanding Women Lawyers | 2022

Rachika Agrawal Sahay Rising Star of the Corporate Legal Arena

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n the global drive for sustainability, energy and infrastructure are the two major aspects which get prominence. The tremendous impetus in the energy and infrastructure sector and global interest in the area in our country strengthens opportunities for corporate law firms to expand their core areas of practice. However, they need lawyers who not only possess experience in this field but genuine interest and expertise.

Rachika Agrawal Sahay, Partner at Argus Partners (Solicitors & Advocates), in the domain of Energy and Infrastructure and Corporate and M&A, has been playing the role of an expert legal advisory counsel in this regard.

An Empowering Corporate Law Attorney Rachika joined Argus's Delhi office as a Partner in the Corporate and Infrastructure practice in 2021. She has worked on a broad range of deals, particularly in the power, oil and gas and mining sectors. She also has experience in working on PPP projects for developing infrastructure relating to transport facilities like rail and ports.

Rachika has handled a broad range of corporate transactions across sectors including domestic as well as cross border joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and foreign direct investments.

At Argus, Rachika is extensively advising both public and private sector players in corporate/ M&A/ foreign investments, bids/tender assistance, project development and advisory, due diligence, contract negotiations and finalisation including concessions, EPC and O&M contracts and various other types of project contracts, project operations, financing, land issues, regulatory and tariff issues and disputes across various sectors such as:

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Electricity (Thermal – generation, distribution and transmission) Ports and Shipping (investments - M&A, development and financing) Oil and gas (Upstream – Advising on NELP, HELP, PSC and RSC regime, farm-in, farm-out; Downstream – pipeline, CGD, gas sales and transmission, PNGRB, LNG – sales, port terminals, financing and re-gas) Transport and Logistics (Roads/Airports/Bridges/Rail – Investments- M&A and Joint Ventures, development, regulatory issues, construction and financing) Mining (concessions, regulatory issues, MDO and financing) Renewables and Clean Energy (solar, wind, hydro, biogas – due diligence, project development, investments-M&A and joint ventures, EPC and O&M contracts and various other types of project contracts, project operations, financing, land issues, regulatory and tariff issues and disputes)

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Water and other Utilities (concessions, project development, contracts and operations) Ÿ Waste and Environment (solid waste, waste to energy, environment - concessions, project development, contracts and operations) Ÿ Urban Infrastructure/Real Estate (bidding, project development, construction, financing and regulatory issues relating to various types of urban infrastructure projects such as residential projects, commercial projects, convention centres, townships, aero-city, railway stations, smart cities, etc.) Ÿ

Ÿ Ÿ

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The Legendary Counsellor Rachika expresses, “We possess extensive knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework and the local markets in order to provide practical and solution-oriented advice, tailored to suit the commercial needs of our clients.”

Rachika`s prior experience of acting as a General Counsel of a leading renewable energy company has also played key role in shaping her commercial approach and also, becoming a solution-oriented professional.

She is a 2005 graduate from National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal and pursued her LL.M. from London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), United Kingdom.

Rachika’s Expertise Portfolio Advised GMR on its potential investment in a portfolio of RE projects including both wind and solar. Ÿ Advised Oakridge Power on structuring its business model for setting up rooftop solar projects. Ÿ Advised Sansera on its arrangement with Clean Max Energy for setting up captive power project for its facilities including drafting the shareholder’s arrangement between RE power developer and captive consumer. Ÿ Advised Spring Energy on structuring the potential acquisition of RE project and on issues arising out of Detailed Procedure issued under Connectivity Regulations for its existing projects. Ÿ Advised an Energy major on setting up a captive power project including drafting the shareholder’s arrangement between RE power developer and captive consumer. Ÿ Advised Neera Power on its potential captive power project in Tamil Nadu including drafting the Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

shareholders’ arrangement between RE power developer and captive consumer.

Advised GAIL on various Master Sale and Purchase Agreements including with BP and Mitsui.

Advised ACME on repowering related issues under current PPAs and regulatory due diligence for potential acquisitions.

Advised Renew Power on issues arising out of Detailed Procedure issued under Connectivity Regulations for its existing projects.

Advised Sembcorp Energy on the bid process for selecting a vendor for setting up FGD systems to meet the environmental norms for its coal-fired power plant.

Advised HLS Asia Limited (a joint venture of Halliburton) in relation to the drafting of a comprehensive compliance checklist for each business vertical exclusively, i.e., Operations; Bases & Warehouses; and Office spaces.

Advised a renewable energy major on the sale of a 2 GW solar and wind power portfolio.

Advised a rooftop solar company on raising funds from a German crowdfunding platform.

Land due diligence for various renewable energy companies such as Engie, Azure Power and Amp Solar.

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Awards and Recognition Ÿ Recognised by Forbes Legal Powerlist 2021 as Top 100 Individual Lawyers for Energy (Renewable and Conventional) and Infrastructure and Projects. Ÿ Rising Star (40 under 40) Legal Era Award 2017. Ÿ Included in the GC Powerlist India Teams, 2017 by Legal 500. Ÿ Regularly invited to be part of panels and training for discussion on women empowerment and energy laws.

Memberships Rachika is a member of the Bar Council of Delhi and also, SAWIE (South Asian Women in Energy).

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How the

Legal Profession is Embracing the

Modern Phenomena of Gender Equality?

A

startling revelation by Acritas' study titled 'Transforming Women's Leadership in the Law: Global Report 2020,' stated that globally gender diversity or diversification in the law firms makes a positive impact on the success of those law firms. It further mentions the significance of achieving diversity and global acceptance of this emerging phenomenon.

Gender diversity or equality provides a wide scope for acquiring a broader skill set and expert background for the individual so that they could effectively counter the particular legal situational difficulties arising in many scenarios.

private or corporate domains); paralegals and legal scholars (like legal experts), prosecutors (aka District Attorneys – DA), judges, justices, law school professors, heads and deans.

Modern times are becoming increasingly favourable and rewarding for women around the civilized world encouraging, enhancing, and celebrating their participation in various professional fields including the field of law.

Furthermore, diversity and equality play a very crucial role in the legal profession: the role of giving legitimacy to the law of the land as a system of equality, fairness, and justice.

This way, everyone sees the law as an institution representing them and fighting for their basic human rights irrespective of their status. They also see the legal profession with tremendous respect.

Gender equality or diversity has been widely seen as the prerequisite for every society to be called civilized, economy to be called developing or developed, and global benchmarks of human growth, development, progress, and positive transformation. Women are continuously breaking the age-old barrier, struggling hard through the traditional stereotypes and social inherent behavioural norms and proving themselves by becoming equally righteous, professionally expert, educationally diverse, intelligently sound, entrepreneurially robust, economically independent and financially smart.

Today, the legal profession is increasingly accommodating women in its breadth as Lawyers (aka advocates, attorneys, barristers, legal counsellors or solicitors in the public or

Not only globally, but in India also, women are increasingly opting for law education and going further are progressively choosing the legal profession. Although, after passing their

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Lady Law

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law degree, they are joining public institutions or private and corporate law firms, many are discontinuing it after a small or average stint. The reasons are many and varied but the primary reasons are gender inequality, disparity, biased, and prejudice.

Despite all these barrios, struggles, and hardships it is heartening to see numerous success stories of role models who are accomplishing higher posts like judges, justices, and in the future even chief justice. This is because of their indomitable spirit, tenacious intent, positive approach, never-to-die attitude, and stubborn nature, which is traditionally ingrained in them due to the social setup.

Historically, akin to the global trend, in the Indian legal profession, too, men have always dominated the scene, not because of any scientific difference but a blindly perceived one, that of gender inferiority. Before entering into courts women had to fight a long and drawn-out legal battle. Even after their winning, it was immensely difficult for them to even enter the profession. Furthermore, post their entry, their active participation in higher echelons and decisionmaking levels in the upper institutions and law-making bodies were minimal or equal to zero till the late twentieth century.

However, opening up our economy to globalization in 1992 opened up the judiciary's doors widely for women. Though modernization has almost ended the masculine chauvinism so strongly present until then, the inherent social conscious and unconscious bias, false pride, and blind prejudice have created various transparent and many times invisible glass ceilings, which could still be seen with keen eyes.

Despite the noble golden concepts of the constitutional intentions, the privileges offered could not reach their final beneficiary because of widespread illiteracy, poverty, very strongly restrictive religious, and communal mindsets and social customs, strictest cast, cultural norms and creed restrictions, dogmatic practices, and so on and so forth.

Still, today, fifteen percent of the registered court lawyers out of 1.7 million are women. However, in 2021, the newly elected Chief Justice of India accepted that the Indian Legal profession is still somewhat conservative and orthodox when it comes to embracing gender equality as many of the present women lawyers have to face tremendous struggle and hardship inside the profession.

And it is a thing of concern that after seventy-five years of Independence women's participation in the lower rung of the judiciary is 15%, but at higher levels, it goes down from ten to eight percent. Thus, he assured us that now the time has come to give fifty percent reservation to this longoppressed gender.

Though action speaks louder than words, it is the powerful thought which leads to responsible actions. If the Indian judiciary and legal profession wish to stand a chance in future, then they must wholeheartedly embrace the modern phenomenon of gender equality as soon as possible.

Otherwise, just like the COVID-19 crisis, where the court had to shift its traditional model of physical hearings to online and virtual hearings overnight, there will be future crises which will prove too much for it to handle. Let us think positive and wish that legal professionals will learn from their past mistakes and do the needful quickly.

Let us take an example of equal human rights, a foundational concept adopted by the Indian Republic of India's post-independence constitution. Which gives a written guarantee to all its citizens. Along with the freedom they individually receive, they are also treated as equal in front of the constitution, state, people's and legislative assemblies, law, administrative system, public and private law-making and implementing bodies, institutions, organizations, and finally the judiciary.

This all reads excellent in theory on paper. But in practice, if we look deeper into it by removing the surface veneer.

Then we will see that practicality is very much different from those wise affirmations.

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- Gaurav PR Wankhade

Outstanding Women Lawyers | 2022

Sneh Parikh Personification of the Legal Charisma

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erious professional disagreements between individuals or companies might often lead to disputes that become difficult to be resolved mutually. In such cases, people seek resolution through the legal process. It becomes essential to get a knowledgeable and effective lawyer who can take up the issue in a court of law and help get that resolution.

The ideal lawyer is expected to understand the customer’s point of debate, represent the matter in the form of a case through the proper legal process, and the expectations from the judiciary in getting justice. Smart, experienced lawyers put up the case effectively in the most appropriate format to get the most effective resolution for their client.

Sneh Parikh is fast emerging as that eminent lawyer whom business professionals can entirely rely upon. Also, a Partner in JSA, Mumbai, Sneh, is a hardcore professional and skilled advocate capable of handling numerous types of cases from numerous fields in the court.

Sneh Parikh has been a passionate learner and logical practitioner who has also developed her expertise in handling domestic and legal arbitrations. In a brief interview with Insights Success, Sneh revealed her professional journey through numerous challenges faced, how she has reached her current position and her vision ahead.

Tell us about your firm JSA. JSA is a leading national law firm in India with over 350+ professionals operating in seven offices located in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. Their practice is organized along service lines and sector specialization.

The firm provides legal services to top Indian corporates, Fortune 500 companies, multinational banks and financial institutions, governmental and statutory authorities and

Women who seek to be equal with men, lack ambition,” has always been my belief.

multilateral and bilateral institutions. It is also one of the best law firms to work with, providing a positive and supportive work environment to all its professionals.

What inspired you to venture into the legal space?

I have always been a headstrong person with firm views on what is right and wrong. Growing up, this was what first drew me to the field of law, which I saw as a manifestation of my personality.

In the beginning, my first impression of the legal profession, particularly in court practice, was the sheer male dominance and the nepotism that was prevalent at all levels. The struggle to prove myself to be equal to, if not better than, my male counterparts coupled with no background of the legal industry, were what catapulted my drive to work and make a name in the legal profession, particularly dispute resolution, which is my area of practice.

The only way I saw that a woman could make a mark in the legal space, particularly dispute resolution in India, is when they chose to be their own competitor, in an industry which has otherwise not seen women at the forefront.

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Sneh Parikh Partner

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I strongly believe that ‘Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition;’ and it is this belief that has instilled in me, the determination to make my mark on the legal fraternity.

What kind of challenges have you faced while entering the legal space, and what are the challenges now?

The most arduous challenge I faced while entering the legal space was creating an identity for myself in a very competitive line of work. Being a first-generation lawyer, the only way for me to move forward was through hard work and keeping up with the dynamics in court practice.

Long hours, client demands and changing laws were some of the rudimentary challenges I kept in mind while plunging into the field of law. Legal Space is a very demanding line of work where an advocate or a lawyer will quite frequently have to put their clients’ needs above theirs.

Although now, being a partner in one of the leading law firms in the country, the challenges I face hold immense consequence. The responsibility to be better than yesterday and provide the best every day can be said to be one of the biggest challenges I face currently.

Kindly brief us about the various specialized legal offerings, solutions, or services you provide to your clientele.

I focus on dispute resolution, and my strength is the ability to take up matters in all forums, including all types of civil, commercial, aviation, banking, consumer, testamentary and real estate litigations before the Supreme Court of India, Bombay High Court, NCDRC, Civil Courts (Bombay and Goa), Sessions Court, and Co-operative Court.

Apart from these, I am also handling domestic and international arbitrations. I specialize in corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration and appear regularly for banks and business houses before the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) and the National Company Law Tribunal as well. I have handled dispute matters for Banks and business houses in Delhi, Chennai, Goa, and Lucknow as well.

I have also represented the Central Government in international commercial arbitrations in proceedings before the Supreme Court of India. I have acted for several international and Indian clients in many diverse litigation and arbitration proceedings, apart from regularly providing legal opinions.

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The Client’s Advocate Sneh has been assessed as one of the most sincere, hardworking lawyers dedica ng her top-most priority to her client’s interests. She has been very efficient in handling legal ma ers and has ensured that the right advice is provided at the right me.

Discipline and a high standard of ethics are of utmost priority, which is demonstrated through her thorough work and comprehensive and solu on-oriented advice to clients who insist that she be involved in all their ma ers.

Sneh has also completed the Company Secretary Course offered by The Ins tute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and is also mentoring and guiding younger associates in the team.

Sneh has also assisted the Former Solicitor General of India, Mr Ranjit Kumar, and has represented the Government of India in the arbitra on proceedings ini ated by Reliance Industries Limited before the Supreme Court of India. In addi on to that, she has also handled commercial li ga ons for banks and corporate houses before the Courts in Singapore and Zambia.

What is the impact of technological advancements in the Law space?

New technology has and will always have a significant impact on every working industry, and the field of law is no exception to the list. Technology has removed physical footprints, which has helped in the flexibility to work across borders, travel and save significant infrastructure and maintenance costs.

While some might always question whether the impact of technology has been a boon or bane to the law field. I personally think that technological advancements have played a vital role in the flourishment of the legal space.

New Tech has also given rise to a new area of work, including cyberlaw, cryptocurrency regulations, and data privacy laws, which will keep the legal industry occupied.

The traditional firms that do not adapt and flex with the ongoing trends in technology and digitalization are likely to be side-lined by the newer tech-savvy firms. I am proud to say that JSA has been tech savvy in its approach and as a firm, was fully prepared to handle work and clients smoothly, even during the peak of the lockdowns on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Be willing to pivot and take risks in your career while giving your 100% to your work, clients and your seniors in the profession.

What is the current scenario of the Indian Legal Space according to you?

Legal Space has and will always be a field which behests hard work and utmost diligence to be well-informed and updated with the latest developments in the social, political and legal arena, especially in a country like India, which has one of the most diverse sets of Laws which keep evolving.

The attractive corporate salaries from huge firms are a prominent paradigm in motivating young lawyers to pursue their careers in that trajectory. Moreover, the exceedingly high demand for young lawyers has also altered the primordial way the hierarchal system worked, where the senior lawyers were known as knowledgeable.

What are the specialities/factors that make you stand out as an influential personality in your field?

My ability to take up matters in all forums, withstand any challenge thrown my way and do my best to win, helps me stand apart from most lawyers who are restricted in their approach to taking up matters.

I have the vision to see that JSA is ‘a one-stop-shop, for all matters legal,’ be it disputes, real estate transaction work, banking and securitization, or mergers, acquisitions and other corporate work. I am doing my bit to contribute to the disputes practice and am confident that this vision is already seeing the light of the day.

What would you like to advise the aspiring legal enthusiasts who are willing to step into the legal space today?

I would like to remind all aspiring legal enthusiasts that every senior advocate they see was once a naïve young lawyer, and the story of every lawyer started as a student.

You are the charter of your own course and so long as you are determined and keep working towards your goal, every mountain is surmountable. Every budding law student should put in hard work and observe and emulate what is being taught.

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