If there is one person that many law aspirants are fascinated by- it is the suave and witty Harvey Specter. Harvey's character on the famous television series 'Suits' is the perfect embodiment of all the traits in a successful and ingenious lawyer. On the show, Harvey is often referred to as 'New York's best closer', and he has idolized the corporate lawyer lifestyle for lawyers and even non-lawyers across the world.
While many of us aspire to be India's Harvey Specter, we often lose sight of how to trace and approach this career path in India. Do not be disheartened, folks! Here is your very own, curated cheat sheet to help you map the journey to be India's next corporate legal eagle:
Ditch Fiction and Chase the Real Content
It is not an uncommon sight in India to see youngsters shun financial newspapers such as 'Economic Times', 'Financial Times' and more. The moot question is- Are we really reading the relevant literature? It is a sine qua non for corporate lawyers to be financially aware and possess in-depth knowledge of the Indian economy. Youngsters wanting to pursue a career in corporate law in law firms must be well aware of the financial developments of our country and need to be well updated on the latest news in the Indian and global economic space.
"Youngsters wanting to pursue a career in corporate law in law firms must be well aware of the financial developments of our country and need to be well updated on the latest news in the Indian and global economic space"
Choose Wisely
This is probably the best time to be a law aspirant in India- the increased number of Law Schools in the country, offers students a wide spectrum of choices to choose from. But, with abundant choices comes greater confusion. If an aspirant is certain that they wish to pursue a career in corporate law, it is wiser for a student to opt for a school that offers a degree that focuses on, both business, law and the intersection of the two spheres. A corporate lawyer cannot function without a working knowledge of business management subjects hence, it is important that aspirants choose a degree with a sound foundation in law and business.
Internships- the Deal Clincher
Choosing the right Law School is only the first step in this journey. The real hard work starts when you get to Law Schools. It is extremely important for students to plan their internships and their curriculum vitae from the first year itself. Students must ensure that there is a certain clarity reflected from their CV to make them a perfect pick for a top tier law firm. From the first year itself, focus on obtaining internships in offices of lawyers/law firms that have a robust corporate law practice.
Scouting for the Right Job Opportunities
Most often we commit the mistake of thinking only in one direction. Students assume that joining a firm as a fresh graduate is the easiest and quickest way to becoming a partner in a top tier firm. But, at times we forget thinking through our decision and chalking out different paths leading to the same endpoint in a shorter duration. A good option to consider is starting your career with a corporate company as a counsel. This will definitely add more years of experience to your CV in a specialized area and make you a good catch for any top tier law firm hiring for a senior position.
Develop the Right Skills
Law Schools offer a plethora of opportunities for students to excel in areas beyond curricular activities. Be wise and choose the right opportunities! In your first year itself, map out the abilities that a Corporate lawyer/partner must possess and participate in activities that build an adequate skill set on similar lines. Improve your negotiation skills by taking part in negotiation competitions or participate in corporate law moot court competitions to build your subject knowledge.
Build your Personality
A corporate lawyer or partner does not only attribute his/her success to their bookish knowledge, but a large part of their success is determined by their personality. You must possess leadership skills to lead a team, good team spirit, have a good temperament and must have the ability to uplift the mood of the room you enter. Partners of law firms are daily faced with pressurizing situations, irritable clients and many human resource hurdles. The only key to their success is a positive winner's attitude. Students must take part in team activities such as sports or engage in multiple extra-curricular activities to build their personality. Needless, to say their communication skills must be at par and they must engage in activities that give them self-confidence and make them effective communicators.
A little bit of planning and systematic effort from your school days can help you reach the top of the corporate law ladder. We always tend to leave things for a later date, but the questions really are- Is it worth it? Do we really need to wait until we graduate to acquire these skills? Can we start building a skill set from school?
Our future is truly in our own hands, we need to act young to make an impact and be a leader of tomorrow.
Kritika Padode Bhandari, Founder Member
Founder Member of VijayBhoomi University, Kritika Padode Bhandari holds B. A. LLB (Hons) Law degree from National Law University, Delhi. She has been awarded IDIA Manav Nagaraj Award for Outstanding Team Leaders in 2014 by IDIA.
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