Interview conducted by Priya Gupta as a part of her Campus Leaders Program.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
From a young age, I was captivated by the legal world as I observed my father’s work as an advocate. I remember sitting in the courtroom, watching him skillfully navigate cases and interact with clients and judges. The way he articulated arguments and sought justice resonated deeply with me. His passion for helping others and standing up for what is right inspired me to consider a career in law.
As I grew older, I began to understand the broader impact that the legal profession can have on society. I realised that the law is about winning cases and advocating for those who may not have a voice.
My father’s influence and fascination with the principles of justice solidified my desire to pursue a career where I could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. It became clear to me that becoming a lawyer would allow me to follow in my father’s footsteps while also contributing to my community and championing the rights of others.
Can you share some memorable experiences from your law school days?
I have completed my law degree from BHU, where I had the most memorable experiences I have felt are attending moot court and visiting court, from which I have gained various knowledge, and this knowledge gave me insight into what the real court looks like and how they are different from theoretical knowledge. I still remember one of the most unique experiences was my first moot court competition.
The experience was filled with anxiety, researching obscure constitutional doctrines and then standing in front of a bench of retired judges. I know my arguments were far from perfect, but I gained the valuable experience of legal reasoning discipline and the courage to speak for justice, no matter how complex the issue was.
Another formative experience happened when I was an intern at a district court. I witnessed unfiltered realities of the justice system about how indeed legal aid may mean the difference between freedom versus incarceration. It was a powerful lesson: the law is not just found in textbooks; it is in the lives of people.
The late night debates with dorm-mates, the long hours with friends in the library struggling to decode Bentham or Salmond, and the odd dressing down by a professor all had an impact on me.
But most lasting was I realised law is an unresolved conversation that will extend beyond a degree. That understanding (nurtured in those formative years) is still guiding me, even as I now seek to pass that on to you.
What are some of the key milestones in your career?
One of my earliest milestones was when I graduated from law school with honours, but more importantly, I found a real passion in constitutional law and legal theory. I discovered this passion mostly in my post-graduate studies, where I was interested in the writings of Ambedkar, focused on how legal scholarship could become a game-changer.
Another milestone in my journey was to enter academia. I remember speaking to my first class; it was even more nerve-wracking than speaking in front of a court. To stand in front of students, it finally clicked that teaching is not about knowledge-bombing. It is about sparking thinking. That was a moment of realisation.
Publishing my first article which went through a peer-refereed process, on judicial accountability – and the subsequent article led me to believe I was a part of a larger legal conversation outside of classrooms and courtrooms. Milestones in my journey included being a part of the curriculum reforms, joining legal reforms as a panellist or being mentored by students in moots or research papers.
How do you handle stress and maintain a work-life balance?
What a considerate question! Even professors like me can get stressed, just like students, a day before an exam! Sometimes I feel the pressures building up, but I try to tell myself that balance is just as important as hard work. I try to start my day with something peaceful.
I usually go for a walk or enjoy a quiet cup of tea before heading to teach and read long legal cases. To maintain good balance in my life, I spend time with family. We talk about family meals, family outings on weekends, and I read fun storybooks with my grandchildren. It’s important to participate in different joyful activities outside the classroom.
I also believe in well-planning my day. Perhaps even planning for work, planning for relaxing, and even planning for doing nothing!
Planning brings ease to the day, keeps my mind fresh, and brings some energy for the work to be accomplished. The law was originally written to be serious business, however if you can learn to breathe, take time to laugh, and engage in rest, you can enjoy this work without burning out.
So, my dear young friends, whether you are studying hard or playing with friends, remember to practice balance as the key to your happiness and success!
What advice would you give to law students who are about to graduate?
First, never stop being a learner. Law is a living subject – there is something new every day. Continue to be curious about your practice, whether you’re joining a firm, preparing for your role on the judicial bench, or your role in social justice.
Second, your integrity is one of your biggest assets. In a world filled with shortcuts, let your integrity and ethical conduct serve you well. It takes years to build a reputation and only moments to lose it.
Third, be nice to yourself. Those of you entering the legal profession will find it to be a whole other world. It is a great profession, but it can be intense with respect to pressure, expectations, and workload. And it is easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. When you make a mistake (and you will), simply learn from it. Don’t forget to give yourself some slack if you do make a mistake.
Fourth, find your purpose. You do not just want to be chasing money or fancy titles. You should routinely ask yourself what kind of lawyer and what kind of human being you want to be, and grow from there.
Lastly, keep connected – connected to your peers, your mentors, and your values. If you stay connected to those, they will ground and keep you throughout your profession.
So go on, graduates, and not only practice law, but practice law with wisdom, courage, and heart.
What are your plans and goals in the legal field?
As far as my personal goal is concerned, it has always been, and continues to be, to teach and inspire young law students. There is a unique joy in being able to shape young minds, to introduce them to the complexities and nuances of legal thinking, and to guide them as they discover the power and responsibility that comes with understanding the law.
I believe that teaching is not merely a profession—it is a profound commitment to building the future of justice, one student at a time.
What major challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
That’s a very good question. Every profession, including mine, has its challenges. One of the first challenges I had was adjusting as a law professor. I came directly from practice into teaching. I was faced with the daunting task of distilling an entire course of complex legal concepts down to the simplest points for these young students beginning their legal careers.
The transition from attempting to persuade judges and juries in the courtroom to patiently explaining legal doctrines in the classroom was not easy. I quickly overcame this challenge by watching how experienced teachers and professors engaged their students, honing my communication skills, and learning to listen to feedback from my students.
Another challenge was learning to juggle the academic attitude with my private life responsibilities. My time was often consumed by long hours of research, correcting student papers, and lecturing or preparing for lectures.
That was difficult at times, and eventually, I developed better time management skills, and also began to establish boundaries that assisted me in terms of efficiency and personal satisfaction.
I have had many moments of doubt, particularly when I wanted to introduce new formats to my courses of study or deal with issues of law that were evolving. Then I had to keep reminding myself that law is always changing, and a good teacher has to always be changing too.
It helped to learn that a my level of self-reflective practice, development of professional development, and a lot of colleagues who cared about my development were critical in developing resilience.
As noted, I learned valuable lessons with each of these challenges and had reaffirmed my commitment to the profession .
What’s your point of view on whether non-NLU colleges are worth it?
Priya, let me tell you something from my own experience. During my time, securing admission into a National Law University (NLU) was considered a tough achievement—and truth be told, it still holds the same prestige today. But I wasn’t from an NLU myself.
I graduated from a non-NLU institution, and I say this with pride, because what truly matters in the legal profession is not just the name of your university, but the skills, knowledge, and understanding of law that you carry with you.
Your command over legal concepts, your analytical thinking, your ability to apply the law to real-life situations—that is what makes you stand out. No college, however reputed, can replace the value of hard work, curiosity, and a sincere commitment to learning. I’ve seen brilliant lawyers and judges who came from humble academic backgrounds, yet their dedication and continuous self-improvement set them apart.
So don’t let the label of your institution define your potential. Instead, focus on becoming a lawyer who not only knows the law but understands its spirit. What truly counts is what you contribute to the legal field—how you argue, how you write, how ethically you act, and the impact you make.
How can students make the most of their time in law school?
Making the most of your time in law school is important not only to get a law degree but to prepare yourself for a legal career. I always tell my students that law school is the first step in forming the lawyer you will be. First things first, focus on the fundamentals, subjects such as: Constitutional Law – Contract Law – Criminal Law – the Code of Civil Procedure.
Do not simply memorize the sections but rather don’t just memorize sections, think about how they are interpreted, how the law has evolved, and requirements both statutory or regulatory, and their application. Consider doing a reading of landmark judgment and landmark legal commentaries, this would help him or her begin to connect the academic portion of the learning process with real life practical reasoning.
You must also spend time developing your research and writing skills. Research most effective process involves cross-examination of the facts and law. For example, participating in moot courts, legal writing challenges, and seminars to present your paper builds not only competency, but develops the ability to analyze, communicate, and articulate, which are essential in any area of law practice.
Similarly, I want to stress to the to use the breaks between your semesters in meaningful ways. Use semester breaks to intern in court, law firm, NGO, or corporate organizations in either legal or non-legal reasoning either in terms of exposure to law or simply profession ethics.
In addition to that, I encourage students to create networks beyond the classroom by participating in events and seminars, where you can interact and create relationships with your peers, professors, and professionals in the legal profession including lawyers, judges, courtroom staff personnel, etc.
Always stay curious about the law, question the law, what does the law do interested in, and what is the law all about? In addition, be prepared to act with integrity. Law school is far more than grades, your are about growth. Learn fast, learn with intent, and serve the people passionately.
Recommended books
- Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth – Great for understanding the Constitution in a simplified yet detailed manner. – Introduction to the Constitution of India – Durga Das Basu A classic and authoritative book for constitutional law.
- Law of Torts – R.K. Bangia – Very student-friendly, especially for 1st and 2nd-year students.
- Law of Contract – Avtar Singh – Widely used in Indian law schools for understanding contract law.
- Criminal Law (IPC) – K.D. Gaur or Ratanlal & Dhirajlal – Both are comprehensive and authoritative on the Indian Penal Code.
- Family Law – Paras Diwan – Covers Hindu and Muslim law with clarity.
Disclaimer: Interviews published on Lawctopus are not edited thoroughly so as to retain the voice of the interviewee.
This interview is a part of our Star Interview series, conducted by the Campus Leaders at Lawctopus. Stay tuned for more!
