Question 1: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Sir, how you would like to introduce yourself to our readers?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: As a human being first, then as an Indian. Think that should suffice.

Question 2: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: What motivated you to choose law as a Career? What is so special about this profession?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: It’s too long a story. It was an option from a culmination of events. But it was something that I had a fascination for. I am glad that I did, even at 65.

Question 3: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Tell our readers something about your law school journey.

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: Being the eldest in class, it was a different feeling. All my life I was amongst the youngest. But, fortunately, I can converse with a child of 6 months to octogenarians plus. Met my wife at Law College. That would be the highlight. She is in Paris right now, attending a law seminar; specializes in real estate. I am answering interviews!

Question 4: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Being an advocate & arbitrator how difficult is your job? Do you find any difficulty in maintaining your personal and professional life?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: None at all. I have enjoyed each and every one of my jobs and met with success. Except the first. Accounts department; for 4 months, half the day. Uggh.

Question 5: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Who is your idol or mentor especially in the field of Litigation?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: A few. My personal advocate, Bharat Dhoria. Recall better than Palkhiwalla’s. Others who have passed on, unfortunately. Vijay Tupule, a great crime practice lawyer and a sportsman. We were always on the same wavelength. Encouraged me to try new approaches, to be as tough as nails. Then there was Girish Desai, super court craft. Could destroy opponents in seconds. Irreplaceable guys, these old-timers. They don’t make them like that anymore.

Question 6: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: What is your success mantra and what keeps you motivated in life? 

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: Challenges, I guess.

Question 7: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Any advice that you would like to give to newly enrolled advocates?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: I used to cycle race. In a DoorDarshan interview, I was asked this question. My reply, even today, is the same. “My advice is not to take advice”.

Question 8: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Do you want to highlight any issue that you find in the field of Litigation?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: Yes. Lawyers need to pay attention to honesty. One need not be dishonest to win. And stop clients from lying. It’s an advocate’s duty. Difficult, of course.

Question 9: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: According to you, how important it is for law students to do internships? Would you like to give any tips to legal interns?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: It’s not the internship that is important. It’s the attitude. One can learn from an ant. Or the rules of survival from a virus. Or growth from a creeper. And nothing from the sage. To say, ‘I am from the chambers of so-and-so’ is meaningless if you can’t hold your own. And really speaking, internship is a lifelong process. I learn more every day. Whether at the computer at 5.30 in the morning, from about a dozen cases; or at every court we visit. Or asking questions……. Learning all the time. This profession does not let you rest.

Question 10: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Any career advice or special message that you would like to give to law students?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: I do not think I am qualified enough to do that. All I can say is: Keep your eyes and ears open. And the mind too. And enjoy your work.

Question 11: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: It has been noticed that newly enrolled advocates or fresh law graduates are paid less. What’s your take on that?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: Everyone gets paid less than what they want. I get paid less than what I want. So what’s new. You either have legislation or a free market. Believe something like that is on the cards. Will be self-defeating. My first job, mentioned earlier, gave me Rs. 100 a month. In ten years, it was ten times that. I never took on a job that paid more than the one I left. But ensured that the work would fetch more over time. By the way, the hundred rupee job included carrying my cycle four stories up. Too precious to leave on the street below. Coincidentally, the office was right across the High Court. Come full circle, I guess.

Question 12: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Any quotation from your experience that you would like to share with our visitors and readers?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: There is one every day. Came across Jeremy Bentham’s yesterday: ‘The witness is the eye and ear of justice’. On LinkedIn. But the best is Cardozo (I think): “We are infallible because we are last. We are not last because we are infallible.” And Denning’s: All a judge needs to have is courage and integrity.

Question 13: Mr. Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Would you like to give any suggestion to our readers?

Answer: Bapoo M Malcolm: Law is an unforgiving profession. Read, read, read. Digest, digest, digest. Apply, apply, apply. Win, win, win. And good luck.

See you in court.