MS. PALLAVI PRATAP

Question No 1: Mr. Varun: How you would like to introduce yourself to our readers?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: Hi! I am Pallavi Pratap, Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court, first generation woman lawyer who loves litigation. I was an investment banker, many moons back but my true calling was in litigation and absolutely adore my work.

Question No 2: Mr. Varun: Why did you decide to choose litigation as a profession? What is so special about it?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: I did my MBA from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia specializing in Finance. I did research from ESC Dijon in France and then came back to India and started my career working into Finance. It was exciting and I did climb the corporate ladder but law always excited me. I had done my law degree from Lucknow University while I was preparing for Civil Services Exam.

I stumbled upon a beautiful book called ‘On Balance’ by Justice Leela Seth and that gave me a vision to pursue a career into litigation. I read about her struggles as one of the first few women litigating lawyers and her achievements inspired me to pursue law. I left my corporate job and started practicing in Hon’ble Supreme Court.

Litigation is probably one of the most challenging professions since the task seems daunting and you have to run the show, formulate a strategy and make it work. It is interesting but also requires quick thinking and action. But as you start getting honed in the system, one just loves it. You win some, you lose some but at the end of every single day, you will feel like you learnt something new and that lesson always improves your overall performance.

Question No 3: Mr. Varun: If someone is planning to pursue litigation as a profession after completing his/her law degree. So would you recommend him/her to practice as an independent lawyer or would you recommend him/her to work under an experienced lawyer?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: I would always recommend that one learns under an experienced lawyer. Even though there are no mentors in the profession yet, learning and quick grasping is essential to move further in the profession and that comes by observing a senior.

Question No 4: Mr. Varun: Tell us something about your law school life. Any experience that you would like to quote or share with our readers?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: The law school life was good but I did a three-year program. It was an interesting set of people I met and the learning helped me in my preparation for Civil Services, even though I could not qualify it.

Question No 5: Mr. Varun: Any three or more tips that you would like to give to those who are willing to pursue litigation as a career?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: a) Never Give Up b) Be Patient c) Be very open to learning d) Be Persistent e) Attend Courts regularly

Question No 6: Mr. Varun: How was your first day in the court as an advocate?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: I was terrified but my friends really supported me and I sailed through.

Question No 7: Mr. Varun: How did you identify your expertise?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: As an Advocate On Record, you get all kinds of matters, so one becomes a generalist instead of a specialist. I belong to the school of thought which believes that one needs to be a generalist and be open to learning new case-laws, new developments and new areas of law.

Question No 8: Mr. Varun: Any text books or novels that you would like to suggest to our readers?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: Read commentaries on every area of study. Build up a library slowly. There is a book on every problem in the world. Make reading a habit. This profession is all about the discipline to read.

Question No 9: Mr. Varun: You have been practicing in the Supreme Court of India for a last nine years.  So would you like to tell something about the working environment of Supreme Court of India to our readers?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: Supreme Court is where you see Constitutional Law in action. You witness the law in making. It is the citadel of justice. Practicing in the Supreme Court is a dream come true. The respect for tradition is visible between the Bar and Bench as also the Junior and the Senior Bar.

Question No 10: Mr. Varun: Being a lawyer how difficult is your job? Do you find any difficulty in maintaining your personal and professional life?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: It is all about discipline and how well you manage time. Fali Sam Nariman Sir wrote in his autobiography ‘Before Memory Fades’ that you can expand your work in the time available to you or you can finish your work in time to be able to utilize the remaining time properly. Like PP Rao sir used to say, law is a jealous mistress. So there are very exhausting days at a stretch but once you sail through them, you have that feeling of accomplishment which makes it all worthwhile.

Question No 11: Mr. Varun: Who is your idol or mentor especially in the field of litigation?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: My mentor was PP Rao Sir. But my idols are Justice Indu Malhotra, Ms. Meenakshi Arora Sr. Adv and Justice Banumathi. I also admire Justice Gogoi, Justice Chandrachud, Justice Lalit, Justice Bobde, Justice Nageshwar Rao. Mr. Shyam Divan, Sr. Advocate is a delight to watch when he is arguing especially during Aadhaar matter. He is thoroughly prepared. All the respectable Judges and the members of Bar teach you something or the other, if you are willing to learn.

Question No 12: Mr. Varun: As per “National Judicial Data Grid” approximately 2.85 Crore court cases are pending in India. Being a lawyer what’s your point of view on it? How this issue can be eliminated?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: I was reading a book called ‘Legal Confidential-Adventures of an Indian Lawyer’ by Ranjeev C. Dubey where he says that the pendency in the Courts is to be blamed upon lawyers as well since unnecessary adjournments or delay tactics only increase pendency. Also there are many alternate dispute resolution mechanism which can be resorted to for early disposal of cases.

Question No 13: Mr. Varun: Being a lawyer how do you contribute towards the society?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: By doing many pro bono cases, I do ensure that justice is served to people who cannot afford the services of good lawyers.

Question No 14: Mr. Varun: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: Running a successful full-service law firm of 50 lawyers.

Question No 15: Mr. Varun: Any advice that you would like to give to fresh law graduates?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: Enjoy your work, and do it only if you enjoy it. Find your passion. If it is not in law then whatever is the field. Always have a nice hobby. And please never think that any task is menial or beneath you. All the best lawyers would know how to do clerical job, a junior’s job, a steno’s job, a translator’s job, and an advocate’s job. Lastly, Learn, Learn and Learn.

Question No 16: Mr. Varun: What is your success mantra and what keeps you motivated in life?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: Hard-work always pays. If not sooner than later. God always has a plan for you, just believe in him. And workout every day. Exercise will always help you in dealing with the stress of the profession.

Question No 17: Mr. Varun: Do you want to highlight any issue that you find in today’s legal system?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: The pendency is the only issue but the Chief Justice of India has taken many steps to bring down the pendency and streamline the working. I believe we will see a lot of difference very soon.

Question No 18: Mr. Varun: According to you how important it is for law students to do internships?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: It is very important but I see a lot of interns who don’t want to learn or are non-serious and just while away time. Most of the time the mentor would not have time to engage so the intern should be forthcoming and identify areas where they can help.

Question No 19: Mr. Varun: Any career advice or special message that you would like to give to law students?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: Do what you like and like what you do!

Question No 20: Mr. Varun: Any quotation from your experience that you would like to share with our visitors and readers?

Answer Ms. Pallavi: Baz Luhrmann’s song Wear Sunscreen is my bible for life.