In Conversation With Adarsh Somani, Partner, Economic Laws Practice| BW Legal World 40 Under 40

Many Congratulations on winning the BW Legal World 40 under 40. How has been your initial reaction after joining the elite club of BW Legal World 40 Under 40 Lawyers and Legal Influencers? How was your experience interacting with the Jury and of the event?  

AS: I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this recognition. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers, judges, and everyone involved in the selection process. It is a privilege to be recognized for my contributions in the legal field and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of not only myself, but also my team and mentors who have supported me throughout my career. As legal professionals, we all know that the practice of law is not just a job, but a calling. Thank you again for this recognition, which will motivate me to continue striving for excellence in all that I do.  

Interacting with the jury for the award was an extremely positive experience. The jury members were highly accomplished and knowledgeable individuals in the legal space, and I was privileged to have the opportunity to discuss my work and ideas with them. Their questions and feedback challenged me to think critically and reflect on my work in new ways, and I gained valuable insights and perspectives from our discussions. Their willingness to engage in thoughtful discussions and their constructive feedback is appreciated. It will help me grow both personally and professionally. Overall, I am grateful for the experience. 

 Please walk us through your journey in this field of law? When did you first realize that law was your life’s calling? 

AS:My journey in the field of law has been both challenging and rewarding.  Watching the lawyer in my father fascinated me about legal practice from a very young age. Given the childhood interest, pursuing a career in the legal field felt like a natural choice for me. I completed my law degree and the tough question then was to make a choice of subject matter expertise. I chose trade and taxation as my calling. With initial years in consulting firms to eventually a home of attorneys & solicitors, have seen legal practice across varied type of organizations.  Trust me, across suites, you have to be calm & composed with an uncompromising work ethic.   

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work on legal matters across industries and in space of advisory and dispute resolution. Each case has presented its own challenges, and I have enjoyed the process of working closely with clients to find the best possible outcomes for their legal issues & battles. 

As for when I first realized that law was my life's calling, I think it was a gradual realization that developed over time as I gained more experience in the field – unless you like what you do, all calling are nothing but a false alarm. Hence, I always focus on enjoying my work and using my legal expertise to make a positive difference to my clients, colleagues and classes. It's a calling that has always felt natural to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work in a field that I am so passionate about.

Who according to you has been your guide and mentor in this illustrious journey as a lawyer? 

AS: Like all boys, my father was my first hero and am grateful that I have learnt several lessons of personal and professional life from him.  Further, over my career, not one but several brilliant minds have made an impact on me.  I have always carried a philosophy to learn something from everyone around, whether seasoned or a freshman.  

My first senior on the job and the then reporting partner (back in my days at BMR) have had a lasting influence on me and am thankful that they have been by my side, whenever I needed them irrespective of whether I made the first call or not. 

Please help us understand the practice areas you deal in and the diverse array of work you handle? Which industries does your practice cater to mostly and which sector of the economy does your advisory service cover? 

AS: I advise businesses on wide range of matters relating to tax efficient business organization & re-organizations and cross-border structuring. Apart from this, designing tax efficient supply chains has also been a significant part of my profile. FMCG, Financial services, Manufacturing and Media & Entertainment are leading industries for me.  Lastly, investment incentives has also been a core focus area for me for sometime. 

Do you believe that AI and Technology will supersede the lawyering skills in the coming times, especially with the recent hype around ChatGPT and other AI softwares? 

AS: I believe in anything and everything that makes me efficient. These tools impend greater speed and accuracy in several tasks and therefore, I have befriended them.  However, superseding lawyering skills have two hurdles, one the missing eye for own interpretation and two inability to start without a manual input.  Thus, they are only as prepared as the quality of input be. 

What are you doing if not lawyering? What are your hobbies in general? 

 AS: Apart from my work in the field of law, I have a number of hobbies and interests that I enjoy pursuing in my free time. The leading hobby is watching good intriguing cinema – I can watch movies over & over and also back to back.  I personally feel that it helps me sharpen my eye for detail and aid my creativity too.  I also like spending time in nature as the tranquility & serenity rejuvenates both my mind and body.  Reading, of course, is a de facto hobby like any lawyer would have, cant do without that! 

As a parting note, would you please recommend a favorite book that left a lasting impression on you? What has been your most recent read? 

AS: “Three Thousand Stitches” by Sudha Murthy, "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle, and "Atomic Habits" by James Clear – too much nostalgia about how these books have changed the person within me for good & better. 

Just started reading Indra Nooyi’s “My Life in Full”, its been a good start and I am looking forward to the quoted deep insights and messages!