In Conversation with Kanika Atul Premnarayen, Partner, Indian Law Partners

Kanika, would you please tell us where did this illustrious journey begin and at what age did you decide to study law. Please walk us through your early years of education and the decision of becoming a lawyer. 

I am a dual-qualified lawyer and have been admitted as a Solicitor in India with the Bombay Incorporated Law Society in 2008 and as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in 2011 and am a member of the International Bar Association as well. I completed my law degree from the Government Law College, Mumbai (GLC) in 2006 and have been enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa since July, 2006.  

I always wanted to be a lawyer from my early days and I worked very hard towards achieving my dream. I remember preparing my legal education roadmap as early as Grade 5 and was certain that I needed to study in India if I wanted to practice in India. At that time, being a lawyer meant standing up for what is right and leading seamlessly. I have been an achiever since my school days at Bombay Scottish School, Mumbai where I showed exemplary leadership qualities and was awarded the Best All-Round Student and was School VCaptain and House Games Captain as well. I also served as the Chairman of the UNESCO Club, where I spent considerable time assisting the underprivileged and handicapped children of Mumbai. While most of my friends were going abroad to study, I chose to stay in India and pursue the 5-year B.L.S.L.L.B degree at GLC where I excelled academically as a university topper and consistent rank holder and my academic achievements resulted in my appointment to the Student Council of GLC, where I was the General Secretary of the Sports Committee as well. I chose GLC over the national law schools as I could work along with law school and sign my articleship for the Solicitor examinations. I started working in the third year of law school itself to gain as much practical experience as I could and I underwent rigorous training as an articled clerk at Wadia Ghandy & Co, Advocates and Solicitors in the field of corporate law, real estate and litigation under some of the most illustrious and leading lawyers in our country which equipped me to become a distinguished Solicitor, in addition to an Advocate. I always believe that the decision to take the Solicitor examinations (which is one of the toughest in the country) was the best decision in my professional career as it gave me a foundation par excellence. 

Who have been your guiding North Stars and the biggest inspiration in this journey? 

Professionally, our Founding and Managing Partner, Gopika Pant, my first senior Mr Nihar Mody and Late Mr. Anand Bhatt, under whom I had the privilege to be trained, have been the most inspirational, encouraging and motivating guiding forces in my career. Personally, my parents Atul and Jyotika Premnarayen, have been my pillars of strength, constantly instilling their confidence and values in me. I would like to thank each of them for their faith, unconditional support and belief in me, which has enabled me to grow and achieve my dream. 

Would you please tell us more about the array of work you handle at your firm? 

I set up and have been managing ILP’s Mumbai office since 2012. ILP, established in 1999 by Gopika Pant, is a boutique corporate commercial law firm having a domestic presence with offices in Mumbai and New Delhi and a global reach as it has a best friend and referral relationship with Ashurst, LLP, bringing international best practices to your doorstep. ILP has significant experience in cross border commercial transactions (mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, business alliances), private equity investments and exits, information technology, human resources and employment matters, real estate transactions, banking and finance, foreign investments into and outbound investments from India, intellectual property, media, entertainment and sports law.  

Would you please share with our readers your expert views on ‘National Education Policy 2020’? What are some of the aspects of the policy that could use further reforms? 

As mentioned during our discussions, the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP, 2020) is extremely progressive and futuristic, and I have been following this very closely both, as a citizen of India and as a mother of 2 small children. As Benjamin Franklin said “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” The NEP, 2020 outlines the vision of India's new education system providing a comprehensive framework for elementary education to higher education and aims to transform India's education system by emphasizing on the fact that children should focus on HOW TO THINK and not WHAT TO THINK and provides a right to education to all. Learning our mother tongue, regional languages and Sanskrit would give our children the opportunity to embrace our rich culture and heritage. Students would no longer need to study a particular subject just because they have to! Emphasis on practical learning, co-curricular activities, vocational subjects and mental health will pave the way for a happier and more fulfilled future generation. However, while the NEP, 2020 is holistic, it is essential that positive and effective steps are taken for implementation of the NEP by all stakeholders such as parents, teachers, counsellors, central and state governments (as education is on the concurrent list). The first immediate step is to continue to focus on online learning in accordance with the government’s mission of ‘Digital India’. The pandemic has brought a change in the dynamics of education and our Courts have been extremely encouraging and forthcoming in ensuring that the education of our children is not impacted during this most unprecedented phase. Going forward, a blend of physical learning complemented with digital learning, would be ideal. 

What in your opinion has been the biggest change or challenge looming over the legal landscape of India amid COVID-19?  

In my view, lawyers no longer fear technology and innovation and have seamlessly embraced it. Also, the pandemic has paused frivolous litigation and has encouraged litigants to look at alternative means such as mediation, to amicably settle their disputes. 

What can law firms do today to ensure they survive in an era of disruption? How is your firm staying futuristic? 

The entire legal landscape (including lawyers, clients and legal students) has been affected by the pandemic. Flexible working policies using cloud-based platforms, will enhance efficiency and enable lawyers to maintain a work-life balance. Most law firms have also realized that the location of offices in premium buildings or the physical presence of lawyers in office for “face time”, is irrelevant and that mental health of their lawyers is pivotal. 

Other than work, what else keeps you busy? Would you please share your other interests and hobbies with our readers? 

As a mother of 2 small boys, aged 6 and 2, my day is extremely fulfilling and maintaining a work-life balance has been key in my professional career, so far. I write articles for various leading publications and I speak at various forums. I play various sports - I was a keen national and state-level sportswoman (I won the gold medal at the Mumbai University Squash Championships for 3 consecutive years during law school!) and have also represented my school and colleges in tennis, squash, throwball, badminton, table tennis, and athletics. I also contribute towards and work very closely with various NGOs, focusing on free medical treatment to the underprivileged, cancer patients and education to underprivileged girl children. 

Many Congratulations on joining the BW Legal World Elite 40 Under 40 Club of Achievers 2020. What to your mind has helped you get to where you are and what advice would you have for others who want to set off in a similar direction? 

I would once again like to thank Dr. Batra and Business World for providing this prestigious platform and opportunity to me. I would also like to thank the most distinguished jury for recognising my hard work, dedication and achievements and for felicitating me with this most distinguished award. 

My impeccable professional and educational track record, sincere dedication, leadership skills, extensive experience and comprehensive understanding of the law have moulded who I am today. I have been, and continue to be, instrumental in training and mentoring lawyers and trainees at ILP (as well as law students) and have assisted in building a well-grounded, focused, like minded and enthusiastic team of lawyers and I look forward to working even harder and giving back to the legal profession, the amount I have learnt and gained from it. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our lawyers of the future, any golden piece of advice from the treasure trove of your experiences in the industry? 

Change is the only constant so be prepared to embrace it. Learn to observe and absorb before speaking, love your work and believe in yourself and you will definitely succeed. 

As a final note, would you please recommend to our readers your favourite book or movie/series that left a lasting impression 

While the list of books is numerous, I would say “A Life of Passion - Story of a Sapper” an autobiography by my Late maternal Grandfather Lt. General Tilak Bahadur Nanda PVSM is my personal favourite and very close to my heart, as it depicts his extraordinary and tireless service of over 40 years to our nation and the Indian Army. My grandfather was one of the most inspiring, remarkable and versatile people I know and I distinctly remember calling him right before each and every law paper to seek his blessings. Through him I learnt that there is no failure and that any adversity can be overcome by sheer hard work, honesty and dedication. 

*Interviewed in November 2020.

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