In Conversation With Kirti Dua, Partner, ANG Partners Advocates & Solicitors| BW Legal World 30 Under 30

Many congratulations on winning the BW Legal World 30 under 30. How has been your initial reaction after joining the elite club of BW Legal World 30 Under 30 Lawyers and Legal Influencers? How was your experience interacting with the Jury and of the event?  

KD: Thanks a lot for this recognition. I am thrilled to be a part of the elite group of lawyers and legal influencers recognized by BW Legal. It was a wonderful experience to interact with the esteemed jury members and also being a part of a panel, discussing hiring strategies by law firms. It boosts one’s self confidence when they sit with such esteemed members of the legal fraternity and share thoughts on some common problems faced by everyone. I whole-heartedly thank BW Legal World for giving me this opportunity and recognizing me. 

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

KD: I decided to pursue law when I was in Class IX. I was always appreciated as a great orator by my school mates and I always pictured myself debating, I would practice speeches in front of a mirror and it felt delightful. However, my parents always wished for me to pursue my graduation first, so I completed my graduation in B. Com(Hons) from Delhi University and then went on to pursue LL.B(Hons.) from Jindal Global Law School, Sonepat. 

When I joined Law, I always thought that I will make a career in Corporate Law since I had a commerce background and it was an area of interest but after graduating from Law School, my elder brother (who is a corporate lawyer) advised that I try litigation first and if it does not suit me then I can always come back to the corporate practice but doing otherwise might not be feasible. So, I joined a Senior’s Chamber. Ms. Pinky Anand and that’s when I first got the opportunity to set my foot in the Supreme Court of India. I still remember that day, I was completely mesmerized by the sheer magnanimity of the institution itself, from that day onward, I never looked back. Since that day, I have been part of several constitutional matters like Derecognizing Triple Talaq, Protection from Honor killing, De-criminalization of Adultery, Appointment of Chief Information Commissioners and many others. 

 Who according to you has been your guide and mentor when you started working as a lawyer and what did you imbibe from him or her as a junior? 

KD: My guide and mentor in this legal filed is Ms. Pinky Anand, Former Additional Solicitor General of India. She has hand-held me and walked me through the Courts working and the process of law. She has been extremely generous and patient in teaching some very valuable lessons that I imbibe each and every day in my practice. There is this one particular quality of hers that she recognizes the talent of each of her junior and she molds and prunes each of them. She saw that I am a go-getter and it is completely unacceptable for me to quit and she has always pushed me to do better because of that, the result is in front of you all. I have imbibed her work and professional ethics in my practice and have given more than my 100% to each and every case at hand. 

How did you decide on your practice area when you started looking for a job? How much do you think internships helped in carving out a pathway for young lawyers who intend to get in the profession? 

KD: As I had mentioned in the previous question, I had always thought of pursuing corporate law and all my major internships had been in Law firms in the Corporate Sector itself. It was after I passed out from college and began my search for jobs in corporate sector, I was advised by my seniors to pursue litigation first. Litigation was like taking a “test drive” of my career in law. It was after I began going to court that I realized it is my true calling and after that I just went ahead with the flow. I have been fortunate enough to gather the exposure of almost every sector of law in my first job itself.  

It is definitely important for law students to do the internships with utmost sincerity, they are the first exposure to the real profession and it is always beneficial to experience a bunch of avenues and then make a sound decision of what interests you the most and what are you most inclined to pursue. Internships indeed help in carving out a pathway for young lawyers. 

Do you think higher degrees like LL.M. can enhance the skill set for a lawyer? If so, according to you which is the right time to pursue the same for a lawyer who has just entered the profession? 

KD: Definitely, higher studies like LLM help a lot in enhancing the skill set of a lawyer. A lawyer should preferably pursue LLM right after their law school because as a practicing lawyer he or she will not get time to pursue it after he or she has begun his practice.  I strongly recommend aspirants to apply for scholarships to foreign universities, the teaching pattern of foreign law universities is a lot different from how we are taught in India, if a person has done his graduation from India he or she should apply for LLM outside India just to get a feel of change in the pattern of education. If one decides to peruse LLM he or she should do it in his favorite subject as it gives the student a completely different outlook towards the profession plus it helps in the holistic growth of an individual.  

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? 

KD: No, they won’t supersede lawyering skills, and Chat GPT itself does not provide any legal opinions as it itself says to approach a practicing lawyer for an opinion. They can certainly help in legal research, document generation, providing general legal information but to a limited extent and it will always give a disclaimer that it is not a legal advice. Thus, AI and Technology can assist lawyering skill but can’t take over.  

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

KD: I love spending time with my family, going for early morning walks followed by a hearty breakfast at some scenic café. I love travelling to scenic destinations away from the hustle bustle of the cities. My hobbies are reading books, practicing yoga, listening to podcasts.  

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? 

KD: I can recommend Nani Palkhivala: The Courtroom Genius, a book by Sr. Adv. Arvind Datar and Late Sh. Soli Sorabjee which tells you about the early days of Late Sh. Nani Palkhivala as a junior to Late Sh. JB Kanga and many other courtroom stories on important legal incidents that shaped India. Recently I have read Before Memory Fades by Ld. Sr. Adv FS Nariman.