In Conversation With Pooja Chakrabarti, Partner, Argus Partners, Solicitors & Advocates| BW Legal World 40 Under 40

Many Congratulations on winning the BW Legal World 40 under 40. How was your experience interacting with the Jury and of the event? 

Thank you so much. I had a fabulous time interacting with the eminent jury at the event I must say that all arrangements made were phenomenal. It was also great interacting with the other winners and sharing experiences.  

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

I belong to a family of doctors and had virtually no lawyers around growing up, however, something about the profession always excited me. I do not think that there was a particular point when I realised that law was my life’s calling, but in Class XII when I was expected to prepare for Pre-Medical Tests, I found myself looking at Law School brochures instead. Things moved fast and I joined Symbiosis International University, Pune soon after. Upon realising the importance of having a post graduate qualification, and after working for some years, I headed over to University of Oxford to complete my Bachelor of Civil Law.  

I started my career with a law firm in Mumbai as a Dispute Resolution lawyer. A couple of years later, I joined Argus Partners and help set up its Dispute Resolution practice in Eastern India along with some like-minded individuals. My practice is focussed chiefly on commercial litigation, arbitration (both domestic and international) and insolvency. I regularly appear before the High Courts at Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi, the Supreme Court of India, National Company Law Tribunals (NCLT) and arbitral tribunals.  

I have been fortunate to be a part of a number of high value litigations and arbitrations for clients having operations in India and abroad. The journey has been difficult but rewarding.  

What would you say has helped you emerge as a leader in your industry and what advice would you have for others who want to set off in a similar direction?    

I am really passionate about what I do and have been incredibly lucky to have found some great mentors along the way.  

As a litigator, it is important to appreciate and understand the business aspects of a transaction and only then can you provide commercially viable solutions to your client. It is also essential to adapt to the ever-evolving commercial environment and analyse how the advice and strategy will affect the client’s business.  

I think it is important to love what you do and have a zeal to learn. It is crucial to remain invested and be prepared for the long haul and not get distracted or demoralised with minor setbacks. Our professional journey is challenging, but consistency will bring success despite impediments. 

We have seen a spate of legislative changes in recent years that have been monumental in reforming India's legal framework across all sectors. Would you please highlight a recent development concerning your practice area that has positively impacted the industry?   

I would not call it very recent, but the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has truly altered the face of India’s legal framework. The objective of the insolvency resolution process is to reorganise the debtor so that it may continue as a going concern, but the law is still developing in this area with new decisions by the Supreme Court as well as the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, frequent amendments, and is far from settled.  

What are the top three trends that are going to rule the legal sector for the next five years? 

First, I feel what has become increasingly important is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Law. Lawyers who are effectively leveraging emerging AI technologies will be able to offer services at lower cost, higher efficiency, greater chances of favourable outcomes. From streamline contract review and document analysis to predicting outcome of litigations, AI is now revolutionizing the practice of Law. 

Second, with recent amendments as well as reduced court interventions, parties are now increasingly showing more confidence in and opting for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as the means to settle dispute, instead of litigation. This, I feel, is indeed a step in the right direction.  

Third, corporations are investing heavily in building in house legal teams with significant capacity and expertise and law firms and external counsels will have to run the extra mile in adding value to their services they offer. It is a step in the right direction.  

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

PC: I have indeed been blessed to have had a number of exceptional mentors who have always guided me, both in the profession and in academia. In our professional journey, it is important to find mentors and learn from them, and I still do.  

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

PC: I am a voracious reader with varied interests. If I have to mention one book that has left a lasting impression on me, it has to be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I loved how the protagonist realises the true importance of who he is and focuses on what really matters in life. The book has helped me to stay grounded and not lose perspective. Recently I have started reading Before Memory Fades by Fali S. Nariman, and it is an absolutely delightful read.