In Conversation With Rushab Aggarwal, Partner, Chambers of Rushab Aggarwal

Tell us a bit about yourself. What made you choose a career in law? And how was the experience of studying law? 

I am an accidental lawyer. Having chalked out a plan for a career as an Investment Banker, after completing Economics from Delhi University, I came across the Law Faculty, University of Delhi advertisement for the LLB entrance exam. As there were still a few months for me to hear from the Ivy League schools I had applied to for a Masters Course, I gave the entrance exam (without any preparation!) and managed to score a rank which unlocked all three Law Faculty Colleges to me i.e. CLC, Law Centre – I, and Law Centre – II. I must admit, even till the time the merit list came out, I was unaware of the prestige that this institution held. My parents thereafter spoke to some senior Judges who were family friends and they, in unison, advised that this opportunity was not one to be missed. This led to my career plans pivoting towards law, and I joined Law Center – II. The reason I chose this centre was its unique advantage of timing which was from 5 pm to 9 pm. This allowed me to do a full-time internship throughout the three-year course. The disadvantage, of course, was lack of mooting opportunities etc, but in my opinion what I was learning in real courtrooms was unparalleled and far superior to any experience mooting that I could have gained. This course allowed me to utilise my time the best.

If you could suggest one reform in the legal education system, what would it be?

I would advocate that every Law College should adopt the Case Method, as is adopted by the University of Delhi. The case method was evolved at Harvard Law School and is the practice of teaching law through the use of decided cases and analysing the reasons for the decision. This is especially helpful, in a legal system like ours, which follows the doctrine of stare decisis.

Please tell us about your specialization and the array of work you handle at your firm?

We do a variety of cases in almost all arenas of law. However, my Chamber has a large volume of Commercial Suits, Family & Property Disputes, Arbitration Matters, Liquor and Excise Laws, Insolvency and Banking Laws and White Collar Crime matters. I have also recently been appointed as an International Arbitrator and am looking forward to sitting on more Tribunals as an Arbitrator.

What advice would you give law students seeking the best internships in their area of interest?

To my mind, nothing can replace the value of a good mentor. And mentorship cannot be received in three weeks, which is the ordinary tenure of internships these days. Therefore, I would urge law students to take long-term internships at Chambers or Firms in order to have any meaningful learning.

How do you foresee Arbitration evolving as a practice area with the emergence of legal tech and AI?

To my mind, AI cannot replace judicial determination. Each case is only good law for the facts it decides. Therefore employing AI in decision-making, is a gross mistake, and especially where decisions are based on equitable considerations. Legal tech, of course, is a game changer. One we were forced to employ on account of the pandemic. The ease with which litigation and arbitration were able to be conducted during the pandemic was only possible because of legal tech. I have personally had a very heartening experience with legal tech in the last two years and feel that it enables omnipresence and saves time. 

Is a masters degree in law important for a successful career in your desired practice area? Have you done your LL.M, if yes, please mention the specialization and college or your future plans of further studies or other important certifications useful for lawyers in this age and time, if any. If no, please share your views on why LL.M is not the answer to mastering a subject. 

I feel that practice is the answer. What one can learn in the environs of a courtroom, that art cannot be mastered in any masters course. Simply because practice makes perfect, therefore, for lawyers who are planning on litigating, an LL.M. would not be the answer. However, for lawyers who want to go into research and policy, a master’s degree may be of some consequence.

Many Congratulations on joining the BW Legal World Elite 30 Under 30 Club of Achievers 2021. 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 recommend law students to join a chamber right in law school and do a long-term running internship of sorts to really get ahead of your peers. To young lawyers, my advice would be to not fixate on the monetary aspect of the profession but to grab every brief and every opportunity they can get.

As a final note, would you please recommend to our readers your favourite book that left a lasting impression on you?

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is something I recommend everyone to read, especially because every first generation lawyer is an outlier.