Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year—In Conversation with Mamta Jha, Senior Partner, Inttl Advocare—BW Legal World Global Legal Summit and Legal Leaders Awards 2020

Many Congratulations on winning the BW Legal World Global Legal Leaders Award for the year 2020. How was your experience interacting with the Jury and of the event? 

It has been an exhilarating moment for us to be awarded as the 'Intellectual Property Law Firm of The Year' at the Global Legal Summit and Legal Leaders Awards 2020. However, acknowledgement and recognition of the team’s efforts keep us on our toes and not rest on our laurels. The Award has cast more responsibility on our shoulders to continue giving our best to further the interest of our clients and to contribute to the evolution of the IP regime at a global level. 

Interacting with the jury was the highlight of the entire process, as they thoroughly encouraged the firm to continue doing impeccable work in the field of IPR. I extend my special thanks to eminent jury members. They took note of the work done by the firm and considered us worthy of the coveted award! Also, special thanks to the team of BW Legal World - Annurag Batra, Gareema Ahuja, Ashima Ohri, Tanvie Ahuja, Krishnendra Joshi and Sheikh Afifa Saeed. 

Rewinding time: please allow us a peek into your illustrious journey in law. Where did this journey begin, who were your mentors, and are there any goals that remain to be achieved? 

I joined Inttl Advocare in 2007, after having practiced law for more than 7 years in various fields of law, such as constitution, land acquisition, service matters, banking and securitization, criminal matters, family disputes, etc. Despite a great start, I realized that being a woman, there are inherent challenges that one faces. Working as a woman litigator wasn’t easy in the year 1999 when I started my practice. The district courts, police stations, SDM offices were not so well-equipped as today and various cultural issues that I observed compelled me to contemplate getting into a field that would be challenging, intellectually stimulating and satisfying for a fierce litigator like me. 

The field of IP, therefore, was an understandable fascination for me. I was a science student with a gold medal in Zoology (Hons.) and patent law was an emerging field back then, with few women lawyers entering this rather niche field of IP as required thorough technical knowledge. I guess my fascination, my educational qualifications and attraction of venturing into a road less travelled made me opt for this field of law. 

Joining Inttl Advocare was a logical next step because of Mr. Singh. I had observed him as a great litigator and truly admired his demeanour and court craft. I was deeply influenced by his sound technical knowledge and expertise. I decided to work with him and upon joining the firm I realised what a true visionary and leader he is! To top it, he personally invested in my grooming and mentoring as a lawyer. The journey from an Associate to Senior Equity Partner explains how life came a full circle at Inttl Advocare for me! 

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 believe that our firm’s zero tolerance towards anything that is mediocre and sub-standard has made it a true leader. Our policy has been to never compromise on the quality of work product, no matter how stringent the timelines may be. This requires the ability to think on the feet and stay committed towards clients’ interests. At no point do we derive pleasure in being legal advisors. Rather, we work as business partners of our clients, the ones who find a solution within the legal realms and the ones who clients would love to go back to, again and again! 

To others who want to set off in a similar direction, my only suggestion would be to imbibe and display unencumbered client commitment, i.e., one must always endeavour to recognize clients’ interest and imbibe it as a driving force. Legal service providers must keep themselves relevant to their clients’ requirements, and if that requires them to reboot their client servicing approach, they must not shy away from it. There will be times when one will have to forego their comforts so that the clients are taken care of, that feeling is the high-point for every service provider!  

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?  

The Government of India recently published the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation And Conditions Of Service) Ordinance, 2021, through which powers of nine Tribunals and Appellate Forums have been transferred to respective High Courts. I cite this development, because with this Ordinance, the powers of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB), which was constituted 18 years ago as a specialized tribunal empowered to hear a variety of disputes under different IPR legislations in India, has been transferred back to the respective High Courts (Commercial Courts in the case of the Copyright Act, 1957). The firm has been a part of stakeholders who made several representations to keep the IPAB operational. 

While the legislative intent to bring rationalization and reforms to the tribunals is understandable, we can’t ignore that our courts are already saddled with huge pendency in the disposal of cases and vacancies of judges that are yet to be filled. Most importantly, how are we ensuring the technical expertise of the high court judges, especially in matters related to patent appeals, revocations, etc.  

The development would definitely impact the industry, whether in a positive or a negative way, only time will tell. 

How has the legal services industry transformed in the past year? What have been your key learnings from the year past and what are your predictions for the future?  

The past year has been a transformative year in every sense – for individuals as well as the legal fraternity. Digitalization of law firms and of courts is one of the most significant change that everyone is still adjusting to. Innovation has paved the way to the future and the technology has truly taken over. The transformation has been long coming and with the current pandemic, it reached a new turning point. I would say online hearings have played a mammoth role in keeping the delivery of justice alive even during the time when the entire globe has been battling the biggest threat of recent times. The agility with which the judiciary adapted to the need of the hour is a testament to the fact that the human race can convert every adversity into an opportunity. Today, India’s legal framework stands evolved with virtual hearings being adopted right from the Apex Court to the lower courts. Even the court clerks have managed the digital records during the hearing so well! Had we not been swift to turn this around, we can’t even imagine the detriment this would’ve caused to several businesses who faced uncertainties in the commercial landscape and required judicial recourse. 

What role can law/law firm/an individual play in making workplaces truly diverse and inclusive?   

I believe that having a diversified culture ensures respect towards different perspectives, better creativity and higher innovation. Every law firm should provide an open platform, which allows anyone in the firm to give their out-of-the-box ideas. An inclusive culture doesn’t only show one’s commitment to their team and community but also empowers the firm to take leadership of an idea that they believe in and are ready to implement. A firm that appreciates diversity in the workforce and has an inclusive culture builds robust teams that are aligned in their vision towards the symbiotic growth of the firm and its members. 

An experience, case or person that left a lasting impression on you.  

I often say the following statement, “Each Day Of Professional Life is a Celebration when you get the opportunity to work with Global Leaders!” I admire Mr Hemant Singh, Founder & Managing Partner of Inttl Advocare, the most, for being my mentor. He has been the toughest with me and is my biggest critic, but that is what has shaped me! He has always been there to teach, explain, encourage, and to allow me to be myself. For me, the biggest strength he has, as a mentor, is allowing me to take contrary views either in the office or in front of a client. This has allowed me to grow without any boundaries and be limitless in my thinking process. I will forever be grateful to him for being my mentor and making me what I am today. This answer would be incomplete if I do not mention another mentor, Mr Gopal Subramanium, who has inspired me to work harder, be a better human being, and think towards contributing to society. I have the privilege of working with him and benefiting from his vast knowledge, expertise, and spirituality. 

What keeps you busy when you’re not working? Any favourite book or movie/series that you'd like to recommend to our readers. 

Apart from work, you’ll find me spending time doing meditation, practising healing modalities and reading spiritual texts. My day begins with meditation, which is my survival practice I would say! My meditation sessions enhance my peace, perception, well-being and conscious awareness, which ultimately translates into positivity and success around me. While I am also fond of travelling, the current situation has put a full stop to all my travel plans. Being an avid participant at various IP fora, I love making new friends from across the globe, absorb diverse cultures and try out different cuisines wherever I travel.  

Any other thoughts, message to our readers. What other than hard work is a mantra to success?  

My only message to the readers would be to not look for short-cuts to success, because there aren’t any. Short-cuts are short-lived and there is never a substitute to knowledge, merit, perseverance and passion. Most importantly, keep the growth cycle in motion by consciously investing in people, creating more leaders and developing more visionaries. While success is a term that has a different meaning for everyone, I consider the true measure of success to be the ability to create collective growth at all level of the physical Mental, material and spiritual realm and create sustainable legacies with future leaders for a better world.