There Has To Be An Emotional Quotient In The Learning Of Law: Shardul Shroff

The legal profession and the business of law are changing. Well, technology has seeped in the industry, enabling more data-backed, tech-savvy lawyers as a consequence. In the ultimate scheme of things, law as a function is evolving. And propelled by a Covid-induced remote working environment, it is changing at the rate of knots. 

Multidisciplinary workforce the future of legal profession

The traditional legal function and the hierarchy will likely to be morphed into a more agile and cost-effective structure use of automated solutions, chat boxes or other forms of productized legal services will increase. 

According to Shardul Shroff, Executive Chairman, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, a multi-disciplinary workforce with varied skill sets will dominate the legal function.

Works of paralegals, data analysts, operational experts and other specialists in the legal function might rise to a point where legal professionals become almost a minority, he says. 

Now, where does the law school education stand when seen in the context of what the future holds for us. Often being criticised for not keeping pace with the changing times, law school education by and large, still follows rote, theoretical and textbook-based learning as opposed to a skill-based practical Socratic method of study.

Gaps between demands of the profession and existing legal education framework

The glaring gaps between the demands of the legal industry and the existing legal education framework are visible more than ever with the unique challenges and opportunities the post-pandemic world has brought to the legal industry.

Are law schools nurturing talent for law firms of the future? What are the skill sets law students need to focus on, to become agile, proficient and versatile lawyers in the new age of legal practice?

Addressing students from top law colleges across Delhi, legendary lawyer, Shardul Shroff, Executive Chairman, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co shared his insights on nurturing law students and making them future-ready for the demands of the profession. 

Interpersonal skills and emotional quotient need of the hour

According to Shroff, technical knowledge and ability are one thing but law schools must focus on the interpersonal skills and the emotional quotient of the law students. Law students need to imbibe the skill to work collaboratively rather than competing amongst themselves, he says.

"There has to be an emotional quotient in the learning of the law and there must be a focus on interpersonal skills", he adds.

Shroff also stresses on adopting a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to learning and problem solving as the foresees a big role of data analytics, technology and automation in the legal profession in the coming years.

While offering practical legal advice and supporting the legal business with efficiency is critical, mindset shifts and some virtues are quintessential and timeless for growing in the legal profession. 

You have to start at the bottom of the chain

Shroff took students down memory lane to emphasise how he started with the basics and highlighted how patience is one of the biggest virtues in the profession.

"You have to start at the bottom of the chain. I remember when I started as a branch manager, I used to go to the registry and make notes on the orders in pencil because that was the norm. You get everything online. We used to paginate briefs. We used to get the string attached with a big nail, and those were the experiences that we had. When we started, We didn't start on the basis that oh I'm going to be in such and such major case and that's all that I'm going to do and therefore I should not touch any of the basics", he says.

The best law school experience introduces students to the study of practising life

Along with a passion for law, Shroff emphasized on skills like building and maintaining networks, harnessing negotiation skills and getting the right exposure.

"The best law school experience does not confine students to a career of practising law but rather introduces them to the lifelong study of practising life", Shroff says before taking up a string of questions from students at the BW Legal World Law School Summit.

Watch his insightful keynote filled with anecdotes, experiences and life advice for law students and lawyers alike below: