Experts throw light on skills required for a successful law career

UPES School of Law Advisory Board members delineate the skills that would be required by youngsters aspiring for a career in law

When Ms. Tulika Jesrani, General Council at Kimberley-Clark (India), saw the UPES campus for the first time, she wanted to go back to college once again. “Beautiful campus and incredibly competent faculty,” she said.

Former bureaucrat Mr. Pravir Krishna agreed. “The faculty, students, amenities, infrastructure, training and methodology are brilliant at UPES. I think it is one of the finest in the country,” he concurred.

Ms. Snehlata Srivastava, Retired IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, and former Secretary General of Lok Sabha, Parliament of India, too, was impressed by UPES’ world-class infrastructure and the faculty’s commitment to students.

Mr. Sharad Abhyankar, Partner, Khaitan & Co., found the library well-stocked with access to a plethora of academic resources.

All these stalwarts are part of the UPES School of Law Advisory Board. They bring with them years of experience and valuable knowledge. Elaborating on what the industry is expecting from new-age legal professionals, Mr. Krishna said, “We are looking for hardworking people who are ready to adapt and improve their skills and abilities, besides having domain expertise; one has to be a master in what one does.”

“The most important qualities in legal students are their knowledge of law, expertise in information technology and technological solutions, the way they conduct themselves, and their life skills,” Ms. Srivastava asserted. Digital preparedness is another crucial aspect that students must keep in mind. “With the introduction of Artificial Intelligence and other technologies, there are several products that aid dispute resolution mechanisms and other solutions,” she commented.

“The good news is that the future lawyers who are being nurtured and honed at UPES are already a smart lot,” Ms. Jesrani observed. “The youth is sharp, articulate and well-aware. All they need is diligence in their daily work. That is what we are looking for as employers from a law firm perspective. The second thing we expect from the young lawyers are the fresh ideas they bring to the table,” she added.

As the world moves from online to hybrid and full-time modes of working, Mr. Abhyankar said that students should get ready for working with a team in a physical environment. “They should learn software and management skills and adapt themselves to a team situation. Students should understand and appreciate the instructions given to them and attend to the granular details, because ultimately, for lawyers, time is money. The client will see whether the resources spent on lawyers are worth the effort,” he stated.

Mr. Abhyankar emphasised that students should learn time and stress management along with technical skills. He also suggested studying courses in Psychology and Management can help them grow faster in the profession.

Apart from being the masters of their domain, students should strive to be responsible and empathetic citizens. “At the back of their mind, students should have a thought for the poor,” Mr. Krishna said. “What they can do for the marginalised and the ones that are at the bottom of the poverty ladder, and how they can be brought into the mainstream of development. We must create future leaders who are responsive to the needs of the society,” he added.