SOMETHING NEW ON INTERNSHIPS

INTERNSHIP NOT NECESSARY

You may not need us after a couple of years, but you will not forget us.

Will you be on your own?

    A lot of students and fresh graduates write on Linkedin, hoping for internships. Almost every day, folk write to us. We ask “Why?”. We are not big. We are not famous. Neither are we rolling in money. We win just because we want to.

   My wife, Divya, is a lawyer. She explains to us thus, “These are hopefuls, interns, freshers, looking for a break in life. You were lucky. You got the jobs you wanted. You have achieved all you wanted to. These kids think you can do something for them too.”

   So, we are not giving up. 

And this is what we have in mind.

First, the e mail addresses:

<[email protected]> and <[email protected]>.

Next, the plan. And we work together on this.

   Our strengths must be that we are willing to work, willing to learn, and wanting to succeed. If these three legs of the stool are not met, please read no further. This is not for you. But if you have these in you, we may come up with a grand scheme that will disrupt the existing ones.

We can. Together. All we need to do us think differently. Take the path less trodden.

   Kinjal, my colleague, is 35. I am 79. We are practising advocates of The Bombay High Court. Together we have more than 20 years of experience. Your qualification, of course, is of no importance at the moment. Your interest in law will suffice.

   Jayant Bhatt writes on Linked of juniors being snubbed. The fault lies in the nomenclature, this ‘junior’ and ‘senior’ stuff. All are advocates. You are or will be as good as the next.

   Kinjal and I work together, mainly in litigation. She arrived two years ago to help me out when I was recuperating from a major surgery. She is still around, all thanks to her.

We aim to help. The best we can.

    This is how we can assist newcomers. The supply/demand ration is skewed. Too many new lawyers, 18,000 every year, too few slots. Made worse by mandatory stipends. That leaves the majority hanging by a slender thread.

   But what of those who do get to the “Chambers”? A few undoubtedly make it. But only a few. The majority has horror stories to tell. The Chambers, according to them, are not unlike the Star Chambers. Jayant Bhatt is spot on. Hareshbhai’s stories also tell a lot.

    This is where we need to come together. But first, the conditions. ‘The T & C apply’ clause.

1)  Willing to start own practice.

2)  Honest, non-envious, capable of shouldering set-backs.

3)  Improve language skills, meaning English, learn constantly, work hard.

AND

4)  Understand that it will not come free. We believe that what is free is very expensive; and never appreciated.

   The fee, however, is left to you. You pay as much or as little as you wish. You decide how much the effort is worth. You pay from what you earn. Our goal is to see you succeed and prosper.

   This model will help you to not only prepare for your cases but also to build up your own network. We can call this model, co-participation. To begin with the participants must announce to the world that they are advocates or about to be ones. It must be a declaration loud and clear and without hesitation. A show that you have arrived. Matters are then bound to come their way. Be brave. Richard Branson says one can learn on the job. Here’s how.

1.   As soon as a matter comes to you, take it! Discuss the matter with the client and always ask him/her what he/she wants at the end of the day. That is important. Ask them to visit again after a few days.

 2.  Next step, buy the latest bare act on the subject and, if finances permit, a good commentary. This is the first building block of a good library. An investment that has no comparison. And start the study. Mark the relevant sections, the debating points; always keeping in mind the final goal. The client’s destination.

 3.   Study the case, make notes, open a file, name and number it.

 4.   Prepare a synopsis, a list of documents available, name and addresses of your client/s and of the opposing party. This will allow you to prepare your first dummy. A dummy is a very rough draft.

 5.  Get in touch with us immediately with all your data. Start a correspondence and a dialogue, send us drafts and your research material. We start work with you. And maintain confidentiality. We DO NOT reach out to your clients.

 6.   DO NOT EXPECT US TO DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU. The client is yours, not ours.

 7.   On our part, we will study the data that is sent to us and do our best to guide you. Step by step, we will build your brief, or your document. It will be a collaborative effort, but it will be one specifically designed for you to succeed. You must win. We need you to win. We work together and you win. That will be our greatest reward.

    Of course, this model will change. It is not etched in stone. One size cannot fit all. But the right attitude will prevail. You will disrupt existing models. You will face opposition. You might want to throw in the towel. But we want youngsters to hold their own against the “Seniors”. We need MORE Davids. 

    Do not be afraid to consult others too. We have no ego hang-ups. It is just that we need you to build a better mousetrap for the world to beat a path to your door.

    GOOD LUCK.