“Degree as such has a limited value. The knowledge you derive in gaining the degree is invaluable.”
by Payal Sen MBA post graduateAbhijit Joshi is a founding partner of Veritas Legal,
Advocates and Solicitors, and is also a qualified member of the Law Society of
England and Wales. Abhijit graduated in Commerce and qualified in law from
Mumbai University. Over the course of his career he has worked at Amarchand
Mangaldas, Dua Associates and AZB Partners. In this interview he talks to us
about:
v
How he selected law and his early career.
v
Criteria for selection of associates while
recruiting.
v
His formative years as a lawyer and his time at
Amarchand and AZB.
v
Veritas Legal and its rapid expansion as well as
advice for our readers.
Q) How did you decide
to pursue law as a career option? Were there other lawyers in your family?
A) My father passed away very young and what is not
untypical of Indian families all our properties went into disputes. As a result
at a very young age (school days) unfortunately I had to interact with lawyers
along with my mother. It probably had a counter effect, i.e. me not wanting to
take up law! So while I studied law, I never intended to become a lawyer. After
trying my hand at a few things, I realized that the unplanned training I got
during my childhood, had probably made me more attuned towards the profession
and ultimately I decided to pursue it as a career. There is no one in my family
who was ever a lawyer and I was told that this might be a serious impediment.
Needless to say, I realized that if you have merit and are willing to work
hard, there are no real impediments.
Q) Tell us about your schooling and college life before you
graduated. Any fond memories or anecdotes that spring to mind that you would
like to share with us?
A) School days were great, but at the age of nine I lost one
of my parents. It had an effect, but I coped well. I then went to Sydenham
College for Commerce which was then a premier institution. There are lots of
fond memories. I excelled at academics, I excelled at extra-curricular
activities, I became the youngest chairperson of the Students Union. I found
the love of my life, my wife. I probably learnt my early lessons on the
importance of networking at the college.
Q) Less than a year ago, you left a comfortable job to start
out on your own at Veritas Legal. What prompted this move and what role do you
envisage for yourself at Veritas Legal?
A) I can only quote Robert Frost as an answer to this
question. “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep and
miles to go before I sleep.” I guess I enjoy the growth phase. I enjoy
constructing. Both at Amarchand
and AZB, I really enjoyed that portion of the journey. In the last decade
of my career I guess I wanted to venture out and feel the excitement once
again. My decision has nothing to do with any grievances about the past. It was
all about the possibilities of the future. My role at Veritas Legal is dynamic at this stage.
However, I do not intend to be around forever. Keeping this in mind, I did not
use my name or surname in the firm name. This should never be an issue for
senior talent aggregation. We have got very experienced resources. In time, I
am sure they will step up and I will ease out. But before that, I would like to
implement a lot of what I have learnt- what should be done and equally what
should not be done. There are a lot of ideas that float in my mind. A lot of
initiatives that I could not take up earlier. I intend to live each one of
them. I see cultural integrity as a core part of the value system. I see value
systems as the only cohesion at work place. I see that only these values will
allow resources to flourish and bring excellence at their work. I hope that
these will stay central to our growth and we will make all endeavors to see that
these are not compromised at the altar of growth or success.
Interview source Link: http://superlawyer.in/abhijit-joshi-founding-partner-veritas-legal-ex-azb-senior-partner-starting-up-veritas/
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