Avinash Amarnath FINAL Reworked

Summary

In this insightful session, Mr. Aash B Amad G, a partner at Chandok and Mahajan Advocates and Solicitors, shares his experiences and strategies in the legal profession. He emphasizes the importance of setting long-term goals, maintaining a balance between work and personal life, and the significance of detail-oriented preparation in dispute resolution. Aash also discusses adapting to new ADR mechanisms, like the mediation bill, and offers advice to young lawyers on embracing technology while not losing sight of the importance of thoroughness in their work.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of having a long-term goal in legal practice and focusing on winning the 'war' rather than every 'battle'.
• 👨‍⚖️ Mr. Aash B Amad G's background as a partner in Chandok and Mahajan Advocates and Solicitors, leading the firm's Hyderabad office and South India disputes practice.
• 📚 Aash's conscious choice to pursue law due to an interest in humanities and the influence of his family's legal background.
• ⏰ The significance of establishing a routine, including early sleep and wake times, to manage a stressful corporate culture.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Balancing work and personal life by dedicating specific hours to family, exercise, and hobbies, and maintaining discipline even when routines are disrupted.
• 🤔 The emphasis on the importance of reading and understanding the details of a case for effective strategizing in dispute resolution.
• 🏆 Aash's enjoyment of the game-like strategizing in litigation, comparing it to a game of chess where one must be prepared to adapt and evolve their strategy.
• 📉 The acknowledgment of the challenges of dealing with high-profile cases and the necessity of developing a 'thick skin' to ignore external pressures and media commentary.
• 🎓 Insights into the differences in law school experiences between India and abroad, highlighting the value of application-based learning and the encouragement of forming and defending one's own opinions.
• 🏌️ Aash's personal hobbies, particularly his passion for cricket, and how sports can influence one's approach to law and strategy.
• 🤝 The benefits and drawbacks of both corporate law firm culture and litigation chambers, and the goal of combining the best aspects of both for effective legal practice.

Q & A

What is the key to achieving long-term goals in a client's case according to Mr. Aash B Amad G?

The key to achieving long-term goals is to focus on winning the war rather than every single battle. It's important to strategize and plan, sometimes losing small battles to ultimately win the case.

What is Mr. Aash B Amad G's background in the legal profession?

Mr. Aash B Amad G is a partner of the competition and disputes team at Chandok and Mahajan, Advocates and Solicitors, leading the firm's Hyderabad office and South India disputes practice. He specializes in advising clients on complex competition law and dispute matters.

Why did Mr. Aash choose to study law?

Mr. Aash chose to study law as a conscious choice, influenced by his interest in humanities and the presence of law in his family, with his father being a practicing lawyer and his mother a law graduate.

What routine or professional discipline does Mr. Aash recommend for maintaining balance in a corporate environment?

Mr. Aash recommends sleeping early, waking up early, avoiding screen time, and prioritizing family and personal hobbies. He also suggests dedicating 3 to 4 hours daily to family, exercise, and personal interests.

How did Mr. Aash develop his skills in dispute resolution?

Mr. Aash attributes his skills in dispute resolution to good mentors, paying attention to detail, and reading files thoroughly. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the client's perspective and the documents to strategize effectively.

How does Mr. Aash handle media attention in high-profile cases?

Mr. Aash handles media attention by focusing on the case itself and ignoring the 'white noise' outside. He believes in maintaining a thick skin and not being bothered by media commentary.

What was Mr. Aash's experience with law school in India compared to his experience abroad?

Mr. Aash found that law schooling in India was more focused on rote learning, whereas abroad, it was application-based with an emphasis on understanding and applying knowledge, forming opinions, and problem-solving.

How does Mr. Aash balance his personal life with his professional commitments?

Mr. Aash balances his personal and professional life by maintaining discipline, giving importance to family time, and being innovative to find alternatives when his routine is disrupted, such as exercising during travels.

What are the differences Mr. Aash sees between the corporate work culture in law firms and litigation culture in chambers?

Mr. Aash sees the corporate work culture as more solution-oriented and having more direct client interaction, while litigation culture focuses more on the substance of the matter and developing legal points.

What is Mr. Aash's view on the future of ADR mechanisms in India?

Mr. Aash believes that mediation, if done right, can be very effective and more so than arbitration. He emphasizes the need to minimize court interference and the importance of the parties' will in making mediation work.

What advice does Mr. Aash have for young law aspirants and those struggling in the initial phase of their law career?

Mr. Aash advises young law aspirants to keep things simple, understand the psychological aspects of law, use technology efficiently, and not be afraid of trying different areas of law to find their niche.

What are Mr. Aash's long-term plans for his personal trajectory and the firm he is part of?

Mr. Aash's immediate goal is to build a South India disputes practice in Hyderabad, and his long-term goal is to continue in litigation with a niche in competition law, hoping to argue more matters in court and do interesting work.