In conversation with Co-Founder and Designated Partner Nitesh Shrivastava, Altura Legal LLP

"Trust your preparation, don’t run for big internships and don’t feel demotivated if you couldn’t secure good job initially. Keep learning and accept challenges." - Mr. Nitesh Shrivastava. Mr. Shrivastava is the Co-Founder and Designated Partner at Altura Legal LLP, Jaipur, India. He specialises in Corporate and Taxation law matters. 

  

You worked as an Associate at various law firms. Now you have established your own firm- Altura Legal LLP. How has your work structure changed? 

The work structure changed completely. Having your own firm or chamber doesn’t only mean to sit on the other side of the table. It comes with a lot of responsibilities on your shoulders. When you are an associate, you are obliged to complete your task and report to your senior on the given matter as directed; however, when you are the senior, you are responsible to the client which means you must make sure that not only you, but your team diligently perform the duties and ensure justice or delivery of the assignment. In initial years as an independent practice being a 1st generation lawyer, you are not only the face of the firm, but you are also peon, clerk, researcher, junior and everything. I started my firm during lockdown with a small team and have learnt that the easiest thing to do is to work as an associate.     

  

What motivated you to choose Taxation and Company Law as your mainstream career option? 

I am a first-generation lawyer, no one in my family every told me how it is to be a lawyer and practice in court. The nepotism is everywhere and even in law practice. It is very difficult to just come out of your cocoon and start your own practice, it will take years to come in light and get recognized. So, during college days, I learnt that company law and taxation is a niche field and not many choose to practice tax specially and that’s why I joined a firm in Delhi in indirect tax and later I started working with Mr. Jasmeet Singh, Advocate on Record Supreme Court of India, who helped me overcome my fear to appear before the Apex Court of India, NCLT and NCLAT in Tax and Corporate matters. Subsequently, I was confident that corporate law is my thing and since then I am practicing in this field. 

 

What are some of the skills that litigation advocates should possess in order to have a successful career ahead? 

There is no set of skills to have a successful litigation career but with my experience I can say few things: - 

1. Choose your internships wisely and explore your interest as to which field of law you want to practice. 

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2. Ask yourself, whether you want a corporate office job or court practice. Accordingly, start developing your CV by having good internships. Try to find internship in places you want to work in your final years. 

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3. Keep yourself engage with practical experience in desired field. 

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4. Improve you writing skills as it’s one of the weapons to achieve success. 

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5. Get command over few subjects such as Civil Procedure Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Evidence Act, Companies Act, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, Consumer Protection Act, in addition to this learn basic concepts of accounting, develop interest in taxation as they are basic laws which you need in any kind of practice to understand commercial transactions. 

  

What expectations do you have from your interns? How can students gain the most of internship opportunities? 

Honestly speaking, internships are very important. Many of my colleagues and friends got jobs in tier-I and tier-II firms just after internships and therefore, I expect interns to be very diligent and prompt. Internship should not be taken for granted as you may close doors of one office for ever if you don’t leave a mark in associates or senior’s mind. Associates talk about you in your absence, you get personal touch with many lawyers during internship. I expect my interns to be diligent and make value addition may be just by good research, reaching office on time, by handling paperwork nicely and keeping themselves organised. In total leaving with good impression and smile. Internship also help you get referrals, so don’t forget to collect phone number of the lawyers and your seniors and later send them your articles, research or anything which may help keep you in their mind when they are looking for hiring. Obviously send only relevant contents and wishes. 

  

How beneficial are certificate courses for a student opting for job after graduation? 

Honestly, I do have some reservations on certificate courses. I have myself opted for various certificate courses but none of them helped me in securing a job. Certificate courses may help you learn subject in more practical manner but there are so many courses floating in the market which are costly and only lead to additional burden on pockets. So, it's totally discretionary and I would not advice students to run for courses blinding or due to peer pressure. 

 

A word of advice for young law aspirants? 

Trust your preparation, don’t run for big internships and don’t feel demotivated if you couldn’t secure good job initially. Keep learning and accept challenges. 

 

Also read- In conversation with Managing Partner Gajendra Maheshwari, Reina Legal Advocates