Name of the Student
Rafid Akhter
Full name of your college
Jamia Millia Islamia
What motivated you to take up law as a profession?
My decision to pursue a career in law stems from my family’s long standing tradition in the legal profession. With my grandfather and uncle already established as lawyers, I am set to become a third-generation lawyer. Witnessing their professional journeys has always been a source of inspiration for me, compelling me to follow in their footsteps.
Furthermore, the allure of being recognized as an intellectual and standing out in a crowd has been an enticing aspect of this career path. I believe that as a lawyer, I can make a significant impact on society by assisting people and advocating for their rights in various ways.
When you choose to become a lawyer, you embrace the responsibility of safeguarding individuals’ liberty, imparting knowledge about their rights, and championing fairness and equity. Lawyers are often referred to as social engineers due to their role in shaping and improving the social fabric.
How will you describe your college journey and was there any specific reason for joining your current law college?
My college journey has been an enriching experience thus far, although it hasn’t been without its challenges. I firmly believe in the value of hard work, understanding that life isn’t always a smooth ride. In my first year, I engaged in online internships, but the unforeseen arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 provided an opportunity to make the most of my free time. During this period, I dedicated myself to writing research papers, pursuing additional internships, and actively participating in moot court competitions. Along the way, I forged invaluable professional relationships with my peers, relationships I hope will endure indefinitely.
Moreover, I attribute much of my personal growth to the guidance and mentorship of my professors and senior students. Their support has honed my skills, and I am confident that I will prove myself as a capable professional in my future career.
Regarding my choice to attend Jamia Millia Islamia for my law studies, there were two primary factors that influenced my decision. Firstly, Jamia is known for its highly competitive entrance process for the 5-year BA LLB program. This ensures that the student body is comprised of ambitious and driven individuals, fostering a culture of healthy competition that inspires students to push their limits.
Secondly, the location of Jamia in Delhi offers distinct advantages. Delhi is home to a multitude of law firms, ranging from tier 1 to tier 3 and also the honorable High Court of Delhi and honorable Supreme Court. This abundance of opportunities makes it convenient to secure internships at renowned organizations without the need to travel elsewhere, further enhancing the overall learning experience.
How did you decide your desired goal?
Currently, I am interning at Indus Law with their Litigation and Dispute Resolution team. Initially, securing an internship at a reputable law firm was challenging, so I began my internship journey at legal chambers. The experiences I gained there solidified my decision to pursue a career in litigation. My long-term aspiration is to establish my own independent practice, but I believe it’s essential to accumulate valuable experience by working with litigation teams in law firms first.
I would like to acknowledge Mr. Talha Abdul Rahman, with whom I interned for four months. He played a pivotal role in shaping my career, providing me with invaluable experiences. His approach to mentorship is unique; he involves interns in all aspects of legal work, from research to drafting. Mr. Rahman also invests time in nurturing his interns’ growth, and I wholeheartedly recommend other students to intern under his guidance.
In addition to my chambers and Indus Law internships, I also had my first law firm experience at PSA Legal. It offered a distinct organizational culture that can’t be compared to chambers. Currently, in my fifth year, I am interning at Indus Law in an assessment role.
So, you can see that this is like climbing up a ladder, if you want to find your desired goal you’ll have to keep searching for it and the best way is to actively intern.
Do you think add-on courses give you an edge over others?
Certainly, it unquestionably offers numerous benefits, and I’ll illustrate this with an example. Imagine you’re in your second year of law school, and you aspire to intern at a boutique law firm specializing in areas like RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) or MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). Typically, your law college curriculum won’t comprehensively cover these specific organizations and the associated legal intricacies. Therefore, enrolling in an additional course related to these subjects can significantly enhance your qualifications. It becomes easier for law firms or legal chambers to consider hiring you because you possess specialized knowledge in those respective fields.
Furthermore, it’s important to recognize that individuals with impressive profiles on platforms like LinkedIn have invested substantial effort in attaining their positions. They have diligently delved into the nuances of law and acquired profound expertise in their chosen domains. Hence, pursuing add-on courses and continuously improving your knowledge base serves as the key to building a strong professional profile.
How has the mooting culture in your college helped you?
School plays a crucial role in enhancing an individual’s communication and public speaking abilities, providing them with a competitive advantage over their peers. The mooting culture at Jamia Millia University stands out due to the unwavering support from the faculty members and experienced seniors. These mentors offer invaluable guidance in every possible aspect.
One notable feature of the mooting culture at my college is the requirement for teams to undergo trials before participating in inter-moot competitions. These trials are intentionally challenging, ensuring transparency in team selection. The most deserving teams emerge from this process and subsequently receive extensive support from their teachers and faculty members.
In my own experience, I have participated in two international moot court competitions and one national moot court competition. Notably, our team successfully qualified for the 7th Prof. N.R. Madhava Menon Asian Jural Conclave 2021-22 during the Indian round. We were honored with the Best Speaker Award, secured the second position for Best Memorial, and were recognized as the second runner-up in the competition.
Is there any advice you’d like to give to a fresher?
I would advise my younger self to seek guidance from seniors, avoid complacency, and refrain from thinking I know everything. I would prioritize early and improved planning for my endeavors. Additionally, I’d advocate for continuous exploration, actively pursue internships to gain practical insights into our legal field, and aim for a better work-life balance.
As a state-level badminton player, I’d also continue enjoying my passion for sports, even occasionally skipping classes to play. Furthermore, I’d engage in various extracurricular activities and cherish moments with friends, recognizing that as law college progresses, opportunities for such experiences may diminish.
This Star Student Interview was submitted by Humam Zafar (Lawctopus’ Campus Leader at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi).
