Shaneen Parikh
What are the best and worst things about your job?
Definitely one of the best things is the quality of and kind of work. I love litigation because every single matter is different in some respect, even if the broad issues are identical, so you’re constantly learning and exploring new areas of law. Not that great an aspect about my job is that it is impossible to go anywhere without my phone and blackberry. Being a lawyer is an all consuming 24/7 occupation and that red light blinking on my blackberry just begs to be checked out.
If not for a career in law, what would you have been?
A dancer and choreographer.
You are driving back from work late on a Wednesday. What song are you listening to?
It varies. Usually some jazz or blues.
Which is your favourite movie?
Jesus Christ Superstar, the rock opera
What’s your favourite drink?
Lemon Marguerita
Which is your favourite restaurant?
Blue Frog at Parel because it has great food and the best music in Town.
What is the best book you read in the past year?
The biography of Ayrton Senna.
Where did you go on your last vacation?
Langkawi , Malaysia
What is the most significant change that you would like to see in the law school experience?
The law school experience has changed hugely, for the better, since my time at GLC. The rookies that come of out law school today definitely have a better foundation in law than I feel I had. I would however like to see more emphasis on practical training and internships and problem solving rather than mere theoretical knowledge. There is no substitute in law for practical experience.
What is the most significant change that you would like to see in the regulation of legal practice?
The enactment of the Limited Liability Partnership Act. Today there are so many good young lawyers who are not made partners and stagnated as associates in firms who have the excuse that the 20 partner limit prevents them from inducting other partners and rewarding newer and fresher talent. Apart from increasing the 20 partner limit, I couldn’t put it better than as stated in the Report of the Naresh Chandra Committee, that the LLP would encourage Indian professionals to participate in the international business community without the apprehension of being subject to excessive and personal liability that could accrue in a regular registered partnership.
(Shaneen Parikh is a dispute resolution partner who works from the Fort office of Amarchand & Mangaldas in Mumbai. )
