Interview of Adv. Rajeev Ranjan (Associate, Chambers of Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India)

1. Sir, please introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Rajeev Ranjan. Presently I am a lawyer practicing before Hon'ble Supreme Court as well as Hon'ble High Court of Delhi and various other Ld. Tribunals.

2. Please tell us about your law school career.

I got the degree of B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) from CNLU, Patna. Mine was just the seventh batch there, so quite enthusiastic I was. I had the chance to spend my law school life in permanent campus, which was adorable and beautiful.From going for early morning tea, to watching cricket (IPL as well as ODI ) matches together in the Mess hall with my friends, to the green campuses, and amazing bunch of peers, seniors, and juniors, I have collected memories that will be there for lifetime. Also, I was the student representative for SBC,CNLU which was an interesting part of my college life. I think that’s a lovely trend where students teach students, especially during exam times adopting a crash course method. Also, I was a shy guy during the college days. Since, I came from a boys school background. Also, participating in various sports events like cricket, kabaddi helped tremendously in improving the harmonious relationship between juniors and seniors.

3. What is the one thing you experienced which changed totally, after you completed your studies and started your professional career?

Well, I was not an intelligent student during the college time but I was laborious and hard working. In the mean time of college days, I was doing running internship and associated with an AoR office of Hon'ble High Court of Patna. Since, I decided that after graduation, my aim was litigation. I wanted to make my career in litigation sector. After, I got my graduation degree, I joined Law clerk cum research assistant before Hon'ble Supreme Court and after joining my golden days started. Since, law clerk is a contractual post so, I had to quit that job. Moreover, being a first generation lawyer, it is very difficult to take a chance in this sector but my family supported me and finally after clerkship I got an opportunity to join Ld. Solicitar General Office and I started working under his esteemed guidance.

4. From completing your graduation in 2017 to becoming an associate in the chambers of Mr. Tushar Mehta, Ld. Solicitor General of India, in such a short span of time is a big success. Please enlighten us about this journey of yours?

This is the most important question for me. People think that I got success in such a short span of time but the reality is totally different. I just want to quote a phrase here that " When life pushes you back, don't panic, Life is preparing you to give a leap ". As I already stated that in the midst of my college days, I was doing running internship at Sumeet Kumar Singh Office( one of the alumni of CNLU). So, whatever idea I got about litigation, I learnt from him only and this was very helpful when I started my litigation career.I knew that after graduation what should I do. I had made up my mind in the 2nd year only that I will make my career in this sector and I was doing the internship with a positive attitude. Further, after clerkship, I got an opportunity to join the office of Mr. Tushar Mehta and it was like a dream come true for me. I never thought that I will get such a big opportunity in my life. As an additional perk of being associated with such an esteemed office,I got a chance to represent Government of India. Since, I was named as the Panel Counsel of Union of India. It's an amazing task to handle the matters everyday.

4. How is it to be an associate of the Ld. Solicitor General of India, Mr. Tushar Mehta?

Well, it's an amazing experience to work with Ld. Solicitor General of India. Everyday you have a new challenge and you have to face it. Being a Junior in such an esteemed Office, you have to work with some responsibility. Office is super busy and there is no time limit. Basically, this type of office doesn't work like corporate office (10 am to 7 pm). So, here there is always some work left for you. Also, I am enjoying here being a junior of Mr. Mehta. When your boss is so supportive and helpful in nature then you need not worry about other things except work.

6. What are the things which are required to excel in the career as a lawyer in India?

Most important thing is that if somebody wants to excel in the career as a lawyer then he has to do hard work and need some patience. If you don't have patience then you won't be able to do this task efficiently. Litigation requires some basic skills in order to excel in this field. Punctuality,patience, capacity to do hard work, a sound source which can get you new cases, are a few among many others. Also, the important thing is that you should know the basic skills involved in litigation like drafting, client counseling, court crafting etc and also should have a strong hold on law. Theses

are a few things which according to me can be helpful in order to excel as a lawyer.

7. What are the major things which one learn in law school which helps him in his professional career?

I think and to be honest, that the major things which I learnt in the law school was that how to make or create an harmonious relation between our colleagues, faculty, seniors and juniors and how to treat them. You never find these things in the textbooks, no one teaches you this. You develop this yourself and it truly helps you in future.

8. What are your advises for the law students across India?

My message for the law students would be that one should try to decide as early as possible what one really wants to do professionally and what one loves doing, and how do you reconcile the two. It’s easier said than done but still. If you will decide quickly,it will be help you in the future. Suppose, if you decide that after graduation I have to join litigation or judiciary then your mind will start work properly according to your aim. You should keep your smile intact both in your good and so-called bad times. Nothing is impossible. In the last, I just want to give a small message to those students who joined litigation after their graduation, "everyday will be war in your litigation life, you have to mold as warriors and next day same procedure will be revised". So, it's an amazing sector, come and join it. Most welcome.

All the best and Thank you so much