The best lawyers of India are dedicated towards providing justice. They respect and understand their clients’ feelings and perspectives, while upholding the law and delivering their very best services. These lawyers are swift communicators, avid listeners, and they provide better judgement. They protect the dignity of the nation and focus on the best interest of the citizens.
One such renowned lawyer who is representing the Supreme Court of India is none other than Advocate S.S. Ahluwalia. He spearheads the renowned law firm, Chambers of S.S. Ahluwalia. Mr. Ahluwalia possesses tremendous experience in corporate and commercial laws, general legal consultation, white collar crimes, property laws, banking and financial laws, consumer protection laws and so on.
Through an Interview with Insights Success, let us learn about Mr. Ahluwalia’s journey in the legal arena, his struggles, experiences, and plans. Following are the highlights of the interview:
Please brief our audience about your law firm, its values, vision, and mission.
Chambers of S.S. Ahluwalia is a chamber litigation practice. Mr. Ahluwalia is a third-generation lawyer. His father Mr. A.P.S Ahluwalia is a designated Senior Advocate, and his grandfather, Mr. Kuldeep Singh Ahluwalia too was an advocate in the pre-independence era. Being one of the oldest and established law practices, it is known for professionalism, ethics, pragmatic, and cost-effective legal advice.
Mr. Ahluwalia has successfully represented both domestic and multinational companies, banks, government and charitable organizations, high profile individuals including those from weaker sections of society and jail inmates; on various legal issues across all lower courts (in Delhi NCR), the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India, appellate tribunals, and other quasi-judicial bodies.
Envisioned to be a leading litigation practice, Mr. Ahluwalia firmly believes that a lawyer is an officer of the court and therefore, must assist the court in the proper adjudication of the matter without getting identified with it. Hence, while representing the interest of the client, ethics and honesty of purpose must be there. He also lays emphasis on providing equal opportunities for the lawyers working with him.
Brief us on how you have made an impact in the Indian legal sector through your services?
Belonging to a family of lawyers, Mr. Ahluwalia was fortunate to witness the changing landscape of litigation in India. While it has always been shared and echoed that there should be “right of equal access to justice for all” but it is also very evident that at times it is not accessible to certain deserving one/s sections of the economy. Without a doubt lawyers’ time is very valuable and he must work for his clients, yet as one of the important members and custodian of the society, he must act to create a balance to ensure justice and fairness.
Therefore, the profession demands putting aside some time for providing legal aid to the deserving one/s who cannot afford legal help. It is with this notion of doing his bit towards the betterment of the society, Mr. Ahluwalia has been associated with the Delhi High Court Legal Aid Services Committee (DHCLSC) providing legal assistance before the Hon’ble High Court. He has been appearing as Amicus Curae before Hon’ble High Court and also as a mediator at the Delhi High Court mediation center. Though it may not be much, but any bit of legal service helps the system of the country.
Brief us about yourself and your journey in the legal industry.
‘My father repeatedly reminds me that youth of lawyer is lost at his table’. Post his LL.M. from Cardiff University, Mr. Ahluwalia started his career as a corporate lawyer at JSA. Having worked for couple of years and given the growing fondness for litigation (courtesy family practice), started taking interest in adversarial matters. Having understood the commercial interests of clients (as a corporate lawyer), assessing legal risks / potential disputable clauses and charting a way forward for minimum disruptions started getting easier. Having said so, moving from the comforts of corporate lawyer and joining the litigation practice was not easy for Mr. Ahluwalia.
As a third-generation lawyer and being the son of senior advocate, the expectation of client has always been very high for Mr. Ahluwalia and even the court takes note of performance. Mr. Ahluwalia narrates that as a litigation lawyer one must face the judge, opposite lawyer, and the client. So, lawyer’s job is not only to argue the case but also to built-up a case as per law. Evenings are spent in preparation of briefs and updating with legal reporters. He reads seven daily reporters, to remain updated.
From his initial days till now, he has more than 50 judgments reported in his name, in a career spanning 17 years. For upcoming lawyers, he advises that the initial years as litigation lawyer are tough. Learning has a cost, and the initial remuneration says it all. However, with experience and knowledge, it does tend to pay off. Since every day is not green, hence one must also learn to save for the rainy days.
What were the challenges you came across when you decided to start a venture that catered to the legal services sector?
Mr. Ahluwalia’s entry to the profession was easy – being a third-generation lawyer; and given that the basic infrastructure and connections were already in place. However, he emphasizes that the biggest challenge and a fundamental requirement for a successful career, is to earn the trust of the client. For building trust, a lawyer needs to deliver desired results for his clients. It can only be earned through hard work, ethics, knowledge gained through experience, and the results achieved for the clients.
For Mr. Ahluwalia, the immediate challenge was to first build a client base and then retain them – both took time. In addition to the above, he believes that in this competitive profession, it is not enough to have high billings; being genuine, compassionate, and approachable is equally important for a more fruitful and longer career. Despite his achievements, he feels that creating a legacy like his father will require him to strike a balance on the above.
Taking into consideration, the current pandemic, and its impact on global economies, how are you driving your firm to sustain operations and ensuring safety of your employees at the same time?
With a series of lockdowns and non-functional courts, Covid-19 probably presented the biggest challenge to the lawyers, particularly the litigators. All business sectors including the legal sector were deeply impacted. The initial phase was very tough with a complete lockdown, poor cash flows, increasing costs and a lot of uncertainties. Having understood the importance and dependency on technology, Mr. Ahluwalia erected the required infrastructure for virtual office for supporting and seamlessly communicating with clients. Anticipating a possible surge in arbitration works, he further utilized his time to complete an online course on International Arbitration from the Eiden University.
Team is very important for running a successful litigation practice and throughout the lockdown, he ensured that the team is engaged (in other knowledge building activities, creating an IT enabled repository of all data/ information available in the office, ensuring its safety, security, and availability) and well taken care of. This period allowed him to concentrate on some thought leadership initiatives including penning down a few articles which got published across legal publications and organizing a few webinars including those on ICSID and Force Majeure.
With passage of time and relaxation on the restrictions, Mr. Ahluwalia focused on employment and compliance related advisory work from our existing clients across sectors. He further collaborated with few other firms from south and western India to source work and develop sharable knowledge through online initiatives. No office can function without the effective support of the staff. Despite all hardships he continued to support his junior colleagues and court clerks with sufficient salary and monthly allowance for grocery in order to meet their ends comfortably. The pandemic has helped him to evolve as a more compassionate, accommodating, independent and tech savvy lawyer.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the legal services sector?
Mr. Ahluwalia echoes his dad’s thoughts, which says “Goodwill flows faster than the water”. Lawyers willing to make a name for themselves must invest in building their goodwill through hardwork, perseverance, patience, and above all via continued legal education. Money and profits cannot be the focus. The lawyer lives on his goodwill and goodwill lives farther than the lawyer. Every senior lawyer is always known because of his goodwill.
Where do you envision your firm to be in the long run and what are your future goals?
To Mr. Ahluwalia “Success is both relative and seasonal” – i.e. it is different for different people and changes over time. In the long run besides running a very successful Law practice and creating a legacy like his father, Mr. Ahluwalia would like to take up more social causes and even teaching. In addition to the positive outcomes for their clients, a lawyer yearns for knowledge, appreciation for his contribution towards the profession and the society at large. Hence, he aspires to transform from a good lawyer to a great lawyer.
Words of Encouragement
“I had the occasion to see his legal acumen as he has been appearing before my court in civil, commercial, constitutional and arbitration matters. As a lawyer he was always seen well prepared in his case and his in-depth knowledge of diverse subjects was reflected in his arguments.”
- Hon’ble Justice (Retd) Kailash Gambhir
“We have a long-standing relationship with Mr. SS Ahluwalia. His professionalism and thoroughness are exemplary. As lead Counsel, he has successfully represented our business interests on various forums with utmost professionalism and commitment.”
- Pooja Singhla, DGM (Law) – IFCI
“During my interaction with learned Counsel Shri S.S. Ahluwalia, and his representing me during various court hearings, I have found him highly professional, responsible and sincere legal practitioner. He possesses a rich knowledge of various Laws, Acts, Rules and Procedures. He exhibits extraordinary communication, analytical and research skills. He listens patiently to his clients and addresses their concerns with an open mind and positive attitude. Needless to say, these qualities of Counsel S.S. Ahluwalia instill tremendous confidence in his clients. Coupled with his vast knowledge of legal procedures, he is able to argue his case with considerable courage of conviction.”
- O.P. Bhola- EX- IFS, GoI
