Those who break the routine and walk-up a less trodden path are rare free-spirited wills. They dare to think out of the pre-established habitual norms and strive hard to realize their spontaneous dreams.
Such young, free-spirited individuals are much needed in the Indian legal space today. As a profession, the Indian legal arena is going through its technological transformational phase. Most of the young minds do not want to follow in it because of the years and years of hard work it demands from them. Instead, they choose the easiest options followed by the herd mentality. Options of being a doctor or an engineer.
However, there are some rare individuals who possess their own minds and are aware in their hearts of the higher calling. Mumtaz Bhalla always knew from her younger days that whatever she would be in her professional life, she would not be a doctor or an engineer, the safest pre-established customary norms of the middle-class parents.
Belonging to a family of no lawyers, it took Mumtaz some time to put up her own case in front of her parents and convince them that she did not want to be the routine doctor/engineer that they preferred.
Mumtaz recollects, “There’s no specific reason why I chose law. Maybe I did because I didn’t know what else to do, and I certainly knew that I couldn’t be a doctor and/or engineer for the rest of my life.”
Falling in Love with the Law:
As a stroke of sheer luck, as if destiny wanted her to be in this field, Mumtaz sat for the GGSIPU entrance test without any preparation and got a merit seat whereby she opted for Amity Law School, New Delhi, in 2003. She came out qualified as a lawyer in July 2008.
Before this, in January 2008, she joined the Chambers of Late Shri Arun Jaitley, Senior Advocate, as his junior for one month during the last semester’s compulsory internship of three months. The internship continued till Mumtaz was enrolled as an advocate, and she became a chamber junior with effect from 04th July 2008. Her journey as a lawyer began; still, she was not aware of it.
Mumtaz remembers, “Being a first-generation lawyer, I had no idea about how the profession worked and what was expected/required of a lawyer. For me, law and courts were like what was shown in Ekta Kapoor’s serials.” However, Mumtaz was enamoured by seeing the legend Late Shri Arun Jaitley in Court and the aura he exuded.
Everyone who saw his demeanour and court craft would be a fan on the first day and fall in love with the profession. “Brilliant oration, impeccable integrity and dignified court craft were some of his qualities that drove me to pursue the career seriously, and there was no looking back,” reveals Mumtaz in excitement.
The Law Story Begins:
She was amongst his last set of juniors before he quit practice on becoming the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Being the youngest did not deter her from being a risk-taker. When Mr Jaitley stopped the practice, Mumtaz chose to join a law firm in its dispute resolution practice instead of joining a chamber, but it worked well for her. The firm guided her to the path of success and gave her the platform she required to grow. Despite being a part of the arbitration team, Mumtaz was allowed to do every matter that interested her.
Mumtaz shares, “I handled civil trials, criminal trials, appeals, writs, consumer cases, etc. This made me a confident individual.” LNL never clipped her wings. She could draft, conduct evidentiary hearings and argue matters, thereby handling the case end to end.
Mumtaz was promoted out of turn for all the designations she held back then. In fact, when promoted to a Partner Designate in 2016 and a Partner in 2017, Mumtaz was among the youngest Partners at that time. In 2021 August, she moved from LNL to ELP, where her practice area, role and responsibilities are pretty much the same. “I have been IBA’s regional representative from India in the Criminal Law Committee from 2019-2021 and am a young MCIA’s steering committee member from 2019,” says Mumtaz.
Today, Mumtaz Bhalla is a Partner in the Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Practice of Economic Laws Practice (ELP). She is an AOR with the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
Extraordinary Lawyer Partner:
Set up in 2001 to bring together a diverse set of professionals to deliver effective solutions for the clients, Economic Laws Practice (ELP) is a leading full-service law firm in India with offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Gift City and Chennai. With 200+ qualified professionals, ELP assists clients on transactional, advisory, dispute resolution, litigation, regulatory, trade, competition, and tax matters.
Ranked amongst the top ten law firms in India (RSG Report 2019), ELP is recognized as a top tier firm by Chambers Global, Legal 500, IFLR 1000 and Asia Law Profiles. ELP is also a GAR100 rated firm.
Challenges Vs Mumtaz Bhalla:
When asked what kind of challenges she faced while entering the legal space, Mumtaz states, “Understanding what the profession meant was the challenge I faced when I joined it as I was the only lawyer for miles, in my family, extended family and friend circles.”
And if we see her today, she has an experience of almost 14 years in the field of litigation and dispute resolution. She specializes in Domestic and International arbitration. She has a considerable amount of experience in the aviation sector, medical sector, real estate, construction, and civil-commercial sector, with her being the preferred choice for several domestic and international clients.
Mumtaz also possesses a wide range of experience in civil trials, criminal trials, appeals, consumer disputes, and domestic and international arbitration. She further specializes in conducting compliance workshops for companies. She has advised and represented several multi-national companies and organizations regarding appropriate strategies to be adopted at various stages of litigation and arbitration.
Mumtaz says, “I usually argue my own matters and regularly appear before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, various Hon’ble High Courts across the country, District Courts and quasi-judicial forums.” She also appears before Consumer Protection bodies such as National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, New Delhi (NCDRC), and State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (SCDRC).
Mumtaz has an in-depth experience in Aviation laws, Contract laws, International and Commercial Arbitration, Endowments issues, Civil and Criminal procedures, Real Estate laws, Mines and Minerals disputes, Oil and Gas disputes, Medical negligence Disputes, Regulatory Disputes and Property disputes.
However, one case Mumtaz is continuously facing and winning against is the daily challenges. “As of today, attaining a work-life balance and coping up with the ever-evolving requirements are the main challenges I face. At the end of the day, I make sure that I am the winner to wake up afresh for tomorrow’s challenges.”
A Tech-Transparent Judiciary:
Regarding the latest integration of technology and judiciary, Mumtaz expresses, “COVID has taught us the importance of technology.” No one in 2019 imagined that Indian Courts, especially District Courts, could hear matters virtually. With the onset of the pandemic, the Indian legal system seamlessly adapted to the virtual system by using technology.
By using software to encourage e-filings and mandating e-hearings, technology has increased the efficiency of legal offices and the productivity of clerical workers. With the advent of legal tech, there is greater transparency between legal firms and clients. Online research databases have replaced law books, digital contracts have replaced physical copies, and countless other advancements have transformed the legal industry.
The client is Paramount:
Some unique specialities and factors make Mumtaz stand out as an influential personality in the legal profession. Her out of the box approach, genuine practical advice as opposed to armchair advice, and the ability to think on her legs make her excel in her domain.
If a client comes with a totally warped case, Mumtaz does not lower the client’s morale by telling them that it is messed up. Instead, she tries to resolve their issues by using her legal skills in the most expeditious manner. Mumtaz feels, “The interest of the client is paramount for me. Moreover, the very fact that I can handle both civil and criminal trial add to my client’s comfort as it appears to be a one-stop-shop for them.”
Present Solicitation and Future Counsel:
Mumtaz’s advice to aspiring legal enthusiasts willing to step into the legal space today is intelligent. She says, “Don’t be fascinated by the glamour being a lawyer brings in. The glamour comes in much later after years of arduous work and luck!”
According to Mumtaz, Indian law firms are becoming more inclined toward the Counsel practice model switching from the solicitor’s model. “The system has realised that the interest of the client is best subserved if they possess both counsel and solicitor skills,” Mumtaz concludes.
