Whatever the case at hand – be it litigation, arbitration, regulatory disputes, non-contentious matters, corporate and securities law issues, or White Collar Crime – you, as a legal counsel, advisor, attorney, lawyer, or representative of the individual or the entity, must think of yourself as the legally personified extension of your client, then only can you give justice to ‘Your’ cause.
I, Ravichandra S. Hegde, now being the Founder-Partner of RHP Partners, Mumbai, can say this with utmost conviction built over an extensive career of 18 years in the legal profession. The journey started in early 2005, when I commenced my practice in Mumbai in Shaunak Satpute & Co. There was a vacancy in this firm in securities litigation/regulatory disputes.
I will be ever grateful to Mr Satpute for allowing me to get involved in securities law. I met Paras Parekh at this firm (the Co-founder Partner of RHP) who was then in his final year of law studies but was handling the practice. Both Paras and I handled the regulatory disputes when we started representing the Securities & Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). I remember the first matter I argued because the Senior Counsel could not reach the Court on time. This was in April 2005. After this, SEBI encouraged us to appear regularly for them and only in complex matters, a Senior Counsel was briefed.
The Days of the Nerve-Testing Past
Paras was going on his study leave, and I was filling in for him and the associate who had just left the firm. With no experience in securities law, it was tough understanding the law and handling the practice. I have struggled a lot and faced many challenges, professionally and financially. I had just moved to Mumbai from Karnataka, and the initial weeks were busy with accommodation hunting and understanding the practice. Thanks to Paras who was instrumental in my survival in Mumbai and to get a hang of securities law.
From searching a low budget accommodation to worrying about the square meals, life was not easy. Initial days were just “hand to mouth” and crying alone on the streets of the Marine Drive. The respite was a great experience, new challenges and much learning at the firm. I got many opportunities to appear before the Courts regularly. It was late Justice Rajarathnam, then the Presiding Office of the Securities Appellate Tribunal, who insisted on juniors arguing the matter and not waiting for the Senior Counsels. That motivated many juniors like me to appear and argue the matters. Mr Satpute was always encouraging juniors and never interfered in the matters unless required. This gave us a sense of responsibility right from junior days at practice. We were also privileged to brief the finest Senior Counsels of Mumbai, and with each briefing, there was learning. As juniors, we argued several matters, some of which were complicated too.
New chapter of my professional journey under Mrs Zia Mody!
In 2006, I got an opportunity to work with Mrs Zia Mody at AZB Partners. Right from the first meeting with Zia till my last date at AZB, it was always a learning experience. I used to work directly with Zia, and it was an eye opener every time my drafts were settled by her. She is a perfectionist and trained many people including me. She was very particular about everything. It was always a sight to see how Zia managed the firm and trained the associates. She was aware of every matter at the firm and the names of attorneys who were handling the matter. Meticulous, disciplined and extremely sharp. Zia’s approach to a brief was to first prepare a detailed “speaking” list of dates and understand the facts. Then review the legal provisions, after which she used to see how many judicial pronouncements were against us. Then the research work starts to counter all the propositions in decisions which are against us. I remember an instance when Zia sat with me till 3 am to correct a list of dates for a matter which was very close to her heart. Until the fine-tuned draft was shown to her, with zero mistakes, she made me sit in Lotus (AZB’s then biggest conference room). She had called for food after which she even dropped me at my hostel when she drove herself. Besides securities law, I had handled commercial litigations with Zia. This was another important chapter of my professional journey.
There were many instances where papers were thrown at my face and every time the phone rang with the name “Zia”, shiver ran up my spine. She never used to keep any grudge against anyone. We got shouted at and when we corrected the mistake, the matter was over. She was so particular in her review of the drafts that she used to pick up even minor coma mistakes in the draft. That was Zia. A wonderful human being and a great teacher!
Glowing Under the Stars of My Fortune
In 2008, I joined J Sagar Associates (“JSA”), one of the finest law firms, where I was lucky to work with the “Stars” in the legal industry, namely Mr Berjis Desai and Mr Somasekhar Sundaresan (famously known as “Som”). I worked under the guidance and training of Som during the larger part of my stint at JSA. Som was/is regarded as one of the best securities lawyers in the country, and it was a sheer pleasure working with Som. It is Som who shaped my career, and I owe him everything for what I am today. The very first matter that I handled with Som was a controversial issue of “what amounts to control” under the Takeover Regulations. Som literally corrected every para of the draft Appeal that I had prepared. Super-fast typing, quick analysis of facts, superb memory of precedents… the list never ends. People often say that I imitate Som while arguing matters and also in the meetings. Rightly so, he has been a wonderful teacher to have. Even recently, in a matter where we sent the brief in the night, he was ready with his questions early in the morning. He will always remain my mentor for life.
Mr Berjis Desai (prominently called as “Boss”) is considered as the “Bhishma Pitamah” in the legal industry. I was fortunate to work with him on couple of matters. He roped me into several complex matters, which gave me a lot of exposure and experience. The first matter which Boss put me into, was the 2G Scam. Mr Desai’s guidance has always helped me have a robust practice today. Besides litigation, I worked on a couple of non-contentious matters and also rendered opinions on various corporate and securities law issues. Having joined as an Associate in 2008, I retired as the youngest Equity Partner of JSA in 2018. We then started Parinam Law Associates in November 2018, along with Hitesh Jain, who had then resigned from ALMT. It was Boss who connected me and Hitesh. He was the guiding force and spirit of Parinam.
We saw tremendous growth in Parinam, and I am thankful to Mr Desai for his support and guidance all the time. I can say with conviction that we did very well in Parinam. Hitesh’s team, too, was growing, and together we made Parinam what it is today. We added new practice areas and handled complex matters before various courts. We handled international arbitrations, matters before the Supreme Court of Singapore and regulatory proceedings before Cayman Island Monetary Authority (CIMA). Handling various complex litigations for the clients in Parinam, our clientele and revenue increased significantly every year. Besides litigation matters, there were several non-contentious matters which started coming in. We developed a good White Collar Crime practice in Parinam besides the Securities litigation and regulatory disputes. We were engaged in doing a forensic audit of listed companies on legal compliance. We gave various opinions to intermediaries and listed companies and eventually started regularly advising on corporate issues.
My Philosophers Stone
Today, when I look into my growth trajectory, I feel my journey along with Paras was a very smooth ride after we started Parinam. For any venture to be successful, it is your Partner who has to be supportive and encouraging. That matters a lot. Paras has been such an amazing person in my life and professional journey, and I fall short of words to describe my association with Paras since 2005.
With effect from April 1, 2023, Paras and I resigned from Parinam and started RHP Partners. Hitesh, Paras and I had started Parinam to make it one of the finest law firms, and we all worked towards it. So when there were certain matter based conflicts, we decided that none of us should be a hindrance to others achievements. Having two teams within one organization, certain conflicts arise in terms of new matters. One team handling the matter may not like to have another team acting as the opposing team. So amicably, we decided to separate the teams from one organization, and our team moved to RHP Partners. Parinam was a platform we all loved and enjoyed. Therefore, instead of winding up Parinam as per the Deed, Paras and I decided to retire so that the platform Parinam is up and running and will be managed exclusively by Hitesh.
If I introspect now, I think our clients will appreciate my commitment to the matter that I handle. Som used to always say that we should “own” the matter. When we have that sense of responsibility, we nurture the matter and take good care of it. Dedication is important. Other things will then automatically fall in place. Today when we tell our colleagues about handling the matter, we remember these golden words which Som used to tell us.
Owning the Future
RHP Partners will provide all the services which we provided at Parinam. Focus will be on litigation and arbitration, although we would also be doing non contentious matters. Within the first week of starting the new venture, we have mandates from a couple of listed companies for general corporate advice. I would not say that we are the best in the industry at this stage, and no firm can ever claim that. We are at it and will strive to ensure that our legal solutions are appropriate and accurate. We all grow and improve with experience. I have no hesitation in saying that at times our advice was considered insufficient when we approach a Senior Counsel who has more experience and standing at the Bar. We consider such instances as learning. We have ensured that we have a dedicated attorney for knowledge management and updating the firm on legal updates and developments. I had learnt this from AZB, where every week, there was a meeting of all attorneys when legal and regulatory updates were highlighted. Like in any profession, learning new skills and knowing what is new is important in our industry.
Having a good amount of experience in securities law and working closely with the regulators, we feel that we have edge over what we practice today. Securities law and our practice in White Collar Crimes is very robust. We have been handling challenging matters from 2018. Clients who used to come to us regularly for SEBI related matters are now approaching us for various other litigations, not necessarily related to SEBI. References are given with recommendations to engage with us for various commercial disputes, arbitrations, corporate advisory work etc. Our client retention is very good and we have never seen any client walking away from us.
Easing the Way Ahead in Tech Comfort
Technology is for comfort if one sees it as making life easy. It is an advancement of how things are made differently with less stress. In our legal industry, technology has helped in reducing the burden of carrying and storing bulky files. Most of the judges today use computer screens in the hearing as opposed to physical files. Virtual mode of hearing is a revolution which not only saves travel time but also increases productivity. Adoption of modern technology has rather become a norm for people.
The latest we hear is about Chat GPT, which I am told even aids and assists in drafting and preparing legal arguments. This is indeed an innovation. I believe in adopting the latest technology in all aspects. There are so many service providers providing application based services to people. Recently we have engaged with Cognidoc Healthcare Technologies Private Limited and subscribed to their Dockare application which provides virtual hospital and consultation to all our attorneys. This saves time and energy in physically going to clinic and hospital when there is no need. We have subscribed to some legal software which helps and assists our team in research and managing case diaries.
I would not say that there is any impact of technology on the legal industry as such other than providing comfort and easing the way of doing business.
We Grow Because of Challenges
Now, as far as challenges are concerned, they exist everywhere. Life is a challenge too. We all live with stress and challenges. They are always there and are now part of our lives. What is important is how we handle things with stress and challenges. I would say that if there are no challenges, there will be no improvement or growth. Challenges make us strong. When people complain, there is stress and challenge. I wonder if they are complaining about good work coming in and therefore they are stressed; or no work for which they are stressed! It’s a relative subject. Challenges must be channelized for growth. Whenever there are obstacles and challenges, I consider that I am on the right track. Some people in the legal industry are worried that foreign law firms would enter India and there could be more competition. So again stressed. I see this as a potential opportunity to improve myself and have more expertise to ensure that foreign law firms coming in won’t impact my practice. All we need to showcase to our client is that there is no need to go to other lawyers. We can do this by improving and making ourselves the best in the industry. So why should one be stressed if there is an opportunity to improve and grow.
I don’t see any challenges we face are to only defeat us or break us down. I see it as an intimation to tell me that I have to improve further. When we face any challenge, we have an option to face it and overcome it or change the route. If the second option is taken, then there is no growth. If the first option is taken, we think and find ways to overcome this, which eventually will take us towards improvement. We have chosen the path to excel and be the best. So if that path has no challenges and it’s a smooth ride, then it should signal me that I am not on the right path. When we start new practice area and offer to be one firm to have various practice areas, I want to be seen as a challenge to other firms in the same practice area. Likewise, when I see any new firm developing in the field where we practice, that is an indicator to us that we need to outdo all of them. So these challenges must be the driving force to further improvise and move towards excellence.
Words for the Wise
My advice to budding entrepreneurs aspiring to venture into the legal space is simple. While one has to love what they do to enjoy their work and their profession, I would say that the legal profession is a wonderful space to be. Anyone who is interested in reading and giving a commitment that they will keep reading and studying till they die must opt for the legal profession. There used to be a period when the law was considered the last option, and when all other fields were closed, students used to opt for law. I remember my friends in college asking me if I am serious about pursuing law. Some asked me if I had decided to chill in life or whether I had won some lottery. That was the period when a legal professional was not a decision taken by choice except for some who had decided only to pursue law. While all my friends were busy looking for their CET scores for engineering and medical colleges, my father was busy in getting the application for law school in Karnataka. While its different that I did not meet the eligibility criteria for an engineering college, I was keen on joining the law school. Of the whole of my father’s friends circle, I was the only one preparing for law school. This was around 20 years ago. When we compare this with the present situation, the law profession is considered as one of the main options by students.
Our profession is such that no recession, COVID or any adverse market condition can impact us. The legal profession is the one of the best professions where the capital is your brain and the mind. A lawyer can start his office anywhere with just his brain as the capital. No fancy office or technology is required while you start. If it had been 30 years ago, I would have said we could start our office under the branch of a tree or at a tea stall which will be our place for conferences and meetings.
The Shining Splendour of My Learning
I like to narrate an incident in 2006 at AZB. Zia was invited for a celebration dinner, and being in the team, we too had received the invitation. This was from one of the biggest companies for whom Zia and team had completed their IPO. It was Eight pm, and I was sneaking into Zia’s cabin for the third time. I had borrowed a blazer from a friend and wore a clean white shirt with a good tie, again borrowed from another friend.
I was wearing cufflinks, although the shirt did not have double cuffs. Shoes polished and ready to leave. It disappointed me when Zia asked the driver to be ready and told my friend and me that we would be leaving at Nine pm. I asked Zia if it could be late and when she would get ready. Zia was in normal clothes, which she wears daily to the office. She gave me a grin look and asked me to join her at the party, by which time it was already 9.30 pm. On the way to Taj Ball Room, I was busy in adjusting my tie and shirt and checking if the shoes still had the shine. Observing all these, although she was busy in working on her Nokia Communicator, she told me that our clothes, offices, or our car has no meaning if people recognize us by our names. Such a powerful message. She was so simple and decently dressed. I was looking like a clown after what she said. She said, “Sweety, create a name for yourself, and only that name matters.” When we reached the venue, all dressed up suited people came running to greet Zia, including the host. Zia greeted everyone and exchanged pleasantries for a couple of mins and then left. While leaving, she called me and said, “You look good. I know you don’t want to miss the dinner. So enjoy. I will send the car back to you. Live this suited moment”. She winked and left, and the whole crowd went to see her off. Felt like she was a show stopper!
We now use fancy offices, high end technologies, and the latest gadgets and instruments in our office. While clients will appreciate the office set up initially during the first visit, what matters thereafter is our services and results. People should come to us for our knowledge and ability to handle their matters effectively. It is our knowledge and wisdom which matters the most.
Striving Towards Our Goal
Further, our vision for scaling RHP Partners operations and offerings is pragmatic. We will have our offices in Bangalore, Hubli and Delhi soon. Some of our clients have advised to open offices in Hyderabad too as we have been handling a lot of matters in Hyderabad. We will have a small and decent number of team members. We are not keen in having any more partners joining us. We have a good team, and we will focus on training them more and making them partners. Some hirings are planned from August onwards. So depending on the practice area requirements, we would be hiring new talents.
Besides the commercial practice, we are starting a platform for pro bono matters, which is close to my heart. I have been doing a lot of pro bono matters, one of them being awarded as “Deep Impactful Project” by Thompson Reuters Trust in 2017. Justice according to us is no less than a fundamental right to every citizen. With increasing expenses in legal system, disabilities in getting proper legal representation, millions of people have been suffering. We have therefore decided to set up a dedicated platform for pro bono matters where we will not only provide free legal aid and represent people but will also spend for their litigation expenses. This we feel is doing something in return to the society. Both me and my wife have started a Public Charitable Trust named Chandira Foundation to cater to the needs of people who cannot afford meals or shelter. We are building an old age home for those who have been neglected. This platform at RHP will ensure that we help as much people as we can and handle their matters in the same manner like any billing client.
All these years have been wonderful from 2018 onwards when we started our independent journey. Both Paras and I have decided to work hard and create a brand for RHP. Clients have been very supportive, and with best wishes and support from our well-wishers, we would plan to achieve our goal of becoming a premier law firm in a couple of years. While these bands and tier system are not something that we are keen on focusing, our idea is to create a niche in our practice areas.
On a final note, according to me, there are some distinctive qualities an outstanding lawyer must possess. Reading and ability to grasp the facts fully are two important skills required for a lawyer. Reading helps a person develop his mind. Reading statutes, case law and observing the submissions of a good lawyer helps us to apply the law to the facts. This is important. People take notes to understand the facts and then look for applicable law, which is an incorrect way to approach a case. Our reading of the facts should subconsciously alert us to the applicable legal provision and the judicial pronouncements on the issue.
