Interview: Sagar Arora | Managing Associate at Anand and Anand

Sagar Arora is a distinguished professional in the field of intellectual property rights, boasting a comprehensive and multidisciplinary background. He holds an Engineering degree with a specialization in Energy Technology, a law degree with a focus on Intellectual Property Rights, and a master's in law specializing in Cyberlaw and Cybercrimes. Additionally, he is a certified patent agent in India.

Sagar's expertise lies in navigating complex patent matters and managing patent infringement disputes. He offers strategic advice to safeguard intellectual property rights and maximize their commercial potential. His career includes significant experience at Remfry & Sagar, where he honed his expertise in IP law. Currently, as a Managing Associate at Anand and Anand, Sagar excels in handling intricate IP cases and delivering strategic legal solutions. His unique combination of technical and legal knowledge, along with extensive practical experience, establishes him as a leading expert in the field of patents.

Legal Bites: What are some common mistakes or misconceptions new lawyers have when starting their careers, and how can they avoid them?

Sagar Arora:  One common mistake or misconception new lawyers have when starting their careers is not taking full responsibility for the tasks they are given. To avoid this, they should adopt an ownership mentality, treating every task as if it were their own business.

By being proactive, seeking continuous improvement, and regularly reflecting on their work, they can identify areas for enhancement. Additionally, seeking feedback from experienced colleagues, paying attention to detail, managing time efficiently, communicating clearly, and holding themselves accountable will help them develop their skills and build a strong professional foundation.

Legal Bites: Can you share an experience where you had to overcome a significant obstacle in your career and how you managed to do so?

Sagar Arora: In my career, I have faced significant obstacles as an ambitious lawyer, with two major ones being the broadening of my work profile and embracing better opportunities.

To overcome the challenge of broadening my work profile, I utilized my existing knowledge while maintaining an open mindset for constant learning, which allowed me to adapt and expand my skill set. When seizing better opportunities, I focused on having a singular vision and strategically targeting the right opportunities at the right time. This approach enabled me to navigate these challenges successfully and advance in my career.

Legal Bites: What are the most important ethical considerations in law practice, and how can students prepare to address them?

Sagar Arora: In my opinion, the most important ethical consideration in law practice is providing clients with complete and correct advice while presenting all possible options in any legal matter. To prepare for this, students should focus on developing these skills by participating in various competitions such as client counselling and the moot court during their college years.

These activities help students hone their ability to communicate effectively, think critically, and understand the ethical dimensions of legal practice, ensuring they are well-prepared to uphold high ethical standards in their future careers.

Legal Bites: How have technology and AI impacted the practice of law, and what should students know about leveraging technology and AI in their future careers?

Sagar Arora: Technology and AI have drastically impacted the practice of law, providing various tools that assist lawyers in different stages of a matter, such as searching, drafting, and analyzing legal documents. While these tools are incredibly useful, lawyers must build strong fundamentals to effectively leverage technology.

Students should focus on understanding the core principles of law and developing critical thinking skills, as these will enable them to use technology efficiently and responsibly. Participating in tech-focused legal education and staying updated with the latest advancements will help them integrate these tools into their practice, enhancing their efficiency and accuracy while maintaining a solid foundation in legal knowledge.

Legal Bites: What are some effective ways to gain practical experience and exposure to the legal field and how can a Non NLU student take an edge over an NLU student?

Sagar Arora:  To gain practical exposure in the legal field, the best approach is to immerse yourself in practical scenarios, which can be achieved by undertaking a maximum number of internships during college years and familiarizing yourself with various practice areas. This hands-on experience helps in the long term by aiding in the selection of the right field.

I believe that classifying students as NLU or non-NLU graduates is unnecessary, as everyone today has access to resources and tools to skill themselves effectively. Non-NLU students can gain an edge by leveraging these resources, participating in internships, attending workshops, and engaging in practical experiences to build a strong and competitive skill set.

Legal Bites: Can you explain how a law student can grab a pre-placement offer from the university considering the competition among students and what a law firm is looking for in a fresher?

Sagar Arora: Maintaining a minimum eligible criterion to sit for interviews is essential. Practical experience through internships is a must, as it demonstrates hands-on knowledge and adaptability. Additionally, engaging in various courses and workshops during college years enhances skills and knowledge, making a candidate more attractive.

Law firms look for freshers who not only have strong academic credentials but also practical experience, a proactive learning attitude, and a well-rounded skill set developed through diverse opportunities and continuous self-improvement. I would also urge that law students should imagine themselves as the person in charge of hiring and think about the skills they would value in a fresher.

Legal Bites: What strategies do you use for managing complex cases or large volumes of work, and how can students develop similar organizational skills?

Sagar Arora: To manage complex cases or large volumes of work, I prioritize deadlines, create detailed to-do lists, and set internal deadlines for myself. A key strategy I use is addressing the most complex matters first—what I refer to as "killing the devils first"—which allows me to tackle the most challenging tasks when my focus and energy are at their peak.

This approach ensures that I make significant progress on the most difficult aspects before moving on to less complex tasks. Students can develop similar organizational skills by practising effective time management, creating structured plans, and tackling challenging assignments early on. By adopting these habits, they can build a strong foundation for handling complex and demanding workloads in their future careers.

Legal Bites: How should law students approach professionals and partners for help and assistance with internships?

Sagar Arora: Law students should approach professionals and partners for internships by first leveraging existing application portals or mechanisms provided by firms and companies. Additionally, they can proactively reach out to professionals directly, offering to assist with any work.

By demonstrating competence and a strong work ethic in their initial interactions, students can build trust and make a positive impression. Once they have proven their capabilities, they can then request opportunities for internships. This proactive approach, combined with a commitment to delivering quality work, can significantly enhance their chances of securing valuable internships and gaining practical experience.

Legal Bites: How should a law student decide their practice area in the legal field because they get only limited internship breaks from the university?

Sagar Arora: Deciding on a practice area in the legal field with limited internship opportunities requires a strategic approach. Law students should start by exploring various practice areas through coursework, networking with professionals, and attending seminars or workshops.

To maximize their limited internship breaks, they should aim to gain experience in different areas, even if briefly, to identify their interests and strengths. Additionally, seeking informational interviews and mentorship from practitioners can provide valuable insights into various fields.

By combining practical exposure with research and guidance from experienced professionals, students can make a more informed decision about their preferred practice area, ensuring a well-rounded and purposeful career path.

Legal Bites: To what extent do you believe platforms such as Legal Bites are beneficial for students and contribute to their learning and development?

Sagar Arora: Legal Bites offers significant benefits to students by providing accessible, comprehensive legal resources. It enhances learning through interactive content, case analysis, and quizzes. The platform's focus on practical application and exam preparation equips students with essential skills and knowledge, contributing to their overall development as legal professionals.

Legal Bites: Would you recommend platforms like Legal Bites to both law students and professionals, considering the valuable services they offer?

Sagar Arora: I wholeheartedly recommend platforms like Legal Bites for both law students and professionals. These platforms offer a wealth of accessible legal knowledge, practical tools, and updates. For students, they are invaluable in understanding complex legal concepts and preparing for exams. Professionals can benefit from staying updated on legal developments, accessing case laws, and enhancing their practice efficiency.