Pooja Terwad graduated in B.L.S.LL.B from Mumbai University in 2012. Thereafter, she went for LL.M from Jindal Global Law School. She got an excellent opportunity to visit Maurer School of Law and work there as a Research Associate for a semester as a part of a fully paid scholarship programme from JGLS.
Recently she founded Nivaran Online, a tech based platform, with minimum human intervention, where a user gets answer to all his legal issues.
In this interview, she talks to us about:
- Her journey as an advocate so far.
- Biggest challenges for starting her own practice.
- Nivaran Online- where a user gets answer to all his legal issues.
- The process to be followed when you start a business.
What made you choose the legal profession as your career option?
As a teenager, I wanted to escape the torture of Math. However, I knew Lawyers are one of the best read professionals, yet all of them do not get the glory they deserve. I wanted to redefine this norm, by looking at law beyond the litigation and corporate sector. If we give a serious thought to the legal profession, we will realize that lawyers don’t only study Law or Legal Theories, but they have to be updated on practically every subject, and this exactly fascinated me.
Having worked with some of the best names in the industry, how has your journey been as an Advocate so far?
I was never a corporate person. I believe, lawyers are warriors and they should be arguing on the battleground. So I chose Litigation. As a first generation lawyer, my journey was never easy. Nevertheless, I enjoy challenges. Working as an associate to Additional Solicitor general of India, gave me a great exposure. But, at the same time I realized that the Legal Industry does not value your skill-sets, it values your lineage. Seeing lawyers with great skillsets, working as Associates for long number of years, pinched me. It is very difficult for a lawyer, to quit his job and start an independent practice, irrespective of their skill sets. Working for years with minor compensation and non-acknowledgment of efforts, is not something a Lawyer thinks of when he or she chooses to do Law. That’s when I called it Quits, and started my independent practice, with one Affidavit as my only project in hand. Eventually, with undying persistence we have been able to grow, and able to accomplish ourselves as a full-service law-firm.
The perception that most law students have about law as a profession is quite different from reality. What are some of the points that you would advice aspiring lawyers to evaluate before pursuing law as a career?
I feel your real law school starts, when you graduate. Law, is one of the most exciting professions. An Apprehensive mind cannot be a good lawyer. You need to strongly believe that you are meant for this profession. I don’t think we have any lawyer in history who has not had his/her share of ups and downs. It required immense passion and it teaches you to be compassionate. Law requires you to be patient, perfectionist and honest. There is no scope of an error. There are moments, which have the potential to break your morale, but that is what you have to overcome and give it a fight.
What are the biggest challenges to starting your own practice?
The biggest challenge is client acquisition. For a young lawyer, to get access to his client is tough. I have sat at Police Stations and Courts for hours to develop some contacts, so that I could get access to prospective client and work. I had not imagined that after interning with Lawyers for over 5 years during my law school, having a good academic background with National and International Exposure, I would be required to struggle so much to get a little work. I was well-versed with the procedure and laws, as I have handled everything single-handedly as an Associate. It’s depressing when lawyers with skill- sets, do not get what they deserve.
Being a successful lawyer, what made you take the plunge as an entrepreneur?
As a lawyer, I was doing what everyone was trying to do. I was earning well, but my contribution to my peer community was absolutely zero. I remember how the idea of Nivaran struck me. I was appearing for matter in the Lokadalat, and there was long list of cases pending before the judge would hear my case. I was just observing the court scenario and I realised that, it’s now when I need to take a plunge to do something that will better the situation of lawyers in India, and at the same time clients can be sure of the lawyer they have chosen. There is so much disappointment in the legal sector from the Lawyers as well as the Clients end. A deserving lawyer is not getting clients and clients do not have the open access to the best lawyers around them. It was time I introduce something like this.
Tell us something about Nivaran Online.
Nivaran Online, is now a tech based platform, with minimum human intervention, where a user gets answer to all his legal issues. He gets immediate Audio/Video Consultation for smaller doubts, he gets his documents made and delivered at bare minimum amount like Rs. 999 for most of the Documents. And most importantly, a user can now see the best lawyers around them, view their detailed profile, Fees, and Ratings based on past records. We will be tying up with the best Rating Agencies in U.K. who will use the data of the lawyer in the Public Domain and Rate a Lawyer, making it the most authentic service. Apart from Lawyers, a User can also connect with Solicitors, Book A Senior Counsel, Look for Patent/ Registration Agents, and every individual involved in the legal Profession. It’s a one stop solution.
How difficult was it for you to connect and convince different lawyers and firms to register on Nivaran Online?
Honestly, it was very easy. We have no Subscription fees currently. And the kind of work and exposure lawyers have already started getting from our portal, has made it quite famous in the legal industry.
What is the process to be followed when you start a business like this – how do you get the domain name you want, how do you approach investors, what kind of permits, licenses or registrations do you need for the business?
I initially registered this as a Limited Liability Partnership, and we are in process of converting into a Private Limited. I started Nivaran Online with a niche market, like Consumer Law, before expanding to the entire legal space. I invested myself for over a year, and once I was confident about the scalability of this product, I pitched it to a few investors. The product was appreciated, and we already have some renowned names associated with us already.
Finally where do you see Nivaran Online 5 years from now?
I see Nivaran Online going beyond the Indian Waters, and we are working on models to extend this service to International Users as well.
