Gaurav Shukla graduated from Nagpur University in 2007. After successful stints at Pancrest Pvt. Ltd., Pangea 3, and Exceed Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., he has started independent practice, where his role entails handling both non-litigation and litigation work assignments for various clients in the field of Entertainment, Media and Sports Industry.

HIS SPECIALISATION IN LAW 

He has been working in the entertainment, media and sports industry for most part of his legal career and deal with all the relevant laws and related work assignments on a day to day basis. He always had the option of joining his father in his practice and live a smooth and comfortable life. But he always like to challenge himself and endeavour to achieve things on his own. He always believed that if you have a family backing in the profession that you are pursuing, that option or working with them is always open for you. However, he believed and followed the principles that will enable him to stand out and make his own name. In the legal profession, the initial years of practice are full of struggle and if you join your family in litigation practice then you are more of a liability than an asset.  He, therefore decided while he was in his final year that he will pursue his career in the corporate department/non litigation work profiles wherein he get paid from day one and therefore get to avoid financial crunch. He did not have the privilege to land a job in a law firm not being a student from a law school.

Students have to take into account two main factors/aspects vis-à-vis their financial condition/backing and their interest/strength in legal field while deciding their future steps. If they are financially sound then they can either take up independent litigation (no guarantee of fees) during initial days or work with a senior advocate for less salary. If they are not financially sound, then they need to secure a job in a law firm or in corporates/companies as in-house counsels. Second aspect is indirectly related to the first one and if they have the financial support then they can experiment to work in fields they have inclination towards and if it doesn’t work then may be try something else. It is ultimately a person’s own evaluation as to what suits their situation and what they desire/can sustain.

HIS OPINION FOR YOUNG LAWYERS 

No one was born knowing everything.  Apart from certain personality traits inherited by them from their parents, everything else is and has to be developed on our own. Every person does not have the same grasp, concentration, skill or ability and therefore never ever either compete or compare yourself with others. Winning or losing is not always in your hands, but giving everything to the best of your endeavours is something you should strive for and then stay focused and positive. Have perseverance, be humble, hold on, the initial days are the hardest and do not give up easily. It is your determination and sheer will power that will make you reach places because as often seen, the smart ones are not always the rich ones and the rich ones are not always the smart ones.