Pavani Reddy ventured out of India to the UK in early 2000 to work as a junior lawyer at Zaiwalla & Co solicitors, founded by Mr. Sarosh Zaiwalla. She is now the Managing Partner at the firm. Being a lawyer working in a niche boutique international law firm, handling various high profile cases from across the world, she talks about how, as a woman, one needs to make twice the efforts to prove that they can do it too. Pavani Reddy tells us how it is how one should keep their interest and passion in the field of law alive, as that is what is making a positive change in her and continues to drive her forward.
Why and how did you choose Law as your career?
As a child at school when I was studying the social sciences, I was very much interested in how everything in our country was framed. I questioned the laws, the judiciary, the legislature and the government motions. It was a fascinating field of study and I definitely picked the brains of my teachers. As idealistic as it may sound, since I was a child I always wanted to make a change in the workings of the world.
When I was pursuing my bachelor’s degree, I successfully applied for a part-time position at a big law firm in Delhi. It was initially difficult to work while studying as I saw my friends were enjoying their college days by going out and partying. Working in the law firm and assisting the seniors there gave me a wonderful and close insight into the profession and really motivated me to continue in the field. I was not only studying at college but also actively participating in court proceedings, getting a first-hand purview of case building to arguments.
As I wanted to gain international experience, I ventured out of India to the UK in early 2000 to work as a junior lawyer at Zaiwalla & Co solicitors, founded by Mr. Sarosh Zaiwalla. I am now the Managing Partner at the firm.
I can say that everything I experienced on the way is what made me get where I am today. While I represent international clients and individuals, it is…
Law being referred to as a male dominated profession, what sort of challenges did you face in your professional career?
Despite a very high number of women working these days, unfortunately discrimination continues to exist even in developed countries. For instance, there are very few number of women holding high positions even today. I am hopeful that this will change soon.
I don’t believe I have faced direct discrimination so far, but I have noticed instances of unconscious bias which I have been able to overcome. For example, early on in my career, some people thought that a woman may not be tough enough to appear in the court. It took a while to prove I had the equal confidence or the audacity to face challenges. Today, having established myself, it is no longer the case. Maybe times have changed, or maybe people have learnt I can be equally fierce.
Funny isn’t it? Sometimes being a woman, you need to make twice the efforts to prove you can do it too.
As for breaking the glass ceiling, there is no one way to it. If you look how the U.S. presidential elections unfolded, even though Hillary Clinton did not cross the finish line, she broke the barrier by becoming the first ever leading woman presidential nominee for a major party. Women everywhere are doing it, and that is where we have to draw our inspiration.
Making the switch from India to London, what sort of challenges did you face and how did you manage to overcome them?
Once I moved to the UK for work, it was a different kind of struggle. As an Indian in the early 2000s, it was such a new experience altogether — I had newfound freedom in society which was accepting and welcoming but then again everything was new. I had to learn from the basics of law to the basics of culture.
End of the day, when I look back at where I started and the journey I took, I am satisfied by my choices and humbled for the opportunities received. Even today, as a lawyer working in a niche boutique international law firm, handling various high profile cases from across the world involves a great deal of challenges, but owing to my past experiences I am able to manage anything that comes to me.
What are the major reforms you would like to see in the Indian Legal system?
We definitely need forward-looking regulatory mechanisms to keep law in check and need to be changed to match modern society. Our nation is evolving rapidly and some of the old laws are a hindrance to India’s growth. The current Indian Government is working to improve, eliminate or change the age-old laws which are not applicable anymore.
One of the key elements of the Prime Minister’s agenda was to do away with old archaic laws. The new laws should be made keeping in mind the current political, social and economic scenarios and need periodic checks to outdo anything which is not in sync with the present society.
The recent steps taken by the Indian Government by amending the Arbitration Act and by establishing an international and domestic arbitration centre in Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai, is in line with the Indian Government’s ongoing ambition to increase its international trade ties and to make doing business with India more attractive.
It is hoped that this will provide a speedy and cost-effective arbitration facility, easing the red tape that can often restrict the free flow of business activity.