About Nikhil Naren

Nikhil has completed his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelors of Laws [B.A.LL.B] from Symbiosis Law School, NOIDA, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University, Pune, India in the year 2020. Over the years he has built special inclination and interest towards Information Technology Laws, Intellectual Property Laws, Competition Law, and Contract Law amongst other areas of law. He has Co-Authored the book, Internet Law: Regulating Cyberspace and Emerging Technologies published by Bloomsbury Professional India [ISBN: 978-9389714951] at the age of twenty-three.

He was an active member and convenor of his law school’s photography society- One ‘Click’ and also has a good experience at Moot Courts and Mock-Trial competitions. Apart from this, he also mentors law students for Moots, Research, Internship, and on any other issues approached for. He loves to write on contemporary issues falling under his domain of interest. He was offered a Pre-Placement [PPO] while he was in the VII Semester of his law school and thus, has around 25 months of Work Experience in IPR and InfoTech laws over and above his past internships.

He successfully handles Metacept [www.metacept.com], a one-stop platform created for the enthusiasts of IPR and InfoTech laws with the help of his dedicated team.

He is a focused person with a strong belief in honesty and hard work. His objective in life is to continuously improve himself and to try new things that challenge him. He is a firm believer in the fact that “learning never stops”.

7 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY LAW STUDENTS:

1. Grades are important because the goal of grading is to evaluate individual students’ learning and performance. But some say that grades are not always a reliable measure for evaluating. What do you think the role of grade/CGPA in a law student’s career? Up to what extent does a grade got in college matter? What would you say to students who haven’t been able to get good grades/CGPA in college as many students fear that due to bad grades/CGPA they won’t be able to get jobs in top law firms or companies?

Nikhil Naren- “Grades may be a good reflection of one’s discipline but not necessarily one’s skills. The study of law enables you to proceed with multiple career choices and one needs to figure out what aligns with their career choice. If a student’s choice of career mandates having good grades, they must. If a student wishes to pursue masters from top law schools abroad, grades [and specific subject grades] play a vital role. Some of the top law firms do have a minimum grade requirement that makes you eligible to sit for their interview.

In conclusion, I would like to say that grades are important but are not the only important factor in placing you where you wish to be. I will advise students to at least maintain an average grade in law school but give due attention to both co-curricular [publications and moots] and extra-curricular activities to make a fine balance in the end.”

2. Students are often confused about what does a good CV look like which would attract the attention of employers. Many students even pay some organizations to make a good CV for them. You must have changed and updated your CV/Resume many times in your career and you must have even seen many CV/Resumes of students as well. What according to you is an ideal CV? And what is the difference between a rejected CV and an accepted CV? In simple words, what according to you does an employer tries to find in a CV? 

Nikhil Naren- ” At the very outset, I would like to state that CVs should be tailored every time one sends them for availing an opportunity. Tailoring a CV means that the student highlights their accomplishments in line with the opportunity they wish to apply for. For example, if one applies to a law firm specialising in Intellectual Property Rights [IPR] laws, they should make it a point to first highlight all of their important achievements in the domain of IPR. Do further research on the other domains that the firm caters to.

Remember, your CV should speak loud and clear about your interests because it is the first point of interaction between yourself and your potential recruiter. You may also try to switch roles and assess yourself from the perspective of the recruiter.

One should also keep in mind that the CV does not run beyond two pages, utilize the margins and keep clear headers. You must avoid having your picture on the CV unless it is for modelling assignments.”

3. Many students normally have a fear that since they are 1st generation law students their journey would be more difficult than a student whose parents are lawyers. What is your take on it and what would you say to them?

Nikhil Naren- ” This perception might have been true around two decades ago. Certainly not in the present times. We are witnessing good law schools coming up and the practice of law diversifying. Opportunities have moved beyond graduating from law school and heading straightaway to Court practice. I am a 2^nd generation lawyer myself, but the domain of law I work in has never been practised by my father and vice versa. Today, one has ample opportunity to make their mark provided they are honest and consistent with their efforts.”

4. In Law school, there is a perception that the more the number of internships the better. Is it true? And many students feel that most of their friends get internships because of contacts and not merit due to which the students who truly deserve miss out. What would you say to them?

Nikhil Naren- ” Internships are very important, numbers aren’t. Internships provide a student with the practical learning opportunity and application of theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom. Personally speaking, an internship at one place for a longer duration creates a better impression as compared to five internships at five different places. Another reason why internships are important is that it is the only way to assess if the practice of a particular domain of law interests you or not. You might be great at knowing the essentials of a valid contract but it is through internships that you hone the skills of drafting a contract. What do you think is more important and place you well then, knowing the essentials or drafting?”

5. When you enter into law school there is a perception that you need to do moots and win moot competitions so that you can be a good lawyer in the future. Is it true? What would you tell the students regarding this, especially to students who haven’t or don’t want to participate in moots?

Nikhil Naren- ” Mooting is an important learning and skill-developing exercise that prepares you for the profession [especially if you want to pursue litigation]. However, it is not a set benchmark for becoming a good lawyer. I encourage the learners of law to become a part of their law school’s mooting contingent for at least a year. A moot court competition improves your researching and drafting skills, teamwork skills, oratory skills, presentation skills and tests your perseverance. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that while working on a moot problem one gets a golden opportunity to lay their hands-on learning new laws even before being taught.

For students who are not interested in mooting, I strongly urge you to take it up for a year. If one is not interested still, I strongly advise them to go for good publications, but that too would not necessarily guarantee in making them a good lawyer.”

6.Students nowadays are very confused regarding the area of law they should choose. Even if they know their area of interest, they are getting confused on which one to choose because nowadays there is immense competition in the market and due to the rise of technology it creates uncertainty about the future of certain jobs. What would you say to the students?

Nikhil Naren- ” Competition shouldn’t ever make you quit on your area of interest rather it should become an enabling factor to become the best version of yourself in that particular area of practice. That’s just two different perceptions of looking at it. We have witnessed our lives turning upside down due to the pandemic, which in itself was so uncertain. You can’t stop the waves, but you can always learn to surf, isn’t it?”

7. What according to you is the most important life/career lesson you learned which every law student should know?

Nikhil Naren- ” Keep learning every day and be a better version of yourself. Evaluate before you decide or make an opinion about something. Be the Shepheard, not the sheep. Impressing others shouldn’t be your motivation. Lastly, keep your excuses at bay.”