Introduction
Hello everyone! My name is Hetali, a lawyer from Mumbai currently practicing in New York City. I graduated from law school in 2018 and practiced as a litigator in the courts of Mumbai. I knew that I wanted my work to be driven by purpose and that led me to working on cases ranging from white collar to national security to the death penalty. After working for four years, I moved to Ithaca for my master's degree at Cornell Law School. My LL.M. didn’t seem to end at graduation because I had to study for the New York Bar Exam after. Luckily, I passed.
Currently, I work at a boutique litigation law firm in New York City focusing on commercial and white-collar litigation. I deal with cases involving business transactions, contracts, financial crimes, regulatory violations which often fall under the garb of litigation. My daily work revolves around researching case law, drafting legal documents, reviewing documents, communicating with supervisors, and clients.
Outside of work, I do the usual – spend time with family and friends, read (recently found some interest in sci-fi), eat good food, and take walks by the water!
Law Fellow
career options
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skills
What are the main hard skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
Mastery in conducting thorough research using legal databases, statutes, and case law to build strong arguments and support the case with relevant precedents and legal provisions. I started learning how to conduct legal research in law school but became increasingly adept at it through the years.
The ability to draft various legal documents like pleadings, motions, briefs, and discovery requests with precision, ensuring clarity, structure, and compliance with procedural rules. School creates a good foundation for legal writing, but practice makes perfect, especially because writing requirements and stylistic choices change depending on the kind of work product to be delivered.
In-depth knowledge of courtroom procedures, including the rules of evidence and civil/criminal procedure, to effectively navigate hearings, trials, and pre-trial motions, ensuring that all actions comply with legal standards. No school will be able to exhaustively teach procedures and rules because of how vast the undertaking can be. I tend to understand procedural matters best when I see them in action.
What are the main soft skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
The ability to present compelling arguments, whether in negotiations, during settlement talks, or before a judge and jury, to influence decisions in favor of the client. I try to learn as much as I can from people more experienced than me. It helps more when you get to learn different persuasion styles from different lawyers. For instance, negotiating with an opposing counsel will be quite different from trying to convince a judge.
The skill to analyze complex information, identify strengths and weaknesses in arguments, and anticipate opposing strategies, enabling quick and effective decision-making during trials and hearings. The more I read, the more I know. You can strategize and think effectively when you open yourself to the resources around you, such as case law and legal news.
Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills are vital for conveying complex legal ideas to judges, juries, and clients in an understandable and persuasive way. Effective communication is the amalgam of various skill sets. As I developed my legal writing, research, and negotiating skills, I got better at learning how to communicate.
Hetali
’s personal path
Tell us about your personal journey in
Law Fellow
:
I chose to study law for the same reason most people do. I wanted to help. But once you start practicing, the reality doesn’t always match up to what you thought it would be. Sometimes your efforts feel futile. Sometimes you get lucky, and you work on a case that fuels all your sense of purpose.
For me, it’s been a bit of everything. As it is for most lawyers. When I started looking for jobs in the U.S. during my LL.M., I realized all my years of experience didn’t matter. It is also exceptionally difficult for foreign-trained lawyers to get jobs in the U.S. because of the barriers to entry, one of which is the bar exam. It is going to be hard. You might also have to start from scratch (again). Getting to a place where you feel content, especially in a different country, is daunting. All they say about perseverance and patience is true—but it doesn’t make the job hunt any less unbearable. The key is to cast a wide net and hope for the best. Use every resource you have: LinkedIn, cold emails, networking, and then networking some more.
What worked best for me, though, was connecting with people on a human level. I made a conscious decision to reach out to decision-makers at law firms instead of HR. I knew that my emails had to stand out. A lawyer’s inbox is flooded with emails from clients, colleagues, subscriptions, newsletters, vendors, internal teams—you name it. So why would they spend their limited free time reading mine?
I had to draw people in. I did my homework. I researched the firm, the person, and looked for common ground. I tried to write well and keep my emails concise. But none of this would matter if the receiver didn’t read the email – it would fall into a void where cold emails go to die. That is where I had to do a bit of creative thinking to write an authentic and interesting subject line. So, make that singular line count. Make it real. This is how I got a job that I truly enjoy. I heard back from the firm, we set up interviews, and eventually, it worked out.
Cold emailing worked for me! It doesn't work for everyone. LinkedIn worked for a friend of mine. That doesn't work for everyone either. Therefore, I reiterate, cast a wide net.
Most importantly, rely on your support system and remind yourself that the job search and its perils do not define who you are.
What would you tell your younger you regarding building your current career?
My sister once sent me this saying: “the way you live your days is the way you live your life.” I hated it when I first heard it. I couldn’t believe that that was true. But I think of this saying often and I would’ve wanted younger me to understand it better. Although, I am not sure I understand (read: implement) it now. I think I would’ve told myself to fill my days with things that brought me joy outside of the law and my career. I would tell myself to fill my days with people, habits, books, movies, and experiences that brought me joy. I would remind myself that I am more than my career and its ups and downs.
Final thoughts & tips
When I was starting out in my career, I wish I had known two key things: that it’s okay to not have everything figured out, and that your path won’t always be linear. It might sound simple, but when you're in the thick of things, it feels like you need to have every step of your journey planned. I thought my career would be a smooth upward trajectory, but there were moments when I felt like I was moving sideways or even backward.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of building genuine connections. It’s not just about sending a perfect resume or following a script at networking events. Embrace the uncertainty, don’t be afraid to start over, and always remember that the relationships you build are just as important as the work you do.
Resources to dig in more
LL.M. Guide
Provides a comprehensive guide to LL.M. programs worldwide with an ability to connect with other students on shared programs.
A Lawyer Writes: A Practical Guide to Legal Analysis
A book that teaches law students and new lawyers effective techniques and methods of legal writing.
Bloomberg Law
Provides up-to-date legal news, commentary, and analysis on key legal topics.
