Mr. Pradeep Dewan was designated as a Senior Advocate by Delhi High Court on January 27, 2011. He did his schooling from Delhi. A graduate of English from University of Delhi, he completed LLB from Meerut College in 1975. Since then he has been practicing as an advocate in Delhi. Mr. Dewan, being an eminent lawyer is very modest as a person. We, at Law Mantra, got an opportunity to interview him.
Roopali: Why did you choose law as your career?
Mr. Dewan: Law is a great career option. Just like other professions, law too requires hard work and dedication. I opted for law because my father too had been an advocate. Inspired by his personality, I too decided to take law. Being a practicing lawyer, I have got job satisfaction from this profession.
Roopali: What made you decide to become a Civil Lawyer?
Mr. Dewan: My father too was a Civil Lawyer. Personally I think that civil side is a clean field. I get to meet business people. In majority of civil cases, the parties are not associated with a wrong or a crime. However, as a Senior Advocate, I have begun accepting matters of criminal jurisdiction. It has been an equally good experience.
Roopali: It is said that initial years of litigation are full of struggle. How far do you agree to this?
Mr. Dewan: According to me, the period of difficulty in the life of an advocate can go up to initial five years. This period is characterized by frustration and it is very discouraging, particularly, when an advocate looks at his peers who earn handsome salaries by joining firms and companies. However, with passage of time, it is often found that a practicing lawyer begins earning more and has a greater job satisfaction than his corporate counterparts. Many a times, many lawyers lose patience, leave litigation and take a job. On the other hand, a practicing lawyer who has the patience and perseverance to go through this initial period of struggle proves himself to be the ultimate winner.
Roopali: What challenges have you faced in your journey of litigation?
Mr. Dewan: Challenges are everywhere in life. Here too a lawyer has to face different challenges. These challenges may vary from the expectation of the client for good result to stiff opposition from the opposite counsel especially when you have a weak case in your hands. Another tough challenge is when a lawyer gets a very little time to prepare a case, present it to the court and argue it. Other major challenges include cross-examining a person who is very litigious.
Roopali: Who is your role model and why do you admire him/her?
Mr. Dewan: I have many role models. They include various senior advocates of the Supreme Court like Dr. Gopal Subramaniam, Mr. KK Venugopal, Mr. FS Nariman, Mr. Soli Sorabji, Mr. Mukul Rohatgi and many other persons. I admire so many lawyers because each of them has his/her own distinct virtues.
Roopali: What advice would you like to give to the students of law?
Mr. Dewan: I would advise them to work very hard. Each time a student joins an internship, he/she should try to learn everything and start from the most menial work as no work is small and in this profession, no work is less important. A student should also prepare his/her case notes. For the purpose of Moot Court Competitions, a student should practice a lot and should practice arguing in front of a mirror. Another important advice is that a student of law should keep improving his/her command over English. Always keep an English Dictionary and a Legal Glossary by your side. These budding lawyers will add to the prestige of this profession.
– Thank you Sir! It was an honor to interview you.
This interview was taken by Roopali Mohan, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, New Delhi.
A COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE FOR ALL LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS