In Conversation with Jahnvi Shah on her Law School Journey and Career as a successful Freelancer
In this Conversation with CLATalogue, Jahnvi Shah talks about her Law School Journey and Career as a successful Freelancer.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am Jahnvi Shah, a 2022 law graduate working as an independent lawyer and professional writer.
How did you start your journey in the field of law?
After completing my 12th grade in 2016, I appeared for both the CLAT and CA-CPT exams. Unfortunately, I didn’t secure admission into an NLU, so I decided to shift my focus to CA Inter studies.
However, after a few months, I realized that pursuing CA wasn’t the right path for me and reconsidered taking the CLAT exam in 2017. The second attempt yielded a better rank, although it still fell short of getting me into my desired NLU. Instead, I received an offer from SVKM’s NMIMS University Kirit P. Mehta School of Law in Mumbai. Mumbai, I heard, is the city where dreams come true, so I embraced the opportunity.
How were your initial years in law school?
During my first two years, I eagerly embraced every opportunity that came my way—participating in moots, MUNs, debates, organizing committees, and enrolling in skill-based certificate courses at affordable prices.
Additionally, my successful clearance of the CA-CPT granted me direct entry into the CS Executive program. Balancing these activities with living away from home led me to travel extensively by train, making those initial years quite hectic. As I entered the third year, a sense of relief washed over me, and I welcomed the change.
However, this newfound ease was short-lived as the COVID pandemic struck, and we were forced into remote learning for four semesters. During this challenging period, I used my time and managed to successfully clear my CS Executive exam.
What motivated you to pursue law as a career?
Due to my dad’s strong influence on my career choices, I was guided away from options like B.Com., B.BA., and similar courses. Consequently, I pursued Commerce in 11th grade and had to select from professional courses like CA, LLB, CS, or others.
Among them, I found LLB to be a relatively appealing option, mainly because it ensured a guaranteed degree upon completion. However, deep down, my passion leaned towards becoming a marketer or content writer, which made journalism an attractive field for me.
Interestingly, I noticed several similarities between LLB and journalism in terms of their study materials, ultimately leading me to choose the LLB path.
What were your top 3 sources of information while preparing for the law entrance exam? Did you prepare for the exam all by yourself?
During my academic pursuits, I attended three different coaching institutes for CLAT-UG preparation at different times, starting from my 11th grade.
What would you say sets apart your story from others?
What sets my story apart from others is the unconventional and unguided path of independent practice I pursued, especially considering I had no prior work experience.
Following my graduation, I embraced freelancing wholeheartedly. My journey began with a 3.5-month traineeship at a law firm, after which I created freelancing profiles on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn. Remarkably, within just 8 months, I have managed to achieve an average monthly earning of $165.
Any advice you’d like to pass on to law school aspirants and law students?
It’s okay to be confused about what you want to do. You’ll get more and, most likely, better opportunities.
This interview is a part of our series #MyStory where we interview law students and legal professionals.
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Ruchika Mohapatra
Contributing author
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