In Conversation with Advocate Mansi Mankotia on her Law School Journey at HPNLU
In this Conversation with CLATalogue, Advocate Mansi Mankotia (HPNLU) talks about her law school journey and her experience as a legal professional.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Mansi Mankotia. I graduated in B.A.LL.B. from H.P. University, Shimla in 2020. I completed my LL.M. with a specialization in Criminal Law from H.P. National Law University, Shimla in 2021.
Currently, I wear multiple hats: I’m a Learning Manager at Lawctopus, where I am trying to blend my passion for academics with law. Concurrently, I’m also a dedicated PhD research scholar at Chandigarh University. Beyond academics, I am a full-time meme enthusiast, relishing humor as and when I can.
What motivated you to pursue law as a career?
Firstly, my interest in justice and society has always driven me to seek a career that would allow me to know these areas better. Secondly, I’ve always been passionate about academia and teaching. So, the thought that a career in law would not only enable me to engage in meaningful research but also provide me with opportunities to teach and mentor future generations of legal professionals really excited me.
Tell us a bit about your law school journey. Were you always sure about your end goal?
My law school journey was indeed enriching and transformative. When I entered law school, I wasn’t entirely sure about my end goal. I wanted to keep my options open and explore various facets of the legal profession.
During my time at law school, I made a conscious effort to strike a balance between academics and extracurricular activities. I participated in numerous moot court competitions, parliamentary debates, conferences, and engaged in various legal clinics and internships to know as much as I can about this field. However, by the end of my law school journey, I realized that my true passion lay in academia and teaching.
How different was your experience as an undergraduate in law school to that of a post graduate?
As an undergraduate, there was more guidance and structure in the curriculum. Postgraduate studies encouraged greater independence in learning and research but I had to manage my studies more autonomously.
Postgraduate studies typically had a heavier workload due to the advanced coursework and research requirements. It required greater time management and dedication.
Both stages offered opportunities for networking, but postgraduate studies included interactions with a more experienced and specialized group of people, which helped me to build a stronger network.
You’ve had a diverse career trajectory. Tell us a bit about your journey so far.
I spent two years in non-litigation roles within litigation firms, which allowed me to explore different facets of the legal profession and develop a well rounded skill set. Throughout my journey, I had a persistent aspiration to pursue an academic role.
That’s when I decided to get into a Ph.D. program, so that I could at least become a part of the academic community. It was during this academic pursuit that I discovered the opportunity at Lawctopus, which offered me a role aligned with my academic interests and yes, now I am here.
You’re currently working at LLS. Would you like to tell us a bit about your experience there?
Working at Lawctopus Law School has been an engaging and dynamic experience. My role at Lawctopus is academic in nature. I’m responsible for developing and managing courses at LLS, among other responsibilities.
Initially, I thought that the work might become monotonous, but I quickly realized that the diversity of tasks and challenges keeps it far from dull. One of the most interesting aspects of my role is the opportunity to interact with learners regularly.
Each day with the learners brings a fresh learning experience, and while some days are challenging, most of the time it is good. This variety in my work keeps me motivated and allows me to continually grow in my role.
What would you say sets apart your CLAT story from others?
My CLAT story is different because I didn’t worry too much about the final result. I focused on studying and learning as much as I could without stressing about what outcome I would get.
Ofcourse, I followed a study plan and worked hard, but I didn’t let fear or anxiety about the outcome control me. I just believed that my efforts would pay off, and I trusted in my preparation. I always thought that I do not have anything to lose here and just worked the way I wanted to.
Any advice you’d like to pass on to law school aspirants?
Always be curious and eager to learn as law is a field that requires constant exploration and an inquisitive mind. Stay positive and believe in yourself.
This interview is a part of our series #MyStory where we interview law students and legal professionals.
Click here to submit your #LawSchoolJourney
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Ruchika Mohapatra
Contributing author
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