Abhishek Choubey Interview
Q. Every journey has a starting point. Could you take us through your journey so far and what first inspired you to pursue law?
My legal journey began on paper in 2024 when I joined Law Centre-II at Delhi University, but mentally the groundwork was laid much earlier. My affinity for public speaking started as early as class one through school elocutions, which over time morphed into a deep passion for debating. Back then, my teachers would often remark that I was either going to end up in politics or in a courtroom.
The real catalyst came in 2021 when I represented students as a panelist across major national news networks like CNN-News18, NDTV 24x7, India Ahead News, Times Now, and Mirror Now. Putting forward strong, logical arguments under national television lights gave me a taste of real advocacy. After one of those broadcasts, Advocate Anubha Shrivastava Sahai, President of the India Wide Parents Association, shared a message with me from a key stakeholder who noted that I possessed natural lawyering instincts and potential for meaningful advocacy. That was the moment the seed was truly planted.
To build a strong foundation, I pursued my B.Com (Hons.) at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, alongside clearing the CA Foundation exam. Engaging deeply with subjects like Corporate Law, Commercial Legislation, and Business Contracts made me realize that I didn't just want to understand statutory text, I wanted to understand the intent, logic, and impact behind the law. Driven by that clarity, I appeared for the CUET PG and MH CET LL.B. exams, performing strongly in both, which ultimately brought me to the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. Looking back, law wasn't an abrupt career choice for me; it was the natural convergence of my voice, my analytical interests, and a desire to create a tangible impact.
Q. You have explored both Corporate Law and Dispute Resolution. What draws you towards these areas, and how are you shaping your interests within the legal field?
When I first stepped into law school, I was open-minded and, like many law students, exploring which path to carve out. I strongly believe that before taking a final call, you must immerse yourself across different areas of practice to build a grounded perspective. My journey naturally began on the dispute resolution side, where the raw energy of courtrooms and dispute forums drew me in. Experiencing litigation practice firsthand in chambers at D&T Juris and during my dispute resolution tenure at Fox Mandal & Associates proved to be incredible foundational experiences. Attending live proceedings across the Delhi and Calcutta High Courts, navigating mediation at Delhi High Court’s Mediation Centre, 'SAMADHAN', and observing arbitration hearings at 'DIAC' taught me oral advocacy, courtroom tact, and the art of deep legal research using databases like SCC Online and Manupatra.
With that understanding of how disputes play out in real time, I crossed over into the corporate arena through stints at band-one law firms. Here, I discovered a completely different thrill: client advisory, complex due diligence, analyzing transaction structures, and navigating regulatory frameworks under RBI, SEBI, and FEMA. What draws me to corporate law is the challenge of structuring agreements so thoroughly that you prevent disputes from arising in the first place.
I am shaping my interests by refusing to view Corporate Law and Dispute Resolution as separate silos. Knowing how litigation unfolds makes me a sharper corporate researcher and advisor who can anticipate exposure, while understanding corporate and financial mechanisms makes me a far more effective disputes advocate in commercial matters. Both experiences have built a versatile profile and helped me become a more complete legal professional.
Q. You’ve been recognized as India’s Best Debater two times by the ICAI and ICSI and were declared National Champion at the 23rd ICSI All-India Moot Court Competition. How has debating and public speaking influenced the way you think, communicate, and approach different perspectives?
Public speaking is essential for everyone, but for a law student, it is the absolute bedrock of advocacy. Good communication is ultimately the reflection of a structured mind. As a lawyer, if your thought process isn't crystal clear, your oral arguments won't be either.
Debating has completely redefined the way I think, react, and process information. To deliver an impactful speech or argue before a moot court bench, thorough preparation is non-negotiable. Beyond memorizing facts, you must master the broader ecosystem of connected issues. That depth of knowledge unlocks spontaneous, critical thinking, allowing you to handle unexpected judicial interjections or opponent rebuttals with total composure.
On a personal level, it has made me far more analytical and strategic. I’ve learned to weigh costs and benefits, evaluate every argument from both sides, and approach situations with calculated precision. Public speaking also taught me a vital lesson in persuasion. You won't always have a bench or audience that instinctively agrees with your premise, but advocacy is the skill of navigating their skepticism and persuading them to see the validity in your position. At its core, that’s exactly what arguing before a court demands.
There’s a popular saying that winning once might be luck and winning twice a coincidence. But standing on national podiums consistently, whether at the ICSI National Moot Court or national debate championships, is a testament to hard work, discipline, and character. It has built an unshakable confidence in my ability to handle high-pressure environments, speak with conviction, and constantly present the strongest version of myself.
Q. You’ve also represented India at an international conference in Sri Lanka. What did that experience teach you about stepping beyond your comfort zone and representing yourself on a larger platform?
Representing India on an international stage was not just an academic and professional achievement for me; it was the realization of a childhood dream. Ever since I was a young boy, I carried a desire to stand on a platform where my words could bring pride to my country. When I stepped into Colombo, Sri Lanka, as an Indian delegate at the 39th International CA Students’ Conference, that dream became a reality.
Standing on a global stage completely reshapes your consciousness. You suddenly realize that you are no longer speaking only for yourself, your city, or your law school, you are carrying the hopes, dignity, and voice of a nation of 1.48 billion people. Stepping out of my comfort zone wasn't just about traveling to a new country; it was about elevating my mindset. It required engaging with international delegates from across South Asia, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh—with poise, maturity, and deep respect, especially during moments of delicate geopolitical awareness.
That experience taught me that when your purpose is pure and your commitment absolute, national borders are no longer boundaries; they become platforms for diplomacy and connection. From a legal standpoint, it showed me that the future belongs to professionals who can navigate complex cross-border perspectives, understand international commercial dynamics, and build consensus amidst diversity. Carrying Bharat in my heart on an international stage taught me that true growth begins the exact moment you step beyond what is familiar, and I returned home with confidence to champion legal excellence on any global stage.
Q. For students and young professionals, networking can open many doors. What are some practical ways to build genuine connections, both through social media and offline interactions?
Networking is often misunderstood as a mechanical exchange of business cards or sending templated LinkedIn messages. In reality, it is a deeply human interaction rooted in proactive initiative, intellectual curiosity, and real value creation.
Offline, my golden rule has always been to make the first move. While Delhi University is my anchor, I’ve never restricted myself to campus walls. I’ve actively stepped out, attending national conferences, law summits, and industry seminars, frequently walking up to speakers and industry leaders to engage in meaningful conversations. During my tier-one firm internships, I made it a point to connect across every level of the organization. I didn't limit myself to assigned mentors; I engaged with co-interns from across national law universities, spoke with senior partners to understand high-level strategy, consulted HR teams to learn what firms truly value, and talked with firm support staff to understand the operational reality. Real offline networking is about understanding the soul of an ecosystem, not just reading a firm’s website.
Online, platforms like LinkedIn are indispensable, but even Instagram can be a powerful avenue when used purposefully. You don't need to be a full-time influencer to build credibility. Start by putting your perspective out there: share concise case breakdowns, legal observations, or commentary on current corporate developments. Even if a post reaches just a hundred people, those hundred people gain direct insight into how your mind works. In fact, many of my most rewarding professional relationships began because lawyers and law students read my published analysis and initiated a dialogue.
Ultimately, networking isn't about collecting contacts or asking for shortcuts. It’s about putting your voice into the room, stepping up before you’re called, and building relationships based on mutual respect and shared intellectual passion.
Q. Law is a competitive field. From your experience so far, what is one skill or habit that you believe young law students should start developing early?
To be candid, I don't believe a standout legal career can ever be built on a single isolated skill. Success in today’s legal ecosystem isn't about mastering one isolated trick; it is an interconnected ecosystem where every core trait reinforces the other. If you look at the lawyers who command authority today, they possess a compelling mix of public speaking, sharp analytical thinking, social media presence, and a clear personal brand. But if I had to trace that entire chain back to its absolute origin, the single foundational habit that triggers everything else is the discipline of real-time, daily legal reading.
From my very first days in law school, I made it a non-negotiable habit to track live courtroom developments, statutory updates, and emerging jurisprudence on a daily basis. You don't necessarily need to memorize every line of every judgment, but staying continuously plugged into what the courts are deciding and how regulatory frameworks are shifting gives you something money cannot buy: real-time contextual intelligence. When you read consistently, your mind stops relying on static textbooks and begins to think dynamically.
That dynamic reading habit sets off a powerful domino effect across your entire personality. Deep knowledge fuels spontaneous thinking, ensuring that when you are challenged in a courtroom, a moot, or a boardroom, you never fumble because you already understand the broader legal context. That spontaneous clarity naturally translates into articulate, persuasive public speaking. When you speak with substance, it builds authentic confidence, not the performative kind, but the quiet assurance that comes from knowing your subject inside out. And that confidence ultimately powers your personal branding, allowing you to share meaningful insights on platforms like LinkedIn, write informed commentary, and stand out in a crowded market.
Personal branding and advocacy are the visible crown of a lawyer, but relentless, everyday reading is the invisible foundation holding it up. For any young law student looking to gain a real edge early on, my advice is simple: don't wait for a syllabus or a senior to tell you what happened in court today. Make curiosity a daily habit, because the moment you master the law in real time, the rest of the world starts listening to your voice.
Q. Looking back at your journey, what is one challenge or experience that changed the way you approach your career today?
The single biggest defining challenge of my journey has been navigating the legal world as a first-generation law student with no prior background, legacy, or pre-established connections in the profession. In an industry where legal lineage and warm referrals can open doors effortlessly, starting with a clean slate meant that every single opportunity had to be forged through sheer grit and self-initiative. I didn't have a safety net or a paved pathway; I had to build the entire road myself from the ground up.
In the early stages, that reality came with its fair share of setbacks and unanswered applications. But tasting failure early on proved to be the best thing that ever happened to me. It forced me to stop relying on external mechanisms or traditional channels and transformed me into an intensely strategic planner. I realized that if I wanted my voice to be heard alongside those with established backgrounds, my resume couldn't just be good, it had to be undeniable.
I systematically turned that initial handicap into a masterclass in self-building. I mapped out clear timelines for my career and intentionally sought out high-impact milestones: winning national moot court competitions, securing top honors in national debates, writing published commentary, leading campus societies, and representing the country on international platforms. Every internship, every article, and every competition was calculated to build a resilient, multidimensional professional identity.
That journey completely changed my relationship with adversity. Today, I approach my career not out of fear of rejection, but with market intelligence, statistical awareness, and a strategic mindset. Experiencing the full weight of early struggles gave me a thick skin and an unshakable clarity. I know how to navigate the market, how to build authentic professional relationships, and how to create value wherever I go. Coming from a non-legal background started as my greatest obstacle, but it ultimately became my greatest strength, because everything I have achieved today is built on pure merit, discipline, and hard work.
Q. To end on a lighter note, if you had to recommend one movie, book, or series to fellow law students, what would it be and why?
I’ll be completely honest: like almost every law student of our generation, the show that first hooked me on screen was Suits. Even though it took me nearly five years to get through season seven, and despite its Hollywood dramatization of corporate law, it gets one fundamental element right: the power of quick thinking, poise, and absolute confidence under intense pressure. Harvey Specter’s famous philosophy of "playing the man, not the odds" is something that resonates deeply with real-world advocacy and client engagement.
That said, if I had to give a non-traditional recommendation to fellow law students, it wouldn't be a fictional show or a textbook. My biggest recommendation is to step out of the pop culture bubble and spend a full day sitting quietly in the back of a live Court, whether it’s a local District Court or a High Court bench. Watching real lawyers handle unexpected judicial questions, adapt their arguments in real time, and navigate the raw human emotion behind actual disputes teaches you lessons no screen or book ever can. Pop culture might spark the interest, but real-world courtrooms are where the real learning happens.
Bio
Abhishek Choubey is a final-year LL.B. student at Law Centre-II, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, and the Founder & CEO of The Finance Gazette. A 2x National Debate Champion (ICAI/ICSI), National Moot Court Champion, and former delegate representing India at the 39th International CA Students’ Conference in Sri Lanka, he combines a strong background in Corporate Law and Dispute Resolution with active public advocacy. With a growing community of over 13,000 LinkedIn followers, Abhishek focuses on corporate regulations, commercial disputes, and empowering first-generation legal professionals through merit-based growth.
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