“This is the one lifetime you have, to live it large and celebrate all that life has to offer” – Rahul Singh, ex-Amarchand lawyer and Creative Director, House of Heirloom

A graduate of the National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (Class of ’06), Rahul Singh spent seven years at Amarchand Mangaldas before deciding to set up the House of Heirloom in Delhi. In an e-mail interview for the “Working Title” series, Singh discusses his reasons for the shift, following his dreams and why it is important to celebrate all that life has to offer..Bar & Bench: Can you tell us a bit about your days at AMSS?.Rahul Singh: Although I was keener on joining the Delhi office, it was Vandana Shroff, my first mentor, guide and someone very dear to me, who believed the Mumbai office was a better starting point. And from then on there was no looking back..B&B: What was your experience as a corporate lawyer?.RS: My experience at Amarchand as a corporate lawyer working under Shardul Shroff for the largest part of my seven years at the Delhi office (post my move from Mumbai) was exhilarating for the most part. Right from the Satyam deal to some of the largest M&A transactions and private equity deals, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Shroffs. Working closely with the Managing Partner teaches you much more than the mere letter of the law; you get a much better understanding of the various nuances to deal making. Plus, Shardul and Pallavi Shroff’s passion towards law and deal making in general is absolutely infectious. They energize and invigorate young lawyers. I am sure the skills I learnt while at Amarchand as well as client interface, are going to be mighty useful on my entrepreneurial journey..B&B: Was corporate law something that interested you from the very start?.RS: I had no such clear career plan while in law school. In fact during my five years at law school for almost a year and a half, I worked as a radio jockey at Radio Mirchi and simultaneously pursued Jazz with the Shiamak Davar Dance Academy..I always placed emphasis on enjoying what I did and taking the path less travelled. The journey is more important than the destination. Corporate law happened because of Vandana Shroff, who believed I had the acumen and the personality to be a transactional lawyer and she was right. I thoroughly enjoyed structuring deals and negotiating documents for my clients..B&B: When did you get the idea of starting something like the House of Heirloom?.RS: I come from a family of art collectors, and art, culture, and heritage have always been a part of how I grew up. I spent an awful lot of time in museums and my grandmother and mother ensured that even as a young child, I traveled the world to learn, imbibe and imbue world culture. These formative experiences while growing up along with my avid interest in design culminated into the genesis of House of Heirloom..More importantly, I felt the need to preserve India’s craftsmanship and tradition that is being lost in today’s era where goods are mass-produced and there is almost no emphasis on craftsmanship..B&B: Was there any particular reason why you opted out of the traditional career?.RS: Well seven years at a law firm is almost a lifetime and I felt the urge to break away and explore my creative side. The prospective of sitting behind a desk for the next decade and continuing to draft and negotiate agreements was one I couldn’t contemplate. I just think, the time was right for me to take the plunge and discover and create something of my own..So, after quitting Amarchand, I took a break for two months. I traveled through Laos, Vietnam and Bali and realized what I truly wanted to do was create art, celebrate craftsmanship and design. And that is how House of Heirloom came about..Though having opted out of being a transactional lawyer, my law education and more importantly the relationships forged at Amarchand continue till date. Beyond patrons of art, some of the first customers of House of Heirloom happen to be clients of the firm as well as ex-colleagues of mine. Actually, I recently spent time with Pallavi Shroff at the firm and sought her blessing. The Shroff’s have always believed in me and continue to be my mentors..B&B: Do you find your legal education helping you in your current position?.RS: A legal education is never wasted and in my mind, a law degree equips you with some critical reasoning skills that are a great asset. I think the skill set learnt in law school as well as those learnt at a law firm, come mighty handy..Plus my closest friends from law school have diversified to working as researchers for Harvard Business School to working with the US government aided environmental advisory departments. I can safely say that each one of us draws upon on our legal education on a daily basis far more than you can imagine..B&B: So what is a typical day in your life now?.RS: Well, a typical day in my current avatar involves sitting with karigars (craftsmen) and developing new designs, or working on site for a client to create a space they truly desire..At times it involves travelling or participating in auctions to buy art. All in all, each day brings with it new experiences, and new challenges, which is phenomenal..The creation of objects of sheer beauty and to be surrounded by stellar art ranging from Hussain to Souza to even Picasso is a true privilege and I am blessed at being able to live this dream. To get a sense of what I do and validate the claim that lawyers are the most creative folk, do take a look at our site and schedule a visit, as we are an appointment only store.B&B: Best thing about your new job?.RS: The best thing has to be being able to create objects that will remain immortal, whether it be a 10 foot chandelier being installed in the Middle East or crafting furniture in silver. Plus, traveling through the length and breadth of the country has been one of the most rewarding and eye opening experiences. Gone are the days when one caught a flight to Mumbai, worked on the flight and went into never ending meetings, unable to see the sights and sounds of the city..Now traveling for work has a completely different connotation. It means sourcing craftsmen, working with karigars and absorbing the sights and sounds of the city..For now, I can safely say I am absolutely in love with what I do. I am content, absorbed and surrounded by so much positive energy and creative thought. It is a great place to be..B&B: Looking back, what made you decide to study law? Any regrets?.RS: I come from a family of lawyers, with my great grandfather, Bakshi Shiv Charan Singh, being one of the first lawyers to practice corporate commercial laws and advise Rai Bahadur (of the Oberoi group) and Punjab and Sindh Bank. So law was an almost obvious choice. I am glad I opted to go to law school over [St] Stephen’s..B&B: Any advice for those thinking about studying law?.RS: Well, I would just say that law is a great base degree to acquire as against a three-year undergraduate programme. The academic rigor of law school, the critical reasoning and legal writing skills all are highly meaningful whether or not one opts to pursue law as a career..B&B: Last question, what would you say to lawyers thinking of branching into non-traditional fields?.RS: Well, for those who dream of breaking away and chasing a vision, all I would say is follow your heart and pursue your dreams. There is no point sitting at your desk at a law firm or standing in courts lamenting at the years going by, whilst your waist line doubles or triples at an alarming rate!.This is the one lifetime you have to live it large and celebrate all that life has to offer. Law firms, law schools are microcosms and while one is entrapped in these spaces, you believe it is the end all, be all, but there is an entire world out there which one needs to explore.