Naval Chopra, Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas has made it to the World’s Top “40 under 40” competition lawyers in a list released by the Global Competition Review..Naval Chopra becomes the first Indian lawyer to make it to this list, with Shardul Amarchand’s Executive Chairman, Shardul Shroff saying that this would “propel [the firm’s] competition practice even further.”.Naval Chopra, an equity partner at the firm, joined Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas in 2009 after working at the India desk of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London for five years. He was made Partner three years later, in 2012..A graduate of ILS Law College, Naval also holds an LL.M. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. One of the early lawyers in the now growing competition practice in India, he has acted on some of the marquee antitrust cases..In this interview with Bar & Bench’s Pallavi Saluja, Naval talks about his involvement in competition law practice, regulatory shortcomings, and much more..Pallavi Saluja: World’s 40 best competition lawyers under 40. How does it feel? .Naval Chopra: I am absolutely ecstatic and would be lying if I didn’t say it was on my bucket list. I also feel privileged and blessed as it would not be possible without the outstanding individuals that I work with at Shardul Amarchand (both past and present), my clients, and the support of so many in the profession across the world..Pallavi Saluja: If not a lawyer, what would you be?.Naval Chopra: If I were to be born again I would like the life of Anthony Bourdain! But more seriously, public service in any form appeals to me, and whilst today’s politician is much maligned, I would have entered politics. I still may!.Pallavi Saluja: This is a specialised area of law. How did you get involved in this practice area?.Naval Chopra: By training, I am a corporate lawyer. When I returned to India in 2009 after several years at a magic circle firm in London, the Competition Act had just been notified and my wife, Shweta Shroff Chopra, together with my colleague Harman Singh Sandhu, started working in this area with our Managing Partner, Pallavi Shroff. As with everything good in my life, I followed my wife!.Pallavi Saluja: How has competition law evolved over the last six years? Any predictions for the future?.Naval Chopra: The Competition Act has been in force for the last 6 and a half years and during this period, competition law awareness has definitely increased and that is a positive. However, whether consumers or the economy has benefited is a question mark..I think a foundation has been set, and the next 10 years will be crucial in ensuring that competition law is used as a tool to make markets work efficiently and consumers benefit through vigorous competition..Pallavi Saluja: Do you see any shortcomings in the Competition Regulator?.Naval Chopra: As with any young area of law, the issue is one of talent and institutional learning – and this is a problem across the board. We as a law firm find it difficult to hire good quality competition lawyers, so one can imagine how difficult it would be for the Commission..Unfortunately, with most of the staff coming on deputation or short-term contracts, the CCI loses the benefit of the training and experience gained by them, once they leave or return to their parent organisations. Hopefully with time, this will resolve as the CCI builds permanent staff..Pallavi Saluja: Do you think it makes sense to start specialising in competition law in the initial years of your career?.Naval Chopra: Ten years ago I would have said no, but today, students, through internships and other opportunities, are exposed to different areas of the law and I believe they are equipped to make decisions on which area to specialise in once they finish college. I would however recommend an LL.M in competition law before they begin practice as it lays a good foundation..Pallavi Saluja: What are the major differences that you see working in a foreign law firm and an Indian law firm? .Naval Chopra: Whilst 8 years ago the differences were many, today, the differences have definitely narrowed, and it’s a question of catching up to match standards which will take time, given how young the professionalized law firm structure in India is..One major difference that remains is the breadth and depth of knowledge – in India, an AZB will have one Zia, a Cyril Amarchand will have one Cyril, whereas in the west, a major law firm will have many lawyers of their stature and on whose shoulders one can tap on..Pallavi Saluja: Besides being a competition lawyer, we understand that you are also involved in the management of the firm. How do you see your role and the responsibilities/challenges in the light of imminent liberalisation of the legal market?.Naval Chopra: That’s a loaded question! I am not involved in the management of the firm! Our firm is managed by Co-Managing Partners Akshay Chudasama and Pallavi Shroff, together with the Executive Chairman Shardul Shroff and the Management Board. I however make sure to present my views and suggestions at every opportunity I get..Pallavi Saluja: Who has been your mentor?.Naval Chopra: I have many! First and foremost, my father, who taught me to “dream it, do it” and that nothing is impossible. Second, my mother, who taught me to be passionate and stand up for all that I believe in..Professionally, Mr. Arun Jaitley, who has guided me at every important crossroad of my life and Mr. Pratap Amin, Head of the India Group at Freshfields, my first boss, who showed me what hard work, excellence and client service is all about, and all while having fun. I also admire Pallavi Shroff for her ability to handle the challenging demands of the firm and the practice..Pallavi Saluja: What advice would you give to young lawyers entering law firms?.Naval Chopra: Be passionate, be interested, read, read, read, and never be afraid to ask. Focus on the experiences you gain and not on your income or designation.
Naval Chopra, Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas has made it to the World’s Top “40 under 40” competition lawyers in a list released by the Global Competition Review..Naval Chopra becomes the first Indian lawyer to make it to this list, with Shardul Amarchand’s Executive Chairman, Shardul Shroff saying that this would “propel [the firm’s] competition practice even further.”.Naval Chopra, an equity partner at the firm, joined Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas in 2009 after working at the India desk of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London for five years. He was made Partner three years later, in 2012..A graduate of ILS Law College, Naval also holds an LL.M. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. One of the early lawyers in the now growing competition practice in India, he has acted on some of the marquee antitrust cases..In this interview with Bar & Bench’s Pallavi Saluja, Naval talks about his involvement in competition law practice, regulatory shortcomings, and much more..Pallavi Saluja: World’s 40 best competition lawyers under 40. How does it feel? .Naval Chopra: I am absolutely ecstatic and would be lying if I didn’t say it was on my bucket list. I also feel privileged and blessed as it would not be possible without the outstanding individuals that I work with at Shardul Amarchand (both past and present), my clients, and the support of so many in the profession across the world..Pallavi Saluja: If not a lawyer, what would you be?.Naval Chopra: If I were to be born again I would like the life of Anthony Bourdain! But more seriously, public service in any form appeals to me, and whilst today’s politician is much maligned, I would have entered politics. I still may!.Pallavi Saluja: This is a specialised area of law. How did you get involved in this practice area?.Naval Chopra: By training, I am a corporate lawyer. When I returned to India in 2009 after several years at a magic circle firm in London, the Competition Act had just been notified and my wife, Shweta Shroff Chopra, together with my colleague Harman Singh Sandhu, started working in this area with our Managing Partner, Pallavi Shroff. As with everything good in my life, I followed my wife!.Pallavi Saluja: How has competition law evolved over the last six years? Any predictions for the future?.Naval Chopra: The Competition Act has been in force for the last 6 and a half years and during this period, competition law awareness has definitely increased and that is a positive. However, whether consumers or the economy has benefited is a question mark..I think a foundation has been set, and the next 10 years will be crucial in ensuring that competition law is used as a tool to make markets work efficiently and consumers benefit through vigorous competition..Pallavi Saluja: Do you see any shortcomings in the Competition Regulator?.Naval Chopra: As with any young area of law, the issue is one of talent and institutional learning – and this is a problem across the board. We as a law firm find it difficult to hire good quality competition lawyers, so one can imagine how difficult it would be for the Commission..Unfortunately, with most of the staff coming on deputation or short-term contracts, the CCI loses the benefit of the training and experience gained by them, once they leave or return to their parent organisations. Hopefully with time, this will resolve as the CCI builds permanent staff..Pallavi Saluja: Do you think it makes sense to start specialising in competition law in the initial years of your career?.Naval Chopra: Ten years ago I would have said no, but today, students, through internships and other opportunities, are exposed to different areas of the law and I believe they are equipped to make decisions on which area to specialise in once they finish college. I would however recommend an LL.M in competition law before they begin practice as it lays a good foundation..Pallavi Saluja: What are the major differences that you see working in a foreign law firm and an Indian law firm? .Naval Chopra: Whilst 8 years ago the differences were many, today, the differences have definitely narrowed, and it’s a question of catching up to match standards which will take time, given how young the professionalized law firm structure in India is..One major difference that remains is the breadth and depth of knowledge – in India, an AZB will have one Zia, a Cyril Amarchand will have one Cyril, whereas in the west, a major law firm will have many lawyers of their stature and on whose shoulders one can tap on..Pallavi Saluja: Besides being a competition lawyer, we understand that you are also involved in the management of the firm. How do you see your role and the responsibilities/challenges in the light of imminent liberalisation of the legal market?.Naval Chopra: That’s a loaded question! I am not involved in the management of the firm! Our firm is managed by Co-Managing Partners Akshay Chudasama and Pallavi Shroff, together with the Executive Chairman Shardul Shroff and the Management Board. I however make sure to present my views and suggestions at every opportunity I get..Pallavi Saluja: Who has been your mentor?.Naval Chopra: I have many! First and foremost, my father, who taught me to “dream it, do it” and that nothing is impossible. Second, my mother, who taught me to be passionate and stand up for all that I believe in..Professionally, Mr. Arun Jaitley, who has guided me at every important crossroad of my life and Mr. Pratap Amin, Head of the India Group at Freshfields, my first boss, who showed me what hard work, excellence and client service is all about, and all while having fun. I also admire Pallavi Shroff for her ability to handle the challenging demands of the firm and the practice..Pallavi Saluja: What advice would you give to young lawyers entering law firms?.Naval Chopra: Be passionate, be interested, read, read, read, and never be afraid to ask. Focus on the experiences you gain and not on your income or designation.
