Three advocates selected as “Verma Fellows” for 2013; Supreme Court Lawyers Welfare Trust Fellowship re-named in memory of ex-CJI, JS Verma

Three lawyers were recipients of the Supreme Court Lawyers’ Welfare Trust (SCLWT) Fellowships, awarded to junior lawyers practicing in the Apex Court, during a ceremony held on December 9, 2013 in Delhi..The Fellowships, says SCLWT Trustee Gopal Sankaranarayanan, aims at providing, “wide-ranging support to younger and less privileged members of the Bar.”.The Fellowships, which include a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 over two years as well as a full-text edition of SCC Online, were awarded to Rohit Bhat, Adit S. Pujari and Jaikriti Singh Jadeja..Rohit, a graduate of the University Law College, Bangalore (Class of ’09) is currently working under Senior Advocate KK Venugopal. One of the benefits of the Fellowship that Rohit found particularly useful was the access to SCC online, but for Rohit this was more in the nature of a “bonus”..“For me, the Fellowship is not only about the money or the SCC [account],” says Rohit, “but more about the support you get from the people involved in the Trust.” The Fellowship allows him to tap into this support group of sorts, an invaluable asset for a junior lawyer who eventually aims to go independent..Rohit also says that the Fellowship provides for greater visibility that could potentially translate into new clients and more work, once again reflecting the long-term benefits of such awards..Adit, a graduate of WBNUJS Kolkata (Class of ’10) has similar thoughts to share. Currently working with the chambers of Siddharth Aggarwal, he adds that while the monthly stipend and SCC online connection are helpful, it is the, “recognition from peers, seniors, and possibly the Bench, [that] is the best part.”.Last year, the SCWLT Fellowships were awarded to Shivraj Gaonkar and Pallav Mongia. This year, however, saw three fellowships being awarded..Jaikriti Singh Jadeja, a graduate of ILS Pune (Class of ’09) was given a “Special Fellowship” this year. Jaikriti recently joined Gohil & Singh Law Chambers, after completing 3 years with Advocate on Record, Balaji Srinivasan. She echoes Rohit’s words and also adds that, more than anything else, it is the recognition and freedom that the Fellowship brings that is highly valued. “Lawyers and judges have seen you argue,” she says, “and the [monthly stipend] means that you don’t necessarily need to continue associating with a particular chamber.”.In a similar vein, Adit says that the Fellowships provide a sense of reassurance as well. “In a field where appreciation and recognition in the initial years is incredibly scarce,” notes Adit, “[such awards] reassures the recipient that the road chosen might actually be the right one.”.From this year onwards, the Fellows will be referred to as “Verma Fellows” in memory of SCLWT Founder Chairman and former Chief Justice of India, JS Verma. Applications for the fellowships for 2014 will be solicited in early September this year.