DayanandSingh: a diligent attorney, taking Indian law beyond conflicts with VidhiAssociates
Dayanand Singh isknown as the trailblazer of the Indian law. With his intelligence and flexibleapproach, Dayanand is leaving his marks in a different sphere of law andpractice.
Indian law has emerged from religious regulationto the modern constitutional and legal system we have today, traversing throughsecular legal systems and the common law. From an artifice of the colonialmasters, the Indian legal system has developed as an indispensable element ofthe world's largest democracy and a crucial front in the battle to secureconstitutional rights for every citizen. Although morethan 30 Million pending cases in the country show the laziness of the law inthe country, yet the establishment of various law firms is working to disruptthe redundant legal tech segment and bring in the much-needed revolution.
And, amongst these innovative firms, VidhiAssociates is one that aims to infuse technological advancements in legalconsultancy. It has been established in 2005 by, Dayanand Singh. And, withinfive years of existence it started providing services including consultancy,Drafting, Legal Research work, Legal Opinion, Due Diligence, Titleverification, Labour Law Compliance and has been looking after civil, criminal,Consumer cases, arbitration and Writ matters of many reputed companies ofvarious sectors Pan India along with handling matrimonial and other personallaw matters at individual front.
While dealing with the legal hurdles, DayanandSingh found great complexities in the system and decided to fill up the vacuum,which eventually inspired him to establish Vidhi. Dayanand Singh is aLitigation Lawyer with an experience of over 20 years since 1999 in allbranches of litigation. His area of practice includes civil, Criminal,Corporate & Writ Matters.
Dayanand Singh is the First Generation advocate.He obtained his Law degree from Campus Law Centre, DU and Graduation andpost-graduation in History from Kirorimal College. He enrolled as an Advocateof the Bihar State Bar Council, Patna in the year 1999.
In an interview with the Startup City, DayanandSingh shared some of the insights behind setting Vidhi Associates as atrademark in the market and his professional journey.
Here are theedited excerpts.
Whatprompted you to make this choice and initiate Vidhi Associates?
As there was no law firm in Patna to cater to theneeds of the corporate sector and commercial litigation, it encouraged me toinaugurate a law firm. I wished to form a team, which can cater to therequirements of clients promptly and can be a one-stop solution for all legalimpediments of the companies and hence led to the foundation of VidhiAssociates.
Whatun-paragoned approach do you bring with your firm?
Our Endeavour is to provide best services to ourclient for that we are constantly evolving ourselves as per the need of each ofour client after getting continuous feedback from them. We aspire to become at par with the top tierlaw firms, and therefore, we are evolving and leaving no stone unturned toreach the highest benchmark in terms of skill development and technology.
Doesthe law vary from sector to sector? Do the legal questions facing differentindustries differ and how do you take them on?
Yes, the law is different for different sectors,though certain laws are central and therefore have universalapplicability. We have separate teamsfor different sectors e.g. insurance sector, banking sector, due diligence,NBFC, telecom, e-commerce, matrimony and other personal laws which renders qualityservices to the companies and individual clients.
Inyour eventful journey, what have been the opportunities and the challenges?
First of all, it was challenging to gain thefaith of clients in the initial days of the career. It took a lot of uphill battle to unfold therequired skill and develop a result-oriented approach. Second thing is that the firm is Bihar based,so clients commenced with negative perception and it took time to break thatimage with our constant performance and on time services that eventually gaveus a lot of opportunities to excel and now we are looking after legal mattersPan India with 6 Offices at Patna, 1 office at Ranchi and about 500 pluscounsel spread all across India.
Howdo you achieve the work-life balance?
The thin line between seeking personal, professionaland monetary achievements is a dicey one. Though, I have learned to balance itwith a dose of stoic philosophy and by taking every opportunity to make my workmore interesting and personable. At the same time, it's also essential to havea clear transition between the workplace and home. So, I take extra caution tonot allow my workplace and personal issues and challenges to mingle.
Mostnotable issue handled by the firm
We have worked on a dispute over infringement oftrademarks and insolvency matters for renowned Indian Cricketer Mr. M.S. Dhoniand also has decade long legal association with many reputed companies ofIndia.
Presentyour perspective on the Indian legal system and its complications.
Indian legal system, like so many other things inIndia, is a paradox in its own right. This organic system has given us manyreasons to be proud of, by giving progressive landmark decisions which wouldbenefit an entire generation. At the same time, the troubling situation ofunder-trial prisoners and pending cases is something which has prevailed sinceyears. Although progress is being made and I am proud of being a small part ofthe change.
Whatis your take on legal education in India?
Since the advent of CLAT, A major step towardsspecialization in legal education has been taken that would support in creatingniche fields and experts associated with it. The establishment of leadinguniversities have become a cornerstone of quality education, and the futurelooks bright with the traditional spoiled image of the profession beingrevamped.
Theproblems, which remain are not particular to the legal education but to theentire Indian education system- Lack of research culture, the rat race ofmarket, teaching is still considered a backup career option are just a fewproblems which plague the education system.
Howis a day in the life of your career look like?
Myday in the office starts with planning my daily routine and preparing achecklist. Then I visit Court in order to appear in the matters listed on thatday. Eventually, I return back to theoffice and have a session with my associates and discuss critical matters andalso attend meetings with my clients.
ForthcomingPlans of Vidhi Associates
Weare planning and working to expand our team for looking after M&A and NCLTmatters. Also, we are contemplating to open a branch office in Mumbai.
Messagefor Law Students and Lawyers
Workhard and there is no short cut to success in the legal profession.
DynamicLeadership
AnilKumar
Joint Partner
AnilKumar is Partner of Vidhi Associates. Anil is a Litigation Lawyer withexperience over a period of Six Years in all branches of litigation since 2010.Anil has pursued his Law Degree from Bihar Institute of Law, Patna aftercompleting his B.A (Hons) in Philosophy. He enrolled as an Advocate of theBihar State Bar Council, Patna in the Year 2010.
PallaviTrivedi
Joint Partner
PallaviTrivedi is the youngest Partner of Vidhi Associates. She is a Litigation Lawyerwith more than 6 years of experience in all branches of litigation. She has obtainedher Law degree from Symbiosis Law School, Pune in the Year 2009 and MBA fromICFAI Business School, Hyderabad in the Year 2011. She enrolled as an Advocateof the Bihar State Bar Council, Patna in the year 2013.
