Welcome to Brief Encounters: Law School & Beyond, a podcast by Project LLM. The series explores journeys of Indian professionals who have pursued legal education abroad. The goal is to bring out stories, experiences, and practical advice to inspire and guide others considering an overseas legal education.
In this episode, we welcome Ms. Sakshi Srivastava, a distinguished legal professional currently practicing litigation at the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of Rajasthan. Ms. Srivastava holds an LL.M. from Columbia University, where she was recognized as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. She is also a faculty member at Jindal Global Law School (JGLS).
How did your stint with law start? Was it certain that you wanted to pursue law from the very beginning?
So, I decided in grade six, actually, that I wanted to be a lawyer. I was always infatuated by this idea of advising other people or helping people out, and I thought it’d be really cool to be a lawyer, actually, when I was a kid. India Today used to have these issues of college ranking, and I would really wait for it, go to the law section and check out all the top colleges that I wanted to get to. Initially, I thought I would be more into corporate law, but I kind of changed that into more litigation practice later.
You did your undergrad from an early age, but what motivated you to pursue an LLM, and that also abroad?
I was litigating once I graduated in 2003 and then joined the AG office in Rajasthan. My brother lives in the US, and I was visiting him in New York; that is when I got the idea of studying abroad. I liked the idea of having international exposure for personal as well as professional growth. After a few years in the litigation field, it seemed like a nice break. I applied, but then COVID came, so I deferred it by one year because I wanted to have a personal experience there.
Now that you have the comparative perspective of both India and the US, how would you compare the educational experiences? What differences do you observe when it came to the teaching method, the curriculum, the overall academic environment?
I studied at Columbia in New York, where the American education system is quite different from the Indian system. In India, we have a more lecture-based approach, similar to our school system but modeled after the British way of education. In contrast, the American system is more about the Socratic method, expecting you to pre-read and engage in discussions. There’s also a greater focus on electives, experiential learning, and practical applications through clinics and externships, which are less common in India.
In the US, the focus is more on electives and seminars rather than a fixed curriculum every day. This flexibility allows for deep dives into specialized topics, which isn’t as prevalent in India. For instance, I took a negotiations workshop which was incredibly practical and useful, something that’s rare at Indian law schools. Plus, the American system uses a lot of the Socratic method, expecting you to come prepared to discuss and debate in class, which contrasts with the more direct teaching style in India.
How did these differences impact your approach to learning and practicing law?
It was transformative. The U.S. system pushed me to become more proactive and self-driven in my studies. The emphasis on class participation and practical learning through externships and clinics was especially enriching. It prepared me for real-world legal challenges more effectively than the more theoretical approach I was used to in India. Plus, having the opportunity to choose classes aligned with my interests in litigation and corporate law allowed me to tailor my education to my career aspirations.
With your extensive background, what insights would you offer to aspiring lawyers who are contemplating an LLM or studying abroad?
I would advise them to really think about what they want to specialize in and seek programs that offer strong courses in those areas. Studying abroad can offer incredible breadth and depth in legal education, exposing you to international legal standards and diverse methodologies. It’s also crucial to immerse yourself in different cultures and legal systems, as it broadens your perspective and enhances your adaptability in various legal environments.
Unlike many candidates who pursue their foreign master’s right after their undergrad degree, you had around six years of professional experience before doing so. How did having this work experience impact your study abroad? And what do you think was a better choice: going right after your undergrad or after gaining some work experience?
It really depends. In the UK, the common trend is to apply right after college graduation because the LLMs there are more academically oriented. However, in the US, programs like at Columbia, they generally look for a minimum of two years of work experience. My classmates typically had at least three years. Work experience makes the US LLM more enriching and relevant, especially for those who want to change their career trajectory or join top global firms, where you get to be involved in entire transactions rather than just parts, as is common in less developed markets like India.
Once you decided to pursue an LLM, what was your final college shortlist like, and what key factors did you consider in making a decision to end up at Columbia?
My decision wasn’t very traditional because my brother lived in New York, and I wanted to be close to him, which made Columbia a practical choice as it was only 20 minutes away. Financially and emotionally, it was also convenient. However, I also considered the college’s rank and the brand value. Columbia offered a general degree with courses in dispute resolution, which was my area of interest. The quality of professors and the variety of courses available were critical factors. It’s important to choose a program where the course content and professors align with your career goals and interests.
What was your application process like? Where did any specific challenges that we faced? while applying to Columbia?
Regarding the application process, I applied to multiple colleges. It’s crucial to write a statement of purpose that stands out. I consulted with many on how to write a compelling one, which is crucial. Colleges aim for a diverse cohort, selecting candidates from various fields to form a well-rounded group. This isn’t usually stated outright, but it’s an understood practice. Your real competition is often within your specific niche, not across the entire applicant pool.
There’s a misconception that top-tier law firm experience is essential for admission, but that’s not the case. Your application’s success can depend on various factors, and decisions are made on a rolling basis. It’s important not to be disheartened by rejections, as the selection criteria can be quite unpredictable.
A key part of the application is to ensure your statement of purpose is personal and original. It should reflect honest and personal insights, mentioning why you want to attend their university specifically, highlighting courses and professors that interest you. Starting your statement with a personal story can be compelling. Despite our cultural emphasis on humility, it’s important in these applications to confidently showcase your achievements and aspirations.
Your extracurricular activities and grades are also crucial. Top universities, especially in the UK, often ask if you’re in the top percentile of your class, which can significantly strengthen your application. It’s essential to be engaged in activities that show leadership and responsibility, which are valued highly.
On the topic of letters of recommendation, they should come from individuals you’ve worked closely with, whether in a professional or academic setting. This provides a stronger, more credible endorsement of your capabilities.
In law school, establishing good relationships with professors is vital. If you’re thinking about letters of recommendation, which are very generic, it’s important to have deeper relationships with some professors who can write substantively about you. This means being involved in various centers or initiatives, or working on projects that allow you to interact more closely with faculty members.
You can also consider working with professors from different universities or with firm partners. Any such relationship is valued because it shows your commitment to academia. Essentially, you need to present yourself as a meritorious candidate, well-rounded in academics, extracurriculars, and research.
That sounds like a well-rounded approach. It’s not just about excelling academically but also about building a versatile profile.
Exactly, being a ‘Jack of all trades’ in law school can be beneficial. Specializing in a field like arbitration, for instance, and writing papers on it can also strengthen your profile. Publications are particularly important; they significantly enhance your application because they demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your field.
In fact, having a publication in law school is something I advise all students to strive for. It’s challenging but extremely rewarding and beneficial for your applications. Besides academics, leadership roles and other responsibilities also reflect well on your character and capabilities.
You’ve had an amazing journey, from being an editor-in-chief to founding the center for comparative constitutional and administrative law. Could you expand on your experience with the legal aid committee and the collaboration with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative?
This initiative was one of the most enlightening experiences. We worked under Professor Shastri, who believed in never turning away anyone wanting to do legal work. We managed about 150 students at our legal aid center. We had various divisions, and one of them involved collaborating with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative on a project about undertrial prisoners.
We used to visit Jodhpur prison every Saturday, interacting with the prisoners, understanding their rights, and assisting them wherever possible. This not only gave us profound insights into the stark realities these individuals face but also inspired many students to pursue careers in human rights.
Additionally, we held village camps where we collaborated with local judges and provided legal aid to the villagers. These experiences were humbling; they taught us the importance of serving without patronizing, a lesson that profoundly shaped my perspective on legal aid and advocacy.
Compared to other jurisdictions, U.S. universities have very high tuition fees. How did you manage your finances while studying abroad?
Indeed, studying in the U.S. can be more expensive compared to European colleges and even those in the UK. I was fortunate because I lived with my brother in New York, which helped me save significantly on housing costs, a major expense for most students. For general advice, choosing shared accommodations can substantially reduce costs, as many universities offer subsidized housing options. Also, engaging in research assistantships can provide both financial benefits and valuable experience. I managed to earn about $8,000 from my assistantship, which helped cover some of my expenses. It’s important to explore all available opportunities for financial aid and part-time work, which can make managing finances abroad more feasible.
Besides tuition, there are other ways to manage finances. For instance, attending university events where free food is provided can help with daily meals. Being proactive about participating in conferences and seminars not only aids in learning but also helps in budgeting for meals. Additionally, engaging in societies like the Murder Mystery Society, which offered free pizzas at events, is another way to save.
Cooking for yourself is another significant way to cut costs. Instead of ordering out, shopping at grocery stores and preparing your meals can help keep your budget under control. Also, applying for scholarships is crucial, especially in the UK where more opportunities might be available than in the US. Although tuition waivers are rare in the US, they do exist for specific programs like the human rights fellowship at Columbia.
How has your international experience enriched your personal and professional life beyond the academic and career achievements?
Personally, the experience was incredibly enriching. The international exposure was phenomenal. Our cohort was incredibly diverse, with students from around 50-60 different countries. This diversity allowed me to build global friendships and understand various cultures intimately, which I hadn’t experienced before.
One interesting observation was the cultural similarities across different countries, like Ethiopia and Argentina, which surprised me. It’s enlightening to see how cultures can be so similar yet so distinct. These insights came not just from friendships but also from practical courses like the negotiations workshop, which taught me how different cultural backgrounds influence professional behaviors and negotiations.
This class was particularly transformative, helping me adjust my negotiation tactics from being overly assertive to more solution-oriented, which is crucial in professional settings. Such experiences are not just about learning academically but also about personal growth and understanding how to interact effectively across different cultures.
(This transcript is based on the original interview’s audio. It is a refined version and may contain minor errors, omissions, or variations from the verbatim recording. For the guest’s exact inputs and sentiments, please listen to the podcast episode.)
