"I don't know what it is about the law, but I've always loved it. It was never a question of whether or not I'd study law—it was just when and where. I’m not sure why but it just seemed like the right thing to do. And so, my journey began.
When I decided to pursue law, it was a very daunting task. Not only was I the first person in my family to do so, but I also had to contend with many self-imposed obstacles and challenges. It's been a long and sometimes difficult journey, but I'm proud to be where I am today.
Of all the experiences and achievements I gained during my studies, what I'm most proud of is how much Law School has shaped me as a person. As a teen, I was very shy and timid but now I'm confident enough to grab every opportunity that comes my way. For starters, studying law at Government Law College, Mumbai has made me more independent and resilient. I have learned to trust my own instincts and skills and to stand up for myself in demanding situations. Law school has also given me the opportunity to develop my critical thinking and research skills, which have been invaluable in my career so far. My Law Degree isn't just a piece of paper to me; it's an accomplishment that came from overcoming my own self-doubt and fears.
It was only after completing my undergraduate degree and gaining some professional experience that I realized how much I enjoyed working with laws and regulations. After two years of working in real estate, I decided to pursue an LLM in Commercial and Corporate Laws at Queen Mary University of London. Consequently, I have become a more compassionate and empathetic person and I am now passionate about using my skills and knowledge to help others.
As a lawyer, I've had the opportunity to help people in a variety of ways. I've worked on cases that have had a positive impact on people's lives and I've also been able to use my knowledge to write articles and create content that helps people understand the law.
In my latest appearance at the YMS London conference 2022, I spoke about balancing a full-time legal role with content creation. This is something that I'm passionate about – finding a way to use my platform and my voice to make a difference. As a guest speaker on the Women in Law panel at the Women in Business Conference 2021 of the London School of Economics, I saw it as an opportunity to share my journey with other women who might be interested in law. I also spoke about my experiences and how I overcame the challenges of being a first-generation law student.
I am a member on an Advisory and Editorial Board of various student run organizations in India and UK wherein I try to give back as much as possible by mentoring students, reviewing research papers as well as delivering guest lectures on several topics of law.
I have a sense of responsibility to help others achieve their dreams, just as so many people helped me achieve mine. If you're considering a career in law, or any other field, don't let anyone tell you that it's not possible. You can do it – I'm living proof!
As a shy girl who has discovered herself through her journey in law, I want to show other women that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. Law can be a difficult field for women, but with dedication and determination, you can achieve anything."
- Utkarsha Nikam
Ms. Utkarsha Nikam completed her LLM (Commercial and Corporate Law) from Queen Mary University of London. She is presently working as an Associate in-house Counsel at BB (UK) Ltd. in London. Having graduated from Government Law College, Mumbai in 2019, she previously worked at Kanga & Co. Real Estate Team in Mumbai. Recently, she was selected to present her research paper at the Queen Mary Postgraduate Law Conference 2021. She has also worked with qLegal, a pro bono law clinic at QMUL, and was involved with the Public Legal Education Program. She is the co-founder of the blog titled Indian Real Estate Blawg (IRB) which aims to simplify real estate law in India.
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