She is a legal firm in herself. Being an independent lawyer has its pros and cons. Yet, Adv. Shraddha Dalvi has never been deterred by challenges. Rather, she took on them at every turn and turned them into opportunities to advance her mission of being fully committed to the cause of her clients.
In the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, where the intricate tapestry of family life unfolds amidst the urban chaos, navigating the complexities of family law requires a unique blend of legal acumen and profound empathy. Shraddha, a brilliant lawyer specializing in family and labour law, exemplifies this unique blend.
With a deep understanding of the emotional and legal nuances of family disputes, Shraddha thrives in this challenging field. She has established a successful legal practice and strives to reshape the very landscape of family law in India. By seamlessly integrating legal expertise with genuine empathy, she navigates the delicate balance between client expectations and the realities of the legal system, ensuring that her clients receive compassionate and effective legal representation.
In a candid conversation with team Advisory Magazine, Shraddha regaled on how she, being an institute in herself, became one of the Top 10 Most Promising Legal Firms Leading the Way in Law.
As a trailblazer in the legal world, could you take us back to the beginning of your journey? What motivated you to step into this field?
I commenced my professional journey in Human Resources within the education sector. However, I decided to pursue a legal career for enhanced prospects, especially in making policy decisions related to labour law compliance. During my law studies, court visits, particularly to the Family Court in Mumbai, captured my interest due to its unique approach to handling emotionally charged matters like child custody and divorce. Intrigued, I gained hands-on experience working under a senior lawyer in Family Court Mumbai, focusing on matrimonial cases.
The challenges of navigating complex cases involving individuals in emotional turmoil sparked my interest in facilitating amicable settlements. In November 2009, I established my independent practice specializing in matrimonial disputes. Additionally, I served as Treasurer and later Secretary of the Family Court Bar Association, Mumbai, from 2017 to 2019 and 2019 to 2022, respectively. These roles as an office bearer provided me with extensive opportunities to broaden my professional experience.
You have emerged as one of India’s most inspirational lawyers. Could you share the guiding philosophy that has propelled your professional success?
Thank you for your kind words. My guiding philosophy in achieving professional success as a lawyer centres on a commitment to integrity, empathy, and continuous learning. I believe in approaching each case with a profound sense of responsibility, particularly in the emotionally charged field of family law.
Ensuring fair and just outcomes for my clients is paramount. I prioritize transparent and effective communication while navigating legal complexities. Staying abreast of evolving legal landscapes is crucial to providing the best possible guidance to my clients.
In summary, my philosophy revolves around upholding principles of justice, displaying empathy in addressing clients’ emotional challenges, and an unwavering dedication to professional growth and legal excellence.
The legal landscape is continually evolving. How do you ensure that you remain adaptable and ahead of industry trends, providing innovative solutions to your clients?
To stay adaptable and ahead in the legal field, I prioritize continuous legal education, actively engage in industry networking, integrate legal technology, collaborate with peers, gather client feedback, undergo specialized training, hone legal research skills, and uphold ethical standards. These strategies allow me to provide innovative solutions and remain responsive to the evolving legal landscape.
Your leadership style is often recognized as an inspirational force behind your achievements. Could you shed light on your approach to leadership, trust building, and client satisfaction?
Certainly, my leadership approach is centred on team building, trust, and client satisfaction. During my tenure as an office bearer in the Family Court Bar Association, Mumbai, I organized events on critical issues such as marriages to NRIs, training programs on Child’s Independent Lawyers, and Cross-Border Child Custody Cases. Recognizing the mental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, I conducted online yoga sessions for mind healing and successfully organized webinars, keeping people engaged.
Even after completing my tenure, I continue to conduct workshops and webinars for continuous learning. These initiatives not only enhance professional development but also contribute to building a strong network across different fields. My commitment to team well-being, client satisfaction, and continuous learning is reflected in my efforts to create a positive impact, both within the legal community and during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The essence of the legal industry lies in bringing innovation and advancements to the niche. How do you strike a balance between legal limitations and client expectations?
Balancing legal limitations and client expectations as a lawyer involves thorough legal research, transparent communication with clients about legal constraints, risk assessment, collaboration with regulatory authorities when necessary, continuous legal education to stay updated, and providing customized, ethical solutions that meet client needs. The key is to be proactive and adaptive and maintain integrity in navigating the delicate balance between innovation and legal boundaries.
In the realm of legal systems, technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency. How do you leverage technology to optimize services and stay ahead in a digital age?
Staying technologically updated is paramount in the ever-evolving legal landscape. A significant advancement occurred in 2012 when the Bombay High Court allowed video conferences in legal proceedings. Embracing this forward-looking move, I became an early adopter of this technology, particularly benefiting NRI clients facing challenges attending court physically. This proactive approach ensures efficiency and accessibility in an era of digital transformation.
As a leader in India’s legal sector, you might have faced your share of challenges. Could you share an instance where your resilience and ingenuity triumphed over adversity?
Certainly, in another instance involving a matrimonial dispute, the challenge was an emotionally charged situation with high levels of animosity between the parties. Traditional litigation seemed likely to exacerbate tensions rather than lead to a constructive resolution.
To address this, I proposed and facilitated mediation sessions. Mediation provided a more amicable and collaborative environment for the parties to communicate their concerns and work towards mutually acceptable solutions. The process allowed for a more personalized and tailored resolution, considering the unique dynamics of the relationship and the needs of each party.
By opting for mediation, we mitigated conflict, preserved relationships where possible, and reached agreements that both parties found acceptable. This approach not only demonstrated adaptability in choosing the most suitable dispute resolution method but also emphasized the importance of a client-centric approach in matrimonial cases.
