Profile Evaluation | Ind Male 31 - Lawyer

· Demographics: Indian Male, 31

· Profession: Corporate Lawyer

. Education: B.A.LLB (H) - graduated from one of the top 2 law schools in India after cracking the two toughest law entrance exams (<3% admission rate for each, back in 2009). GPA 6.91/8.

· Other coursework or post-undergraduate education: Certified Commercial Mediator

· GMAT: 740 (Q48/V44 IR6 AWA6)

· Work experience:

2014 - 2019 (5 years)
• Worked at one of the best boutique law firms in India, focussing on anti-trust law and inbound investment advisory for offshore clients and domestic MNCs. Promoted out-of-turn (1 year early) to a senior associate (the first one at the firm).
• Led a team on a challenging healthcare private equity deal (that was later scrapped owing to commercial concerns) in the 2nd year, advising a private equity firm in its investment in a US-based healthcare company.
• Established a structured internship and recruitment process at the firm and led the initiative from the 3rd year onwards. Also mentored and trained the interns and junior associates at the firm.
• Helped set up and run a dedicated start-up-focused practice niche in the 3rd year.
• Assisted clients on challenging mandates in sectors such as technology, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, telecom, e-commerce, and fin-tech.
• Acted as the lead corporate liaison in the firm to other specialised teams, which included the investment arbitration team, the domestic arbitration team, and the anti-trust enforcement team.

2019-2021 (2.5 years)
• Worked in one of India's best and largest full-service law firms. Focused on marquee PE and VC deals, and big-ticket M&A transactions
• Actively involved in intern and associate training by taking webinars and learning sessions.
• One of only a handful in my cohort to have received a promotion in line despite the economic downturn (middle 2020)
• Focused primarily on the healthcare and health-tech sector, helping investment funds and healthcare providers identify mutually beneficial growth avenues. Also worked extensively in other sectors such as fin-tech, ed-tech and semiconductor manufacturing.

2021-present
• Set up my independent legal practice to advise and help companies, funds, and start-ups navigate through challenges
• Work with clients doing exciting work in sectors such as blockchain development and web3 use, health-tech, XaaS, cybersecurity, sustainable housing,
• Frequently write opinions and contextual articles on LinkedIn.


· Extracurricular activities:
• Established the alternate dispute resolution committee to focus on more research and participation of the legal student community in ADR. As a founding member, helped organise competitions, workshops, lectures and training. I was also a part of the first team from the college to participate in and win an internationally renowned mediation competition held in Chicago. Later, I participated as a judge in the competition to encourage greater participation of students.
• Actively took part in mock court (moot court competitions). I won the best speaker at two national level competitions and the 4th best speaker at a global competition. Actively helped train students for future competitions.
• Part of the team whose trial brief (memorandum) was published by the Oxford University Press
Near-term plan (will execute within the next 30-40 days)
• Start a podcast catering to law students, young entrepreneurs, lawyers, start-ups and people working in professional set-ups in general.
• Teach law students in a reputed university.

· Post-MBA goals: I will need assistance to craft it better, but passionate about helping people and companies find growth avenues that are sustainable and that minimise risks (both legal and business risks). Whether that should be entrepreneurial or with a company/VC, I'm open to considering.

· Target schools: Harvard, Booth, Wharton, LBS, INSEAD

· Other information relevant to your profile: I'll be able to obtain solid recommendations from my immediate seniors and the firm's senior partners. It would not be too difficult to highlight my leadership and problem-solving skills in the recommendations.

· Specific Query: Whether to apply in R2 now or R1 next year. In my view, the benefits of applying next year are a) I'd have established my firm and will be able to show greater leadership qualities, and b)I'd have spent more time pursuing extracurricular activities that may aid my application. However, my concern is the age factor. I'd love to get the team's thoughts. Also, do I need to worry about my low GMAT score? I know I messed up a few quant questions, and I am confident that if I give the GMAT again, I'd be able to touch 760. Is that worth the extra month of prep?

Thank you for your assistance!