A Brief Introduction of Shaili Muzoomdar
Shaili Muzoomdar graduated from Government Law College, Mumbai, in the year 2012. She enrolled as an Articled Clerk with Hariani & Co., Advocates and Solicitors, in her second year of law, during which she gathered considerable experience in the fields of Real Estate and Corporate Law.
She continued to work with Hariani & Co. for almost 5 years, during which she realized that her true passion lies in litigation.
In 2014, she joined Advocate Mrs. Mridula Kadam’s chambers and continued to assist her as her junior till 2021, while simultaneously practicing as an independent lawyer in the field of matrimonial laws. She works extensively in matters relating to divorce, maintenance, custody, restitution of conjugal rights etc. She also advises in matters relating to adoption and surrogacy. She strongly believes in aiming for conciliation over conflict, amicability over acrimony and resolution over rupture.
She represented India as a student ambassador in the International peace and conflict resolution programme called Seeds of Peace. She has visited countries like USA, UK, Germany, Pakistan, Jordan, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Abu Dhabi to participate in international peace conferences and cultural exchange programmes. She was awarded the Rotary Youth Icon for the year 2005 and 2006 and was a president of the Interact Club for the year 2005.
She is member of the Indo-American Society. and has served as a president of her chapter in Business Networking International for the year 2021. She is also a member of international community called GATHER and represented India as the only Hindu in Muslim Jewish Conference held in Berlin in 2015.
She has also been a part of the Internal Complaint Committee of a on Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace.
Her other interests include reading, writing, public speaking, debating and cooking. She has been a professional compere since the age of 10 years and has also recited poems written by her at various platforms. She is fluent in 7 languages and is a firm believer of unity in diversity.
Recently we got on opportunity to interact with her & here is the excerpt from the interview
Interviewer: To start, could you tell us about your journey into law? What inspired you to pursue this career?
Shaili Muzoomdar:
Thank you for having me! While my official journey in law began during my time at Government Law College, Mumbai, even as a child I was inexplicably drawn to analysing a given situation from multiple angles and then formulating arguments in support of each of those angles.
During my study of law, I found myself even more drawn to the intricacies of various laws, the legal systems and the impact they have on our lives. Initially, I worked in corporate and real estate law, but I soon realized that my true passion lies in litigation, particularly in the field of matrimonial and family laws where I could work with individuals and help them navigate personal challenges.
Interviewer: Your approach emphasizes conciliation over conflict. Can you share an example of how this philosophy has influenced your work?
Shaili Muzoomdar:
I have always been a staunch believer of handling disputes and discord with dignity. In the same vein, I believe in ‘divorce with dignity’. In any relationship, especially so in marriage, disagreements are acceptable but disrespect is not. While a marriage may have reached a breaking point, it is best to part ways amicably and civilly (as far as possible). By washing your dirty linen in public or levying disturbing allegations against each other in public, a couple is disrespecting and disregarding the good moments (howsoever few) that they would have once shared together. By engaging in a battle of words with a person that you once chose to spend your life with will only lead to emotional, mental and physical exhaustion in the long run. My attempt is always to make my client come out better from a divorce and not bitter. By ‘conciliation’, I do not mean blindly giving into unreasonable demands of the other or tolerating any form of abuse from the other person. By conciliation, I mean developing emotional intelligence to understand that the aim of a divorce should be to end one’s suffering and the aim should not be to inflict suffering on the other person. The idea should not be to ‘teach the other person a lesson’ but to learn a lesson ourselves and distance ourselves from a dead or abusive marriage at the soonest. Admittedly, there are cases where a legal battle in court, howsoever long it might last, is absolutely imperative and once must not shy away from it. However, in many cases, it is possible to bid goodbye with grace, walk away with wisdom and part ways while keeping your poise intact. Conciliation is about being able to choose civility over cacophony, recovery over revenge and maturity over malevolence. Conciliatory (not reconciliation) and co-operative approach can lead to better outcomes for families, especially children. For instance, in a recent custody battle, we focused on mediation instead of litigation, which ultimately allowed both parents to co-parent which ensured welfare of the child. It was rewarding to see the divorcing couple find a common ground instead of becoming adversaries.
Interviewer: You’ve also attended various international peace and conflict resolution programs and cultural exchange programs. How have those experiences influenced your work in law?
Shaili Muzoomdar:
Participating in international conferences and cultural exchange programs from a young age opened my eyes to different perspectives on conflict resolution. It reinforced my belief in the power of dialogue and respectful discussion. It showed me that every coin has two sides and that there is ‘a’ truth and not ‘the’ truth. Human relations are complex and span over shades of grey and can not be seen as black or white. It made me realize that we can listen to the other side without the obligation of accepting their narrative. These experiences help me approach legal issues with a broader, more inclusive mindset, which is essential in today’s diverse society. Most importantly, these experiences gave me a lot of exposure and insight in understanding different human natures which help me in understanding my client better by being able to go beyond their words to understand their expectations.
Interviewer: You’re involved in many organizations and initiatives, and have also been on the Committee for prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace in companies. How do you balance your legal practice with these commitments?
Shaili Muzoomdar:
It can be challenging, but I believe in the importance of community service and advocacy. I do not see these commitments and my legal practice as separate. I believe that advocacy for fairness and justice must resonate from our every action. These roles enrich my understanding of social issues and the role laws can play in resolving them, which ultimately benefit my clients. I try to manage my time effectively and prioritize tasks to ensure I can contribute meaningfully to each commitment.
Interviewer: Outside of your legal career, you have a passion for public speaking, writing, reading and even cooking! How do these interests complement your professional life?
Shaili Muzoomdar:
Oscar Wilde said that ‘if you know what you want to be, then you inevitably become it- that is your punishment. But if you never know, then you can be anything.’ There is a lot of wisdom in this saying. I strongly believe that we (humans) are not nouns, we are verbs. I am not a ‘thing’ like a chef or a writer, I am a person who does things- I write, I read, I cook, I compere and I love doing all these things. I think that one can be imprisoned if one thinks of one’s self as a noun and becomes bound in the four walls of it. These other activities help me feel free, let me wander without being lost, allow me to be creative without any compulsion. Public speaking and debating sharpen my ability to articulate legal arguments, while writing helps me clarify my thoughts and communicate effectively with clients. I believe that one must constantly challenge one’s beliefs and convictions or else one will become rigid and stagnant. Reading and travelling help me come across various perspectives and experiences which are different from my own and thus help me broaden my horizon and grow. cooking, on the other hand, is a joyful escape that brings people together, which I find resonates with my belief in unity.
Interviewer: You’re fluent in six languages, which is quite impressive! How has this skill impacted your interactions in your legal practice?
Shaili Muzoomdar:
Being multilingual allows me to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds and makes them feel more comfortable sharing their stories. I believe that many people can express themselves best and without any inhibitions in their mother tongues. When I am able to communicate with them in their language of comfort, it helps break down barriers and fosters trust, which is crucial in a relationship between an advocate and a client.
Interviewer: Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring lawyers who want to follow in your footsteps, especially in litigation?
Shaili Muzoomdar:
I would encourage them to pursue their passion relentlessly and never lose sight of the human element in law. Building strong relationships and practicing empathy are just as important as legal knowledge. Stay curious, be open to learning, and remember that every case is a story waiting to be told. I would also emphasize on the importance of developing a passion for reading and researching so that they can always be updated.
Interviewer: Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Shaili. It’s inspiring to hear about your journey and your commitment to both your clients and the broader community.
Shaili Muzoomdar:
Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing my experiences with you.
Author: Nitin mittal
CA by qualification
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