“I am still in my transition phase from a student to being a professional lawyer, but it’s been fun so far,” says Dahal, who works in a law firm in Kathmandu. According to him, being a lawyer was his second choice but now that he is one, he does not regret he studied it.[break]
Republica caught up with Dahal and asked him about being a lawyer and the many aspects of it.
Why did you choose to be a lawyer?
It’s interesting how I chose law. It was during the State of Emergency in Nepal that I was looking for a course to study. I used to question my father a lot about human rights, the constitution and the acts and all. I was actually trying to get into medical school but I didn’t get the scholarship. Then my father said that I should apply to National School of Law University in India and if I didn’t get in, then I should not become a lawyer. I applied, I got in and here I am today practicing law.
What’s the fun thing about being a lawyer?
That’s an interesting question. I think the fun part of being a lawyer is that you meet a lot of people from different backgrounds. Say for example someone from the corporate world to people who are desperate for your help. I have no fun incidents to share but the lawyers during a hearing in the court, mock each other and that’s funny sometimes.
How difficult is it being a lawyer?
There are two sectors in law; the litigation and non-litigation sector. Litigation sector means that you’ll be practicing it the court defending your clients and to be at it, it will take some time. However, if you get a good job in an organization and you start working there, its non-litigation. Financially one will be more stable with non-litigation and litigation is also difficult. But I practice both at the moment.
Your perception on the youth today.
I think the youth today are very much aware of what they are doing and what they want to be, career wise. They are choosing subjects beyond medicine, engineering and law. I think they are heading in the right direction.
Suggestion to aspiring lawyers in Nepal.
More than suggestion, what I would like to say to the aspiring lawyer or the law students is that there are many avenues one can opt once you are a lawyer. One fine example would be that a law graduate can become a good politician or a lawmaker. Lawyers have a large public life and one should be ready for that too. It’s not an easy ride but it’s worth it.
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