This post is part of our ‘A Day in the Life’ segment, where we showcase the lives of legal professionals. The segment aims to help you make inspired and informed career decisions.
Mr. Sanjay Sethiya is the Founding Partner of Law Square, Advocates & Solicitors, and has been practicing since 2008. Over the last seventeen years, he has worked across diverse areas including litigation, corporate disputes, and intellectual property.
Each of these experiences has contributed immensely to his growth as both a lawyer and an entrepreneur.
What inspired you to start your own firm, and what were the biggest challenges you faced while establishing your practice?
The inspiration to start my own firm came from a very simple but powerful realization, when justice is delivered, the sense of relief and gratitude in the client’s eyes is priceless. That human connection and sense of purpose made me want to build something of my own.
The biggest challenge in the early years was that everything had to be managed single-handedly. I was responsible not just for client service, research, drafting and court appearances, but also for the administrative aspects of running a firm. It was overwhelming at times, but the experience taught me resilience, time management and the importance of patience in building something meaningful.
Can you describe your specific responsibilities in this role?
My responsibilities as Founding Partner are multi-dimensional. On one hand, I manage and mentor my team, ensuring they receive the right exposure and guidance to develop into strong professionals. On the other hand, I remain deeply involved in client matters, personally reviewing documents, preparing strategies, and appearing before courts.
In addition, a large part of my role is also about ensuring that every client feels valued, heard and supported throughout their journey with us. Balancing leadership, strategy and practice is what defines my day-to-day role.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned since starting in this role?
The most important lesson has been that learning never stops. Law is a profession where new challenges, precedents, and perspectives keep emerging, and one has to constantly sharpen one’s skills to stay relevant. Beyond the technicalities of law, I have also learned that patience, adaptability, and discipline are equally critical.
Ultimately, the law is not just a career; it is a way of life, and the way you approach it determines the kind of professional and person you become.
What are the biggest challenges you face in running or managing a law firm as a partner?
Time is the most pressing challenge. The demands of litigation, client servicing, team building and firm administration often compete with one another, leaving little space for personal life. Delegation and prioritization are skills I have had to consciously develop, because without them it is very easy to feel stretched thin.
For young lawyers, my advice would be to learn the difference between what is urgent and what is important, and build the discipline to manage both effectively.
What’s the one thing that surprised you about the job when you started?
What surprised me most was the degree of trust clients placed in me, even in the early years of my career. I realized very quickly that clients do not rely only on experience or years in the profession; they look for sincerity, honesty and the assurance that you will stand by them in difficult times. Trust, once earned, is the foundation of a sustainable legal career.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
My day usually begins with quality time with my children before they leave for school, followed by a brisk walk with my wife and a few minutes of meditation to set the tone for the day. From around 10 am to 5:30 pm, I am usually in courts, handling hearings, interacting with clients, and coordinating with counsel.
The second part of my day begins around 6 pm at the office, which is dedicated to client meetings, team discussions, and preparation of pending drafts. Often, the evening hours are as demanding as the daytime court work. I have learned that without conscious routines for health and family, this profession can easily consume every waking moment.
What are the Pros and Cons of your work?
The greatest advantage of this profession is that every single day brings new challenges, making it intellectually stimulating and never monotonous. There is also the deep satisfaction of knowing that your work can directly impact people’s lives and businesses in profound ways.
At the same time, the biggest drawback is that the profession demands an enormous investment of time and attention, often at the cost of personal and family commitments. The unpredictability of litigation can further disrupt even the best-laid plans.
The only way to sustain yourself in the long run is by setting conscious boundaries and making health a priority alongside work.
What qualities do you look for when hiring young lawyers or interns?
I do not expect young lawyers to have all the answers. What I look for instead is the zeal to learn, the sincerity to carry out responsibilities with seriousness, and the willingness to work hard when the situation demands it. Even a small task, if done with thoroughness and curiosity, can leave a lasting impression.
The ability to ask the right questions and the eagerness to understand the ‘why’ behind instructions is often a greater asset than pre-existing knowledge.
What advice would you give to students or young lawyers who aspire to lead or build a firm one day?
My foremost advice would be to keep patience. Building a practice is not an overnight journey; it requires years of persistence and consistency. Invest time in building meaningful relationships, because this profession is as much about trust and reputation as it is about knowledge of law.
Learn to develop leadership skills early, whether it is guiding a junior, managing a client, or handling pressure situations. Above all, remain grounded. Humility and persistence will carry you much further than short term flashes of success.
Please recommend any books or resources that you think every law student should explore.
Read books that could help you overcome your areas of challenge.
Rather than following a standard reading list, I recommend that students identify their personal areas of challenge and read accordingly. If you struggle with drafting, pick up practical drafting manuals. If leadership or productivity is your weak spot, read books on management and self-development.
That said, a few recommendations I often give are Letters to a Young Lawyer by Alan Dershowitz, which offers perspective on the profession, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, which helps in building discipline and leadership. Above all, spend time with landmark judgments—there is no better teacher than case law itself.
And do not restrict yourself to law alone, reading on psychology, business, and philosophy can broaden your perspective and make you a more well-rounded lawyer and leader.
Disclaimer: Interviews published on Lawctopus are not thoroughly edited to retain the voice of the interviewee.
