Associate Experience: Smita Rajmohan

Why did you decide to become a lawyer?

I knew at a pretty early age that I wanted to do something impactful. I was also a natural debater – law seemed like an easy and obvious choice.

 

Could you tell us a bit about your career path in India?

During law school, I worked as an intern for Soli Sorabjee, the former Attorney General of India. It was an amazing experience and got me excited at the prospect of becoming a litigator. Once I graduated law school and passed the Indian bar exam, I joined the chambers of a senior advocate at the Supreme Court (equivalent of a Queen’s Counsel in the UK).

 

“The Supreme Court eventually ruled that sex workers should be able to enjoy the same fundamental rights as others. I feel proud for having played a small part in this outcome.”

 

What are some of your most memorable moments in your time as a litigator before the Supreme Court?

I remember assisting on a public interest case relating to victims of human trafficking. In India, sex workers face great difficulty in getting ration cards, voter's identity cards and in opening bank accounts. Based on our recommendations, the Supreme Court eventually ruled that appropriate authorities must work to fix these issues and sex workers should be able to enjoy the same fundamental rights as others. I feel proud for having played a small part in this outcome.

 

Why did you then decide to move to the US and qualify here?

During my practice, I realized that I found cases relating to technology and intellectual property particularly enjoyable to work on. I started thinking about applying to graduate school and before I knew it I was pursuing a Master’s degree at Berkeley Law, one of the best schools in the world for law and technology.

 

What challenges did you face as an overseas candidate qualifying in the US?

I think translating my foreign credentials and accomplishments to US employers took some time and effort. I also sat the California Bar Exam in order to get licensed in California. I had never known a system where each state requires its own bar exam before. In India, there is one national bar exam which qualifies you to practice in all states! Despite all this, I found the US to be a welcoming place filled with opportunities and kindness.

 

“It’s been very satisfying to work on transformative deals that make news.”

 

Where did you start your US career? What kind of work did you do there?

At Berkeley Law, I fell in love with all things law and tech. Several of my professors were practitioners and in-house legal counsel that would advise on legal issues arising from interesting and cutting-edge technology. I wanted a similar path for myself. I started my US practice at Kirkland & Ellis in San Francisco in the intellectual property transactions group. I was fortunate to work on several high-profile transactions and advise on the IP aspects of these transactions.

 

How is your practice different at Cooley? What does your job involve now?

At Cooley, I work a lot with startups and emerging growth companies. Many of my clients are brand names in the technology space. It’s been very satisfying to work on transformative deals that make news. I draft and negotiate technology deals and advise on legal issues with respect to my clients’ products, from ideation through launch. It’s incredibly rewarding work.

 

What does your international experience bring to you as a lawyer in the US?

Having a wide range of experience in litigation and corporate transactions across jurisdictions has been a phenomenal asset to my practice. It’s been particularly useful when I do India facing commercial deals. Being able to speak the language (both literally and legally) of opposing counsel makes it easier for me to connect with them and align our business objectives. 

 

“I have no regrets about having taken a step to venture out of my comfort zone to practice law in a different country.”

 

Can you tell us a bit about your professional commitments outside of work?

I am very passionate about diversity and inclusion. I sit on the boards of UN Women USA – SF, the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California and the Berkeley Law Alumni Association. All of these organizations do fantastic work for the empowerment and amplification of women and minorities and I feel privileged to play my small part in changing the world for the better.

 

How has your experience so far helped prepare you for future decisions and career moves? What do you still want to achieve with your career?

I have definitely become more comfortable in taking informed decisions that may not be in my comfort zone. I've also come to realize that with enough hard work, learning curves can seem less daunting. In the future, I hope to continue to do more impactful work, be a driver of disruptive technology, and give back to the community in meaningful ways.

 

As someone who has taken different directions and made big career-changing decisions, what would you say are the pros and cons of associates changing their career path?

I know it’s been said too many times before but there is truth to it – be brave and believe in yourself! I have no regrets about having taken a step to venture out of my comfort zone to practice law in a different country. The best things in life never come easy. At the end of the day, you will always excel when you love what you do. So find out what that is and then go do it!

 

How has your experience so far helped prepare you for future decisions and career moves? What do you still want to achieve with your career?

I have definitely become more comfortable in taking informed decisions that may not be in my comfort zone. I've also come to realize that with enough hard work, learning curves can seem less daunting. In the future, I hope to continue to do more impactful work, be a driver of disruptive technology, and give back to the community in meaningful ways.