Delhi-based lawyer Tanya Agrawal topped this year's Supreme Court Advocate on Record (AoR) exam..Tanya is a graduate of National Law University (NLU) Jodhpur and has been litigating in Delhi for the past 10 years. She began her practice in the city's trial courts and gradually transitioned to the High Court and Supreme Court.In conversation with Bar and Bench's Ratna Singh, Tanya shares her journey in the legal profession, balancing work with exam preparation and her experiences as a woman in the field..Ratna Singh (RS): How does it feel to have topped the AoR exam?.Tanya Agarwal (TA): It’s a huge sense of relief to be honest. I do feel elated when my family, friends and colleagues mention it. I am not one who otherwise gets overly excited, as I am conscious that litigation is a continuous, unending learning process. Securing 1st rank in the AoR exam brings a sense of personal fulfilment, knowing that I have achieved something rare and impactful in my legal career.Overall, topping the AoR exam is a life-changing moment that combines professional success, personal satisfaction and a deep sense of responsibility towards the legal profession and society..RS: How has your journey been litigating in Delhi for the past 10 years?.TA: Litigating in Delhi for the last 10 years is a transformative journey that has equipped me with unparalleled skills, knowledge, perspective and a deep commitment to the legal profession. Over a decade, I have learnt to manage pressure, meet tight deadlines and handle complex cases with composure.So far, it’s a mix of highs and lows, but most importantly, it is a journey of constant and endless learning where I see myself as a student of law for life.Above all, my experience so far has made me a firm believer that every litigant must always have access to justice, and I find immense satisfaction in representing the under-represented and unrepresented..RS: What were the key challenges you faced while establishing your practice, and how did you navigate them?.TA: Litigation is an endurance test – each step has its own challenges. Be it as a junior in a senior’s chamber or subsequently establishing yourself as an independent legal practitioner.Starting out independent is no cakewalk – particularly when one does not hail from Delhi. Securing a roof over one’s head is the primary challenge. Then comes the challenge of finding an office space, and once this is taken care of, then comes the real task of getting clients/matters and simultaneously finding a good support staff. Then you have to not only sustain what you have built so far, but consistently work to rise higher and higher.Many of us must have read the story of The Crow and the Pitcher in our childhood. Just as how the thirsty crow, with its patience, intelligence and perseverance, was able to quench its thirst, my mantra is – when you are faced with a difficult situation, don’t give up. Patience and persistence are key to overcome any challenge in your litigation journey. Keep going!.RS: Balancing professional commitments with exam preparation can be challenging. What was your study routine like, and how did you manage both effectively?.TA: It was demanding, but I viewed preparation for this exam as an extension of my professional growth. Most times, we confine ourselves to the brief we hold, but for me this was a lifetime opportunity to go far beyond the court briefs/matters and to indulge in extensive reading on varied legal subjects.Most of the preparation happened between court matters. I carried reading material alongside the court files for the day and whatever time I found while waiting for my turn I would utilise by going through the reading material for the exam..RS: What resources did you find most helpful while preparing for the AoR exam?.TA: There is no particular resource which I would say is most helpful. I read whatever I could get my hands on, as long as it had some relevance to the syllabus prescribed. To be honest, I just enjoyed reading. The more I read, the more curious I became, which further prompted me to know even more. There was a point during my preparation where I was reading legal biographies/books which remotely dealt with AOR exam syllabus. This not only gave me immense satisfaction, but also expanded my horizons.One must attend the online lectures organised by the Supreme Court and also the Supreme Court Advocates On Record Association (SCAORA) a few days before the exam. This is mandatory, in my view..RS: What impact does clearing the AoR exam have on a lawyer’s career, especially for women in litigation?.TA: Clearing the AoR exam betters your chance of boosting your practice in the Supreme Court, as one is able to overcome the basic impediment of depending on others to file matters. Though I have not experienced this so far, I guess being an AoR does leave an impression on the minds of prospective clients while engaging you as an advocate to represent them in the Supreme Court.I think the times are changing, women in litigation are doing well. Qualifying the ApR exam in itself, irrespective of one’s gender, is like adding a feather to one’s cap, particularly in terms of Supreme Court practice..RS: What advice would you give future AoR exam aspirants?.TA: My advice to the future AoR exam aspirants is to prepare thoroughly for the exam. If time permits, try to time yourself by solving last 10 years’ papers, because delivering at the time of attempting the exam paper is equally important. Once you exit the examination hall, leave the worry of how you performed behind and gear up for the next paper. Most importantly, sit for all the papers.For lawyers who are practicing independently but may not be able to take the exam for some reason, if you have walked the corridors of the Supreme Court long enough, the time has come to test yourself. Be confident, courageous and take a plunge - success is only a step away..While concluding the interview, Tanya expressed her heartfelt gratitude to those who supported her throughout in this journey."I would take this opportunity to thank my parents, siblings, friends, seniorsand colleagues at the bar, and last but not least, my juniors, clerks, otheroffice staff and house help, each one of them played a role in making thishappen, I shall always be filled with gratitude towards each one of them," she said.
