[Alumni of the Month / January 2024] Parizad Irani

Q - Could you tell me more about yourself and what you're currently doing? 

A - My name is Parizad Irani. I am a dual-qualified lawyer (India-France). I obtained my Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the prestigious Government Law College in Mumbai and subsequently worked for a year with a leading full-service law firm (AZB & Partners) in Mumbai in its Corporate Law/M&A practice. Later, I moved to Paris in 2019 to pursue my higher legal education at University Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne or the Sorbonne Law School. Firstly, I obtained my Master of Laws (LLM) degree in French and European Union Law followed by a specialized professional masters degree (Master 2) in French Business Law from the same school. In the midst of pursuing my Master 2 degree, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, I had to move back to India. Accordingly, I pursued my Master 2 degree online and soon after received an offer to join another leading full-service law firm (Khaitan & Co) in Mumbai. After having worked at Khaitan & Co for about a year, I decided to enhance my professional prospects by taking the French Bar examination for foreign qualified lawyers, also commonly known as the Article 100 examination. Having successfully cleared the examination last year, I am now fully qualified to practice French law in France just like a local French lawyer. Currently, I am working as a freelancer and exploring full-time job opportunities in the legal field in France. 

Q – What made you choose France as your study destination?

A - France is one of the leading destinations for international students to pursue their higher education with the French higher education system being one of the finest in the world. At a personal level, there were a variety of factors which influenced my decision to choose France as my study destination. One of the primary factors that influenced my decision to study in France was my close connection with the French language and culture since a very young age. I started learning the French language in school and continued learning it during my undergraduate studies in St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai where I delved into the detailed study of French literature in French. Further, I decided to pursue the language more professionally at the Alliance Française in Mumbai where I successfully completed my DELF B2 certification. 

Besides, I had the opportunity to discover and experience French culture first hand thanks to a cultural exchange programme organised between my law school in India and a local commerce school in Compiègne in France. Further, as a lawyer I noticed that a vast majority of my peers who wished to pursue their higher legal education applied to universities in the US and the UK. I wanted to carve my own unique path while making the most of my experience with the French language and culture. Accordingly, I applied to the Sorbonne Law School to study law. Lastly, my decision was also shaped by two very accomplished individuals and mentors - my law school professor who had been a visiting faculty member at the Sorbonne Law School and my law school senior who had studied there. 

Q - How has studying in France helped you develop professionally and personally?

A – In my opinion, having a dual legal qualification gives you a lot of advantages. It opens up a plethora of professional opportunities in both countries which would not be possible otherwise with a single jurisdiction qualification. Also, studying in a different country and having classmates from around the world has a huge impact on your personal development. During my LLM degree programme, I had the opportunity to study alongside lawyers coming from Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Latin America. It was truly a melting pot of cultures where I got to learn not only about different legal systems but also about different cultures and customs. These interactions certainly help in building lasting connections and a strong international network which are essential for career advancement for young lawyers like me. I think such exposure is enriching and fulfilling, both personally and professionally, which is one of the best parts of being an international student abroad.  

Q – How do you think the work and study culture is different in France compared to India?

A - As regards the study culture, it is definitely rigorous and competitive. The approach is very direct and structured. Another factor that I observed during my study in France is that French universities place a lot of emphasis on methodology in written as well as oral assessments. So this was something very new for me as compared to studying in India. 

As regards the French work culture, I had the opportunity to do a three month long traineeship with a French law firm in Paris. Accordingly, I experienced the French style of working first hand. There is certainly a sense of organizational hierarchy which is to be respected while dealing with senior lawyers but most of them are friendly and approachable. I had to share an office space with a group of co-trainees from different law schools across France and there was a healthy balance between camaraderie and competition among us. The French place good emphasis on work-life balance and so even as a trainee my personal time was respected on weekends unless there was an urgent client requirement and deliverable. Work flow was also less during the summer months when most French lawyers are on vacation. So overall a healthy work-life balance is encouraged and respected which would not necessarily always be the case in India.  Overall, it was a great learning experience for me, both personally and professionally. 

Q – How do you think learning French is important for the students.

A- In my opinion, learning a foreign language is the gateway to understanding and appreciating a new country and its traditions, customs and culture especially so in a multi-cultural world. French is one of the most widely spoken languages globally making it a good choice for Indian students to pursue.  Specifically with regard to Indian students. As regards France, prior knowledge of the French language will definitely be a plus for students who wish to pursue their education in top-notch French universities while also ensuring an edge in the highly competitive job market in France. More generally, learning French would help Indian students better integrate into French society and culture. 

Q - How do you anticipate that the recent launch of the Classes Internationales by the French Network in India will positively influence students who opt to pursue higher studies in France through this program, which entails studying French initially and commencing their degree the following year?

A - The "Classes Internationales" initiative by the French Network in India is a commendable endeavor. This program not only facilitates the learning of the French language but also opens doors to a diverse array of management and engineering programs at the undergraduate level in France. For many bright young Indians aspiring to study in France, this initiative addresses a longstanding barrier who till date could not access these coveted programmes due to the language gap. 

It will also make the transition easier for those students who wish to pursue their post graduate studies in France as they will be well acquainted with the French language and the style of learning especially the methodology and would have already been better integrated culturally in the country. This would further pave the way for better professional opportunities for those students who would like to stay back in France post their education/research to gain valuable work experience which would assist them in their future personal and professional endeavors.