HNLU Career Development Conclave 2.0 On "WTO@30 And India: Opportunities And Challenges For Trade Lawyers & Negotiators"

The HNLU colloquium on the theme “WTO@30 & India: Opportunities & Challenges for Trade Lawyers & Negotiators” under Career Development Conclave 2.0 was concluded successfully on 10th November, 2024. The event had Trade Law Experts from Delhi, and Mumbai addressing and interacting with students and faculty of HNLU at the campus

Welcoming the participants, Dr. Ankit Awasthi, Head of the Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, School for Law and Technology at HNLU outlined the event's objectives, emphasizing the focus on recent WTO developments, particularly India's experiences with the global trade regulator and also highlighted the future prospects for trade lawyers and negotiators in the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Prof. (Dr.) James J. Nedumpara Professor and Head, Centre for Trade & Investment Law, IIFT, New Delhi, and WTO Chair in India, delivered the keynote address touching upon the career paths in international trade law, he analyzed current trends and offered valuable advice to aspiring lawyers, drawing on his extensive experience as an academic and a key contributor to India's WTO representation.

Ms. Reema Asthana Khair, Senior Partner and Head, International Trade and Indirect Taxation Practice, Kochhar & Co, addressed the audience, sharing candid insights into her journey from economics graduate to successful trade law practitioner highlighting the challenges for early-stage trade lawyers in India and outlined the opportunities and future prospects for law graduates in the core field of international law while emphasizing the importance of a strong command of domestic legislation.

Mr. Sanjay Notani, Senior Partner & Head, International Trade, Customs & Sustainability Practice, Economic Laws Practice (ELP), Mumbai in his address outlined essential practices for students aspiring to excel in international trade law and emphasized the importance of staying informed about law, economics, politics and current affairs and actively learning about business and commerce to effectively address client needs. Mr. Notani highlighted the crucial ability to concisely explain complex legal issues to clients.

Following the keynote addresses, a Q&A session covered topics such as the implications of digital markets for the GATT and GATS, and the opportunities for trade lawyers in the Blue Economy. As the Q&A session concluded, the resource persons were felicitated with mementos.

The event also witnessed the launch of TradeLab@ HLNU under the Centre for WTO-WIPO Studies, SLT in collaboration with Centre for Trade & Investment Law, IIFT, Delhi by Prof.(Dr.) James J. Nedumpara. The TradeLab is a Geneva-based initiative which brings together students, academics, and legal practitioners with the aim of empowering stakeholders to avail the benefits of research in international trade & investment law.