Actionable Insights
- Developing a Unique Drafting Style: Lipi emphasizes the importance of having a distinctive style in contract drafting.
- Understanding Contract Consequences: She highlights the need to consider the impact of contract clauses on clients.
- Comprehensive Information Gathering: Lipi’s meticulous approach to collecting client information ensures no detail is missed.
- Leveraging Technology: Using cloud storage and templates to streamline the drafting process.
- Continuous Learning: Staying updated with legal changes and reading judgments to ensure legally sound contracts.
Introduction
In the dynamic realm of contract drafting and legal innovation, Lipi Garg has distinguished herself as a leading expert. With over three years of dedicated experience, Lipi has developed a unique approach that sets her apart in the legal community. From her early days navigating the challenges of law school during a pandemic to becoming a sought-after freelancer, her journey is both inspiring and instructive. In this interview, Lipi shares her insights on mastering contract drafting, common pitfalls to avoid, and the importance of continuous learning. This discussion is brought to you by Startup Advisors, your trusted partner for legal and business advisory services.
Interview
Sayantani: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you became a contract drafting specialist?
Lipi Garg: Right, so soon after I entered law school, COVID-19 happened, and many opportunities for law students diminished because courts were shut. I joined a couple of startups to gain experience, which introduced me to platforms like LinkedIn. These were legal edtech startups, and their forward-looking founders encouraged me to explore these fields. I was very curious about how someone could earn money sitting at home working on their laptop. So, I started interning as a researching assistant to a professor at Jindal Global Law School, who also had a startup where he assisted companies with drafting contracts. This piqued my interest in drafting contracts. He taught me the basics, and I took a few basic courses to get a sense of how contracts work. From there, I started my journey with contracts and took a few independent clients.
Sayantani: Just a little bit off-topic, but when did you graduate, and where are you based? How do you like working with startups?
Lipi Garg: I’m based in New Delhi, and I’ve been freelancing for the last three years. I have graduated this year itself. Initially, clients were skeptical about working with a student, but I built a portfolio and collected testimonials. Some clients even ran away because I was a student, but I always partnered with experienced professionals to complete projects. My motive in the first couple of years was to upskill myself rather than just earn money. Eventually, projects started flowing in as I gained more traction on LinkedIn through my content.
Sayantani: What are the most common mistakes you see people make when drafting contracts, and what mistakes did you make when you started?
Lipi Garg: When I started drafting contracts, there was a lot of chaos. I took a couple of courses that gave me a good idea of what contracts look like, but blindly following one platform’s advice is not ideal. People often try to imitate others, but it’s crucial to develop your own style. My contracts include illustrations, pictorials, tables, and appropriate white spaces, which my clients recognize as my style. Another common mistake is not understanding the consequences of the contract clauses. You need to consider the impact on your client, not just copy-paste from drafts available on the internet or sourced from somehwere. It is also essential to gather all the requisite information from the client before drafting to avoid repeatedly asking for details.
Sayantani: How do you ensure that the contracts you draft are legally sound and comprehensive?
Lipi Garg: I use a comprehensive information requisition form shared with the client. I draft an outline of the agreement, detailing every clause and information needed. I then share it with my team, asking them to point out mistakes and suggest improvements. Once we have a final outline, we start drafting. It’s essential to have a repository of templates and drafts from various sources to learn and incorporate different elements into your contracts. Reading judgments and keeping up with legal updates also helps in drafting legally sound contracts.
Sayantani: What role does LinkedIn play in your professional life, and how has it helped you secure clients?
Lipi Garg: LinkedIn plays a significant role. My goal was to post one piece of content every day, because consistency is the key. Even if you post once a week, do it consistently. LinkedIn has helped me gain recognition and secure projects, although I’ve been less active in the past six months due to other work commitments, but I need to pull up my socks there.
Sayantani: What do you think the future holds for legal freelancers, especially in contract drafting?
Lipi Garg: Despite the saturation on LinkedIn, there is no one person who comes to my mind for hiring a freelancer or intern. That is where the opportunity lies. Consistency and dedication are crucial. It’s not about having a work-life balance initially; it’s about putting in more effort than joining a law firm. With consistent hard work and quality delivery, the sky is the limit for legal freelancers. This applies not only to contract drafting but also to fields like data protection, intellectual property rights, and legal content creation.
Conclusion
Lipi Garg’s journey from a law student to a recognized contract drafting specialist is a testament to the power of persistence, continuous learning, and a unique approach. Her insights provide a valuable roadmap for those looking to specialize in contract drafting.
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