Meet Our Talent
Manpreet Sandhu
International Paralegal
How was living in Osaka in reality to what you had imagined before you arrived?
After almost a year, living in Osaka feels like juggling in the midst of a charming chaos. While my initial expectation of a vibrant cultural and culinary experience turned into reality, I was oblivious rather overwhelmed of the pace at which men and material travel across the board. Regardless, over the course of my stay, I realized that the beauty of Osaka lies in this urban paradox which is complimented by spiritual closeness to Kyoto and warmth of its natives (provided you learn a word or two of Japanese).
What is the most important thing that working at the Firm has taught you about yourself?
It has been a humbling experience. I have grown to appreciate the virtue of collaborative effort and effective communication. As opposed to giving up in the face of adversity, I have realized an inherent skill to adapt and accommodate irrespective of the circumstances.
What was the most pleasant surprise you experienced at work?
Celebrating Diwali at an Indian Restaurant along with my colleagues, was pretty unexpected yet a pleasant surprise to say the very least. Not just Diwali, I am often surprised at the way cultural diversity is celebrated at this firm, be it Japanese White day or Christmas.
How would you describe your co-workers?
Sharp minds with meticulous spirits. It is truly impressive how they navigate legal labyrinths with teamwork, respecting hierarchy without forgetting to share a wry smile after hours. Interestingly, their diligence towards their work makes you wonder if ‘hard’ work is just a western construct.
Do you feel like you're having an impact directly on the clients that you work for?
Largely, it’s a collaborative effort. The intricate details of my individual effort may not be apparent but behind the scenes, every document drafted, every search executed, and every deadline successfully met, paves the way for Clients to advance into a secure future. I’m proud to be a cornerstone in their advancement, unseen yet essential.
What is the best thing about being a part of a global team?
Diversity of perspectives and celebrating festivities from across the globe, offers an ideal state to develop intellectually and culturally.
What is your most treasured possession that you've obtained during your stay in Osaka thus far and why?
A 1970s collection of Basho’ Haiku with a dried Bamboo leaf that I found in an old book shop in Tennoji. Apart from objects and beyond Osaka, I carry a wealth of unfleeting memories from kindness of a stranger to the soulful trails of Miyajima.
What are the challenging or difficult aspects of your work?
To maintain a balance between complex workload and inter-departmental communication within defined timescale is the greatest challenge. Of course, like any other law firm, we deal with immense pressure of fast-approaching deadlines with little to no margin for error. However, if you could prioritize and be calculative right from the first hour, you could significantly ease out the day’s pressure.
When I am not at work, I am
exploring restaurants in central Osaka (with vegetarian options) and planning out places to visit for the upcoming weekend
What advice would you give a potential new colleague?
Embrace precision, I could not overstress this since the margin of error is almost non-existent. Simultaneously, learn to manage time in the most effective way possible. It would decide whether you had a challenging day or a satisfactory one. Lastly, in order to truly enjoy this experience, learn conversational Japanese and route to your nearest konbini.
What three words describe the Firm best? First in English, then in your mother tongue.
Visionary, Vibrant, and Tenacious.
आकांक्षी, वैश्विक, सहनशील