Ishita Pandey

Fifth-year B.A. LL. B (Hons.) student at Mumbai University with practical exposure to real estate law, civil litigation, and statutory legal research through internships at litigation chambers and law firms.

Demonstrated ability to conduct structured legal research, assist in title verification, analyse case law, and support litigation strategy across property, contract, and family law matters. Currently pursuing CS Executive (ICSI) to build expertise in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and commercial law frameworks under the Companies Act and allied legislation.

Legal Intern at JS Legal (2026-01 – 2026-02)

Real Estate & Civil Litigation Team

• Conducted detailed title verification and ownership analysis for 8+ real estate properties, reviewing sale deeds, encumbrance records, and land documentation to identify potential legal risks.
• Assisted associates in preparing title reports and legal summaries, improving clarity of documentation for litigation and property dispute matters.
• Performed case law research on property disputes and civil procedure, referencing 10+ judicial precedents through Manupatra and Indian Kanoon.
• Observed 12+ court proceedings in civil and property dispute matters, documenting procedural steps, arguments, and judicial observations to assist case preparation.
• Supported litigation team by organizing case files and preparing research notes, enabling faster access to relevant statutory provisions and case precedents.

Legal Intern at LR & Associates (2024-02 – 2024-02)

Litigation Chambers

• Conducted legal research across 15+ cases involving Contract Law, Property Law, and Family Law, assisting advocates in identifying relevant statutory provisions and precedents.
• Prepared case briefs and legal research notes summarizing key facts, arguments, and applicable legal principles.
• Attended 10+ court hearings in district courts, observing litigation strategy and courtroom procedure.
• Assisted in reviewing client documents and case records, improving case preparation efficiency for ongoing litigation matters.
• Documented legal arguments and procedural developments for internal reference during active dispute resolution cases.

Legal Intern at Belapur Court (2024-12 – 2025-01)

Lok Adalat

• Conducted statutory research on the Legal Services Authorities Act and Motor Vehicles Act for dispute resolution matters handled during Lok Adalat proceedings.
• Reviewed 20+ case files relating to motor accident compensation claims, identifying key legal provisions applicable to settlement outcomes.
• Observed alternative dispute resolution proceedings, gaining practical exposure to conciliation, settlement negotiation, and summary resolution mechanisms.
• Prepared concise legal notes summarizing dispute issues and settlement approaches used during Lok Adalat hearings.

Job Simulation - Morrison Foerster Litigation at Forage (2026-05 – 2026-05)

• Researched the legal framework governing trade secrets under the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) and the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA), identifying key elements required to establish misappropriation and the standards applied by courts in determining what qualifies as a protectable trade secret.
• Analysed realistic client scenarios to assess whether confidential business information — including algorithms, client lists, and proprietary processes — met the legal threshold for trade secret protection, applying both federal and state law standards.
• Drafted a structured legal memorandum advising senior executives on the scope of their trade secret obligations, the risks of inadvertent disclosure, and the steps required to maintain the secrecy of commercially sensitive information.
• Evaluated potential misappropriation scenarios, including employee departures, third-party vendor relationships, and competitive intelligence activities, advising on litigation readiness and pre-emptive protective strategies such as NDAs and access controls.
• Identified and assessed available civil and criminal remedies for trade secret theft, including injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and exemplary damages under the DTSA, and outlined the evidentiary requirements for pursuing each avenue.
• Developed practical risk mitigation recommendations for senior management to institutionalise trade secret protection protocols, covering documentation practices, employee training, and internal audit procedures to reduce exposure in future disputes.

Job Simulation - Leo Cussen Centre for Law Family Law at Forage (2026-05 – 2026-06)

• Conducted in-depth research into Australian family law principles governing parenting and property arrangements, analysing key provisions of the Family Law Act 1975 and relevant case law to build a foundational understanding of the legal framework applicable to family disputes.
• Simulated client intake by interviewing and taking instructions from clients in a family law context, practising assertive communication techniques to extract legally relevant information, identify live issues, and determine further information required to progress the matter.
• Categorised and assessed parenting and property arrangement issues arising in client scenarios, applying the best interests of the child principle and the property alteration framework under the Family Law Act to advise on likely outcomes and strategic options.
• Prepared and reviewed an application for contravention of court orders, developing proficiency in procedural compliance and understanding the legal consequences of non-compliance with parenting orders, including the threshold for enforcement action.
• Advised a client on the availability and mechanism of a Children's Recovery Order and the international law framework governing the return of children from another country, including the application of the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction.
• Synthesised complex factual and legal information into clear, concise summaries for the supervising partner, demonstrating the ability to communicate nuanced family law issues in a structured and professionally appropriate format suited to a legal practice environment.

B.A. LL.B (Hons.) in Law – Agnel School of Law, Vashi (2028)

CS Executive in Corporate Governance and Compliance – Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) (2025)

CSEET in Company Secretary Foundation – Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) (2025)