Roopa Shetty
Quoting Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's iconic statement, "If you educate a man, you educate an individual. However, if you educate a woman, you educate the whole family." Women empowered means Mother India empowered!" Roopa Shetty, Advocate and Promoter, Lex Situs Advocates and Solicitors, in her opening remarks, highlights how the adage remains only echoing in the ears of the masses and barely sees implementation in the real world.
Roopa Shetty's journey from pursuing an LLB for namesake to establishing a notable career with the founding of her firm - Lex Situs Advocates and Solicitors is a testament to resilience, determination, and a persistent pursuit of justice. Born into a well-to-do family with a mixed background of her grandfather as a farmer and her father in the business world, things were going fairly for young Roopa Shetty. It was during her first year of pursuing an LLB when life started showing the adverse side to make Roopa strong enough to take on the challenges of completing her education and providing for the cash-strapped family then.
Following a political feud that turned into a litigation, her father's business faced an immense cash crunch through the court proceedings. With the verdict moving in favor of the opposition, Roopa's father lost their restaurant in Chikmagalur. Deeply affected by the loss, her father suffered partial paralysis. This left young Roopa with the responsibilities of her father, two younger siblings, and her mother. Grappling with financial challenges, it was at this time that she discovered her passion for law and navigated through life's uncertainties with untiring compassion. As the founder of Lex Situs Advocates and Solicitors, Roopa has carved a niche for herself in the legal profession and also supported countless individuals seeking justice and equality.
Despite societal barriers and gender biases prevalent in the legal profession, Roopa pursued her LLB degree with rock-solid dedication. Her journey was not without its challenges, as she encountered disbelief and bias along the way. However, fueled by a burning desire to champion justice and empower marginalized communities and women, Roopa continued, carving her path in a male-dominated field with grace and persistence.
The turning point in Roopa's journey came when she founded Lex Situs Advocates and Solicitors, a firm dedicated to providing comprehensive legal assistance and advocacy services. Guided by her principles of fairness, integrity, and social responsibility, Roopa sought to create a platform where individuals could access justice regardless of their socio-economic background or gender. Pro bono legal assistance became a cornerstone of the firm's ethos, with Roopa extending her expertise to support widows, underprivileged women, and individuals facing injustice.
One of the most impactful cases in Roopa's career was her advocacy on behalf of nearly 200 families left stranded by a negligent real estate developer. When Mantri Realty Ltd., a Mumbai-based developer, abandoned a housing project, leaving these families in dire straits, Roopa emerged as their champion. With strategic legal exercises and determination, she fought diligently to ensure that these families regained ownership of their homes.
Roopa's dedication to social justice hasn't gone unnoticed, earning her prestigious awards and recognition within the legal community. Notably, Lex Situs bagged the India - Southern Asia - Asia category award as the "outstanding firm" in the 2021 Legal Awards by The Lawyers Global. Roopa Shetty, Advocate, Lex Situs also received the "Women Excellence" award from Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Communications, and Electronics and Information Technology - Sri Sanjay Dhotre, on the occasion of 51st National Brand & Marketing Summit, 12th March 2020 New Delhi. Furthermore, Lex Situs is also recognized with the "Best legal advisory firm" award at the prestigious India Legal Awards 2020, for its legal expertise.
However, for Roopa, the true measure of success lies not in accolades, but in the lives, she's touched and the communities she's empowered. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to aspiring lawyers and social activists alike, reminding them that the pursuit of justice knows no bounds.
In addition to her legal advocacy, Roopa is deeply committed to empowering women and dismantling gender inequality in society. Through her firm's initiatives and personal efforts, she strives to create a more inclusive and equitable world where women can thrive and fulfill their potential as equal citizens. Whether it's providing pro bono legal support to marginalized women or mentoring underprivileged young female professionals, Roopa's commitment to gender equality infuses every aspect of her work.
