17th June 2025 – 5th July 2025
In a city where courtrooms ring with the echoes of law and dusty files record decades’ worth of personal struggles and national changes, I found myself on the first real step of what I hope will be a lifetime journey via legal advocacy. This article unfolds the events that took place after I made the best decision of applying for an internship at Ahmed & Pansota Advocates and Legal Consultants, a well-known law firm in Lahore run by distinguished legal experts, Barrister Ahmed Pansota and Barrister Ahmed Pervaiz.
The Beginning of Bridges
When I first sat across from Barrister Ahmed Pansota for my interview, it was clear this was no token internship. The atmosphere was respectful but candid, and he made one thing abundantly clear: this would not be about appearances or connections. He said firmly. “Don’t complain about what the law should be unless you know what it is.”
Those words weren’t a dismissal; they were a challenge. And they pushed me to enter the field with humility, discipline, and a thirst for learning the law not through opinion, but through precedent, interpretation, and relentless reading.
Living Library of Mentors and Minds
Over the weeks, I had the privilege of learning from legal experts like Barrister Scheherezade Shahryar, Barrister Ahad Asif, Barrister Nouman Khan, Sir Rana Ahmed Usama, and Sir Haider Imran. Each of them contributed towards answering my never-ending list of questions and toning down the most confusing case files my hands had ever touched. Whether it was Sir Nouman breaking down technicalities of suit declarations or Sir Rana assigning drafting of fact sheets, every task balanced academic rigor and real-world urgency.
Interns like Guzel Mubeen and Zahid added color to the process, whether it was collaborative court strolling or simply surviving the pressure of hefty paperwork, we shared the pride of being young students amid seasoned practitioners.
Pens and Papers
During the course of my internship, I was entrusted with a variety of tasks. Initially, they started with small-scale research on the basics of jurisdiction, such as understanding the fundamental rights chapter of the Constitution of Pakistan. One of the primary responsibilities involved drafting fact sheets for ongoing civil suits. This process required a detailed review of complex property disputes, leasehold arrangements, and inheritance-related claims. It was not merely about summarizing documents; it involved piecing together years of legal and personal history to build a coherent narrative that could support litigation strategy.
Additionally, I was allowed to watch judicial hearings, especially at the Lahore High Court. I learned a lot from these trips about the workings of courtroom advocacy, including how judicial observations can have a big impact on a case’s outcome and how legal arguments are delivered from both parties. A single inquiry from the bench might completely change the dynamic, and that degree of focus was both intimidating and instructive.
Moreover, I contributed to legal research and writing, covering subjects such as the Constitution of Pakistan, the procedural nuances of the Civil Procedure Code, and contemporary legal topics like the recent ban on electronic nicotine products.
Place of Power and Hidden Humanity: The Lahore High Court
Entering the Lahore High Court for the first time was a moment of deep reflection. It is a space shaped by history, high stakes, and the daily realities of justice. Contrary to the austere image often portrayed in the media, the court was filled with movement, urgency, and life.
Lawyers hurriedly prepared arguments outside courtrooms, clients navigated their anxieties while waiting for their hearings, and court staff moved efficiently with towering files in hand. Amidst this tension, there were also surprising moments of levity. On more than one occasion, judges offered dry but pointed remarks that lightened the mood momentarily. I distinctly recall one instance where a judge remarked to a visibly nervous advocate, “If you keep arguing in circles, we’ll end up where we started, with no justice and a headache.” The courtroom briefly laughed, but the comment also underscored the value of clarity and purpose in legal advocacy.
These experiences humanized the courtroom for me. It is not just a place of rules and rituals; it is also a space where emotion, humor, and respect coexist with law and authority.
Note on Safety and Courtroom Wellness
Despite the intensity of the legal environment, I consistently felt safe and assured across all the courtrooms I visited. Security procedures were orderly, and while everyone operated under time constraints, the general conduct of legal professionals and staff maintained a tone of civility.
What stood out most was the atmosphere of professional courtesy. As a young intern with limited experience, I expected to be invisible or dismissed. Instead, I was given the space to observe, to ask questions when appropriate, and to learn without fear of ridicule or judgment. The legal field may have a reputation for rigidity, but I found encouragement and openness in places I least expected it.
The A and S in Barrister; Ms. Scheherezade & Sir Ahad
Total questions asked: 134
Total questions answered: 178
Each reply contained more than what I had inquired about. Due to their expertise, they were able to respond with not just simple one-liners you could find on Google, but structured scenario-based answers, which polished my understanding of complex concepts and terminologies. Their sharp and witty personalities successfully contradicted the heavy atmosphere created by the dusty case files piled up in their office. Professionalism was not only attached to their papers but also the persona they maintained throughout the corridors of this firm and the four walls of the court.
With Ms. Scheherezade’s speed, we can envision Mall Road being renamed to Shezade Rd, for her gavel of justice paves the way for the gravel of our God’s ground. Both literally and metaphorically, Barrister Ahad enjoins airiness and adeptness for legality, and births an aroma beyond the written law which creates the capacity for genuine enjoyment and interest. Through the combined lens of litigation, both barristers paint a gallery of success, failure, attempts, and execution of legacy. Had the land of London not been blessed with the honour of carrying their footsteps, this firm would not be standing on its full four feet.
The Pansota Persona: Peace over Power
What distinguishes Ahmed & Pansota as a law firm is not simply its caseload or reputation, but the values that guide its work. Under the leadership of Barrister Ahmed Pansota, the firm maintains a strong culture of precision, merit, and intellectual honesty.
Barrister Pansota’s approach is both rigorous and respectful. He expects those around him, interns included, to speak with care, back claims with knowledge, and prioritize ethical integrity above all else. He is not one to offer empty praise, but when he acknowledges your potential, it carries weight. A primary example of this would be that the firm faced a concealment cost fee, which could have been waived or avoided had Barrister Panosta deceived the bench, though he chose not to. “Never make a misstatement to the bench, or it will bite back; count this as a lesson for all walks of life.”
He encourages legal curiosity, but insists that passion must be accompanied by competence. His quiet authority, clarity of thought, and commitment to the letter of the law are the qualities that, in my view, make him a model legal professional.
Take-Aways
This internship has been far more than an academic exercise or a line on my CV. It has been a defining experience, one that exposed me to the internal logic of law, the intensity of real cases, and the day-to-day demands of legal practice in Lahore.
Understanding the weight carried by a single legal brief, the importance of courtroom decorum, and the lasting impact of a well-argued submission, this chamber has showcased countless cups of opportunity.
Being young is often seen as a limitation in this field. Yet, I now view it as an advantage, a chance to learn early, to observe without ego, and to shape my mindset before bad habits form.
To Future Interns at Ahmed & Pansota
If you are considering applying to Ahmed & Pansota, come prepared. You will not be pampered, but you will be taken seriously. You will be asked to think critically, to write clearly, and to absorb more than you contribute, but that is the nature of meaningful growth.
This is not an internship that offers comfort; it offers challenges, and through those challenges, you will find clarity, confidence, and, if you’re committed, direction.
