Pioneering Legal Excellence And Social Advocacy: Priya Hingorani

Priya Hingorani, an esteemed Senior Supreme Court Advocate and social activist, is a pioneering leader in law and social change. She excels in the legal sphere and makes a significant difference as a social activist by championing causes that advocate for equality, justice, and human rights. Additionally, she is a women's rights activist, helping women raise their voices and fight for their rights.

Priya’s Trailblazing Career in Law and Advocacy

Hailing from New Delhi, Priya Hingorani was born into a family involved in the legal profession. Her father, Mr. N.H. Hingorani served as a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court, while her mother, Mrs. Kapila Hingorani, was a Barrister. Priya completed her B.A. in English (Hons.) from Indraprastha College for Women and did her LL.B. from the Faculty of Law at Delhi University.

In 1990, Priya began her legal career as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi, focusing on various legal areas such as Family, Human Rights, Commercial, Criminal and Civil law. Priya has actively engaged in human rights advocacy, handling public interest litigation and constitutional law cases for marginalized communities. Her legal focus spans various socio-legal concerns, including dowry crimes, mistreatment of leprosy and mentally ill patients, human trafficking, police misconduct, bonded labor, and environmental pollution. 

Making history in 1999, she became the first woman advocate to hold the esteemed role of Honorary Secretary at the Supreme Court Bar Association. Later, she became the Vice President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, becoming the youngest advocate to achieve this prestigious position. She was also one of the few women advocates designated by the Supreme Court of India. 

Priya has served in multiple High Courts of India, including those in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Odisha, Punjab & Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and J&K, as well as at Tribunals and subordinate Courts. She also worked with Dr. Debi Prasad Pal, a distinguished senior advocate and former finance minister of state, on significant matters of taxation, customs, and excise. Outside her legal duties, Priya also held the position of Vice President at the Association of British Scholars in New Delhi’s British Council Division. She started the Indo-British Project for Advocacy Skills Training, India’s first ongoing professional development program for lawyers.

Priya Hingorani: A Multifaceted Leader in Law and Advocacy

Priya Hingorani holds numerous prestigious roles, showcasing her legal expertise and diverse skills. She is a Senior Supreme Court Advocate and a trained mediator at the Supreme Court Mediation Centre, focusing on resolving disputes. She is the Director of the Indian Institute of Legal & Professional Development and serves as the Secretary-General at the SAARC LAW India Chapter.

She excels not just as a lawyer but also as a women’s rights activist. She chairs the FICCI Ladies Legal and Advisory Cell and holds membership in the National Federation of Indian Women. Additionally, she has led training sessions on Sexual Harassment of Women in multiple public institutions and multinational corporations. She has served as a member of the Internal Complaints Committee in multinational corporations.

Moreover, Priya is a founding trustee of The Kapila & Nirmal Hingorani Foundation, which is dedicated to advocating for human rights, equality, and dignity. This foundation particularly supports women, children, the elderly, the underprivileged and other marginalized groups. 

Legal Versatility and Social Advocacy

Priya has provided Pro Bono legal assistance and counseling to numerous NGOs and advocated for their causes. She has also spoken on diverse legal and social topics at national and international conferences including the Commonwealth Law Conference, SAARC-LAW, LAWASIA, ILA, IBA, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and FICCI Conferences. Her legal portfolio extends to working with multinational corporations, national companies, government bodies, educational institutions, and banks in addition to representing individual clients.  

Accolades And Recognitions

In 1995, Priya was among the two women selected from India for the International Visitors Scholarship granted by the U.S. Government to study the Criminal Justice System. In 1997, she received the Chevening Scholarship from the British Council to study corporate and commercial laws at the College of Law, UK. 

She received “The Nari Shakti Award” in 2013 from the Sindhi Federation of South India for her outstanding contributions to law. Recognizing her achievements, she was honored with the “Iconic Women Leaders of the Decade” award by the Women Economic Forum in May 2016.

Priya Hingorani is a shining example of legal excellence, social activism, and gender equality. Her various roles as a lawyer, activist, and educator show her dedication to justice and making a difference in society. Her remarkable career inspires upcoming legal professionals and greatly impacts India’s legal scene.

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