Lapidary Foundation

Applications for Lapidary Foundation’s Fellowship Programme are live. Apply Now!

Our Mission

To cultivate a generation of world-class lawyers and legal professionals from conflict-impacted zones like Kashmir, fostering justice, equity, and leadership

Problem Statement

Youth in Kashmir suffer overwhelming and unique challenges.
Some of these challenges include a lack of infrastructure and networking opportunities; lack of exposure; robust private sector opportunities; and high levels of mental health-related issues such as trauma, depression, stress, and anxiety.

Our Solution

At Lapidary Foundation, our students participate in an immersive nine-month fellowship that accelerates personal and professional growth. It focuses on technical and legal training, exposure to the legal eco-system, career guidance, personalised mentorship and access to internships. Additionally, we focus on life skills training required in the legal profession and mental health support. Students are provided access to internships after considering the institutions where they will strive. A successful internship significantly increases their chances of getter a job.

Testimonials

Hear from some of our stakeholders

"The Foundation is making a sincere and meaningful effort to enhance professional capabilities... helping students build self-confidence and aspire towards meaningful and impactful careers."

- Justice N. Kotiswar Singh -

Judge, Supreme Court of India

“I have seen a remarkable change in her. She is more focused, confident, and clear about her goals. Her internship in Delhi truly shaped her and helped her make her own decisions.”

- Nisar Hussain Nanda -

Father of Mehreen Nanda, Cohort 3

“Interning under an Advocate-on-Record and Standing Counsel in the Supreme Court was an opportunity I never even dared to dream.”

- Muheeba Ayub -

Cohort 3 Fellow

I never knew this would be a turning point in my life. It has been transformative, not just in gaining legal knowledge but in shaping my professional demeanour, communication skills, and ability to navigate a corporate environment... Then came the breakthrough—I got an internship at a leading tax law firm in India, a dream come true for someone like me from Kashmir without an NLU background.

- Osheeba Bashir -

Cohort 2 Fellow | Legal Associate, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan

The convocation was a heart warming festive affair where the students of Cohort 2 were celebrated. The presence of Justice Sanjay Kishan Koul made the event one of its kind. The whole course was a life changer for my daughter. She transformed from an ordinary person to a competent lawyer.

- Shaheena Bashir -

Mother of Second Cohort Participant

“This course was an overall development process for my ward and the recognition of their hard work through the convocation ceremony makes them feel seen, appreciated and dream even bigger”

- Syed Mukhtar Ahmad -

Father of Second Cohort Participant

LAW Foundation has had a profoundly positive impact on my daughter's educational and professional development. The support and guidance provided by the experts from the corporate industry is invaluable, especially for students who may lack direction. It was encouraging to listen to the Chief Guest's speech at the convocation which emphasized the importance of a well-rounded education in the legal profession. To all parents I would like to say that your openness to change and support for choices of children speaks volumes about your dedication as parents and you should believe in the choices of your children.

- Shabeer Ahmad Zahri -

Father of Second Cohort Participant

This fellowship helped me tremendously to achieve that confidence that many people lack even after few years of work experience. With CareerLab we learned about the journey’s of many top lawyers of India, their stories and how they achieved all the milestones in their lives. We can use such experience to make our professional life more enriching for us.

- Kamran Bhat -

Participant from Second Cohort

“If I look back at the person who I was before joining this Fellowship and who I am right now, I think there is a 180 degree shift in me. Before this, I wasn't confident enough, I did not know how to research and basically lacked the basic skills a law student must have. Now I know how to research, how to draft agreements, how to manage my time, how to use softwares like MS Office and a lot of things that you need to have a good shot at getting jobs in the legal field.

- Bashash Mahmood -

Participant from Second Cohort

I had the pleasure, or rather, the joy of taking a class for a bunch of LAW Foundation Students. It was an interactive format of learning to think about the breach and enforceability of contracts while drafting contracts. The level of engagement of the students and the quality of their responses was remarkable. These are a bunch of kids who are smart, driven, focused and engaged, and with a maturity often not seen in college students. I will bet the bank that they will go far in life!

- Diya Kapur -

Our Visiting Faculty

I have had a wonderful and fulfilling time interacting with the young budding lawyers at the LAW Foundation a couple of weeks ago, thanks to Talha. The Foundation is doing a wonderful job of facilitating these young budding law graduates and student from Kashmir to get wide and diverse learning with internships, interactions and placements in cities like Bangalore, Delhi and Bombay.

- Amit Kapur -

Our Mentor

All the modules are well-structured and the classes are delightfully engaging. The practical skills and work ethic being inculcated in us is a class apart. Having a diverse faculty makes us well-versed with different aspects of law and additionally helps in strengthening our professional network.

- Nabeena N. Alikadli -

Participant from the First Cohort