Her Story
About KRITIKA
Kritika Agarwal is a criminal defense attorney practicing in New York City at the Legal Aid Society, where she focuses on parole delegation defense after working as a criminal defense attorney in India, including on anti-terror law matters. With almost six years of total experience, she earned her LLM from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating at the top of her class, and maintains memberships in the Bar of Maharashtra and the Bar Counsel of New York. Agarwal attributes her success to the guidance of mentors and opportunities to work on significant cases, and she is passionate about providing legal aid services to individuals who cannot afford representation. She values justice in the form of reformation and equality, and advises aspiring lawyers, especially young women in the male-dominated field of criminal defense, to seek strong mentors. Her work is driven by a commitment to human rights and understanding clients' circumstances, viewing the role as both challenging and deeply rewarding.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with KRITIKA
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think it is an effort by a lot of people who have trusted me, who have guided me. It's also the opportunities I have found on my way, which I am lucky to have met some great people and had great opportunities to work at some important cases back in India. Even here, having an opportunity to work has been great.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was around the time when I was in India deciding what kind of legal practice I wanted to do. Getting a good mentor is important to becoming a good lawyer, especially when you're starting off as a first-gen lawyer.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Finding a good mentor is so important, especially if you're planning to go into private practice. Working with women helps you understand the practice better because criminal defense is a very male-dominated space. Finding mentors who will guide you and teach you is the most important attribute to build a successful practice.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There is always a need for good lawyers in criminal defense, especially in lower courts and trial courts. The job is not glamorous but very rewarding as you see the impact on clients' lives every day. It is hard financially and emotionally at first and affects mental health, but if you stick it out for a few years, you will make it. There are immense opportunities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I am driven by a sense of justice, not in the way of retribution but more in the form of reformation and understanding the circumstances. I believe in equality and that everybody should be treated equally.
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