Courage & Integrity: Sitpah Selvaratnam's Roadmap to Becoming a Fiery Lawyer

Sitpah strongly debunks the notion that one is unable to succeed due to a lack of ability.

“That is completely untrue! I think we struggle with success because we lack courage. All we need is courage, combined with integrity, and before you know it, you’re living to your fullest potential!”

The eight strategies put forth in this book are tailored to ensure that young professionals are able to anchor themselves in their values as they overcome challenges.

It essentially sets out a guide to an alternative way of living – happily and wholesomely WITH success.

I was curious as to what inspired her to write this book. Why did she decide to share her secret to success?

“Over the years, people have constantly asked me how I do it all – career, family, society. Well, this book is the answer – it tells my story and how I managed it. It wasn’t easy but I found a recipe and now I want to share it,” she smiled.

But that was only one aspect of her reason to author this second book.

She constantly wondered why some people would sell themselves short. Why would they choose shortcuts as opposed to being true to themselves and their values? Was it because things got too difficult?

I sat there in awe, and the question surfaced before I could help myself: “How do you have time for it all?”

She laughed, “And that is exactly the question that prompted this book!”

Sitpah recalled a quote she mentioned in our previous feature – time expands with passion. She highlighted that the key is to find what you are passionate about and choosing to focus on these aspects.

“You can make conscious choices to focus on what you are truly passionate about and everything else will just fall into place beautifully,” she decidedly says.

When I asked Sitpah about aspects of her career she was most proud of, her answer was wonderfully unexpected.

She looked deep in thought as she explained,

“You know, honestly, I’m truly proud about the fact that I constantly choose to be the person I am. I choose to be the loving and giving daughter, I choose to be the wholesome companion for my husband, I choose to be the understanding mentor to my children, I choose to be the clever lawyer and wise arbitrator.

The material high points come and go but this is my substance and it is what I’m truly proud of.”

The author lamented the effects of gender roles in our society, especially how women are expected to be the primary caregiver in households across the country.

Throughout her career, Sitpah acknowledged how she was fortunate to never be told to ‘take a backseat and allow her husband to provide for the family.’

“But for the women who do face these questions, I will say this:

I have no qualms about being who I am and thinning myself across the board because I am living my best life. And this is an asset to the world as I contribute to so many facets of society! This is what we should ALL be doing!”

With the right emotional engagement, Sitpah believes women can do it all and that our purpose stretches beyond the role of ‘mother’ and ‘wife.’

She emphasized how this engagement should be encouraged by the various stakeholders within our legal industry. From law schools to law firms, women should be recognized and given equal opportunities in terms of employment and distribution of work.

“And to ensure women are not objectified at the workplace, law firms should also introduce policies on sexual harassment. This should never be something that women are expected to tolerate to move forward in their career,” Sitpah said decidedly.

Positive coaching, mentoring, counselling, workshops, updated studies on statistics – the expert lawyer suggested multiple ways in which law firms, law schools and the Bar Council could guarantee the effective participation of women in the legal arena.

“Law firms need to be more open and they need to listen to this new generation of lawyers who are trying to reform this rather outdated system. It should no longer be a top down approach, but rather a space that allows for constructive two-way conversations.”

It was incredibly refreshing, listening to an experienced, senior lawyer recognizing and advocating for changes we all want to see in the legal sphere.

At the end of our interview, I asked if she had any advice for young law graduates and lawyers who may be struggling with internal conflicts and disillusionment.

“Well there are 95 pages of advice right here!” she laughed, flipping through the pages of her book.

“In an nutshell, always remember that emotions are your dearest friends. They teach you so much about where you should be going. Don’t walk around them, walk through them so you can truly find your purpose.

Spend time identifying what comes naturally to you and gives you joy. This will attract abundance and you will find yourself achieving success without compromises or shortcuts.”