Tanya Appachu, also known as Yourinstalawyer on Instagram is a Lawyer, Ex Big Four Consultant turned Content Creator. As a lawyer something that always bothered her was how women are clueless about their legal rights. Being a child of divorce and brought up by a single mother she naturally gravitated towards helping other women and children understand their legal rights through social media on her platform Yourinstalawyer on Instagram. Tanya talked about her journey as a lawyer and content creator with Apoorva Mehta, Executive Manager at Legal Desire. 

1) What made you leave your corporate job and start with content creation?

I initially left my corporate job because I had a baby and also wanted to join my husband who is an Army Officer in his postings. Moving with him meant, not having a corporate job owing to the small stations that they get posted to. Also the pandemic happened around the same time.. so I wanted to create something for myself that allowed me to move with him in his postings, still be in the legal business and spend enough time with my baby. 

So I started creating content around two years ago. In my years of practice and work as a lawyer, I saw that women, however educated and independent, were not aware of their basic rights and laws of the country. There was a need to bridge that gap and also create interest and awareness. The Law of the country is for the protection of its citizens rights and liberties. So I felt the need to make law accessible to all in an easy to understand format. No sections No clauses No Jargon is the motto behind my page Yourinstalawyer. 

2) What is your primary goal with this platform?

To impact people and talk about issues not usually spoken about. Help then understand their basic rights and  navigate their daily lives armed with knowledge , aware and capable of handling any situation that comes their way. And also help myself gain new experiences and grow. 

3) How did you start this account?

After a lot of self doubt , I literally opened my camera and recorded a video and posted it as my first reel. No script no editing, I had no clue how things work . It was around that time the infamous love jihad laws were trending so I made a video on that topic. 

4) What were the challenges you faced?

The biggest challenge was initially to convince my self that I could do it . Content creation was definitely never any lawyers goal many years back . Although it seems to be quite popular with lawyers now.  Another challenge was to manoeuvre and gain recognition in a platform or a career which primarily has a very young audience and much younger co creators  . 

5) As a mother and a wife, how do you manage it all?

I stopped complaining , because it only caused me more trouble and stress complaining . So I know these are my specific responsibilities, those things need to happen in a day. So I really work around it . Being a freelancer also gives you the freedom to not adhere to specific timings for work. Having a hands on husband helps 🙂 

6) Tell us about your experience at the big 4?

I owe a lot to my tenure at PwC . Consulting gives you really great insight into industries which we lawyers lack at a very junior level . In consulting  you are exposed to it right from the start. Also the exposure to different sectors of the industry and interactions with high value companies and clients was a huge learning curve for me. 

7) What is your life mantra?

It is never too late to try something new . 

8) Lastly, what advise would you like to give to younger generation?

I think the younger generation are smarter, technologically savvy and know what they want and even have the tools to get what they want . 

But in our industry, experience counts and AI or any other technology cannot replace it. So spend that time  and effort and hard work for getting on ground and first hand experience of the work you do. Value the expertise and experience your seniors have to share. 

Tanya believes that knowledge is a powerful tool to excel in life and her aim is to empower everyone by one simple, short and easy to understand video at a time.