In many other ways too, Legally India really is a labour of love (of very few individuals - three, at last count, excluding volunteers and other well wishers).

Now some of you who have been to past Legally Socials - our popular egalitarian mixer events for lawyers in Delhi, Mumbai and now Bangalore – have told us that we should really be charging more for the experience, which they have loved, a lot.

Some of you have also told us at other times that you would like to support Legally India in ways other than setting us as your browser homepage and reading and engaging with our articles.

So, inspired by crowdfunding models that are gaining traction in journalism, we would like to try an experiment: pay-what-you-want for Legally Social tickets, starting from Rs 101, to, well, however much you want.

Why?

Journalism is difficult, sometimes lonely work, which, in this brave new internet world, unfortunately doesn’t pay for itself automatically. Though we are constantly finding creative new ways to begin supporting the platform (see the story of Legally Jobs for example) that provide a valuable service and generate revenue, without compromising our independence, ability to do good journalism, or having to resort to something as silly as a paywall.

While all of us at LI work ridiculously hard, I am the first to accept that LI is still far from perfect or being what it could and should be. But I think it’s fair to say that we have come a long way since starting four years, as has the legal market in some significant ways.

And we have many more exciting ideas about where we want to go, not only journalistically, where we will try even hard to bring you the stories that you want to read and/or that need to be told.

Therefore, I kindly ask that you, dear reader, to briefly consider whether some things you like (even if you like them only a little bit, only some of the time), are valuable to you and worth reasonably supporting to the extent you are able to. 

We promise to share how it went.

That said, this is still primarily about Legally Social, which will continue being about lawyers who like to be social.

Legally Social will also retain its egalitarian ethos, whether you’re coming for Rs 101 or Rs 10,001, so that any qualified lawyer who wants to can come (even if you are working under a senior advocate who really could afford to be paying you something closer to what you deserve).

Finally, 15 per cent of all Legally Social proceeds will also go to the fantastic Pratham Books NGO in Bangalore.

Please do let me have your thoughts, ideas or reactions in the comments.

Yours truly,

Kian Ganz
Publishing editor
Legally India

Ps: If you can’t make it to Mumbai or Bangalore but feel like supporting this idea, please feel free to buy a ticket anyway!

More about Legally Social

For the uninitiated:

• The first rule of Legally Social is: Everyone is equal at Legally Social. Please address each other by first names only if you can.
• Second rule: Leave allegiances and competition at the door.
• Third rule: What happens at Legally Social stays at Legally Social - Chatham House Rule applies for all.

Who?

All practising lawyers and professionals, whether at courts, private practice or in-house are welcome (no students, we're afraid). LI's editorial team will also be out in full force to share the fun and maybe some gossip not fit for print too.

Mumbai When? 26 April from 7pm till late (130am, and afterparties likely) Please book your place now as numbers are limited. Click here to reserve Mumbai now Where? Our Mumbai venue this time is a beautiful new bar and microbrewery called Barking Deer, right opposite Blue Frog's entrance in Lower Parel's Mathuradas Mill Compound. And while they are not yet allowed to brew micro, they are offering all guestlisted social lawyers 30% off their fantastic selection of beers, wines, spirits and food. (And for those who get out of the office early before 8pm, there are buy two, get one drink free happy hours). How? Spaces are limited and we need to get a good idea of numbers ASAP, so please book your place below. Click here to reserve Mumbai now Pay-whatever-you-like, from Rs 101 upwards

Bangalore When? Monday 29th April from 6:30pm till 11:30pm Please book your place now below so we can confirm numbers and reserve admittance for you and your kin - places are limited. Click here to book Bangalore Where? Our Bangalore hosts is the highly praised and popular Tex-Mex bar and restaurant Habanero on 12th Main in Indiranagar. What? Habanero have kindly opened the door to all guestlisted social lawyers with buy-one-get-one-free on all domestic drinks / cocktails, and 15% off imported liquors and drinks and your food bill. How? Spaces are limited and need to conserve numbers, so please sign up to the guestlist now so you don’t miss out Click here to book Bangalore Pay-whatever-you-like, from Rs 101 upwards

(NB: Those who have already bought tickets for more than Rs 101, please find one of us at Legally Social and we’ll be more than happy to get you a drink on our tab or make up the difference).