Harihara Arun Somasankar is an accomplished international lawyer and author whose professional journey reflects extensive experience in criminal, civil and constitutional law. His career has been distinguished by public service, complex litigation, international legal engagement and a continuing commitment to legal scholarship. Through his work across diverse areas of law, he has developed a professional profile that combines courtroom advocacy, analytical reasoning and an understanding of legal systems beyond national boundaries.
A significant phase of his career was his service as Government Advocate (Prosecutor) for the State of Tamil Nadu. In this capacity, he handled complex and high-stakes matters involving serious criminal offences, offences against the State and cases carrying substantial public importance. The role required rigorous preparation, precise interpretation of legal provisions and the ability to present arguments in matters where the implications extended beyond individual litigants.
His professional experience also includes legal advisory engagement relating to international criminal law. This exposure has broadened his understanding of international legal principles, cross-border legal frameworks and the interaction between domestic and global approaches to justice. His involvement in this field reflects an interest in the increasingly interconnected nature of contemporary legal practice.
Throughout his career, he has represented and advised important public institutions, including Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. His practice has also brought him before the courts in several high-profile matters involving prominent public figures. These assignments have demanded discretion, detailed legal analysis and an ability to navigate complicated factual and constitutional questions.
His legal reasoning and interpretative approach have received recognition from the Hon’ble High Court of Madras. Such recognition represents an important professional milestone, particularly in a field where the ability to interpret legislation, understand constitutional principles and develop persuasive legal arguments remains central to effective advocacy.
His academic journey has complemented his professional experience. He is a graduate of ILS Law College, Pune, and has pursued advanced legal studies and international programmes associated with globally recognised institutions, including Stanford University and the University of Oxford. These academic engagements have contributed to a broader perspective on legal education, comparative law and international legal thought.
His association with Cardiff University added another dimension to his academic experience. During his time there, he was elected as a Students’ Union Representative, providing him with an opportunity to participate in student leadership and institutional engagement. The experience strengthened his understanding of representation, communication and collaborative leadership beyond the courtroom.
Alongside his legal practice, he has established himself as an author, demonstrating an ability to communicate ideas through creative writing. His books, Earthman: The Defender of the World and My Little Princess, reflect a dimension of his personality beyond conventional legal practice. Through these works, he combines imagination and storytelling with his broader intellectual interests.
His career illustrates the expanding role of contemporary legal professionals, where courtroom expertise can coexist with academic engagement, international exposure and creative expression. His experience in government advocacy, constitutional and criminal matters, institutional representation and international legal advisory work has provided him with a multidimensional understanding of the profession.
With a career grounded in advocacy and strengthened by academic and international exposure, he continues to contribute to the legal field through professional practice and intellectual engagement. His journey reflects a commitment to legal excellence, continuous learning and the pursuit of knowledge across disciplines, positioning him as a professional whose work extends across law, public service, international engagement and literature.
**************************