Super Lawyer

Tag: Legal Head

  • “As a first-generation lawyer, I’ve had to carve my own path forward, brick by brick. The legal field is highly competitive, and success requires not only hard work but also being in the right place at the right time.” – Swapna Chandramouli, Fintech Lawyer. 

    “As a first-generation lawyer, I’ve had to carve my own path forward, brick by brick. The legal field is highly competitive, and success requires not only hard work but also being in the right place at the right time.” – Swapna Chandramouli, Fintech Lawyer. 

    This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

    You’ve mentioned that your interest in law developed through the process of eliminating other career options. Can you tell us more about how you eventually decided on law and how that decision has shaped your career trajectory?  

    I grew up in Kolkata during the 90’s and early 2000s, a time when the most sought-after career paths were typically in engineering, medicine, or accountancy. Coming from a family of engineers and doctors, I felt an innate urge to break away from this conventional path and carve out something different for myself. This led me to choose the Commerce stream for my XII standard examinations, leaving chartered accountancy as a potential option if I excelled academically.

    Around this time, one of my school seniors was preparing for the National Law School entrance exams, and that sparked a deep interest in Law within me. As I explored this further, the idea of pursuing a legal career began to resonate more strongly. My decision solidified as I found myself thoroughly enjoying the CLAT syllabus, especially subjects like Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning, and Mathematics. With this growing passion, I pursued Law school admissions and successfully cleared the entrance exams for several institutions, including Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai.

    I ultimately chose GLC, Mumbai, drawn by its distinguished alumni network and its proximity to the bustling legal landscape of the city. Reflecting on my school years, I realize I wasn’t always sure of my strengths, but my decision to pursue Law and Commerce led me to excel in both the legal and financial sectors. Today, with over a decade of experience as a lawyer, I find myself just as enthusiastic as I was during my first internship. A career in law has proven to be both dynamic and fulfilling, with each day bringing new challenges and learning opportunities.

    You interned with prestigious law firms like Khaitan, JSA, and Nishith Desai, but after completing your education, you chose to start your career in the corporate world. What led to this decision, and how did transitioning from law firms to in-house legal roles shape your career path?  

    Law firms often hold strong appeal for law students, especially for those influenced by TV series like Suits. During my time in law school, I was determined to secure internships with top-tier law firms and was fortunate to have the opportunity to do so. Notably, my internship at Nishith Desai Associates (NDA) stood out for its culture of rigorous learning and research. Here, I honed my skills in meticulous drafting, meeting tight deadlines, and delving deeply into research to resolve complex problem statements. At that stage, starting my career at a law firm seemed like the most organic choice.

    However, destiny had other plans, leading me to secure a placement with Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Corporate Legal Department in Mumbai. This shift made me realize the unique value of being an in-house counsel, where legal practice intersects with business strategy. In-house counsel roles offer the opportunity to develop a strong understanding of business dynamics, as your clients are internal stakeholders, and business acumen becomes integral to your work.

    Over the years, I’ve transitioned through various roles in the Banking and Finance sector, as well as in e-commerce and Fintech, with each in-house position adding depth to my legal expertise. I thrive on the unpredictability and problem-solving challenges that come with in-house roles. As an in-house counsel, I am continually faced with a diverse legal issue—from product design and process development to policy framing, contract negotiations with key business partners, regulatory compliance, and handling employment matters. The role is deeply integrated with business operations at every level, making it both dynamic and fulfilling.

    Being a first-generation lawyer, what were the key challenges you faced when you started your legal career, and how did you overcome those hurdles to establish yourself in such competitive sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and banking?  

    As a first-generation lawyer, I didn’t have the benefit of family precedents or insider guidance when navigating my career in law. I relied on my own judgment and intuition. However, I’ve been fortunate to have exceptional mentors who have generously offered their guidance throughout my career and are always just a phone call away.

    One key difference between first-generation lawyers and those from legal legacies is the clarity of the path ahead. Those with a legal lineage often have a well-defined roadmap, while first-generation lawyers must thoughtfully and deliberately lay each brick to build their own path forward. While this process is deeply fulfilling, it can also mean missing out on opportunities due to a lack of exposure or knowledge.

    From my journey, I would advise fellow first-generation lawyers to stay vigilant and open to opportunities and to actively seek out trusted mentors who can provide valuable guidance. The legal field is highly competitive, and success requires not only hard work but also being in the right place at the right time. Proactively expanding your network and knowledge base is crucial to thriving in this profession.

    Having extensive experience dealing with regulators like the RBI and IRDAI, what are some key learnings you’ve gained from these interactions? How do these regulatory engagements influence legal strategies in fintech and NBFCs?  

    A crucial skill for lawyers working in regulated sectors is the ability to deeply understand the regulator’s perspective and intentions. It’s important to remain open to engaging with regulators and fostering a constructive dialogue. Often, it’s surprising how receptive regulators can be when approached with the right intent. Whether it’s for obtaining licenses or during annual audits, each interaction has given me invaluable insights into the rationale behind specific regulations and the purpose of certain prohibitions or compliance requirements.

    A key lesson from these interactions is that regulators consistently expect transparency. Regulated entities must be willing to collaborate with the regulator to find business solutions that align with regulatory objectives. Understanding the regulator’s intent is particularly helpful when navigating ambiguous areas of regulation, allowing for more informed and strategic advice to internal business stakeholders, rather than simply interpreting the letter of the law.

    For in-house lawyers, especially in regulated entities, the ability to offer compliant yet practical solutions is a highly sought-after skill. By bridging the gap between regulatory compliance and business needs, in-house counsel can play a critical role in helping organizations thrive within the bounds of the law.

    In your experience negotiating complex contracts in fintech startups like Rupeek and larger organizations like Kotak & Flipkart, what do you see as the crucial aspects where an in-house lawyer can contribute to driving business success? How can legal counsel go beyond compliance to add strategic value?  

    My experience in different kinds of organizations has taught me that the role of an in-house counsel also changes based on the nature of the organization. In established organizations, departmental roles are well-defined, and each stakeholder plays a vital part in closing contracts. In contrast, within start-ups, the business often relies heavily on legal counsel, not just for legal and compliance advice but also for insights on structuring financial transactions and commercial terms.

    Negotiating for established organizations often provides greater leverage when dealing with counterparties. However, representing a start-up has allowed me to engage deeply with the commercial and operational intricacies of contracts. Both experiences have been fulfilling in their way. For instance, while working for large Banks like Ujjivan & Kotak, I negotiated with Big Tech companies, gaining exposure to deals of significant scale. Similarly, during my tenure at Flipkart/Myntra, handling high-value celebrity contracts with intellectual property right implications showcased the complexity of working with major influencers. On the other hand, my work representing fintechs has allowed me to negotiate with larger banks and lending partners (perceived with higher negotiating power) to come to a consensus in commercial and regulatory structuring of deals.

    Ultimately, when legal counsel provides comprehensive, well-thought-out advice that considers both legal and financial risks, they are no longer seen as obstacles but as essential partners in driving contract closure. This shift transforms the counsel’s role from a perceived barrier to a catalyst for success.

    You cleared your CS professional exams in one shot while also pursuing law. What strategies or insights helped you manage both demanding courses simultaneously? Could you share some advice for young students who are pursuing multiple qualifications?   

    Both the Company Secretary (CS) and Law courses are highly demanding, given the vastness of their syllabi and the intensity of their exam schedules. However, I was determined to complete the CS course alongside law school. Opting to take all the modules of the CS professional course in one go was admittedly a bold decision — I sat for nine papers back-to-back, without a break. The enormity of the challenge made my resolve to stay determined and focused stronger. I don’t think I put any pressure on myself, but I just wanted to test my potential.

    I devised a strategy to balance both fields of study. During the first half of the year, I concentrated on law school exams, while the latter half was dedicated to CS studies, though I maintained some focus on law for mid-term exams. Interestingly, much of the CS syllabus overlapped with legal concepts, which created a natural synergy in how I applied my understanding to both courses. What also helped me is the constant support and encouragement of my friends who were taking the exams with me. We often talk about team efforts in corporate life, student life also taught me the importance of a solid team in competitive exams. For students navigating similar challenges, my advice would be to prioritize and strategize — knowing when to focus on each subject is key. And most importantly, enjoy the learning process. Both law and CS test your understanding of core concepts, so cultivating a genuine interest in the material will ultimately lead to success.

    With your wealth of experience in fintech, e-commerce, and banking, what advice would you offer to current law students and early-career professionals who aspire to work in these sectors?

    A career in Fintech, e-commerce or any other regulated sector is very demanding, especially for lawyers because the regulatory landscape keeps changing. In my experience, you truly understand the essence and requirements of the regulations by reading it multiple times from different perspectives.  

    Developing a genuine interest in regulatory frameworks and their interaction with business offerings is fundamental for finding your footing as a lawyer in these sectors. For anyone looking to break into or transition into these industries, my advice is to invest time in understanding regulations, and their underlying purpose, and to cultivate business acumen around the various products in the space. This combination of legal expertise and business insight will make you a valuable asset in any organization.

    As a mother, how have you managed to balance such a demanding career with your personal responsibilities? What advice would you give to others trying to navigate similar challenges?  

    I have always seen my mother as a role model who dedicated herself to her profession as a teacher all through her life while raising two children. Her resilience and dedication made it a natural choice for me to continue working after I had my baby. I was fortunate to have the support of a wonderful organization like Rupeek and an understanding manager, which allowed me to manage my professional responsibilities while being fully present for my daughter during her early years.

    For mothers looking to maintain their professional careers, I recommend investing in quality child-care support if possible. Our role as mothers goes beyond simply managing a child’s daily routine—we are their source of inspiration and pride. I firmly believe that a child’s happiness is closely tied to their mother’s fulfilment. If you are passionate and happy in what you do, that joy will resonate with your child.

    I am deeply passionate about my profession, and my daughter is a constant source of motivation, encouraging me to explore my full potential instead of setting limits. That said, balancing work and family life is always a dynamic process. It requires thoughtful decision-making and sometimes tough choices about when to prioritize what. But I believe that by staying true to ourselves and our passions, we set a powerful example for our children.

    With such a demanding career in multiple sectors, how do you unwind and recharge? Are there any hobbies or activities that help you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

    Weekends for me are completely dedicated to my home and family. As much as I enjoy staying at home and cleaning to my satisfaction, I also enjoy social gatherings. These days, I often find myself at gatherings with my daughter’s friends and their parents, enjoying the sense of community it brings. I also like to unwind by watching some thoughtful and reality-inspired series/movies. As a family, we also make it a point to plan small getaways or vacations whenever possible. These trips allow us to recharge, connect with nature, and explore historical places, creating lasting memories together.

    Recently, my husband and I have embraced a healthier lifestyle. We’ve started making conscious choices for our well-being, and one of our favourite weekend routines is our Saturday morning workouts at Cubbon Park. It’s become a refreshing way to kick off the weekend, balancing physical wellness with the joy of being outdoors.

    Get in touch with Swapna Chandramouli-

  • “Lawyers make a unique contribution to corporate life, earning respect as professionals and influencing the company’s strategic priorities while upholding ethics and integrity in all decisions.” – Nitin Mittal, General Counsel at Signify (Formerly Philips Lighting)

    “Lawyers make a unique contribution to corporate life, earning respect as professionals and influencing the company’s strategic priorities while upholding ethics and integrity in all decisions.” – Nitin Mittal, General Counsel at Signify (Formerly Philips Lighting)

    This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

    You have an impressive journey- starting from your early days as counsel for Evergreen International Limited – Furniture Export industry to your current role at Signify Innovations India Limited (Formerly Philips Lighting India Limited) What were some pivotal moments that shaped your professional path?

     “First of all, thank you for the opportunity to share my journey. My professional path began long before I became a qualified lawyer and CS. While studying, I worked at a securities advisory firm and later at a consulting firm, engaging in a diverse range of tasks. I’ve always had a passion for innovation, hard work, growth, and learning. From my early struggles, I learned the importance of working hard and putting your heart and mind into whatever task comes your way, without worrying about money, job titles, or other benefits.

    There were several pivotal moments in my career. The first was in early 2003 when I worked at a manufacturing plant in Himachal Pradesh. This experience exposed me to various challenges and opportunities in a manufacturing setup, where I dealt with a wide range of legal and financial issues. I remember working on the shop floor for two weeks during a workers’ strike. This experience provided a solid foundation for my career, as working in a manufacturing plant requires a highly disciplined, structured, and efficient environment, which is also very demanding. My then-CEO advised me to take at least one round of the entire production process every day to learn about plant functioning, a piece of advice I cherish to this day. This taught me the concept of ‘Management by walking around.’ Since the company was also listed, I learned the value of having robust processes and systems to ensure compliance.

    During that time, I was inspired by my CEO to read ‘The Goal’ by Goldratt, which introduced me to the theory of constraints and how addressing bottlenecks can increase overall efficiency and help achieve business goals. This gave me a much better understanding of the production process.

    The second transformative point was when I had the opportunity to work at OSRAM, a German company. There, I was finally able to demonstrate my potential and expertise in various areas of legal, compliance, and governance. OSRAM was part of Siemens then, and I was part of the Siemens India compliance team, working on establishing the initial compliance program in India. I am grateful to have been part of the India compliance team at that time, which gave me a solid foundation in the compliance domain. I also worked on several complex litigations and M&A transactions.

    My last significant change was moving to Philips Lighting in 2016, which was transformative in every sense. Philips Lighting (now Signify) is the world leader in lighting and the largest lighting company in India. Here, I have had the opportunity to work on groundbreaking deals and transactions, making a real difference in helping the business achieve its strategic goals in line with the #BrighterLivesBetterWorld brand vision.”

    What do you love most about your current role at Signify?  What are some unique legal challenges you face in the lighting products and services industry? 

    “At Signify, the company values its people, and I am proud to be part of such an innovative and energetic team. In my current role, I lead the Legal, Compliance, and Governance function for the Greater India and Pacific region. I love my position as General Counsel and Company Secretary because each day brings new challenges that allow me to showcase my expertise and skills, ultimately benefiting the company.

    I handle a wide range of topics daily. For instance, last week, I advised on potential sales deals in systems and services for India and the Pacific, which involved contract reviews and risk mitigation. I also dealt with high-stakes criminal litigations, arbitration matters, commercial disputes, and compliance advisories on anti-corruption practices. Additionally, I structured an incentive program, managed a board meeting and a shareholders meeting, finalized the annual report with the board of directors’ agenda, worked on potential corporate transactions, and advised on compliance investigations with our regional team and global experts. I also conducted training for the Pacific region on anti-corruption, anti-trust, privacy, conflict of interest, and other compliance topics, and provided advice on deal structuring, corporate law matters, and other legal and integrity issues.

    Each day presents a new opportunity to work on diverse issues and demonstrate how law shapes key decisions within the organization.”

    Did you always want to become a lawyer? What made you choose law as a profession? 

    “I became a lawyer quite by chance, as my career path evolved serendipitously. Initially, I was drawn to the finance sector and aimed to combine my CS qualification with a CFO role. However, over time, my skills and interests shifted more towards law and compliance, leading me to focus on this area. In the end, I’m glad I chose law as my profession. Lawyers make a unique contribution to corporate life, earning respect as professionals and influencing the company’s strategic priorities while upholding ethics and integrity in all decisions.”

    With over two decades of experience in the legal field, what major shifts have you observed in corporate legal practices, especially in compliance and contract drafting?  What has been the role of technology in advancing these changes?

    “I believe the core principles for a lawyer remain unchanged: providing quality and timely advice without fear or favor. However, the legal profession is now much more recognized for its contribution and value to business decision-making compared to two decades ago.

    I also observe a significant shift towards digitalization in areas such as contract management, compliance approvals, and the automation and digitization of board and shareholder meetings. AI is increasingly being used to support counsels with research, drafting, presentations, and memos for any jurisdiction worldwide, as well as handling routine advice through bots.

    The successful General Counsel of the future will be one who leverages AI to drive efficiency and automation while balancing the use of digital tools with sound judgment and experience. Technology cannot replace the nuanced judgment that comes from years of experience, especially in complex legal matters such as litigation, contract negotiation, legal advisory, and other areas where the law is not black and white.”

    You have been honoured and recognized for your efforts across prestigious platforms like Global Legal 500 Power List, Indian Bar Association, BW Legal world etc. how have they impacted the way you and your approach to work?

    “These recognitions are a testament to the opportunities provided by the companies I have worked for and to my team who have been part of this journey. They humble me and inspire me to strive for excellence in everything I do, alongside our dynamic team at Signify. They also place a responsibility on me to mentor my team and other colleagues within the fraternity, sharing the insights and learnings I have gathered over my 22-year professional journey.”

    Can you share a personal development or mentorship experience that significantly impacted your career trajectory?  

    “I was influenced by many people over the years. I would call it silent mentoring, as there was no formal mentorship, but I learned a great deal through observation, intense reading, and practice. At various stages of my career, I had the privilege to learn from my supervisors and they had a transformative influence on my development and career, such as the CEO and CFO of Cosmo Films at that time ( on importance of processes/ governance/ diligence), the CEO of Cosmo Ferrites( importance of knowing the manufacturing process), and later the CFO and legal colleagues of OSRAM all over the world( gathered solid foundation on compliance, litigations, contractual matters, and overall development). At Signify, I have learned immensely from all the India CEOs, my global legal colleagues, and my team members 

    I also learnt a lot from diverse books I read over the years- whether on history, biographies, leadership, self- development, and even on fiction. Each book shaped my thoughts and I gained from the experience. 

    I greatly valued the training programs by the Siemens Compliance team and OSRAM over the years, which provided a strong foundation in core compliance topics. Additionally, a leadership program by Signify in partnership with Harvard Business School was highly beneficial.”

    You pursued various qualifications in law – including Masters in Business laws, Criminology, apart from LLB and Company Secretaryship (CS). What makes you keep learning even at this settled stage in your career? 

    I always consider myself a “student of law.” The field of law is ever-evolving, with continuous developments requiring constant learning in new areas of legal changes, judicial precedents, innovative problem-solving methods, and understanding emerging challenges. Staying relevant necessitates being on our toes. Throughout my career, I’ve identified and bridged learning and skill gaps by enrolling in various courses. My most recent course in criminology was driven by the rise in white-collar crimes and the trend of converting civil matters to criminal cases. More importantly, I developed a deep interest in this area of law.

    I continue to broaden my knowledge in emerging legal fields, particularly digital law, AI, and the criminal justice system. I have a keen interest in constitutional law, not only in India but also in other countries like the US. I enjoy reading works by various authors such as Austin, the late Fali Nariman, Gautam Bhatia, and Rohan Alva. In the future, I hope to extensively study the constituent assembly debates that shaped our Constitution.

    Given your extensive involvement in various legal and academic roles, how do you manage to balance your professional responsibilities with personal life? What strategies do you employ to maintain this equilibrium?

    The life of a lawyer can be quite stressful at times, with each decision having a significant impact on the company and its employees. The reputation of the company and the liberty of its employees can be at stake. Our job often requires long hours and even working on weekends, especially during crises. However, I don’t view this as an encroachment on my personal time, as my primary duty as a lawyer is to protect the company and its employees, even if it means going above and beyond.

    With over two decades of experience, I have developed an intuitive sense of which areas require more of my attention, allowing me to balance my work accordingly. As we are a lean department with a lot to do, I try not to work late into the evening and focus on personal interests unless something critical arises.

    I maintain a disciplined morning routine, incorporating daily runs, walks, yoga, and meditation. I also make time for daily reading on diverse topics before ending my day. This practice enriches my experience with different thoughts, areas, and philosophies.

    I believe in the following shloka from the Bhagavad Gita (2.48): “Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.”

    What advice would you give to young legal professionals aspiring to excel in corporate law, especially in areas like compliance management and dispute resolution? Also, How does Signify support young learners in gaining practical experience?

    My advice to young lawyers is to ensure you understand the basics of law and gain an in-depth understanding of its principles and practices. Once you have a solid foundation, applying the law in diverse situations becomes easier. Areas like compliance management require a deep knowledge of legal nuances, so building a strong foundation is crucial. For dispute resolution, working with a dispute lawyer for a few years helps build a strong base in court procedures, practical issues, and quick thinking.

    In recent years, I have been deeply moved by the teachings of Lord Krishna, particularly this verse from the Bhagavad Gita: “कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन । मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि” (“You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty”).

    A key skill for a lawyer is judgment, which can only come from experience and working on difficult and diverse matters. Judgment takes time to develop and cannot be achieved through shortcuts; young lawyers need to nurture this skill to see it blossom in future years.

    At Signify, we have a robust culture that encourages our young lawyers to learn on the job, take initiative, learn from others, and have the flexibility to shape their careers. There is no hierarchy in our company, and any employee is free to reach out to top management for support or guidance, who are always willing to help. We encourage risk-taking, active collaboration, speaking up, and most importantly, always taking initiatives. I have had the privilege of learning from both senior management in business and legal.

    Get in touch with Nitin Mittal-

  • “My guiding philosophy is to be kind to others and to work hard. I believe in not transferring pressure onto others, focusing on the fundamentals, and simplifying complexities.” – Kumar Bankatesh, Head of Legal at C K Birla group Company

    “My guiding philosophy is to be kind to others and to work hard. I believe in not transferring pressure onto others, focusing on the fundamentals, and simplifying complexities.” – Kumar Bankatesh, Head of Legal at C K Birla group Company

    This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

    What motivated you to pursue a career in law after your schooling at Sainik School Tilaiya and your experience with the NDA? How did your time at Campus Law Center, Delhi University, shape your legal perspective?

    After completing my 10+2 from a Sainik School, I was selected for the NDA but could not join due to some medical issues. I then moved to Delhi for my graduation and enrolled in History (H). Initially, I chose Law to prepare for competitive exams, but I soon developed a genuine interest in the field and decided to pursue it as a career. During my college years, besides NLUs, the Campus Law Centre stood out with its excellent faculty and talented students. The case study method of teaching there fostered my interest in developing legal acumen.

    What is your personal philosophy or mantra that you live by? How has it guided you through various phases of your life and career?  

    My philosophy and mantra in life is to be kind to others and work hard. Try not to pass the pressure on others. try to do the basics right and make things simpler. 

    Can you share your experiences working as a Legal Retainer at Indian Express Newspapers and simultaneously doing court reporting for UNI? How did this dual role contribute to your legal acumen?

    I joined Indian Express Newspapers as a Legal Retainer immediately after completing my final semester exams. In this role, I represented the organization before various Courts and Tribunals. During my time with Indian Express, I had the privilege of working closely with some of the finest legal minds, particularly Mr. Nachiket Joshi. This period was a tremendous learning experience, and the knowledge I gained continues to benefit me in my current role as an in-house counsel. It has enhanced my decision-making abilities and problem-solving skills, which I feel are often lacking in colleagues without direct courtroom experience.

    My extensive court reporting experience helped me build a strong rapport with court staff. Attending high-profile case hearings and grasping the essence of judgments early in my career was invaluable. Regular interaction with the judiciary significantly boosted my confidence. It became routine for me to visit the court in the evening and inquire about any significant judgments of the day. Publishing exclusive stories always brought a great sense of satisfaction.

    You have worked in various sectors including mining, manufacturing, environment, real estate, media, and the automobile industry. How has your experience been in learning and adapting to the legal intricacies of each sector? What strategies did you employ to efficiently transition and excel in such diverse fields?   

    I feel that when you start thinking about how our legal system works in a given situation you can adjust and add value to any particular Industry. Many times you bring a fresh perspective to a new Industry. Yes, you need to understand the Business processes and intricacies in detail. Before joining any new industry, I spend some time reading the landmark judgements that have disrupted a particular industry. My exposure to Mining Industry when nothing was going in favour of the Industries due to court orders related to wildlife and Environmental clearances, renewal of Leases, and Illegal mining. It was a great challenge to convince the Management that everything would be normal over time.

    This experience is now helping me cope with stress when things are not going my way.

    As the Head of Legal at C K Birla Group Company, what are some of the most challenging cross-border transactions or contract law cases you’ve handled? Can you share any unique experiences or lessons from these cases?  

    During my present stint with C K Birla Group Company wherein I am heading NBC Bearings, an automotive Component manufacturer, one of the challenging situations I faced was when I joined the organisation there was a pending CCI investigation faced by the Industry, Now when the final judgement is pronounced and are in public domain I feel that there is no harm in sharing the details, Company has volunteered and filed a leniency application and accepted participating in one of the meetings, Though they were second in the marker therefore not eligible for full leniency. Now my concern was how to get full relief for the Company, in my view the Cartel was not made out. We tried to build our case on that principle. We pleaded that it was a case of coercive cartel even if we participated in one of the meetings. finally, CCI directed a cease and desist order but didn’t impose any penalty.  On the Contract front also many of our customers are large OEMs who have standard contracts and are reluctant to modify them for different suppliers, in that case, you have to show your soft skills and put up your point and document it so that in case of any future dispute it can be relied upon. As I have worked for the OEM I also initially found it a little difficult but later on I realised that the real test is to convince the other party when you have lesser bargaining power.

    We always approach the Big Four firms and top consultants for foreign acquisitions. However, challenges arise when it comes to managing the small companies we have incorporated abroad, especially in a cost-effective manner. This company has experienced substantial growth during this period, which has consistently kept the legal team on its toes.

    How do you mentor and drive your legal team to ensure they are equipped to handle complex legal issues? What are the key qualities you believe are essential for a successful legal team?  

    Our legal team is not big as compared to many other companies but I always try to motivate them with challenging situations and rewards.  Many times the aspirations of the legal team do not match with the company’s policy of reward and recognition but we always try to push the case of a specialist. Mentoring the young talent is the most crucial part of our team, I do not micromanage the things with my team. A firm believer in delegating work and decision-making.

    What advice would you give to young legal professionals who aspire to have a diversified and impactful career like yours? What are the key skills and experiences they should seek out? 

    My advice to young lawyers particularly the first-generation lawyers would be to work hard and read the bare acts and judgments. nowadays with ready-made apps and online search engines we all at times take shortcuts and settle for superficial knowledge. Also, they must get some additional professional degrees like CS and others. It helps in difficult times. Also, be connected to the Bar.

    Outside of your legal career, what personal interests or hobbies do you pursue? How do these activities help you maintain a work-life balance and stay motivated in your professional life? 

    I like to Travel, and now most of my leisure time is spent with my Pet. It helps me to be in the present.

    Based on your extensive experience, what do you see as the future trends in legal practice, especially in the fields of litigation and compliance? How should current and future legal professionals prepare for these changes?   

    I believe that mediocre-level legal tasks will face significant competition from AI. However, I also feel that it will be a while before people start relying solely on AI tools. Certainly, these tools can be helpful to legal practitioners. In the coming days, legal professionals will need to be versatile advisors, sometimes offering counsel in fields beyond law. While it is easier to build a repository for compliances, there are many instances where taking a calculated risk is necessary to compete and succeed. That’s where sound legal advice becomes invaluable for risk assessment.

    How have recent global events, such as the pandemic or changes in international trade policies, impacted your legal strategies?

    Pandemics have touched and changed all strata of society including the Legal field, We have also gone for a complete paperless documentation system, remote working is seen as a norm today. Sometimes it increases productivity also. Many times when you are in the office it is difficult to concentrate on high-stakes documentation.

    Finally, I can say that when I started my career it was a time when we used to point out that this is not permissible as per Law, Slowly I moved to the narration that it’s a Business call, now with more than 20 years of experience I am in a position to say it’s my call, As I understand both Business and Law.

    Get in touch with Kumar Bankatesh-

  • “Most of the legal assignments are the same irrespective of different industries as they are governed by the law, however some assignments are industry specific which need to be learned”- Alok Saxena, Head – Legal and Compliance, Hippo Homes

    “Most of the legal assignments are the same irrespective of different industries as they are governed by the law, however some assignments are industry specific which need to be learned”- Alok Saxena, Head – Legal and Compliance, Hippo Homes

    This Interview has been published by Pragya Chandni and The SuperLawyer Team

    Could you share with us what initially drew you to pursue a career in law, especially after completing your M.Sc. in IT and B.Sc. in science-related fields?

    Law has been my favourite subject since childhood and I want to serve justice to the needy people who can’t afford the cost of litigation.

    What motivated you to shift from an IT background to a legal career, and how did your science and IT education influence your approach to law?

    I had started my career as a programmer in a MNC but I didn’t get internal satisfaction so I have shifted to the legal field. My IT background gave me an additional advantage to learn various laws including cyber laws.  

    What were some of the key challenges you faced when you first started practicing law, and how did you overcome them?

    Legal field is very wide so whenever I get challenges, I discuss with my seniors and also do detailed R&D on the same.  

    With a diverse background in various industries such as retail, manufacturing, FMCG, education, and real estate, how did you develop your core competencies in areas like contract management, litigation, and intellectual property management?

    Most of the legal assignments are the same irrespective of different industries as they are governed by the law, however some assignments are industry specific which need to be learned. Different industries gave me an opportunity to learn new things and enhance my core competencies.

    Can you walk us through your career progression, from your early roles to your current position as Head – Legal & Compliances at Hippo Homes? What were some pivotal moments or decisions along this journey?

    I have initially practised before the court and later shifted to corporate and worked with various good conglomerates like Dalmia Bharat Group, Blackberrys, GNC. The pivotal moment was shifting to corporate and joining Guardian Pharmacy as Head of Legal and Compliances.    

    You’ve managed complex corporate transactions and legal strategies for major organizations. Can you share a particularly challenging legal case or transaction you handled and the strategies you employed to achieve a successful outcome?

    Starting a new retail business of Dalmia Bharat Group in the name of Hippo Homes and later the said business transferred from Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited to Hippostores Technology Private Limited, it was a challenging task and successfully completed.   

    As a leader guiding legal and compliance teams, what strategies do you find most effective in fostering team collaboration, driving performance, and ensuring adherence to compliance standards?

    To understand the competency of team members, their strengths & weaknesses, and   assign the task based on their interest and also support their weakness. 

    What advice would you give to fresh graduates who are entering the legal field today, especially those who are looking to develop a diverse skill set and work across various industries?

    Firstly they should decide their career objective based on their interest and try to achieve the same. They shall not divert their career path due to any challenge or leverage. 

    Get in touch with Alok Saxena-

  • “Integrity is paramount. Build a strong foundation in legal principles, network actively, and gain practical experience through internships.” – AGM, Head – Business Ethics Compliance Officer at MANKIND PHARMA LTD

    “Integrity is paramount. Build a strong foundation in legal principles, network actively, and gain practical experience through internships.” – AGM, Head – Business Ethics Compliance Officer at MANKIND PHARMA LTD

    This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

    Could you please tell us about how you started your career in law? Who or what inspired you to choose this path, and can you walk us through your journey, including the struggles you faced in the initial days of your career? 

    My journey into law started with a deep fascination for the legal system. My father wanted me to be a Chartered Accountant, so I chose commerce in high school and enrolled in a B.Com course at Delhi University. However, after just a month, I had a sudden realization that it was “now or never” to follow my true passion. Almost overnight, I moved to Pune to pursue a 5-year law course.

    Growing up, I was inspired by my uncle, a renowned lawyer in Assam. His approach to complex situations left a profound impression on me. This, combined with my interest in understanding the intricacies of the law, was all the motivation I needed to pursue a career in law.

    I started my career at R. K. Dewan & Co., a law firm known for its expertise in intellectual property law, thanks to a pre-placement offer I had received from them. The initial days were tough—the transition from academic learning to practical application was a steep learning curve. I faced the typical struggles of a novice lawyer: long hours, complex cases, and the pressure to prove myself, all while adjusting to a new city, Mumbai. However, looking back, I’m thankful for these experiences as they helped shape my professional skills and resilience.

    You started your career working with R. K. Dewan & Co., and after 1.5 years, you transitioned to Reliance Communications. What motivated your shift from working in a law firm to taking on a role in the corporate sector? 

    Joining Reliance was a strategic move for me, marking my entry into the corporate sector. I wanted to be more directly involved in business operations and strategy. The opportunity to work within a company, helping to shape its direction and growth from the inside, was incredibly appealing. Honestly, I was excited by the variety of challenges the job would involve.

    During my time at RKD, I developed a strong understanding of Intellectual Property laws, which was immensely valuable. However, as I mentioned, I wanted to gain a broader perspective and immerse myself in the business environment. Moving to the corporate sector offered me the chance to see how various legal frameworks operate within the broader context of a business, beyond just IP law.

    How do you see the field of business ethics and compliance evolving in the next five to ten years, and what new challenges and opportunities do you anticipate? 

    In the next five to ten years, the field of business ethics and compliance will be significantly influenced by technological advancements, globalization, and increasing societal expectations.

    Technologies such as AI, blockchain, and big data analytics will enhance compliance monitoring and fraud detection but also pose challenges related to data privacy and algorithmic bias. As businesses expand globally, they will need robust compliance frameworks to navigate diverse regulatory landscapes. The growing demand for transparency and sustainable practices will drive more stringent reporting requirements and elevate the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations.

    The primary challenges will include integrating ethical considerations into advanced technologies and maintaining compliance across different jurisdictions with evolving regulations. However, businesses that effectively leverage these technologies can achieve cost savings and operational efficiencies. Companies that prioritize ethics and compliance will gain a competitive edge by building strong reputations and fostering trust with stakeholders.

    As the Head of Business Ethics Compliance at Mankind Pharma, what are your primary responsibilities and how do they contribute to the organization’s success?

    My primary responsibilities at Mankind Pharma include overseeing the implementation of the company’s business ethics compliance program, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, and fostering a culture of integrity and accountability. I work closely with various departments to develop and enforce policies that align with the company’s mission of delivering affordable and quality healthcare.

    These responsibilities directly contribute to the organization’s success by mitigating legal risks, enhancing the company’s reputation, and building trust with stakeholders.

    In high-stress roles like yours, maintaining work-life balance can be challenging. What strategies do you use to maintain this balance effectively? Also what hobbies or passions do you follow to unwind yourself?

    It requires a deliberate effort and effective time management. I prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance, delegate responsibilities when possible, and ensure that I set aside time for self-care and family.

    Listening to music is my favourite way to unwind; it helps me relax and recharge. Finding time for hobbies can be challenging in today’s fast-paced world, but I’ve discovered that taking short vacations, spending quality time with friends and family, and carving out small moments for personal gratification are essential.

    Based on your extensive experience, what advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to build a career in legal and compliance, particularly in the field of business ethics? 

    To develop a strong foundation in legal principles and continuously update their knowledge to keep pace with evolving regulations. Integrity is paramount in this field, so always strive to uphold the highest standards of honesty and fairness.

    Networking is also crucial. Building relationships with peers, mentors, and industry professionals can provide valuable insights and opportunities for career growth. Additionally, gaining practical experience through internships in compliance-related roles can help you understand the real-world applications of theoretical knowledge.

    How important do you think networking is in the field of legal and compliance, and how do you go about building and maintaining your professional network? 

    Extremely important. It not only helps in staying updated with industry trends and best practices but also provides opportunities for professional growth and collaboration. I actively participate in industry conferences, seminars, and professional associations to connect with peers and experts.

    What are some key qualities and skills that you believe are essential for success in the field of business ethics and compliance?

    First and foremost, integrity is paramount. They must lead by example. Analytical thinking is another crucial skill. The ability to dissect complex regulations, identify potential risks, and develop effective compliance strategies is essential. This involves a keen eye for detail and the capacity to anticipate and address issues before they escalate. Communication skills are also vital. Whether it’s training employees or reporting to senior management, the ability to clearly and effectively convey information is crucial. This also includes the ability to listen and understand the concerns of various stakeholders. Adaptability is important given the dynamic nature of regulations and the business environment.

    Finally, leadership and interpersonal skills are critical. Building a culture of compliance requires influencing and motivating others, often without direct authority. This means fostering strong relationships, earning trust, and inspiring a shared commitment across the organization.

    What are some common misconceptions about business ethics and compliance that you have encountered?

    The most common misconception is that “Business ethics and compliance are primarily about policing and punishment”. Many people view compliance departments as only enforcers who are there to catch and penalize wrongdoers. Maybe this was even true a decade ago! Not anymore. The true essence of business ethics and compliance is to act as advisors who guide and support the organization in making decisions.

    Another misconception is that compliance is solely the responsibility of the compliance department. In reality, business ethics and compliance are the responsibility of every employee, from the top executives to the entry-level staff.

    Lastly, some believe that compliance is a static, one-time effort. In truth, it’s an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement and adaptation to new challenges and regulatory changes.

    How has your background in law influenced your approach to managing business ethics and compliance?

    Significantly. Firstly, it has provided me with a strong foundation in legal principles and regulatory frameworks, which is essential for developing and implementing effective compliance programs.

    Moreover, my legal experience so far has honed my analytical and critical thinking skills, enabling me to identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. Additionally, it has taught me the importance of clear and precise communication. Whether drafting policies, conducting training sessions, etc., the ability to articulate complex legal concepts in an understandable manner is key to fostering a culture of compliance.

    Get in touch with Abhimanyu Dasgupta-

  • “Invest in meaningful relationships with seniors and colleagues and don’t fall into the rat race of titles and pay cheques”- Ketaki Suklikar, Head of M&A, Mahindra Group

    “Invest in meaningful relationships with seniors and colleagues and don’t fall into the rat race of titles and pay cheques”- Ketaki Suklikar, Head of M&A, Mahindra Group

    This Interview has been published by Pragya Chandni and The SuperLawyer Team

    Can you walk us through your journey from starting as an associate at Wadia Ghandy & Co. to your current role as Head of M&A at Mahindra & Mahindra? What motivated you to specialize in corporate M&A law?

    I would say I was extremely fortunate to have landed up at Wadia Ghandy & Co post law school. WG was the best training ground a fresher could ask for. We were taught everything there is to know about being a thorough professional keeping high ethical and quality standards and integrity in our work. I was given responsibility and freedom to navigate complex matters – with the reassurance that my Partner always had my back. To this day, I count my seniors Djena Sunavala and Ankit Majmudar as my mentors and dear friends- I often reach out to them for guidance. 

    Unlike current times where lawyers “specialise” right off the bat, at WG in those days as a fresher you had to work on all types of matters thrown at you be it conveyancing, corporate, M&A, regulatory work etc. across sectors. This gave me a broad view of all aspects of the law. However, within a few years I realised that I am drawn to transaction work and loved to work on PE and M&A matters. I then began focusing more on PE and Corporate M&A. 

    Having 8 years of rich law firm experience meant that I was well placed to join an organisation as in-house counsel. Acumen was a great stepping stone in my transition to in-house life. At Acumen, I was India GC and was responsible for all legal and regulatory aspects of Acumen’s India operations. 

    Mayfield was an exhilarating journey because VC is a very fast paced, high-energy world where the people you interact with are all extremely driven individuals- operating at a high level of efficiency. The expectations were high and I had to quickly step up to the plate. At Mayfield the sense of ownership and responsibility was further amplified which gave me a huge sense of confidence. 

    Again, the experience I gained at Mayfield was the perfect pre-cursor to my current role at M&M. 

    I firmly believe that in a career spanning 4 decades or more, everything happens at the right time when one is ready for the next challenge/shift. I have a very interesting and demanding role at M&M, one that I enjoy thoroughly, but it has come at the right time in my journey when I am well equipped to handle everything it throws at me. 

    Transitioning from a law firm to in-house counsel at Acumen and later Mayfield must have been significant shifts. How did these experiences shape your perspective on legal practice, especially within the context of venture capital and impact investment funds?

    The shift from advisor to decision maker is certainly a daunting one and one must have confidence in one’s abilities to navigate this shift.

    A firm head on your shoulders and being clear & decisive is needed. Understanding the business, the priorities and commercial levers driving an issue or transaction is key. One cannot be a roadblock – being solution oriented and collaborative is important but at the same time you need to set guard rails and ensure transactions are being done in a way that you are comfortable with as GC. You need to set standards and ensure you get buy-in from the business on your way of doing things.

    I would say these experiences have given me a unique perspective of legal practice, in the sense that I know exactly what the business leaders are, or rather, should be, looking to hear from the in-house legal team and what are the key drivers or critical matters concerning the Board. 

    As General Counsel at Mayfield, you oversaw legal aspects of the firm’s India operations, including deal structuring and governance. Could you share some key insights or challenges you encountered while navigating the legal landscape in the venture capital industry, particularly in India?

    As I mentioned, the venture capital space is fast paced and high energy, which is something I loved about it. 

    In terms of insights, I would say that building relationships across participants in the industry is extremely important and it makes deal making very smooth. When dealing with a sticky issue in a deal, often times, after several all-party calls and negotiations fail to resolve an issue,  a personal phone call to the GC on the other side or the law firm partner on the other side to discuss and come to common ground would solve the matter, because there is a personal connect and the person knows you well enough to know it is not an ego trip and you just want to come to an acceptable middle ground. 

    In any role there will be challenges, otherwise there is no fun. There certainly were challenges at Mayfield, but here I would say having a good working relationship with colleagues is very important to brainstorm, discuss, vent and then handle the challenges. Each challenge gives you immense learning and builds a new muscle which you never knew you had! 

    Joining Mahindra & Mahindra marked a shift to corporate M&A, but on a larger scale. What unique challenges do you face as Head of M&A in such a diverse and multinational conglomerate?

    As you have rightly said, M&M is a diverse and large group. The main challenge for me personally when I moved to M&M was that I was used to working independently and taking calls on my own, given that Mayfield (as typical for VC funds) was a small team. For obvious reasons, at M&M one has to work with many stakeholders from different teams and departments and this requires a shift in working style. 

    Apart from this, the sectors are very different from what I was looking at earlier, however, the principles of an M&A deal do not change drastically – it is just a different lens as a strategic player rather than a financial investor.

    Leading a team of lawyers in the M&A department at Mahindra & Mahindra, what strategies do you employ to ensure efficient deal management and coordination, especially across different sectors within the group?

    I think simple strategies like regular check-ins with the team, creating templates and SoPs for deals, and having the right balance of giving independence but still having some oversight, work very well. Most importantly, I seek feedback from my team and I am learning to be a better manager from them. 

    With your extensive experience across various sectors and roles within the legal field, what do you consider the most crucial skills or qualities for success in corporate law, particularly in M&A and venture capital?

    I would say, the following skills or qualities are crucial to success in M&A/VC (and generally as a corporate lawyer):

    • Understanding the commercial rationale for the transaction.
    • Getting comfortable with numbers and basic principles of corporate finance.
    • Balancing attention to detail with having a 30,000 foot view.
    • Being able to anticipate issues before they crop up and having a Plan B ready!
    • Stakeholder management 
    • Great communication and stellar writing skills

    Finally, drawing from your rich experience, what advice would you offer to fresh law graduates aspiring to pursue a career in corporate law or venture capital? What key lessons have you learned that you believe are essential for their success in the legal industry?

    My advice to fresh law graduates aspiring to pursue a career in corporate law or venture capital is to cut your teeth working at a law firm for the first 5-10 years post law school. Do not “specialise” early and work on diverse matters as much as possible. 

    Read the business newspapers in detail. Know what’s happening around you in the world. Keep abreast of changes in law and regulations. Follow some leaders in the field and see what they are talking about. If you don’t know something, ASK someone. Don’t only google it, but have a conversation about it. 

    Invest in meaningful relationships with seniors and colleagues and don’t fall into the rat race of titles and pay cheques. Your career will be very long – there is plenty of time.

    These are some learnings from my experience, every person will have a different journey and experience, and it is important not to compare your journey with others. 

    Get in touch with Ketaki Suklikar-

  • “M&A transactions provide an opportunity to rearrange and/or review and revise the business strategy to make business more agile, strong, reachable, relevant, risk proof and robust”- Vikramsinh Yadav, Legal Head -Business Partner for Bayer Pharma

    “M&A transactions provide an opportunity to rearrange and/or review and revise the business strategy to make business more agile, strong, reachable, relevant, risk proof and robust”- Vikramsinh Yadav, Legal Head -Business Partner for Bayer Pharma

    This Interview has been published by Pragya Chandni and The SuperLawyer Team

    Can you walk us through your journey from being an Advocate at the High Court of Mumbai to your current role as Legal Head at Bayer? How did your previous experiences shape your path in the legal field?

    In the year 1999 summer I came to Mumbai from my village in Sangli district in Maharashtra, after having not so good results in 12th Science. I graduated in Science from Mumbai University in 2002 and became a law student. There I found my striving and secured a first class in LLB with scholarship in jurisprudence. During my law graduation, I was active in moot court and debate competitions and secured State Level Best Advocate award as well as special appreciation in National level moot court competition. Our team was felicitated at the hands of ex Chief Justice of India Shree Rajendra Babu. With dreamy eyes and strong desire to make my name in the legal fraternity, I joined the legal profession as an Advocate in Bombay High Court in August 2005. My journey began under the guidance of well-known Criminal Lawyer Late Shree Shyamkumar Marwadi and Senior Counsel Shree Ashok Mundargi. I got an opportunity to work in famous as well complicated criminal litigations including chinkara poaching case against Bollywood celebrities, Anticorruption case against well-known encounter specialist, MPSC scam etc. During this stint I also completed my LLM from Mumbai University with flying colours. Additional benefit from the LLM course was to secure hostel accommodation in University Hostels at Church gate.    

    Since my early practice days, I was conscious to be an independent lawyer and not to limit my growth as a small plant under the shadow of a big tree. So I resumed my independent practice as a criminal and civil lawyer in Bombay High Court. I got ample opportunities of conducting complex criminal trials including murder, cheating, rape as well as CBI prosecutions in the Sessions Court of Bombay & sub-urbs (Thane, Kalyan). I feel proud to say that all the trials were successful. 

    I was also acting as a senior law retainer with well-known real estate law firm Kishore Thakordas & Company, which provided me an opportunity to work on complex real estate litigations related to real estate development projects, property succession as well as land encroachment litigations.   

    In 2013-14, I felt an urge to join a law firm to know the legal business with big corporate houses, and I joined PDS & Associates (now Agrud Partners) as a Senior Associate. There I got access to big corporate clients with an opportunity to handle their cases including arbitrations and commercial contractual disputes as well as criminal litigations. In 2016, I got an opportunity to lead the litigation team of a highly reputed banking law firm SNG & Partners. In the same year Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code was notified. So I got engrossed in handling banking as well as insolvency litigations including the matters against Reliance Communications, ABG Shipyard etc. In the meantime, I also became an A-Panel Counsel for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Panvel Municipal Corporation in Bombay High Court as well as National Company Law Tribunal. During my illustrious journey in the Bombay High Court. 

    In my 13 years of journey as an Advocate I represented several reputed clients such as Hindustan Unilever Limited, Bunge India Private Limited, Monsanto Limited, Britannia Limited, Bank of America, Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays Bank, HSBC, HDFC, State Bank of India, Angel Broking Company, late Shree Irfan Khan, Essel Entertainment etc.  

    During all these years I developed a curiosity to know & understand the business of big corporate houses from inside. That made me grab an opportunity to join Siemens Ltd as a Senior Legal Counsel in 2018. It was the beginning of my journey as an in-house counsel. It was a huge legal team of around 30 colleagues. All the colleagues in Siemens including my mentors and seniors Brotin Das, Saugata Chakravarty & lastly Hanno Kunkel shaped me as an in-house counsel. They gave me ample scope to act on diverse matters independently including several high stake litigations as well as core issues related to compliance and corporate governance. Every year in Siemens, I was rewarded with performance awards and recognitions.                                               

    During the pandemic when the world was standing still, I received an opportunity to join Bayer Group as a Litigation Head and it was a shift from project-infra business to product centric business. In Bayer I worked on illustrious as well as voluminous litigations. In the last year I became a Legal Head Business Partner for Pharmaceutical, Consumer Health and Radiology Business. 

    As an in house counsel, my experiences during advocacy days were always handy and helpful in providing quick resolutions and facilitating effective decisions. Apart from functional expertise, the diverse experience as an Advocate helps to understand the root cause of the issue referred to and to suggest appropriate mitigating measures within a legally compliant framework. This makes business partnering authentic as well as agile. 

    With your extensive background in handling various types of litigation, could you share with us a particularly challenging legal case you’ve encountered in your career? How did you approach it, and what were the key strategies you employed to achieve a successful outcome?

    There were several such challenging cases I have encountered in my journey as an Advocate and in-house counsel. However, to make it more relevant and recent I would cite a litigation related to Competition law. It was a case that began with a commercial dispute between an aggressive group of licensees who got access to the innovative technology of our Company. In India, as we know, the patent regime is access and benefit centric, having inclination towards the working of technology for the benefit of the people at affordable means. This leads to the clash amongst the generics and innovators. In the field of agriculture, especially GM seeds, it is more complex and highly regulated. 

    So these licensees challenged the innovator’s royalty and technology fees, and approached competition regulating authorities (the then MRTP and now CCI) alleging abuse of dominance, excessive pricing & discrimination referring to the contractual terms. Simultaneously, the commercial dispute went through arbitration where the Company succeeded against the licensees who then appealed against the award. Meanwhile, a challenge was posed against the patentability of technologically modified seeds, confusing the technology in seeds where seeds being carrier of it with seeds being part of a plant. Governmental authorities also joined the licenses in an antitrust complaint. My vigilant predecessors & colleagues did also challenge the jurisdiction of CCI in dealing with commercial contractual disputes over a patented product, since the Competition Act and the Patent Act are complete codes distinct and independent of each other. We worked as a team in the litigation and successfully contested not only the arbitration but also the jurisdictional challenge. Whilst commercial dispute as well as patent validity proceeding got amicably settled with the group of licensees, the CCI proceeding remained. Last year, Delhi High Court passed quite an interesting judgment ousting CCI’s jurisdiction in matters related to the Patents Act.                                        

    We, as a team, worked on this matter firstly to separate the commercial dispute from the clutches of the Competition law and successfully seal the settlement with the licensees. That minimised the aggrieved stakeholders involved in the dispute. As well as it reduced other connected proceedings such as arbitration as well as patent validity. Only proceeding then remaining was with the Competition Commission. Under the expert guidance of the eminent Senior Advocate, Dr. Singhvi, we concentrated on the jurisdictional challenge before Delhi High Court. And, in the last June we were pleasantly surprised with a favourable judgment of Delhi High Court ousting CCI’s jurisdiction over the matters governed under patent laws of India. Of course the judgment has now been challenged in the Hon’ble Supreme Court and is pending sub-judice. When there are complex issues with multiple laws, we need to find out the ways to minimize the complexity by separating and resolving the disputes having potential of being settled amicably. So that we can concentrate on highly complex core issues involving questions of law. That helps in focussing our efforts and resources. 

    Keeping internal stakeholders engaged and informed on several stages of the litigation is also utmost necessary in securing their support and trust. It boosts confidence and strengthens your efforts to successfully implement the strategy.           

    Transitioning from being a Litigation Head to a Legal Head Business Partner at Bayer signifies a shift from a more adversarial role to a collaborative one. What adjustments did you have to make in your approach when moving into this new position?

    Certainly it is a significant shift. As a generic business partner one needs to have a broad as well as detailed picture in mind while formulating a strategy. As a litigation head more focus is on utilizing specialised skill to understand the dispute and mitigate it in a timely manner so that the ends will be favourable. Whereas being Legal Head Business Partner requires to have a generic perspective, which needs to be close to the business, management, compliance as well as other cross functional teams. More collaborative and strategic mindset is essential for effective business partnering. Fortunately, my senior colleagues in the legal team Nabeel Saleem and Devdas Baliga were always keen to involve me in several other challenging topics requiring a generalist mind-set apart from my litigation portfolio. That also is helping me in gelling well with this new responsibility.    

    As the Legal Head at Bayer, you’re tasked with managing corporate advisory functions and leading legal teams across different sectors. How do you ensure legal integrity and compliance while also fostering innovation and growth within the organization?

    As a leading legal business partner for pharmaceuticals, consumer health & radiology business, one needs to be aware of changing legal framework whether pharma Codes, price regulations, incidental compliances, D&C Act and Rules, Clinical Trials and GMP related provisions. As a legal team, we collaboratively work on understanding these changes and identifying its impact and relevance for our business. Then we work on communicating these changes and updates along with simplified implementation strategies with our business and cross functional stakeholders. We do conduct several informative sessions within the legal team as well as business. Ours is democratic function which believes in sharing of ideas and trying to work innovatively. As a legal function, we keep mapping and reviewing our activities and many times empower colleagues in business also to take their decisions on their own. Digitalisation helps us in being agile and efficient in serving business. Our organization works with the mind-set of Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO) with a key focus on core mission and measured goals with defined outcomes in 90 days cycle.               

    Given your involvement in M&A transactions, what are some key legal considerations that you believe are crucial for ensuring a smooth and successful merger or acquisition?

    M&A transactions provide an opportunity to rearrange and/or review and revise the business strategy to make business more agile, strong, reachable, relevant, risk proof and robust. For smooth & successful merger or acquisition, clarity of purpose is at the core. With a holistic view we should be able to visualise the entire picture of the transaction. Accordingly, we have to map all the necessary activities from due diligence, necessary regulatory intimations and permissions, effect of FDI policies wherever relevant, effect on competition, Tax implications, corporate compliances, people integration etc. All the functions including tax, accounts, finance, communication, regulatory, quality, HR, SCM, marketing led by senior management and legal play a vital role in these transactions. `By nature, these are marathon transactions with long duration having internal, external and governmental stakeholders involved in it. Hence, planning in advance and securing consensus of all the stakeholders at every stage is essential. External as well as internal communication plays a big role in smooth implementation of M&A transactions. 

    Could you share some insights into how you navigate complex legal landscapes and deliver strategic dispute resolutions? What are some essential skills or approaches you rely on in these situations?

    Most of the disputes have inherent potential of pre-litigation amicable resolution. However, it is essential to be in contact with business to identify early signs of any possible dispute. If there are such inputs, as a litigation strategist, we prepare scenario analysis along with mapping of relevant substantive as well as procedural legal provisions and accordingly we guide business with a strategy. Preliminary focus is always on preventing litigation and securing amicable resolution. Eye for details, understanding of business and implication of dispute on it, interpretation of legal provisions and close familiarity with the practical side of the dispute resolution process whether it is the knowledge of courts procedures and practices or connection with external counsels play a vital role in handling dispute resolution. In some disputes such as possible patent or trademark infringement or bank guarantee invocation, we should be agile and aggressive in taking urgent measures to stop possible damage. Whereas in contractual disputes steps to be taken without having any adverse effect on the business, especially in project business.     

    Throughout your career, you’ve worked with notable companies such as Siemens and now Bayer. What do you think sets apart effective legal counsel in the corporate world, particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals and consumer health?

    As I mentioned earlier, understanding of business, becoming familiar with business language, expectations and needs, having connections with cross functional colleagues and access to the external peers in the industry including external counsels makes the legal Counsel effective in the corporate world. Effective communication at each level plays a key role. It requires conscious and consistent efforts. Needless to mention that these are essential qualities apart from the functional knowledge and expertise in respective core laws and legal aspects applicable to respective business.     

    Drawing from your own experiences and the challenges you’ve overcome, what advice would you offer to law graduates who aspire to pursue a career similar to yours?

    I am still in the process of learning and achieving the ultimate expertise in this field, however, I would like to share that law graduates aspiring to pursue such a career should keep their focus on expanding their understanding of laws governing diverse aspects (including substantive and procedural). They should gain real time experience of courts whether original or appellate, civil corporate or criminal to know their own strivings. Accordingly, they can choose the field of their interest and keep sharpening and shaping it consistently. Ability to learn, unlearn and relearn and communicate the same and becoming able to implement it is crucial for any lawyer.      

    Get in touch with Vikramsinh Yadav-

  • “Each sector presents its own unique set of legal considerations, regulations, and challenges, requiring a nuanced approach to ensure compliance and mitigate risks effectively…” – Saurabh Tamang, Head – Legal at Sahakar Global Limited

    “Each sector presents its own unique set of legal considerations, regulations, and challenges, requiring a nuanced approach to ensure compliance and mitigate risks effectively…” – Saurabh Tamang, Head – Legal at Sahakar Global Limited

    This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team

    You pursued your Bachelor of Legal Science and LL.B from Government Law College, Mumbai. Can you walk us through the pivotal moment or experience that led you to choose law as your career path? What inspired you to take up law, and how has that decision shaped your professional journey?

    My decision to pursue law was greatly influenced by my father, who is also a lawyer. Following in his footsteps, I decided to study law, which led me to explore opportunities beyond my hometown of Gangtok. With a strong desire to receive a high-quality legal education, I set my sights on the prestigious Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai.

    GLC, with its rich heritage and esteemed alumni including Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Lokmanya Tilak, and Justice M. C. Chagla, among others, stood out as a beacon of legal excellence and securing a seat in the five years B.LS., LLB. degree Course at GLC was a significant challenge, considering the limited availability of seats and the college’s reputation as one of the oldest and reputed law colleges in Asia.  For me, being accepted into GLC was a life-changing moment and marked the beginning of an exciting journey into the field of law. As a small-town boy, the opportunity to study at GLC opened doors to a world of knowledge, mentorship, and invaluable experiences that have immensely shaped my career and aspirations in law.

    As I progressed through my education, I was fortunate to have opportunities to delve deeper into legal studies and gain practical experience through internships and moot court competitions. These experiences solidified my passion for the subject of law and reinforced my desire to pursue it as a career.

    Since making the decision to pursue law, my professional journey has been both challenging and rewarding. It has involved continuous learning and growth. Each step along the way has further shaped my understanding of the law and deepened my commitment to serving organizations through the field of law.

    While my journey in the legal profession is still unfolding, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had thus far and excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. I look forward to contributing to the legal profession and making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

    Your journey through various prestigious organizations like JP Morgan Chase, Thomson Reuters, and GroupM showcases a diverse career path. What inspired you to pursue such a varied professional trajectory?

    Thank you for noticing the diversity in my professional trajectory. My journey through organizations like JP Morgan Chase, Thomson Reuters, and GroupM and others, has indeed been varied, and each experience has contributed to my growth and development in unique ways.

    What inspired me to pursue such a varied career path is a combination of factors, including a thirst for learning, a desire for new challenges, and a curiosity about different industries and sectors. I have always been someone who thrives on variety and enjoys exploring different facets of my interests and skill sets.

    Working in organizations across finance, media, IT, real estate, etc., has helped me develop a versatile skill set that I can apply across different domains, from financial analysis and strategic planning to data analytics and marketing.

    Moreover, each role I have taken on, has presented its own set of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Whether it is navigating the fast-paced environment of a financial institution, staying ahead of industry trends in media and advertising, or leveraging data and technology to drive business outcomes, I have embraced each challenge as a chance to expand my knowledge and expertise.

    Ultimately, I believe that a varied career path not only keeps things interesting but also allows for greater adaptability and resilience in an ever-changing professional landscape. By seeking out diverse experiences and continuously pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I am able to stay agile and open to new opportunities that come my way.

    While my journey may seem unconventional to some, I see it as a reflection of my willingness to explore, grow, and evolve as a professional. I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to continuing to learn, innovate, and make a positive impact wherever my career takes me.”

    As someone who has worked extensively across different sectors including Real Estate & Construction, Media & Entertainment, Information & Technology, and Labour & Employment, how do you navigate the complexities of each industry’s legal landscape?

    Navigating the complexities of legal landscapes across diverse industries such as Real Estate & Construction, Media & Entertainment, Information & Technology, etc., has been both challenging and rewarding. Each sector presents its own unique set of legal considerations, regulations, and challenges, requiring a nuanced approach to ensure compliance and mitigate risks effectively.

    In my experience, the key to navigating these complexities lies in a combination of thorough research, ongoing education, collaboration with industry experts, and a proactive approach to staying informed about emerging trends and regulatory changes.

    First and foremost, understanding the specific legal frameworks and regulations governing each industry is essential. This involves conducting comprehensive research and analysis to familiarize oneself with industry-specific laws, standards, and best practices.

    Additionally, staying abreast of legal developments through continuous learning and professional development is crucial. Whether it is attending industry conferences, participating in relevant workshops, or engaging in ongoing legal education courses, staying informed about the latest trends and changes in the legal landscape is essential for effective navigation.

    Collaboration with industry experts, including legal counsels specialized in each respective sector, can also provide valuable insights and guidance. By leveraging their expertise and staying connected to industry networks, one can gain a deeper understanding of industry-specific challenges and opportunities.

    Furthermore, as an in-house counsel, maintaining open communication and collaboration with internal stakeholders across different departments or business units is essential. By fostering cross-functional collaboration, legal professionals can gain valuable insights into the unique needs and priorities of each sector within the organization, enabling them to tailor their legal strategies accordingly.

    Ultimately, successful navigation of the legal landscape across diverse industries requires adaptability, agility, and a proactive approach to addressing legal challenges and opportunities as they arise. By staying informed, collaborating with industry experts, and maintaining open communication with stakeholders, legal professionals can effectively navigate the complexities of each industry’s legal landscape and contribute to the overall success of the organization.

    With your background in Financial Advisory Services at JP Morgan Chase, how do you think the financial industry has evolved in terms of legal compliance and risk management since you started your career?

    There has been significant evolution in terms of legal compliance and risk management within the financial industry over the years. Since the beginning of my career, there have been notable shifts driven by regulatory reforms, technological advancements, and changes in market dynamics.

    One of the most significant changes in the financial industry has been the tightening of regulatory frameworks following the global financial crisis of 2008. Regulators worldwide have implemented stricter rules and regulations aimed at enhancing transparency, stability, and consumer protection. This has necessitated a greater focus on legal compliance and risk management within financial institutions.

    In response to these regulatory reforms, financial institutions have invested heavily in compliance infrastructure and risk management systems. There has been a growing emphasis on implementing robust compliance programs, conducting thorough risk assessments, and establishing effective internal controls to mitigate legal and regulatory risks. 

    During my stint with Thomson Reuters Pangea3, I was a crucial member of the Corporate Governance, Risk Management & Compliance team, where I played a key role in successfully spearheading several pilot projects related to legal compliance & risk management for many prominent financial institutions such as Barclays, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, etc., which are now considered as benchmarks in the industry. For this contribution I was fortunate to be bestowed with the Leadership Award, 2012 by Thomson Reuters.

    Furthermore, advancements in technology have played a pivotal role in transforming how legal compliance and risk management are approached within the financial industry. The adoption of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics has enabled financial institutions to enhance their risk identification and monitoring capabilities. These technologies enable more proactive and data-driven approaches to compliance and risk management, allowing institutions to identify potential issues more efficiently and effectively.

    Additionally, there has been a greater recognition of the interconnectedness of legal, compliance, and risk functions within financial institutions. Collaboration between these functions has become increasingly important to ensure a holistic approach to managing risks and complying with regulatory requirements. Cross-functional teams work together to assess risks, develop compliance strategies, and implement controls that align with both legal and business objectives.

    As the Head of Legal at Sahakar Group, what are the key legal challenges you encounter in the user fee collection and renewable energy sectors, and how do you address them?

    As the Head of Legal at Sahakar Group, I encounter several key legal challenges in both the user fee collection and renewable energy sectors. In the user fee collection sector, we work along with several government authorities across the country such as the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), etc., and some of the main challenges include ensuring compliance with regulations governing fee collection, addressing disputes related to labour, contract terms with the authorities, and safeguarding customer data and privacy.

    To address these challenges, I work closely with relevant stakeholders within the organization to ensure that our fee collection processes and practices are fully compliant with applicable laws and regulations in addition to the requirement of the contracts with the authorities. This may involve conducting regular audits, staying updated on regulatory changes, and implementing robust internal controls to mitigate legal risks.

    Furthermore, I place a strong emphasis on data privacy and security measures to protect customer information from unauthorized access or breaches. This includes implementing stringent data protection policies, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations, and investing in secure technology infrastructure to safeguard sensitive customer data.

    In the renewable energy sector, key legal challenges often revolve around regulatory compliance, permits and licensing requirements, land acquisition issues, and contractual negotiations with suppliers or project partners.

    To address these challenges, I collaborate closely with our internal teams & stakeholders to ensure that our projects adhere to all relevant regulatory requirements and obtain necessary permits and licenses in a timely manner. This may involve engaging with regulatory authorities, conducting thorough due diligence on land acquisition processes, and negotiating contracts with suppliers or project partners to ensure favourable terms and mitigate legal risks.

    Additionally, I stay informed about emerging legal trends and developments  including changes to government incentives or subsidies, evolving environmental regulations, and industry best practices. By staying proactive and adaptable, we can effectively navigate the legal landscape in the renewable energy sector and position our company for continued success in this rapidly growing industry.

    Overall, by addressing these key legal challenges head-on and implementing proactive legal strategies, I aim to support Sahakar Group’s business objectives while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in both the user fee collection and renewable energy sectors.

    Outside of your professional endeavors, do you have any personal hobbies or interests that you find particularly fulfilling or rejuvenating? How do you balance your work and personal life?

    Outside of my professional endeavors, I do have several personal hobbies and interests that I find fulfilling and rejuvenating. Since I belong from the hills, one of my passions is spending time in nature and travelling. There is something incredibly therapeutic about immersing myself in the outdoors, whether it is exploring local trails, camping in remote wilderness areas, or simply taking a leisurely stroll through a nearby park. Connecting with nature helps me recharge and gain perspective, allowing me to return to my work with renewed energy and focus.

    Balancing my work and personal life is essential for my overall well-being and happiness. To achieve this balance, I prioritize time management and boundary-setting. I allocate specific time slots for work-related tasks and responsibilities, ensuring that I stay focused and productive during designated work hours. At the same time, I make a conscious effort to carve out time for my personal interests and hobbies, treating them as non-negotiable appointments in my schedule, all of which help me recharge and rejuvenate both mentally and physically.

    For aspiring legal professionals, especially those entering the field today, what advice would you give them to navigate the complexities of the legal landscape and build a successful career?

    The legal landscape is constantly evolving, with new laws, regulations, and precedents emerging regularly. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize lifelong learning and stay updated on legal developments in your practice area. This can involve attending seminars, workshops, and legal conferences, as well as reading legal publications and engaging in ongoing professional development opportunities.

    While it is important to have a broad understanding of the law, one may consider specializing in a specific practice area that aligns with his/her interests and strengths. Developing expertise in a particular niche can set a person apart from others and position him/her as a sought-after legal professional in that field.

    Further, building a strong professional network is crucial for success in the legal industry. Taking advantage of networking events, bar association meetings, and alumni gatherings to connect with fellow legal professionals, mentors, and potential clients can be highly beneficial. Also we should look  to cultivate genuine relationships and seek opportunities to collaborate and learn from others in our network.

    Another important thing to note is that theory is important, however practical experience is invaluable. As such, you should seek out internships, clerkships, or volunteer opportunities to gain hands-on experience in legal settings. Whether it is drafting contracts, conducting legal research, or appearing in court, practical experience will not only enhance your skills but also provide valuable insights into the day-to-day realities of legal practice.

    Last but not the least, upholding ethical standards is fundamental to the practice of law. Always prioritize honesty, integrity, and professionalism in your interactions with clients, colleagues, and the judiciary. Adhering to ethical principles not only fosters trust and credibility but also protects your reputation as a legal professional.

    By following these pieces of advice and remaining committed to your professional growth and development, you can navigate the complexities of the legal landscape and build a successful and fulfilling career in the field of law.

    With your extensive experience spanning various sectors of law, from financial services to media and real estate, could you share with us which area of law you are particularly passionate about? What drives your interest in that specific field?

    One of the main lines of business of Sahakar group is real estate and construction and I have worked on several construction & re-development projects in the organization.  As such, my particular area of interest in law has now become real estate and construction. What drives my passion for this field is the tangible impact it has on communities, economies, and the built environment, as well as the intricate legal frameworks that govern property rights, development projects, and transactions.

    Real estate and construction law encompass a wide range of legal issues, including property transactions, land use regulations, zoning laws, construction contracts, environmental compliance, and dispute resolution. As someone who is fascinated by the intersection of law, business, and urban development, I am drawn to the complex legal challenges and opportunities that arise in this field.

    One aspect that particularly excites me about real estate and construction law is its role in shaping the physical landscape of our cities and neighbourhoods. From acquisition and development of properties, negotiating construction contracts for large-scale projects, or navigating regulatory hurdles in land use and zoning, real estate and construction law plays a critical role in facilitating growth, infrastructure development, and urban revitalization.

    Moreover, I am passionate about the economic and social implications of real estate and construction activities, including issues of affordable housing, sustainable development, and community engagement. Real estate and construction law intersects with broader societal goals such as environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic development, providing opportunities to address pressing challenges and promote positive outcomes for communities and stakeholders.

    Overall, my interest in real estate and construction law stems from a desire to leverage my legal expertise to address complex issues related to property rights, development, and urban planning. By working in this field, I am able to contribute to the responsible and sustainable growth of our built environment while also advocating for the interests of clients, communities, and the public good.

    Being honored with the Lex Falcon Global Award and recognized as one of the Top Ten Chief Legal Officers of 2023 is truly remarkable. Could you share with us a pivotal moment in your career that you believe contributed to these accolades?

    Thank you for your kind words. Being honored with the Lex Falcon Global Award and recognized as one of the Top Ten Chief Legal Officers of 2023 was indeed a humbling and gratifying experience for me. Reflecting on my career journey, I believe there have been several pivotal moments that have contributed to these accolades.  On several occasions I was fortunate to get the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, strategic vision, and legal acumen in the organizations that I was associated with, which have ultimately led to the recognition I received with the Lex Falcon Global Award and recognition as one of the Top Ten Chief Legal Officers of 2023. These accolades remind me of the hard work, dedication, and passion that I have always endeavoured to bring to my role as a legal professional, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the legal field

    Get in touch with Saurabh Tamang-

  • “While collaborating with legal counsels and law firms, I’ve found that effective communication and alignment of objectives are paramount to successful partnerships and achieving our goals”- Trushil Vora, Head – Legal at Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management

    “While collaborating with legal counsels and law firms, I’ve found that effective communication and alignment of objectives are paramount to successful partnerships and achieving our goals”- Trushil Vora, Head – Legal at Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management

    This Interview has been published by Pragya Chandni and The SuperLawyer Team

    Could you share a bit about your journey into the field of law, particularly what drew you to specialize in Funds, Banking, Finance, Debt Capital Markets, and Corporate Laws?

    My journey into the field of law has been shaped by a combination of rigorous academic training and hands-on experience across prestigious institutions and diverse sectors. Graduating from Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) and subsequently studying at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) broadened my perspective on legal principles and practices.

    At GNLU, I had the privilege of learning from some of the best legal minds in the country. The practical insights gained from internships at firms like Little & Co., Nishith Desai Associates and ALMT Legal complemented my theoretical learning, providing invaluable exposure to real-world legal challenges.

    Continuing my academic journey at LSE, one of the world’s top law schools, deepened my understanding of global legal frameworks and their intersection with business dynamics. Interacting with students from diverse backgrounds enriched my perspective, fostering adaptability and cultural sensitivity, qualities crucial for navigating the complexities of a globalized legal landscape.

    My passion for law stems from a problem-solving mindset, drawn to complex legal issues that demand innovative and business-friendly solutions. Internships provided me with early exposure to complex legal issues within Funds, Banking, Finance, Debt Capital Markets, and Corporate Laws. Specializing in Funds, Banking, Finance, Debt Capital Markets, and Corporate Laws aligns with my inclination towards strategic thinking and continuous learning. These areas offer a diverse range of legal challenges across various business sectors, avoiding monotony and stimulating intellectual curiosity.

    Throughout my 15-year journey as a legal professional, I’ve had the privilege of working directly under lawyers who are stalwarts in their respective areas of practice. Their mentorship provided invaluable guidance, reinforcing the importance of understanding client business and delivering practical, strategic legal counsel.

    My experiences working across prestigious law firms and in an in-house role at Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited, have honed my skills in navigating complex legal landscapes. Today, as the Head of the Legal Team, I draw upon this diverse background to provide innovative solutions that drive business growth and mitigate risks effectively.

    In essence, my journey into law has been guided by a quest for continuous learning, a passion for problem-solving, and a commitment to delivering value-driven legal solutions. Specializing in Funds, Banking, Finance, Debt Capital Markets, and Corporate Laws allows me to leverage these strengths while contributing to the success of my clients (internal stakeholders in my current role) and organizations.

    As the Head of Legal at Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited, you oversee various legal aspects, including contract management and dispute resolution. What challenges do you commonly face in these areas, and how do you navigate them?

    As the Head of Legal at Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited, I oversee various legal aspects, including contract management and dispute resolution, in a dynamic industry fraught with unique challenges. With our diverse lines of business spanning mutual funds, alternate investment funds, and portfolio management services, navigating the rapidly changing regulatory landscape presents intricate and ever-evolving legal hurdles.

    Our team’s strategic approach to managing these challenges is rooted in a clear and systematic process. We begin by meticulously understanding the nuanced business requirements and objectives, engaging closely with stakeholders across different verticals. This ensures that our legal strategies are not only legally sound but also seamlessly aligned with the company’s overarching goals and group’s values.

    Simultaneously, we systematically analyze legal risks associated with each initiative, conducting thorough due diligence and staying attuned to regulatory developments. Continuous learning and regularly tracking regulations are essential aspects of our legal operations. We subscribe to legal resources and newsletters to remain abreast of the latest legal developments, ensuring our business objectives are consistently aligned with regulatory requirements.

    One common challenge we frequently encounter is understanding the mindset of concerned stakeholders and persuading them to accept a path that is not only legally and regulatorily compliant but also aligned with the company’s overarching goals. This often involves engaging with and convincing stakeholders to deviate from their initial approach in favor of a more legally sound solution.

    We have implemented robust legal policies and processes to ensure that documents, matters, and notices do not escape legal scrutiny, thereby protecting the organization from exposure to legal risks. Additionally, we engage in continuously sensitizing employees and conducting training to ensure they understand the legal processes, rules, and regulations applicable to them, further safeguarding the company against legal risks.

    Leveraging legal technology for contract and litigation management enhances operational efficiency and saves time, enabling us to proactively focus on identifying potential pitfalls and implementing preemptive measures. Each team member plays a defined and vital role, fostering collaboration in resolving legal challenges effectively.

    Whether it’s crafting tailored contracts, providing strategic advice to senior management, or implementing proactive risk management strategies, our actions are guided by a deep understanding of both business imperatives and legal intricacies.

    By following this clear and systematic approach, we not only mitigate legal risk but also contribute to the achievement of our broader strategic objectives. Our focus on understanding business requirements, assessing legal risks, leveraging legal expertise, and harnessing technology for enhanced efficiency ensures that we remain agile and responsive in addressing the evolving legal landscape.

    With your extensive experience in collaborating with legal counsels and law firms, what strategies do you employ to ensure effective communication and alignment of objectives between your team and external legal partners?

    While collaborating with legal counsels and law firms, I’ve found that effective communication and alignment of objectives are paramount to successful partnerships and achieving our goals. One strategy I employ is to establish clear lines of communication from the outset, ensuring that expectations, timelines, and deliverables are clearly defined and understood by all parties.

    Regular communication channels, such as scheduled meetings and status updates, help maintain alignment and ensure that any issues or concerns are addressed promptly. Additionally, I believe in fostering an open and collaborative environment where both internal and external teams feel comfortable sharing ideas, feedback, and insights.

    Furthermore, I prioritize building strong relationships with our external legal partners, fostering trust and mutual respect. By understanding each other’s strengths, capabilities, and areas of expertise, we can leverage our collective knowledge and experience to achieve common objectives.

    Lastly, I believe in the importance of ongoing feedback and evaluation to assess the effectiveness of our collaboration efforts. This allows us to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments as needed to ensure continued alignment and success.

    Overall, effective communication, collaboration, and relationship-building are key strategies I employ to ensure alignment of objectives between my team and external legal partners.

    You’ve been instrumental in implementing legal training programs for employees. How do you approach balancing regulatory adherence with fostering a culture of innovation within the legal department?

    As a leader in the legal department, I’ve been implementing legal training programs for employees, and I approach balancing regulatory adherence with fostering a culture of innovation through a multifaceted strategy.

    Firstly, I prioritize creating a culture of trust and autonomy within the team. This involves providing flexibility for innovative thinking while ensuring strict adherence to regulatory requirements. By empowering team members to think creatively within the bounds of law, I encourage innovative solutions while upholding legal standards.

    Secondly, continuous legal development is crucial. Our organization invests in ongoing education initiatives, such as seminars, workshops, and access to online resources, to keep the team updated with the latest legal developments. This ensures that innovation is informed by a comprehensive understanding of regulatory requirements.

    Additionally, practical exposure and direct interaction opportunities with key stakeholders play a significant role. By involving team members in meetings, negotiations, and other crucial aspects of legal practice, I foster a deeper understanding of legal and regulatory challenges and encourage innovative approaches to address them.

    Ultimately, my approach aims to strike a balance between regulatory adherence and fostering innovation. By creating an environment of trust, investing in continuous legal education, and providing practical exposure, we cultivate a culture where innovation thrives within the applicable legal and regulatory framework.

    Happy to address this alternate question instead – “You’ve handled transactions in banking and project finance, leading negotiations and client meetings. Can you share a particularly challenging project you managed and how you successfully navigated it?”

    One particularly challenging project I managed involved transactions in banking and project finance, where I served as the legal counsel for a consortium of about 20 lenders, comprising significantly large banks. The complexity of the project lay not only in the intricacies of the transaction but also in the sheer scale of stakeholders involved, each with their own unique perspectives and priorities.

    As the legal advisor representing the lenders, one of the most daunting challenges was to navigate the decision-making process among the consortium members. With a large number of stakeholders, each with varying degrees of influence and interests, reaching a consensus on critical legal matters posed a considerable challenge.

    To address this challenge and streamline the decision-making process, I proposed a solution that ultimately proved to be highly effective. I suggested forming a steering committee comprising the top five lenders by contribution and size. This committee would be tasked with making decisions on legal challenges and strategic matters, thereby expediting the decision-making process and ensuring that key decisions were made in a timely manner.

    Despite initial skepticism from some stakeholders, I was able to effectively communicate the benefits of this approach and garner support for the formation of the steering committee. By highlighting the advantages of having a smaller, more agile decision-making body, I was able to overcome resistance and gain consensus among the lenders.

    The implementation of the steering committee proved to be a game-changer for the project. With a more streamlined decision-making process and faster resolutions to legal challenges, we were able to expedite the transaction timeline significantly. By empowering the steering committee to take decisive action, we minimized delays, resolved issues proactively, and ultimately closed the transaction in a remarkably short time frame.

    This experience taught me the importance of creative problem-solving and effective stakeholder management in complex transactions. By proposing a solution that addressed the specific challenges of the project and gaining buy-in from key stakeholders, I was able to navigate a challenging situation successfully and achieve a positive outcome for all parties involved.

    Given your expertise in legal risk mitigation and fraud prevention, could you share some key strategies or best practices for identifying and addressing potential legal risks within financial institutions?

    In my experience, effective legal risk mitigation and fraud prevention within financial institutions require a multifaceted approach that combines proactive measures with ongoing vigilance. Some key strategies and best practices include:

    • Conducting thorough risk assessments: Regularly assess the legal and regulatory landscape to identify emerging risks and vulnerabilities. This involves analyzing regulatory changes, market trends, and internal processes to pinpoint areas of potential exposure.
    • Implementing robust compliance programs: Develop comprehensive compliance programs that are tailored to the specific regulatory requirements and business operations of the financial institution. This includes establishing clear policies, procedures, and controls to ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards.
    • Enhancing due diligence processes: Strengthen due diligence processes for onboarding clients, vendors, and business partners to mitigate the risk of fraud and misconduct. Conduct thorough background checks, verify credentials, and assess potential risks before entering into any business relationships.
    • Promoting a culture of compliance: Foster a culture of compliance throughout the organization by providing regular training, education, and awareness programs to employees. Encourage open communication channels for reporting potential issues and promote ethical behavior at all levels.
    • Implementing robust internal controls: Establish robust internal controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect and prevent fraudulent activities. This includes implementing segregation of duties, regular audits, and reviews of financial transactions to identify anomalies and potential red flags.
    • Leveraging technology and data analytics: Utilize technology-driven solutions and data analytics tools to enhance fraud detection and prevention capabilities. Implement advanced monitoring systems, artificial intelligence, and machine learning algorithms to identify patterns of suspicious behavior and potential fraud risks.
    • Collaborating with regulatory authorities and industry peers: Maintain open communication channels with regulatory authorities and collaborate with industry peers to share best practices, insights, and emerging trends in legal risk mitigation and fraud prevention.

    By adopting these strategies and best practices, financial institutions can proactively identify and address potential legal risks, safeguarding their reputation, financial integrity, and long-term viability.

    Your career trajectory showcases a progression from Associate to Head of Legal. What were some pivotal moments or lessons learned along the way that contributed to your professional growth and leadership development?

    My career journey from Associate to Head of Legal has been shaped by pivotal moments and invaluable lessons that have contributed significantly to my professional growth and leadership development.

    One such pivotal aspect has been the opportunity to work directly under legal stalwarts in their respective fields. Their mentorship and guidance have been instrumental in shaping my approach to legal practice, imparting invaluable insights and best practices that have enriched my skill set and strategic thinking.

    Moreover, collaborating closely with business heads and key stakeholders has provided me with a deep understanding of their perspectives and priorities. This exposure to the business side of operations has been transformative, enabling me to offer innovative, business-friendly solutions to legal challenges. Understanding the business goals, challenges, and industry dynamics has allowed me to deliver tailored solutions that align seamlessly with our business objectives.

    Furthermore, working across diverse sectors has provided me with a unique perspective, allowing me to view legal issues through the lens of a businessman. This holistic understanding of client expectations and business realities has been particularly invaluable in my current role at Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited.

    In essence, the combination of mentorship from legal experts, collaboration with business leaders, and exposure to diverse sectors has been key to my professional growth and leadership development. These experiences have not only enhanced my legal acumen but also honed my ability to provide strategic counsel that drives business success.

    Finally, what advice would you offer to fresh graduates aspiring to pursue a career in law, especially those interested in the areas of Funds, Banking, Finance, and Corporate Laws?

    For fresh graduates aspiring to carve a career path in law, particularly in the domains of Funds, Banking, Finance, and Corporate Laws, my advice revolves around fostering a strong foundation in legal fundamentals and cultivating a solution-oriented mindset.

    Firstly, it’s paramount to build a robust understanding of core legal principles such as the Contract Act, Companies Act, Transfer of Property Act, and principles of interpretation. These foundational laws serve as the cornerstone upon which specialized areas like finance and corporate law are constructed. By mastering these fundamentals, young lawyers can develop a solid framework for analyzing legal issues and offering effective solutions to clients.

    Additionally, I urge aspiring lawyers to adopt a solution-oriented approach to problem-solving. Clients in fields like finance and corporate law often seek pragmatic solutions to intricate legal challenges. Rather than just identifying problems, young lawyers should focus on crafting innovative and practical solutions that address clients’ underlying needs and objectives. This necessitates critical thinking, creativity, and a readiness to explore alternative legal avenues.

    Moreover, maintaining a curious mindset and a commitment to continuous learning is crucial. Given the dynamic nature of finance and corporate law, staying updated with legal developments and industry trends is imperative. Aspiring lawyers should embrace opportunities for learning, ask pertinent questions, and seek growth opportunities to enhance their problem-solving skills and legal acumen.

    Lastly, I encourage young lawyers to seek mentorship and guidance from seasoned professionals in the field. Learning from experienced practitioners can offer invaluable insights, practical wisdom, and networking opportunities that accelerate career growth and development.

    In summary, my advice to fresh graduates aspiring for a rewarding career in finance and corporate law is to prioritize building strong legal fundamentals, adopting a solution-driven mindset, fostering curiosity and continuous learning, and seeking mentorship from experienced professionals. Embracing these principles equips aspiring lawyers to embark on a fulfilling and impactful journey in the legal profession.

    Get in touch with Trushil Vora-

  • “Think like a lawyer but look beyond the law”- Mirul Bhavsar, Head of Legal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education

    “Think like a lawyer but look beyond the law”- Mirul Bhavsar, Head of Legal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education

    This Interview has been published by Pragya Chandni and The SuperLawyer Team

    Could you share a bit about your journey into the legal profession, particularly what inspired you to pursue a career in law and how your background in psychology has influenced your legal acumen?

    This question is very close to my heart and in its answer lies my firm belief that ‘God’s plan is always better than yours’. I am an accidental lawyer and have never even dreamed of becoming one. I was an absolute introvert in my teens. I was on the verge of getting my bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology but was unsure how to transition that knowledge into a career. Back then, I was terrified by the thought of interacting with people. There were also financial constraints. One day while taking a random stroll in the college lobby, I saw a notice of admission to the evening law degree program run by my college. It was a 3 year program, with no requirement of CLAT and the fee was also very nominal. I was always very much inclined towards reading and had an analytic mind. Piles of books never scared me rather, I found solace amidst them. I have spent more time at the library than at the lectures. The legal profession is always considered as a noble and respectable profession. So, it ticked all the boxes for me.

    Within 2-3 years of working as a lawyer, I really started enjoying my work. As a lifelong psychology student (it is still my favorite subject), I am aware of my personality traits, such as an eye for detail, logical thinking, understanding of human behavior, convincing power, and excellent listening and empathy, all that psychology has taught me. These traits are equally, if not more, required to be a competent lawyer. By then, I had also realized that litigation is not something I would not like to do on a daily basis, and I have a knack for good writing skills; thus, I started focusing on documentation, contracting, and written opinions.

    With your extensive experience across diverse industries such as education, oil and gas, retail, and real estate, could you highlight some key challenges you’ve faced and how you navigated them, especially considering the varied regulatory landscapes of these sectors?

    In the corporate world, legal and regulatory compliance are like two sides of the same coin. Lawyers typically deal with laws and contracts, while compliance officers ensure that a company follows industry rules. Inhouse lawyers handle both by balancing what’s legally required with what’s needed to keep the business running smoothly. They stay ahead by knowing the laws inside out and understanding the operational dynamics of the industry they cater to. Working closely with operation teams and advance planning helps the company avoid or at least anticipate issues and stay on track. In-house lawyers act like guides so businesses can focus on sales, customer delight, production or R and D but within the corners of the laws and regulations. 

    I will put retail and real estate in the same bucket as retail highly depends on real estate availability. In India, we celebrate and are proud of our ‘Unity in Diversity; approach, but ask this to a lawyer handling PAN India real estate title due diligence! There is a lot of dependency on local languages and systems (or its absence) for maintaining land/revenue records at government offices and local municipal laws. When you started the project, the area was under gram panchayat, and by the time the project was complete, the exact location would have fallen within the municipality’s limits. Additionally, you must understand the operations in detail to ensure that landlords give you the required leeway to utilize the property efficiently. Negotiating with different categories of landlords and developers has honed my negotiation skills.    

    I have learned the importance of regulatory aspects in the day-to-day functioning of the legal department during my stint in the oil and gas sector. Oil and gas is an absolutely regulated sector with a monopoly of PSUs. There is limited scope for private or international companies. The organization I was working for is a French conglomerate. So the regulatory requirements of India and as well as that of the parent entity’s country were also required to be met strictly, in addition to the best of corporate governance policies. Your prices are regulated, your territories are marked, you have logistic challenges as the oil exploration fields are situated at particular shores, your hands are tied as you swear by ABAC regulations and FCPA, there are sanctioned countries, and so on. I have learned how to build contracts and draft policies while keeping all these in mind.

    Another interesting experience is in education, which still amazes me. In India, education is a matter of a concurrent list. It means both the state and central governments will try to regulate the sector. With so many states and so many political parties driving the political scenarios in India, we seldom have state and central policies aligned on concurrent lists matters. In some states, the RTE (Right to Education) Act is taken very strictly; in others, you can maneuver around it. Some states welcome private self-funded players to boost the availability of high-class educational institutions in the states, while others prefer control at the stake of quality and feasibility. With approximately ¼ of our population between the ages of 6 and 16 and the growing income of the middle and upper-middle-class population, there is a huge demand for good quality education providers, attracting many PE and VCs to invest in education. So, suppose you are the legal person for a company having PAN India operations in school, in that case, you can imagine the number of state-specific regulations to keep track of while advising on legal matters from a centralized office!

    As the Head of Legal for Manipal Academy of Higher Education, you mentioned restructuring the legal team and enhancing skill development. Can you walk us through some of the strategies you employed to achieve this and the outcomes you observed?

    Life in metro cities and small towns is very different, and these differences are evident due to their different levels of exposure in terms of competitiveness, training, motivation, aspirations, and complex work scenarios. The nature of an organization (i.eMNCs, VC-backed Companies, start-ups, and not-for-profit organizations of different sizes ) impacts its culture, and culture is all about people. What works in metros or big cities may not (I would say ‘will not’) work in small towns. You have to manage with the existing resources, and you will not get new resources easily.  

    The restructuring of the legal team was spearheaded with a focus on clearly defining roles and expectations for both internal and external stakeholders. Significant time was invested in training them on negotiation skills, contract drafting, and legal communication. Assistance was provided to existing teams in understanding the operations and business aspects of the sector, associating the legal aspects and their impact, which has aided in understanding the value of their work.

    I swear by templates, checklists, & SOPs, streamlining legal processes, which have been my go-to tools at MAHE as well, and the team and other stakeholders are pleased with these toolkits.

    Standardization and process enhancement seem to have been pivotal in your role at MAHE. How did you go about developing templates, checklists, and SOPs, and what impact did these initiatives have on the efficiency and consistency of legal processes?

    In the role of an in-house lawyer, I would like to prioritize standardization and process improvement to enhance the productivity of the legal team. Commencing with a thorough examination of existing legal workflows, recurring tasks and areas of inefficiency were identified through collaborative discussions with team members and stakeholders. Tailored templates, checklists, and SOPs were crafted based on these insights to address these pain points, with a focus on streamlining processes, reducing errors, and ensuring compliance. Throughout this process, feedback and input were actively sought from team members, both external and internal to provide practical, user-friendly solutions. Comprehensive training sessions and personalized hand holding were conducted to ensure effective adoption and user comfort.

    Following implementation, key metrics such as negotiation time and success, as well as requester feedback, were closely monitored to assess the impact of these initiatives on efficiency and consistency. Significant improvements were noted in turnaround time, error rates, and compliance levels. The standardized processes implemented not only streamlined workflows, enabling quicker task completion and freeing up time for higher-value work, but also fostered consistency in executing legal tasks across the team, thereby enhancing overall compliance and risk management. 

    Given your focus on the education sector, could you elaborate on the unique challenges and opportunities you’ve encountered in this industry, particularly regarding M&A deals, post-merger integration, and regulatory compliance?

    In education, navigating the regulatory and compliance landscape presents a distinctive set of challenges and opportunities. With education falling under the concurrent list, governance involves coordination between multiple authorities, adding complexity to regulatory compliance. While the sector is socially impactful, profit-making is restricted, necessitating a delicate balance between financial sustainability and delivering quality services. The surge in M&A activity, driven by interest from private equity and venture capital firms, reflects evolving market dynamics, particularly with the rise of Ed-tech post-pandemic. However, traditional brick-and-mortar K-12 schools continue to uphold their significance, requiring continuous adaptation to compete with digital alternatives. 

    Establishing or expanding educational institutions often involves substantial real estate investments, which, coupled with more extended gestation periods, pose financial challenges. Moreover, post-merger integration presents its own set of hurdles, given the absence of nationwide standards and the varied regulatory frameworks across states. Many institutions begin as philanthropic ventures, evolving over time under the influence of passionate founders or promoters and their younger generations wanting to encash on brand and legacy, further complicating the integration process. 

    In summary, the education sector offers immense opportunities for growth and impact. Still, success hinges on effectively navigating the regulatory landscape, adapting to market shifts, and executing strategic M&A deals with diligence and foresight.

    In your career, you’ve been involved in forming and mentoring legal teams from the ground up. What qualities do you look for when assembling a legal team, and how do you foster a collaborative and productive work environment within it?

    My first question in any interview for a legal position or when I meet a law student is, “What made you choose law as your career choice ?” The answer to this lets me into their perception of as well as their expectations from this profession. So, for me, their ‘Why’ is very important. Another critical and non-negotiable quality is a willingness to be a lifelong learner- of new skills, not only new rules and regulations but also new subjects beyond law. Law is such a vast area that one should never be complacent  or consider oneself a law expert. 

    For most of my career, I have worked in large organizations and across sectors, so being a team member and working in groups is another aspect I will look into.  

     Along with legal acumen like good written communication and the ability to summarize or comprehend legal texts, a successful in-house legal person must have a basic understanding of the practical aspects of business and operations to evaluate any document or situation from multiple angles.  

    I would eat, sleep, and breathe law and amongst those lucky people on the earth who love what they do and do what they love, so I don’t need a heavy dose of motivation daily. Still, different persons have different aspirations and motivations. So, I ensure that my team is clear regarding mutual expectations. Clarity and openness in communication are vital for successful teamwork. As stated earlier, training, handholding, and standardization ensure consistency in the output, and I insist on continuous and 360-degree feedback. I am very comfortable in delegation with empowerment and hate micromanaging things. Most importantly, we have a lot of fun banters, teasing, and snacking going around all day amidst heavy negotiations and focused reading sessions, so there is never a dull day at work. 

    As someone passionate about advancing legal education, what initiatives have you undertaken to contribute to the development of young lawyers, both within your organization and beyond?

    I am seriously jealous of today’s generation for the sheer amount of availability of resources and diverse opportunities. But then, there is also a problem of plenty and confusion created due to multiple options. So, they need proper guidance to capitalize on the right kind of opportunity and information. So at every available opportunity, I love to reach out to students and budding lawyers to understand their academic challenges, needs, and wants. I talk to them to identify what they find exciting and boring and learn about their misconceptions and fears. This kind of conversation has a dual advantage for me – it fuels my curious mind, lets me know recent trends and future expectations, and helps me to be relevant while hiring and mentoring young lawyers. I volunteer for lectures in law schools and webinars for the transition from ‘campus to corporate,’ different career options for lawyers, practical contract drafting, and the like.

    For my teams, I identify and ask for their specific training needs for skill enhancement and give them the desired resources. I have always been an early adopter of technology, so I encourage using digital tools such as CLM, digital signature, and chat-gpt (with much caution). My funda is one size does not fit all, and thus, I customize based on the personality and needs of an organization. 

    Lastly, drawing from your rich experience, what advice would you offer to fresh graduates aspiring to pursue a career in law, especially those interested in making an impact in diverse industries like education and beyond?

    ‘Stay hopelessly curious and be an avid learner,’ understand business, and think like a lawyer but look beyond the law. Take calculated risks, and don’t settle for one area or organization for safety; experiment in your early years. Develop transferable skills even as a lawyer, such as due diligence, negotiation, policy-making, legal auditing, etc., and remember to keep asking yourself, ‘Why did you choose to become a lawyer?’ The answer may vary over time, but there must be a clear answer every time.  

    Get in touch with Mirul Bhavsar-