Shilpa Sharma Founder & Managing Partner
A note from our Director
"I learned that it is a lawyer's duty to tell the client what the law is, not what he wants it to be."
- John Grisham
A Legal Catalyst Shaping the Future
Dear Esteemed Readers,
Itiswithimmensepleasurethatweintroducethis
specialissue,'ALawyerLeadingChangein India-2025,'inhonorofthechange-makers whoarenotonlyplayingtheirrolesintheir respectiveindustriesbutareactuallycreatingtheir future.Inthisedition,wetakeprideinbringingto youapioneeringspiritinfleshandblood:Shilpa Sharma,thevisionaryFounderandManaging PartneratCounsel&Council
Inanindustryasbedrockaslaw,aprofessionthatis sooftenrootedinsettledconventions,Shilpa Sharma'sstyleisarefreshingbreeze.Shehasshown thatalawpracticecanbebothintenselyprincipled andintenselyvisionary.Herpath,foundedonan unplannedexposuretothelaw,floweredintoadesire tocreateafirmthatdefiesstandarddesigns.Viaher adeptadvocacyofremote-first,tech-enabledpractice andadoptionofflat-feemodels,shenotonly assembledahighlyproductiveandeffectiveteambut alsomadehigh-qualitylegaladvicemoreaffordable andtransparenttoherclients.
Aprovenfacttothestrengthofasolution-focused mindset,Shilpa'ssuccessisgroundedinthe knowhowofarealitythattoday'sfast-pacedbusiness landscape,clientsdon'tneedsolelylegal guidance—theyneedstrategicallieswhocanhelp
unravelcomplexissuesanddrivetheirgrowth directly,leadinghertoemphasizeoncreating enduringrelationships,builtupontrustandintegrity Itisacompellingcasestudyforleadersfromall industries,demonstratingthattruevalueandethical behaviourarethemostenduringsourcesofsuccess.
Hervisionisnotlimitedtobusinessmeasurements. Anauthenticleadership'sassuranceisgainedbecause ofherdedicationtoprobonopracticeandstrong beliefinlawasaforceforsocialgood,involvingnot onlydeliveringresultsbutalsogivingbackand contributingtoafairerandbalancedsociety
WeurgeyoutoreadthemotivationalstoryofShilpa Sharma,whoisnotonlyapracticinglawyerbutalso settinganewtrendinthelegalprofessioninIndia. Herlifeisastrongreminderthatwithaclearvision, flexibility,andunshakeableintegrity,onecanactually bringaboutchangeandleavealastingfootprint.
Warmly,
Manish Bansal
Director, Insights Success India.
“A LAWYER'S MIND IS A LABYRINTH OF RULES AND PRECEDENTS, BUT A GOOD LAWYER ALSO HAS A HEART.”
- Anonymous
Editors Note
– Shilpa Sharma India’s Leading Legal Catalyst of 2025
Inalegalcareertoofrequentlycharacterizedbycustom,
however,somepioneersmakeheadlinesbyredefining therules.ShilpaSharma,Counsel&Council's visionarycreator,hasbecomeoneofIndia'smost innovativelegalthinkers.Herownpath,whichstartedasa chancesummerinterntoataxattorney,unfoldedintoa lifelongcommitmenttoapplyingthelawtoaddressdifficult real-worldproblems.Interestedinthesubtlemannerlaw mightbeappliedtobusiness,shetookadualcourseof workandstudies,whichbecamethebasisforhersolutionfocussedandclient-orientatedwayofpractice.
Sharma'ssuccessisdrivenbyaleadershipphilosophythat combinesintegritywithinnovation.Sheisconvincedthat thepracticeoflawisnotjustaboutrecitingstatutesbut aboutrealizingworkablesolutionstobusinessproblems. Thisattitudeisevidentinthefirm'sinnovativeoperating model:avirtual,technology-drivenpracticethatusesAI andautomationtoprovidehigh-quality,low-costservices. Byoperatingmostlyonline,Counsel&Councilnotonly cutsoverheadexpensesbutalsoprovidesclientswithflatfeepackages,aradicaldeparturefromthecustomary billablehourapproach.Thismethodologyincreases productivityandclientsatisfactionsinceitisvalueand efficiency-orientedratherthanbillablehour-oriented.
Herapproachtoleadershipisbasedonestablishingreal, long-termrelationshipswithclients,manyofwhommove withhertoneworganizations.Sheconsidersherselfa trustedadvisor,ratherthanaserviceprovider,providing business-orientedadvicethatgoesfarbeyondthelaw This focusonapartnershipmodelhascreatedaloyalclientbase basedonword-of-mouthreferrals.Sharma'sentrepreneurial passionisalsoreflectedintheproactivelegalservices approachofherfirmasin-housecounselforseveral companies.Inthisway,they'reabletoforeseechallenges
beforetheyhappenandbecomepartofaclient'sstrategic development.
NotonlyisSharmaastrongbelieverinsocialandethical responsibilityasaleader,butsheisalsodedicatedtopro bonowork,especiallyfortheelderlyinestateplanning,a testamenttoherviewthatthelegalprofessionowesadebt toserveahighersocialpurpose.Foryoungdreamers,she dissuadesthemfromthe"Suits"sheenandsuggeststhat theypursueinternshipsinordertofindoutwhattheylove todothroughdiligenteffortandsheerhands-onexposure. WithanemphasisonthethreeCs—confidence, competence,andcommercialsense—ShilpaSharmaisnot merelyheadingalawfirm;sheisproactivelycreatinga moreinclusive,innovative,andimpactfullegalfuturefor India.
You’llwitnesshertransformationalthoughtsinthe followingpagesofthis Insights Success India’sspecial editionof‘ALawyerLeadingChangeinIndia–2025.’
Get illuminated!
Managing Editor Gaurav PR Wankhade
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July, 2025
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SAGAR LAHIGADE BHARAT PATIL
A Legal Revolutionary
Shilpa Sharma
Bridging the Gap Between Legal Frameworks and Everyday Business with Counsel & Council
Success isn’t just about personal achievements—it’s about making a positive impact in the legal world and helping others along the way. ”
F E A T U R I N G
Shilpa Sharma Founder & Managing Partner Counsel & Council
Everyentrepreneurwishestodotheireveryday
businesswithutmosteaseandasmuchpeaceof mindaspossible.Yet,daily,theyarefacedwith trickyissuesarisingbecauseofthecomplexlegaland complianceframeworks.Thus,caughtbetweenmaking theircompaniessuccessfulinanincreasinglycomplex worldwhilefacingveryirksomehurdlesbecauseofthe lawsofthelands,inaglobalizedworld,peaceofmindis whateludeseverybusinessperson.
“Not anymore,”saysShilpaSharma,theFounder& ManagingPartneratCounsel&Council,whileputtingit eloquently,“When clients come to us, we know that above everything else, they are looking for that peace of mind to do what they do best: successfully running their businesses, companies, while contributing to the national socioeconomic progress. And that’s what we offer to them. Becoming their friends in all their legal needs for life.”
ShilpaspokeinanexclusiveinterviewwithISIndia,where sheelaboratedonherprofessionalcareerandatinypartof herpersonallifetoo.Theilluminatingdiscussionisgiven herein.
Ma’am,asatrailblazerinthelegalworld,couldyou takeusbacktothebeginningofyourjourney?What motivatedyoutostepintothisfield?
Myjourneyintolawwassomewhatunexpected.After completingmyEnglishliteratureexams,Iwassimply searchingforasummerjobwhenIfoundmyselfworking asanassistanttoadistinguishedtaxlawyer.Iwas fascinatedbythewayhemadeeverycaseinterestingand thewayheinterpretedandappliedlawtohelphisclients navigatecomplexissues.Watchinghiminactionsparkeda deepinterestinthelegalprofession,andIfeltastrong desiretopursueitfurther.ItfeltlikeIhaddiscoveredmy truepassion.Idecidedtopursuealawdegreewhile continuingtoworkalongsidehim,learningtheintricacies oflegalpractice.Therest,astheysay,ishistory.Itwasthis experiencethattrulymotivatedmetostepintothelegal field,andit’sbeenafulfillingjourneyeversince.
YouhaveemergedasoneofIndia'stransformational Leadersinthelegalarena.Couldyousharetheguiding philosophythathaspropelledyoursuccess?
Mysuccesshasbeendrivenbyafewkeyprinciples: stayingtruetomyvalues,alwayslearning,andfocusingon findingsolutions.Asthesayinggoes,'Theonlyconstantin lifeischange,'andinlaw,itiscrucialtobeadaptableand
opentonewideas.Ibelievethatpractisinglawisn’tjust aboutquotinglegalsectionstoaddresstheissuesclients bringbutaboutfindingpractical,real-worldsolutionsto theirbusinesschallengesusingthelaw
Ialsobelieveinbuildingstrong,lastingrelationshipswith clientsandcolleagues,trulyunderstandingtheirneeds,and offeringsolutionsthatgobeyondjustlegaladvice.Forme, successisn’tjustaboutpersonalachievements—it’sabout makingapositiveimpactinthelegalworldandhelping othersalongtheway Astheysay,'Successisnotthekeyto happiness.Happinessisthekeytosuccess.'Myguiding philosophyissimple:serveotherswithintegrity,keep learning,andalwaysstriveforexcellenceineverythingIdo.
Thelegallandscapeiscontinuallyevolving.Howdoyou ensurethatyouremainadaptableandaheadofindustry trends,providinginnovativesolutionstoyourclients?
Inthebeginning,societieswererudimentary,andsowere thelawsofthesocieties.Lawshavegrownwiththegrowth ofsociety Thisestablishesarelationshipbetweenlawand society,wherelawisaninstrumentofsocialchange,andas Poundwouldputit,“lawmustbestable,butitmustnot standstill.”
Lawsarewrittenbyman.Manisflawed.Ergo,thelawis flawed.Lawsarechangedtohavethelawimplemented moreaccuratelyreflectwhatwasintendediftheprevious lawsallowedforunintendedloopholes.However,overa periodoftime,lawsinourcountryhavebeencodifiedand arenowuniformforallstates.Examplesincludethe SupremeCourtscrappingSection377oftheIPC, decriminalizingthe158-year-oldcoloniallawwhich criminalizedconsensualgaysex,lawschangedpostNirbhayacase,ChangesinPOSCOAct,Votingagereduced from21to18,Freeandcompulsoryeducationtochildren between6to14yearsaresomeoftheimportant amendmentswehavehad.So,yes,thelegalfieldis constantlyevolving,withnewlaws,technologies,and challengesregularlyemerging.
Counsel & Council’s success has been driven by a few key principles: staying true to its values, always learning, and focusing on finding solutions.”
Boishali Lahiri 8108688322
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Imakeitapriorityformyteam, includingme,tostayinformedby stayingupdated,reading,attending seminars,participatinginindustry discussions,andengagingwithexperts acrossdifferentsectors.Onekeyaspect ofourapproachatCounsel&Council isthatweworkprimarilyonline.After theinitialin-personmeetingwithour clients,wehandleallnon-litigation workremotely,allowingustowork fromwhereverwearemost comfortable.Mostofourclient meetingstakeplaceviaTeamsor Zoom,makingcommunication seamlessandefficient.Wealso leverageAI-basedsolutionstoprovide innovative,tech-drivenservicesthat helpourclientsstayaheadofthe curve.
Thisapproachnotonlysaves significantoverheadcostsbutalso eliminatestheneedtochargeclientson anhourlybasis.Instead,weoffermore valueformoneywithflat-fee arrangements,allowingclientstosave onlegalcostswhilestillreceiving high-qualitylegalandbusiness solutionswithinagreedtimelines. Moreover,theflexibilityofworking remotelyboostsproductivitywithinmy team,astheyhavethefreedomtowork inawaythatsuitsthembest. Ultimately,thisresultsinsatisfied clients,betterproductivity,andamore efficientwayofdeliveringservices.
Yourlegalleadershipstyleisoften recognizedasaninspirationalforce behindyourfirm.Couldyoushed lightonyourapproachtoleadership, networking,andclientsatisfaction?
Myapproachtoleadershipisallabout buildinglastingrelationships,both withinmyteamandwithclients.The bestleadersarethosewholeadby example,showingintegrity,hardwork, andagenuinepassionforwhatthey do.Iliketothinkofmyclientsas
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friendsforlife.Infact,manyofthemendupcomingback tomeevenaftertheyhavemovedontonewrolesat differentorganizations.Itisliketheycannotresistthepull ofgoodadviceandpracticalbusinesssolutions…Haha!
Jokesapart,whenclientsleaveajobandjoinanew company,theyoftenreturntousbecausetheyknowwedo notjustprovidelegalservices,weofferpractical,businessfocusedsolutionsthathelpthemnavigatechallengesand makeinformeddecisions.Itislikeyourworkspeaksfor itself.Andthebeautyofitisthatwhenyoutakecareof clientslikethis,therelationshipgrowsnaturally There’sno needto'sell'yourservices;itiswordofmouthandallabout thevalueyoubringandthetrustyoubuild.
Intermsofnetworking,Ifocusongenuineconnections.It isnotjustatransactionalrelationshipbutanopportunityto buildacommunityoflike-mindedprofessionalsworking towardscommongoals.Whenyounurturerelationshipsthis way,itbecomesaboutmorethanjustbusiness;itisabout creatinglong-termpartnershipsbasedontrustandmutual respect.
So,ifyoutreatyourclientslikefriends,deliverpractical solutions,andprovideresultswithintegrity,theywillstick withyou.Andhonestly,itishardnottoenjoyworkingwith peoplewhogenuinelyappreciatewhatyoudo!
Theessenceoflegalsolutionsliesinbringinginnovation andagilityandsecuringinnovations.Howdoyoustrike abalancebetweenthelegallimitationsandclient expectations?
Balancinglegallimitationswithclientexpectationscanbea trickytask,especiallywhenclientsoftenexpectmorework forlesspayment.Itisaboutfindingsmartwaystodeliver valuewhileworkingwithintheframeworkofthelaw
Itisalsoaboutmanagingexpectationsclearly.Weensure clientsunderstandthatqualitylegaladviceandpractical businesssolutionsrequiretherightlevelofinvestment. Throughopencommunicationandtransparentpricing,we alignexpectationswithrealisticoutcomes,helpingthemsee thevaluewebring.Counsel&Council,asexplainedearlier, workswithadifference,wedonothavetargets,soitis easierforustomanageclients’expectationsintermsof qualityofwork,feesandtimelines.
Intheend,itisallaboutbeingresourceful,leveraging technology,fosteringcreativity,andalwaysdelivering resultsthatexceedexpectations,evenwhenthedemands arehigh.
Once, to a client, Counsel & Council proposed a "techenabled mediation," leveraging AI to model potential outcomes of various settlement scenarios based on the supply agreement, market data, and the potential impact on both the merger and the tech development cycle.”
Socialandethicalresponsibilityarecrucialaspectsof themodernera.Howdoyoupromotetheseprinciples intolegalparlance?
Whenyoucompleteyourlawandstarttopractice,itisall aboutearningmoney.However,asyoumature,promoting socialandethicalresponsibilityinthelegalfieldis somethingonestartstothinkabout.Intoday’sworld,law isn’tjustaboutwinningcasesornavigatingregulations,but itisalsoaboutensuringfairnessandjusticeand contributingpositivelytosociety Asthesayinggoes, 'Justicedelayedisjusticedenied.AtCounsel&Council,we makeitapointtointegratethisprinciplebyensuringour workalignswiththehighestethicalstandardsandservesa broadersocialpurpose.
Wenotonlyadviseclientsonlegalmattersbutalso encouragethemtoconsidertheethicalimplicationsoftheir decisions.Whetheritishelpingbusinessesnavigate sustainablepracticesoradvocatingforfairpolicies,we ensurethatoursolutionspromotenotjustbusinesssuccess butalsosocialgood.
Additionally,wearealsocommittedtogivingbacktothe communitythroughprobonowork.Oneofthekeyareas wefocusonishelpingtheelderlywithestateplanning, wills,andotheressentiallegalmatters.Itisourwayof ensuringthateveryonehasaccesstoqualitylegalservices, regardlessoftheirfinancialsituation.Asweoftensay,'The bestwaytofindyourselfistoloseyourselfintheserviceof others.'Ultimately,westrivetoberesponsiblecitizens, usingthelawtohelpbuildamorejustandequitable society.
Youhaveachievedremarkablesuccess.Couldyou highlightatransformativeprojectorinitiativethat showcasesyourcommitmenttolegalexcellenceand innovation?
Onetransformativeinitiativethatshowcasesour commitmenttolegalexcellenceandinnovationisourrole asin-housecounselforseveralcompaniesacrossdifferent industries.Insteadofjustofferingtraditionallegalservices, wehaveembeddedourselveswithinourclient’sbusinesses, actingasanextensionoftheirinternalteams.
Byintegratingcloselywiththecompany’soperations,we cananticipatelegalissuesbeforetheyarise,offerstrategic businesssolutions,andprovidetimely,cost-effective counsel.Thisproactiveapproachallowsusnotonlyto handlelegalchallengesbutalsotocontributetothe company’soverallgrowthstrategy.
Forexample,forsomeofourclients,wehavedevelopeda comprehensive,tailor-madecomplianceprogramthat integrateslegal,regulatory,andbusinessrequirements.This systemstreamlinestheclients’operations,reducing potentialrisksandcreatingmoreefficientworkflowsby savingthembothtimeandmoneyinthelongrun.
Manycorporatedisputestypicallyleadtoeitherarbitration orcourtlitigation.However,manycompaniesareunaware oforarenotadvisedtoconsidermediationfirst.Mediation helpsresolvedisputesthroughaneutralthirdparty,who facilitatesasolutionwithoutmakingabindingdecision.As alawyer,Ialwaysrecommendmediationtomyclients,asit savestime,money,andeffortandhelpsmaintainbetter relationshipsbetweenthepartiesratherthanjumping straightintolitigation.
Suchinitiativesreflectourbeliefthatlegalworkshouldnot justbereactive.Weseeourselvesastrustedadvisorswho helpshapebusinessstrategies,solvereal-worldproblems, andkeepourclientsaheadofthecurve.Actingasin-house counselformultiplecompaniesisanexampleofhowwe haveturnedlegalservicesintoastrategicbusinessasset,not justasupportfunction.
Inthelegalarena,technologyplaysapivotalrolein enhancingefficiency.Howdoyouleveragetechnologyto optimizeservicesandstayaheadinadigitalage?
Intoday’sdigitalworld,technologyiscrucialinthelegal field,andatCounsel&Council,wemakethemostofitto improveourservices.WeuseAI-driventoolsforfastlegal researchanddocumentautomation,helpingusquicklyfind
relevantcasesanddraftdocumentsaccurately,savingtime andresources.Itislikehavingasuper-poweredassistant whoworksfasterthanacaffeinatedparalegal!Wealsostay updatedonlegalchangesthroughreal-timeaccessto judgmentsfromtheSupremeCourtbecause,inlaw,being aheadofthecurveisthebestdefence.
Forcommunication,werelyoncloud-basedplatformslike TeamsandZoomforsecure,easyvirtualconsultations, helpingclientssavetimeandtravelcosts.Thisislike havingalawyerinyourpocket,minustheneedfora briefcase.Wealsouseprojectmanagementtoolstokeep ourteamontrack,meetdeadlines,andreducecosts,making ourservicesmoreaffordable.
Bycombiningourlegalknowledgewithtechnology,we streamlineprocesses,reducerepetitivework,andoffer moreefficientsolutions.Afterall,inthelegalworld,timeis money.Sowesaveboth!Stayingaheadinthedigitalage isn’tjustaboutadoptingnewtools;it’saboutusingthemto makelegalpracticesmarter,faster,andmoreeffective.
AsaleaderinIndia'slegalsector,youfacedyourshare ofchallenges.Couldyoushareaninstancewhereyour resilienceandingenuitytriumphedoveradversity?
Oneparticularlymemorablecasethathighlightsboth resilienceandinnovationinvolvedaclientinthetech industry,asoftwarestart-upfacinganunexpectedlegal challengeduringahigh-stakesmerger Thecompanyhad spentyearsdevelopingcutting-edgetechnologythatwas abouttobeacquiredbyalargercorporation.However,just asthedealwassettoclose,akeysuppliersuddenlyfileda lawsuit,claimingabreachofcontractoverasupply agreementtiedtothestart-up’ssoftware.
Theissuewascomplex.Thesupplyagreementwascritical totheclient’sproduct,andthelawsuitthreatenedtoderail themerger,potentiallycostingtheclientmillionsinlost opportunities.Thelegalenvironmentwastricky,asthe supplierwasusingobscureclausesandvaguelanguage, challengingboththevalidityandtermsofthecontract.
Therealchallengewasnotjusttofightthelawsuitbutto keepthemergerontrack.Werealizedthattraditional litigationcoulddragonandjeopardizethedeal,sowehad tocomeupwithadifferentapproach.Weproposeda"techenabledmediation,"leveragingAItomodelpotential outcomesofvarioussettlementscenariosbasedonthe supplyagreement,marketdata,andthepotentialimpacton boththemergerandthetechdevelopmentcycle.
While many law firms are stuck paying for fancy office spaces and overheads, Counsel & Council put its resources into AI tools and automation that not only boost the team ’ s efficiency but also help them stay ahead of the curve when it comes to regulatory changes and market shifts.”
Inthepost-pandemicworld,withescalatinggeopolitical tensions,howareyoucopingwithchanges,andwhatare yourcontingencyplansforfutureuncertainties?
Thepost-pandemicworldhascertainlythrownsome curveballs,andwithrisinggeopoliticaltensions,theglobal legallandscapehasbecomeeventrickier AtCounsel& Council,wedonotseethesechangesasroadblocks;wesee themasopportunitiestoadaptandgetcreative.
Forstarters,wehaveinvestedindigitalinfrastructurethat letsourteamworkfromanywhereintheworld.Whether weweredealingwithapandemic,travelrestrictions,orthe unpredictabletwistsandturnsofinternationalrelations,our teamstayedseamlesslyconnectedthroughsecurecloudbasedplatformseventoday,post-pandemic.Whilemany lawfirmsarestuckpayingforfancyofficespacesand overheads,wehaveputourresourcesintoAItoolsand automationthatnotonlyboostourefficiencybutalsohelp usstayaheadofthecurvewhenitcomestoregulatory changesandmarketshifts.ItislikehavingaGPSforthe legalworldwhereweneverloseourway
Insteadoftheusuallongback-and-forthofsettlementtalks, weusedareal-timecollaborativeplatformwhereboth partiescouldsharetheirdataandanalyses.Thisallowedthe suppliertoseethefinancialandstrategicimpactoftheir lawsuitonboththeclient’sbusinessandtheindustry We alsousedVirtualReality(VR)simulationstopresenthow thedisputewouldplayoutoverthenext5years.Itwasan immersiveexperiencethatshowedbothsideshowquickly theirpositionscouldbecomeobsoleteinarapidlyevolving market.
The result?Aswift,out-of-courtsettlementthatallowed thestart-uptocontinuewithitsmergerandavoidany significantdisruption.Thesupplier,realizingthebroader marketforcesatplay,agreedtoarenegotiatedcontract ratherthanpursuelengthylitigation.Whatcouldhavebeen adrawn-outbattlewasturnedintoawin-winscenario,all thankstoacombinationofcutting-edgetechtoolsand strategicthinking.
WhatIlearnedfromthiscaseisthatresilienceisn'tjust aboutweatheringthestorm,itisaboutleveragingthetools atourdisposal,thinkingoutsidethebox,andtransforminga potentialsetbackintoanopportunityforinnovation.This casehighlightedtheimportanceofnotjustprotectinga client'sinterestslegallybutalsofindingwaystoadaptthe veryprocessofresolutiontothechangingbusiness landscape.
Wealsokeepasharpeyeonglobaltrends,especiallywith thewaygeopoliticaltensionsareshakingupinternational tradeandregulations.Byfocusingoncross-borderlawand internationaldisputeresolution,wearepreparedfor whateverchangescomeourway.Itislikewehavea "worldwide"legalcompass,alwayspointingusintheright direction.Weregularlyattendinternationalconferencesand workwithglobalpartnerstostayupdated,ensuringwecan offersolutionsthataretailoredtoclientsnomatterwhere theyare.
Contingencyplanningisanotherareawearepassionate about.Wehavealwayshadasolidstrategyinplacethatlets uspivotquicklywhentheunexpectedhappens.Whetherit isasupplychainhiccup,newregulations,orchanging globaltradepolicies,wearereadytohelpourclientsadjust theirstrategiesandtacklechallengeshead-on.Itislike keepingasparetyreinthetrunk;youhopeyouneverneed it,butyouaregladitistherewhenyoudo.
Lastly,thispost-pandemicworldisaperfectopportunityto strengthenrelationships.Internally,wewerefocusedon keepingopencommunicationandtrustwithinourteam. Externally,weareworkingcloselywithourclients,guiding themthroughtheever-changinglandscape.Resilienceisn’t justaboutweatheringthestorm;itisaboutlearninghowto danceintherain,andatCounsel&Council,weareall aboutdancing!
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Manyyoungaspirantswishtoenterthelegalindustry. Whatisyouradvicetothem?
YouknowtheTVseriesSuits,whereextremelygoodlookingandhigh-poweredcorporatelawyersdasharound alldayschmoozingwithjuniorsorclosingsomehighprofilemega-merger?Everydayisbrimmingwithintrigue andexcitementandpopulatedbypeoplewhohavemega appeal.Well,it’snothinglikethatotherthananaccurate depictionoflonghours.
Firstofall,donotgobyaherdmentality.Everypersonis differentintermsofinterestsandacumen.Identifywhere yourinterestlies,andforthat,takeupinternships.Workin lawfirms,individuallawyersandcompanies.Whiledoing internships,getinvolvedinattendingcourts,drafting,etc. Infreetimegoandsitinvariouscourtsandlistentothe courthearings.Whiledoingallthis,speaktoexperienced lawyersandfindoutyourinterest.Onceyouidentifywhere yourinterestlies,chooseyoursubjectsandfield accordingly Andthen,finally,itishardworkanddestiny
Lookingtothefuture,whatisyourvision?Howdoyou aspiretocontinuemakingasignificantimpacton India'slegallandscape?
AtCounsel&Council,wefocusonthreeCs:confidence, competence,andcommercialsense.Ourmissionistocut throughthecomplexityoflegalprocessesanddeliver solutionsthatarepractical,efficient,andtailoredtoyour businessneeds.
Inarapidlychangingworld,weleveragetechnologysuch asAIandautomationinordertoprovidequickerandmore cost-effectivesolutions.Thisisnotjustaboutkeepingup butalsoaboutstayingaheadandofferingrealvaluetoyour business.Whetheryouaredealingwithcontracts,disputes, orgrowthstrategies,wesimplifythelegalsidesoyoucan focusonwhatreallymatters,i.e.runningyourbusiness.
Wearealsocommittedtomakinglegalservicesaccessible toeveryone.Fromhelpingunderservedcommunitieswith probonoestateplanningtofindingwaystobridgethegap betweenlegalframeworksandeverydaybusiness,weaim tomakethelawworkforyou—nottheotherwayaround.
AtCounsel&Council,wedonotjustreacttoyourneeds, butweunderstandthem,anticipatewhatisnext,andwork withyoutoshapeafuturewherelegalchallengesbecome growthopportunities.
Counsel & Council is focused on three Cs: confidence, competence, and commercial sense. Its mission is to cut through the complexity of legal processes and deliver solutions that are practic al, efficient, and tailored to your business needs.”
ShilpaSharma Founder&ManagingPartner Counsel&Council
SiddhivinakChambers,3rdfloor,3G,Opposite MIGClub,BandraEast,Mumbai–400051.
: 9820072954,9820070950
: shilpa.sharma@counselandcouncil.com
: www.counselandcouncil.com
Withcurrentcommerceexperiencingafast-
movingandever-evolvingworld,conceptsof lawhelpdeterminehowbusinessesconduct business,expand,andevolve.Asindustriesevolveand economiesintheworldcontinuetobemoreintegrated, companylawisexperiencingprofoundtransformation. Suchdevelopments,allofthemunderthecollectivetitle corporatelawtrends,arereshapingthehorizonsof compliance,governance,liability,andstrategicdecisionmakingforsmall,medium,andlargecorporations.The influenceofsuchtrendsisenormous,notjustaffectinglegal functioningbutalsoexecutivemanagement,shareholders, andstakeholderswithintheentirechainofbusiness.
Thecomplexityandroleofcorporatelawhaveincreased exponentiallyoverthepastdecade.Earlier,thelegal
functionswereprimarilyfocusedonriskmanagementand ensuringcompliancewiththebareessentialsofregulatory requirements.Today,thescopeofcorporatelawtrendsis fargreaterthanriskmanagementalone.Today,they encompassEnvironmental,Social,andGovernance(ESG) demands,dataprotectionandcybersecurity,cross-border transactions,anddigitalization.Thesenewlegalhorizons putcorporateexecutivesundermorepressuretoprioritize legalstrategyasacoreaspectoftheirbusinessmandate.
Amongthemostpubliclyvisibletrendsincorporatelawof thepastdecadeisincreasedscrutinyofESGcompliance andsustainabilityreporting.Investors,regulators,and consumersareallpressuringcompaniestoreportmore abouttheirsocialandenvironmentalimpacts.Thishasled tothegrowthofextensivedisclosurerequirements, mandatoryclimateriskevaluations,andstronger governanceprovisions.Legalrolesarenowrequiredto incorporateESGconsiderationsincontracts,supplychains, andriskmanagementmechanisms.Companiesthatare unabletokeepupwiththesedevelopmentsstandtheriskof losingtheirreputation,shareholderactivism,andeven regulatorypenalties.
Theseconddominantdriveroffuturecorporatelawtrends isthevelocityofdigitaldisruption.Theemergenceofbig data,AI,andblockchaintechnologieshasgivenrisetonew andemerginglegalchallengesinvolvingownershipofdata, algorithmicbias,IPprotection,andethicalutilizationof frontiertechnology.Corporatelawyersaremoreactivethan everbeforerepresentingbusinessesviadigitalproduct launches,navigatingtechnology-facilitatedcollaborations, andcomplyingwithevolvingandintricatedataprivacy regimessuchastheGDPRandCCPA.Theseareimportant observationsofthelawtoinnovation,allowingcorporations tobeagileandavoidcostlylitigationorregulatory missteps.
Globalizationofbusinesshasalsocontributedsignificantly tocontemporarycorporatelawtrends.Globalbusinesses mustnavigateacomplexwebofforeigncommercelaws, laborcodes,taxregimes,andconformitylaws.Lawyers whohandlecross-bordertransactionsandmultijurisdictionalcorporatelawarehenceinhigherdemand. Theyobservethatcompaniesstillremainincompliance withdomesticaswellasinternationallaws,reducingthe riskoflitigationorfines.Thishasledtogreater coordinationamongregulators,legalteams,andglobal counsel,promotinganintegratedandmoreproactivelegal approach.
MergersandAcquisitions(M&A)remainatopstrategic methodofexpansion,andtheyalsoarecomingunderthe gripofcontemporarycorporatelawtrends.M&A transactionsarecomingundergreaterregulatoryscrutiny, particularlyinthetechnology,healthcare,andenergy sectors.Antitrustenforcersarebecomingincreasingly activetopreventmonopolisticbehaviorandfoster competitioninthemarket.Tothisend,firmsarebeing forcedtoperformmorerigorousduediligence,bemore transparentduringthenegotiationprocess,andhaverobust post-transactioncomplianceprograms.Lawyersnolonger participatelateinthetransactionbutarecurrentlycentral advisorsfromtheinitialdeal-makingtoguaranteethatdeals followlegalandethicalprocedures.
Inaddition,corporategovernanceisalsobeingredefined duetoshiftingtrendswithincorporatelaw.Traditional systemsfocusedonbottom-lineoutcomesandboard control,butnewsystemsmustaddressabroadersetof problems,includingdiversityandinclusion,executive responsibility,andstakeholderengagement.Regulatorsand exchangesarestartingtoimposestricterstandardson boards,shareholderrelief,andwhistleblowerprotection. Everythingiscompellingcompaniestorethinktheir governancemodel,becomemoretransparent,andremain committedtovalues-drivenleadership.
Theadventofstakeholdercapitalism—whereincompanies oughttobenefitnotjusttheirshareholders,butalso employees,society,andtheworld—isfurthercementing trendsintherelevanceofcompanylaw.Ascompaniesgrow moresociallyresponsible,theyposenovellegalquestions, suchashowbesttopromoteworkers'rights,fairnessin workplaces,andfaircompetition.Legaladvisorsmusthelp companiesweightheirprofitmissionagainsttheinterestsof societyatlarge.Itisanactionthatrequiresnotonlysound legaljudgmentbutalsosharpsensitivitytosocialforces andpublicopinion.
Riskoflitigationisanotherarenainwhichcorporatelaw developmentisexertingacompellingeffect.Theincreasing frequencyofclass-actionlitigation,whistleblowercases, andregulatoryinvestigationshasmadeanticipatorylegal riskanalysisevermoreessential.Theyareinvestingin complianceprogramsin-house,ethicstraining,andaudit legaltocatchproblemsearlybeforetheybecome unmanageable.Overall,in-houseattorneysareworking withHR,finance,andITmorecloselytoinstillanethosof responsibilityandintegrity.Thiswell-integratedapproach preventsabusesandisasolidbasisforsustainable corporateresilience.
Thesecondnewcorporatelawtrendistheexpandingrole ofin-housecounselinstrategydevelopmentand innovation.Nolongermerelyattendingtolegal controversies,generalcounselsarebeingaskedmoreand moretoserveasdecision-makersontopicssuchas corporaterestructuring,sustainabilityinitiatives,andcrisis managementmessaging.Thisisevidenceofagrowing awarenessthatlegalstrategyneedstobeintegratedintoall keybusinessdecisions.Withtheinfusionoflegalthinking intotheboardroom,companiesarebetterabletocontrol risk,understandopportunity,andrespondtochange constructively
Anothercorporatelawtrendthatmustbenamedis increasedadoptionoflegaltech.Technologiessuchas contractlifecyclemanagementplatforms,AI-based documentreviewsoftware,andlegalanalyticstoolsare transforminglegalwork.Thesetechnologiesimprovethe worksothatitislesscostly,moreeffective,andallows attorneystofocusonhigh-payoffactivitysuchasstrategic advice.Whilelegaltechnologycreatesnewdutiesfordata privacyandethicalAIuse,itmakeslegalprofessionals havetoalwaysbevigilantanduptodate.
Overall,trendsincorporatelawhaveadirectinfluenceon thenewbusinessworldoftoday.FromdigitizationtoESG, fromcross-bordertogovernancetransformation,allthese trendspermeateeachorganizationaldecision-makingpoint. Withlegal,strategic,andoperatingfunctionsmoreand moreintegrated,thevalueofatransformationallegal functionbecomesevermoreessential.
Firmsthatstayawareofthesedevelopmentsinlaware likelytothriveinafast-moving,competitiveworld.By embracingprogressivethinkingonlawandalignmentwith thenewtrendsinthelawofthecorporation,companiesnot onlygetcompliantbutalsoareabletoaccessnewavenues ofsustainablegrowth,innovation,andstakeholdertrust. Winninginthefutureisnotsomuchinprofits,however, butinethicalleadership—andthelawisthecompassonthe way.
Legal Logics
Sustainabilityisnolongerabuzzwordanymore—ithas
enteredtherealmofstrategicimperativeintoday's challengingandcompetitivebusinessworld.In differentsectors,companiesarecompetingwitheachotherto maketheirbusinessalignedwithlong-termenvironmental, social,andeconomicgoals.Inthisnewenvironment,legal professionalshaveachievedmorepowerfulandvariedroles thanever.Nolongerconfinedtolegaladvisoryexpertise, legaladvisorsnowplayavitalroleinforgingstrategyfor persuasivesustainablebusinesspractices,compliance,risk management,andvaluecreationinthelongterm.
Itisnotallaboutprofit.Sustainabledevelopmentinvolves thejudicioususeofresources,ethicalpractice,respectfor humanrights,andattentiontoregulatory,marketplace,and environmentalpressures.Legaladviserslikewisehaveacore
roletoplayininterpretingandnegotiatinganincreasingly complexweboflegislationandcodesintheareaof sustainability,includingenvironmentallaw,codesof corporategovernance,employmentlaw,andprivacylaw.In doingso,theyhelpcompaniesruleoutlegalriskand enhancetheirreputationsassociallyresponsible corporations.
Oneofthecorerolesofthelegaladvisoristobringsense intoconductingbusinesswithinaregulatorysetting.With governmentsaroundtheworldimposingincreasingly burdensomeregulationsonwhatmotivates sustainability—e.g.,greentaxrebates,carbonreporting, ESGdisclosures,andanti-corruptionstandards—firmsmust understandhowtoremaincompliantwithoutdiminishing profitability.Lawyersguidecompaniesthroughthe
regulation,establishingcomplianceinfrastructures,and ensuringsustainabilityinitiativesarecompliant.Itnotonly reducesregulatoryriskbutincreasesstakeholders'trustwith investors,consumers,andregulatorsaswell.
Second,legaladvisorsfacilitatesustainabilitybyguiding firmstowardintegratingaccountablepracticesintofirm governancesystems.Goodgovernancesupportssustainable development.Advisorshelpexecutivesandboardsof directorstodelineateclearroles,createcontrolofoversight, andcreatepolicythatpromotesopennessandaccountability Theyalsohelpdefineandrevisecodesofconduct, whistleblowerprograms,andinternalauditpolicies—allof whichcontributetoacultureofintegrity Asaresultoftheir counsel,businesseswillhavelesschancetobeinvolvedin unethicalbehavior,treatemployeesequitably,andprotect shareholderrights.
Inadditiontogovernanceandcompliance,legaladvisorsare moreengagedtodayinbusinessstrategydevelopmentwitha focusonsustainabilitygoals.Theyhelpevaluatethelegal aspectsofexpandingintonewmarkets,jointventures,or launchingenvironmentallyfriendlyproducts.Forrenewable energyprojects,circulareconomy,orgreenvaluechains,for example,legaladvisorsexaminecontracts,intellectual propertyrights,andlicensingagreementstomakesurethat businessdecisionsaregearedtowardenduringvaluecreation withintheframeworkoflegalandethicalstandards.
Arguablythemostsignificantdomaininwhichlegaladvisers delivervalueisthemitigationofsocialandenvironmental risks.Suchrisksarepotentiallyveryexpensive—both financiallyandreputation-wise—ifnotaddressed.Advisers helpcompaniescarryoutduediligence,particularlyfor mergersandacquisitions,todeterminehiddenliabilitiesfor environmentaldegradation,industrialconflicts,orregulatory noncompliance.Theirtimelyinterventionallowscompanies toavoidthecreationoflegalandethicalissuesthatmight jeopardizepotentialgrowthandsustainabilityefforts.
Legalcounselalsoplayaneducationalandleadershiprolein companies.Theyinformemployeesandgroupsofworkers aboutchangesinlaws,ethicaldecisions,andthelegalityof theoutcomesofsustainabilityefforts.Byfosteringlegal consciousnessamongmanagersandemployees,theyallow businessestomakedecisionsthatarenotonlymoneyorientedbutsocialandenvironmentalawarenesstoo.By whattheydo,theycreateamoreaccountableworkforcethat ismoreattunedtotheirlegalresponsibilityandmore committedtodoingbusinessethically
Legaladvisorsarealsoplacedbydigitalizationofcompanies attheforefrontofissuesrelatedtosustainability.As technologyanddataaremoreandmoreutilizedin businesses,newlegalissuesarise—particularlyregarding dataprivacy,digitalethics,andcybersecurity Theadvisors helpcompaniesimplementsustainabledatapracticesin alignmentwithregulatoryrequirementsandsocial necessities.Thisdigitalwatchfulnessisasignificantelement ofsustainablebusinessconductintoday'sera,wheretrustin themannerdatahandlingisexecutedhasthepotentialto influenceafirm'ssociallicensetooperatedirectly
Second,legalcounselisanintegralpartofbusinessadviceas itpassesthroughstakeholderdiscussionsandreporting.With thenormbecomingstandardratherthantheexception,ESG reporting,companiesneedtoensurethattheirdisclosureis truthfulandconsistentandcomplieswithregulation. Advisorsleadindevelopingsustainabilityreports,direct legalriskrelatedtopublicdisclosures,andprotectreporting issharedalongwithinternationalbenchmarkssuchasGlobal ReportingInitiative(GRI)andTaskForceonClimateRelatedFinancialDisclosures(TCFD).Theirparticipation allowsopennesstonotbeavulnerabilitybutasourceof strength.
Legaladvisorsalsomakeinnovationpossiblebyhelping companiesdiscovernewmeansofsustainablegrowth. Whethernewentranceintonewcleanmarkets,intellectual propertyenhancementincleantech,orentranceintopublicprivatecollaborationsforthegeneralinterest,theircounsel makesinnovationnotjustlegallyviableandethicalbutalso implementable.Inthismanner,legaladvisorsarenotjustrisk managersbutalsoprogressfacilitators.
Inshort,theroleoflegaladvisersinleadingbusinesses towardssustainabledevelopmentisstrategicandpriceless. Theirareasofpracticeincludecompliance,governance,risk, innovation,andeducation—columnsofsustainable prosperity.Workinghandinhandwiththedecision-makers, thelegaladvisersseetoitthatsustainabilityisnottreatedas astandaloneinitiativebutinstilledatthecoreofbusiness strategy.
Withtheglobaleconomyevolvingfurthertoaddressclimate change,societaldemands,andshiftingregulatorylandscapes, accesstoexperiencedandvisionarylegaladvicewillbethe determinantwhetherbusinessflourishesorisleftbehind. Appreciatingtheirvalueandbringingthemonboardatan earlystageofdecision-makingisnotonlywisebut imperativeforanybusinesscommittedtosustainable,longtermexpansion.