I am currently Executive Director and General Counsel of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan. Maruti Suzuki is India’s largest passenger vehicle maker enjoying a market leadership and employing over 34,000 people. An iconic brand, it is credited with having ushered in the automobile revolution in the country.
In my role as the General Counsel of Maruti Suzuki, I am responsible for providing legal, compliance, regulatory support and advice to the business. Leading a team of 30+ legal and compliance professionals, I work closely with the Board, the CEO and the Leadership team to manage a dynamic regulatory and risk profile relating to core and strategic business issues to provide sustainable and compliant outcomes. I have additional responsibility for administrative management of the Head Office.
My journey as a General Counsel in India has been very exciting and challenging. Starting by supporting a small but critical business in General Electric I gradually moved to take on more complex General Counsel roles in some of GE’s largest businesses in South Asia before moving on to join Maruti Suzuki as its first Woman General Counsel of being a General Counsel. The journey of being a General Counsel has been and continues to be a learning and fulfilling experience each day as I see myself effectively partnering in protecting the brand and reputation of the organizations I have supported and creating value for their shareholders. My role as a General Counsel has provided me an opportunity to leverage my functional and business understanding to successfully lead industry initiatives and support the business in Government relations work. It has also given me a chance to work across diverse domestic and international regimes, build a global mind-set, learn from some very fine professionals and help mentor and develop young talent.
The role of the General Counsel in the modern business environment is certainly evolving. It has covered a long distance from being one of a legal purists focused on complying with laws and managing litigation to being more than ‘just a lawyer’. The focus has shifted to ‘effectiveness’ and ‘impact’ as a differentiating factor. The Management expectations from a new age General Counsel are growing where expertise is a given. He/she is expected to be a part of top management, have a strong business understanding – speak the business language as they say and have the gravitas to build credibility with the Board and the Management. He/she should be able to bring more to the table – from law to public policy, ethics and risk management, be a strategic advisor and an equally strong executor. In a dynamic ecosystem, the General Counsel is now expected to be adaptive and proactive to deliver sustainable outcomes in an uncertain world, collaborate and delegate effectively, be humble, relevant and always drive high performance with integrity. The list is growing to become a ‘trusted advisor’ to the business and be the ‘go to’ person for the CEO.
Some of the key challenges that a General Counsel has to face regularly can be broadly categorized into the following broad heads:
It is important to have a strong synergy between the corporate in-house teams and law firms given their inextricable relationship. In my view for this relationship to deliver optimally it is important to first have the appropriate panel of law firms to meet the commercial legal requirements of the business with clearly set out terms of engagement. Then, it is important to help them understand the business well to enable law firms to provide more holistic legal solutions. Equally important is to clearly educate law firms on your ask for them to deliver expeditiously, effectively and ‘first time’ right.
There is an abundance of tools on offer. Given the paucity of time, I think using the internet platforms that provide required updates at a click is effective. I also believe that personal interaction at legal and industry platforms is important to keep abreast of activities. In addition, one can consider undertaking some key identified and useful trainings.
Being an in-house counsel is an exciting, lucrative and satisfying career. To be able to achieve success in this, a counsel first needs to be commercially oriented as you are required use your legal skills to support a business. Second, you need to be willing to manage a variety of stakeholders to build consensus on outcomes. Third, as an in-house counsel you cannot just be dependent on external advice. To build your credibility both internally and externally you need to be constantly updated and informed. Being an in-house counsel does not necessarily guarantee a work life balance. You can strive towards a work life integration though. Lastly, while the end is material, I think one should enjoy the journey and have loads of fun in the process.
Favourite Gadget – The TV, I enjoy watching my favourite programs. It’s a great way to unwind.
Favourite App – LinkedIn, it’s a great way to remain connected professionally.
Favourite Automobile Brand – Maruti Suzuki of course!
Favourite Writing Instrument – My Mont Blanc gifted to me by my brother.
Favourite Holiday Destination – Scotland
Favourite Cuisine – Italian
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