Briefly, tell us about your role in the organization and the mandates you handle?

HT Media Ltd is one of India’s largest and most respected names in the media industry, with its footprint across print, digital, education, job portal and radio businesses.

I joined organization recently as Deputy GC and have been mandated to lead legal & compliance function of following business of the Group namely Radio, Shine.com, Education and part of print including factory compliance.

Tell us something about your journey so far as a General Counsel in India?

It has been undoubtedly a fantastic journey of learning so far. I started my career as a faculty of law wherein I was able to connect with mindsets of our young generation and at the same time also felt that practical aspect of legal knowledge was also important. Continuing my journey I also took up being a

Litigator which enriched my exposure to various types of cases thereafter worked with corporate such as Vodafone, Q-Shop , Samsung (South west Asia including India), Bharti Retail and Bharti AXA Life as General Counsel. Today I understand with my 16 years of experience also there is a vast arena which in uncovered so my journey for the thirst of law shall continue.

With every company the nature of activity has been different from Telecom, Network, FMCG, Retail, Consumer Durables, HME medical equipment, Insurance and now in Media including Radio and ecommerce. All industries have its own regulations legal issues and processes to deal with unique challenges, best part of my journey is that every day have learnt something new tohave better prospect.

Do you feel that the role of General Counsels is evolving in today’s business scenario? And if so, how?

I definitely think that the role of the General Counsel is evolving and he has been seen as business lawyer and most trusted partner in the management. General Counsel need to be solution oriented both strategically and tactfully within the ambit laws.

Today most of the corporate offices have large in-house legal team. The role of the legal team is to keep a check on various risks that the company might get into. As a General Counsel it is his responsibility to be updated with laws, enhance business, financial, risk management strategies, team building, keep watch of its operations and have all compliances within the emerging and existing applicable laws and he is also responsible to monitor that various transactions that takes place in an organizations are within the limits of various laws. The work of GC continues to grow with this Government and amendments in various laws, regulations and developments across the industry, including new challenges like Data privacy, Cyber security, GST, Competition, IBC, Copyright Act amendment etc.

What are the key challenges that General Counsels have to deal with on a regular basis, irrespective of the industry sector?

The role of GC is becoming a key proactive business partner not just in legal matters to ensure that the organization operates legally through in-house team or external advisory but also strategic decisions and issues pertaining to growth of organization, risk mitigation, Human Resource, and many more.

The sensitive complex changes in regulations and laws stands the most alarming challenges for the General Counsel to be updated and have abstract available to run business with compliance.

With the era of digitalization, social media and technology advancement the Speed of business operations has gone to different level and accordingly GCs have to be intellect having knowhow of the subject, prompt and active, techno savvy to fight with competition and have upper hand in the market.

The other major factor which all GC’s face with continuous pressure due to competitive market and reduction in margins to do more with less and reduce costs through in-house team, Artificial intelligence or external lawyers.

What are your thoughts on improving synergies between law firms and corporate in-house legal teams?

The rising costs of legal services and advisory and immediate /daily resolution pertaining to more stringent regulation has evolved the role of corporate counsel over above the law firms. Have seen GC’s have started building strong legal team of lawyers including members of law firm to have cost effective and speedy transactions.

The work of Corporate Counsels and law firms goes hand in hand and corporate counsel as business expert for better result and opinion have to work closely with the law firms engaged to deal with the matters and accordingly they share great synergy level.

What are some of the key tools that General Counsels can use for continued learning education (CLE)?

I personally think every person including lawyers should keep one self-updated with changes not only in law but in other areas as well and have an open mind.

I personally take part in various legal summits where there is an open fora for the lawyers to discuss and learn the emerging laws. In today’s word technology has also its own benefits because of which I am able to be a part of various groups including ‘Sadgamaya’, wherein lawyers across the world share their opinion on laws and other aspects.

Any advice for someone exploring a legal career as an in-house counsel?

Legal profession is a wonderful profession and I would only like to say to the young lawyers that in law you cannot choose your set of problems basis your expertise instead your journey will teach you. Keep learning and hard work will pay you.