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“Our Roles were Created to Evolve.” Isha Mehta, In-House Counsel, Pipeline Infrastructure Ltd. (A Brookfield Company)

“Our Roles were Created to Evolve.” Isha Mehta, In-House Counsel, Pipeline Infrastructure Ltd. (A Brookfield Company)
THE PROFESSIONAL YOU
Your role in the organization and the mandates you handle

I am leading the Corporate Legal Division of Pipeline Infrastructure Limited, A Brookfield Asset Management Company. Besides representing the organization on the legal front, I handle its Deal Transactions and related audits, advise the Business functions to perform transactions in line with the relevant laws (domestic and/or international). A significant part of my responsibility is to ensure the legalities of Commercial, Contractual and Financial Transactions, amongst others, ensure the Compliances of the organization are in line with the applicable laws and regulations, ensure a sound and foolproof Human Resources set up backed up with robust laws.

Tell us something about your journey so far as a legal counsel in india

To be a legal counsel in a country with uncountable numbers of laws and legislation and the lengthiest Constitution is an absolute tumultuous and boisterous The Professional You tête-à-tête ride. I love this ride! The beauty of Indian law is that despite being so high in the number of legislations and acts, it is flexible enough to be moulded and/ modified to concur with changing times. While applying the theoretical knowledge of the law to one’s current role, a legal counsel is blessed to come across various new and amended laws, landmark judgments, and decisions and put them to apply to his/her ongoing assignments.

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

Our roles were created to evolve. The subject is anything but a constant, and so we as the keepers of the subject are entitled to keep developing as and when the subject progresses.

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

Every business has different challenges about the nature of transactions. As a lawyer, one needs to understand the most intrinsic commercial business and technical details of the transaction they are dealing with. A legal opinion comes out of a legal counsel’s skill and legal knowledge of case laws, laws and judicial precedents and deep thorough knowledge of the commercial business details of the transaction in subject. Sometimes, the issue related to the transaction in the subject comes up with such technical glitches that have nothing to do with legal solutions. Yet one needs to conclude to close the transaction, which is the most challenging part of being a Legal Counsel. However, the exquisiteness of the legal profession lies in arriving at a conclusion and presenting a legal opinion that is convincing of solutions that are legally substantial and commercially sound.

What are your thoughts on improving synergies between law firms and corporate inhouse legal teams?

At the end of the day the transactions related to a query need to close with the highest advantage to the organisation for which both the law firms and the legal counsels are working. It is important that both the contributors respect each other’s values, styles of working, skills and understanding. The best results are likely arrived at when both the legal maestros contribute as a team and not as individual contributors.

What are some of the key tools that general counsels can use for continued learning education (cle)

Legal journals, magazines, legal software, workshops, training, newspapers, networking with peers, industry experts amongst others.

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

If you are dedicated to your passion and believe in your love for law, let no one guide you towards your journey. Just keep picking up the best of the industry players and your role models, keep working towards your aim. If reading makes you reach there- do that, if witnessing court proceedings makes you reach there- do that, if legal books and journals make you reach there – keep reading. Do not force yourself to anybody else’s way or method, choose how you enjoy walking on and no-one but you alone can take a call on which way makes you the happiest and will inevitably help you reach your aim in life. It’s your journey and remembers that no one else’s road will make your reach your destination. Make your own road.

THE CASUAL YOU

Favourite Gadget – Apple Watch Series 4
Favourite App – Shopping Apps
Favourite Automobile Brand – Skoda
Favourite Writing Instrument – Lead Pencil
Favourite Holiday Destination – Sweden
Favourite Cuisine – North Indian

About Lex Witness

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The LW Bureau is a seasoned mix of legal correspondents, authors and analysts who bring together a very well researched set of articles for your mighty readership. These articles are not necessarily the views of the Bureau itself but prove to be thought provoking and lead to discussions amongst all of us. Have an interesting read through.