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DPDP Act Explained: What Every Business Must Actually Do | Priyanka Sharma, Aditya Birla Group

The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act is now in force and most business owners still assume it's "only for the big companies." It isn't. If your organisation touches personal data in any form, this conversation is for you.
In this special episode in collaboration with Zoho Contracts, we sit down with Priyanka Sharma, Head of Technology Laws at the Aditya Birla Group (and a Data Protection Officer), to break the DPDP Act down to its nuts and bolts i.e. what it is, who it applies to, and the practical steps every founder, professional, and in-house team needs to take.
Drawing on her experience implementing GDPR for US clients before returning to India, Priyanka explains why the DPDP Act is best understood as a trust law, not a data law — and why that single shift in mindset changes how you build your entire privacy programme.
What we cover:
1. Why DPDP applies to every organisation, not just large enterprises
2. "Personal data," "data fiduciary," and "data principal" are explained simply (including the toy analogy that even a 5-year-old understood)
3. Why a privacy policy alone is NOT a privacy programme
4. The myth of "throwing technology at the problem"
5. How vendor and processor relationships create real liability — and where contracts become your safeguard
6. Practical HR examples: talent acquisition, payroll partners, and onboarding
7. Why consent is not a one-time exercise — and the right to withdraw it
8. AI, nudges, and the next wave of data privacy questions
The big takeaway: DPDP compliance isn't a licence you obtain once. It's an ongoing discipline that becomes part of your culture and, done well, a genuine competitive advantage.
Our guest: Priyanka Sharma is the Head of Technology Laws, Aditya Birla Group. She's a Data Protection Officer, and a member of several industry and government-facing councils on data privacy, AI governance, and cyber security law.
This episode is produced in collaboration with Zoho Contracts - Zoho's comprehensive, AI-powered contract management software. Our thanks to the entire Zoho Contracts team for enabling this series. To follow or reach out to Zoho Contracts:
Website: https://www.zoho.com/contracts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zoho-contracts/ Ebook link: https://www.zoho.com/contracts/ebooks/dpdpa.html
The Daily Lawyer is where the legal, policy, and finance world comes for honest conversations about the law and everything connected to it.
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⚠️ This conversation is for general awareness and education and is not legal advice. For advice specific to your organisation, please consult a qualified professional. #DPDP #DataProtection
#DataPrivacy #DPDPAct #IndiaLaw #PrivacyLaw #ZohoContracts #TheDailyLawyer #DataFiduciary #GDPR #TechLaw #Compliance #InHouseCounsel

Building a Thriving Law Practice Without Privilege | Rahul Kamerkar

In this episode of The Daily Lawyer, we speak with Rahul Kamerkar, Counsel at the Bombay High Court, whose practice spans labour law, economic offences, white collar crime, arbitration, and general corporate disputes.
Rahul speaks candidly about choosing litigation, learning in chambers, handling “unwinnable” cases, the fear around ED arrests and PMLA bail, and what it really takes to build an independent practice. He also shares practical advice for young lawyers who did not go to a national law school, are worried about money in litigation, or are unsure about how to find their place in the profession.
This conversation covers mentorship, networking, pro bono work, AI in legal practice, litigation strategy, and the importance of saying yes before you know exactly how you will figure it out.
A must-watch for law students, young lawyers, litigators, and anyone thinking about building a career in court practice.
Perfect for: Law students, aspiring lawyers, practicing advocates, judges, corporate professionals, anyone interested in legal career development, Indian legal system
Subscribe for more candid conversations with industry leaders and legal professionals who have carved their own paths.
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Website: https://thedailylawyer.in/
Email: contactus@thedailylawyer.in
#TheDailyLawyer #RahulKamerkar #LegalCareers #IndianLegalSystem #LitigationLaw #LawPodcast #CareerDevelopment #WhiteCollarCrime #LegalPractice #BombayHighCourt #LawyerLife #EconomicOffenses #CareerAdvice #LegalEducation #EnforcementDirectorate
Disclaimer: This content is in the nature of personal views, and NOT legal advice. Kindly consult a lawyer with the specifics of your issue to get appropriate legal advice.

Scholar. CEO. Statesman | 1 Vision: Nation Building | Dr. Santrupt Misra, MP Rajya Sabha

In this episode of The Daily Lawyer, we sit down with Dr. Santrupt Misra, a rare polymath who has seamlessly navigated the high-levels of academia, business and Indian politics. Dr. Misra, who holds three PhDs and a D.Sc., shares his incredible journey from growing up in Odisha to leading major businesses for the Aditya Birla Group and now serving as a Member of Parliament.
We dive deep into the philosophy of leadership, the "moral compact" between employers and employees, and why he believes statesmanship is about more than just electioneering. Dr. Misra also provides a nuanced look at the future of Artificial Intelligence in education and healthcare, and the importance of maintaining human empathy in an increasingly digital world.
Special thanks to our partner Zoho Sign, a digital e-signature platform helping Indian businesses streamline workflows and digitize paperwork. If your business deals with a high volume of contracts and legal documentation, Zoho Sign is built to simplify and accelerate the process.
If you enjoy conversations with top business leaders, law-makers, in-house counsels, law firm partners, legal entrepreneurs, and others from the legal ecosystem, subscribe to The Daily LawyerDrop your thoughts, questions, and takeaways in the comments.
#SantruptMisra #TheDailyLawyer #Leadership #HRLeadership #CorporateCulture #NationBuilding #Odisha #DigitalTransformation #PublicService #CivicDuty #CorporateGovernance #RajyaSabha #Parliament

Don’t Just Be Right, Add Value: Career Lessons from HUL’s General Counsel | Dr. Vivek Mittal

In this episode of The Daily Lawyer’s GC Series, we sit down with Dr. Vivek Mittal, the Executive Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL).
Vivek’s journey is a masterclass in career agility, global leadership, and the "How" of hiring. He shares the incredible story of how a chance trip to Delhi and a sense of "FOMO" led him to register for a Company Secretary course with an 800-rupee loan - a decision that eventually led him to lead legal teams at global giants like Lupin, Dr. Reddy's, and now HUL.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Career Growth: How he flipped his focus from being a Company Secretary to a General Counsel at India's leading companies
2. Global Leadership: Lessons from leading massive M&A deals in Brazil, Mexico, and Japan, and managing cross-cultural teams.
3. The "How" of Hiring: Why Vivek gives 50% or more weightage to a candidate's attitude and ethics over their technical domain skills.
4. AI & Legal Tech: Why you can't run away from LLMs and how technology will soon handle 70-80% of routine legal tasks.
This episode is part of our General Counsel Series, presented in proud collaboration with Zoho Sign.
About Zoho Sign
Zoho Sign is a comprehensive digital e-signature solution tailored for Indian businesses. It helps organisations sign, send, manage documents, automate signature workflows, authenticate signers, and enable e-stamping — all while staying compliant with Indian law. If your business deals with a high volume of contracts and legal documentation, Zoho Sign is built to simplify and accelerate the process.
Subscribe to The Daily Lawyer If you enjoy conversations with top legal leaders, in-house counsel, law firm partners, and legal entrepreneurs, subscribe to The Daily Lawyer for more such episodes.
#TheDailyLawyer #VivekMittal #HindustanUnilever #HUL #GeneralCounsel #GCSeries #LegalCareer #CorporateLawyer #InHouseCounsel #LeadershipLessons #CareerTransition #HiringTips #CompanySecretary #ProfessionalGrowth #NewspaperTest #AIinLegal #LegalTech #GlobalBusiness #EthicsInBusiness #LawStudentsIndia #ZohoSign #LegalAdvice #PodcastIndia #BusinessStrategy #CorporateGovernance

Ruchi Agnihotri: Law, Landmark Cases, Loss & Rising Again

"I think sometimes you should choose you."
 
In this episode of the Daily Lawyer podcast, we sit down with Ruchi Agnihotri, a legal powerhouse with over 27 years of experience who has served as a lawyer, independent director, arbitrator, and entrepreneur.
 
Ruchi takes us through her remarkable career, starting from her "unpolished" beginnings as a junior to Justice Pratibha M. Singh, where she had a ringside view of trademark battles for global brands like Coke and Pepsi. She shares her years at M/s Amarchand Mangaldas, arguable the biggest Indian law firm at the time, where she was groomed into a leader and worked on landmark cases, including the 2G Spectrum litigation and international arbitrations.
 
Beyond the courtroom, Ruchi delves into the evolving legal landscape, discussing:
1. ⁠The Power of Mentorship: How being groomed as a "brand ambassador" and leader shaped her professional identity.
2. In-House vs. Litigation: The unique value a litigator brings to a General Counsel role, from deep-diving into investigations to spotting overbilling.
3. ⁠Dispute Avoidance & ESG: Why she shifted her focus toward strategic conflict avoidance and sustainable business practices (ESG) to help corporations avert crises before they happen.
 
In a deeply personal and candid segment, Ruchi discusses the resilience required to navigate major life transitions. She speaks openly about her decision to end a 25-year marriage, the resulting professional and social isolation, and the courage it takes to start a "new chapter" by choosing one's own value over societal norms.
 
Whether you are a young law student, a seasoned professional, or someone facing a difficult personal crossroad, Ruchi’s story is a masterclass in professional excellence and personal strength.
 
Chapters:
01:44: Introduction
02:48 Deciding to Pursue a Career in Law
03:32 The "Unpolished" Beginnings with Justice Pratibha Singh
04:46 90s Intellectual Property: Coke vs. Pepsi Battles
06:09 Joining Amarchand: The Reality of Debt Recovery (DRT)
09:51 Being Groomed as a Leader at Amarchand
11:46 Mastering Client Communication & "Last Mile Connectivity"
13:48 Professional Identity & Breaking the Glass Ceiling
16:01 Handling Landmark Cases: 2G Spectrum & Mardia Chemicals
18:56 The Value of Litigators in In-House Roles
21:08 From Conflict Management to Strategic Dispute Avoidance
22:36 ESG & Sustainable Business Strategy: A Proactive Approach
26:42 Choosing Resilience: Starting a New Chapter After 25 Years
29:54 The Cost-Benefit Analysis of "Choosing You"
32:50 – Conviction and Self-Worth: Choosing the "New Chapter"
35:44 – Beyond Law: Motivations for a Wellness Venture
36:48 – Closing Segment Connect with us:
 
Contact: contactus@thedailylawyer.in
Website: https://thedailylawyer.in/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailylaw...
LinkedIn:   / jenna-v-krishnan  
 
#thedailylawyer #legalpodcast #RuchiAgnihotri #lawyerlife #womeninlaw #legalprofessional #indianlawyers #biglaw #arbitration #corporategovernance #esg #generalcounsel #legalmentorship #lawyertips #strategicthinking #productivitytips #resilience #choosingyourself #startingover #mentalwellness #selfgrowth

Breaking Barriers: Leadership, Mentorship, and the BILS Solicitors Exam | Ferzana Behramkamdin

In this episode, we sit down with Ferzana Behramkamdin, the first woman to serve as President of the Bombay Incorporated Law Society, to discuss her journey through the legal ranks. From her early days under the mentorship of legal giants to the evolution of the profession today, she shares invaluable insights on what it truly takes to succeed as a lawyer.
We dive deep into:
- Gender in Law: Why proving your merit as a lawyer is more important than proving yourself as a woman
-The Power of Mentorship: Lessons learned from Anand Bhai and the importance of taking early responsibility
-The "Tough" Road: A look at the intensity of the legal exams and why there are no shortcuts
This conversation is part of our Legacy Series, created to preserve the life stories and insights of legal professionals who have shaped India’s legal and business landscape. Presented in collaboration with M/s Solomon & Co., a boutique, full-service law firm based in Mumbai, India, whose ‘legacy’ stretches across four generations and over 115 years of legal practice. 
Connect with Solomon and Co. - https://solomonco.in/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/solomon-co-advocates-solicitors/
Connect with us:
Contact: contactus@thedailylawyer.in
Website: https://thedailylawyer.in/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailylawyerig/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-v-krishnan/
#FerzanaBehramkamdin #fzb #legacyseries #indiancorporatelaw #bils #solicitors #indianlegalsystem #thedailylawyer #Solomon&Co #bombayhighcourt

From Dune to Dirty Picture: What Every Lawyer Should Know | Zameer Nathani, Global GC, DNEG

From a 21-Year-Old Signing His First Contract to Global GC at DNEG — Zameer Nathani shares his journey through law, media, IP, and high-stakes dealmaking.
In this episode of The Daily Lawyer Podcast, Zamir talks about:
building a legal career with intention
working across gaming, content, e-commerce, and entertainment
handling IP and trademark issues in media
lessons from landmark disputes like The Dirty Picture
the biggest contract red flags lawyers should never ignore
what young lawyers need to know about becoming trusted business advisors
A deeply insightful conversation for anyone interested in in-house law, intellectual property, contracts, and the future of legal careers.
This episode is part of our General Counsel Series, presented in proud collaboration with Zoho Sign.
About Zoho Sign
Zoho Sign is a comprehensive digital e-signature solution tailored for Indian businesses. It helps organisations sign, send, manage documents, automate signature workflows, authenticate signers, and enable e-stamping — all while staying compliant with Indian law. If your business deals with a high volume of contracts and legal documentation, Zoho Sign is built to simplify and accelerate the process.
Subscribe to The Daily Lawyer If you enjoy conversations with top legal leaders, in-house counsel, law firm partners, and legal entrepreneurs, subscribe to The Daily Lawyer for more such episodes.Drop your thoughts, questions, and takeaways in the comments.
#thedailylawyer #dneg #generalcounsel #inhousecounsel #entertainmentlaw #iplaw #contractlaw #legalcareers #lawpodcast #medialaw #corporatelaw #zohosign

From Small-Town India to CLO at UltraTech Cement | Ashok Kumar on In-House Law & Litigation

In this episode of The Daily Lawyer Podcast, we sit down with Ashok Kumar, Chief Legal Officer at UltraTech Cement, for a deeply insightful conversation on building a long-term in-house legal career, leading litigation strategy, and growing into a business-first legal leader. From being a small-town boy from Tamil Nadu and an “accidental lawyer” to leading legal functions at some of India’s biggest corporates, Ashok shares his remarkable professional journey across companies such as ABB, JSW, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, and UltraTech Cement.
In this episode, we discuss:
Ashok Kumar’s journey from Salem to the top of India’s corporate legal world
What it really takes to build a successful in-house legal career
Why in-house counsel must stay in the driver’s seat in litigation
How to choose the right external counsel and build trusted legal networks
The importance of business understanding for modern general counsel
Leadership, team-building, and hiring for attitude over skill
Legal tech, AI, and why law leaders must be thoughtful before adopting new tools
The qualities every great GC must possess
Advice for young lawyers looking to grow in-house
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation:
Litigation is not something an in-house lawyer simply hands over to a law firm. As Ashok explains, the strategy, objective, team selection, and business alignment must all be driven by in-house counsel.
This is an important and refreshing conversation for anyone who wants to understand how legal leaders think beyond law  and operate as true business partners.
This episode is part of our General Counsel Series, presented in proud collaboration with Zoho Sign.
About Zoho Sign
Zoho Sign is a comprehensive digital e-signature solution tailored for Indian businesses. It helps organisations sign, send, manage documents, automate signature workflows, authenticate signers, and enable e-stamping — all while staying compliant with Indian law. If your business deals with a high volume of contracts and legal documentation, Zoho Sign is built to simplify and accelerate the process.
Subscribe to The Daily Lawyer If you enjoy conversations with top legal leaders, in-house counsel, law firm partners, and legal entrepreneurs, subscribe to The Daily Lawyer for more such episodes. 

Cyril Shroff on Building a Legal Empire, Future of AI, Foreign law firms and 2035 vision | Legacy Series

What does it take to build one of India’s most influential law firms?How has Indian corporate law transformed over the last three decades?And what is the future of lawyers in the age of AI and global competition?
In this episode of The Daily Lawyer – Legacy Series (in collaboration with M/s Solomon & Co.), we sit down with Mr. Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Indian corporate law and M&A. Known as India's M&A King, Mr. Shroff discusses the evolution of Indian corporate law and why "emotional intelligence" is more critical than intellect when scaling a firm to almost 1500+ lawyers.
From his early decision to pursue law to leading one of India’s largest full-service law firms, Mr. Shroff reflects on:
The evolution of Indian corporate governance and capital markets
Why M&A does not end when the deal is signed
The entry of foreign law firms into India
Building institutions through emotional intelligence
The “Amarchand University” model of law firm growth
AI, automation, and the irreplaceable skills of future lawyers
… and so much more!
This conversation is part of our Legacy Series, created to preserve the life stories and insights of legal professionals who have shaped India’s legal and business landscape.
Presented in collaboration with M/s Solomon & Co., a boutique, full-service law firm based in Mumbai, India, whose ‘legacy’ stretches across four generations and over 115 years of legal practice. 
Connect with M/s Solomon and co. - https://solomonco.in/
 LinkedIn - https://in.linkedin.com/company/solomon-co-advocates-solicitors
📌 Subscribe to The Daily Lawyer for conversations with India’s leading legal minds.
Connect with us: Contact: contactus@thedailylawyer.in 
Website: https://thedailylawyer.in/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailylawyerig/
LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/jenna-v-krishnan
#IndianCorporateLaw #CyrilShroff #MergersAndAcquisitions #LawFirmLeadership #LegalPodcast #AIandLaw #CapitalMarkets #CorporateGovernance #IndianLaw #LegalCareers