The Daily Lawyer Podcast

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

Why Lawyers Must Think Business | Sandhya Tolat (GC - Aarti Industries)

In this episode of The General Counsel Series (in proud collaboration with @ZohoSign), we sit down with Sandhya Tolat, General Counsel at Aarti Industries, to decode what modern legal leadership looks like inside a large, manufacturing-led organisation—where law intersects daily with plant operations, safety, environment, supply continuity, contracts, and reputation. 
From the mindset shift required to move from “legal correctness” to legal, business, and operational decision-making, to building high-trust internal legal teams and choosing technology that actually gets adopted across locations and workflows - this conversation is packed with practical insights for in-house counsel, external counsel, law students, and business leaders. 
A special focus in this episode is how GCs evaluate and implement digital execution and governance, and where digital signature solutions like Zoho Sign can make the biggest day-to-day difference, from vendor and customer contracting to HR documentation and board/governance workflows. 
A big thank you to @ZohoSign for powering this series.
About Zoho Sign
Zoho Sign is part of the Zoho suite of digital products and enables organisations to streamline document execution with secure digital signing and governance-friendly workflows.
Connect with us
The Daily LawyerContact: contactus@thedailylawyer.inWebsite: https://thedailylawyer.in/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailylawyer/LinkedIn (Jenna Krishnan): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-v-krishnan/
Connect with Zoho SignInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/zohosignoff...X: https://x.com/zohosign?lang=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zohosign/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@zohosignExplore: https://www.zoho.com/en-in/sign/
#GeneralCounsel #InHouseCounsel #ZohoSign #ContractManagement #LegalTech

High-Stakes Fraud Investigation & Corporate Due Diligence | Mukesh Bajaj | Co-Founder, CIGAER

In this episode of The Daily Lawyer Podcast, Mukesh Bajaj (Co-founder, CIGAER | formerly CreditCheck Partners) breaks down forensic intelligence, asset tracing, reputation management, and risk red flags that matter to in-house counsel, litigation lawyers, and business leaders.
What happens when the paper trail runs cold in a market where property records aren’t digitized? How do you protect a global brand when media scrutiny threatens its reputation? With 28+ years in reputation management and political risk, Mukesh shares how his journey from 1990s investment banking evolved into a pioneering approach to risk investigation across India and South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, powered by deep on-ground context and robust verification networks.
CIGAER leverages over 200 years of collective team experience to navigate opaque markets, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. This conversation is a masterclass for in-house counsel, litigation lawyers, and business leaders on identifying red flags before they escalate into legal crises.
In this conversation, we discuss:
The Primark/BBC Investigation: Creative problem-solving strategies used to protect corporate integrity during high-stakes media scrutiny.
Creative Intelligence & Fraud Detection: How CIGAER utilises undercover resources, mystery shoppers, and government channels to resolve factory crises and surface "frontline truths".
Asset Tracing in India & South Asia: Why traditional property searches often fail in non-digitized markets and how passport-linked intelligence provides actionable leads for arbitration and recovery suits.
Managing Opaque Market Risks: Balancing Ethical Human-Source Inquiries with Client Confidentiality in Politically Charged Environments.
Emerging Legal Risks: A forward-looking view on ESG compliance, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of corporate risk.
This conversation is a masterclass in corporate investigations and fraud risk—especially for those working on disputes, arbitration recovery, compliance, ESG, and crisis response.
About CIGAER
CIGAER is a trusted forensics and investigations partner for the Indian subcontinent, with an experienced team operating across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bhutan. South Asia can be complex, layered with cultural context, subtext, and the social, political, and economic realities that shape how business is actually done on the ground. With decades of field experience and over 200 years of collective expertise, CIGAER combines deep regional insight with a proven, reliable network of trusted people resources across the region, helping clients cut through smokescreens, verify facts, and get to the truth with clarity and discretion.
Info@cigaer.com
+91 22 6802 6803
 
Connect with us:
Contact: contact@thedailylawyer.in
Website: https://thedailylawyer.in/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailylawyerig/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-v-krishnan/
#corporatefraud #duediligence #forensicinvestigation #AssetTracing #riskmanagement #CIGAER #thedailylawyer

Big-Ticket Disputes, Bigger Perspective: Lessons from Rohit Kapadia | The Legacy Series

In this episode of The Daily Lawyer Podcast – Legacy Series, we sit down with Senior Advocate Mr Rohit Kapadia, one of India’s most respected corporate litigators, for a rare and reflective conversation on law, legacy, and the cases that shaped modern corporate jurisprudence.
This episode goes beyond headlines to examine the legal thinking, institutional pressures, and courtroom realities behind some of India’s most consequential moments in financial and corporate history - including discussions around the Harshad Mehta era, Yes Bank, and Bhupen Dalal.
What you’ll hear is not commentary, but first-hand insight into:
How landmark corporate disputes unfold inside courtrooms
The difference between public narrative and legal reality
How judges, lawyers, and institutions shape outcomes over time
What young lawyers misunderstand about “big cases”
The long view of law - reputation, restraint, and responsibility
This is a conversation about judgment, not just judgments.
The Legacy Series documents the voices that have quietly shaped Indian law - with depth, dignity, and perspective. Presented in collaboration with Solomon & Co.With gratitude to Senior Advocate Mr Rohit Kapadia for sharing his time and wisdom.
Watch till the end for insights that rarely make it into reported judgments.
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/ 
 
#RohitKapadia #LegacySeries #IndianCorporateLaw #HarshadMeht  #YesBankCase #CorporateLitigation  #SeniorAdvocate  #IndianLegalSystem  #SupremeCourtOfIndia #TheDailyLawyer
 

Why CLM Is No Longer Optional: Atul Juvle on Risk, Renewals & Speed-to-Market | TDL x Zoho Contracts

Contract Lifecycle Management is no longer a legal department tool.
It’s a business survival system.
In collaboration with Zoho Contracts, in this episode of The Daily Lawyer Podcast, we sit down with Mr Atul Juvle - former General Counsel at HDFC, HDFC Ergo, Schindler, and Otis Elevators, and current board member across multiple listed companies - to unpack how contracting has evolved from paperwork to enterprise risk intelligence.
In a world of geopolitical shocks, regulatory pressure, supply-chain disruptions, and real-time accountability, Mr Atul explains why:
A single missed contract renewal can create criminal liability
CEOs now expect answers in minutes - not days
CLM has moved from “legal cost” to boardroom necessity
AI-powered contracting is essential - but human judgment still matters
MSMEs and startups need CLM even before scale
This episode is especially relevant for: ✔️ In-house legal teams ✔️ General Counsel & Legal Heads ✔️ CXOs, CFOs & Compliance Leaders ✔️ Founders, MSMEs & IPO-bound companies ✔️ Legal Ops & Risk Professionals
Key Topics Covered:
The evolution of legal from “no-go” to “co-pilot”
Why contract renewals are the most dangerous blind spot
How CLM prevents revenue leakage & compliance failures
Speed-to-market as a legal KPI
AI vs human review: what truly works
Why CLM is as essential as a mobile phone today
Our sincere thanks to Zoho Contracts for enabling this collaboration, and to Mr. Atul Juvle for sharing his time, experience, and perspective with our audience.
Download Zoho Contracts’ FREE eBook: https://www.zoho.com/contracts/ebooks/clm-software.html
Download Zoho Contracts’ CLM Survey: The State of Contracting 2026 https://www.zoho.com/contracts/ebooks/state-of-contract-management.html 
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/