At the General Counsels Association of India (GCAI) conference on January 31, 2025, the spotlight shone on the evolving role of general counsels and the need for a transformative approach to legal education and practice in India. Hosted at the India International Centre, the event titled “Rethink- Redefine- Re-Evolve the Legal Profession in India” brought together thought leaders to discuss the future of law in the corporate landscape.
A key session, “Enabling and Skilling,” saw an engaging exchange among academics, industry professionals, and in-house legal experts, as they explored how law schools and legal teams can adapt to meet the demands of a rapidly changing environment. Dr. Risham Garg from NLU Delhi discussed how in-house legal teams are attracting top-tier talent, and Ms. Shelly Kohli, General Counsel at United Breweries, raised concerns over the role of AI in legal education, emphasizing the balance between technology and critical thinking.
Dr. Ashish Bharadwaj, a thought leader in legal education, highlighted the growing challenges posed by over-digitization. He warned that while AI is touted as a solution, it risks undermining the development of cognitive abilities and critical skills such as reading and writing. Drawing an analogy to the rise and eventual disillusionment with social media, he expressed concerns over AI’s unchecked influence on legal practice and education.
The conversation continued with a focus on practical skills such as oratory advocacy, negotiation, and client counseling, which Dr. Bharadwaj believes should be core to law school curricula. The panelists called for a comprehensive rethinking of legal education, integrating experiential learning, mentorship, and interdisciplinary approaches to create well-rounded legal professionals.
In a poignant address, Dr. Lalit Bhasin, President of the Society of Indian Law Firms, critiqued the five-year integrated law course and advocated for a curriculum that better prepares students for the practical demands of the profession. He also stressed the importance of empowering in-house counsels with the legal authority to offer strategic guidance, aligning their role more closely with litigation practitioners.
The conference’s fourth session, “Recognizing In-House Counsels,” delved into the growing influence of general counsels, featuring thought-provoking discussions on legal privilege and corporate governance. Legal luminaries such as Dr. Shardul S. Shroff and Ms. Pinky Anand explored the nuanced relationship between in-house counsel and litigation roles, debating whether in-house counsels could—or should—operate on par with traditional litigators.
Justice (Retd.) Hima Kohli wrapped up the conference with a compelling statement, urging for a shift in how general counsels are perceived within the legal ecosystem. She stressed the need to treat general counsels as equals to litigation professionals, emphasizing the strategic role they play in shaping corporate and legal landscapes alike.
“Our regulatory framework, particularly the Advocates Act and Bar Council regulations, have yet to fully recognize the strategic roles modern legal practitioners take on as general counsels. They must be mainstreamed and be seen as equals to litigation practitioners,” said Justice Kohli.
The conference concluded with an interactive SWOT analysis exercise, led by Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of Law and Justice, who discussed the ongoing amendment of the Advocates Act, 1961, and the pivotal role of lawyers—especially in-house counsels—in driving economic growth.
