This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team
You’ve mentioned that your interest in law developed through the process of eliminating other career options. Can you tell us more about how you eventually decided on law and how that decision has shaped your career trajectory?
I grew up in Kolkata during the 90’s and early 2000s, a time when the most sought-after career paths were typically in engineering, medicine, or accountancy. Coming from a family of engineers and doctors, I felt an innate urge to break away from this conventional path and carve out something different for myself. This led me to choose the Commerce stream for my XII standard examinations, leaving chartered accountancy as a potential option if I excelled academically.
Around this time, one of my school seniors was preparing for the National Law School entrance exams, and that sparked a deep interest in Law within me. As I explored this further, the idea of pursuing a legal career began to resonate more strongly. My decision solidified as I found myself thoroughly enjoying the CLAT syllabus, especially subjects like Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning, and Mathematics. With this growing passion, I pursued Law school admissions and successfully cleared the entrance exams for several institutions, including Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai.
I ultimately chose GLC, Mumbai, drawn by its distinguished alumni network and its proximity to the bustling legal landscape of the city. Reflecting on my school years, I realize I wasn’t always sure of my strengths, but my decision to pursue Law and Commerce led me to excel in both the legal and financial sectors. Today, with over a decade of experience as a lawyer, I find myself just as enthusiastic as I was during my first internship. A career in law has proven to be both dynamic and fulfilling, with each day bringing new challenges and learning opportunities.
You interned with prestigious law firms like Khaitan, JSA, and Nishith Desai, but after completing your education, you chose to start your career in the corporate world. What led to this decision, and how did transitioning from law firms to in-house legal roles shape your career path?
Law firms often hold strong appeal for law students, especially for those influenced by TV series like Suits. During my time in law school, I was determined to secure internships with top-tier law firms and was fortunate to have the opportunity to do so. Notably, my internship at Nishith Desai Associates (NDA) stood out for its culture of rigorous learning and research. Here, I honed my skills in meticulous drafting, meeting tight deadlines, and delving deeply into research to resolve complex problem statements. At that stage, starting my career at a law firm seemed like the most organic choice.
However, destiny had other plans, leading me to secure a placement with Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Corporate Legal Department in Mumbai. This shift made me realize the unique value of being an in-house counsel, where legal practice intersects with business strategy. In-house counsel roles offer the opportunity to develop a strong understanding of business dynamics, as your clients are internal stakeholders, and business acumen becomes integral to your work.
Over the years, I’ve transitioned through various roles in the Banking and Finance sector, as well as in e-commerce and Fintech, with each in-house position adding depth to my legal expertise. I thrive on the unpredictability and problem-solving challenges that come with in-house roles. As an in-house counsel, I am continually faced with a diverse legal issue—from product design and process development to policy framing, contract negotiations with key business partners, regulatory compliance, and handling employment matters. The role is deeply integrated with business operations at every level, making it both dynamic and fulfilling.
Being a first-generation lawyer, what were the key challenges you faced when you started your legal career, and how did you overcome those hurdles to establish yourself in such competitive sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and banking?
As a first-generation lawyer, I didn’t have the benefit of family precedents or insider guidance when navigating my career in law. I relied on my own judgment and intuition. However, I’ve been fortunate to have exceptional mentors who have generously offered their guidance throughout my career and are always just a phone call away.
One key difference between first-generation lawyers and those from legal legacies is the clarity of the path ahead. Those with a legal lineage often have a well-defined roadmap, while first-generation lawyers must thoughtfully and deliberately lay each brick to build their own path forward. While this process is deeply fulfilling, it can also mean missing out on opportunities due to a lack of exposure or knowledge.
From my journey, I would advise fellow first-generation lawyers to stay vigilant and open to opportunities and to actively seek out trusted mentors who can provide valuable guidance. The legal field is highly competitive, and success requires not only hard work but also being in the right place at the right time. Proactively expanding your network and knowledge base is crucial to thriving in this profession.
Having extensive experience dealing with regulators like the RBI and IRDAI, what are some key learnings you’ve gained from these interactions? How do these regulatory engagements influence legal strategies in fintech and NBFCs?
A crucial skill for lawyers working in regulated sectors is the ability to deeply understand the regulator’s perspective and intentions. It’s important to remain open to engaging with regulators and fostering a constructive dialogue. Often, it’s surprising how receptive regulators can be when approached with the right intent. Whether it’s for obtaining licenses or during annual audits, each interaction has given me invaluable insights into the rationale behind specific regulations and the purpose of certain prohibitions or compliance requirements.
A key lesson from these interactions is that regulators consistently expect transparency. Regulated entities must be willing to collaborate with the regulator to find business solutions that align with regulatory objectives. Understanding the regulator’s intent is particularly helpful when navigating ambiguous areas of regulation, allowing for more informed and strategic advice to internal business stakeholders, rather than simply interpreting the letter of the law.
For in-house lawyers, especially in regulated entities, the ability to offer compliant yet practical solutions is a highly sought-after skill. By bridging the gap between regulatory compliance and business needs, in-house counsel can play a critical role in helping organizations thrive within the bounds of the law.
In your experience negotiating complex contracts in fintech startups like Rupeek and larger organizations like Kotak & Flipkart, what do you see as the crucial aspects where an in-house lawyer can contribute to driving business success? How can legal counsel go beyond compliance to add strategic value?
My experience in different kinds of organizations has taught me that the role of an in-house counsel also changes based on the nature of the organization. In established organizations, departmental roles are well-defined, and each stakeholder plays a vital part in closing contracts. In contrast, within start-ups, the business often relies heavily on legal counsel, not just for legal and compliance advice but also for insights on structuring financial transactions and commercial terms.
Negotiating for established organizations often provides greater leverage when dealing with counterparties. However, representing a start-up has allowed me to engage deeply with the commercial and operational intricacies of contracts. Both experiences have been fulfilling in their way. For instance, while working for large Banks like Ujjivan & Kotak, I negotiated with Big Tech companies, gaining exposure to deals of significant scale. Similarly, during my tenure at Flipkart/Myntra, handling high-value celebrity contracts with intellectual property right implications showcased the complexity of working with major influencers. On the other hand, my work representing fintechs has allowed me to negotiate with larger banks and lending partners (perceived with higher negotiating power) to come to a consensus in commercial and regulatory structuring of deals.
Ultimately, when legal counsel provides comprehensive, well-thought-out advice that considers both legal and financial risks, they are no longer seen as obstacles but as essential partners in driving contract closure. This shift transforms the counsel’s role from a perceived barrier to a catalyst for success.
You cleared your CS professional exams in one shot while also pursuing law. What strategies or insights helped you manage both demanding courses simultaneously? Could you share some advice for young students who are pursuing multiple qualifications?
Both the Company Secretary (CS) and Law courses are highly demanding, given the vastness of their syllabi and the intensity of their exam schedules. However, I was determined to complete the CS course alongside law school. Opting to take all the modules of the CS professional course in one go was admittedly a bold decision — I sat for nine papers back-to-back, without a break. The enormity of the challenge made my resolve to stay determined and focused stronger. I don’t think I put any pressure on myself, but I just wanted to test my potential.
I devised a strategy to balance both fields of study. During the first half of the year, I concentrated on law school exams, while the latter half was dedicated to CS studies, though I maintained some focus on law for mid-term exams. Interestingly, much of the CS syllabus overlapped with legal concepts, which created a natural synergy in how I applied my understanding to both courses. What also helped me is the constant support and encouragement of my friends who were taking the exams with me. We often talk about team efforts in corporate life, student life also taught me the importance of a solid team in competitive exams. For students navigating similar challenges, my advice would be to prioritize and strategize — knowing when to focus on each subject is key. And most importantly, enjoy the learning process. Both law and CS test your understanding of core concepts, so cultivating a genuine interest in the material will ultimately lead to success.
With your wealth of experience in fintech, e-commerce, and banking, what advice would you offer to current law students and early-career professionals who aspire to work in these sectors?
A career in Fintech, e-commerce or any other regulated sector is very demanding, especially for lawyers because the regulatory landscape keeps changing. In my experience, you truly understand the essence and requirements of the regulations by reading it multiple times from different perspectives.
Developing a genuine interest in regulatory frameworks and their interaction with business offerings is fundamental for finding your footing as a lawyer in these sectors. For anyone looking to break into or transition into these industries, my advice is to invest time in understanding regulations, and their underlying purpose, and to cultivate business acumen around the various products in the space. This combination of legal expertise and business insight will make you a valuable asset in any organization.
As a mother, how have you managed to balance such a demanding career with your personal responsibilities? What advice would you give to others trying to navigate similar challenges?
I have always seen my mother as a role model who dedicated herself to her profession as a teacher all through her life while raising two children. Her resilience and dedication made it a natural choice for me to continue working after I had my baby. I was fortunate to have the support of a wonderful organization like Rupeek and an understanding manager, which allowed me to manage my professional responsibilities while being fully present for my daughter during her early years.
For mothers looking to maintain their professional careers, I recommend investing in quality child-care support if possible. Our role as mothers goes beyond simply managing a child’s daily routine—we are their source of inspiration and pride. I firmly believe that a child’s happiness is closely tied to their mother’s fulfilment. If you are passionate and happy in what you do, that joy will resonate with your child.
I am deeply passionate about my profession, and my daughter is a constant source of motivation, encouraging me to explore my full potential instead of setting limits. That said, balancing work and family life is always a dynamic process. It requires thoughtful decision-making and sometimes tough choices about when to prioritize what. But I believe that by staying true to ourselves and our passions, we set a powerful example for our children.
With such a demanding career in multiple sectors, how do you unwind and recharge? Are there any hobbies or activities that help you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Weekends for me are completely dedicated to my home and family. As much as I enjoy staying at home and cleaning to my satisfaction, I also enjoy social gatherings. These days, I often find myself at gatherings with my daughter’s friends and their parents, enjoying the sense of community it brings. I also like to unwind by watching some thoughtful and reality-inspired series/movies. As a family, we also make it a point to plan small getaways or vacations whenever possible. These trips allow us to recharge, connect with nature, and explore historical places, creating lasting memories together.
Recently, my husband and I have embraced a healthier lifestyle. We’ve started making conscious choices for our well-being, and one of our favourite weekend routines is our Saturday morning workouts at Cubbon Park. It’s become a refreshing way to kick off the weekend, balancing physical wellness with the joy of being outdoors.
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