Introduction to Vidyut Gulati’s Role at Bharti Airtel
Vidyut Gulati, serving as the Group General Counsel and Director Legal at Bharti Airtel Group, has an expansive role that traverses various sectors including telecom, infrastructure, financial services, and real estate. Previously, she was with Cairn Oil and Gas as General Counsel and a member of the Executive Committee, and also spent time as a Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. In an engaging conversation with Pallavi Saluja from Bar & Bench, Gulati discusses the structuring of legal functions, the integration of artificial intelligence in legal practices, and the dynamic role of in-house counsel in today’s rapidly evolving corporate landscape.
Career Progression and Insights
Gulati’s career path has been an organic journey through law firms to in-house roles, culminating in her current position at Bharti Airtel. She emphasizes the foundational learning experiences provided by law firms, which exposed her to diverse sectors and domains. Her transition to in-house roles was driven by a desire to add value and be closer to business operations, which she finds enriching and transformative as a professional.
Understanding Law Firms from a Business Perspective
Gulati acknowledges a shift in perspective regarding law firms after moving to the business side. She appreciates commercially-minded lawyers who offer practical, balanced legal solutions rather than purely theoretical advice. This realization underscores the value of external counsel who possess a deep understanding of the business and can deliver practical solutions.
Responsibilities and Challenges in the Bharti Group
Upon joining Bharti in 2017 as Director Legal and ascending to Group General Counsel in 2021, Gulati’s role expanded significantly. Her responsibilities transitioned from strategic M&A and fundraising, to engaging with litigation and managing strategic legal challenges across the various businesses under the Airtel Group. This broadened her experience and required her to navigate complex legal landscapes.
Structuring Legal Functions Across Different Verticals
Gulati describes how the legal function at Bharti Airtel is structured to accommodate the diverse verticals it operates in. Mature legal teams are in place for established businesses, while newer ventures are developing their legal capabilities. Integration and uniformity across these teams are crucial, particularly in emerging business areas.
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In-house vs. External Legal Counsel
Gulati prefers to keep as much legal work in-house as possible, reflecting a trend among major corporate groups towards deeply integrated legal teams. While a significant portion of Airtel’s contract work is internalized, specialized external counsel is engaged when necessary for litigation or niche legal advice.
Regulatory Risk Management in Telecom
Managing regulatory risk in the heavily regulated telecom sector is a priority for Bharti Airtel. Gulati highlights the company’s proactive approach to engaging with regulators and shaping new legislation, such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and the new Telecom Act. This strategy aims to minimize regulatory friction and facilitate business operations.
Embracing AI and New-age Regulations
Artificial intelligence and new-age regulations around cybersecurity and data protection are high priorities for Bharti Airtel. The company actively engages with regulators to ensure compliance while balancing business needs. Internally, legal AI tools are utilized to enhance efficiency, particularly in contract management, though challenges remain in fully automating litigation processes.
Qualities Sought in Young Legal Professionals
For aspiring legal professionals, Bharti Airtel values customer obsession, curiosity, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a strong sense of ownership. Gulati believes these qualities are essential for success and encourages young lawyers to embrace hard work and ambition during their formative years.
Navigating Leadership as a Woman in Law
As a prominent female General Counsel, Gulati shares her experience in a traditionally male-dominated field. She emphasizes the importance of diversity and the supportive culture at Bharti Airtel, which focuses on the value and contribution individuals bring to the table, irrespective of gender.
