General Counsel: Beyond Legal Expertise
In the modern corporate landscape, general counsel are being called upon to transcend their traditional legal roles and become strategic business advisers. This sentiment was expressed by Neena Gupta, CEO of Miiro Hotels and Executive Director at InterGlobe, during a panel discussion focusing on the evolving role of general counsel (GC). The panel, aptly titled “General Counsel – or Global Counsel,” was organized by Stewarts and Brick Court Chambers.
Gupta emphasized a pivotal shift in the expectations for in-house lawyers. “The moment you choose to become a general counsel, as opposed to being in a law firm, you’re expected to forget everything about law,” she remarked. The discussion revolved around whether the role of a GC should be considered as purely legal or more globally strategic, highlighting a significant transformation in the responsibilities and expectations placed on these professionals.
She further elaborated on the balance general counsel must maintain, acting as both a legal shield and a business enabler. “You’re expected to cover everybody from liabilities, risks, and reputational damage. But you just have to make things happen because everybody wants to move forward and not be derailed by you,” Gupta noted.
Aligning with Business Leadership
Gupta also pointed out the necessity for GCs to align closely with business leaders, describing the role as a critical ally in the pursuit of corporate ambitions. “You become a close aide to the people who want to build empires. You cannot be a derailer in that journey. It’s a huge balance that you have to navigate,” she added.
The session was moderated by Sherina Petit, Head of International Arbitration and India Practice at Stewarts, and Chintan Chandrachud, a barrister at Brick Court Chambers. Other notable panelists included Arnaz Kotwal, General Counsel and Head of Compliance at VFS Global; Preet Sethi, Deputy General Counsel at Vedanta Limited; Osman Aboubakr, co-founder of Argentum Law; and Pallavi Saluja, Editor at Bar & Bench.
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Challenges in Modern Legal Roles
Preet Sethi discussed the pressures of managing disputes within large organizations, likening litigation strategy to a boxing match that requires persistence and tactical endurance. “It’s like a boxing match at times; you continue to stand and not give up until the other side gives up, even if it’s a settlement,” she stated.
Arnaz Kotwal emphasized the expanded role of GCs in global organizations, noting that they are not just legal advisers, but also the central figures in compliance and risk management. “You’re not just a lawyer. You are the be-all and end-all of an entire compliance, risk, and repertoire of things that happen,” she explained, highlighting the integration of multiple compliance functions into a cohesive governance framework.
Osman Aboubakr touched on the disconnect in how disputes are perceived, stressing that the real value lawyers bring is judgment, not just information. “The most interesting disconnect is that as soon as a dispute starts or is about to start, or a client is dragged into a dispute, they think immediately that it’s a legal event. And it’s not. It’s all business,” he observed.
