Launch of ‘In-House Matters’ in Mumbai: A Handbook for Modern General Counsel
The book In-House Matters: A Complete Handbook for the Modern General Counsel was unveiled at a significant event in Mumbai on July 23. Authored by Pramod Rao, Ritvik Lukose, and Balanand Menon, and published by OakBridge Publishing, this comprehensive guide shifts the narrative from in-house counsels being mere ‘compliance cops’ to influential business leaders.
This event, attended by around 200 distinguished guests including board members, CXOs, and in-house lawyers, was highlighted by a panel discussion led by Jenna V Krishnan, founder of The Daily Lawyer. Justice BN Srikrishna, a former Supreme Court judge, endorsed the handbook, comparing General Counsel (GC) to ‘Rajpurohit’, advisors who guide leaders on ethical and legal matters.
Justice Srikrishna’s Call for Legal Privilege for GCs
In his address, Justice Srikrishna underscored the necessity of legal privilege for GCs, encouraging them to advocate for Supreme Court reconsideration of a recent decision denying this privilege. “GCs should have privileged communications with their boards and CEOs, protected from police interrogation,” he asserted, advocating for a legal framework recognizing GCs’ vital role in strategic decision-making.
Authors and Business Leaders Share Insights
Pramod Rao, a former Executive Director of SEBI and ex-General Counsel of ICICI Group, emphasized the importance of privilege in facilitating open, candid discussions vital for strategic counsel. “Privilege is misunderstood. It’s under this protection that the most frank conversations occur,” Rao explained.
Co-authors and industry leaders lauded the book’s practical insights. Lakshmi Iyer of Bajaj Finserv praised the narrative’s clarity and anecdotal richness, while N.S. Kannan, former MD & CEO of ICICI Prudential Life, highlighted its cross-sector perspectives. Rajiv Sabharwal of Tata Capital remarked on Rao’s solution-driven methodology.
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Hitesh Sethia of Jio Financial Services humorously noted the book’s value, likening it to a cost-effective legal manual. “I haven’t seen more expensive things than lawyers, but this book brings wisdom at an accessible price,” he joked.
Strategic Insights for GCs
The discussion also delved into strategic insights for new GCs. Rao described the initial 100 days as a “honeymoon period,” advising immersion in organizational dynamics before implementing changes. Menon introduced the Observe, Orient, Identify, Act (OIA) loop, a framework encouraging thoughtful engagement over immediate action.
Lukose outlined the evolution of in-house roles from legal support (Legal 1.0) to business partnership (Legal 2.0) and eventually to executive leadership (Legal 3.0), emphasizing innovation and efficiency. He urged GCs to extend their impact beyond company confines, contributing to broader societal and sectoral advancements.
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Concluding the event, Rao expressed hopes for the book to inspire GCs to transcend conventional boundaries, echoing the handbook’s theme of forward-thinking leadership.
