Experts Emphasise On Enhancing Legal Education For In-house Success

An annual conference on legal education and in-house careers brought together seasoned professionals and eager law students. The event aimed to address the current state of legal education and its alignment with in-house industry needs.

Mirul Bhavsar, Head of Legal at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, said, "When I graduated from law school, I had no idea what in-house legal practice entailed. Unfortunately, not much has changed over the years. There's still a significant gap between academic training and industry readiness. We need to overhaul our legal education system to include more practical skills."

She cited the example of chartered accountants and company secretaries, who often hit the ground running upon graduation. "We need our law students to be equally prepared," she urged, emphasising the importance of teaching business, communication, and people skills alongside legal knowledge.

Nikhil Prasad, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at Boeing India, shared his perspective. "I believe that we should train students to become good lawyers first," he emphasised.

Utkarsh Kumar, Principal Associate at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, weighed in, stating, "Everyone agrees that we need certain reforms, but I also agree with Debosmita that the academic rigour which a college gives is very important and that is something which needs to continue. Yes, there are certain practical trainings which will be advantageous to the students."

As the discussion continued, one thing became clear: the path to becoming a successful in-house counsel was not straightforward. It required a blend of solid academic foundation, continuous learning, and real-world experience.

The speakers concluded with practical tips for aspiring in-house counsels. Mirul Bhavsar advised, "If you're planning to take up an in-house role, or even if you're not, it's worth spending a couple of years in your profession to understand the business in general. Pay attention to regulatory and operational aspects." Utkarsh Kumar suggested, "Everyone should spend at least a year or two in trial or lower courts to understand how the legal processes and basics of law operate in India." Debosmita Nandy, Head of Legal, Cinepolis added, “Knowing the financials of companies is very important.”

The session concluded with a call to action for both educators and students. "Let's not limit our learning to the classroom," the moderator, Ruhail Amin, Senior Editor at BW Businessworld, urged. "The legal profession is ever-evolving, and so should we.”

Satyam Mishra

BW Reporters The author is a trainee correspondent with BW Businessworld