In Conversation With Prashant Marathe, General Counsel & VP - Legal & Compliance, Sula Vineyards

Let’s turn the wheel of time, what sparked your interest in law and drew you to the role of a general counsel? 

The story behind my journey into the legal field is truly captivating. Ever since I was a child, my deep fascination for the legal profession has been fueled by a multitude of influences that have ignited and driven me forward. However, there was an unexpected turn of events when my father unyieldingly insisted that I pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, a path that I hesitantly embarked upon. Nonetheless, I never relinquished my unwavering passion for Law, and my aspirations were finally realized when I gained admission to Symbiosis Law School to study law, following the completion of my studies in agriculture.

Further journey from junior Counsel to General Counsel is more fascinating and the role of GC feel intriguing to me because it allows for a broad range of responsibilities and involvement in key decision-making processes within an organization. Here are a few factors that enticed me more:

1. Variety and Influence: General counsels have the opportunity to work on diverse legal issues, from contract negotiations and compliance matters to corporate governance and risk management. It often collaborates with various stakeholders within the organization, including executives, departments, and external legal teams.
2. Strategic Decision-Making: General counsels play a crucial role in advising executives and management on legal matters that impact business strategies. They help shape and guide the organization's direction by providing legal insights, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This involvement in strategic decision-making can be appealing to those who enjoy contributing to the overall success of their company.
3. Problem-Solving and Advocacy: As a general counsel, often need to handle legal disputes, negotiate contracts, and provide legal advice in complex situations. This demands strong problem-solving skills and the ability to advocate for the organization's interests. For individuals who enjoy tackling challenges, finding solutions, and advocating for their clients, the role of general counsel can be a fulfilling one.
4. Leadership and Management: In addition to legal expertise, general counsels often oversee a team of attorneys or other legal professionals. This managerial aspect can provide opportunities for leadership development and the ability to shape the legal department's culture and strategy.

These reasons, among others, make the role of General counsel appealing for me.

Who are some legal professionals you admire, and why? What lessons have you learned from them?  

I believe that having a role model is essential for success in any profession, and I look up to many stalwarts of the legal fraternity as my own role models. Few names would like to categorically mention;

1. Thurgood Marshall: Justice Marshall was the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of United states. He played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement and was a prominent advocate for equal rights and social justice. His strategic litigation and unwavering commitment to equality have inspired many legal professionals.
2. Nani Palkhivala: Nani Palkhivala played a key role in influencing the court and preserving the Basic Structure Doctrine, from the Privy Purse case to Kesavananda Bharati. 'Political freedom and civic liberty are the cornerstones of the Indian Constitution,' Palkhiwala believed. Our constitution, he added, is essentially formed and moulded for the common man.  
3. Soli Sorabjee: Soli Sorabjee was a champion of freedom of speech and expression. He defended freedom of press in many landmark cases in the Supreme Court of India and was instrumental in revoking censorship orders and bans on publications. He was a prolific writer on the issues of protection of human rights, upholding constitutional law and freedom of speech and expression. He has a number of publications to his credit.
4. Mahatma Gandhi: Although not a legal professional by trade, Gandhi’s use of nonviolent civil disobedience as a means of challenging unjust laws and promoting social change has had a profound influence on legal and human rights movements worldwide. His commitment to justice and peaceful resistance continues to serve as a powerful example.

From these individuals, and many others, I learn valuable lessons about the importance of standing up for justice, equality, and human rights. Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to making a positive impact serve as powerful reminders of the role that legal professionals can play in shaping a more just society.

Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to making a positive impact serve as powerful reminders of the role that legal professionals can play in shaping a more just society.

What would you say is your favourite quote or book related to law or leadership that resonates with you? Or what books, podcasts, or resources would you recommend to someone aspiring to follow your career path?  

“LIVE AS IF YOU WERE TO DIE TOMORROW.

LEARN AS IF YOU WERE TO LIVE FOREVER”.

……. Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhiji’s quotes certainly have a sense of beauty to them. This may seem like an old quote and almost everyone would have heard of this. Although this was said years ago, I am still fascinated by the impact of this. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. This segment is all about understanding our fears, limitations and worries of the future or past. The second part is about learning as if you were to live forever.

The Lawyers read a lot, perhaps, more than any other professional. Here I would like to recommend the must-read books for everyone which influence me.

Tomorrows Lawyers – An Introduction to your future - By Richard Susskind

Tomorrow’s Lawyers predicts fundamental and irreversible changes in the world of law. the future of legal service will be neither Grisham nor Rumpole. Instead, it will be a world of virtual courts, Internet-based global legal businesses, online document production, commoditized service, legal process outsourcing, and web-based simulated practice.

Nani Palkhivala – The Courtroom Genius - By Soli J. Sorabjee

This book takes you on an incredible journey through the life and accomplishments of Nani Palkhivala, an absolute titan in Indian law. With his remarkable ability to sway juries and his immense contributions to constitutional law, Palkhivala's impact on India's legal landscape is simply awe-inspiring.

Roses In December – An Autobiography - By M C Chagala 

Roses in December, the autobiography of M. C. Chagla. Chagla distinguished himself not only as a lawyer and judge but stood out in a few other fields of public activity.

10 Judgments that changes India - By Zia Mody 

This book presents a compilation of 10 essays on some of the most influential judgments that were passed by the Supreme Court of India and proved to be life-altering for the common man and the democracy of the nation.

Apart from the books, yes, there are several podcasts and TED Talks that discuss the importance of law and leadership in today's society. I have few recommendations:

"The Lawfare Podcast": This podcast focuses on the intersection of law, national security, and policy. It features interviews with leading experts and discussions on important legal and political issues.

"The Leadership and the Law Podcast": This podcast explores the role of leadership in the legal profession. It features conversations with lawyers and legal professionals who share insights and strategies for effective leadership.

"TED Talk: Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe" by Simon Sinek: In this TED Talk, Simon Sinek discusses the importance of creating a safe and trusting environment in leadership. He emphasizes the role of leaders in making their teams feel secure and empowered.

What are your hobbies or passions outside of your legal work? How do they help you unwind and recharge?  

A job you enjoy can contribute to your purpose in life, but your life outside of work is also important. Remember to make time for hobbies and social relationships, as these experiences can help you find fulfilment.

There are many fun and creative hobbies that can help you reduce stress and unwind after a long day at work or continue engaged in any of the project or assignment or court room legal battle. There are many leisure pursuits or pastimes which making me feel delighted and relaxed as and when I ought to unwind or recharge, such as-

1. Travelling: Travelling helps me connect with new people, which helps to improve my interpersonal skills. It's like food for the soul which is necessary to de-stress and then get back to my day job with new renewed vigour.
2. Reading: Reading can be a great way to escape from the stresses of everyday life. Whether you enjoy fiction, non-fiction, or something in between, there's something out there for everyone.
3. Photography: Photography is a great way to explore your creative side and capture the beauty of the world around you. You can take photos of anything that inspires you, from landscapes to people to animals.
4. Numismatics: This hobby really helps to release stress. Coin or currency collecting can be a very interesting and fulfilling hobby, just on the amount of knowledge you gain from it. Not just about the coins themselves, but about the World as a whole.

In your specific industry, what are some of the biggest challenges legal teams face currently? How are you tackling these issues?  

In addition to excise, the rules and regulations that apply to the FMCG industry are likely to apply to our industry as well, and these regulations are constantly changing or evolving nowadays. To overcome these challenges, our legal teams need to regularly attend training sessions, discussions, and subscribe to legal publications.

Presently I am working with the wine industry wherein we are dealing with individual countries, considering that excise is a matter of state. In addition to excise, the rules and regulations that apply to the FMCG industry are likely to apply to our industry as well, and these regulations are constantly changing or evolving nowadays. To overcome these challenges, our legal teams need to regularly attend training sessions, discussions, and subscribe to legal publications.

Managing large volumes of documents and cases is another challenge for our legal teams. To address this, we can implement document management systems and utilize technology, such as AI-powered contract review tools, to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Effective communication and collaboration within the team and with clients can also be challenging. To overcome this, we can use collaboration tools, hold regular team meetings, and provide efficient client support to enhance communication and ensure clarity.

Lastly, maintaining cybersecurity and data privacy is critical for our legal teams, considering the sensitive information they handle. To mitigate risks, we should regularly update security protocols, conduct vulnerability assessments, and educate team members about cyber threats.

Overall, addressing these challenges requires ongoing learning, embracing technology, fostering good communication practices, and prioritizing security measures.

Speaking of AI, which tech tools or resources do you find most valuable in your day-to-day work as a legal officer?  

Each type of software has unique features and benefits, but all are designed to help every legal department reduce costs, save time, and increase productivity.

I won't specify any name of tech tools, but there are a few that can be helpful to legal professionals. Some examples include E-Discovery Software, Document Management Software, Contracts Lifecycle Management Software’s (CLM), Legal Research software’s, G-Suite, Team Viewer, and communication and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet which are crucial for effective teamwork. Additionally, contract management tools like DocuSign can enhance efficiency in handling legal documents. Each type of software has unique features and benefits, but all are designed to help every legal department reduce costs, save time, and increase productivity.

AI legal assistant tools are not chatbots that can argue your cases for you. They are helpful tools that can do a lot to streamline your day-to-day tasks. Many of these tools can assist you in drafting complex legal documents and contracts, while others provide simplified summaries for reading abridged versions of lengthy legal documents. With the increasing popularity of ChatGPT, chatbots, and artificial intelligence in general, there are numerous new AI legal assistant tools available.

It's important to note that preferences may vary based on specific needs and industry.

Looking ahead to 2024, what legal developments, trends, or challenges are top of mind for you? Why? 

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues have gained substantial traction, and companies are increasingly being held accountable for their impact on the environment. In 2024, we can expect a surge in climate litigation as investors and stakeholders seek legal recourse to enforce sustainability commitments and hold corporations responsible for their environmental impact.

As we gear up for 2024, it's essential to stay informed about the evolving legal landscape across the globe. The legal industry is undergoing significant changes, and understanding the key trends will be crucial for legal professionals to thrive.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues have gained substantial traction, and companies are increasingly being held accountable for their impact on the environment. In 2024, we can expect a surge in climate litigation as investors and stakeholders seek legal recourse to enforce sustainability commitments and hold corporations responsible for their environmental impact.

Aside ESG there are many more areas such as Financial Crimes, Cybercrimes, Corporate restructuring where legal industry will have challenges-cum-opportunity in upcoming years, legal professionals often stay attuned to evolving areas such as technology law, privacy regulations, and environmental law due to their dynamic nature. Additionally, issues related to global events, changes in government policies, and emerging societal concerns can shape the upcoming legal landscape.

If you could leave our readers with one actionable piece of advice to advance their career or personal growth, what would it be? 

Stay curious, seek opportunities to acquire new skills, and embrace challenges as chances for growth.

Continuously invest in learning and adapting. Stay curious, seek opportunities to acquire new skills, and embrace challenges as chances for growth. The legal landscape, like many fields, is dynamic, and a proactive approach to learning ensures you remain relevant and resilient in the face of change.

BW Legal World's Top 100 General Counsel for 2022–23