Legal and corporate voices discuss AI, career readiness, and evolving industry demands.
The Faculty of Legal Sciences at Shoolini University organised a national conference on 'Redefining Legal Education in India: Aligning Academia with Industry Expectations'. The event brought together influential voices from the legal and corporate sectors, promoting discussions on legal education, artificial intelligence (AI), career readiness, and evolving industry demands.
The conference started with a welcome address by Avnee Khosla, Trustee and Vice President of Shoolini University. She emphasised the transformative potential of legal education, stating, “This is a golden opportunity for young minds to prepare for the future. Legal education must extend beyond books and incorporate practical experiences like legal aid clinics." Shoolini University Founder-Chancellor Prof PK Khosla thanked all participants, praising the impactful discussions.
Akhil Prasad, Founding Member of the General Counsel Association of India (GCAI) and Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at Boeing India, delivered the keynote address. He said, “I welcome negative feedback and utilise it for self-improvement. Young professionals must evolve as problem solvers. He also encouraged students to increase productivity, advising them to make 48 hours out of 24.”
Panel discussion were organised on Career Development and Industry Expectations for Law Students. The panel discussion was moderated by Rajiv Chauhan and featured distinguished experts from diverse sectors. CV Raghu, Founding Member, GCAI, and Group General Counsel, Samvardhana Motherson Group, emphasised the need to adapt. “Knowledge builds confidence, and confidence gradually leads to leadership. In the era of AI, technology must support the evolving legal landscape. Understand how the law is changing globally," he said.
Prof Krishan K. Pandey, Dean, Office of Doctoral Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University, stressed that "those who fail to evolve with the pace of change will be left behind." he urged students to adopt the right processes and strategies in the AI era. He also cited shlokas from the Bhagwat Geeta, Vedas, and Ramcharitmanas, he advised students to become leaders, not followers.
Harinder Pal Singh Lamba, Managing Director and CEO, Chierz Foods and Beverages, highlighted current employment trends. "India's job market has two key sectors—corporate and SMEs. Startups are also booming. Interdisciplinary programmes are vital, and legal professionals must strengthen their technological capabilities."
Vikesh Dhyani, Director, Oakbridge Publishing, and Founder of Vidhiutsav, spoke on the power of publishing and professional development. "As publishers, we add to the ecosystem of knowledge, and LinkedIn is a powerful platform for networking and career growth," he said.
Rohit Gupta, General Counsel, JDA Renewables AB, Sweden, discussed the importance of adaptability, internships, and drafting skills. "Lawyers must stay updated with finance, develop networks, and constantly build skills. Reading and research are essential. A strong LinkedIn presence helps connect with the right people," he added.
Akhil Prasad also participated in the panel and reiterated the importance of time management and productivity. Students engaged in an interactive Question answers session, seeking advice on interviews, salaries, and career growth. CV Raghu advised, "Growth is your responsibility—switch roles, not jobs, and most importantly, enjoy your work."
The event also featured a special book launch by Manish Chaturvedi, Head of Internal Audit, Pernod Ricard India, who urged attendees to "focus on character-building and competency development."
Prof Nandan Sharma, Associate Dean, Faculty of Legal Sciences, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging Renu Pal Sood, Conference Convenor, for bringing together such an esteemed panel of experts from across the corporate and academic sectors.
April 5, 2025