Women entrepreneurs in the legal sphere have been carving their path with determination and innovation. Their ability to blend legal acumen with a keen business sense is reshaping the landscape. Priya Mamgain stands as a prime example of this breed of entrepreneurs. Hailing from the spiritually awakened lands of Uttarakhand, Priya's journey has been a testament to her insatiable desire for learning and growth. Over the span of a decade, Priya has woven an impressive tapestry of professional experiences, from multinational corporations to niche law firms. Her career mirrors her personal values of independence, ownership, and optimism, instilled by her family. Priya's transformational journey exemplifies the power of education, perseverance, and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to the legal profession and beyond. In an insightful dialogue with Women Entrepreneur magazine, Priya unfolds the compelling nuances of her entrepreneurial journey, marked as influential in the national sphere. Here's an excerpt from an intriguing conversation.

What aspects of the legal field captured your interest and ultimately drew you towards pursuing a career in law?

My journey began with a B.Com (H), from Sri Venkateswara College and an extensive CS program comprising a 15-months internship at Nucleus  Software. Initially in company secretarial role, a fortuitous encounter with an NDA's penalty clauses sparked my legal interest. My superior noticed this and encouraged me to delve into legal assignments, marking the onset of my legal journey. Over the next 18 months, I immersed myself in trademark prosecution, agreement negotiation, drafting, and gradually transitioned my focus from secretarial tasks to the contract review and management. This pivotal period led me to take up DU law entrance exam and I successfully completed my legal education between 2015 - 2018. Reflecting upon it, law chose me, and I am grateful to be on this rewarding path.

Tell us about the prior industry experience that you bring to the table and how does it empower you to be a better legal professional today?

I began my professional journey with India Bulls after graduating in 2011 where I was involved in review and financial scrutiny of property title documents and financial documents, a crucial aspect considering they granted loans based on validity of title of the property and borrowers’ credibility. Subsequently, my journey led me to Nucleus Software, where I acquainted myself with the nitty-gritty of contract review, negotiation and IPR prosecution along with company secretarial insights. This was followed by roles in an IPR law firm and a government entity, wherein my role focused on trademark prosecution and opposition and intricate legal and financial scrutiny of structures and operations of SPVs to ascertain proper utilization of funds allocated for welfare schemes respectively.

My quest for continuous learning led me to HCL which introduced me to new people, places and perspectives, while handling global compliances- EMEA and diverse cross-border transactions. At Airtel, where I led the compliance advisory and successfully implemented processes to curb non-compliances. At Saga Legal, where I now lead a talented team mix, my diverse experiences have converged. We advise an array of clients on funding transaction documents, IP, and compliances, fulfilling a role akin to an in-house legal department.

What are some of the most critical challenges that you encounter India’s legal landscape and how do you overcome these roadblocks?

In my leadership capacity, I recognize the imminent challenge of effectively managing teams within a hybrid work environment. Technological transformation, including the advent of AI, is reshaping the legal domain. While some discussions speculate on AI's potential to replace legal advisory, I remain convinced that the intricate complexities and contribution of legal counsel cannot be fully substituted. Thus, fostering a people-centric leadership approach alongside continuous upskilling and strategic technological integration remains crucial for navigating the dynamic terrain of the evolving legal landscape.

"We Are The Architects Of Legal Solutions, Weaving Strategies That Empower Our Clients To Navigate The Complex Legal Landscape In A Commercially Rewarding & Compliant Manner"

What informs your leadership approach and what strategies do you deploy?

I emphasize the crucial importance of understanding client needs as the cornerstone of our work. My guiding principle is to ensure user delight, wherein clients are fully satisfied with the services we provide. I impart to my associates the significance of risk identification and aligning it with client objectives. Drawing inspiration from management wisdom, I often refer to Ray Dalio's insights. I find resonance in his teachings and aim to incorporate them into my leadership approach. Additionally, I believe in Shu Ha Ri philosophy  from Japanese martial arts. Beginning by learning established methods, progressing to infusing personal innovation, and ultimately contributing something groundbreaking to the field is the goal.

How do you foresee the Indian legal landscape evolving in the future? What steps will you take to align Saga Legal with the industry trends?

Promoting greater representation of women in leadership roles is a strategic move for organizations, because of the unique blend of skills they bring. Women leaders exhibit a remarkable combination of IQ, EQ, and SQ, with EQ being especially noteworthy. Women, naturally endowed with a nurturing quality, excel in understanding and catering to the needs of each team member, fostering their growth. In the realm of litigation, there's a need to incentivize young lawyers to embrace this path. Many aspiring legal minds are disheartened by the conditions of lower courts, including inadequate infrastructure and pay. A concerted push to create a more appealing atmosphere in these courts can attract young talents, allowing them to fully explore and appreciate the intricacies of litigation work.

Advice for aspiring women entrepreneur- She who dares, wins!

Priya Mamgain, Partner, Saga Legal

Armed with a B.Com Honors degree, Priya Mamgain pursued law and a post graduate degree in Company Secretary (CS). She earned a coveted gold medal in IPR laws from the prestigious Indian Law Institute. Her academic achievements are mirrored by her professional endeavors. From her involvement with prominent multinational corporations to collaborating with niche law firms and contributing to government initiatives, Priya's versatility shines through.