The legal profession in India has long been a male-dominated sector. So much so that the country had the smallest representation of women in judiciary benches among 122 countries. According to a 2019 World Bank study, India only has three women judges in the Supreme Court and only 73 women judges in high courts.
Women are also severely unrepresented in the world of litigation. While speaking at an event a few months back, the Indian CJ DY Chandrachud highlighted the gender-gap in Indian legal profession. He presented statistics that said that for every 50,000 male lawyer enrolments in TN, there are only 5,000 female enrolments.
But don’t let these stats mislead you into believing that India has a dearth of talented female lawyers or legal professionals. The same was mentioned by the CJI. In fact, women made up 30-45 percent of total enrolments across 5 National Law Universities in 2020-21.
It has been observed that women legal professionals prefer legal consulting. Currently, across top 30 Indian law firms, women make up about 30 percent of the partner-ships. Although the number is nowhere near ideal, however, it has been consistently rising over the years.
Women have also been spearheading growth through the role of Chief Legal Officers. Through their sharp acumen and leadership skills, women legal professionals are mastering the role of Chief Legal Officers in noteworthy organizations.
The current edition of Women Entrepreneurs Review magazine celebrates the most noteworthy women Chief Legal Officers across the country.
In this magazine edition meet Sharmila K.R, Managing Founder of Law Offices at Sharmila K.R. With expertise in real estate law, she navigates complex transactions, earning acclaim for her commitment to client satisfaction and innovative legal solutions. Renowned for her global contributions, including speaking engagements at prestigious legal conferences, Sharmila's success mantra revolves around continuous evolution and daring to explore unchartered territories.
We also introduce readers to Aarti Prasad, Director-Legal, Microland. With a keen focus on negotiation, compliance, and strategic policy development, she adeptly balances professional and personal commitments. Aarti advocates for technology integration in the legal sector, emphasizing AI's role in reshaping legal practices while upholding ethical standards.
Susheela Maheshwari, Head of Legal at Rubamin is another noteworthy legal expert featured in this edition of the magazine. She navigates complex legal landscapes with resilience and expertise. With a diverse background spanning various industries, she ensures comprehensive compliance and safeguards the company's interests. Her journey epitomizes determination, inspiring others to overcome challenges and excel in their respective fields.
Read more about these exceptional women legal experts and the secret to their professional success.
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