Symbiosis International University has been a nurturing ground for exceptional women leaders, fostering talent that resonates across diverse fields. Among its distinguished alumni, Aakriti Raizada stands out as a trailblazing entrepreneur and legal luminary. Graduating with Honors in BA LLB from Symbiosis Law College in Pune, Aakriti embarked on a transformative journey.

Founding Legal Era in 2009, she not only became a driving force in legal industry but also a strategic advisor, consultant, and influential figure in global legal community. Aakriti's contributions extend beyond entrepreneurship, demonstrating the impactful evolution of women leaders emerging from Symbiosis International University.

Engaging in an idiosyncratic interaction with Women Entrepreneur magazine, Aakriti shares the imperious details of her journey as one of the influencing leaders in the country. Let’s delve into it.

What inspired you to establish Legal Era, and how has the journey since inception evolved into an institution with a global presence and diverse offerings?

Legal Era's inception was fueled by a realization during my law school days, observing the stark disparity in legal practices between India and more developed legal markets. The journey commenced while pursuing a Master's in London, where exposure to community conferences and legal awareness programs sparked the idea of creating a platform for global legal knowledge sharing.

Rather than following traditional paths, Legal Era aims to empower the legal community through continuing legal education programs, training, knowledge sharing & thought leadership conferences, and resources. Initiatives such as the global business lawyers' network, women lawyers' community, and corporate counsel community, along with the Legal Era think tank, have contributed to bridging gaps between legal practices globally.

With support from legal luminaries and a focus on continuing legal education, Legal Era today stands at par with global benchmarks with international presence in every continent today fostering legal education, research, and advocacy. 

We anticipate the needs of the legal and the business community. And we empower them with information and tools to succeed in the rapidly changing times. We also ensure that Legal Era is always in sync with the changing tides of time. With foresight and a deep understanding what today’s legal professionals need, we are constantly evolving towards creating unique forums for knowledge exchange, learning & professional growth. We believe that structured learning communities of expert professional helps in creating pathways for development & growth. Today Legal Era is a networking-intensive, multi-disciplinary, and digitally savvy platform that provides our talented Gen X and Gen Z lawyers the right environment to reach their highest potential and make meaningful contributions to the socio-legal discourse. 
   

Our objective is to serve as the most credible platform for the global legal community while being the go-to bridge between the government and the industry. And while we do that, a core focus area has been to strengthen interpersonal connections by organizing collaborative community forums and facilitating dialogues by highlighting pertinent legal issues, that are imperative & relevant. Our collective mission is to empower and enhance legal literacy through meaningful conversations that results in achieving good governance.

Such commitment to bridging gaps within the legal industry led to the creation of Legal Era unique communities & think tank of expert lawyers such as the Legal Era Global Business Lawyers' community, Legal Era Women Lawyers' Community, and Corporate Counsel communities. These communities serve as important platforms for professional development, and peer support.

The Legal Era think tank addresses industry-specific issues and complexities, playing a pivotal role in the evolution of law and policy. Additionally, our foray into integrated media, with the publication of Legal Era magazine, has strengthened our international presence. 

As we evolve into a comprehensive institution, Legal Era Academy of Excellence contributes significantly to the continuing education of legal professionals, empowering them with specialized knowledge and fostering collaboration on a global scale.

What are some of the most critical challenges that you encounter as an entrepreneur in the legal field and how do you overcome these roadblocks?

Initially, convincing investors and stakeholders to support us was an uphill battle, as the unconventional nature of the venture sparked skepticism. 

Another hurdle was the lack of advanced technologies for effective communication and connection, making it challenging to convey my vision during a time when the industry had not fully embraced technological evolution. 

Balancing the demanding nature of the legal field with personal and family responsibilities presented another significant challenge. 

We have overcome all these challenges with patience and zeal. When you are passionate about something and truly believe in the cause you are championing, believe me, everyone begins to rally around it eventually. Hence, over the years, with the support of the ever-expanding Legal Era Community, we successfully introduced many initiatives including online awareness programs, print publications, and international conferences, transforming Legal Era into a think tank of thought leaders in the legal industry. 

By embracing diversity, fostering innovation, and most importantly, prioritizing collaboration always, we have become a valuable resource leaving a transformative impact on the legal industry and society. 

How do you foresee the legal field evolving in the near future? Which industry trends will create the most significant impact going forward?

The legal field is undergoing a remarkable transformation, propelled by technological advancements and dynamic shifts in the industry landscape. Automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence are revolution izing legal processes, streamlining routine tasks, reducing time, and cutting costs.

Globalization and the opening of the legal market to foreign law firms signify a positive change, fostering cross-border collaborations and expanding growth opportunities.

The emerging trend of alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) is disrupting traditional models as well, offering cost-effective solutions and leveraging technology and strategic partnerships. 

Corporate Counsel today are business enablers that play a key role in decision making within their organization. The Leading Lawyers & Chief Legal Officers today with an entrepreneurial mindset are challenging age-old practices. They are transforming the traditional perceptions of a lawyer and the run-of-the-mill expectations from a lawyer/In-house Counsel. They are taking risks and wanting to do things differently. They are not only capitalizing on emergent industries and carving out niche practice areas but also reinventing how legal services are provided. For example, they like to be a part of a diverse workforce representing inclusive organizations versus monotone cultures. They are designing operations & strategies as a business enabler within organizations where humans collaborate seamlessly with their digital counterparts. Indeed, the dynamism and fresh approach of India’s Corporate Counsel & Young Lawyers will play a significant part in how the legal industry shapes up going ahead. 

How does Legal Era's Women Lawyers’ Network contribute to innovation and enhanced decision-making in the legal profession?

Recognizing the evolving dynamics, we established the Legal Era Women Lawyers’ Network to address the underrepresentation of women in the legal profession. An exclusive association of the most competent and most credible women stalwarts, luminaries, experts, litigators, corporate counsels, and young and upcoming rising stars, the Woman Lawyers’ Network acts as a catalyst for change, amplifying the voices of women in law and laying the foundation for a more equitable and innovative future in the legal profession.

Legal Era Women Lawyers is set to create opportunities for women lawyers making a difference in the legal profession and the industry across roles, geographies, practice areas, and career stages.

Legal Era was the first organization to institute the Legal Era Women in Law Excellence Awards that celebrate legal finesse, innovation, and accomplishments among women lawyers, we aim to cultivate an inclusive environment that fosters creativity and innovation. On that note, I invite all the readers of this very inspiring Women Entrepreneur magazine to join me in becoming the Voice of this unique Legal Era Women Lawyers Network of Women Leaders & Lawyers. It is time to ensure that the current and the future generations receive what is rightfully due to them, nothing less, nothing more. I invite you to Support each other, Engage, Develop & Grow - Together.

A business leader you admire: Steve Jobs, the world knows why, he needs no introduction. He gave innovation & creativity a new meaning in the business world.

Advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs and business leaders: For women entrepreneurs and business leaders, my advice is to trust the fire within, follow your heart, and resist external advice, as your determination and intuition make you uniquely powerful on the path to achieving your dreams. 

Aakriti Raizada, Founder, Legal Era

Aakriti Raizada, a multifaceted entrepreneur and legal professional, holds a BA LLB from Symbiosis Law College, Pune. While pursuing her LLM in London, her vision to bring about innovative change led her back to India, where she established Legal Era in 2009, initiating legal awareness programs, creating a credible platform for meeting of minds between the worlds of law, business, and policy, and championing the contributions of legal professionals across the globe. Aakriti is the CEO of ATLS Group, and Founder and Editor of Legal Era & Intellectual Property Magazine. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, she serves as the Chair of the Global Business Lawyers Network.