Leaders
In an era of rapid all round growth of our country, law firms are essential partners in navigating complex legal issues, ensuring compliance with laws and resolving disputes. Lawyers play a crucial role in advising businesses on regulatory compliances, risk mitigation and strategic legal planning to achieve their business objectives. They provide specialized insights to navigate the ever changing legal landscape, and facilitating informed decision-making and protecting the diverse stakeholders’ interests. Think Law maintains a holistic approach, addressing broad commercial and legal issues beyond narrow specialization. Ankita Kashyap, a Partner at Think Law, plays a pivotal role in overseeing the firm’s corporate practice while also managing a range of other responsibilities.
In a recent interview, Ankita Kashyap shared her insights on the corporate law landscape, her firm's journey, future visions, and leadership advice for aspiring professionals.
Please share your educational and professional journey with us, and provide insights into your current role and responsibilities.
My formative years were spent in Assam, where I was nurtured and educated. Later, I relocated to Pune to pursue higher studies where I graduated in law from the esteemed ILS Law College where I was a rank holder through my college years. Hailing from a modest town with no legal background in my family, my initial career aspirations were more inclined towards medicine, or management. However, certain turn of events steered my trajectory towards the legal profession. I started my career at DSK Legal, one of the leading law firm in the country, and worked in its corporate practice for around 8 years. Then, our team moved to Economic Law Practice which was twice the size of DSK Legal where I worked for a little under two years where I was elevated to the designation of an Associate Partner. It was at Economic Law Practice when my managing partner decided to start our firm right in the middle of the COVID 19 pandemic and being a key member of the team, I joined in leaving behind a large firm. That is how Think Law was founded. At the inception, we were a modest 5-member law firm which today has rapidly grown into a multi-disciplinary team of 25 lawyers with a broad range of experience across the legal landscape. At Think Law, I oversee the corporate matters and specialize in mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, venture capital investments, and cross-border transactions. I also guide the team to address complex employment matters (particularly employee benefits, downsizing and investigative issues) and intellectual property law aspects. Additionally, I also engage in fair amount of pre-litigation correspondence writing, preparing client narrative for potential litigation. My work spans a broad spectrum within corporate law, and I take immense pride in it.
Women are born multi taskers, make this your secret weapon. Explore different areas of law before specializing, as this broad experience will help you find your true calling
Could you introduce us to Think Law and describe the primary responsibilities you handle as a Partner at the firm?
Think Law is my child. It's my passion project, and with close to four years of hard work and toil, it has quickly moved beyond its startup phase. We have evolved into a firmly established practice with 25 dynamic professionals ready to tackle any matter, regardless of its size or complexity. Being the second most senior person right after the founder Tushar Ajinkya, I have been deeply involved in Think Law’s creation and growth. My primary responsibility is managing our people including HR tasks. At Think Law we practice participative management where partners, seniors, and everyone indulges in day-to-day activities and ensures everyone is occupied and feels invested. We believe in sharing responsibilities and making sure that each person in the firm has a voice and a stake in its collective success. This collaborative approach fosters a strong and inclusive work environment and a deep sense of belonging. I also focus on building capabilities, nurturing client relationships, retaining talent, and driving overall growth. In the managing partner's absence, I assume expanded responsibilities, including making critical decisions to ensure the firm’s seamless operation and collaborative environment.
What do you see as the most significant challenges in corporate law, and how do you address these challenges in your practice?
I believe that one of the most critical challenges to law firms is the increasing fragmentation within the profession. Talent retention is another significant issue. Further, motivating the team to strive and perform their best can be a challenging task given the long hours and somewhat unrealistic deadlines. Corporate law is extremely dynamic, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence are already impacting our work. Additionally, achieving revenue targets and setting competitive rates is an art in itself. Despite all these challenges, our firm continues to thrive and move forward. I believe that India continues to provide promising opportunities for corporate lawyers with its increasing investments and conducive policies that are poised to help the country grow at a rapid pace.
What motivated you to foray into the field of law and specialize in corporate law?
As I mentioned earlier, I never planned on becoming a lawyer; it just happened along the way, and I am grateful that it did. I come from a small town and have always aspired to be financially independent and work in a professionally run corporate environment. As a student, I was always drawn to academics, research, and writing. Law, with its emphasis on detailed research and academic rigor, naturally aligned with my interests. It was a time when law was emerging as a prominent and viable career path, and I felt it was the most suitable choice for me. Once I embarked on this career, I discovered a genuine liking for the subject and the profession provides me with enjoyment and fulfillment in the field.
What general advice would you offer to aspiring women leaders or business professionals aiming for success in the legal field or any other industry?
A piece of advice I would give to aspiring young people in the legal field is to explore different areas. In the early stages of your career, it is wise to gather as much experience as possible before deciding to specialize in a particular field. Initially, do not focus narrowly on a specific law or business. Maintain an open mind and be willing to engage with various aspects of the field. Over time, you will discover what resonates with you and then you can choose wisely. Another piece of advice is to be honest in your work, be dedicated, and be ready to work hard. Although work-life balance matters, be prepared to put in extra hours when needed. This effort will lay a solid foundation for your career.
Ankita Kashyap, Partner, Think Law
Ankita Kashyap possesses a clear and forward-looking vision for the future of the corporate law sector, understanding the evolving nature of the industry and anticipating trends and challenges. Her strategic thinking and innovative approach have significantly contributed to the firm's growth and success.
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