Throughout 2025 we will be interviewing people in the legal tech/ops space from around the world. In this second interview of the year, Marc May spoke with Yavanika Shah at IndusLaw (one of India’s largest full service, top tier firms) about her move towards law firm management, the unsung heroes of the legal world, the Indian legal tech/ops scene and the impact of foreign firm access to the Indian legal market.
- Yavanika, thanks for joining me. Could you let me know what you currently do for work?
Currently, I work as part of the management team at IndusLaw, one of India’s leading full-service law firms. My role bridges the gap between law and business, focusing on strategic planning, practice development, and fostering collaborations with international law firms. I’m deeply involved in managing international business strategy, overseeing firm operations, and driving initiatives that enhance the firm’s presence in the global legal market.
- You’ve mentioned before on social media that you pivoted away from practising law towards firm management – how did you reach that decision?
The decision came from a mix of self-reflection and the realization that my strengths and interests lay more in building systems and connecting the dots, rather than in traditional courtroom drama or corporate law. The chance to shape client experiences, create smooth workflows, and play in the sweet spot where law meets business really resonated with my unconventional approach to career growth. And one thing led to another, and before I knew it, I found something I genuinely enjoy doing.
- Do you think there should be greater coverage of non-practising roles at law firms (especially in relation to legal ops/tech type roles)?
Absolutely! Non-practising roles like legal ops, tech, and design are basically the unsung heroes of the legal world. If we gave these roles more love and spotlight, we’d see way more people jumping in, and that could totally shake up the industry for the better. And here in India, I’m already seeing a lot of my juniors and law school students reaching out to explore this path. The saturation in core law is pushing them to think beyond the traditional route, and it’s pretty exciting! Feels like we’re on the brink of a whole new wave of legal innovation.
“Non-practising roles like legal ops, tech, and design are basically the unsung heroes of the legal world”
- You’re based in India – what does the legal tech/ops scene look like there?
The legal tech and ops scene in India is definitely on the rise, driven by the demand for speed and innovation. While it’s still in its early stages compared to Europe, we’ve already seen impressive strides in areas like contract automation, case management, and legal analytics. That said, the real magic lies in the untapped potential for further technological integration. I do see a future wherein Indian law firms will embrace legal design principles to create solutions that aren’t just effective but actually make clients’ lives easier, which would mean no more endless paperwork or head-scratching over convoluted processes. The road ahead is exciting, and while we’re not quite there yet, we’re definitely on our way.
- Do you think that the decision to allow foreign law firms access to the Indian market will lead to greater competition? If so, will India be a jurisdiction to watch for legal innovation?
Yes, the entry of foreign law firms will drive local firms to innovate, embrace global best practices, and diversify their service offerings. While progress currently is slow due to structural and regulatory complexities, the momentum will inevitably build. India is already a hub for legal outsourcing and tech innovation and surely has the potential to emerge as a global leader in legal innovation. With heightened exposure to international standards, we can expect increased focus on areas like cross-border compliance, advanced legal technology, and client-centric service design. This evolution will redefine how law firms operate and create value in a more interconnected and competitive landscape.
“India is already a hub for legal outsourcing and tech innovation and surely has the potential to emerge as a global leader in legal innovation”
- In the book Legal Operations in the Age of AI and Data you mentioned that “lawyers do not just solve legal problems – they solve business problems” – what is your favourite example of that in practice?
In large-scale contract negotiations, lawyers often find themselves at the crossroads of commerce and law, acting as mediators between the business aspirations of commercial teams and the strictures of legal compliance.
Take, for example, structuring a supply chain agreement – it’s not just about drafting a contract that protects IP; it’s about architecting a solution that aligns with the client’s broader operational strategy. Such negotiations require a deep understanding of both business imperatives and the intricacies of the legal framework.
This dual focus transforms the lawyer’s role from a technical drafter to a strategic advisor who proactively mitigates risks while enabling business success. Crafting them isn’t just a matter of applying legal knowledge; it’s about seeing the big picture, thinking several moves ahead, and delivering a solution that makes the client think, “That’s why we hired you.”
- Of all the projects you’ve worked on – which one did you learn the most?
Driving a law firm’s first major technology adoption project was both challenging and rewarding. Overseeing the transition from manual processes to digital workflows required understanding technical systems, managing resistance to change mostly by senior partners who like traditional approaches, and aligning the technology with client expectations.
What made this experience particularly impactful was the relevance of having strong professional connections and relationships. Collaborating with industry experts, tech vendors, and internal stakeholders ensured the project’s success by fostering trust and clear communication.
