With sustained economic growth above 7 percent and an exploding start-up culture, the Indian economy is booming. And thanks to the ongoing economic liberalization brought about by the Modi government, it’s never been more accessible for foreign companies. But challenges remain for international corporations looking to establish or expand their presence on the subcontinent. Hiring the proper in-house counsel can be the difference between steering through the complexities of the Indian legal landscape and getting caught up in them.

The Necessary Legal Leadership

In some more traditional business contexts, in-house lawyers play a support role, often isolated from other departments. In Indian companies today, the general counsel is a central part of the leadership, often touching every area of a business. For many multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in India, the general counsel is their first legal hire. GCs often take on a wide range of responsibilities, including business contract management, litigation, board advising, crisis management, ethics and compliance.