IIMA, Cyril Shroff jointly set up leadership academy for new era corporate lawyers
New Delhi, Aug 9
Cyril Shroff, managing partner of law company Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad have jointly set up the Cyril Shroff-IIMA GC Leadership Academy, an initiative aimed at preparing general counsels for the modern era who are required to take on new roles that go beyond traditional legal advisory functions to cover various managerial aspects of modern enterprises.
Shroff said that the academy aims to create a globally relevant platform to prepare future legal leaders with judgement, capability and purpose as the role of the General Counsel has moved from legal advisory to enterprise leadership.
The academy has been established through a personal philanthropic commitment by Cyril Shroff and the Shroff family, according to the statement.
The initiative comes as the role of general counsels has expanded beyond traditional legal advisory functions to include enterprise strategy, governance, risk management, technology and business transformation.
The academy will focus on areas including enterprise leadership, finance integration and technological readiness, according to an IIM Ahmedabad statement.
"Great professions are shaped not only by individual excellence, but by institutions that endure. The GC Leadership Academy is a deliberate step towards institution-building for the legal profession and long-term stewardship of the in-house counsel community," Shroff said.
The partnership will bring together legal and management expertise at a time when in-house legal teams are increasingly involved in strategic business decisions, regulatory compliance and risk management, apart from their traditional legal responsibilities.
IIM Ahmedabad Director Professor Bharat Bhasker said the initiative would help legal counsels develop the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the changing demands of modern businesses and lead at the intersection of law, business and governance.
He termed the Cyril Shroff-IIMA GC Leadership Academy as a "groundbreaking initiative that addresses the evolving needs of General Counsels in today's dynamic business landscape."
"This partnership and the Academy signify our shared commitment to foster leadership for global institutions at the intersection of law, business, and governance. By focusing on core priorities such as enterprise leadership, finance integration, and technological readiness, we aim to equip legal counsels with the knowledge and tools they need to excel in their roles," he explained.
"Together with Cyril Shroff, we are dedicated to shaping the next generation of legal counsels who can navigate the challenges and opportunities of modern times," Professor Bharat Bhasker.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who works in compliance, I can vouch for the fact that the role has changed completely. We're now expected to understand finance, tech, and even business strategy. This academy sounds like a game-changer for in-house counsel. Kudos to the Shroff family for the philanthropic commitment!
IIM Ahmedabad and a top lawyer joining hands - this is a brilliant move. Indian companies need leaders who can handle both legal and management challenges. I just hope they make it affordable and accessible to lawyers from smaller cities too, not just the elite.
Interesting to see this coming from Cyril Shroff, who built one of India's biggest law firms. But honestly, the legal profession in India still struggles with basic issues like overwork and mental health. I hope this academy also focuses on well-being and ethics, not just corporate leadership skills.
This is the kind of forward-thinking we need in Indian education. The GC role is becoming as important as the CEO in many companies. Technology and finance integration is the future. I just hope the curriculum is practical and not just theoretical, like many B-school programs.
Great to see Indian institutions taking the lead in legal education. This kind of cross-disciplinary training is exactly what top global law firms and corporations need. With India's growing importance in the global economy, this will definitely help create world-class legal leaders. 🇮🇳
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