In an inspiring address titled ‘Law, Leadership, and Legacy: Redefining the Indian Legal Profession for a Changing World,’ Cyril Shroff captivated audiences at O.P. Jindal Global University in Sonipat. As head of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law and Regulation, Shroff called for a bold reinvention of India’s legal sector, blending innovation with unyielding ethical standards.
At the heart of his message was India’s constitutional ethos and self-reliant spirit. Shroff painted a picture of a nation poised to stand tall globally, anchored by rule of law amid institutional decays elsewhere. He affirmed India’s democratic resilience: functional courts and institutions foster a vibrant, free society despite imperfections.
Delving deeper, Shroff connected domestic frameworks to international positioning. India’s ancient civilizational roots, tested by invasions, underpin a resilient national identity. The Constitution, a masterpiece infused with emotion, serves as a living guide, as Ambedkar envisioned.
As the world fragments into power blocs, Shroff advocated flexibility in policies fueled by economic strength. Technology and AI will be game-changers, motivating the centre’s creation. Envisioning 2047, he pushed for a developed India with a modernized legal practice—marked by merit-based careers and family-agnostic partnerships his firm first introduced.
The AI surge demands adaptive regulations and daily innovation. Shroff pinpointed ethics, tech-driven dispute resolution, justice administration reforms, and broader access as priorities. He lamented collaboration deficits stunting India’s innovation edge.
Echoing these sentiments, Paridhi Adani discussed the centre’s role in fostering tech-law synergies, positioning JGU as a model for new India. Prof. C. Raj Kumar lauded Shroff’s legacy, the firm’s global repute, and the six-month-old centre’s progress under his guidance.
Advancing gender parity, Shroff noted his firm’s women-dominated workforce and leadership. He rallied youth to evolve the profession, preparing for India’s economic ascent. Lecture highlights: AI’s intersection with evolving laws, the centre’s global AI governance influence, and multidisciplinary approaches to AI’s legal-ethical dilemmas.