India Business Law Journal – June 2026

Balancing act

Non-legal C-suite leaders have tricky task at law firms

As law firms expand, founders and managing partners are bringing onboard C-suite personnel with non-legal backgrounds to assist them with running the firm. These strategic managers are valued for their financial management experience, corporate backgrounds and perspectives on client service.

This issue’s Cover story looks at how chief executives and other C-suite leaders are transforming the business of law while working alongside partners to drive sustainable growth. While these roles command respect in regular companies, does the same hold true at law firms?

Law firm partnerships run on autonomy, leading to clashes over decision-making power. This has led some strategic managers to exit due to unclear mandates or resistance to change.

While partners retain ultimate authority, the CXOs argue that close collaboration between legal and business leaders is essential as firms become larger, more sophisticated and increasingly focused on long-term, client-centred growth.

A Postcard from India wades through the reflections of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer India chair Chris Parsons, who recently retired. He shares his observations on two decades of legal transformation in the country.

Since 2005, the country’s leading law firms have expanded dramatically in size, sophistication and national reach. During this time, liberalisation of the legal sector has remained elusive, with international firms continuing to operate on a fly-in, fly-out basis. Meanwhile, in-house legal teams have evolved into strategic business partners.

He also emphasises the importance of long-term relationships, legal education, charitable initiatives and mental health awareness.

In The foreign law firms leading on India, our 20th annual survey highlights the world’s leading foreign firms serving India, putting a spotlight on the practices setting the benchmark for international legal work.

Despite restrictions on practising Indian law, leading international firms have built substantial India practices, with specialist teams in London, Singapore and other financial centres. India Business Law Journal’s survey of foreign firms reveals that Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, Linklaters, and White & Case have been named among the top 15 firms.

The rankings reflect extensive research and recommendations, and significant mandates completed in the past year, recognising firms that combine global expertise with an understanding of India’s legal and commercial landscape.

In the Regional Law Firm Awards 2026, we recognise the work of regional firms that differentiate themselves through a strong local presence, knowledge of regional language and custom, and accessibility. This is in contrast with the tier-1 law firms that dominate big mandates due to their scale of capabilities, talent and networks.

The regional firms fill gaps in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where startups face limited legal options and firms provide specialised regional knowledge and advocacy. Regional firms are increasingly advising on sophisticated transactions and carrying out high-value corporate work.

Our Expert briefing series explores another major growth story in the rapid expansion of global capability centres (GCCs), and the increasing appeal of Pune as a hub for investment, innovation and manufacturing.

In the first briefing, India hosts the world’s largest concentration of GCCs, with more than 2,100 centres employing 2.3 million professionals. As multinationals expand their Indian operations, careful planning is essential to ensure long-term compliance and operational resilience.

Key considerations include selecting the appropriate entry model, choosing a location based on talent and incentives, and complying with newly implemented labour codes. State governments are also offering targeted GCC incentives. Companies that address these legal and regulatory issues are better placed to build sustainable, future-ready operations.

The second briefing, titled Taking the Pune advantage, looks at the evolution of Pune into one of India’s leading investment destinations, combining a strong manufacturing heritage with growing strengths in technology, innovation and GCCs.

Investors must, however, navigate India’s foreign investment, competition, tax, labour and data protection regimes, including recent changes to FDI rules under Press Note 3. With careful legal planning, Pune offers businesses a compliant, cost-effective platform for long-term growth and expansion in India.