An accomplished legal professional with over 20 years of experience, Amit Kumar Mittal comes with a wealth of knowledge in both litigation and corporate legal aspects. Having successfully managed complex client and regulatory matters across a variety of legal domains, Amit Kumar Mittal is skilled in providing strategic legal counsel to business leadership and otherwise take independent calls to safeguard the interest of the organizations while dealing troublesome and crisis situations involving clients, regulators or Court(s) at various levels and forums, closing complex contract negotiations, risk management and mitigation, corporate secretarial and compliance, with a strong focus on firm branding, use of technology, data privacy and employment law related aspects.
Currently the General Counsel for Grant Thornton Bharat, Amit Kumar Mittal excels in his domain and has successfully led his legal team, ensuring value addition at various levels for the business to grow at a fast and sustainable pace. He also has extensive experience in handling corporate policies, drafting memos on complex legal issues, and advising on compliance matters, including the evolving landscape of data privacy laws in India.
In an interview with Business Frontier, Amit Kumar Mittal speaks about his ability to offer clear and in-dept legal insights and practical solutions with his commitment towards driving legal success adopting a risk-based approach to ring fence the risk for his Firm and at the same time protecting end-client interests as well. With his expertise and experience of advising the top business management including the CEO, COO and other strategic leadership teams for various organizations, Amit Kumar Mittal, has brought more to the table than just his legal expertise, i.e. by being an appropriate influencer on the overall activities of the business drawing upon broader corporate acumen with a wider commercial mindset.Being a member of the management team, he is instrumental in advising the leadership on legal implications on operational and long-term strategic decisions.
Q. You come with 20+ years of experience in both litigation and corporate legal domains. How has this dual exposure shaped your approach as General Counsel?
My dual experience as both a litigation counsel and in-house legal counsel has provided me with a unique perspective that significantly shapes my current role as the General Counsel at Grant Thornton Bharat. My background in litigation has sharpened my ability to think critically under pressure, assess risk from multiple angles, and devise strategies for effective dispute resolution.
Conversely, my in-house experience with large professional services and IT consultancy firms has given me a solid understanding of the commercial realities and strategic objectives that drive business decisions. This combination of skills has earned me a seat on the leadership team, where I make risk-based decisions on critical matters and enable the business to pursue its goals. My hands-on, practical experience has further empowered me to deliver pragmatic and commercially viable legal solutions, not only mitigating perceived risks but also helping the business thrive in a highly competitive environment.
Q. What key initiatives have you implemented to boost legal function productivity in your organisation?
One of my key initiatives adopted for my Firm has been the integration of technology into the legal function. By implementing legal tech solutions and products for contract management, contract automation, tracking of high-risk matters, and addressing privacy law concerns, we have streamlined workflows, resulting in a significant reduction in administrative overhead. This has saved time and created additional bandwidth within the existing team.
Furthermore, I have focused on enhancing collaboration across departments to ensure that the legal team is not only more visible but also recognised as a proactive partner in supporting the firm’s broader business objectives. This approach has enabled us to deliver faster, more aligned legal support, empowering the business to confidently pursue new market opportunities and offerings.
Q. What is your approach to crafting legal strategies and negotiating agreements that balance client needs with counterparty expectations to ensure successful outcomes?
I believe that the foundation of successful legal strategies lies in first understanding our on-the-ground objectives. This understanding primarily stems from gaining a deep insight into the specifics of the work undertaken for our clients, which is then aligned with their requirements and expectations. I take a collaborative yet firm approach when negotiating contracts or documents with clients, vendors, consultants, and other counterparties. To truly create an impact, legal personnel today must develop in-dept knowledge of the business. The more a lawyer knows about their firm’s business and have a grip about the industry in which they operate including the service offerings, it will surely result in better performance as legal and business advisors by providing contextual and pragmatic solutions to the business issues and not just dispensing pure legal advice. Furthermore, it is must for the lawyers of today to develop upon their financial acumen to become a business savvy trusted advisor.
The primary goal is to achieve a win-win outcome for all parties by addressing key issues beyond standard boilerplate terms. This is typically accomplished by aligning on crucial aspects such as scope inclusions and exclusions, responsibility matrices, acceptance criteria, and timelines. Maintaining open communication with all stakeholders is essential to ensure alignment from the outset and throughout the negotiation process, as well as after execution.
Additionally, I prioritise clear and concise drafting to avoid ambiguity, while focusing on building long-term relationships, as this fosters smoother transactions and reduces the likelihood of future disputes.
Q. Given your experience; how do you stay ahead of evolving legal requirements to update existing in-house corporate policies?
In India, we are currently undergoing a significant overhaul of laws at various levels, accompanied by increasing regulatory scrutiny. Whether working as an in-house counsel or a litigation counsel, this phase presents its own set of challenges, particularly the need to stay updated and ahead of the curve.
Staying ahead of evolving legal requirements demands continuous learning and adaptability. I actively engage with external counsel, participate in industry forums, and closely monitor regulatory developments to anticipate changes. Additionally, I foster a culture of compliance within the organisation by regularly sharing legal updates across teams, ensuring our policies remain relevant, current, and aligned with the latest legal trends and best practices.
Adaptions already implemented in anticipation of DPDP Act within our organisation at various levels is an example of such initiatives which have been recently undertaken. By integrating real-time feedback from business units, we can ensure that our policies are not only compliant but also practical and actionable.
Q. What’s your approach to effective leadership in guiding your legal team?
I believe in a leadership style that is both empowering and supportive. I encourage open communication, fostering an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and raising concerns. I am also committed to creating opportunities for professional growth, providing training and mentorship to ensure my team is well-equipped to tackle complex challenges.
Leading by example is crucial, demonstrating a strong work ethic, integrity, and a commitment to high standards sets the tone for the team’s culture and performance. Equally important is to encourage the team to maintain work-life balance while performing their roles at work, which will help them to preserve their mental and physical wellbeing by providing them with psychological safety at work. Certain policies followed at our firm such as unlimited leaves, work from anywhere, ultra flex, etc have enabled me to achieve this objective of retaining the talent within the firm.
Q. What strategies do you use to manage your team, ensuring that the timelines and quality standards are met?
Clear communication and effective prioritisation are essential. I ensure that every team member understands the broader objectives and their specific role in achieving them. Every team member has clear understanding of their own primary, secondary and tertiary responsibilities and accountabilities.
Regular connect, coaching and feedback sessions are being conducted with team members, with the freedom to directly reach out for any help or support also helps the team to develop strategies at the right time and track. We utilise project management tools to track work progress, set realistic deadlines, and manage workload effectively.
We also use project management tools to track progress, set realistic deadlines, and manage workloads efficiently. While I emphasise the importance of prioritizing quality over speed, I also stress the need to meet deadlines. Regular check-ins, flexibility, and accountability are key to balancing both quality and timeliness in delivering results. Fun at work activities from time to time, such as offsites, team lunches, etc, keeps the team bonded and motivated.
Q. How do you maintain a work-life balance in a demanding field like law?
I believe maintaining a work-life balance in the legal field, whether as a litigation counsel or an in-house legal counsel, is ultimately a personal responsibility. It’s crucial to prioritise long-term physical and mental well-being while remaining agile and effective in meeting fast-paced business demands. I focus on time management and delegate tasks when possible, placing trust in my colleagues, who are specialists in their respective fields and well-equipped with the necessary technical knowledge, tools, and resources to support the business as expected.
I also make time for personal pursuits whenever possible, even if unplanned—whether it’s spending time with family, exercising, or engaging in hobbies that help me recharge. By setting boundaries and being disciplined about my time, both at work and at home, I ensure that I stay focused, productive, and resilient.
