Building a Legal Career Beyond Boundaries with Shewtambara

In this episode of "The Counsel's Code," we are joined by Shwetambara, a seasoned legal professional with over 15 years of global experience. She shares her insights on building an international career, navigating data privacy, managing contracts, and the real-world application of AI in law.

Meet the Speaker: Shwetambara Mani

We are thrilled to feature Shwetambara Mani, the Global Council at Integrated DNA Technologies, a Danner company. Her exceptional career has spanned six continents and includes foundational experience at Amarchand Mangaldas.

Since then, Shwetambara has held key leadership positions at renowned organizations including OBS Africa, CNBC Africa, Clarivate Analytics, and Shepherd Africa. As a cross-functional team leader, her expertise covers risk management, leadership, corporate advisory, and intellectual property.

Key Insights from the Conversation

What inspired you to join a career in law?

Shwetambara credits her upbringing in 1990s India, where she found herself drawn to subjects like history, civics, and economics. This led her to shortlist two career options: journalism and law. Ultimately, with her mother's encouragement, she chose law and had a "very firm idea" of her path by class 9 or 10. She notes that when something is right, "the universe helps move it along," and her legal journey was just like that.

Can you share your brief overview of international legal journey and which has shaped your approach?

After a few years at Amarchand, Shwetambara felt "restless" and had a "curiosity" about how laws operate outside of India. This curiosity led her to pursue a Master's at UCLA. While she returned to India, her personal life soon took her to South Africa, which she describes as a "very, very important turning point" in her journey.

It was the first time she had to operate in a legal system she wasn't educated in. This experience led to her "biggest realization": laws are very similar. While differences exist, "the objectives what they want to achieve... there are strong similarities across many countries."

What are the biggest privacy challenge across the regions and how do you address them?

Shwetambara notes that data privacy is a new area of law that has grown "very, very fast" in the last 10 years, and legal teams are still catching up. The biggest challenge is "translating a very technical, new legal subject to the flavor of the business." Privacy is often seen as a legal matter, but she argues it is a "business matter," and the entire organization needs to adopt a privacy-first approach, especially in high-touch departments like marketing, HR, and finance.

Experience related to dispute resolutions?

She explains that every country deals with disputes differently. Asian cultures are often "very reluctant to get into disputes initially" and favor "polite notices." In contrast, as you move west, "a discussion starts with a legal notice."

Despite these differences, she always encourages teams to "try for that mutual discussion" first. Even if it's a difficult conversation, making the first effort to negotiate is where a legal team's expertise shines. "You will never go wrong if you try for that mutual discussion."

How the strong compliance framework worked actually which help you basically to mitigate the risk?

Compliance is "very key" for any company with a global presence, as it builds trust with employees, customers, and shareholders. Shwetambara explains that a compliance framework has two critical components. The first is proactive: training staff, providing a code of conduct, and "creat[ing] a culture" of compliance. The second is reactive: how you respond when things go wrong.

She stresses that the "basic ethic of being a lawyer" is to "always listen to somebody's problem." By spending time listening, you make the proactive effort worthwhile and ensure you react correctly.

Do you want to share experience related to contract life cycle management?

Contracts are a key area where a legal team can "show our importance." It's the "bread and butter and your revenue generator," as well as your "protector" with suppliers. She notes that today, technology and AI can help optimize the volume of contracts, but the core principle remains: "ensuring legal is your companion is very important." Getting the right legal advice at critical stages like negotiation, review, and drafting is what "makes a contract worthwhile."

Any sort of experience you have actually using AI technology in your current or maybe previous journey?

Shwetambara sees AI as a "good friend" but one that must be used with a smart reliance. She uses a "risk metrics for AI": as the risk of a task goes up, "your reliance on AI should go down." For a high-risk commercial contract or legal opinion, human oversight is paramount.

However, for "repetitive processes," AI is a powerful tool for optimization. The key is to be "very sharp on when you should rely on a AI and when you should not." She encourages teams to ask "why" they want to implement an AI tool—is it to optimize turnaround time, quality, or something else?

What cultural differences you have come across?

While there are professional differences—some cultures prioritize work-life balance (Europe) while others are more career-driven (America)—Shwetambara's main experience is that "people are people." She has found that "valuing family, [and] valuing respect has always been there" everywhere she has gone.

She advises that "if you are yourself and you are polite, you will feel included." She also notes that African cultures are "very similar to Indian cultures" in their strong family bonds, and that Indian movies are "appreciated by all... across the globe!"

What are the key lessons while you're working across a diverse legal environments you wanted to share that?

Shwetambara's success mantra is "60% listening, 25% thinking, and 15% talking." She credits her Indian upbringing with teaching her the value of listening. This "ability to listen" is her key tool, as it provides "important cultural cues" on how to communicate. Some cultures are soft-spoken, while others (like the Dutch) "prefer you to be direct." You only get these cues "when you listen."

Do you want to share how your experience related to contract negotiation?

She shares a powerful story from her final year of law school. She "did a fabulous job" in a mock negotiation, getting a high rent and "shatter[ing]" her opponent. She was proud, but her professor gave her one of the lowest scores. When she asked why, he said, "Is it a good thing? Did you get the deal?"

The lesson? "It is not about the tough negotiation. It is about the right outcome." That lesson has stayed with her, as a "relationship actually begins only after a contract is signed. So it's very important to be fair."

What advice do you have for lawyers looking to build a successful international legal career?

1. Start at Home: "A good international career begins with a good... education and career at home." The Indian law degree is a "very versatile" and "good base degree to have."

2. Focus on Your Passion: Don't just "go international." Focus on what you love—be it contracting, taxation, or privacy—and build on that. "That approach defeats itself."

3. Be Open to Multiple Paths: "Don't think there's only one road." You can do a Master's, join an international company, or do a secondment at a law firm. Be open, and "you will get to your destination."

Rapid Fire Round

In a quick-fire round, Shwetambara shared her immediate thoughts. The word "contracts" brings "70 pages" to mind, and success as a legal leader means "collaboration." Her favorite legal phrase is "notwithstanding," and the biggest myth about in-house lawyers is "that we have a lot of free time."

The one skill law school doesn't teach is "effective communication." The best advice she ever received goes back to her negotiation lesson: "It is not about the tough negotiation, it is about the right outcome." The most rewarding part of her job is "meeting brilliant minds," and she unwinds with her "children and fitness." Her final success mantra? "Listen, think, and then speak."

About "The Counsel's Code" Podcast

"The Counsel's Code" is your go-to podcast for exclusive interviews with top legal executives. Discover the strategies they've employed to cultivate their careers, excel in their positions, and emerge as true leaders in their organizations.

Throughout our discussions, we delve into the challenges of leadership and how these accomplished professionals manage the pressures that come with it. Our mission is to provide valuable insights and support for in-house counsel, fostering mutual growth and development.

Tune in for engaging and enlightening conversations with legal leaders who share their experiences, wisdom, and advice, creating a community where in-house counsel can thrive together. If you want to get featured, contact marketing@volody.com.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the podcast, Volody, or any current or former employers.