What does it really mean to be an international lawyer?

In this episode of The Daily Lawyer Podcast, we speaks with Ashok Lalwani, Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig Singapore LLP and former Senior Partner at Baker McKenzie, about building a career across jurisdictions, clients, markets and legal systems. Ashok traces his journey from India to the United States, from Sidley Austin in Chicago to White & Case in India, and then to Singapore, where he went on to build and lead significant India-focused and cross-border legal practices.

This conversation covers the opening up of the Indian economy, early infrastructure and power projects, the evolution of India-related legal work, foreign law firms in India, the role of Singapore as a professional base, and what it takes to build a meaningful international legal career. We also discuss:

1. What an international lawyer actually does
2. How India practices are built across global law firms
3. Why client relationships matter deeply in Asia
4. How young lawyers can be proactive about their careers
5. The importance of networking early and intentionally
6. How the Indian legal market has matured over the last 30 years
7. The changing role of general counsels in India
8. Foreign lawyers and foreign law firms in India
9. AI, efficiency and the future of legal practice
10. What young lawyers should read, learn and focus on

This episode is part of a special mini-series enabled by Solomon & Co., a full-service law firm based in Mumbai with a legacy spanning over 115 years and four generations. If you are a law student, young lawyer, in-house counsel, law firm professional or someone curious about cross-border legal careers, this episode offers a deeply practical look at how international legal careers are built.

• Connect with Solomon and Co. - https://solomonco.in/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/solomon-co-advocates-solicitors/

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• Contact: contactus@thedailylawyer.in
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Hear the full conversation and tell us what do you want us to ask the next international lawyer on the podcast?

Disclaimer: The content of this video is in the nature of personal views, and NOT legal advice. Kindly consult a lawyer with the specifics of your issue to get appropriate legal advice.

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The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act is now in force and most business owners still assume it's "only for the big companies." It isn't. If your organisation touches personal data in any form, this conversation is for you.

In this special episode in collaboration with Zoho Contracts, we sit down with Priyanka Sharma, Head of Technology Laws at the Aditya Birla Group (and a Data Protection Officer), to break the DPDP Act down to its nuts and bolts i.e. what it is, who it applies to, and the practical steps every founder, professional, and in-house team needs to take.

Drawing on her experience implementing GDPR for US clients before returning to India, Priyanka explains why the DPDP Act is best understood as a trust law, not a data law — and why that single shift in mindset changes how you build your entire privacy programme.

What we cover:

1. Why DPDP applies to every organisation, not just large enterprises

2. "Personal data," "data fiduciary," and "data principal" are explained simply (including the toy analogy that even a 5-year-old understood)

3. Why a privacy policy alone is NOT a privacy programme

4. The myth of "throwing technology at the problem"

5. How vendor and processor relationships create real liability — and where contracts become your safeguard

6. Practical HR examples: talent acquisition, payroll partners, and onboarding

7. Why consent is not a one-time exercise — and the right to withdraw it

8. AI, nudges, and the next wave of data privacy questions

The big takeaway: DPDP compliance isn't a licence you obtain once. It's an ongoing discipline that becomes part of your culture and, done well, a genuine competitive advantage.

Our guest: Priyanka Sharma is the Head of Technology Laws, Aditya Birla Group. She's a Data Protection Officer, and a member of several industry and government-facing councils on data privacy, AI governance, and cyber security law.

This episode is produced in collaboration with Zoho Contracts - Zoho's comprehensive, AI-powered contract management software. Our thanks to the entire Zoho Contracts team for enabling this series. To follow or reach out to Zoho Contracts:

Website: https://www.zoho.com/contracts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zoho-contracts/ Ebook link: https://www.zoho.com/contracts/ebooks/dpdpa.html

The Daily Lawyer is where the legal, policy, and finance world comes for honest conversations about the law and everything connected to it.

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⚠️ This conversation is for general awareness and education and is not legal advice. For advice specific to your organisation, please consult a qualified professional. #DPDP #DataProtection

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In this episode of The Daily Lawyer, we speak with Rahul Kamerkar, Counsel at the Bombay High Court, whose practice spans labour law, economic offences, white collar crime, arbitration, and general corporate disputes.

Rahul speaks candidly about choosing litigation, learning in chambers, handling “unwinnable” cases, the fear around ED arrests and PMLA bail, and what it really takes to build an independent practice. He also shares practical advice for young lawyers who did not go to a national law school, are worried about money in litigation, or are unsure about how to find their place in the profession.

This conversation covers mentorship, networking, pro bono work, AI in legal practice, litigation strategy, and the importance of saying yes before you know exactly how you will figure it out.

A must-watch for law students, young lawyers, litigators, and anyone thinking about building a career in court practice.

Perfect for: Law students, aspiring lawyers, practicing advocates, judges, corporate professionals, anyone interested in legal career development, Indian legal system

Subscribe for more candid conversations with industry leaders and legal professionals who have carved their own paths.

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Email: contactus@thedailylawyer.in

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Disclaimer: This content is in the nature of personal views, and NOT legal advice. Kindly consult a lawyer with the specifics of your issue to get appropriate legal advice.