Leaders

The ascent of women's position in the legal space signifies a shift from traditional gender norms, challenging preconceived notions about lead­ership in the legal field. Historically dominat­ed by men, the legal profession has seen a remarkable shift in recent years as more women have pursued and excelled in legal careers. Studies indicate that diverse leadership teams, including women in key roles, often outperform homogeneous teams. A trailblazer redefin­ing the legal landscape is Smitha Chandrashekar, Legal Director at Harman International. With two decades of experience, Smitha is known for her strategic legal ex­pertise, regulatory compliance oversight, and proficien­cy in managing cross-border transactions across multi­ple industries. Her excellence has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Best General Coun­sel Award and Powerful Women in Intellectual Property Award. Here are excerpts of an exclusive interview by Women Entrepreneurs Review with Smitha.

Can you share some insights about your role as the Legal Director at Harman International?

Harman International, a Samsung-owned global leader in audio and visual technology, is known for brands like JBL, Harman Kardon, Bang & Olufsen, and Infinity. With about 10,000 employees in India, we play a key role in the automotive sector, providing infotainment systems for major brands like Tata, Maruti, and Mahindra. As Legal Director, I oversee the automotive division’s le­gal operations in India, managing contract negotiations, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. My respon­sibilities extend to employment law, data privacy, cor­porate investigations, compliance and real estate trans­actions, ensuring alignment with global policies while complying with local regulations.

Beyond core legal functions, I contribute to strategic and ad-hoc projects, supporting Harman International's long-term growth by ensuring legal stability, business ef­ficiency, and risk management across operations.

Tell us about the defining milestones in your professional growth and the key lessons you’ve learned along the way.

Throughout any career, challenges evolve as we progress, and every stage presents new opportunities for growth. These challenges and opportunities add experience, while mentorship and collaboration shape the growth journey. One of the most transformative moments in my journey was relocating from India to Singapore to begin my legal career. Adapting to a new cultural and profes­sional environment reinforced my flexibility and will­ingness to learn.

I quickly realized that legal expertise goes beyond academics. Real growth comes from hands-on experi­ence, navigating complexities, and making informed de­cisions under pressure. Effective legal counsel requires cross-functional collaboration with finance, sales, logis­tics, and operations teams, ensuring a holistic approach.

Beyond my corporate role, I actively engage in industry networks as a Regional Liaison for ACC’s ILAN and a con­tributor to BSPIN. I am passionate about education and frequently speak at industry forums and universities. I strongly believe that continuous learning, networking, and staying ahead of industry trends are essential for long-term success.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a Legal Director in today’s com­plex and ever-evolving legal landscape?

As Legal Director, the challenges I face vary across in­dustries. Before Harman International, my work at a con­tract research organization, which primarily focused on clinical trials, required extreme precision in regulatory compliance, data privacy, and trial documentation areas. It was a complex task in one of the world’s most regulat­ed sectors. Regardless of the industry, I approach legal challenges through structured problem-solving, apply­ing lean, agile, and six sigma principles to break down complex issues into manageable solutions.

A key aspect of legal leadership is stakeholder man­agement, interacting with government agencies, regu­latory bodies, customers, suppliers, and internal teams. Clear, adaptable communication is essential, whether guiding junior team members or advising senior leader­ship on strategic risk assessment.

Women in leadership often navigate workplace bias­es and corporate dynamics, where patience, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking are key. Over time, I’ve learned that seeking guidance from external coun­sels, industry peers, or global teams is a strength, not a weakness. Adaptability and continuous learning are critical to staying ahead in this evolving legal landscape.

What are the core values that guide you both personally and professionally?

Integrity and humility are the core values that guide me both personally and professionally. Integrity is the foun­dation of trust in the legal field, and without it, credibility is lost. As a legal leader, I must uphold the highest ethical standards, ensuring that my guidance is consistent, hon­est, and reliable.

Humility is equally essential. Being approachable and open to learning fosters collaboration and strength­ens professional relationships. These values shape how I navigate challenges, engage with stakeholders, and make decisions.

Could you share the most significant profes­sional milestones you have achieved? Any ad­vise for young leaders?

Professional milestones, for me, are defined by the im­pact of my work and the trust I’ve earned within my orga­nization and industry. Leading high-stakes legal matters and securing roles in competitive environments have been defining moments in my journey.

My success mantra is continuous learning, resilience, and integrity. Staying ahead in the evolving legal land­scape requires adaptability and a solution-driven mind­set. Challenges are inevitable but credibility and ethical leadership lay the foundation for long-term success. When you commit to excellence and see every challenge as an opportunity, success follows naturally.

Smitha Chandrashekar, Legal Director, Harman International

Smitha is a seasoned General Counsel with over 20 years of experience in the Asia-Pacific region, specializing in compliance, contracting, employment, privacy, intellectual property, and real estate management, with a strong focus on the Indian subcontinent and global legal operations. Beyond her corporate legal expertise, Smitha is deeply committed to pro bono initiatives. She is a frequent speaker and moderator at industry forums and serves as the Regional Liaison for Asia-Pacific within the International Legal Affairs Network (ILAN) at the Association of Corporate Counsels (ACC). She is also associated with many prestigious institutions and delivers lectures in the capacity of a guest lecturer. Additionally, she is also associated with BSPIN, a nonprofit technical organization based in Bangalore.