Leaders
Vennela Shankar, an anthropologist-turned-advocate,is redefining the Indian legal landscape as the Founder and Managing Partner of Harva Legal. Operating from Hyderabad with a presence in New Delhi, her journey from a research scholar to an innovative legal entrepreneur exemplifies bold vision, resilience, and strategic ingenuity.
Harva Legal’s distinctive model connects experienced counsels, who include legal luminaries she once aspired to merely converse with, with young, upcoming lawyers from Hyderabad on a project-by-project basis. This approach not only enables her to manage high-stakes cases but also creates a collaborative environment where fresh perspectives from emerging lawyers complement the expertise of senior professionals, offering a competitive edge in securing and delivering on complex matters.
What inspired you to pursue law? Share the key moments in your journey.
I completed my schooling in Hyderabad and pursued a Master’s in Anthropology from the University of Hyderabad, followed by an LLB (Honors) from Bennett University. During my student times at University of Hyderabad, I worked as a university-level RJ, newsreader and voiceover artist in CVR English, which sharpened my communication skills.
I chose juvenile justice system as my research topic as an integrated M.Phil.-Ph.D. scholar at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad. While diving into laws and historical contexts, I realized that I didn’t want to merely study law, but also wanted to practice it and contribute to the legal system. That’s when I decided to pursue my LLB.
After completing my LLB (Honors), I worked as a corporate lawyer for a year at a Tier 1 law firm. I was the only student from my batch at Bennett University to secure such a position. Leaving that job was a bold move, but it led me to clear the All India Bar Exam (AIBE), a qualifying exam to practice law in India in my first attempt.
That win was huge as it validated my decision to go my own way. I was thrilled when I gave my first legal advice, and even more so when I received what I thought was a big cheque at the time. Each milestone felt massive, but with each bigger case, the earlier ones seemed smaller, pushing me to aim higher.
As I reflect on my path, three lessons continue to resonate deeply. First, not coming from a top NLU doesn’t mean one cannot make it to a Tier 1 law firm. Second, not staying there doesn’t mean a failure. Third, venturing into legal education a little late in life doesn’t mean one is falling behind. I proved all three early on, and that defines my journey.
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What inspired you to establish Harva Legal, and what’s the vision behind the firm?
I founded Harva Legal to create a space where legal expertise meets precision and purpose, without the burdens of debt or financial pressure. Unlike a traditional law firm, I built a network-based model, pairing seven specialized counsels in fields like IPR, media law, real estate and corporate law with young, upcoming lawyers from Hyderabad. We create a tailor-made team for each matter. This project-based approach allows young lawyers to bring fresh perspectives while learning from the experienced.
My vision was to avoid the pitfalls of a typical firm, no risk of being a “flight that never took off”. I’m now a young member of ICCA, LCIA, and SIAC, handling an arbitration case under the Singapore International Arbitration Court in my early years of practice, which is a significant achievement for a young advocate.
The journey hasn’t been easy. People ridiculed my model, doubted my decision to leave a prestigious job, and some assumed I couldn’t handle the grind. But none of that matters now, because I’m progressing with clarity and conviction, each step aligned with my vision.
What are your key responsibilities as the Founder and Managing Partner at Harva Legal?
I lead strategy, oversee high-stakes cases, and mentor my team. I screen every incoming case myself, only taking those that align with our vision. For each case, I identify and create a network of lawyers who can navigate the matter based on their experience and expertise. Coordination is critical for this. Managing five cases with five different teams in a month demands meticulous monitoring, or things can fall apart.
How do you provide sound legal advice and ensure client success?
Client retention is a big challenge in the legal field. I focus on building trust through clarity and tailored strategies. I don’t just address the immediate issues. I analyze patterns and guide clients on what could happen next.
This personalized approach makes my services hard to replace. My first big case felt like a massive win, but retaining those clients through strategic advice was even more rewarding.
What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
The biggest letdowns were people promising high-value cases and then ghosting us, or clients seeking free advice under the guise of casual consultations, only to back out when we shared costs. Those moments made me question my decision to launch Harva Legal. But as they say, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.
Those experiences made me wiser, and I landed better opportunities than what I thought I’d lost. Facing these battles head-on built my resilience. Each new case, especially the bigger ones, showed me that the journey, though tough, was worth it. I stopped looking back with each win.
How is the Indian legal advisory landscape evolving, and which trends should legal professionals follow to stay relevant?
The legal landscape is shifting fast. Alternative Dispute Resolution methods like arbitration, mediation, and conciliation are gaining momentum because litigation often drags on for years due to overburdened courts. I advise on white-collar crime, real estate, and corporate matters, promoting arbitration as a quicker, more effective alternative. Legal professionals should embrace technologies like AI to enhance efficiency, but not fear it. Not just experience and expertise, but accessibility and authenticity are crucial for legal professionals to stay relevant and clients need to feel heard, not just represented.
Vennela Shankar, Founder & Managing Partner, Harva Legal
Vennela Shankar is the Founder of Harva Legal LLP, a Hyderabad and New Delhi-based firm revolutionizing legal services. As an anthropologist-turned-advocate and arbitrator, she brings analytical depth and a sharp legal approach. In a space largely occupied by retired High Court and Supreme Court judges, Vennela’s empanelment as an arbitrator with the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC), Hyderabad, marks a rare and impressive milestone. At under 30, she is among the youngest professionals to be empaneled at the institutional level for International Arbitration.
