Interviewer: Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit, thank you for speaking with us. You are widely recognized as a distinguished legal strategist, philanthropist, and global thought leader. With over a decade of experience across corporate law, governance, and international advisory roles in India and the UK, you have become a trusted voice in ethical frameworks and systemic reform. Could you share what drives your multifaceted journey?
Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit: Thank you for having me. My journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to bridging law, policy, and public service. Starting as a corporate legal expert, I have had the privilege of working with prestigious organizations, rising to roles such as Group Vice President – Legal at Avigna Group and Corporate Legal Counsel at Larsen & Toubro, and now serving as In-House Lawyer at Voltas Limited (a TATA Enterprise). What truly inspires me is the power of law to create meaningful change — not just in boardrooms, but in society at large. I am passionate about shaping forward-looking legal frameworks that promote innovation, inclusivity, and social impact.
Interviewer: You have been invited to speak at some of the world’s most prestigious forums, including Harvard’s HPAIR Asia Conference, IIT Bombay, National Law Schools, and multiple Economic Times conclaves. You’ve also addressed audiences at NLIU, NALSAR, SIPLA, the World IP Forum, ET Legal World, and GC Conclave. What do these speaking engagements mean to you, and what key themes do you focus on?
Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit: These platforms allow me to inspire the next generation of legal professionals and leaders. Whether it’s discussing the role of General Counsel in corporate governance at NLIU’s flagship webinar, sharing insights on in-house counsel careers at NALSAR, or participating in panel discussions on mergers & acquisitions, intellectual property, data privacy, and strategic IP management at ET Legal World and the World IP Forum, I emphasize practical wisdom. I always highlight resilience, ethical leadership, the importance of corporate compliance, and how law can drive business innovation while serving larger national and humanitarian goals.
Interviewer: You collaborate closely with the Government of Maharashtra and have contributed to policy research, including the ICSSR-funded study on Atal Tinkering Labs and Atal Incubation Centres at IIT Bombay and Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai. What role does public policy play in your work?
Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit: Public policy advisory is at the heart of my mission. I work with governments, think tanks, and institutions to design progressive legal frameworks across governance, technology, and social impact. The dissemination workshop at IIT Bombay was particularly rewarding — we discussed key insights from the socio-economic impact assessment of Atal Tinkering Labs and Incubation Centres and offered policy recommendations to make them more effective for innovation and entrepreneurship. For me, policy is about coalition-building and ensuring laws truly serve people.
Interviewer: Beyond your corporate and policy roles, you are the Founder of Richa Cares Foundation. Can you tell us about its vision and the impact you aim to create?
Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit: The Richa Cares Foundation is my way of giving back. It is a research-driven, community-centric initiative dedicated to community welfare, legal awareness, and inclusive development. We focus on education, women’s empowerment, intergenerational bonding, menstrual health awareness, youth development, and culturally rooted engagement. Through outreach programs, awareness sessions, collaborative events, and social drives, we promote dignity, equality, and responsible citizenship. My belief is simple: law and policy must ultimately serve those who lack access to resources and opportunities.
Interviewer: Your contributions have earned you numerous prestigious recognitions, including Women Icon of the Year 2025 (UBS Forums), Indian Achievers Awards, The Global Choice Award 2022, recognition as one of the Most Admired Global Indians 2022 by Passion Vista, and the Legal Honor at LexTalk World Conference 2025 as In-House Lawyer of the Year in Corporate & Commercial. What do these accolades mean to you?
Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit: These honors are deeply humbling and a testament to the power of consistent, purpose-driven work. Whether it’s the Indian Achievers Forum recognizing my role in policy-making and socio-economic development, or being named Woman Icon of the Year at the 8th edition of the Women Empowerment Summit in Mumbai, each award reaffirms my commitment to ethical governance, strategic legal innovation, and social impact. They motivate me to keep building institutions that serve society with integrity, compassion, and vision.
Interviewer: What advice would you give to young law students and aspiring legal professionals who look up to you?
Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit: Legal education is about more than textbooks — it’s about developing a broad perspective and reflexive capabilities for larger national and humanitarian goals. I always tell students: master the nuances of corporate governance, embrace innovation and technology, and never forget the human element. Use your legal skills to bridge theory and practice, champion causes like girls’ education and legal awareness, and remember that true leadership lies in resilience, empathy, and creating sustainable impact.
Interviewer: In a proud achievement for the legal fraternity, you were recently invited as a distinguished speaker at the prestigious BW Legal–Forbes Global Leadership Forum in Dubai, where you were also honoured with the title “Rising Women Trailblazer of the Year in Corporate & Commercial Law (Corporate Governance).” What does this global recognition mean to you?
Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit: It is an immense honor. Being recognized at the BW Legal–Forbes Global Leadership Forum in Dubai as the Rising Women Trailblazer of the Year underscores the growing global influence of Indian legal professionals on the international stage. The forum itself is a powerhouse of thought leadership, bringing together top minds in governance, strategy, and commercial law. Receiving this award reinforces my belief that excellence in corporate governance, ethical leadership, and commercial strategy can create lasting impact across borders.
Interviewer: What advice would you give to young law students and aspiring legal professionals who look up to you?
Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit: Legal education is about more than textbooks; it’s about developing a broad perspective and reflexive capabilities for larger national and humanitarian goals. I always tell students: master the nuances of corporate governance, embrace innovation and technology, and never forget the human element. Use your legal skills to bridge theory and practice, champion causes like girls’ education and legal awareness, and remember that true leadership lies in resilience, empathy, and creating sustainable impact.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future — both personally and for the fields of law, policy, and philanthropy?
Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit: I want to continue fostering multidisciplinary dialogue at the intersection of law, governance, technology, and social impact. Through my work as Founding Partner, policy advisor, speaker, and through Richa Cares Foundation, my goal remains the same: to build a more equitable, innovative, and compassionate society. The journey is ongoing, and I am grateful to keep learning, contributing, and inspiring change.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit, for this insightful conversation. Your work continues to inspire many.
Dr. Richa Pathak Purohit: Thank you. Let’s keep working together for a better, more inclusive future.
Find more about Richa Pathak: https://drrichapathak.com/article
https://www.richafoundation.global/
