Riddhima Murjani, Partner at Samvad Partners, has carved a remarkable journey through India’s corporate legal landscape. A first-generation lawyer with no family background in law, she exemplifies resilience, persistence, and adaptability. From starting at boutique firms to working with tier-one firms like Shardul Amarchand before returning to Samvad as Partner, she has honed both sharp legal acumen and strategic advisory skills. Her career reflects the ability to thrive in India’s dynamic corporate and regulatory environment, balancing technical expertise with client-centric and team-oriented leadership.
Growing up in a disciplined, hardworking family, Riddhima found her inspiration to pursue law through exposure to professionals at her mother’s corporate gatherings. Despite initial skepticism around her lack of family connections in law, she chose to forge her own path and has now completed 11 years in the profession. Her journey spans experiences in boutique, tier-two, and tier-one firms, all of which shaped her broad perspective on both legal practice and business strategy. Over time, she evolved into a leader who values mentorship, delegation, and building trust within teams. Personally, she cherishes her multi-cultural family traditions, celebrates resilience as her core trait, and finds balance through introspection, journaling, and nurturing close relationships.
Key highlights of Koffee Conversation with Riddhima Murjani:
- Shared her journey as a first-generation lawyer breaking into the corporate law ecosystem.
- Reflected on how working at different types of firms (boutique, tier-2, tier-1) broadened her outlook and confidence.
- Explained her structured approach to managing high-pressure client demands by setting clear expectations and protecting her team from overwhelm.
- Expressed excitement about emerging fields like digital privacy, IT, and sustainability as the future of corporate law.
- Shared her leadership evolution from control-driven to mentorship-focused, emphasizing delegation and trust.
- Recalled a memorable COVID-era transaction where she managed a major deal under tight deadlines, earning appreciation from even opposing counsel.
- Reflected on the role of AI and legal tech tools like Litera Compare in making reviews seamless and insightful, highlighting how technology enhances collaboration and efficiency.
- Discussed aspirations for the next decade: deepen expertise in tech & sustainability law, while mentoring the next generation.
- Opened up about her formative years of discipline and adaptability shaped by family values.
- Highlighted family traditions of celebrating multicultural festivals (Sindhi, Parsi, Christian) as non-negotiable anchors in her life.
- Shared personal favorites: comfort food is dal chawal, favorite color black, and dream travel along Australia’s Gold Coast.
- Revealed her admiration for Harish Narasappa, Founding Partner at Samvad, whose advice on focusing negotiations around core client needs reshaped her transaction approach.
- Described herself in three words: reliable, driven, thoughtful.
- Identified resilience as her defining quality, balancing professional ambition with personal grounding.
Watch the full Koffee Conversation episode here:
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