Indian legal field lags in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, asserts Aparna Mittal, Samāna Centre for Gender Policy and Law.

Indian legal field lags in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, asserts Aparna Mittal, Samāna Centre for Gender Policy and Law.

In the bustling heart of India, Aparna Mittal, a seasoned legal professional, established Samāna Centre for Gender Policy and Law in 2018. With a vision to impact over 20 million lives and double that number while maintaining quality in the next five years, Mittal embarked on a mission to transform the landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the country.

Samāna's work encompasses all aspects of human identity, including gender, caste, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic background, age, and disabilities. This comprehensive approach sets Samāna apart, addressing the unique challenges that each group faces in India's diverse society.

A Shift in Perspective

While top-tier law firms in India are making strides in gender diversity, Mittal believes that more needs to be done to address other dimensions of diversity, such as LGBTQ inclusion and disability. Recognising this gap, Samāna has worked closely with the leadership teams of two of India's largest conglomerates, developing LGBTQ inclusion and anti-sexual harassment initiatives.

The Global Landscape

International law firms, particularly those based in jurisdictions like the US and UK, have been at the forefront of DEI initiatives. These firms prioritise DEI as a core organisational value, supported by dedicated committees, frequent meetings, and structured initiatives.

For instance, formal DEI Committees are common, integrating DEI into multiple aspects of firm operations. Pro Bono and External Partnerships focused on social justice issues extend DEI efforts beyond internal culture to community impact. Legal Risk Mitigation and DEI Audits are also prevalent, ensuring compliance with complex legal landscapes.

Bridging the Gap in India

In contrast, Indian law firms are still in the early stages of DEI institutionalisation. While they recognise the importance of DEI, they often lack the institutionalised approach seen in many international firms. Indian firms focus more on internal culture change and foundational equity and inclusion practices, without as much formal legal risk navigation or broad external collaboration.

Samāna, however, is changing this narrative. With a focus on business and human rights, Samāna has advised leading Indian and international corporates, non-profits, and educational entities on their DEI initiatives. Using both Indian and foreign law, Samāna has developed policies, contracts, frameworks, and processes for numerous large conglomerates, multinationals, and international non-profits.

Mittal's advice remains steadfast: high quality work and high professionalism are key to success in the legal field, regardless of age or seniority. By emphasising the importance of DEI, Samāna is not only transforming the legal landscape in India but also setting a new standard for professionalism and excellence.

References:

1. The Economic Times
2. Forbes India
3. Business Today
4. Livemint
5. The Hindu BusinessLine

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