An interview with Shujath Bin Ali, Chief Legal Officer at Fourth Partner Energy in India.
How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region? How has it changed since you first moved in-house?
Over the past two decades, I’ve witnessed a significant evolution in the GC community in India. From primarily being compliance gatekeepers and support functions, GCs today are strategic partners at the boardroom table, contributing to business decisions, risk mitigation, ESG, and digital transformation. The ecosystem is maturing rapidly with greater peer collaboration, mentoring platforms, and increased representation in leadership forums. The shift has been especially notable in sectors like energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and technology, where GCs are driving innovation and governance standards.
Why is expanding your network important to you? What kinds of connections or discussions would be most valuable to you?
Networking for me is about learning, collaboration, and staying ahead in a fast-changing legal and regulatory landscape. I value connections that bring diverse perspectives – whether on cross-border legal strategy, ESG implementation, dispute resolution mechanisms, or legal tech. Engaging in open dialogue with peers helps refine not just legal thinking, but also leadership capabilities and influence within our organisations.
What do you want to achieve by collaborating with other GCs and senior in-house lawyers? Are there specific topics, challenges, or experiences you’d like to share or learn more about?
By collaborating with other senior in-house counsel, I aim to exchange ideas on emerging legal risks, boardroom dynamics, compliance frameworks, and responsible business conduct. Topics like ESG litigation risks, AI and data governance, the evolving role of GCs in M&A, and building resilient legal teams are areas I’m particularly interested in exploring further. I also believe in mentoring and contributing to the growth of the next generation of legal leaders.
