Getting talent in specialised legal practices is becoming a challenge, says Zia Mody of AZB & Partners

With AI reshaping legal practice and regulatory complexity rising, Zia Mody is preparing AZB & Partners for its next phase of growth. The firm has expanded its regulatory, infrastructure and energy practices, advised on several marquee transactions, and invested in AI-enabled legal services while sharpening its focus on specialised talent. In an interview with Fortune India, Mody outlines the firm's growth strategy, leadership philosophy, and the values that continue to guide one of India's leading law firms.

Here is a sharper, business-focused set of questions while keeping all the answers unchanged.

The legal and regulatory landscape has evolved rapidly over the past two years. What have been AZB & Partners' biggest strategic priorities during this period?

The most significant contributions to the business over the past two years has been the adoption of AI (Harvey) which is now made available to all the lawyers as well as deepening the AZB regulatory practice and the intensity and risk assessment of the advice that has been given. Our Infrastructure and Energy & Projects practice has also significantly deepened. Also, we have made significant contributions in pathbreaking judgements in the litigation space. We have also been fortunate to be in some of the major deals in the financial services sector such as the investment into Yes Bank by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC); the investment by MUFG into Shriram; the demerger of the commercial and passenger vehicles for Tata Motors; the joint venture between TCS and TPG for the Hypervault joint venture, which will significantly change the landscape for the offerings which will be made in the AI space and the acquisition by TCS of business overseas in the AI space. These, we think, will add to the expertise of the Firm and also broaden our overall expertise and domain.

What has been the biggest challenge in scaling the firm, and how are you addressing it?

The major challenges remain getting more talent with more specialised domain and it is always a work in progress. Getting more talent in these specialised practices are important to the further growth of the Firm.

What are your top strategic priorities for AZB & Partners over the next three years?

To grow the talent pool and add more specific identified practices to the Firm, to provide an even wider offering.

In your view, what defines true leadership and power in business?

Power means having the responsibility and accountability for your decisions which must always be seen by and large as fair to everyone affected by it.

Looking back, what experiences have been most instrumental in shaping your leadership philosophy and values?

One of the incidents that I do not forget is when I used to be a junior counsel and was arguing a case before the Judge, when a Senior Counsel on the opposite side suggested that I had not given the entire set of facts. The Judge said that Mrs. Mody will not miss out anything and asked me to guide him out to the relevant pages where, in fact, everything that was required, was disclosed. This gave me a great boost of confidence. Also, when client relationships transition to our Partners and the clients have complete confidence in them, that again I feel is an achievement that I take great pride in because the value system which is prevalent ensures that the clients are attracted to the bench strength of the Firm because of the excellent partners we have.

How has your family influenced your journey as a business leader?

My family has been extremely supportive in achieving my goals, even though sometimes it has been at their cost. I had a very supportive mother-in-law and an indulgent father. I have a totally proud husband and three daughters who today are proud of me. My mother has been a constant. Without them, I would never be where I am today.

What has been the defining inflection point in your professional journey?

There is no one biggest turning point! I think the greatest pivot that I had was to shift from a full-time arguing Counsel when I returned to India and entering into the field of Corporate Law and growing from a boutique law firm with 12 lawyers to the 700 plus lawyers we are today.

Who has had the greatest influence on your personal and professional outlook?

On a personal level, my mother. She has been my rock and has always pushed me to achieve my best. We both share the same religion i.e. the Baha’i Faith, which mandates the equality of men and women, and she made sure that in our family where I was the only daughter with 3 brothers, I was never given anything but an even chance.

On a professional level, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has been a guiding light, both for her fierce intelligence and her value system. Her legacy continues to inspire me even today.