Cyril Shroff’s enduring principles: law, legacy, leadership, and creating lasting institutions.

With an extensive 42-year career in legal practice covering areas such as corporate and securities law, disputes, banking, bankruptcy, infrastructure, private client, and financial regulatory work, and approximately 27 years in leadership roles, Cyril Shroff has successfully guided Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas into new eras. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to repeatedly reinvent the legacy law firm.

“Leading a large organisation is not merely about lawyering … I think I've enjoyed the interactions with people. By nature, I am a bit of a builder. So, I have enjoyed creating a huge talent pool, and many careers. Each of those careers would be a part of my legacy as well because whether I'm there or not the values that I have been able to share and imbibe in several tall professionals will survive me,” Shroff, Managing Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, stated in the latest ET Circle multimedia series episode, which explores the untold stories of India’s top business leaders.

Leadership Lessons from Shroff

In a conversation with Abhinav Kejriwal, Chief of Staff at the Vice Chairman’s Office, Times of India, Shroff emphasized the importance of having a clear purpose for the firm’s existence. Proudly noting that some clients and well-wishers consider the firm a national treasure due to its 107-year history, Shroff highlighted several key leadership lessons:

1. Clear Purpose: The firm’s purpose is to produce exemplary lawyers for justice.

2. Empathy in Leadership: In a people-oriented industry, leading with empathy is crucial. While intellect is important, building an institution requires emotional intelligence to create bonds that foster loyalty and commitment.

3. Embracing Adversity: Leaders must absorb daily challenges and show resilience, akin to Shiva drinking poison in Hindu mythology.

4. Constant Evolution: To thrive, an institution must continually adapt and innovate, maintaining relevance and competitiveness through changing times.

The Hallmark of Institution-Building

Shroff compared institution-building to cathedral construction, emphasizing the importance of a strong value system. He explained that enduring institutions outlast physical assets, personnel, and clientele by nurturing intangible elements like values, approach, and philosophy.

“Institutions are about building the intangible, which survives; everything else will change, your entire real estate infrastructure will change, your people will change, and maybe your clients will change. But there is something about long-lasting institutions, and particularly brands that last forever,” Shroff said. The firm’s primary investment has been in knowledge, shaping its trajectory and defining its purpose.

Shroff highlighted the firm’s three core values: character, competence, and commitment, which are demonstrated in all dealings, both internally and externally.

The Evolution of India’s Legal Landscape

Shroff discussed the significant changes in the Indian legal profession, particularly since the economic reforms of the early 1990s. He noted that foundational skills like technical expertise are essential in legal practice. Shroff observed the profound evolution of transactional practice and structural changes within law firms, blending legal acumen with business principles.

Managing a large, complex organisation like Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, with over 1000 lawyers and support staff, requires unique interpersonal skills. Unlike traditional hierarchical structures, a professional service organisation demands a nuanced approach to handling diverse personalities and aspirations. Over the past two decades, the firm has influenced the careers of over 10,000 lawyers through internships, associations, and partnerships, fostering a vibrant alumni network.

Unique Skill Sets of Lawyers

Shroff noted that lawyers, often described as "insecure overachievers," require persuasion on both intellectual and emotional levels. They shoulder the burdens of others' problems, leading to stress and mental health issues. However, lawyers also possess remarkable innovation and critical thinking abilities, significantly contributing to society. Historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as well as leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, emerged from legal backgrounds, highlighting the profession's role in public policy and societal development.

Lawyers’ intellectual and philosophical strengths often intersect with public policy and societal dynamics, contributing significantly to nation-building efforts.