LawWiser unveils GC Insider Report 2025

LawWiser unveiled the third edition of its report, The GC Insider, at an event in New Delhi. Each year, the report captures insights from leading General Counsel across Indian and multinational companies, offering a deep dive into the evolving legal needs of the industry — and how law firms can better align as strategic partners..Speaking on the occasion, Aman Abbas, Founder of LawWiser said, “As legal departments evolve into strategic business units, the expectations from external counsel are being recalibrated. The GC Insider report is designed to provide valuable data and real-world insights that decode these shifting dynamics between GCs and law firms, helping both sides align more effectively.” He further added, “The report serves as a unique platform for both clients and law firms to engage in meaningful dialogue, and I’m thrilled to see its release in the presence of such distinguished industry leaders.”.This was followed by a keynote address by Parvesh Kheterpal, General Counsel, AMPYR Energy, and Advisory Board Member at LawWiser. With nearly two decades of in-house legal experience, Kheterpal discussed how GCs today are tasked with delivering both legal and commercial value, and how external advisors must align accordingly..A special address by Avimukt Dar, Founding and Senior Partner of INDUSLAW, further emphasized on the role of law firms and in-house counsel in helping Indian companies expand globally..The highlight of the event was the launch of the GC Insider Report 2025, which offers rich insights drawn from 114 in-house counsel respondents, offering a clear picture of what GCs truly seek from their external advisors. Through this extensive survey, it became evident that peer referrals lead as the strongest factor when evaluating legal expertise, with 52.2% of respondents citing it as their top priority. Following closely behind, the existing body of work was most preferred by 35.4%, underscoring the importance of a proven track record.When it comes to the final selection of a law firm, the key driver shifts to a firm’s industry-specific experience. For 46.9% of respondents, a deep understanding of their sector outweighs pure legal expertise. Prior relationships come into play for 31%, with cost-effectiveness still holding its ground as an essential factor for 19.5%. This insight reveals a shift toward firms that bring more to the table than just legal knowledge—they must understand the business environment and be capable of providing solutions that align with the company’s commercial goals..The report also highlights key shifts, a growing preference for boutique and non–Tier 1 firms, alongside the internalisation of compliance and data protection functions. While AI adoption is rising across legal teams, concerns around privacy, ethics, and DPDPA (Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023) compliance remain front and centre..These insights confirm a critical trend: GCs now expect law firms to act as business partners, not just legal advisors. Industry knowledge, commercial acumen, and strategic collaboration now drive selection decisions as much as legal skill..A thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Beyond Expertise: Redefining Law Firm Value in the Age of In-House Evolution” followed, featuring senior leaders like Zameer Nathani (Group General Counsel, CarDekho Group), Kanika Shah Wadhwa (Head of Legal, Haleon), Rajiv Choubey (Group General Counsel, Dalmia Bharat Ltd.), Dr. Mukul Shastry (General Counsel & Whole Time Director, Cube Highways), Siddharth Mahajan (Partner, Athena Legal), and Shashwat Kumar (Partner, INDUSLAW). The session was moderated by Vivek Tewary (Senior Partner, Trust Law) and explored the nuances of value creation in external counsel relationships..Later, a Fireside Chat on ESG and E-Waste Compliance brought together experts like Rajiv Malik (Legal Leader, LG Electronics India), Ashish Pandey (General Counsel & Company Secretary, Luminous Power Technologies), and Mayank Sinha (Head Marketing & Selsmart, Attero D2C business), moderated by Satyajit Gupta (Vice President and Head of Legal, EXL India). The session addressed how GCs are increasingly involved in steering ESG strategy and ensuring compliance readiness..The day’s legal conversations were further elevated with the guest of honour address by Justice Dr. Vineet Kothari, former Acting Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, presently practising as Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India. He emphasized that “good lawyering is good communication,” underscoring the importance of lawyers understanding not just the law but also the judges before whom they appear. Touching on broader systemic issues, he remarked on the visible strain in traditional legal frameworks and highlighted the growing importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Justice Kothari urged GCs to actively identify and mitigate dampening factors affecting ADR processes. He also strongly supported the institutionalisation of mediation, stressing the need to address the shortcomings of arbitration and steer legal strategy toward more collaborative and efficient mechanisms like mediation..The event concluded with the GC Hall of Fame – Delhi Chapter 2025, where exemplary GCs were honoured for their strategic leadership, followed by a special thank you address by K. Satish Kumar (Senior Vice President & Group Chief Legal Officer of Intellect Design Arena Ltd.)..If you would like your Deals, Columns, Press Releases to be published on Bar & Bench, please fill in the form available here.