Mr. Vimal Verma is a distinguished legal professional with over two decades of experience across a wide range of industries and practice area , including criminal law, footwear, retail, aviation, sports, co-working, F&B, and co-living. He transitioned from a practicing lawyer to a business-oriented legal advisor, successfully navigating complex corporate environments. His expertise spans compliance, litigation, mergers, acquisitions, and IPO preparedness. Known for his leadership and strategic approach, Mr. Verma believes in the power of education and practical experience working in tandem. He strives to inspire others to achieve business success, empowering teams and business leaders to reach their full potential.
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
From the very beginning, it seems that my path was destined, as I was born on November 26th National Law Day on a Saturday, the day associated with Saturn, the Lord of Justice.
As a national-level football player in the mid-90s, I soon realized that pursuing a career in the sport might not be the most viable option. However, my experience as an athlete instilled in me invaluable qualities such as discipline, teamwork, adherence to rules, ethics, punctuality, time management, and strategic thinking. These principles, deeply embedded in sports, inspired me to pursue a career in the legal profession, where the same attributes play a crucial role in achieving success.
2. Do you believe formal education alone is enough for success in the legal field, or is practical experience equally important?
This is an interesting question. Ironically, throughout my career, I have never repeated an industry. I began as a criminal lawyer and, from 2005 onward, transitioned into the corporate sector, working across diverse industries such as footwear, retail (B2B & B2C), aviation, sports, co-working, F&B, and currently, co-living. This breadth of exposure has significantly shaped my professional journey.
Formal education provides the foundational knowledge and tools to begin a career, but true success in the legal field also depends on practical experience. It is through hands-on learning that one develops the ability to innovate within the legal framework while ensuring business compliance. My approach to handling legal matters today is vastly different from two decades ago, a transformation driven solely by experience.
I firmly believe that education and experience should be viewed as complementary rather than comparative. Education equips you with knowledge, while experience instills the confidence and adaptability needed to navigate challenges. Both go hand in hand, forming the cornerstone of professional growth.
3. What were some of the key challenges you faced in your initial years?
My initial years were marked by struggles not only in establishing myself in the legal domain but also in adjusting to life in Delhi. As a first-generation lawyer from Panipat, moving to the capital was a significant transition.
Over two decades ago, when I shifted to the corporate side and transitioned from a practicing lawyer to a business lawyer, it took several years for me to fully embrace the business-oriented mindset. There is a substantial difference in how each role approaches a situation. A practicing lawyer focuses on protecting client interests, while a business lawyer seeks business-compliant solutions within the legal framework and avoids escalating issues into litigation.
The challenges during those early years were different. There was minimal awareness of legal compliance, and the need for in-house legal teams was not widely recognized. There were no large teams for compliance, litigation, licenses, contracts, mergers, acquisitions, and other legal matters. However, these challenges ultimately became strengths, providing me with hands-on experience across diverse legal fields.
4. Were there any turning points in your career that changed your professional trajectory?
There have been several turning points in my career, and I believe that such moments are an evolving process essential for growth. Undoubtedly, transitioning from a practicing lawyer to a business lawyer was one significant turning point, but that transition occurred gradually. My roles at Bharti Wal-Mart and AWFIS were key milestones that shifted my professional trajectory.
At AWFIS, the IPO preparedness journey was particularly enriching, with new challenges arising daily. The adaptability and positive mindset of each team member play a crucial role in the IPO journey for any startup.
5. How do you want to be remembered as a leader and legal professional?
For any legal professional, true satisfaction comes not just from completing an assignment but from the outcome it produces, which plays a crucial role in the growth of the organization.
The most impactful motivator in any organization is the opportunity to learn, grow in responsibility, contribute to a group effort, and have leaders recognize those contributions. I believe a true legal professional’s success lies in their leadership qualities. A business-oriented legal professional not only empowers team members but also helps business leaders achieve their goals. I aspire to be remembered as a legal professional who inspires others to achieve business success as a business leader.
6. What advice would you give to young lawyers starting their careers today?
To all young lawyers, I want to emphasize that there are no shortcuts to achieving your dreams. Success follows a well-defined roadmap that can only be navigated through hard work, perseverance, dedication, respect for time, and a strategic approach avoiding procrastination. Focus on a robust, solution-oriented mindset and stay actively engaged in professional development to contribute more effectively to the legal community.
One quote by Napoleon Hill, which resonated with me during my school days and has proven true throughout my career, is: “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” I encourage young lawyers to read autobiographies of achievers in their fields judges, senior legal professionals to ignite that extra spark and help them achieve their goals.
