25.04.2026: Governor calls for Industry – Academia Collaboration to Advance Legal Education
Maharashtra Governor calls for Industry – Academia Collaboration to Advance Legal Education
Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma attended the 15th Annual Legal Era Indian Legal Awards function in Mumbai on Sat (25 April).
The Indian Legal Awards instituted by the Association of Indian Law Firms and Legal Era Media Group are presented to legal professionals and law firms.
Addressing the legal professionals, the Governor emphasized the critical role of legal education in shaping India’s growth trajectory.
Highlighting the importance of the legal profession, the Governor noted that as the country stands on the cusp of becoming a global economic powerhouse, the strength of its legal and regulatory framework will be a decisive factor. He observed that India’s progress—reflected in its GDP growth, robust digital infrastructure, and manufacturing ambitions under Atma Nirbhar Bharat—rests on the quality, integrity, and efficiency of its legal systems.
The Governor said lawyers play a pivotal role by drafting contracts, resolving disputes, advising corporations, and safeguarding rights, thereby making India a reliable and attractive destination for investment and commerce.
Placing special emphasis on legal education, the Governor urged the Association of Indian Law Firms to actively collaborate with universities across the State. He stressed that closer engagement between academia and the legal industry is essential to develop contemporary, practice-oriented curricula aligned with emerging areas such as technology law, regulatory frameworks, and evolving business environments.
The Governor also called for strengthening clinical legal education and promoting research on new and complex legal challenges arising from technological and economic changes.
Encouraging law firms to take a proactive role, he advocated the creation of structured apprenticeship and internship opportunities for students. Such initiatives, he said, would provide invaluable real-world exposure, enhance employability, and help build a strong and future-ready talent pipeline for the legal profession.
Justice Sanjay Karol, Judge, Supreme Court of India, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Judge, Supreme Court of India, Adv Ashish Shelar, Minister for Cultural Affairs and Information Technology, Justice Manish Pitale, Judge, Bombay High Court, Justice Hiten Venegavkar, Judge, Bombay High Court, Justice Hima Kohli, former Judge of the Supreme Court, Nilesh Tribhuvan, President, Association of Indian Law Firms, Akruti Raizada, Founder & Managing Editor, Legal Era Media Group and Dr Prashant Narnaware, Secretary to the Governor, Senior Advocates, General Counsels and Law Firm Partners were present.
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