Successful Enterprises contribute to the well-being of their clients, employees and the communities they serve, by promoting fairness, equality, legal and ethical conduct in all aspects of business.

Neharika Srivastava, our next pathbreaker, Director Legal at Aon, provides strategic support to Aon’s business and corporate functions on a range of complex legal and regulatory issues impacting Aon in India.

Neharika talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about also being actively involved in projects related to Women Empowerment, Diversity & Inclusion, CSR & Social Impact, and Global Standardisation, aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable environment, both within the organization and in the broader community.

For students, take the time to discover your interests and passions, and don’t be afraid to pivot when you find something that truly excites you.

Neharika, can you share your background with our young readers?

I am the oldest of 3 children. My father was an IAS officer and my mother was an editor for several magazines. I grew up in various places as my father was an IAS officer. My primary schooling was partly in Mizoram and the UK and the rest was in Delhi where I completed my schooling, college and postgraduation. I am married to an entrepreneur who is an avid chef and wildlife photographer and have a 15 year old son and 2 dogs. I am passionate about running and traveling.

What did you do for graduation/post graduation?

I completed my graduation in BA (Hons) English Literature from Miranda House and my post graduation in LLB from Campus Law Centre.

Initially, I was interested in becoming an air hostess because I wanted to travel. I chose commerce in school but I switched to English Literature in college. By the end of 1st year in college, my interests shifted towards travel journalism, since I started enjoying reading, researching and writing. I started picking up freelancing travel assignments, which allowed me to travel and write articles about the places I visited. This experience not only fueled my passion for travel but gave me self confidence and developed my interpersonal skills as I met people from diverse cultures across the country. English Literature honed my writing skills and broadened my perspective and style of expression. I even signed up for an elementary course in Italian and French as an extracurricular activity. 

What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Corporate Law?

My father himself had done law before he joined IAS and my mother was an editor for a reputed travel magazine.

I interned with a reputed lawyer right after school, who ran a public interest litigation firm. I learned to draft petitions for environmental cases such as the Tehri Dam and the Rathong Chu Dam cases. I also worked as an editorial assistant with an environmental publication where I learned to proof read and draft articles, during my college years and after.

I took 2 years off after my graduation to explore what I really wanted to do. It was a big decision to lose out on 2 years in terms of having a continuous academic resume but I felt I needed time to introspect, explore and try out various things. I dabbled with travel writing, worked with environmental publications, interned at a public litigation and research foundation. My parents were very supportive of my ambitions.

I finally shortlisted journalism courses – Symbiosis in Pune and Asian School of Journalism (Indian Express) in Bangalore and I appeared for the entrance exams. While I got through Symbiosis, I was waitlisted 1 on the ASJ. As I was keen on the latter, I decided to put all my eggs in one basket and take my chance. Unfortunately, I remained waitlisted. In the meantime, the only other entrance exam still open was for Law. I decided to try it out, since the subject resonates with me as it involves research, analysis and writing and I thought perhaps a career in legal journalism is a feasible idea. By the time I finished LLB, I was keen to explore law as a career.

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path

Internships: I had no lawyers in my family or friend circle. I looked for internship opportunities literally on the Tata yellow pages directory! I was fortunate to get an opportunity to intern with Pravin Anand, a distinguished IP lawyer and with Siddharth Luthra, a renowned criminal lawyer. Learnings: a broad spectrum of trademark, copyright and patent law, experience in consumer courts and Delhi high court, basics of drafting and filing. I also realized that litigation was not suited for me. We had to spend the whole day in court till 4 pm and then return to office to begin the actual work of research and drafting, leading to long hours which took its toll on me.

Corporate Law Firm: in the early 2000s, full service corporate law firms were emerging, and I applied for an associate position to several of them. The role entailed litigation support and non-court work ranging from legal research to retainership work for corporate clients. This was the era of early liberalization and a fantastic learning for junior associates as we worked with senior partners on setting up JVs, wholly owned subsidiaries, researching on RBI and FEMA, learning how to work with MNCs on their legal matters, M&A due diligence, debt recovery matters, consumer & civil matters. I also volunteered to be the editor of our quarterly newsletter which helped me keep in touch with the latest business and legal news, and feed into my passion for writing articles. Since my communication skills were strong, I was assigned to business development & networking in the latter part of my tenure which led to my looking out for newer opportunities for learning in the areas of my interest.

Chamber of Commerce: This was an interesting pivot in my career path. I joined the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) to revive their arbitral tribunal FICCI Arbitration & Conciliation Tribunal (FACT). I was responsible for establishing an active panel of prominent arbitration experts (domestic and international) on its board. Other responsibilities included:

  • Introduction of Alternate Dispute Resolution methods of conciliation and mediation. 
  • Drafting the arbitration and conciliation procedural rules for FACT
  • Day to Day case administration 
  • Marketing and business development including designing and publishing brochures, setting up a website, writing articles
  • Conceptualizing and planning conferences and seminars 
  • Drafting and facilitating mutual co-operation arbitral agreements with foreign arbitral institutions 
  • Legal research on arbitration law & procedure (domestic and international), current issues and latest developments in the field of arbitration

This is where I really acquired my life skills over almost 4 years – handling difficult conversations and stakeholders, problem solving, critical thinking, agility, innovation, multi-tasking and prioritization, engaging with senior leadership and prominent corporate leaders – I had a great mentor.

Some of the memorable achievements include introduction of email in the department to replace typed judgements and postal mail. Implementation included preparing a business case, getting the funding, shortlisting service providers, training our staff on how to use email, creating email IDs. The outcome saved manual effort and brought speed to the proceedings. I also helped design and create the website and brochures for the tribunal to increase visibility and outreach, including publishing articles on arbitration in prominent legal journals. I closely worked with my mentor to facilitate reciprocal agreements with a French arbitration and mediation institution and also learned to organize conferences and seminars.

How did you get your first break?

Corporate MNC: Since my husband and I moved to Gurgaon, it became imperative that I look for an opportunity here since commuting to FICCI from Gurgaon and back was taking up a lot of time (the highway was being constructed during those days and it would easily take me 4-5 hours). I wanted to move into an in-house role as a generalist and expand my portfolio and was fortunate to be contacted by a head hunter who provided great support. I interviewed with several companies and chose to work with Evalueserve as it was in the ITeS sector and was a KPO (knowledge process outsourcing) that provided business, market and investment research services. 

In my 4-year tenure with Evalueserve, I managed the Legal & Compliance team where my primary responsibilities included implementation and maintenance of contractual compliance and compliance with ISO 27001 for the company’s client-driven projects, drafting, vetting and negotiating commercial client and vendor contracts, as well as providing legal support to the organization across all our offices at India, Chile, China and Romania.This is where I had my first brush with compliance, audit and commercial contracting, as well as HR & labour laws, people and team management. I learned about data privacy and it has become a passionate topic for me ever since. I became a trainer for data privacy and copyright awareness sessions for business colleagues.

Some of the memorable achievements include moving from bronze to silver to gold certification in client audits. The company had a strong HR team and I received really relevant training on business communication, email etiquette, I learned how to work on excel and PowerPoint to an extent.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Challenge 1: Motherhood

Balancing motherhood with a demanding career was one of the most significant challenges I faced. The key to addressing this challenge was effective time management and setting clear priorities. I learned to delegate tasks and rely on a strong support system, both at work and at home. Flexibility and open communication with my team and family were crucial in ensuring that I could fulfill my responsibilities in both areas without compromising on either

Challenge 2: Gender bias

Gender bias is an unfortunate reality that many women face in the workplace. To address this challenge, I focused on demonstrating my capabilities and building a strong professional reputation. I actively sought out mentors and allies who supported my growth and advocated for me. Additionally, I became involved in initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, such as serving on the Aon Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Committee and Aon’s women network. These efforts not only helped me overcome gender bias but also contributed to creating a more inclusive work environment.

Challenge 3: Change Management

Change management is a constant challenge in any organization. To address this, I embraced a proactive approach by staying informed about industry trends and being adaptable to new processes and technologies. I focused on clear communication and collaboration with my team to ensure that everyone was aligned with the changes. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation, we were able to navigate changes effectively and maintain high levels of performance

Where do you work now? 

I work with Aon, a global professional services firm that offers a wide range of risk, retirement, and health solutions, including insurance and reinsurance brokerage, risk management, and human resource consulting. I joined as a generalist in-house counsel to provide legal transactional and advisory support to Aon’s HR consulting business in India, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, as well as transactional support to Aon’s risk business in the US, UK, and Canada.

This role involves being part of the decision-making process within the region, regularly interacting with senior leadership in the businesses, and being accountable for the outcome of legal projects and strategy plans. 

In 2017, Aon split and sold a major part of its outsourcing business. We restructured our shared services operating model by creating regional hubs, and I was responsible for growing the legal hub. Starting with one resource supporting one business in the UK and Canada in 2014, we have now grown to over 35 resources supporting all business lines across five continents for legal, compliance, and privacy work.

What problems do you solve?

Transcending my primary role as a transactional lawyer, I started thinking outside the box and found exciting ways to improve operating efficiencies and collaborate with other teams on larger issues such as Women Empowerment, Diversity & Inclusion, CSR & Social Impact, and Global Standardization projects. Until recently, I was also the Presiding Officer for the Aon Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Committee. Additionally, I serve on Aon’s women network as one of the leaders and on the global acquisitions & integration steering committee

In my leadership role, I dedicate 60% of my time to people management and business development. This involves identifying growth opportunities, fostering relationships with clients and colleagues, and standardizing our operating model and documentation to facilitate smoother and faster transitions. Additionally, I handle administrative tasks such as budgeting and forecasting.

Drafting and negotiating contracts, as well as creating and updating playbooks and templates, are also integral parts of my role. However, my focus is primarily on enhancing my team’s capabilities in these areas

What skills are needed for your role? 

Technical expertise – Operations, project management (lean and green belt), financial and commercial acumen, AI, basics of coding

Leadership – Client Focus, Drive Execution, Accountability and ownership, thought leadership, decision making, critical thinking, problem solving 

Operational – Prioritization and time management, Resolving conflicts, People & workforce management, efficiency improvement, change management, transitions and service delivery

How did you acquire the skills?

10% classroom, 20% mentoring, coaching and 70% experiential

Reading, attending industry webinars, workshops

Company sponsored certifications and trainings

IAPP’s CIPM (privacy management) 

Harvard business program

External and internal trainings / workshops on strategic thinking & leadership

What’s a typical day like?

A typical day for me is a blend of strategic planning, team collaboration, and problem-solving. I start my day by reviewing my calendar and prioritizing tasks, ensuring that I am prepared for any meetings or deadlines. My mornings often involve reading legal articles, news and engaging with senior leadership in the APAC time zone (whenever that applies) and prominent corporate leaders, discussing ongoing projects and exploring new opportunities for growth

Throughout the day, I focus on people management and business development, investing time in building relationships with clients and colleagues. This involves standardizing our operating model and documentation for easier and faster transition of work, as well as administrative tasks such as budgeting and forecasting. I also spend time drafting and negotiating contracts, creating and updating playbooks and templates, and building my team’s capabilities in these areas

My evenings are typically calls with stakeholders from the US and EMEA regions.

We go to the office twice a week and my day is filled with engaging conversations, connecting with my team and colleagues from other departments which is very fulfilling for me.

What is it you love about this job? 

What I love most about my job is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through my work. Being part of a global professional services firm like Aon allows me to engage with senior leadership and prominent corporate leaders, which is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy the challenge of problem-solving and critical thinking, and the agility and innovation required to handle diverse tasks and stakeholders

Additionally, I appreciate the collaborative environment where I can work on larger issues such as Women Empowerment, Diversity & Inclusion, CSR & Social Impact, and Global Standardization projects. This role has also given me the chance to grow the legal hub, starting with one resource and expanding to over 35 resources supporting all business lines across five continents

The ability to transcend my primary role as a transactional lawyer and find exciting ways to improve operating efficiencies and collaborate with other teams is something I truly cherish. I also value the opportunity to serve on various committees and networks within the organization, which allows me to contribute to important initiatives and drive positive change

How does your work benefit society? 

My work benefits society in several meaningful ways. As a legal professional at Aon, one of the key aspects of my role is to ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards, which helps protect the rights and interests of individuals and organizations.

Furthermore, my work in developing and implementing policies and procedures helps ensure that our business operations are conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner. This includes addressing issues such as data privacy, environmental sustainability, and ethical business practices. By doing so, we contribute to the well-being of our clients, employees, and the communities we serve.

Overall, my work allows me to make a positive impact on society by promoting fairness, equality, and ethical conduct in all aspects of our business.

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

I am actively involved in projects related to Women Empowerment, Diversity & Inclusion, CSR & Social Impact, and Global Standardization. These initiatives aim to create a more inclusive and equitable environment, both within the organization and in the broader community. For example, I have served on the Aon Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Committee and the Aon’s women network, where I work to promote gender equality and support the professional growth of women.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

My advice to students based on my experience is to embrace curiosity and be open to exploring different paths. It’s important to understand that your career journey may not be linear, and that’s perfectly okay. Take the time to discover your interests and passions, and don’t be afraid to pivot when you find something that truly excites you.

One of the main ideas behind the initiative is for students to perceive their future through these interviews, where professionals talk about their entire journey. When you talk about your career path, please discuss your thought process and approach. For example, I initially wanted to become an air hostess because I wanted to travel, but my interests shifted towards travel journalism during college. This experience not only fueled my passion for travel but also developed my interpersonal skills as I met people from diverse cultures across the country.

It’s also important to seek out mentors and internships that align with your interests. I interned with a reputed lawyer right after school, which helped me learn to draft petitions for environmental cases. These experiences provided valuable insights and helped me build a strong foundation for my career.

Remember that challenges are a part of the journey. Whether it’s dealing with gender bias, change management, or balancing personal and professional life, it’s crucial to address them with resilience and determination

Lastly, continuous learning and skill development are key. Invest in yourself by attending industry webinars, workshops, and company-sponsored certifications and training. This will not only enhance your technical expertise but also help you develop leadership and operational skill

Future Plans?

My future plans involve continuing to grow and develop my career while making a positive impact through my work. I aim to expand my portfolio and take on more leadership roles within the organization.

I also plan to continue working on larger initiatives such as Women Empowerment, Diversity & Inclusion, CSR & Social Impact