What does it mean to be a lawyer in a rapidly changing society? For Dr. Harita Mehta, Senior Advocate, High Court & Supreme Court, the answer extends far beyond the courtroom. With a career rooted in legal practice and a strong commitment to social advocacy, she has worked to make legal awareness, empowerment and access to justice more meaningful for women and underserved communities.
In this exclusive interview, Dr. Mehta reflects on her journey from legal practice to social impact, the lessons she has learned through grassroots advocacy, and the growing influence of technology and digital evidence on the legal profession. She also shares valuable insights for startups and SMEs navigating legal complexities and offers an inspiring perspective for young women seeking to build credibility, resilience and leadership in law and public advocacy.
1. You have built a career that combines legal practice with social advocacy. What motivated you to take your work beyond the courtroom?
For me, law has never been limited to arguing a case in a courtroom. The real purpose of the legal profession is to ensure that people understand their rights and are able to access justice. Over the years, my interactions with women, families and underserved communities made me realise that many people struggle not only because of the absence of legal remedies, but also because they lack awareness, resources or the confidence to approach the system.
This motivated me to take my work beyond traditional legal practice and engage more closely with social issues. I believe a lawyer can contribute in many ways — through legal representation, awareness, advocacy and creating platforms where people feel empowered to speak up. Social advocacy has therefore been a natural extension of my legal practice and my belief that the law should be accessible, practical and meaningful in people’s everyday lives.
2. Through the Mehar Charitable Society, you have worked on issues affecting women and underserved communities. What have these experiences taught you about creating sustainable social impact?
My experience through the Mehar Charitable Society has taught me that sustainable social impact cannot be created through one-time interventions alone. It requires consistency, trust and an understanding of what communities actually need.
When working with women and underserved communities, it is important to look beyond immediate assistance and focus on empowerment — whether that means creating awareness about rights, helping people access existing systems or encouraging greater independence and participation in decision-making.
I have also learned that meaningful change often begins at the grassroots level. Listening to people, understanding their circumstances and involving communities in finding solutions makes social initiatives far more sustainable. Impact is not always measured by numbers; sometimes it is about giving one person the confidence, knowledge or opportunity to change the course of their life.
3. As legal disputes increasingly involve technology, digital evidence and cyber-related issues, how do you see technology changing the practice of law in India?
Technology is fundamentally changing the way legal professionals work. Today, lawyers increasingly have to deal with digital evidence, electronic communications, online transactions, data protection, cybercrime and technology-driven disputes. This means that understanding technology is becoming an important part of effective legal practice.
Digital evidence can be extremely valuable, but it also brings questions around authenticity, preservation, admissibility and the manner in which information has been obtained. Lawyers therefore need to develop a stronger understanding of both the legal and technological aspects of such evidence.
I also see technology improving access to legal information and making several aspects of legal practice more efficient. At the same time, technology should complement, rather than replace, legal judgment. The future lawyer will need to combine strong legal fundamentals with technological awareness and the ability to critically evaluate digital information.
4. You also advise businesses on company and corporate matters. What legal challenges should startups and SMEs be more proactive about addressing as they scale?
Startups and SMEs often focus heavily on growth, fundraising, customers and operations, while legal and compliance matters can sometimes take a back seat. This can create avoidable problems later.
Businesses should be proactive about corporate structuring, contracts, intellectual property protection, employment documentation, regulatory compliance, data privacy and agreements with investors, founders and business partners. Clear documentation at the beginning can prevent significant disputes as the organisation grows.
Founders should also understand that legal compliance is not simply a formality. It is part of building a credible and sustainable business. As a company becomes larger, its legal requirements become more complex, so having the right legal processes and professional advice in place early can help businesses scale with greater confidence and reduce risks.
5. For young women aspiring to enter law, litigation or public advocacy, what advice would you give them about building credibility, resilience and leadership in the profession?
My advice would be to focus on building substance before seeking recognition. In law, credibility is earned over time through knowledge, preparation, integrity and consistency. Young women entering the profession should not feel pressured to prove themselves overnight.
Litigation and public advocacy can be demanding, and there will inevitably be moments of self-doubt, rejection and setbacks. Resilience comes from continuing to learn and staying committed to your principles even when progress feels slow.
I would also encourage young women to develop their own voice. Leadership does not always mean being the loudest person in the room; it means being prepared to take responsibility, stand by your convictions and create space for others to grow. Build strong professional relationships, keep learning, ask questions and never underestimate the value of persistence. The legal profession needs more women who are not only capable lawyers, but also confident leaders who are willing to contribute to positive change.
