In India’s fast-moving startup ecosystem, lawyers are often seen as gatekeepers: those who slow things down, flag risks, and say “no.” But Shyaam Jaya Nagarajan, Head of Legal at Glance Group, sees his role very differently. For him, legal leadership is not about stopping innovation; it’s about enabling it.
With close to two decades of experience spanning corporate giants like Reliance Industries, one of India’s premier law firms, Trilegal, and now a decade-long journey within the InMobi–Glance group, Shyaam’s career mirrors the evolution of India’s corporate and tech landscape itself. His story is not just about law; it’s about adaptability, trust, and learning to think beyond black-letter rules in a world defined by speed, scale, and technology.
Building Foundations: A Career Shaped by Discipline and Exposure
Shyaam began his legal journey as part of the first batch of the National University for Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kerala, a time when campus placements were far from guaranteed. That uncertainty shaped his early mindset: learn everything, say yes to challenges, and build credibility brick by brick.
His first break came with Reliance Industries in Mumbai at a crucial moment in the company’s history. The Ambani split was underway, new power projects were emerging, and ventures like IPL and Mumbai Indians were coming into existence. As a young lawyer, Shyaam found himself working on everything, from heavy infrastructure and EPC contracts to reviewing player agreements for one of India’s most iconic cricket franchises.
Looking back, he calls Reliance the place that taught him discipline, structure, and respect for process; lessons that still guide him today.
The Law Firm Chapter: Learning Precision at Trilegal
After two and a half years in-house, curiosity pulled him towards law firm life. At Trilegal, Shyaam worked across projects, energy, infrastructure, and later corporate transactions, including M&A and private equity work. The exposure was intense and invaluable.
More importantly, it refined his approach to communication and drafting. “Legal work is not about long sentences or complex language,” he notes. “It’s about clarity. If someone reads your contract five years later, they should still understand it.”
This obsession with precision and openness to unlearning old habits became central to his professional growth.
InMobi and Glance: When Law Meets Innovation
In 2013, Shyaam joined InMobi, not knowing that it would become a 12-year journey marked by transformation and scale. From working in a small legal team handling contractual matters and advisories a week, he gradually moved into a strategic leadership role responsible for enabling decisions across businesses, geographies, and technologies.
When Glance was spun out as a separate entity, he was among the earliest legal leaders to take the leap, all before the platform’s success was guaranteed. Today, Glance operates at the intersection of content, AI, commerce, and consumer technology, backed by global investors like Google, Jio Platforms, and Mithril Capital.
The role of legal in such an environment, Shyaam explains, is fundamentally different.
“There is no textbook answer anymore. Legal today is about unlocking opportunities, not hiding behind sections and statutes.”
Legal Leadership in the Age of AI, Privacy, and Scale
One of the strongest themes that emerges from Shyaam’s perspective is foresight. Long before data protection became a buzzword in India, InMobi had aligned itself with global standards like GDPR. Privacy charters, cybersecurity frameworks, and internal governance systems were built proactively, not in response to crises. Today, AI governance, data privacy, IP protection, and consumer trust sit at the heart of Glance’s legal priorities. Shyaam is clear-eyed about AI: it is neither a miracle nor a menace; it’s a tool shaped by human intent.
“We can’t reject what’s coming. What we need are guardrails, responsibility, and awareness.”
Under his leadership, even the legal function has embraced AI, developing internal tools to navigate contracts, obligations, and risk more efficiently.
The Legal Team as an Enabler, Not a Bottleneck
Perhaps the most refreshing insight from the conversation is Shyaam’s philosophy on innovation. Unless something is clearly illegal or unethical, his instinct is never to reject ideas outright.
“If someone has thought of something, it deserves respect. My job is to find a legally tenable way to make it work.”
This approach has helped position the legal team as a partner to business, not a hindrance; a mindset crucial for startups looking to move fast without losing credibility.
Advice to Young Lawyers: Learn, Adapt, and Stay Curious
For young lawyers aspiring to work in startups or tech companies, Shyaam’s advice is grounded and practical:
- Master the basics of contracts and drafting.
- Develop literacy in data protection and privacy.
- Understand AI, even if you’re not an expert.
- Keep an eye on regulatory changes; globally, not just locally.
- And most importantly, be willing to learn every single day.
“Effective hard work in your early years shapes the professional you become later,” he says, not glamorizing burnout, but emphasizing ownership and growth.
A Career That Reflects the Future of Legal Work
As startups grow more complex and technology reshapes every industry, legal professionals can no longer afford to operate from the sidelines. Shyaam Jaya Nagarajan’s journey shows that the future belongs to lawyers who can think commercially, act ethically, and adapt relentlessly. In an ecosystem obsessed with speed, his story is a reminder that thoughtful leadership, not rigid rule-keeping, is what truly helps innovation thrive. And perhaps that’s the most powerful takeaway: law, when practiced with openness and courage, doesn’t slow progress; it safeguards and strengthens it.
-Interview conducted by Shivani Solanki
