Fearlessness comes in many forms. Since it is a virtue of all the courageous individuals, however, if you ask them, they would agree that true fearlessness is not the absence of fear. Rather, it is the individual’s response in the face of extreme fear that proves to the world that going beyond one’s own fear means fearlessness. In the legal realm, especially in the Indian litigation niche, Samruddhi Pawar knows what it means to dare to go beyond fear by challenging it.
Samruddhi is more than an Advocate, High Court of Gujarat; she is a strategic designer of outcomes. Named a Trailblazer Under 25 in Litigation, she has developed a reputation for helping clients and businesses navigate complex legal questions with strategic advice.
It is indeed commendable that what makes her an exceptional quality is her depth of legal expertise. With an LLB degree, she also obtained specialized Diplomas in Fashion Law and Media & Entertainment Law from the International Journal of Fashion Law (IJFL) and the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), respectively. This sets research and litigation on a tailored approach to its intersection with commerce, creativity, and controversy.
Samruddhi works with a clarity and courage that belies her years, repeatedly proving that courtroom fearlessness is the highest barometer of client advocacy. She does not simply resolve disputes; she designs the outcome of resolution.
A Moment of a Different Kind of Discovery
For most, the years between 20 and 25 are filled with discovery, travel, friendships, and finding oneself. For Samruddhi, those years were defined by a different kind of discovery, one forged in the corridors of law firms and the intensity of courtrooms.
While her peers were exploring the world, Samruddhi was exploring human stories through her clients, their conflicts, and the pursuit of justice. Because in litigation, fearlessness isn’t just about standing up in court and arguing a case; it’s about standing by your client when uncertainty looms, when emotions run high, and when every word you speak can shift the course of someone’s life.
“Fearlessness, to me, is not loud,” she says. “It’s quiet conviction, the strength to think clearly under pressure, to hold your ground when outcomes are unpredictable, and to reassure people who have placed their faith in you.”
Those early years from 20 to 25 demanded sacrifices: late nights over leisure, hearings over holidays, and preparation over pause. But choosing that path, with all its rigour and responsibility, was life-defining. It shaped not just her career but her character, one built on courage, empathy, and purpose.
Today, as a young litigator, Samruddhi embodies a version of fearlessness that goes beyond advocacy; it’s about compassion, conviction, and the quiet pride of knowing that law, at its heart, is about standing strong for others.
Beyond the Courtroom: Learning the Meaning of Fearlessness
“Fearlessness, to me, is vulnerability.”
It’s about being open to whatever comes, the outcome of an order, a client’s reaction, or even the emotional weight of their trust. In litigation, you often stand in the middle of uncertainty, and yet you have to hold steady not by pretending to be invincible, but by being honest, empathetic, and deeply responsible.
True fearlessness isn’t about power or control; it’s about allowing yourself to feel everything: the pressure, the expectation, the accountability, and still choosing to show up, prepared and present. It’s that quiet courage of letting clients see that you care, and that their faith in you truly matters.
The Guiding Light: Digant Sir
Every professional journey has a defining force, someone whose guidance shapes not just the lawyer but the person within. For Samruddhi, that person is Digant Sir, her mentor, her teacher, and a figure she fondly describes as a father beyond family.
Under his mentorship, Samruddhi discovered not only the discipline and depth that litigation demands, but also the essence of life itself. “He has taught me the importance of work, but more than that, he has taught me how to live with integrity, courage, and grace,” she says.
What sets him apart, she believes, is his rare wisdom that true courage is kindness. From him, she learned that one can be strong without being harsh, and firm without losing compassion. To stand by one’s ethics and morals unwaveringly, yet treat everyone, clients, colleagues, and opponents alike, with respect and humanity.
For Samruddhi, Digant Sir isn’t just a mentor; he is the reason behind every milestone. An exemplary advocate, a visionary professional, and an inspiration in every sense, his influence continues to echo through every case she argues and every value she upholds.
Navigating the Uncharted: Exploring the Emerging World of Fashion Law
Among the many evolving fields of law, Fashion Law holds a special place in Samruddhi’s heart. “I am extremely looking forward to exploring areas related to Fashion Law and the novel trends it brings into the legal world,” she says with evident excitement.
Having completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion Law from the International Journal of Fashion Law, Samruddhi is deeply passionate about bridging the gap between creativity and legal protection. For her, Fashion Law is more than a niche; it’s a dynamic intersection of art, innovation, and rights, where intellectual property, contracts, sustainability, and global commerce converge.
Her vision is to make this discipline more accessible and understood within the Indian legal ecosystem. She aspires to contribute to its growth from designer rights and brand protection to ethical fashion practices and digital fashion disputes, ensuring that the law evolves in pace with creativity and technology.
“Fashion Law is still an emerging space in India,” she reflects. “And I’d love to be a part of shaping it, creating awareness, building frameworks, and ensuring that creative voices are heard and protected.”
Her Thoughts On Work-Life Balance in Litigation
“There’s really no such thing as work-life balance in litigation; it’s mostly just work,” Samruddhi laughs. “But yes, it takes a lot of courage (and maybe a little madness) to draw your boundaries well, so you don’t look back one day and regret all that you missed.”
With the long hours, unpredictable hearings, and endless drafting marathons, maintaining balance often feels like an art form. “It’s tough,” she admits, “but you’ve got to do it the hard way to check your mental sanity. Sometimes that means learning to switch off, even when your mind is still arguing your last submission!”
Behind the humor lies a truth that litigation demands resilience, discipline, and a healthy dose of self-awareness. It’s not easy, but as Samruddhi puts it, “It’s the kind of chaos you eventually learn to love.”
Technology and AI in the Legal Profession
“Technology and AI are, to be honest, incredibly helpful tools,” says Samruddhi. “They make it easier to summarize, rephrase, and even refine vocabulary while drafting petitions. Sometimes, they help you see your work with a sharper lens.”
But she’s quick to add that law, at its core, is a deeply human profession. “In litigation, no algorithm can replace intuition, experience, or the instinct that comes from handling real people and real problems,” she explains. “Drafting innovative grounds, identifying nuanced arguments, and interpreting the pulse of a case that requires human intellect, not artificial intelligence.”
According to her, while AI can be a brilliant assistant, it can never stand in for the presence of a lawyer in court. “Hearings demand spontaneity, empathy, and presence of mind. You can’t rely on AI when you’re on your feet before a judge; it just doesn’t make sense. Law evolves every day, and that evolution comes from human reasoning, not programming.”
Still, she acknowledges its utility with a smile: “AI is helpful, I use it, too, but in litigation, it’ll always be a co-pilot, never the driver.”
What She’d Change About Litigation
“If there’s one thing I’d change about litigation, it’s actually nothing,” Samruddhi smiles. “The profession, in its raw and rigorous form, is exactly what makes it so beautiful.”
But she does wish to change one thing, the perception people have about it. “Many think litigation is a space dominated by patriarchy or nepotism, but I’ve never seen it that way. I entered this profession as a young girl, and it’s the only thing I ever dreamed of doing.”
For her, litigation is not a system that limits, it’s one that liberates. “It’s creative, it’s challenging, and it’s deeply personal. In court, no force and no influence can decide your success; only your preparation, perseverance, and passion can. It’s like a private battlefield where you’re not competing with anyone else, just yourself, pushing your own limits every single day.”
She laughs and adds, “You grow only as much as you work for it, and that’s the best part. It’s tough love, but it’s the real deal.”
Her Personal Philosophy
Outside the courtroom, Samruddhi lives by a simple yet profound belief: always listen to your heart.
Decisions may not always go the way you expect,” she says, “but when you follow your heart, you never regret the outcome. At least you know you stayed true to yourself.”
For her, it’s about honouring what truly feels right, even when it defies logic and convention. “It’s powerful to stand by what you want and who you are,” she reflects. “Self-love, as they say, is the greatest strength. It’s what keeps you steady, kind, and unshaken, no matter what life or the profession throws at you.
Her Advice to Women in Law
Your morals define you, that’s the only advice I think women in this profession should take,” says Samruddhi with quiet conviction. “Litigation is tough. It will test you, daunt you, and at times, even haunt you. But if you stand by your ethics and your morals, nothing and no one can break you.”
For her, strength in law doesn’t come from being the loudest voice in the room, but from being the most grounded. “Integrity isn’t just a value, it’s armour,” she adds. “Once you know what you stand for, the profession can shake you, but it can never move you.
Leadership Trait She Values the Most
“The most important trait for a leader is the ability to strategize,” says Samruddhi with conviction. “Without a sense of strategy, you risk losing even what you once believed you were great at.”
For her, leadership isn’t just about confidence or charisma; it’s about foresight, balance, and the wisdom to think two steps ahead. “Strategy is what sustains skill. It’s what turns potential into progress,” she adds.
Moving from Court Litigation to a Law Firm
“I wouldn’t call it a risk, but definitely a decision I was a bit skeptical about,” says Samruddhi, reflecting on her transition from courtroom litigation to a law firm setting. “I thought it might change everything, maybe even take away the essence of what I loved about law.”
But the experience proved quite the opposite. “I only grew both as a person and as a lawyer. It opened my eyes to an entirely different side of the profession. I got to learn things that go far beyond the courtroom strategy, collaboration, and commercial thinking, and I’ve loved every part of that journey.”
For her, the shift was not about leaving something behind, but about expanding her horizon. “It taught me that growth doesn’t mean letting go of where you started, it means evolving with every step.”
The Legacy She Wishes to Leave Behind
“The legacy I want to leave behind is one of oneness, a true sense of fraternity,” says Samruddhi with quiet warmth. “Because that’s exactly what I received from my mentor.”
For her, success isn’t just about individual achievement; it’s about creating a space where people feel connected, respected, and supported, with the same values that shaped her own journey. “If, through my work and my conduct, I can make even a few people feel the same sense of belonging and guidance that I’ve been fortunate to receive, that would be the most meaningful legacy of all.
Samruddhi Pawar is more than the lawyer to watch – she will challenge the norm and drive legal excellence, as many say, she is unequivocally the future of litigation.
