Head & Group General Counsel, Hdfc Bank
Search every verified Sudhir Jha interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a July 2025 interview, Sudhir Jha, Group Head and Group General Counsel at HDFC Bank, discussed his philosophy on law and leadership. He described a lawyer as "a sharp knife" and emphasized that lawyers should understand the industries they advise, which led him to pursue a master's in finance. Jha stated he does not believe in work-life balance but in "equilibrium," and credited his family for supporting his career and academic pursuits, including doctoral research in finance. He advised young lawyers to focus on enjoying the practice of law for several years and to read unrelated subjects for inspiration. Jha also reflected on the human aspects of legal work, recounting a difficult experience while handling a case at ICICI where he had to enforce a court order to take possession of a property, displacing workers and their families. He said such situations require a "total revolution" in how the law is applied, noting that "there are human aspects that come in which don't seem right when you're strictly following the law." Jha described his leadership style as inclusive, stating that "people make you a leader" and that he encourages even trainees to argue and express their views. He expressed a desire to be remembered not for his position but for being helpful to those in his life)Skip
“I always believed that a lawyer is like a sharp knife and if you're sharp enough you can cut everything that you want. That's how I moved on to finance.”
“Being a lawyer, you can't be just a lawyer. You should understand the area where you are advising. To understand that area better, you need to equip yourself with the basic knowledge and the tools. That is how I pursued my masters in finance.”
“One of the biggest saddest experiences I had was when I was handling De Motors at ICICI. You have all the powers and court orders to take possession, but when you enter, you see workers and laborers who have lost their jobs. You have to throw them out to take possession. This is where the conscience comes in, questioni...”
“In law, you can take a decision just by following the law, but there are human aspects that come in which don't seem right when you're strictly following the law.”
“People make you a leader. I've always felt it's a team who makes you leader. In law, we are all professionals, so there cannot be a hierarchy. I have a very inclusive model where even a trainee is free to argue and express.”
“I never believed in work-life balance but in equilibrium. Both are equally important. I've been blessed with a family who helps and supports me, allowing me to slow down when needed and pursue my passion for studies.”
“From my experience, many young lawyers want to do too many things while studying law. Anyone doing law should just enjoy doing law for 3 to 5 years. Also, never put the past into the present; every matter should be seen as if you are there now.”
“Read and study unrelated subjects as well. Ideas always come from unrelated areas. If you think ideas will come only from your own profession, it doesn't.”
“Spirituality is so inbuilt in me. I am a believer of Bhakti Marg. Many ideas and decisions come to me unexpectedly, and I believe it is spirituality guiding me. Everything lies there and takes care of everything.”
“I don't want this world to remember me. I want to be such a human being who becomes a memory chip in everyone's brain by being helpful and present in their lives, whether in good or bad times.”
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