Building an Institution, Not Just a Career | Mr. Akshay Jaitly on Founding Trilegal | Episode 7

It is with pleasure that we present our seventh episode of Judicata: The NLIU Law Podcast, where we sit down with Mr. Akshay Jaitly, Founding Partner at Trilegal and one of the country's leading voices in energy and infrastructure law. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has built one of India's most prominent law firms from the ground up, and it shows through his dialogue with us about the values, choices, and quiet risks that went into that journey. In this episode, we trace Mr. Jaitly's path into the profession, from an unplanned entry into law through history at St. Stephen's, international affairs at Columbia, and a law degree at Oxford, as we discuss the founding and growth of Trilegal, the future of energy law in India, and what it really takes to build an institution rather than just a career. Meet Judicata, NLIU’s student-led platform dedicated to making law relatable, accessible, and real. We bridge the gap between theory and practice through candid interviews with professors, advocates, and the alumni of our university. Explore more of our conversations and content below: LinkedIn:   / judicata-the-nliu-law-podcast   Instagram:   / nliu.judicata   Chapters: 0:00 — Opening Montage 0:24 — Welcome and Introduction: Mr. Akshay Jaitly 1:40 — An Accidental Path Into Law: Family, Curiosity and Discovery 5:34 — The First Wind Farm Contract and the Rise of Renewable Energy 6:46 — The Next Frontier: Storage, Nuclear Power and Grid Reform 8:37 — What Indian Legal Education Gets Wrong About Critical Thinking 11:09 — Training the Next Generation: How Trilegal Builds Independent Thinkers 13:25 — Cutting Teeth in Corporate London 14:57 — Founding Trilegal: Confidence, Risk and the India of 2000 17:37 — Finding Mentors in a Profession Built on Self-Belief 19:06 — Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Legal Training 24:32 — Meritocracy Over Family Names: The Founding Values of Trilegal 32:27 — Writing the Book: Institution-Building, Honesty and a Teenage Poem 35:45 — India's Legal Market, Global Giants and the Cost of Litigation 37:55 — Paris, TrustBridge and Building Institutions That Outlast Their Founders 40:22 — Debunking the Myths of a Career in Law 44:48 — Running, Discipline and the Mind-Body Connection 48:21 — What Top Firms Actually Look for in Interns 51:53 — Advice to a Younger Self and Closing Thoughts DISCLAIMER: The content of Judicata: The NLIU Law Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official position of NLIU. Laws may change, and listeners should consult a qualified professional for advice on specific issues. Judicata and its creators disclaim all liability arising from reliance on the information discussed. #Trilegal #AkshayJaitly #LawPodcast #JudicataPodcast #NLIU #IndianLawFirms #LegalCareers #CorporateLaw #BusinessLaw #LawSchoolIndia #NLIUBhopal