Asking the Right Questions
A dispute-resolution leader who measures legal leadership by the clarity it creates when the answer is not obvious
Beyond designations and professional milestones, Mr. Ashutosh Paarcha measures his career by the difference he can make. He currently serves as Vice President – Legal (Head of Dispute Resolution) at Zepto; he says the true measure of legal leadership often lies in creating clarity when the answer is not obvious. He also represented the State of Rajasthan before the Supreme Court and worked across diverse corporate environments, shaping his ability to approach complex matters.
As Mr. Ashutosh Paarcha puts it, “A good lawyer should help the business see the choices available, not just the risk.”
Recognized as one of the 10 Most Inspiring Legal Leaders in India 2026, he shares his perspective on why lawyers should be seen as problem-solvers rather than simply risk gatekeepers in an exclusive conversation with Corporate TrendZ:
“If I had to remove one misconception, it would be that lawyers exist primarily to say ‘NO’. I understand why that perception exists. Our job includes flagging risk, pointing out what cannot be done, and asking difficult questions when everyone else is eager to move ahead. But I don’t believe that is where legal adds the most value. A good lawyer should help the business see the choices available, not just the risk. Sometimes the right answer is to stop. More often, it is to change the structure, rethink the approach, allocate the risk differently, or find another route to the same objective. That requires understanding the business, listening to the people running it, and appreciating the realities of speed, competition and execution.”
He further added:
“The best legal teams are the ones a business turns to early, not only when something has gone wrong. When legal becomes part of the problem-solving process rather than the final checkpoint, the organisation can move faster and with fewer surprises.”
🏆 10 Most Inspiring Legal Leaders in India 2026 — Mr. Ashutosh Paarcha, Vice President – Legal (Head of Dispute Resolution) at Zepto. ✨