Bridging Law and Technology: A Legacy Forged by Mahua Roy Chowdhury

“Litigation teaches you resilience. Even in the weakest of cases, you’re trained to find a path through. If there’s a wall, you figure out how to break it or go around it.”

Introduction

With more than twenty-nine years of experience at the nexus of law, technology, and business, Ms Mahua Roy Chowdhury brings to the table a truly unique skill set that very few lawyers possess; she is the epitome of a holistic intellectual property (IP) lawyer. Her expertise spans every stage of the intellectual property lifecycle: she drafts robust patent applications that translate complex inventions into clear, enforceable claims; spearheads anti-counterfeiting actions by working side-by-side with police, Magistrates, and registry officials; leads high-stakes litigation in courts from the Delhi High Court to the Supreme Court; and structures sophisticated technology-transfer and global licensing transactions that turn innovation into commercial opportunity.

A 1996 Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi graduate, Ms Mahua began her career in the Public Prosecutor’s office, managing up to twenty matters a day for just Rs 250. Within a year, she was arguing public interest litigations before Division Benches and the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, where she learned to “find a way” even in the toughest disputes, an ethos she later carried into India’s first coordinated IP enforcement workshops to tackle anti-counterfeiting. She briefed Senior Advocates such as Dr A.M. Singhvi and Dr Surat Singh in landmark matters, and later on she went to pursue an LLM in Intellectual Property at University of New Hampshire (UNH) Franklin Pierce. Despite serious health challenges, she excelled in the school’s intense, case-law-driven curriculum. Although her post-LLM offer in Washington, DC, was withdrawn after 9/11, she returned to India even more determined to build a cutting-edge IP practice.

As Managing Partner of Royzz & Co., Ms Mahua realised her vision of a tech-driven law firm by recruiting engineers and technocrats, many without formal legal training and moulding them into skilled advocates. Under her leadership, Royzz & Co. has handled some of India’s most complex patent prosecutions and negotiated multi-million dollar licensing deals with global corporations. She has also published widely on IP policy reform including submitting papers on behalf International Trademark Association (INTA) and led continuing-education seminars for institutes like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), in-house management and enforcement agencies. She has been a Speaker at international and national forums.

A perpetual student, Ms Mahua remains active in academia as a guest lecturer at leading law schools and as a mentor for emerging IP practitioners. She has been recognised by several industry bodies, including Asia IP Leaders and Managing IP, which have lauded her strategic vision and her contributions to strengthening India’s IP ecosystem.

Questions

1. You began your journey in litigation at the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India before transitioning into corporate law, with a focus on IP and technology. In what ways did your experience as a litigator equip you for the challenges of the corporate legal world?

Being a first-generation lawyer without any guidance or mentor, I had a very limited understanding of the profession. All I knew was that the path somehow led to the High Court, a building we passed every day in our special college bus on the way home. For me, the image of a lawyer was simply someone in a black blazer, standing in court and arguing cases. I had no idea that there were alternative career paths within the legal profession.

That perspective began to shift when I transitioned from being a litigator to specialising in intellectual property and entering the corporate world. Surprisingly, that shift came with a strong sense of confidence. Why? Because once you have been a litigator, you learn something crucial: how to interpret the law, how to think on your feet, and how to find solutions even in the most challenging situations. Litigation teaches you resilience. Even in the weakest of cases, you are trained to find a path through. If there is a wall, you figure out how to break it or go around it.

I believe that kind of confidence is not easily built when you start your career on the corporate side. I often say: a litigator can transition into a corporate role, handling transactions, drafting agreements, and negotiating deals. But the reverse is not necessarily true. Someone who begins their career behind a computer screen, focused solely on contracts and compliance, may not have the courtroom instincts, strategic thinking, or grit that litigation instils.

2. Could you share your experience in leading anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy efforts, especially in collaboration with law enforcement agencies at a time when intellectual property was still a relatively unfamiliar concept to them? How did you manage to build understanding and coordination among stakeholders who had limited exposure to IP enforcement?

I was able to take on anti-counterfeiting work and was chosen for it because of my background in litigation, including experience on the criminal law side of practice. At that time, there was really a disconnect between the enforcement agencies (government officials) and IP.

When I started practising IP enforcement, law enforcement agencies viewed intellectual property as a far-fetched, almost alien concept. It simply was not a priority for them, not when compared to handling serious crimes like murder investigations, riots, or terrorism. IP was not even on their radar.

Fortunately, I had the opportunity at a very early stage, when the role was not just about arguing in court or briefing enforcement officials. We had to build awareness from the ground up. That meant conducting workshops to sensitise all relevant stakeholders be it the copyright office, the trademark office, Magistrates, or the police.

In fact, we formed an association of companies under the aegis of an existing information technology (IT) Association and conducted such workshops to sensitise officials. I often worked closely with officers on the ground personally visiting them to explain why a particular case constituted trade mark or copyright infringement, and how it could be treated as a cognizable offence under the law.

Those early days were challenging, we had to work much harder than one might need to today. There was not a lack of interest; IP enforcement simply was not in their list to begin with. We had to work towards building the ecosystem for IP enforcement from scratch.

3. Managing Partner roles often demand significant time and energy. How do you maintain work-life balance amidst challenging cases and client demands? What is one thing you want students of law to adopt to maintain a healthy and productive career?

First of all, I firmly believe there is no gender in our profession. It cannot be defined as a man’s job or a woman’s job. In the early days, when women used to ask me, “How do you, as a woman, manage both your household and a career in law?”, my answer was simple: if my husband is also a working professional, then I stand on equal footing. There is no assigned “role” in my house, he is as much a mother as I am a father. We do not follow conventional role-play norms.

The first step is setting that boundary for yourself, one that challenges traditional expectations. You have to write your own rules and still find a harmony. It is not a circus where you have to walk on a tight rope. You are the Ring Leader!

As for how I manage the balance, the mindset I just described makes a huge difference. But let us break down what “balancing” really means. To me, it is about how I disconnect when I leave the office. In the initial stages of setting up my law firm, there were no boundaries, no timelines. As the Managing Partner establishing my own practice, it was truly a 24/7 and 365 days’ commitment.

But I made conscious choices. My daughter was just two years’ old when I started the firm. For the first ten years, I designated Saturdays as “mother-daughter day”. Wherever I went, whether for events or travel, she accompanied me. We were always talking, always spending time together.

Even when I had to work on Saturdays, I made sure that the time I had outside the office was not spent in the kitchen or dealing with household chores. That time belonged to her, fully and completely.

Another key element I have always emphasised is having a hobby. It does not matter what it is, but you need something that helps you unwind and detach. For me, painting became that outlet. I work on large canvases, and I also enjoy gardening. These moments of creativity and calm are essential they help you reset and recharge.

4. Given your expertise in IP management and valuation, how do you assess the value of intellectual property in today’s dynamic market?

As I had predicted 20 years ago, today’s high-stake matters are largely driven by intangible assets rather than brick-and-mortar ones. Just look around, most major disputes and transactions now revolve around things you cannot physically touch. And where does valuation come from? It comes from demand and supply in the market.

Now ask yourself, what is today’s demand? Can any of us function without our phone for an entire day? The answer is no. That constant need to stay connected, to be available at all times, that has made these intangibles essential, almost like a basic necessity. That is exactly where their value lies.

Today, intangible assets often carry more weight than physical infrastructure. When I travel, I see that most associates and partners in various countries are now working from home. Honestly, I could run my practice without a physical office, I have done it during the pandemic. But can I function without Wi-Fi, without my laptop or my phone? Absolutely not. And all of those are tangible yet driven on intangible resources.

Naturally, the valuation of intangibles has risen. IP valuation follows the same logic, it depends on market demand. If I were to license a particular IP today, its worth would be determined by what value it can fetch today, based on how relevant and necessary it is in the current market.

5. Looking back at your career, what have been some of your most fulfilling moments and challenging experiences? How did these shape your professional growth?

I believe the initial years in a legal career are absolutely critical. It is during this time that many young lawyers decide whether this profession is truly for them. We often see talented lawyers frizzling out in the early stages, simply because they do not find that initial spark or sense of purpose.

When I started my own practice, it was just a year after graduating from law school. I was already arguing my own cases, including public interest litigations, before Division Benches and even the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. That experience was incredibly fulfilling. It was then that I realised: this is it, this is what I am meant to do. Money becomes secondary then this is your investment phase. This profession pays off eventually but requires patience, consistent striving. You may not be able to afford your latest gadget and high-end lifestyle, but if you are passionate you will eventually.

Litigation gives you a platform to be the voice for those who otherwise have no access to justice, whether it is challenging government action, addressing systemic issues, or fighting against injustice. And although today I have moved into corporate law, I can have that sense of achievement that I have been there, and I have done my part.

To all young lawyers, I would say this: dedicate your initial years to litigation, to public interest litigations (PILs), and to pro bono work. That is your training ground. That is where you learn the real skills, free of cost. Yes, you may not earn enough in those early days to buy the latest iPhone, but what you gain in experience and perspective will pay off in the long run even 15 years down the line.

6. Having participated in international conferences and studied IP at UNH Franklin Pierce, how has engaging with a global community shaped your perspective on legal issues?

Legal issues may vary across jurisdictions, but when we talk about IP, it is one area that has largely harmonised the world. I say this especially with the perspective of someone who specialised in IP at my alma mater. Thanks to international frameworks like the World Trade Organisation (WTO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), and various multilateral treaties, IP laws across countries are built on similar fundamentals and share common policies.

In that sense, the IP ecosystem operates on more or less equal footing globally. And that is valuable. If I compare this with my experience studying in the United States, one major challenge there is the legal diversity, laws differ significantly from State to State. In contrast, India, despite being a union of several States, has far more uniformity in its legal system. Yes, we have the division of powers between the Union and the States, with the Concurrent List in place, but when it comes to laws that impact our daily lives, India follows a largely centralised legal framework. States are allowed some leeway in framing specific rules under certain statutes, but the base law remains consistent. That uniformity helps a lot.

Now coming back to IP, I believe India’s IP laws, in many respects, are quite evolved. Perhaps it is because India entered the global IP landscape at a later stage. We had the advantage of learning from the experiences and mistakes of other countries. Take the example of patent law. The US historically followed the “first to invent” principle, which led to considerable litigation and the need for extensive documentation to prove who invented what first. India, on the other hand, adopted the “first to file” system, which is clearer, simpler, and aligns with global best practices under the Paris Convention³.

Even with copyright law, the Berne Convention⁴ brought many countries onto a common platform, but interestingly, India was a much earlier adopter than the US, which joined much later.

That said, while harmonisation is important, especially to facilitate global business, complete uniformity is not always possible. Legal systems reflect the cultural, social, and historical context of each country. The sources of law are deeply rooted in a society’s way of life, so while convergence is possible in areas like IP, divergence in other areas is inevitable and, at times, necessary.

7. Could you elaborate on the motivations behind Royzz & Co.’s decision to extend scholarships specifically for the LLM (IP) program at the Franklin Pierce —Centre, University of New Hampshire? Moreover, how does Royzz & Co. collaborate with UNH to determine the process and selection criteria for these scholarships?

My motivation for offering scholarships stems from my own journey. When I aspired to study abroad, I did not have the financial means. Despite receiving a 70% scholarship, I still had to sell my house to fund the rest of my education. A tuition waiver helps, but it does not cover everything. You still need financial support for living expenses, travel, and other essentials. So, for me, this is simply a way of giving back to students who have the potential but not the resources.

Why UNH? Because it is my alma mater, and I have a deep connection with it. The education I received at UNH Franklin Pierce was incomparable. I have hired students from various renowned universities, but the curriculum and teaching approach at UNH were far more pragmatic and equip you to practice.

As for the scholarship selection process, I have completely disassociated myself from it to ensure transparency and avoid any bias. The university independently decides the recipients based on merit and applications. I only get introduced to the candidate once the decision is made. Interested students must first secure admission and then apply for the scholarship directly through the university’s website.

8. Throughout your career, who have been your mentors or role models, and how have they influenced your approach to leadership and legal practice?

Unfortunately, there was none. I faced hurdles, and each time I did, I simply told myself, maybe this is what I need to do next. That is why I often say, it took me time to bloom. I was navigating through uncertainty, letting my circumstances guide me. When I began practising, I worked with Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi and several Harvard LLM graduates. That is when I felt, maybe I need to pursue an LLM too. So, I started exploring that path.

Every major decision I took was based on necessity. When I returned to India with an LLM in Intellectual Property, I had no plan of starting a law firm. The opportunity presented itself, and I embraced it. That is why I believe one should not overstructure their career plans or restrict themselves too early. Go with the flow.

In the early stages of your career, let the choice of specialisation come to you organically. I did not begin my practice thinking I had end up in IP. Just be consistent with your work, whether you are at a law firm or assisting a litigator. Keep working hard, and the right direction will eventually reveal itself.

9. Could you tell us about your experience founding and participating in the “Tihar Jail Project” with Dr Kiran Bedi? How did this initiative impact your perspective on legal advocacy and providing pro bono assistance to inmates?

I am very proud to say that, today most law colleges include a visit to a jail as part of their curriculum. But back when I was in college, there was no such structure. I was fortunate to be one of the protagonists in starting this initiative, though I would not take full credit for it. The real credit goes to Dr Kiran Bedi, the visionary.

At that time, I was the Secretary General of the Student Union Body in my college. She sent a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to reach out to me. I found the idea compelling that, we as students, could contribute pro bono legal assistance to under trials who had no access to legal aid.

Coincidentally, we were studying Criminology that semester. And, as luck would have it again, our Criminology Professor was also the head of the Campus Law Centre. When he heard about the initiative and that a few of us were involved, it gained momentum. Soon, everyone in the college wanted to be part of what came to be known as the Tihar Jail Project.

Dr Kiran Bedi personally addressed us, guided us, and allocated us across different jails within Tihar. As often happens in the legal profession, we started with more than 100 students, but after a few months, only 7-8 of us remained consistently involved. I was one of them, along with my small team.

Looking back, I firmly believe that every young law student should dedicate the early part of their legal career to working for the common people, those without access to financial resources or legal aid. This kind of work not only teaches you the true value of the profession, but it also brings a sense of fulfilment that no job title or paycheck can provide. This also connects you to the root of our social issues, which people face in their day-to-day life.

Before life places demands on you like equated monthly instalments (EMIs), responsibilities, or the next upgraded phone, make sure you devote some part of your early journey to meaningful, service-driven legal work. It will shape you both as a professional and as a person.

10. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future of Royzz & Co.? How do you envision the firm’s growth and impact in the legal industry over the coming years?

I have always positioned Royzz & Co. as a tech-oriented law firm. From the very beginning, our hiring philosophy reflected this vision, we prioritised technocrats and engineers, even those who did not have a law background when they joined us. I encouraged many of them to pursue law while working with us because I believed that the future of high-stakes legal matters would revolve around intangibles and technology. And today, that belief has played out exactly as I had envisioned.

Being open to technology is absolutely critical. You do not need to be an engineer to have a tech-savvy mindset. What matters is your curiosity, your willingness to engage with technology, and your refusal to let it intimidate you. I have personally drafted patents for IIT Bombay in areas like semiconductors and nanotechnology. I do not hold a degree in those fields, I simply kept learning, studying science alongside law, and gradually widened my horizon.

As a lawyer, you should never limit or restrict yourself. Your college gives you a degree and foundational knowledge, but real learning starts afterwards. I still consider myself a student, every single day. I am constantly learning, even from my juniors. That hunger to learn, especially in fast-evolving domains like technology, is essential.

If you shut your eyes to new challenges and say, “this is not my domain”, then as a lawyer and as a person you have failed. At Royzz & Co., our strength lies in understanding technology, whether the matter is arbitration, litigation, software infringement, or complex transactional issues.

Going forward, I do not aspire to build a 400-lawyer or 500-lawyer firm with a massive bank balance. That is not the goal. My aspiration is to maintain a techno-minded, tight-knit team of sharp, intelligent, and street-smart lawyers who can crack any complex techno-legal problem, no matter the area of law. That is the true identity and ambition of Royzz & Co.

11. As a seasoned legal professional with extensive experience in IP, technology, and corporate law, what advice would you give to the readers of SCC OnLine Times who are aspiring lawyers or practitioners looking to excel in their careers?

It is easy to say, but I have been there, I have lived it, and I know how difficult it truly is. In the early stages of your legal career, do not focus on the money or the salary. Do not assume that campus placements define your worth. And please, do not think that if you are not in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 law firm, you are not successful, that is simply not true.

Being a lawyer means you are an industry in yourself. Your soft skills, your intellect, your hard work, and your legal knowledge, together they form a 360-degree institution. That is what this profession truly demands and represents.

In the initial phase of your journey, what matters most is finding a good mentor, someone who will teach you, even if it is through tough experiences. Whether it means running from one registry counter to another in the High Court, making rounds at the District Court, or simply going through the daily sweat and brow of litigation, it all builds you.

If you are genuinely dedicated, the recognition and success will come. You do not need the tag of a big law firm or a fancy company name to prove your worth. What you need is consistency, hunger to learn, and the right values.⁵ The profession will reward you for it. Unfortunately, nowadays expensive legal education pays a vicious role in raising expectation of parents, education institutes boasting their campus placements and peer-pressure in getting a high packet job.

I have come to know a reputed institute support their students for two years, post their degree if they embrace litigation. We need to see more such institutes coming forward. We also need to see successful Senior Counsels paying their juniors to sustain and breaking that cycle. Let us change the litigation culture!