Bridging Practice and Policy: Dr. Manoj Kumar on Legislative Drafting, Reform, and the Role of Lawyers

1. Please introduce yourself to our readers.

I am currently serving as Additional Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Law & Justice, Legislative Department. Over the last three decades, I have traversed diverse phases of the legal profession — beginning with corporate law practice at a top tier corporate law firm, founding and leading Hammurabi & Solomon Partners, India Strategy Group, India Unites Foundation and Lexxo LawTech, contributing to professional institutions globally, and now serving in public policy and legislative governance. My journey has been defined by a deep belief that law is not merely a technical instrument but a vital enabler of growth, justice and human dignity.

2. Your professional journey spans across corporate law practice, institution-building, and now legislative drafting at the Ministry of Law & Justice. Looking back, what key experiences have most defined your career?

Three experiences have been defining: (i) the formative years at a top tier corporate law firm where I learned the discipline of corporate lawyering and the importance of precision, speed and client-centricity; (ii) the entrepreneurial and social responsibilities leap in founding and leading Hammurabi & Solomon Partners, India Strategy Group, India Unites Foundation and Lexxo LawTech, which taught me leadership, institution-building, resilience, innovation in legal services, and the value of working committed in social responsibility; and (iii) my current role in the Legislative Department where I see firsthand how laws — when drafted with clarity, simplicity and foresight — become tools for governance, development and empowerment of citizens.

3. From working as a Senior Associate at a top tier corporate law firm to founding Hammurabi & Solomon Partners, you have seen both sides of legal practice — big law firms and entrepreneurship. What inspired you to build your own law firm, and what were the key challenges you faced?

The inspiration came from a desire to blend excellence with innovation — to create a law firm that could be agile, responsive, and solutions-driven, while also rooted in strong ethical and social responsibility values. The early challenges were predictable: building credibility, attracting talent, and competing with established names. But with perseverance, quality work, and institution-building initiatives, Hammurabi & Solomon Partners grew into a respected firm amongst the best in the country.

4. Having led one of India’s most prestigious law firms and now serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Law & Justice, Legislative Department, how has your transition from private practice to public service influenced your understanding of law-making and governance?

The transition from private practice to public service has profoundly transformed my understanding of law-making and governance. In the corporate world, I viewed law as an instrument of certainty and efficiency—enabling commerce and protecting transactions. In government, I see law as an instrument of justice and empowerment—shaping social outcomes, fostering inclusion, and translating policy into people’s lives. It has also underscored the importance of plain language, participatory drafting, and evidence-based policy in creating a legislative ecosystem that truly serves citizens. My years in private practice make me sensitive to how unclear or outdated laws can burden citizens and businesses alike, while my present role allows me to contribute to remedying that.

5. Having served in leadership positions across professional bodies and associations, including as Vice Chair of the Natural Resources Committee at the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and Vice President of the Society of Indian Law Firms. What role do you think such institutions play in shaping professional standards and strengthening India’s legal ecosystem?

Institutions are vital for raising the bar of professionalism. They provide forums for dialogue, comparative learning, and peer accountability. Professional Institutions can be instrumental in articulating best practices, advocating policy reforms, building international bridges, have strengthen the credibility of the legal profession globally and foster a culture of collaborative growth.

6. The emergence of artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the functioning of corporate law practice worldwide. In your view, what balance should corporate law practitioners strike between efficiency, ethics, and safeguarding professional values?

Artificial intelligence (AI) will undoubtedly enhance efficiency, research, and analytics. However, law is not merely about data — it is about judgment, ethics and human empathy. Corporate law practitioners must embrace technology, but always under the guardrails of confidentiality, accountability and professional independence. The balance lies in treating AI as an assistant, not a replacement — augmenting human lawyers while ensuring that the soul of the profession, which is trust and ethical responsibility, remains intact.

7. Legislative drafting is often called out for being overly complex and inaccessible to the common citizen. What steps do you believe can be taken to make laws more concise, clear, and easy to understand?

The first step is adopting plain language drafting — laws written in simple, direct, and clear language without jargon. Second, ensuring codification and consolidation so that citizens are not lost in scattered, overlapping statutes. Third, leveraging digital platforms like India Code to provide easy access, searchability, and translations. Finally, building capacity in plain-language drafting across administrative Ministries and States so that laws are citizen-centric, not lawyer-centric.

8. Given your extensive experience in both practice and policy, what reforms do you think are most urgent in the Indian legal system today — particularly in areas like legislative drafting, regulatory clarity or dispute resolution?

Three urgent reforms stand out: (i) legislative drafting: Simplification, codifying, consolidating, making laws accessible and use of plain language; (ii) regulatory clarity: Moving from fragmented regulations to coherent frameworks that reduce compliance burdens and promote ease of doing business; and (iii) dispute resolution: Expanding mediation, arbitration, and online dispute resolution to make justice quicker, cheaper and more accessible.

9. Over the course of your career, you have mentored and guided young professionals. What qualities do you believe are most essential for the next generation of lawyers and policy-makers?

I would highlight four qualities: integrity, adaptability, clarity of thought and empathy. Young professionals who cultivate these will shape a profession that is globally competitive and socially responsible.

10. As Indian law practitioners and firms expand globally, what competitive edge do you think Indian lawyers and firms can leverage on the international stage?

Having transitioned from private practice to public service, I have seen how Indian lawyers bring a sensitivity to governance, institution-building, and constitutional values that can enrich global legal norms. As law practitioners and firms expand globally, this combination of technical depth, cultural intelligence, innovation, and public-minded professionalism positions Indian lawyers not just as service providers, but as thought partners in shaping the future of international law and legislative policy.

11. What scope do you see for deeper collaboration between law practitioners and law firms and Government in areas like drafting, compliance and dispute resolution?

Law practitioners and firms can contribute immensely with their sectoral expertise, global exposure, and practical insights that enrich law-making as part of stakeholder consultation processes. By testing draft provisions, adapting best practices, and supporting compliance and dispute resolution frameworks, they help bridge the gap between policy intent and ground.

12. If you could go back to the start of your legal career, what advice would you give to your younger self?

I would remind myself to stay curious, embrace technology early, and never underestimate the value of mentorship and institution-building. Also, I would advise my younger self to always see law as an instrument of service, not just success. Success follows when service is authentic.