Saurabh Srirup, Manager – Legal at HPCL, views his journey in law not as a predetermined route but as a journey shaped by discipline, resilience and continuous learning. Studying at NUSRL and beginning his career in Litigation at Jharkhand High Court, each phase strengthened his foundation. A transition to in house roles broadened his understanding of business led legal strategy and eventually led him to HPCL, where national scale responsibilities deepened his expertise. This conversation traces his evolution from litigation to corporate practice and his multi-jurisdictional experience guiding young lawyers aspiring to build impactful in-house careers.
This interview has been published by Anshi Mudgal and The SuperLawyer Team
With more than a decade of experience, what first drew you to law, and how did law school shape your journey?
Yes, though it’s been a decade, it often feels like I recently completed my law degree. Law is such a field that, once you immerse yourself in it, time feels almost irrelevant because the learning and challenges are continuous and ever-engaging.
I was introduced to law by my father, who is a businessman. As a science student, I initially resisted the idea of appearing for the CLAT exam due to unawareness about the scope of the legal field. However, after learning more about the opportunities after legal education, I gave CLAT and eventually joined NUSRL.
As a first-generation lawyer and part of NUSRL’s first batch, the journey was like fighting two battles simultaneously. In a small batch of just 50 students, many struggled to clear the first year, underscoring the immense challenges we faced. Under the rigorous academic schedule and leadership of Prof. A. K. Koul, completing five years in five years, felt like a significant achievement.
It is often said that unless you walk through the fire, you never really learn how to navigate it, and that journey is what shapes you.
The intense rigour of the initial years in law school was exactly that fire and it played a decisive role in preparing for all the academic and institutional challenges that followed.
One of the learnings from my law school is self-reliance. With no alumni network, limited resources, and no defined roadmap to follow, there was a need to create opportunities – whether it was internships, competitions, or academic initiatives. I embraced leadership roles in various committees and projects, which allowed me to develop skills essential for guiding and collaborating effectively in a constantly evolving environment.
My exposure through internships and research further deepened that learning. As an active member of the Centre for IPR (CSRIPR) at NUSRL, I worked on tracking alleged trademark infringement cases involving SAIL and Lotte’s Choco Pie during my law school days. This hands-on experience gave me valuable insights into how laws operate in the complexities of actual legal practice.
But above everything else, the law school journey taught me resilience. The ability to survive the ambiguity, pressure and uncertainty of an evolving institution has stayed with me and continues to shape how I approach professional challenges even today.
I genuinely believe law school provides endless opportunities, it is up to the individual to recognise, build, and maximise them.
When you started your career at the Jharkhand High Court, what initial challenges did you face as a young lawyer?
In my last semester, I was recruited by a Senior Advocate to join his firm, and stepping into litigation straight out of college was both exciting and challenging. The steep learning curve soon became clear, as courtroom practice required much more than theoretical knowledge. I had to master court craft, draft pleadings that met judges’ expectations, and prepare precise case bundles. However, the rigorous courtroom exercises and Moot Courts at college proved invaluable in preparing me for these demands.
Another significant challenge was navigating the professional environment as a young lawyer with limited networks. Over time, I learned to structure arguments anticipating the judge’s approach, and maintain meticulous attention to detail under pressure.
One challenge was the demanding work schedule. My days started at 7:30 in the morning and often stretched until 10.30 at night, leaving little room for work-life balance except on weekends. Despite the immense pressure to perform, the greatest satisfaction came from the simple joy of seeing a client’s smile, which made all the effort worthwhile.
Another challenge was gaining expertise in niche areas of law such as Electricity laws, VAT laws, and hyper-local land laws etc., the subjects that are often not covered in detail during law school. Mastering these specialized fields required dedicated self-study and practical experience beyond the classroom.
What inspired you to transition into in-house roles, and how did you navigate that shift? Was there any external support, or did you chart the path on your own?
My transition into in-house roles was driven by a desire to understand the business side of legal decision-making. I wanted to broaden my exposure beyond courtroom work and contribute to strategy, compliance, and risk mitigation at an organizational level.
Joining Bajaj Allianz was my first step in that direction, where I handled matters across the state and saw the operational impact of legal decisions. When HPCL’s recruitment opportunity came along, I saw it as the ideal platform, a large, growth-oriented PSU where I could apply legal skills to real-time business scenarios.
There was no external support or a roadmap to follow, most of the shift was self-driven. I relied on my foundational training, adaptability, and willingness to learn.
What has been the key turning point in your journey, and which moment would you consider the defining milestone of your career?
One of the biggest turning points in my professional journey was joining HPCL. When the recruitment notification came out, there were only five legal vacancies. I knew the odds were slim, but I was determined to give my best. The process was intense and rigorous through CBT, GD, Mock Moot Court, Personal Interview and Medical Examination and clearing it felt like a true validation of effort and perseverance.
Choosing HPCL was equally challenging, as I had competing offers at time from Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC), Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure Development Company Limited (JUIDCO) and Bajaj Allianz.
But joining a Maharatna PSU proved to be a transformative decision. It gave me exposure to high-value commercial contracts, multi-state litigations, complex arbitrations, regulatory frameworks, and real-time business decision-making at scale. It pushed me to evolve from a lawyer who argued cases to a lawyer who understands the business behind the cases.
A defining milestone in this journey was receiving HPCL’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2024 which was a proud moment professionally and personally. It reinforced the belief that hard work, accountability, and continuous learning always pay off. Winning first prize at Roobaroo – HPCL’s in-house TEDx-style platform, in both 2019 and 2024 further strengthened my confidence and passion to keep pushing boundaries.
The combination of overcoming odds, stepping into a national scale organisation, and earning recognition for impact, remains the most defining phase of my career so far.
Having handled litigations and arbitrations across multiple states, could you share a few challenging matters and how you navigated them?
Yes, over the years, I have had the opportunity to handle a diverse range of litigations and arbitrations, including commercial disputes, contractual breaches, land matters, criminal cases, and regulatory issues. The real challenge often lay in balancing the intricacies of legal complexities with the practical demands of business imperatives.
One category of challenging cases involved high-stakes commercial disputes where stringent timelines demanded meticulous coordination between operational teams, external counsel, and management. In such matters, the focus is on building airtight documentation, anticipating counter-arguments, and ensuring complete preparedness before hearings.
In one high stake tender matter where the entire selection process was at stake. The issue was in respect with the interpretation of the applicability of price reduction clauses related to MSME regulations. The judicial precedents were silent on the issue. In this case, the interpretation against tender conditions of other major PSUs was used to establish logical practice patterns across the sectors. This unconventional approach helped to build a robust argument and the matter was ultimately decided in favour. It reinforced a key lesson that sometimes going beyond the conventional mode of legal research does help.
In another matter of a remote district, where there were multiple cases including a serious SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act complaint, and the business was facing operational loss. Rather than only pursuing an aggressive litigation strategy, the focus was made on ground-level reconciliation and negotiation with stakeholders. The disputes were resolved amicably and, as a result, all proceedings, including the criminal case, were closed in favour. This experience reminded me that litigations have an underlying human or ego dimension, and the most effective resolution is sometimes outside the courtroom through mediation.
Across jurisdictions, there is a need to navigate through varying local court practices and procedural nuances. This requires adaptability, relationship-building with local counsel, and ensuring interest is protected across forums.
In every matter, the approach has been structured, understands the business context, anticipates risks, and presents a clear strategy backed by strong evidence and legal reasoning.
As you move forward in your career, what future do you envision for yourself and your contribution to the legal and regulatory space?
I see myself continuing to grow as a legal professional by contributing more deeply to strategic decision-making, compliance architecture, and policy advisory roles. As industries evolve and regulations become increasingly dynamic, the need for legal experts who can effectively blend technical knowledge with business insight becomes ever more critical.
I aspire to contribute to strengthening legal governance frameworks, helping organizations stay agile, compliant, and future-ready. Over time, I also hope to mentor young lawyers, sharing insights from my journey as a first-generation lawyer navigating the corporate legal world.
What guiding philosophy or long-term purpose continues to drive you as you expand your professional horizons?
My guiding philosophy has always been integrity, continuous learning, and responsibility.
Being a first-generation lawyer taught me the value of building oneself through perseverance. My experience at HPCL reinforced the value of aligning legal principles with organizational goals to create meaningful impact.
I believe in purposeful growth, every case handled, every challenge faced, and every new responsibility undertaken should not only enhance professional skills but also shape personal character.
What advice would you offer to students aspiring to build a strong in-house legal career?
My first advice is to build a strong foundation in essentials such as drafting, research, statutory interpretation, and understanding business processes, since in-house roles require a practical mindset beyond purely academic knowledge.
Secondly, prioritize communication and collaboration skills, as in-house counsel interact frequently with cross-functional teams and must explain complex legal concepts simply.
Third, focus on problem-solving and risk assessment, because business teams seek solutions, not obstacles.
Finally, remain curious and adaptable, continuously updating your knowledge to keep pace with rapidly evolving industries. With the right blend of legal expertise, business insight, and professionalism, students can forge fulfilling and impactful careers as in-house counsel.
Get in touch with Saurabh Srirup –
Great Insights. Saurabh Sir journey is an inspiration for first generation lawyers.
Highly motivating!