Cyril Shroff, managing partner of law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad have jointly established the Cyril Shroff-IIMA GC Leadership Academy, an initiative aimed at developing the next generation of general counsels for increasingly complex corporate roles.The academy has been established through a personal philanthropic commitment by Shroff and the Shroff family, according to an announcement.The initiative comes as the role of general counsels has expanded beyond traditional legal advisory functions to include enterprise strategy, governance, risk management, technology and business transformation."The role of the General Counsel has moved from legal advisory to enterprise leadership," Shroff said, adding that the academy aims to create a globally relevant platform to prepare future legal leaders with judgement, capability and purpose.The academy will focus on areas including enterprise leadership, finance integration and technological readiness, IIM Ahmedabad said.The partnership brings together legal and management expertise at a time when in-house legal teams are increasingly involved in strategic business decisions, regulatory compliance and risk management, alongside their traditional legal responsibilities.IIM Ahmedabad Director Prof Bharat Bhasker said the initiative would help legal counsels develop the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the changing demands of modern businesses and lead at the intersection of law, business and governance."Great professions are shaped not only by individual excellence, but by institutions that endure. The GC Leadership Academy is a deliberate step towards institution-building for the legal profession and long-term stewardship of the in-house counsel community," Shroff said."Through this Academy, we hope to build a globally relevant platform that prepares the next generation of General Counsels to lead with judgement, capability and purpose." Bhasker said the establishment of the Cyril Shroff-IIMA GC Leadership Academy is a groundbreaking initiative that addresses the evolving needs of General Counsels in today's dynamic business landscape."This partnership and the Academy signify our shared commitment to foster leadership for global institutions at the intersection of law, business, and governance. By focusing on core priorities such as enterprise leadership, finance integration, and technological readiness, we aim to equip legal counsels with the knowledge and tools they need to excel in their roles."Together with Mr. Cyril Shroff, we are dedicated to shaping the next generation of legal counsels who can navigate the challenges and opportunities of modern times," he added.Published on August 9, 2026