Ruhi Ahire Shukla & Akshada Thakaregudadhe : Innovating Legal Solutions With Purpose And Precision Driven Approach
Ruhi Ahire Shukla & Akshada Thakaregudadhe
Founder Partners
Their journey from trainee associate to co-founder of a pioneering all-women-led firm is a story of resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to progress. With expertise spanning drafting and conveyancing, litigation management,arbitration, negotiation, and client advisory, the duo have worked across corporate, civil, Family and commercial law with equal proficiency. Under their leadership, AT Legal, the firm they co-founded, operates with a vision to provide one-stop solutions for varied legal needs.
With a presence across multiple Indian cities, its philosophy blends legal expertise with commercial insight, delivering tailored, practical solutions. Recognized as one of Maharashtra’s early specialists in RERA services, the firm has handled over 500 real estate projects while maintaining a strong commitment to probono work.
CEO Insights engaged in a one on one interaction with Ruhi Ahire Shukla and Akshada Thakare-Gudadhe. Let’s hear more from them.
How have your professional experiences influenced your approach to guiding an organization toward its long-term goals?
Ruhi: My journey as a lawyer has been filled with challenges, but my positive and never-give-up attitude has taken me from a trainee associate to founding AT Legal, an all-women-led law firm. I have extensive experience in civil and criminal litigation, handling matters including domestic violence, sexual harassment, divorce, property disputes, commercial issues, and arbitration. My expertise spans drafting, conveyancing, negotiation, litigation management, and client relations. I have represented clients in specialized tribunals like the NGT, DRT, and Labour Court, and participated in national and international conferences on human rights, environmental protection, and education. Social impact drives my work.
Akshada: I am the founder and partner of AT Legal, the first women-led law firm dedicated to providing strategic and comprehensive legal solutions that promote clients’ long-term legal and business wellbeing.
I guide clients through complex challenges, leveraging my expertise in corporate law, international business law, litigation, arbitration, and debt recovery. My work spans corporate advisory, employment laws, company incorporation, commercial and IPR litigation, corporate compliance, and real estate project approvals.
I have experience with international matters involving the EU and UK, including establishing a company under UK law and contributing to the Indo-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce. I have also represented clients at the Bombay High Court and participated in global law conferences and WTO simulations.
How do you promote innovation and the adoption of new technologies within the firm under your leadership?
Akshada: For me, innovation means finding ways to work better, faster, and smarter for clients. At AT Legal, we combine strong legal thinking with technology that adds real value.
We use tools like Legistify, Lawttoerny for research, contract drafting, and analysis, alongside core platforms such as SCC Online, Manupatra, and All India Reporter, all enhanced with AI capabilities for sharper, faster research in Indian case law.
Our team embraces a mindset of curiosity, exploring tools that genuinely help, and sharing insights in regular tech sessions. Technology supports, not replaces us, enabling us to advise wisely and advocate effectively while delivering greater efficiency.
How do you guide your team in tailoring their advocacy to align with the legal culture and expectations of diverse clients?
Ruhi: The key is recognizing that every client is different, and advocacy must go beyond legal knowledge to understanding what matters to them. At AT Legal, we focus on learning each client’s background, comfort zone, and communication style. A startup founder may prefer clear, actionable steps, while a senior executive might want detailed reasoning.
Juniors join client meetings to observe these nuances and learn to adapt. We encourage asking questions, reading the room, simplifying without oversimplifying, and balancing professionalism with relatability. Through open discussions on what worked and what didn’t, we build trust by tailoring our approach to each client’s needs.
I guide clients through complex challenges, leveraging my expertise in corporate law, international business law, litigation, arbitration, and debt recovery. My work spans corporate advisory, employment laws, company incorporation, commercial and IPR litigation, corporate compliance, and real estate project approvals.
I have experience with international matters involving the EU and UK, including establishing a company under UK law and contributing to the Indo-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce. I have also represented clients at the Bombay High Court and participated in global law conferences and WTO simulations.
Leadership grows from how you show up and the trust you earn, not just from holding a title
How do you promote innovation and the adoption of new technologies within the firm under your leadership?
Akshada: For me, innovation means finding ways to work better, faster, and smarter for clients. At AT Legal, we combine strong legal thinking with technology that adds real value.
We use tools like Legistify, Lawttoerny for research, contract drafting, and analysis, alongside core platforms such as SCC Online, Manupatra, and All India Reporter, all enhanced with AI capabilities for sharper, faster research in Indian case law.
Our team embraces a mindset of curiosity, exploring tools that genuinely help, and sharing insights in regular tech sessions. Technology supports, not replaces us, enabling us to advise wisely and advocate effectively while delivering greater efficiency.
How do you guide your team in tailoring their advocacy to align with the legal culture and expectations of diverse clients?
Ruhi: The key is recognizing that every client is different, and advocacy must go beyond legal knowledge to understanding what matters to them. At AT Legal, we focus on learning each client’s background, comfort zone, and communication style. A startup founder may prefer clear, actionable steps, while a senior executive might want detailed reasoning.
Juniors join client meetings to observe these nuances and learn to adapt. We encourage asking questions, reading the room, simplifying without oversimplifying, and balancing professionalism with relatability. Through open discussions on what worked and what didn’t, we build trust by tailoring our approach to each client’s needs.
What is your long-term vision, and what strategic priorities will guide you in the coming years?
Akshada: My vision is to build a progressive, client focused, and technologically enabled law firm that not only adapts to but leads the evolving legal landscape. I believe the future lies in blending deep legal expertise, ethical integrity, and innovation. In the coming years, we will enhance client experience through digital tools for transparency, efficiency, and accessibility; invest in talent through mentorship, continuous education, and an inclusive workplace; expand into emerging areas like data privacy, ESG compliance, and fintech regulation; and form strategic collaborations with legal tech platforms and cross-border firms. Committed to sustainability, ethics, and pro bono work, we aim to be a future-ready, client-trusted, and purpose-driven firm shaping change.
Given your extensive professional experience, what advice would you offer to aspiring leaders in the industry?
Our advice to aspiring leaders is to focus on building long-term credibility through consistency, respect, and openness to learning. Technical skills are important, but emotional intelligence and people skills will take you further in managing teams and clients. Bring your unique voice, challenge outdated practices, and embrace innovation. Stay true to your values, be dependable, and think independently. Leadership grows from how you show up and the trust you earn, not just from holding a title.
Adv. Ruhi Ahire Shukla, Founder Partner, AT Legal Law Firm
Adv. Ruhi Ahire Shukla combines consistent leadership, empathy, and adaptability with a strong voice for innovation, encouraging professionals to stay true to their values while building credibility and driving positive change in the evolving legal industry.
Adv. Akshada Thakare-Gudadhe, Founder Partner, AT Legal Law Firm
Adv. Akshada Thakare-Gudadhe, Founder and Partner of AT Legal, specializes in corporate, commercial, international business law, litigation, arbitration, and debt recovery. She also handles IP, employment, labor laws, and real estate approvals. Experienced in cross-border work with the EU and UK, she represents clients before the Bombay High Court and various authorities. Committed to global legal standards, she guides clients with strategic insight and integrity through complex legal challenges.
Akshada: My vision is to build a progressive, client focused, and technologically enabled law firm that not only adapts to but leads the evolving legal landscape. I believe the future lies in blending deep legal expertise, ethical integrity, and innovation. In the coming years, we will enhance client experience through digital tools for transparency, efficiency, and accessibility; invest in talent through mentorship, continuous education, and an inclusive workplace; expand into emerging areas like data privacy, ESG compliance, and fintech regulation; and form strategic collaborations with legal tech platforms and cross-border firms. Committed to sustainability, ethics, and pro bono work, we aim to be a future-ready, client-trusted, and purpose-driven firm shaping change.
Given your extensive professional experience, what advice would you offer to aspiring leaders in the industry?
Our advice to aspiring leaders is to focus on building long-term credibility through consistency, respect, and openness to learning. Technical skills are important, but emotional intelligence and people skills will take you further in managing teams and clients. Bring your unique voice, challenge outdated practices, and embrace innovation. Stay true to your values, be dependable, and think independently. Leadership grows from how you show up and the trust you earn, not just from holding a title.
Adv. Ruhi Ahire Shukla, Founder Partner, AT Legal Law Firm
Adv. Ruhi Ahire Shukla combines consistent leadership, empathy, and adaptability with a strong voice for innovation, encouraging professionals to stay true to their values while building credibility and driving positive change in the evolving legal industry.
Adv. Akshada Thakare-Gudadhe, Founder Partner, AT Legal Law Firm
Adv. Akshada Thakare-Gudadhe, Founder and Partner of AT Legal, specializes in corporate, commercial, international business law, litigation, arbitration, and debt recovery. She also handles IP, employment, labor laws, and real estate approvals. Experienced in cross-border work with the EU and UK, she represents clients before the Bombay High Court and various authorities. Committed to global legal standards, she guides clients with strategic insight and integrity through complex legal challenges.