Purvi Shah Asher: Balancing Law, Legacy, and Life with Purpose

For many professionals, success is measured by titles, achievements, and recognition. But for Purvi Shah Asher, success has always been deeply rooted in purpose — helping people, upholding integrity, and creating balance in life while excelling in a demanding profession. A daughter, sister, wife, and full-time working mother to a teenage son, Purvi Shah Asher represents the modern Indian woman who seamlessly balances multiple roles while staying true to her values.

Born, educated, and working in Mumbai, the city remains the only place she truly calls home. Today, she is a solicitor and partner at Mansukhlal Hiralal & Co., a boutique civil law firm with offices in Mumbai and Delhi. Yet behind her professional accomplishments lies a journey shaped by discipline, resilience, and the influence of one extraordinary individual — her father, Mr. Rajendra A. Shah.

Purvi credits her father as her greatest inspiration. Watching him dedicate his life to helping clients and making meaningful differences in people’s lives inspired her to follow in his footsteps. Even at the age of 80, he continues to practice law full-time with the same passion and commitment that defined his earlier years. His unwavering willingness to go out on a limb to help others left a lasting impression on Purvi, who now aspires to carry forward his legacy of service, ethics, and integrity.

At the same time, Purvi acknowledges that maintaining, continuing, and growing a legal practice with a 114-year legacy brings with it a unique set of challenges and responsibilities. Upholding the reputation built over generations while adapting to changing times creates a different kind of pressure altogether—one that demands a careful balance between preserving cherished values and embracing progress. She views this responsibility not as a burden, but as a privilege and an opportunity to strengthen the firm’s legacy for future generations.

Purvi’s academic journey began at Jai Hind College, where she completed her commerce degree, followed by an LLB from Government Law College. She later qualified as a Solicitor in India as well as in the UK & Wales. Her years at Government Law College played a defining role in shaping her professional journey. Since classes were held early in the morning, she was able to begin long-term internships from her very first year. By her second year, she had already started her article ship for

solicitors while simultaneously balancing college with full-time office work. This early practical exposure gave her an invaluable advantage. Instead of learning law only through textbooks, she experienced the realities of legal practice first-hand — one day, one case, and one lesson at a time.

According to Purvi, the Solicitors’ curriculum in India was instrumental in her development. It provided her with a holistic understanding of law and taught her how interconnected different statutes are in practical application. This ability to “connect the dots” became one of her strongest professional assets. Despite her professional success today, Purvi admits that she was naturally shy in her early years. Public speaking felt intimidating, and even arguing in court initially seemed overwhelming.

Instead of avoiding discomfort, she consciously placed herself in situations where speaking was unavoidable. Over time, this deliberate effort transformed her confidence.

Today, the same person who once feared public speaking confidently argues cases in court, delivers guest lectures at law colleges, participates in panels, and has even become a TEDx speaker — something she never imagined during the early stages of her career.

Her TEDx talk, “Equality Begins at Home – One Household at a Time,” reflects values that continue to guide both her personal and professional life. Like many professionals, Purvi initially believed that excellent execution alone would naturally attract clients and opportunities. Over time, she realized that while quality work is essential, networking and visibility are equally important — especially as an equity partner responsible for generating work. To overcome this challenge, she consciously stepped outside her comfort zone. She joined professional forums, accepted speaking opportunities, wrote articles, and participated in interviews and panel discussions.

At the same time, she became increasingly vocal about issues relating to women’s rights, including inheritance rights and marital rights. Guided by the philosophy of “giver’s gain,” she found deeper professional fulfilment in helping women navigate legal challenges and access justice. For Purvi, helping people in need was the very reason she chose to study law — and it remains the source of her greatest professional satisfaction. Early in her career, Purvi often worked 12-hour days, eventually experiencing burnout. That phase taught her a lesson many professionals learn too late — success is unsustainable without balance. She consciously began prioritizing self-care and carving out personal time. Bharatnatyam, reading, fitness, and spending time with family became her anchors. These activities not only helped her recharge emotionally and physically but also made her sharper, more creative, and more effective professionally. She believes self-care is not a luxury but a necessity — especially in high-pressure professions like law. Purvi strongly believes that law is a dynamic profession where continuous learning is non-negotiable.

An avid reader herself, she constantly updates her knowledge and encourages the same culture within her firm. At Mansukhlal Hiralal & Co., the team regularly conducts monthly update sessions and publishes insights on new legal developments for clients.

She also emphasizes the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in the legal sector. While AI tools are rapidly transforming legal research and drafting, she believes human judgment remains irreplaceable. According to her, balancing AI with human intelligence is now just as important as maintaining work life balance.

Another important factor in Purvi’s journey has been surrounding herself with the right people. She consciously built friendships with individuals who were themselves leaders and business heads in their respective fields. These relationships broadened her perspective, challenged her thinking, and gave her the confidence to face challenges head-on. Their diverse viewpoints enriched both her professional and personal life.

For students and young professionals looking to pursue a similar path, Purvi strongly recommends beginning practical training as early as possible. Internships and articleships, she says, provide invaluable exposure that classrooms alone cannot offer. She also firmly believes that litigation experience is essential, even for those pursuing corporate or contractual work. “Contracts and corporate work only have meaning if they can stand the test of the courts,” she explains.

She also advises aspiring lawyers to:

 Stay updated with legal developments.

 Embrace technology and AI tools responsibly.

 Develop communication, networking, and empathy skills.

 Build meaningful professional relationships.

 Prioritize physical and mental well-being.

At the same time, she cautions young people against choosing law based solely on glamorous portrayals in television dramas like Suits. Real legal practice, she says, is far removed from the polished world of Harvey Specter or Jessica Pearson.

Law demands patience, persistence, discipline, and a genuine commitment to justice.

For Purvi, passion was the spark that drove her toward law, but practicality and financial stability became the fuel that sustained her journey. She believes passion without practicality eventually fades. Sustained success comes from balancing ambition with strategic thinking, continuous learning, disciplined choices, and emotional well-being. By investing time in family, Bharatnatyam, reading, and fitness, she ensured her passion remained sustainable rather than consumed by pressure and burnout. As someone deeply committed to equality, fairness, and service, Purvi continues to build a career rooted in meaning rather than mere achievement. Her message to the next generation is simple yet powerful: practical exposure, continuous learning, empathy, adaptability, and balance are the foundations of a meaningful legal career. For aspiring lawyers eager to gain real-world exposure, she encourages reaching out to boutique law firms like Mansukhlal Hiralal & Co., where mentorship and hands-on learning remain integral to professional growth.

Above all, she believes equality and balance — both at home and at work — are essential not only for building successful careers, but also for building fulfilling lives.