I found Law an empowering profession where you ensured rights of people
Published on : Wednesday 08-03-2023
Roop Loomba, Legal Practitioner and Business Leader.
What does International Women's Day mean to you?
Women’s Day means accountability after a year of actions taken by each one of us in the preceding year to empower fellow women. We must all introspect about the last 12 months whether we became a reason to give happiness to any fellow woman, did we empower any woman or did we mentor any woman.
What are your career aspirations? Did you have an aspiration to follow this field already at an early age? What was the source of inspiration?
I would like to reach the Zenith and leave a legacy where the younger people get inspired and have something to look up to in terms of hard work, integrity and character. My interest to pursue Law developed much later around college. Source of inspiration was that I found this to be an empowering profession where you ensured the rights of people.
Compromise – what does it mean to you in your professional life and in your family life?
We all make compromises at a certain level; though I have made very few compromises as my parents brought us up in a very enabling environment even though I was the only sister to two brothers. My parents brought us up like equals. My brothers stood and till now stand behind me like a rock.
They know my dedication towards work and always encourage me to go all out. I faced many challenges in life wherein few people judged my professionalism; however I always had support from my husband. However when a woman is judged for being professional in certain stages of her life that is inequitable and painful. I love my work and any remark against my work pains me. My work is my soul. I was clear that I cannot imagine a life without work and I knew that the more I grew, the more demanding my job would be. Whenever I faced a challenge, my determination only grew multifolds. One should face challenges as a path to success and growth. Face challenges like a game, become hungrier to reinvent yourself.
Are there professions which are easier for women to pursue? What makes the other professions more difficult?
I do not consider any profession to be easier between two genders. It is all in your mind. I think some time back certain jobs like teaching, etc., were thought more apt for women. I think this narrative has changed now.
How did you experience work from home – as a boon or as a burden?
Work from home became cumbersome especially for women who had to strike a balance between home chores and work. Even though for me there was not much work (home chores) as I divided the work between family members but personally I do not enjoy work from home. I am an office person and I enjoy working from the office.
Have you ever missed a career opportunity or promotion due to multiple demands on you as a female? If yes, were you able to voice your thoughts to those who mattered?
Unfortunately even if I have been a go getter, I did miss these opportunities. I voice them all the time and regret not availing them. I would have taken my career to an even better level. I would not advise other women to repeat my mistake. If you are career driven, you must conquer your dreams.
In what way is today's workplace better than at the turn of the millennium with respect to gender issues?
Inclusivity is better; however we are still on that journey and the destination has not yet arrived.
Why do we need more women in leadership?
Balance is always better. Women bring in tolerance, empathy, resilience, multitasking and different perspectives and values on the table. It is time now to give diversity a different shape by not only hiring women, but further retaining them and making sure that they are groomed to leadership positions. Women leaders should take this responsibility more than anybody else. Each Leader should pool in efforts and dedication in grooming women leaders in the system.
What progress have you seen on gender equality in your life and work?
In life at my parents’ house I always had gender equality. Wherever I felt that it was denied, I stood up for it.
Share a women's empowerment moment that inspired you.
I was the first woman hired in India in the anti-counterfeit role in Castrol India, which was a challenging role and I was empowered by my Leaders to do the role well. If I look back, I am genuinely grateful to life for the great Leaders I got to work with as they empowered me and gave me wind under my wings.
How would you describe yourself in just three words?
Passionate. Empathetic. Generous.
With over 22 years of rich professional experience as In-house Counsel and General Counsel and last 15 years in Leadership, Roop has worked at various companies including Rolls-Royce India Limited, Hindustan Unilever, Louis Dreyfus Commodities and Castrol India,Whirlpool of India Limited, Philips India Limited. In the process she has gained constructive expertise in Legal Operations encompassing Legal Strategy, Litigation Management, Business Partnering, Compliances, Business Divestment, Integration, Factory Compliances, etc.
Roop has now started her own Law practice. She is a skilled Lawyer and has made a name for herself not only as a top Lawyer but also is known for her high integrity and high work ethics.
Awards and Accolades
Roop has various accolades to her credit and is listed as top 100 General Counsels in India for two years (2020-2021) by Business World (Legal), Top 100 General Counsels by Legal 500 (UK Publication) and by World IP Forum as Top 100 Powerful Women in Law and was nominated as a member of International Council of Jurists, London. Roop is also a recipient of 'Woman Lawyer of the Year Award by Legal Era' and Best Lawyer in Engineering IBLJ.
For her work as In-house Counsel at Philips Lighting, Roop has been a recipient of a range of awards for her services to the company (received the CEO Award consecutively for 3 years).
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