Law as a Tool for Change // Janvi Patel - Female Founder, Entrepreneur, Producer and Activist for Women and Children's Rights

"I realised that as much as I can advise on the law, I can also change it" summarises the essence of this conversation with the wonderful Janvi Patel; an entrepreneur, female founder, producer and an activist for women and children’s rights. These titles (expanded on below) only scratch the surface of Janvi’s accomplishments and pioneering path! 

As a private practice lawyer, Janvi received an instinctive feeling that she needed to leave her role – which was at odds with her as an ambitious and diligent woman who didn’t associate with being spontaneous. However, she trusted this soul nudge, left and this led to a path of entrepreneurialism and activism unfolding…...

Janvi co-founded Halebury (launched 2007) and spearheaded operational, structural and cultural change within the legal services profession through a unique business model relating to senior in-house Counsel resourcing, which was then acquired in 2018 by Elevate, a global law company. 

Janvi is also  a founding board member of the legal campaign #FreePeriods, which aims to end period poverty and was part of the team that successfully campaigned the UK Government for free period products in schools. Amongst many other things, Janvi is also on the investment committee of Aliavia Ventures - a female founder VC fund, is a founder of Support SEND Kids to ensure SEND child have access to education, and most recently she has launched a production company and is in the process of finalizing a documentary series.  

We also chat a little about Janvi’s Human Design in this conversation; she is a Manifestor which I could really see in her - an entrepreneurial initiator who is trailblazing us into new ways. In this episode we dive into:-

Janvi’s background, journey into law  and early professional years

• Indian immigrant background – pressure to do well and have a professional career
• Scraping by in A-levels; Mum calling to get her a place at University
• Studying Law and Accounting at Manchester University
• Training Contract as Charles Russell and qualifying in employment
• Always feeling different as a lawyer – not seeing anyone else who looked like her
• Inner feeling arising “I need to quit and not be here' - quitting private practice

Entrepreneurship and activism 

• Co-founding Halebury
  • Early challenges with no money and no clients
  • Juggling early family life and moving to LA
  • How the success of Halebury fast tracked and tips for starting a business
• Activism  
  • The Free Periods campaign - how the team went about this
  • Females being left out of the conversation and science
  • School on Wheels - how it helps homeless children in LA and challenges during 'lockdown'

Contact information for Janvi and some of the projects she supports if you wish to help:-

• Janvi's LinkedIn page
• School on wheels - support here
• SEND kids - support here

Legally Different’s contact information:-

• Email: [email protected]
• Legally Different on Instagram
• Website: www.legallydifferent.com

Thank you for tuning in! This marks the season finale - keep in touch for what’s coming in season 3!

Lauren