Waymaker Wednesday: Women in LegalTech – Meet Avanti Durani Mittal

This week, we’re spotlighting Avanti Durani Mittal, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Setu, a LegalTech initiative working at the intersection of law, technology, and access to justice. Avanti is focused on building practical, human-centred solutions that address one of the most persistent gaps in the legal system: access to clear, reliable legal information for underserved communities.

At Setu, Avanti leads the development of AI-powered tools designed to be simple, intuitive, and inclusive. The platform is built to support multilingual and audio-based access, ensuring that legal information is not limited by language, literacy, or geography.

Through Setu, Avanti is reimagining how legal knowledge can be accessed and experienced, using technology not just as an efficiency tool, but as a means to enable equity, participation, and informed decision-making within the legal ecosystem.

Here’s a peek into her world:

1. What inspired you to join the Women in LegalTech community?

I’ve always worked in the law and justice space but approaching it from a policy lens often felt slow, distant, and removed from everyday impact. I wanted to contribute to something more tangible, something that could meaningfully expand access to justice and help people navigate the system. Legaltech felt like the right intersection: practical, scalable, and able to make a direct difference in someone’s life.

But when I entered the legaltech space, I realised I didn’t know many lawyers, especially women, working in this field. I wanted to meet like-minded people, learn from their journeys, and understand the realities of the sector I was stepping into. I also happened to become a founder around the same time, so having a community I could turn to for guidance, perspective, and support felt invaluable.

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2. If you could solve one problem in the legal world (or beyond) with technology, what would it be?

Within the legal world, the problem I most want to address is the timeline and quality of justice delivery. Access to justice isn’t just about rights existing on paper; it’s about a system that works swiftly, affordably, and predictably enough that people don’t have to compromise their choices or futures because the legal process is broken, delayed, or too expensive. Whether through technology or structural reform, this is a challenge I’d love to help solve.

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3. What’s one book, podcast, or resource that’s made a big impact on how you think about work or life?

A book that has stayed with me is Annihilation of Caste by B. R. Ambedkar. It helped me make sense of the social, political, and economic realities we’re living through. I increasingly feel we’re in a transitional phase as a country, and so much of what we experience today has roots in our social history. And a podcast I really enjoyed is Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History. His approach to unpacking events, presenting overlooked narratives, and connecting seemingly unrelated ideas, also led me to explore unfamiliar corners of history and thought that I might never have encountered otherwise.

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4. Outside of work, what’s something you’re passionate about or love spending time on?

I love travelling—exploring new places, cultures, and food. I often choose destinations based on what I need in that moment: rest, inspiration, a reset, or simply time to make memories with friends and family. And I love to sing. Slipping into music is one of my favourite ways to unwind and express myself.

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5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received as a woman in your career journey?

This isn’t advice I received from one person, but something I’ve absorbed over time: you spend an enormous amount of time with your colleagues, so make that experience enjoyable for everyone. Investing in people—not just in the work—creates better motivation, healthier teams, and less burnout.

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6. If you weren’t working in law/legaltech, what’s another path you could totally see yourself in?

Before turning to law, I was interested in medicine and science, especially evolutionary biology, so I might have pursued something in that field. On the other hand, I would love to see myself exploring something more artistic and creative.

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Avanti’s work with Setu highlights how thoughtful LegalTech can play a meaningful role in bridging legal information gaps. Her approach reflects a commitment to building technology that is inclusive, collaborative, and grounded in real-world legal impact.

Are you a woman shaping the future of legal tech? We’d love to hear your story. Our Women in LegalTech community is a space to connect, inspire, and spark conversations that matter. Click here to join and be part of the movement.