Waymaker Wednesday: Women in LegalTech – Meet Karishma Govil

Karishma Govil is a legal technology professional with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of law, contracts, and innovation. She currently serves as a Legal Technology Advisor at Clifford Chance, where she collaborates with legal teams to implement AI and legal tech solutions that streamline workflows, enhance compliance, and improve operational efficiency across global teams.

Her work reflects a strong foundation in contract lifecycle management and legal operations.

Karishma’s experience spans in-house legal roles and technology-driven environments, enabling her to bridge legal expertise with innovation. She is particularly focused on leveraging AI and legal technology to transform legal processes and build more efficient, scalable systems for modern legal teams.

Here’s a peek into her world:

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

When I first stepped into the world of legal tech, everything felt incredibly new. I was learning on the job, asking a lot of questions, and trying to find my footing in a space that can feel quite complex when you're starting out. While there is no shortage of online resources, articles, and tools, it can quickly become overwhelming especially when you're not sure which direction to take or who to turn to.

What really drew me to the Women in Legal Tech community was the sense of shared curiosity and openness. It felt like a safe, welcoming space where questions were encouraged and experiences were openly shared. More importantly, it connected me with women who were actively shaping how the legal industry looks today not just adapting to change, but driving it. Being part of that community helped me feel less alone in my journey and more confident about growing within the field.

---

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

If I could solve one problem using technology, it would be accessibility to legal knowledge, resources, and solutions. There is a significant portion of society that remains unaware of their basic legal rights and even for those who are aware, access to legal help is often limited by cost, complexity, or lack of guidance.

I strongly believe technology can play a powerful role in making legal support more inclusive. Whether it's through simplified legal information, digital tools that guide people step by step, or cost-effective platforms that connect individuals to the right resources, tech has the ability to remove many of the barriers that currently exist. Making the law more understandable and approachable doesn't just benefit individuals, it strengthens society as a whole.

---

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

There isn't one single book, podcast, or resource that I can point to as having shaped my thinking. Instead, it's been a combination of many different influences over time, books I've read, stories I've heard, conversations I've had, and experiences I've lived.

Each phase of life tends to teach you something different. Some lessons come from professional challenges, others from personal moments, and quite a few from simply observing the people around you. Together, these experiences have helped shape my perspective on both work and life beyond it.

---

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

Travelling definitely tops the list for me. I genuinely love immersing myself in different cultures, from trying local cuisines to understanding the history of a place and observing everyday life. There's something incredibly grounding about seeing how people live differently across the world.

Travel has taught me empathy, adaptability, and curiosity. It constantly reminds me that there isn't just one way to live, work, or define success. Those experiences have shaped how I think, both personally and professionally, and they continue to inspire me in unexpected ways.

---

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

The best advice I've received is simple but powerful: just be you. You don't have to shrink yourself to fit into spaces.

As women, we are often judged quickly and sometimes harshly, but staying true to yourself, your voice, and your values is far more important than trying to meet unrealistic expectations. Authenticity builds confidence and long-term impact.

---

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

If I weren't in law or legal tech, I would most definitely have joined the armed forces. Coming from a defence background, I've always felt deeply connected to that way of life.

The discipline, sense of purpose, and service associated with the armed forces have always inspired me, and it's a path I've been passionate about from a very young age.

---

Karishma’s journey reflects how legal expertise and technology can come together to transform traditional legal processes. She continues to focus on leveraging innovation to build more efficient, scalable, and future-ready legal systems.

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.