India is a land of growing entrepreneurship, legal reforms, and expanding corporate governance—but for advocates and company secretaries (CS) trying to establish themselves professionally, the journey is filled with complexities. Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional starting your own practice, setting up a legal or CS firm is not just about knowledge—it’s about managing a business. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what goes into the operations of such firms, and the challenges they commonly face.

⚙️ Key Operations of a Legal or Company Secretary Firm

1. Client Consultation & Advisory

• Legal Firms: Offer advice on civil, criminal, corporate, family, or property matters.
  
  

• CS Firms: Guide clients on company law, incorporation, FEMA compliance, ROC filings, and secretarial audits.
  
  

2. Document Drafting and Filing

• Drafting legal agreements, contracts, wills, deeds, notices, or board resolutions.
  
  

• Filing annual returns, DIR KYC, MSME forms, share transfer forms, and more with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
  
  

3. Litigation and Representation

• Legal firms handle court representation, litigation support, case research, and legal documentation for trials and hearings.
  
  

• Some CS firms also handle tribunal representations (NCLT/NCLAT) if authorized.
  
  

4. Company Incorporation and Compliance

• Registering new private limited, LLP, OPC, Section 8 companies, etc.
  
  

• Ensuring continuous compliance like board meetings, annual general meetings, and statutory registers.
  
  

5. Liaison with Government Authorities

• Interaction with MCA, SEBI, RBI, ROC, GST department, Income Tax authorities, Labour Departments, etc.
  
  

6. Retainership and Long-Term Advisory

• Offering monthly or annual retainer services for legal counsel or secretarial compliance for startups, SMEs, and corporates.
  
  

7. Research and Legal Updates

• Keeping updated with legal changes, SEBI circulars, ICSI notifications, or case law developments.
  
  

8. Internal Management and HR

• Hiring juniors, interns, managing payroll, supervision, training, and performance reviews.
  
  

9. Technology and Software Use

• Using tools like LegalKart, QuickCompany, Winman, Tally, ROC Genius, and more for automation and accuracy.
  
  

❗ Major Challenges Faced While Running or Establishing These Firms

1. Regulatory Complexity and Compliance Overload

“The law is dynamic, but the entrepreneur is human.”

• Indian laws and procedures are vast and frequently changing. For instance, MCA keeps revising e-forms and compliance structures.
  
  

• Keeping up with these updates while managing daily client operations becomes exhausting.
  
  

2. Financial Constraints and Initial Investment

• Setting up a small firm requires investment in:
  
  

  • Office rent
    
    

  • Stationery, computers, printers, and software
    
    

  • Licenses (Bar Council/ICSI)
    
    

  • Digital Signatures, Stamp Paper stock
    
    

• With no steady income initially, many new professionals struggle to break even.
  
  

3. Client Acquisition and Retention

• Building a client base from scratch is difficult, especially with competition from established firms.
  
  

• Many clients opt for "cheap" services without understanding the importance of qualified professionals.
  
  

• Retaining clients for long-term compliance or litigation support is a constant battle.
  
  

4. Marketing and Branding Restrictions

• The Bar Council of India restricts advertising by advocates.
  
  

• Even CS professionals face ethical guidelines from ICSI limiting promotional activities.
  
  

• As a result, growing visibility without violating norms is tricky.
  
  

5. Technological Limitations

• Senior professionals may find it hard to transition to digital platforms.
  
  

• Many are not familiar with legal tech, billing automation, e-filings, or digital hearings.
  
  

6. Manpower Issues

• Hiring skilled, ethical, and knowledgeable interns or junior associates is difficult.
  
  

• Limited budgets make it harder to offer competitive salaries.
  
  

• High attrition of trained staff is a common problem.
  
  

7. Delayed Payments and Fee Negotiations

• Clients often delay payments, especially individual clients or startups.
  
  

• Professionals face pressure to underquote fees to compete, hurting long-term sustainability.
  
  

8. Workload and Burnout

• Solo practitioners or small firms often handle:
  
  

  • Client queries
    
    

  • Drafting & filing
    
    

  • Admin & accounts
    
    

  • Marketing & updates
    
    

• This multitasking leads to fatigue and burnout without proper delegation.
  
  

9. Delayed Government Processing

• Even after timely filing, approvals like DIN activation, incorporation, or trademark registration can be delayed.
  
  

• Lack of accountability in public departments causes frustration and hampers timelines.
  
  

10. Unethical Competition and Unlicensed Practice

• Many non-qualified agents and consultants offer company registration, legal filing, etc., at dirt-cheap rates.
  
  

• This unethical competition ruins market pricing and client perceptions about genuine professionals.
  
  

💡 Pro Tips to Overcome These Challenges

1. Leverage Digital Tools – Use legaltech platforms, cloud-based filing tools, and CRM to streamline operations.
   
   

2. Build Strong Networks – Join chambers, BNI, ICSI chapters, or LinkedIn groups to connect with potential clients.
   
   

3. Educate Clients – Use blogs, newsletters, or webinars to build authority and educate clients about quality service.
   
   

4. Focus on Niche Areas – Specialize in sectors like Startups, IBC, FEMA, or ESG compliance to differentiate yourself.
   
   

5. Offer Retainership Models – This ensures recurring income and long-term client relationships.
   
   

6. Enhance Soft Skills – Invest in communication, negotiation, and time management training.
   
   

7. Outsource Non-Core Tasks – Use virtual assistants or freelancers for design, admin, and marketing.
   
   

🧩 My Final Thoughts

Running a legal or company secretary firm in India is both a noble and challenging journey. While the knowledge of law and compliance forms the foundation, it is entrepreneurial thinking, strategic planning, and resilience that drive long-term success. Whether you're a new entrant trying to set up your name or an experienced professional scaling up, the key lies in balancing your legal expertise with business acumen.

Written By: Prabhjit Singh Soni

Read My Another Blog On: How Gurleen Legal Solves the Real Challenges Faced by Advocates and Company Secretaries While Establishing Their Firms in India