Mumbai, 29 April 2026 : The
Maha Bar Bench Conclave 2026, organized by Pune Bar & Bench News
LLP, was successfully held at the
Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Advocate Training & Research Centre (BBATRC), Taloja. The conclave marked
a significant milestone in advancing legal skilling and employability, setting a strong precedent
not just for Maharashtra but for the broader Indian legal ecosystem.
Held
with the blessings of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis and
under the guidance of Shri Mangal
Prabhat Lodha, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship &
Innovation, Government of Maharashtra, the event witnessed an overwhelming response. Over 500
law students participated, with live screenings
arranged across multiple classrooms to ensure seamless access. Participants
joined from key regions including
Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Solapur, reflecting strong statewide engagement.
Positioned as Maharashtra’s
first dedicated legal skilling and employability platform, the conclave focused on bridging the gap between
academic learning and real-world courtroom
practice through structured, future-ready interventions.
The initiative was led
by Advocate Vishal Vijayrao Kale, Chief Mentor of Maha Bar Bench, bringing over 25 years of experience in
litigation and dispute resolution, alongside Mr. MJ Srikant, Managing Partner, Pune Bar &
Bench News LLP, a seasoned strategist, communication expert, and serial entrepreneur with over
three decades of experience.
A key highlight of the conclave was the launch of practical training modules, including “From Classroom to Courtroom,” along with hands-on, practice-based sessions designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical courtroom skills.
The initiative was
guided by Mr. Kunwarsingh Singhel, Deputy Law Secretary, and
further strengthened by an address from Adv.
(Dr.) Rajendra Ambhule, who highlighted the importance of aligning academic learning with real-world
legal practice. The event was also graced by Mr. Priyesh Shah, Joint Commissioner, Customs,
Excise & Service Tax, Government of India, and Adv. Pritisingh Pardeshi, Vice President,
Pune Bar Association, among other distinguished attendees.
The conclave received formal appreciation from
Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis through an official letter issued by the
Chief Minister’s Office, commending Pune Bar & Bench for its efforts in advancing legal skilling,
strengthening employability, and contributing to legal education and nation-building. He also
acknowledged the unveiling of the Marathi e-edition as a significant step towards enhancing access to
legal knowledge for students, professionals, and researchers.
Sharing his message
through a video address, Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha stated: “I extend
my congratulations to Advocate Vishal Vijayrao Kale, Mr. MJ Srikant, and their
team. This initiative addresses a
critical need and aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat. The Government of Maharashtra’s Skill Development Department
looks forward to supporting and expanding it
across the state.”
Emphasizing
the vision behind the initiative, Advocate Vishal Vijayrao Kale said “Legal
education must evolve beyond theoretical
learning—it must translate into real courtroom capability. Maha Bar Bench is a decisive step towards
nurturing professionals who are skilled, confident, and ready to lead within the legal system.”
Highlighting
the larger purpose, Mr. MJ Srikant added “This is not merely a
program, but the beginning of a movement
in legal skilling and employability. It is about creating structured pathways where classrooms connect
meaningfully with courtrooms.”
The Maha Bar Bench
Conclave 2026 marks the beginning of a new era in legal education,
aligned with the national vision of
Viksit Bharat — laying a strong foundation for skilled, employable, and responsible legal professionals who
will contribute to the future of India’s justice system and nation-building.
For More information:
Adv. Vishal Vijayrao Kale,
Chief Mentor of Maha Bar Bench
M: 98220 08298
Mr. MJ Srikant,
Managing Partner, Pune Bar & Bench News
LLP
M: 98451 15065