SAMA to host Roundtable on ‘Building the Next Generation of Dispute Resolution Professionals’ on August 20

SAMA is hosting a roundtable on ‘Building the Next Generation of Dispute Resolution Professionals’ on August 20 at Bengaluru, bringing together Deans, ADR professors, and faculty from law schools across Karnataka and neighbouring states, to discuss the future of dispute resolution careers and how academia and industry can build lasting pathways together.

The evening will cover:

• A keynote address by Shahzar Hussain, Senior Consultant at Vahura, on how legal hiring is evolving and how students can prepare for emerging careers

• What today's legal industry actually needs from graduating students, practice-readiness, ADR, and legal-tech skills

• The growing opportunity landscape across litigation, judiciary, policy, legal tech, mediation, ODR, and case management

• How law schools and Sama can collaborate through internships, workshops, research, faculty development, and ADR clinics

• A first look at Indian Mediation Week 2026 (its 10th edition!) and the Student Ambassador Programme

• A story from a current Sama Case Manager on how the role shaped their legal career

After the roundtable, attendees will have the chance to connect across institutions during an open discussion and dinner.

The roundtable will open with a keynote by Shahzar Hussain, Senior Consultant at Vahura, India's leading legal recruitment and talent advisory firm.

Drawing on Vahura's work placing candidates across law firms, in-house teams, and funds, Hussain will speak on how legal hiring is changing and how law schools can prepare students for careers beyond traditional litigation and law firm roles, including in mediation, ODR, and other emerging areas of practice.

As a Senior Consultant with the Navigator vertical, Shahzar works closely to drive new initiatives and build partnerships with law schools across the country to develop bespoke career guidance and mentorship workshops for their students.

He is a part of the in-house legal team at Vahura, where he drafts and reviews documents for various projects. He has also worked on recruiting for mid to senior-level positions for law firms and venture funds, with the Private Practice & Funds Group.

Hussain has previously worked with a pan-India-based law firm, a boutique law firm, and at the chambers of a senior advocate. He has advised clients concerning General Corporate, Labour & Employment, Real Estate, and Dispute Resolution.

Hussain completed his law from ILS Law College and master's from Jindal Global Law School.

This roundtable is open to:

• Professors and faculty teaching ADR

• Deans and Placement Officers from law schools

• Academic administrators interested in building career and internship pathways for law students in dispute resolution

The roundtable will be held on August 20, 2026, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm at SAMA, 1st Floor, Bridge Landmark, Indiranagar, Bengaluru.

Schedule:

5:00 PM – 7:15 PM (roundtable), followed by dinner and networking

Note: A detailed agenda will be shared with registered participants.

There is no registration fee. The event, including dinner, is hosted by SAMA.

To register for the event, click here.