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