The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) hosted Prof. Lalitha Shivaswamy, (NLS BA LLB 1996), Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law, for a lecture titled “Local Self Government in New England: A case study of Connecticut.” The lecture took place on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11 am at the Conference Room, Training Centre, NLSIU.

Abstract

Local Self Government in New England: A case study of Connecticut

This talk and the ensued discussion explored the concept of “Home Rule” as enshrined in the Constitution of the State of Connecticut; the origin of local authority, its historical evolution from the 1600’s to the present day, and the advantages and challenges in day-to-day government in ensuring transparency, checks and balances, and that power remains in the hands of the people.

In her service on both appointed and elected boards, Dr. Shivaswamy is uniquely positioned to discuss her experience of Home Rule in practice.

About the Speaker

Dr. Lalitha Shivaswamy is a native of Bengaluru and an alumna of NLSIU, BA LLB (Hons.) Class of 1996.

She migrated to Connecticut in 1999 with her husband who is also from Bengaluru. She comes from a family of legal scholars, including her grandfather Shri A. R. Somnath Iyer, former Chief Justice of the Mysore High Court, and her father Shri. S Shivaswamy, Advocate. She is the daughter-in-law of Dr. S. Krishnamurthy, IPS (retd.) who was the first LLD recipient from NLSIU in 1992.

Dr. Shivaswamy is the CEO of People First Technologies, an AI platform focussed on employee engagement, and President of Helios Management, a boutique advisory firm. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law. Previously, she was a venture lending portfolio manager at Horizon Technology Finance and a private placement analyst at Citigroup Global Investments. She was recently elected to public office in the town of Simsbury to serve a six-year term on the Board of Finance, where she is Vice-Chair. She was also appointed as a commissioner on her town’s Charter Revision Commission. Dr. Shivaswamy is an ardent supporter of the choral and performing arts and has successfully demonstrated the power of the arts to engage and unite communities. She recently completed three terms as president of the Board of Governors Hartford Chorale, the region’s principal symphonic chorus. She is currently on the senior leadership team of the Board of Directors of The Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and Board Chair of Choral Arts of New England.

Dr. Shivaswamy obtained an SJD with honors, and an LLM from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She also has an MBA in finance from the University of Connecticut School of Business. She is enrolled in the Connecticut bar and was previously enrolled with the Bar Council of India.

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