Inspiring Individuals
Anna Iacovou Stylianou
Anna Iacovou Stylianou is a distinguished professional with two decades of experience as a Dispute Resolver along with expertise in diverse fields such as construction, commerce, finance, entertainment, real estate, and marine and oil and gas disputes. Holding designations as a Chartered Arbitrator (C.ARB), Chartered Surveyor (MRICS), and CEDR Accredited Mediator, she earned an LLM (merit) in International Dispute Resolution from Queen Mary University. Anna's contributions extend beyond practice; she is a tutor, examiner, and course director for prestigious institutions like RICS and CIARB. Her involvement in drafting arbitration rules for various organizations showcases her commitment to shaping the legal landscape. Published in esteemed journals, including CIARB and ASCE, Anna remains at the forefront of international dispute resolution.
Mr. CR Dua
Mr. CR Dua is Chairman of Dua Associates, and holds an expertise of 36 years, with finding the firm himself. Renowned for facilitating inbound investments for overseas businesses, he guided major US corporations like General Electric, General Motors, AT&T, and McDonald’s into India. Recognized as "The Most-Influential & Significant Lawyer" by The Legal 500, and consistently ranked by Chambers & Partners, Mr. Dua is a legal icon and a perennial member of India’s A-List of top lawyers. Forbes India featured him in its Legal Powerlist, and he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law in 2020 and 2021. Notably, the Government of India acknowledged his significant contribution to Corporate Laws with the Samman Patra. As Chairman of the Board for Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care Limited and an Independent Director, Mr. Dua continues to shape the legal landscape. He is a founding member of the American Chamber of Commerce in India, a member of the National Committee on Legal Services of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and holds key roles in the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF), including Senior Vice President and Chairperson of the Legal Reforms Committee.
Daraboina Subramanyam Yadav
Daraboina Subramanyam Yadav is a distinguished Advocate, at the High Court of Telangana State and a Member of SCBA, Supreme Court of India, with over 25 years of legal expertise, admitted to the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh in 1999. A certified mediator and arbitrator, he holds technical qualifications in computer applications, Oracle C, and SAP-Finance. As a dedicated legal professional, Daraboina has represented clients before the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, administrative and appellate tribunals, and various city courts. His extensive experience spans constitutional, corporate, service, administrative, and criminal law. Additionally, he serves as a legal consultant for numerous reputable organizations, showcasing his proficiency in drafting commercial agreements and handling diverse litigation matters.
Debjani Ghosh
Debjani Ghosh is an accomplished advocate and partner at M/s. Victor Moses & Co., Temple Chambers, Kolkata, is a multifaceted legal professional. As an impanelled Mediator of Calcutta High Court and Notary of the Government of India, she navigates diverse legal landscapes, including Supreme Court litigations. Beyond her legal prowess, Debjani is an active member of various prestigious associations, a philanthropist, and the founder of Alok Foundation, dedicated to supporting marginalized communities. Recognized for her contributions, she has received accolades such as the Super Wander Woman and Dasabhuja Samman.
Dr. Adv. CA. IP. Avinash Poddar
Dr. Adv. CA. IP. Avinash Poddar is a seasoned advocate with 23+ years in Indirect Taxes, Commercial Laws, and Cyber Crime, leads legal powerhouses in Ahmedabad, Surat, and Delhi. Founder & Managing Partner of ASHVA Legal Advisors LLP and Founder of AAP & Co., Chartered Accountants, he appears in the Supreme Court, High Courts, Special Courts, and Tribunals. Beyond legal expertise, Dr. Poddar is a dedicated educator, with extensive qualifications in commerce, law, and as a Chartered Accountant. Specializing in Indirect and Direct Tax, PMLA, Corporate Laws, IBC, and Cyber Crime, he's a formidable presence, representing clients in high-profile courts and conducting crucial forensic investigations for government agencies.
Gunjan Paharia
Gunjan Paharia is the Managing Partner at ZeusIP Advocates LLP, is a seasoned IP attorney with nearly two decades of expertise in intellectual property law. A qualified attorney registered with the Delhi Bar Council, she specializes in IP enforcement, due diligence, and litigation. Gunjan, also a Patent Agent, started her career under the mentorship of Judge Sanjeev Sachdeva and gained valuable experience at renowned IP firms like Amarjit & Associates and Lall & Sethi. In 2004, she founded ZeusIP Advocates, transforming it into a highly respected 50-member firm within 14 years. Recognized as a leading IP attorney, Gunjan actively contributes to INTA committees and spearheads initiatives for IP awareness in collaboration with the Indian government. ZeusIP is consistently ranked by prestigious publications, reflecting her commitment to excellence.
Isaure de Feral
Isaure de Feral is a French attorney with 20+ years of global experience and holds a Master's-Degree in International Management from HEC. Specializing in life sciences for a decade, she served as General Counsel and Head of Compliance for SMEs in API, medical devices, and drug products. Currently, as the founding partner of Apexia Health, Isaure provides legal counsel to international life sciences clients, focusing on compliance in Europe, particularly in France. Her expertise encompasses compliance system setups, transformations, product launches, and data privacy matters, including outsourced DPO activities.
Jana Govarthana Maheswaran
Jana Govarthana Maheswaran is an accredited legal professional with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as the Principal Consultant at Samara Juris Consilium. Maheshwaran is a highly acclaimed corporate lawyer, excelling in ensuring the legality of commercial transactions along with possessing extensive expertise in Real Estate and Corporate laws. As a Full Member of the International Bar Association in London and a committee member of various IBA committees, including Alternative and New Business Structures and Arbitration, he is recognized for his innovative approach and contributions to legal compliance. Also, he holds accreditations from the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London, enhancing his stellar legal career.
Lakshmidevi Somananth
Lakshmidevi Somananth is an alumnus of the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, and is a distinguished legal professional with over 22 years of expertise in intellectual property law. She is a Former Member Judge at the Intellectual Property Appellate Board, Government of India, and now serves as a Partner at Surana & Surana International Attorneys, heading the Intellectual Property practice. Recognized for her strategic advisory, litigation prowess, and impactful contributions, Lakshmidevi is a member of the International Amicus Committee at the International Trademark Association. She has received numerous accolades, including IP Woman Lawyer of the Year 2023 and Woman Lawyer of the Year 2022.
Manoj Gujaran
Manoj Gujaran is a qualified Company Secretary and LLB graduate and comes with a long-standing experience of more than two decades in Company Law, RBI guidelines for NBFCs, listing regulations, contract management, FEMA & PMLA compliance, intellectual property rights, etc. He has spearheaded various key assignments pertaining to strategic investments, corporate restructuring, fundraising via debt instruments & bank borrowings, digital lending, CSR, etc.
Meenal Purswani
Meenal Purswani is a seasoned legal professional with over 20 years of experience, currently serves as Head of Legal, Risk, and Compliance at SBI Trustee. Her expertise encompasses loan documentation, corporate law, infrastructure, and arbitration. Meenal has held significant roles at Kotak Mahindra Investments, Reliance Money, and NewGalexy Services. Recognized for her contributions, she has received awards such as Best Legal Manager and Best Women of Worth. Meenal holds an LLB-degree from the Govt. Law College, Mumbai, and an LLM from Bhartiya Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune.
Advocate Minal Khona
Advocate Minal Khona is a distinguished legal professional based in Navi Mumbai and holds over three decades of expertise in Real Estate Law, particularly in property conveyance. Specializing in precise drafting and title scrutiny, she is renowned for her affiliations with nationalized banks. Beyond real estate, Adv. Khona passionately advocates for Succession/Estate Planning, conducting nationwide seminars to empower women in managing inherited wealth. Appointed as Notary Public by the Government of India, she authored ten editions of the Stamp Duty Ready Reckoner. Her multifaceted impact extends to social organizations, where she holds esteemed positions, aligning with her commitment to Learn, Earn, and Return.
Monica Romelina Sijabat
Monica Romelina Sijabat is a distinguished Tax Attorney and a Consultant with over 15 years of experience at the Supreme Court and Tax Court of Indonesia. As a Legal Counsel for multinational companies, she specializes in US, European, and Asian taxation laws. Monica is a seasoned Lecturer at the University of Indonesia, and holds the title of Chartered Accountant, and is also a Principal Member of the Indonesian Accountants Association. Monica is an Executive Education alumna of the Harvard Kennedy School and founded MRS Business Professional Consulting in 2017. Monica is a renowned award-winning professional, including the 2024 Lex Falcon Global Award for excellence in Taxation.
Prasanth Narayanan
Prasanth Narayanan is a legal veteran with over two decades in India's banking sector and is a proud graduate of the Government Law College, Ernakulam, Kerela. As an advocate for he has navigated complex civil and criminal cases, honing expertise in commercial, banking, company, IT, property, and criminal law. In his in-house counsel role for various banks, Prasanth has excelled in drafting lending contracts for diverse infrastructure projects. Some of his noteworthy contributions include presenting before parliamentary committees and training sessions for bankers and officials. His recent innovation involves a pioneering digital process for crafting lender-borrower contracts.
Prashant Agarwal
Prashant Agarwal is a seasoned legal professional and serves as the General Counsel for SAR Group of Companies, overseeing diverse operations in India, SAARC, Singapore, and the USA. With over 20 years of comprehensive experience, Prashant excels in leadership, strategic planning, risk assessment, and compliance. His expertise spans various sectors, including energy storage, automotive, electric mobility, water purification, renewable energy, venture capital, and more. Prashant's proficiency extends to M&A, private equity, joint ventures, litigation, IPR protection, and tax matters. He is recognized for his adept decision-making, he strikes a balance between business needs and legal risk mitigation, ensuring effective solutions for the organization's success.
Rajkumar Varier
Rajkumar Varier is an accomplished legal professional, currently heading ABP's Public Policy and Regulatory division since March 2023. As a Counsel at Sarvada Legal and Ashwathh Legal, he navigates diverse legal landscapes. He has been recognized with awards like Top 100 GCs of India and Rising Star, Rajkumar brings over 25 years of expertise in corporate law, excelling in sectors like Media & Entertainment, Telecom, Electronics, and Gaming Advisory. Some of his notable achievements include overseeing Distribution and Content Litigation at Disney Star and leading litigations for Airtel in the telecom sector.
Raman Kumar Shrivastava
Raman Kumar Shrivastava is a seasoned Legal Professional with 25 years of diverse experience, navigates NBFCs, Banks, Securitization, Infrastructure, and Liquor Companies. Beginning as a Private Practitioner in 1999, he transitioned to Corporate Legal roles in NBFCs, contributing significantly to lending and recovery. His career milestones include notable contributions to Public Sector Banks, Securitization Companies, and Infrastructure firms. As the current Legal Head of Som Group of Companies since 2021, Kumar adeptly handles complex matters in Excise, Pollution Control, CGST Competition, Income-Tax, and the Companies Act. An established professional, he also founded the "NOSTER PARACLETE" law firm and revitalized "Priyadarshee Resolution Agency" for recovery and collection.
Rista Qatrini Manurung
Rista Qatrini Manurung is the Director of Legal and Compliance at PT AIA Financial and brings a wealth of experience from her roles as Legal and Compliance Director at a multinational life insurance company and a Partner at a leading Indonesian law firm. She is actively engaged in industry associations and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, Rista holds key licenses, including the Indonesian advocate license, Capital Markets Consultant license, and tax expert certifications. Recognized for her significant contributions, she has received multiple awards in insurance, reinsurance, leadership, and in-house counsel roles. Recently honoured as one of the "2023 Top 100 Most Outstanding Women in the Financial Sector in Indonesia" and "Indonesia Most Powerful Women 2023" by prominent organizations.Top of Form
Saikat Sarkar
Saikat Sarkar is the Global General Counsel at Eicher Motors Limited, with 25 years of legal expertise in India and international jurisdictions. He holds a Law Degree from the University of Calcutta and a Post Graduate Diploma in Competition Law from King’s College London, he is an IIM Ahmedabad alumnus. Sarkar's illustrious career spans leadership roles at major corporations like Hindustan Unilever Limited and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages. A specialist in Corporate law, Litigation, M&A, IP Rights, and Regulatory Compliance, Sarkar has garnered accolades, including General Counsel of the Year and Legal Era recognition. Renowned for his ethical and innovative approach, he continues to excel in legal leadership.
Shiraz Patodia
Shiraz Patodia is a Senior Solicitor at Dua Associates, is a highly esteemed advocate known for her expertise in Dispute Resolution - Litigation & Arbitration and International Trade. Leading the Firm’s International Trade & Customs practice, Shiraz's prowess extends to World Trade Organization agreements, where she has contributed to negotiations on anti-dumping and anti-subsidies agreements. Her accolades include the Women in Law Excellence Award and recognition as an Elite Leading Individual lawyer in International Trade and Dispute Resolution. Notably, Shiraz has been named among the top 100 Women in Litigation and a Litigation Star in consecutive years. She has been listed in the Forbes India Power list and ALB's Super 50 Dispute Lawyers in Asia, and she continues to feature prominently in prestigious legal rankings, cementing her status as a legal icon and a distinguished practitioner in the field.
Sonal Sharma
Sonal Sharma is currently serving as the Vice President – Legal & Commercial at HCL Technologies Limited. Sonal holds a distinguished 23-year career in the IT and Pharma Industry, with extensive leadership roles, she held positions such as the Head of Legal for Novartis Business Services, General Counsel for Atos and its subsidiaries in India, and Deputy General Counsel for Asia Pacific countries. Sonal is an expert in strategic business advisory, commercial and corporate laws, HR laws, forensic investigations, M&A transactions, IP strategy, and global compliance. She is recognized for her excellence, received the General Counsel of the Year - Female Category award at the IDEX Legal Awards in 2016, and was acknowledged as a "Best Leading Lawyer 2022."
Inspiring Legal Teams
CNS JURIS
CNS JURIS is a distinguished first-generation law firm based in Pune, India, and boasts over two decades of unparalleled expertise. Renowned for its specialized legal services, the firm, led by founding partners Advocate Murtaza Chherawala and Advocate Hussain Nalwala, prioritizes client service and a deep understanding of operational intricacies. With an in-house team and a vast network of legal professionals nationwide, CNS JURIS excels in domains such as Court Litigation, Insolvency, Corporate Contracts, Private Equity, Intellectual Property, Infrastructure, Technology, and more. The firm's commitment to ethical standards and continuous knowledge enhancement reflects visionary leadership.
Hyundai Motor India Limited
Hyundai Motor India Limited is a global leader in the Automobile Sector and wholly owned by Hyundai Motor Company, stands as a pioneer in smart mobility solutions and car exports. Operating from Gurugram, Haryana, and Chennai, Tamil Nadu, the company exports vehicles to 88 countries across the globe. With a robust Legal & Corporate Governance Team based in both locations, they provide expert counsel in areas ranging from Consumer Matters and Industrial Disputes to Intellectual Property Rights and Cybersecurity. Hyundai Motor India is dedicated to automotive excellence and delivering innovative mobility solutions worldwide.