Event information
The GC Summit India is a premier event that brings together the most influential minds in the corporate legal sphere, creating a dynamic platform for conversation, collaboration, and innovation. This upcoming Summit is a celebration of the evolving role of General Counsel in shaping business strategy, navigating regulatory landscapes, and driving corporate success in one of the world’s most vibrant economies.
Set against the backdrop of India’s rapidly transforming legal and business landscape, the event explores the key challenges and opportunities facing in-house legal teams, offering cutting-edge insights tailored to the needs of today’s legal leaders. More than just an event, it serves as a gateway to inspiration, learning, and invaluable connections with industry peers and thought leaders.
The GC Summit India is your opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and redefine what it means to lead in today’s fast-paced world.
Agenda
11.00am – 11.30am Registration and refreshments
11.30am – 11.40am Welcome address and keynote
- Margherita Birri, Legal 500
11.40am – 12.30pm The Art of Hiring and Keeping the Best In-House Legal Talent
Attracting and retaining top legal talent is now more competitive than ever, requiring companies to rethink their hiring and retention strategies. This panel will explore how organisations can build high-performing legal teams that align with business objectives while staying ahead of fast-paced shifting industry demands. The discussion will delve into what makes a great in-house lawyer today, from core legal expertise to cross-functional skills across multiple areas. As the demand for these specialised capabilities grows, companies must also refine their hiring strategies to remain competitive. Retention will be another key focus, with discussions on fostering career progression, promoting diversity and inclusion, and creating an engaging work environment that keeps legal professionals motivated and invested in their roles. This session will provide practical takeaways on understanding what top talent seeks in an employer and implementing forward-thinking hiring and retention strategies. It will also explore what organisations must do to position themselves as leading destinations for the best legal talents.
- Karl Fernandes, senior partner, Vahura
- Parveen Mahtani, chief legal officer, Mahindra Lifespace Developers
- Sapna Bhawnani, executive director, head of legal and APAC legal lead for UBS Optimus Foundation – social finance, UBS AG, Mumbai, and UBS Optimus Foundation
- Navroze Palekar, general counsel, Cyient
- Preeti Balwani, global general counsel, Crisil Limited
12.30pm – 1.20pm The Evolving Role of General Counsel in strategic deal making
The role of General Counsels (GCs) in strategic deal-making is evolving rapidly, reflecting the increasing complexity of transactions and the need for legal teams to be deeply integrated into business strategy. This panel will explore how GCs are no longer just legal gatekeepers but are now key strategic advisors in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other investment activities. As businesses navigate regulatory challenges, due diligence complexities, and evolving risk landscapes, GCs play a pivotal role in shaping deal structures, mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance while facilitating seamless execution. The discussion will also highlight how GCs collaborate with C-suite executives, external advisors, and investors to drive value creation, protect corporate interests, and enhance deal success. By examining real-world case studies and emerging trends, this panel will provide insights into how the modern GC is redefining their role in high-stakes transactions and investment strategies.
- Abhinav Bhalaik, equity partner, Argus Partners
- Prateek Shoff, senior vice president, Brookfield Asset Management
- Anooshree Sinha, executive director and GC, Eversource Capital
- Aparna Chablani, VP, general counsel & governance, DP World Subcontinent
1.20pm – 2.40pm Lunch
2.40pm – 3.10pm Competition Compliance: Conundrum or cakewalk?
- Karan Singh Chandhiok, partner and head of competition and regulatory practice, Chandhiok & Mahajan
- Deeksha Manchanda, partner, Chandhiok & Mahajan
- Subha Narayan, senior associate general counsel, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages
- Dr. Mukul Shastry, general counsel and whole-time director, Cube Highways
- Dr. Sanjeev Gemawat, managing director and group general counsel, Essar Group
3.10pm – 4.00pm White-Collar Crime, Corporate Fraud & Regulatory Investigations: Industry-Wide Risks
White-collar crime and corporate fraud are escalating across industries, with regulators tightening enforcement amid evolving financial crimes, corporate misconduct, and compliance failures.
In India, rapid economic growth and digital transformation have amplified risks, making strong governance and proactive risk management essential. This panel will examine key threats, including financial misreporting, insider trading, bribery, corruption, and cyber-enabled offenses such as data breaches, ransomware attacks, and deepfake fraud used for financial manipulation and corporate espionage.
The panel will discuss enforcement trends, high-profile investigations, and best practices in due diligence, forensic audits, cybersecurity and also the regulatory frameworks and compliance protocols that the businesses must navigate while safeguarding reputation , ESG considerations and operational integrity. This session will offer insights into emerging threats, proactive compliance strategies, and the role of AI-driven fraud detection that is helping industry leaders stay ahead of evolving risks.
- Mr. Anand Desai, managing partner, DSK Legal
- Mr. Vikrant Singh Negi, partner, DSK Legal
- Mr. Trushil Vora, head legal, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited
- Somya Agarwal, group general counsel & company secretary, Fractal Analytics
- Sandeep Chowdury, group general counsel, Suzlon Energy Ltd
4.00pm – 4.15pm Coffee Break
4.15pm – 5.05pm Cross-Border Dispute Resolution: Challenges, Innovations, and India’s Evolving Litigation Landscape
Cross-border dispute resolution has become an increasingly pertinent issue in today’s globalised economy, where international transactions, trade agreements, and investments span multiple jurisdictions. This panel will bring together leading legal professionals to explore the complexities and emerging trends in resolving cross-border disputes effectively.
The discussion will delve into the challenges posed by differing legal frameworks & systems, enforcement related concerns and developments, the approach of courts in cross border commercial disputes and the different forms of dispute resolution mechanisms. While arbitration is often the go-to method, the panel will explore the evolving use of mediation, negotiation, litigation, and hybrid dispute resolution processes in cross-border contexts. Panelists will also examine the interplay between national courts and international dispute resolution mechanisms, highlighting recent developments in arbitration laws. The session will also address the impact of evolving geopolitical dynamics on cross-border disputes and the importance of ensuring neutrality, efficiency, and fairness in all dispute resolution proceedings.
A key focus will be on India’s evolving role as a hub for international dispute resolution and its legal landscape in addressing cross-border conflicts. With recent reforms aimed at enhancing India’s arbitration ecosystem and other dispute resolution methods, the panel will assess the effectiveness of these measures in positioning the country as a preferred venue for resolving international disputes. It will conclude with a forward-looking discussion on how businesses and legal professionals can adapt to the shifting global dispute resolution landscape, fostering greater certainty and efficiency in cross-border engagements
- Ravitej Chilumuri, partner, Khaitan & Co
- Shilpa (Sachdeva) Bhullar, group risk & compliance officer, business counsel and committed to ethical governance and global growth, PI Industries Ltd
- Neera Sharma, group general counsel & CEO, Sistema Smart Technologies Limited
5.05pm – 5.15pm Closing Remarks
- Margherita Birri, Legal 500
5.15pm – 6.15pm Drinks and canapes
Speakers
Karl Fernandes, senior partner, Vahura
Karl Fernandes is a Senior Partner and a founding member of Vahura.
He has built and leads the In-house search practice group at Vahura. As a specialist, Karl personally focuses on leadership searches across Legal, Policy, and Compliance functions. He is a trusted advisor to General Counsels across the country.
Before Vahura, Karl worked as a Consultant with Randstad, where he was responsible for the entire recruitment process. During this stint, he successfully delivered many challenging assignments for clients.
He was also a Talent Acquisition Partner with Firstsource Solutions where his dual responsibilities included leadership hiring and employee engagement for 300 staff personnel across 47 delivery centres.
Parveen Mahtani, chief legal officer, Mahindra Lifespace Developers
I am a gold medallist in law and attended Harvard Business School. I am presently the Chief Legal Officer of Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd.
I have been recognised by Business World Legal as World Top 100 General Counsels in 2022 and 2024. I have also been recognised as “Distinguished Legal Minds -India” by Legal Era in 2022.
I have received the Women in Law Award for Exceptional Legal Service in Law by Legal Era in 2020 and the Excellence Award for Exemplary Service – Legal by the International Leadership Development Council and the Academy of Management Professionals at the Women Excellence Awards in 2020.
I have been honoured as “Woman Leader in a Male Dominated Industry 2019”. I was featured by the Indian Corporate Counsel Association in their book titled “India’s Finest In-House Counsels” published in 2016. I have also been acknowledged as one of “Asia’s Top 25 In-House Counsels” by the Asian Legal Business. I have also been featured as top in-house legal teams by Legal 500 UK: GC Powerlist: India (2024, 2019 and 2017)
I have also been honoured as “Top 25 General Counsels in India” in 2018 by the ICCA in London. Ihave been featured in the featured in the book “Legal Luminaries” published by the ICCA and the book “ Constellations- The Shining stars in the Legal Fraternity” in 2019.
I have an initiative called “Amwizer – Knowledge by Experience” where I host online sessions with industry experts to inspire and motivate young adults. I also particularly work in the space of inspiring, teaching and motivating children with special needs. I am an avid reader and writer and regularly speak at various forums.
I am a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel.
Sapna Bhawnani, executive director, head of legal and APAC legal lead for UBS Optimus Foundation – social finance, UBS AG, Mumbai, and UBS Optimus Foundation
As the Head of Legal for India and a member of the Asia Pacific Legal Leadership Team, Sapna supervises and coordinates the legal and regulatory activities and acts as the legal and strategic advisor for UBS Group entities in India. She is actively involved in all issues arising out of India including disputes, cyber crimes (CERT-In and Cyber Cell), employee issues and investigations and regulatory investigations and enquiries (e.g. RBI, SEBI, Enforcement Directorate, CBI, SFIO) and being the strategic advisor to the country management for all legal entities in India.
She is the chairperson for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committee for UBS Mumbai and Gurgaon offices and is also a member of the India Philanthropy Committee for UBS.
As the APAC Legal Lead for UBS Optimus Foundation – Social Finance, she assists in providing different solutions for each social finance problem by using a wide range of tools to achieve social and environmental impact, like: grant making, outcome-based financing such as outcomes contracts, direct investments into impact enterprises, and blended finance in the form of equity and investments convertible to equity, debt (in form of impact loans), funds, etc. She covers various jurisdictions within APAC including Africa, UAE, South East Asia, Singapore, Hongkong, India and Australia.
Navroze Palekar, general counsel, Cyient
Navroze is the General Counsel of Cyient Ltd. – a Hyderabad based multinational corporation that delivers Intelligent Engineering solutions for digital, autonomous, and sustainable future for customers globally. He is a seasoned legal professional with a Master’s Degree in Law and an Award for Outstanding Achievement from Boston University. A seasoned professional with over 20+ years of experience in the IT/ITeS sector, Navroze has led strategic initiatives apart from scaling up teams for contract negotiations, dispute management, creating compliance frameworks by developing cost-effective compliance strategies, IP portfolio management, and audit processes. He has a strong focus on client engagement, business results, and cultural integration, that enhance brand equity and business success
Preeti Balwani, global general counsel, Crisil Limited
Preeti Balwani is a seasoned commercial attorney with over 20 years of experience both in house and in private practice. She is currently the Global General Counsel for Crisil Limited and on the board of its subsidiary. Prior to Crisil, she has served as the General Counsel and Board member for Coca-Cola Bottling (Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages) and Kraft Heinz in India.
Ms. Balwani is a graduate from Indian Law Society’s (ILS) Law College, Pune University (BSL.LLB) and also holds a Masters’ Degree in Maritime Law (LLM) from the University of Southampton.
Prior to moving in-house Ms. Balwani, served as an external counsel for Indian companies providing them legal advice on M&A, for over a decade. She has advised on over two hundred (200) cross border transactions including joint ventures, asset sale and purchases, share sale and purchase, private equity investments. One of the more publicized transactions was the sale of the Indian legal entity of Kraft Heinz to the Zydus Wellness group for USD Seven Hundred Million (USD 700 Million).
Ms. Balwani is passionate about giving back to society, she likes to spend her free time volunteering with organizations to impart free legal education. She has been invited by Chambers & Partners, to be part of the Advisory Board for Diversity and Inclusion. She is also on the Advisory Board for India Business Law Journal which is a part of the Vantage Asia magazine group of publications.
Preeti has been recognized by several publications as a leading in-house counsel including Chambers & Partners, Business World, Forbes and Legal 500.
She routinely speaks at forums on gender diversity and inclusion, women leaders and women on the board, brand protection and legal operations. She is an avid traveler and amateur Indian classical dancer.
Abhinav Bhalaik, equity partner, Argus Partners
Abhinav is a key member of the Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Law practice of the Firm.
Abhinav regularly advises various private equity firms, venture and investment funds, corporate strategic investors, multinational corporations, and investment banks on a variety of complex domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, growth capital and early-stage investments. He also represents portfolio companies of clients with respect to general corporate counselling, transactional matters and shareholder disputes. Abhinav’s sector focus includes healthcare and life sciences, manufacturing and industrials, financial services, consumer, and sports and gaming.
Abhinav was previously a partner at SAM & Co., Mumbai. He finished his B.A. LL.B. with honors in corporate law from the National Law University, Jodhpur, India.
Prateek Shoff, senior vice president, Brookfield Asset Management
Prateek joined Brookfield in 2019, and is a Senior Vice President in the Infrastructure group, heading the legal function for India and Middle East. Prior to Brookfield, Prateek spent 1 year at Tata Sons Limited where he worked on transactions across the Tata Group including on internal restructurings, acquisitions, and divestment transactions.
Before moving in-house, Prateek was with Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas in their mergers and acquisition practice for over 6 years, where he worked on transactions in the telecom, power, real estate, insurance sectors among others. He holds an B.A. LL. B (Hons.) from WB National University of Juridical Sciences.
Anooshree Sinha, executive director and GC, Eversource Capital
Anooshree is the general counsel for Eversource Capital, a fund manager operating in the green infrastructure and impact investment space in India through an owner-operator model. She has over two decades of international and Indian experience in private equity and M&A transactions. At Eversource, she advises on regulatory issues, capital raise, investments, divestments, governance and risk management across Electric Mobility, Renewable Energy, Resource Efficiency, Industrial Decarbonization, and Urban Sustainability sectors. Anooshree holds a Master of Laws from Harvard University, a B.A. LLB honours degree from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
Mr. Anand Desai, managing partner, DSK Legal
Anand, the Managing Partner of DSK Legal, is widely regarded as a trusted advisor in high-stakes white-collar crime matters. With over four decades of domestic and international experience, he has successfully represented prominent Indian and multinational corporations, high-net-worth individuals, business leaders, and celebrities in complex criminal proceedings. His practice includes matters involving allegations of financial fraud, corporate misconduct, regulatory violations, and crisis litigation.
A seasoned litigator and negotiator, Anand is frequently called upon to navigate clients through multifaceted criminal and civil actions, often under intense public scrutiny and media attention. He is known for his ability to manage sensitive issues involving law enforcement and investigative agencies, and for his strategic, pragmatic approach to resolving reputational and regulatory crises.
Mr. Vikrant Singh Negi, partner, DSK Legal
Vikrant brings extensive experience in white-collar crime, cyber laws, forensic investigations, and complex dispute resolution. His practice focuses on financial fraud, anti-money laundering (AML), insider trading, market manipulation, and crisis-driven commercial litigation. He regularly advises on matters under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), export control regulations, and employment laws, including whistleblower frameworks.
Vikrant has conducted confidential internal investigations involving global anti-bribery laws such as the FCPA, FEPA, UK Bribery Act, Sapin II, and India’s Prevention of Corruption Act. He frequently counsels clients on data privacy, copyright frauds, and emerging risks related to generative AI and cyber incidents.
He represents clients before investigative and enforcement authorities including the ED, SFIO, CBI, NCB, DRI, and EOW. Vikrant also works closely with companies on corporate governance and compliance, developing anti-bribery and AML programs, advising on M&A-related risks, and strengthening internal protocols to mitigate regulatory exposure.
Ravitej Chilumuri, partner, Khaitan & Co
Ravitej is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution practice group in the Mumbai office, specializing in domestic and cross-border civil and commercial disputes. He regularly appears before various High Courts in India, international and domestic Arbitral Tribunals as well as the NCLT and NCLAT. Ravitej specializes in shareholder disputes, financial services litigation, and construction disputes. He also advises clients on pre-litigation strategies and litigation mitigation strategies.
Shilpa (Sachdeva) Bhullar, group risk & compliance officer, business counsel and committed to ethical governance and global growth, PI Industries Ltd
I am a seasoned corporate law and governance professional with over 19 years of in-house experience. For the past 12+ years, I have led legal and compliance teams across diverse and evolving markets, including Asia, Africa, the EU, the Middle East, and the US. My expertise spans the Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, and Service sectors, where I have successfully navigated complex regulatory environments and supported business growth in dynamic and expanding markets.
At PI Industries, my focus has been on spearheading legal frameworks and compliance structures that align with corporate development, strategic initiatives, and R&D. With a robust tenure in legal affairs, my expertise encompasses commercial law, dispute resolution, intellectual property, sustainability, and risk governance. Our collaborative efforts have successfully integrated ethics and regulatory compliance into PI Industries’ dynamic environment.
My recent work has involved enhancing the compliance infrastructure to support informed risk assessments, which are crucial for operational continuity and exploring new markets. Having led the legal and compliance team in a Specialty Chemicals, High-growth supply-chain unicorn, Pharmaceuticals I bring a wealth of experience in managing legal and corporate affairs across diverse regions. This rich background informs my commitment to ethical governance and underpins the strategic direction of PI Industries’ global expansion.
Committees Serving: Internal Complaints Committee (Chairperson), Risk Management Committee (CRO), Sustainability Council (Advisor), Grievance Redressal (Chief Grievance Officer), Vigil Mechanism (Vigil Officer).
External Committee Serving: CII Legal Affairs Sub-Committee on ESG & Climate Change (Member), and CII Legal Affairs Sub-Committee on IPR (Member).
External Committee Served: CII Legal Affairs Sub-Committee on Consumer Protection and Product Liability & Product Recall (Chair).
Honored to be recognized by Legal 500 GC Powerlist (2023 & 2024), IBLJ In-house Counsel (2023), and BW Legal -Top 100 GCs (2023 & 2024).
Karan Singh Chandhiok, partner and head of competition and regulatory practice, Chandhiok & Mahajan
Karan Singh Chandhiok leads the Competition and Regulatory Practice at Chandhiok & Mahajan. His practice spans merger control, antitrust investigations, complex litigation, and strategic counselling on competition law. Widely recognised as one of India’s foremost antitrust lawyers, Karan has represented leading domestic and international companies such as Google, Intel, Hyundai, Michelin, Panasonic, Bain Capital, Hellman & Friedman, and Indorama in some of the most complex and high-profile matters before the Competition Commission of India (CCI), NCLAT, and the Supreme Court of India.
Karan has secured landmark outcomes, including immunity for Panasonic and Trident in cartel cases, and favourable results for clients such as FabHotels and Intel in abuse of dominance and vertical restraint proceedings. He was invited to make submissions before the Government of India’s Committee on Digital Competition Law (CDCL), and regularly advises industry bodies such as the US-India Business Council (USIBC) and ASSOCHAM on regulatory developments.
He serves as Co-Chair of the National Council on Competition Law and Secretary of the Competition Law Bar Association.
Karan’s expertise has been recognised globally. Business World named him Competition Lawyer of the Year, while Global Competition Review nominated him for Lawyer of the Year – Under 40. He has been featured in GCR’s 40 Under 40 list of the world’s top young antitrust lawyers. Who’s Who Legal recognises him as a Thought Leader in competition law. He is also ranked by Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, AsiaLaw, and India Business Law Journal as a leading practitioner in his field.
Deeksha Manchanda, partner, Chandhiok & Mahajan
Deeksha Manchanda is a partner at Chandhiok & Mahajan’s Competition Law Practice and has been practicing law since 2012. She specializes in advising clients on all aspects of competition law across industries. She has extensive experience representing clients in merger control, cartel investigations, and abuse of dominance cases before the CCI, appellate forums, High Courts, and the Supreme Court.
Deeksha was featured in the Global Competition Review’s prestigious 40 Under 40 list. In 2024, she was awarded the 40 Under 40 Rising Star Award by Legal Era – Legal Media Group. She is also recognized in the Chambers Asia Pacific and Global Guide for 2023.
Combining her knowledge of competition law with her litigation experience, she has also acted for clients in various jurisdictional and due process challenges. This includes India’s first challenge to the legality of a dawn raid and a recent challenge against procedural lapses during a DG investigation.
Deeksha’s excellence in her career stems from a history of academic achievement. She completed her B.A. LL.B. (Honors) at National Law Institute University, Bhopal, and earned a gold medal for her academic performance.
Subha Narayan, senior associate general counsel, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages
Subha Narayan is a commercial lawyer with over 16 years of experience with a mix of in house and law firm exposure. Subha has spent more than 13 years working in house and advising American entities on various aspects of Contract Management, Competition law, Litigation – strategies and management and Ethics and Compliance. She is currently the Senior Associate General Counsel – Commercial for Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Limited (HCCB). She is also active member of the Internal Committee at HCCB. She is also active member of the Internal Committee at HCCB.
Prior to joining HCCB, Subha Narayan has worked in law firms like Phoenix Legal and SNG & Partners and served as an in-house Legal Counsel with Jacobs Engineering and most recently, A.O. Smith India Water Products Private Limited where she was the Director – Legal and Compliance.
Subha Narayan is a graduate from ILS Law College, Pune. In her free time, Subha loves traveling, singing and listening to music (of all kinds) and spending time with her 7 year old son.
Dr. Mukul Shastry, general counsel and whole-time director, Cube Highways
Dr Mukul Shastry currently serves as the General Counsel and Whole-Time Director (GC & WTD) of Cube Highways, India’s largest privately owned toll road platform, managing a portfolio of over 8,400 lane kilometres and assets exceeding INR 30,000 crore. With more than two decades of diverse legal and leadership experience, Dr Shastry brings a unique blend of expertise across litigation, academia, regulatory affairs, and corporate law.
Prior to his tenure at Cube Highways, Dr Shastry held senior legal roles at prominent Indian conglomerates, including the RPG Group, Adani Group, and Welspun Group. He began his professional journey as a litigating lawyer, transitioned into academia as an Assistant Professor at NLU Jodhpur, and later served as a Legal Officer at the Reserve Bank of India—offering him a well-rounded and multidimensional legal perspective.
Dr Shastry has been recognised with numerous prestigious accolades, including:
LawAsia – Top GC
Legal 500 GC Powerlist (2023)
Forbes India Top General Counsel (2021, 2022, 2023)
BW Businessworld Top 100 General Counsel (2021, 2022, 2023)
Atal Achievement Award (2022) by the Government of India
A sought-after speaker at legal and policy forums, Dr Shastry was honoured with an invitation by the Attorney General of India to join the delegation at the Commonwealth Solicitors and Attorneys General Conference. He has also participated in international legal summits such as the Indo-UK Legal Summit at the House of Commons (British Parliament) and the Indo-US Legal Summit, among others.
With deep expertise in the infrastructure and transport sectors, Dr Shastry has led several landmark M&A transactions, including:
Listing of InvIT and various acquisitions by Cube
The Actis-Welspun Roads transaction (USD 1 billion)
APSEZ’s acquisition of Krishnapatnam Port (USD 1.5 billion)
Adani Group’s investment in Colombo Port, Sri Lanka (USD 650 million)
Acquisition of Dighi Port (during his time at Adani) and CNTL (at Cube Highways) under the IBC framework
He has successfully handled high-stakes tax, regulatory, and environmental litigations, as well as complex domestic and international arbitrations. Additionally, he has negotiated intricate joint ventures and commercial contracts, and played a pivotal role in structuring and executing large-scale project financing deals involving sophisticated financial instruments.
Dr. Sanjeev Gemawat, managing director and group general counsel, Essar Group
Dr. Gemawat is a celebrated thought leader who is revered globally for his strategic acumen and exemplary leadership. Besides being a postgraduate in Law and Doctorate in Insider Trading, he is a Chartered Accountant, Cost & Management Accountant and Chartered Secretary from India and the UK.
Dr. Gemawat is presently working as Managing Director and Group General Counsel with Essar Group. He has over three decades of experience spanning across varied industries including natural resources, core sector, automobile, real estate, hospitality, and manufacturing.
Being an acclaimed speaker and author on varied contemporary legal and industry specific issues, Dr. Gemawat has been invited to share his expert views at various national and international conferences. He has been a part of various committees/delegations constituted by industry/professional bodies.
Dr. Gemawat has been honored and awarded by various prestigious institutions for his contribution to the Legal Eco-system in India and the World. He has been recognized as one of the “Top General Counsels of India’, “India’s finest in-house counsels”, “Most Influential Corporate Counsel and Company Secretary” and also inducted to “Global Hall of Fame” for his overall contribution to India Inc.
Aparna Chablani, VP, general counsel & governance, DP World Subcontinent
Aparna Chablani is the VP, General Counsel & Governance at DP World Subcontinent in Mumbai.
With over 30 years of extensive experience, she specialises in contract law, dispute resolution, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, competition law, company secretarial expertise, corporate governance, and regulatory affairs.
She has successfully led the implementation of Contract Lifecycle Management, Compliance, and Litigation Management solutions across DP World’s diverse portfolio in India, encompassing port terminal operations, logistics, free zones, and digital services.
Aparna has a strong track record in managing complex litigation and plays a strategic role in new acquisitions and business development project investments. In her current role, she oversees legal, compliance, and governance functions for DP World’s portfolio companies in India, while also fostering relationships with key stakeholders.
She serves on the boards and various committees of DP World group companies in India and is an active contributor to the organisation’s Sustainability and Inclusion & Diversity councils.
Aparna holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and is a Fellow of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India. She is also a Certified Corporate Director (Institute of Directors), holds a certification in Logistics Excellence from the Indian School of Business, and is recognised as a Senior Women Lead at DP World.
Mr. Trushil Vora, head legal, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited
Trushil, a seasoned legal professional with over 15 years of extensive experience, currently serves as the Head of the Legal Department at Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited, one of India’s largest and listed fund houses.
Trushil’s journey in the legal realm began with an integrated law course at Gujarat National Law University, followed by a Master of Laws from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science. His expertise spans a wide array of areas, including Funds related Laws (Mutual Fund and Alternate Assets), Banking & Finance Laws, Structured & Project Finance Laws, Debt Capital Markets, and General Corporate & Commercial Laws.
With a rich background that includes both in-house roles and positions with major law firms, Trushil brings a unique blend of practical insight and theoretical knowledge to the table. He has handled a large number of complex debt financing deals, debt restructurings and debt capital market issuances. He is a proactive leader driving legal excellence in the financial industry, playing a pivotal role in enhancing success and compliance standards at Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited.
Neera Sharma, group general counsel & CEO, Sistema Smart Technologies Limited
Neera Sharma is a UCLA Alumni and a experienced Chief Of Legal with a demonstrated history of working in the , Venture Capital, telecommunications, real estate & IT industry. She is a strong legal professional, skilled in Negotiation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Law, Legal Compliance, Complaint Management, Successful track record of Litigations, Arbitration, and Dispute Resolution. A versatile business lawyer with 28 years of experience and a keen analyst having exceptional relationship management & negotiation skills.
An active member on the Board and promoted as a Chief Executive Officer after working as a Chief Legal, Compliance & Regulatory Officer for a decade at Sistema in 2018,Proficient in steering bottom line profitability by ensuring optimal utilisation of available resources and handled various crisis situations successfully.
Neera is also a Founder of Sukh Setu Foundation – a step to spread awareness about Neurodiversity and work towards the acceptance of differently abled kids & adults with respect, advocating their rights & inclusion in schools and corporates. She is a torch bearer to create a safe work place for women in the organised & unorganised sectors. Talking about women rights, fight against all kind of harassments and spreading financial literacy through small but meaningful steps.
Somya Agarwal, group general counsel & company secretary, Fractal Analytics
“Somya Agarwal is an award-winning General Counsel with over two decades of specialized experience in legal strategy, governance, and compliance. Her expertise spans structuring and negotiating complex private equity fundraise transactions, acquisitions, mergers, and corporate restructurings. She has led the development of Responsible AI policies, global compliance frameworks, and has deep knowledge of intellectual property and data privacy laws across multiple jurisdictions.
Currently, Somya serves as the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary at Fractal Analytics. Under her stewardship, Fractal secured significant investments, including $200 million from Apax Partners and $360 million from TPG Capital, cementing the company’s Unicorn status. She has also driven high-stakes acquisitions like Samya.ai and Neal Analytics, and steered strategic investments in Senseforth.ai and Analytics Vidhya. Somya is particularly recognized for her innovative approach to automating Contracts and Compliance management across 18+ jurisdictions, and for her work on equity financing and spinouts, notably Qure.ai and Theremin.ai.
Her legal career includes significant roles at the TATA-Pepsi Joint Venture startup, global advertising powerhouse Publicis, and the Taj Group of Hotels. She has been pivotal in shaping growth strategies at SAIC, a US multinational, and has extensive multicultural experience across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
A Gold Medalist and All India rank holder in B.Com, LLB, and CS exams, Somya’s academic credentials are as distinguished as her professional achievements. In addition to her legal acumen, she is a certified Heartfulness meditation trainer and an active columnist, sharing insights in leading newspapers and digital platforms.
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Sandeep Chowdury, group general counsel, Suzlon Energy Ltd
Sandeep is the Group General Counsel for Suzlon Energy Ltd, a publicly listed and one of the largest renewable energy company of India, having international presence. He looks after legal, regulatory and compliance matters and manages a team of lawyers across various verticals. In his role, Sandeep provides necessary advise and guidance to senior management and board members. Sandeep is also responsible for mergers and acquisitions, drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts, and safeguarding company’s interest in potential disputes. He also handles large litigations / arbitration complex transactions and is responsible for delivering the legal budgets. He is focused on developing the capabilities of the in-house team and creating centres of excellence.
An acclaimed speaker on varied contemporary legal and industry specific issues, he has shared his views at various national and international conferences.
He has been honored as Top General Counsels of India in various prestigious General Counsel lists as released by Forbes India, Business World etc. He has been honoured as one of “India’s finest in-house counsels”, the “Most Influential General Counsel” and also inducted to “Global Hall of Fame” for his contribution in the Legal Eco System in India.
Having started his career with a prominent lawfirm, Sandeep has also worked at different levels in companies like Walmart, Coca Cola, Baxter, UPL, Lafarge Cement.
In association with...
Argus Partners is a leading Indian law firm known for its high-quality legal services and commercial insight. With offices across major cities, the Firm advises leading corporations on complex transactions. Its multidisciplinary approach, client-centric focus, and consistent rankings by global legal directories underscore its reputation as one of India’s most respected and fastest growing law firms.
Chandhiok & Mahajan is a leading full-service law firm in India, providing our clients with high-quality and bespoke legal services across practice areas. Given our experience in domestic and foreign markets, we support some of the largest domestic and international corporations, government organizations, restructuring and insolvency specialists, financial institutions, private equity and venture capital funds, and promoter groups.
Our key transactional practice areas include Corporate Commercial, Antitrust and Competition, Mergers & Acquisitions, Restructuring and Insolvency, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Banking & Finance, Aviation, Data Privacy, and Capital Markets.
We have offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
DSK Legal is a leading full-service law firm in India delivering innovative legal solutions across diverse practice areas and industries. With a client-centric approach, we provide strategic, commercially viable advice backed by deep sectoral expertise. Our team of experienced lawyers is committed to excellence, helping clients navigate complex legal landscapes with clarity, efficiency, and integrity.
Khaitan & Co is a top tier and full-service law firm with over 1200 legal professionals, including 300+ leaders, and presence in India and Singapore. With more than a century of experience in practicing law, we offer end-to-end legal solutions in diverse practice areas to our clients across the world. We have a team of highly motivated and dynamic professionals delivering outstanding client service and expert legal advice across a wide gamut of sectors and industries.
Vahura helps leading organisations and specialist qualified professionals to find each other and grow together. At the forefront of Legal recruitment in India since our founding in 2011, our expertise now also includes recruitment for Compliance, Finance, Boards, and more – across EMEA and APAC regions. Combined with our management consulting practice, we enable organisations to build strong leadership teams that can tackle the most complex strategic challenges. Thanks to our deep industry expertise and our vast network, we are now the trusted partners for corporates, law firms, and investment funds, among others.
Provakil is an AI-powered legal technology platform streamlining litigation, contracts, collections, and IP. Trusted by 250+ enterprises and 10,000+ legal professionals, it automates high-volume workflows, tracks cases across 10,000+ courts, and manages millions of notices. It empowers legal teams to work faster, smarter, and with greater strategic clarity.