City focus: Mumbai
With expertise in commercial disputes, project execution disputes, corporate fraud, and white-collar crimes, Pioneer Legal is capable of handling litigation and arbitration proceedings alongside court representation and advisory services. The group is instructed by clients from a range of industry sectors such as banking and finance, manufacturing, and engineering. Firm co-founder Satish Kishanchandani and disputes resolution specialist Narendra Dingankar co-head the practice. Kishanchandani is highly regarded for his extensive experience handling disputes arising from private equity and M&A transactions, as well as joint ventures and restructuring. Dingankar stands out for his aptitude in forensic investigations, civil and criminal actions, and arbitration proceedings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Work Department
Mergers and Acquisition, Private Equity, Corporate Advisory, Venture Capital
Position
Managing Partner
Career
As the Managing Partner of Pioneer Legal, Satish, an accomplished advocate and solicitor, brings a wealth of legal expertise and strategic vision to the firm. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, he initially ventured into the corporate realm by joining Arthur Andersen, a renowned international accounting firm, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the corporate business advisory team. Subsequently, in 1997, Satish joined Dua Associates as a Partner, overseeing the setup of its legal practice in Mumbai and Pune. In 2001, he co-founded DSK Legal as part of the Andersen Legal Network, successfully cultivating it into a formidable 130-lawyer firm over 18 years. In April 2019, Satish, alongside other accomplished professionals, founded Pioneer Legal, leveraging his extensive legal acumen to lead the firm towards continued success and growth.
Accolades -
- Recognized amongst the highest-ranked legal practitioner in WWL: M&A and Governance 2024
- Recognised as a ‘Distinguished Practitioner’ for Private Equity and Corporate/M&A (India) by Asialaw Profiles 2023
- Recommended by Legal500 Asia- Pacific 2024 for Corporate and M&A (India), Private Equity & Investment Funds (India), Commercial, Corporate and M&A (Mumbai) and Dispute Resolution (Mumbai)
- Ranked in Band 4 for Private Equity and Corporate/M&A by Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific 2020 to 2024
- Ranked in Band 4 for Corporate/M&A by Chambers and Partners Global 2021 to 2024.
- Recognised in the 'A-List' of lawyers by India Business Law Journal 2022.
- Recognised as a ‘Distinguished Practitioner’ for Private Equity and Corporate/M&A (India) by Asialaw Leading Lawyers 2020 to 2022-23.
- Recognised as ‘Distinguished Practitioner’ for Private Equity and Corporate/M&A (India) by IFLR1000 2022 and 2023.
- Recognized in the Asian Legal Business Super 50 Lawyers (India) 2020.
- Recognised as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ for Corporate/M&A and Arbitration in RSG India Report 2019.
- Ranked in Band 4 for Corporate/M&A by Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific 2019.
- Ranked as one of the top 10 deal makers in Asia by Mergermarket, 2018.
- Awarded ‘Corporate Lawyer of the year’ at Legal Era Awards, 2018
Languages
English, Hindi
Memberships
1. The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa
2. The Bombay Incorporated Law Society
3. International Bar Association
Content supplied by Pioneer Legal
Key clients
- National Bulk Handling Corporation
- ISMT Ltd.
- Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Ltd.
- Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Ltd.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.
- Kotak Mahindra Investments Ltd.
- Kotak India Realty Fund Ltd.
- Simto Investment Company Limited
Work highlights
Advised National Bulk Handling Corporation in the writ petition that was filed inter alia for quashing the client from the IBA Caution List of "Third Parties Involved in Fraud".
Advised ISMT Ltd. and Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Ltd. in an application that was filed under Sections 230-232 of the Companies Act, 2013 seeking directions of the Tribunal for the convening and dispensation of the meetings of the equity shareholders, secured creditors, and unsecured creditors of the Applicant Companies for seeking their approval to the merger scheme.