List of Top 10 Corporate Lawyers in India

Who is a Corporate Lawyer?

A corporate lawyer is a lawyer with a specialization in corporate law who advises companies on their rights, obligations, and responsibilities under the law. These professionals navigate a broad spectrum of legal and business matters, encompassing commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, compliance, and contractual agreements. Their pivotal role involves ensuring company transactions adhere to state laws, safeguarding against legal risks and violations, representing the company in legal proceedings, and offering legal counsel on corporate processes like mergers and acquisitions (M&A), compliance issues, and lawsuits. Corporate lawyers may operate within law firms or serve as in-house counsel for corporations, delivering strategic legal advice to mitigate risks and ensure adherence to corporate laws and regulations.

Top Ten Corporate Lawyers in India

Here is a list of the top 10 corporate lawyers in India covering their professional backgrounds and achievements:

Amit Desai

Amit Desai, a senior partner at Luthra & Luthra Law Offices in Mumbai, is renowned for his expertise in corporate and business law.

• Educational Background and Specialization: Born in Mumbai and a graduate of Government Law College, Desai specializes in M&A, private equity, and corporate governance. With over 25 years of experience, he commands an estimated annual salary of ₹15 crore.
• Professional Achievements: Handling over 50 cases annually with an impressive 80% success rate, Desai’s most famous case involves representing Reliance Group in the historic $15 billion sale of its telecom assets to Jio.
• Ideal Skills and Contributions: Demonstrating proficiency in telecom, media, technology, real estate, and infrastructure sectors, Desai’s extensive portfolio includes advising on over 500 M&A and private equity deals.
• Professional Impact and Legacy: Desai’s legacy extends beyond individual cases, with a substantial impact on shaping the corporate and business law landscape in India. His strategic counsel has contributed significantly to the success of numerous high-profile transactions.

Zia Mody

Zia Mody, the founding partner of AZB & Partners, stands as a pioneering figure among India’s leading corporate lawyers.

• Educational Background and Specialization: Born in Mumbai and a graduate of Cambridge University, Mody specializes in M&A, foreign investments, and securities law. With over 40 years of experience, she commands an estimated annual salary exceeding ₹25 crore.
• Professional Achievements: Handling over 100 cases annually with a commendable 75% success rate, Mody’s most renowned case involves representing Tata Sons in the acquisition of Bharti Airtel’s Africa operations for $10.7 billion.
• Enduring Reputation and Challenges: Despite her involvement in the controversial 2G spectrum scam case, Zia Mody maintains an esteemed reputation, demonstrating resilience in the face of legal challenges.
• Professional Impact and Legacy: Mody’s role as a thought leader and innovator in the legal field has led to the establishment of new benchmarks, not just in individual cases but in setting industry standards for legal practice.

Shardul Shroff

Shardul Shroff, the Executive Chairman of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., has established himself as one of the most well-known corporate lawyers in India over a career spanning more than 30 years.

• Educational Background and Specialization: Born in Mumbai and a graduate of St. Stephens College, Shroff specializes in M&A, private equity, and infrastructure financing. With around 70 cases annually, he maintains an impressive 85% success rate.
• Key Contributions and Controversies: Shroff’s most popular case involves representing Unitech in the high-profile 2G spectrum allocation case. Despite controversies, his influence in shaping India’s legal landscape remains substantial.
• Professional Standing and Financial Recognition: Handling around 70 cases annually with an 85% success rate, Shroff commands an estimated annual salary of around ₹18 crore, reflecting his enduring impact on India’s legal landscape.
• Strategic Vision and Industry Influence: Beyond his success rate, Shroff’s strategic vision and influence extend to shaping industry trends and policies, making him a key figure in corporate law evolution.

Cyril Shroff 

Cyril Shroff, the Managing Partner of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, is a visionary figure in the legal landscape, boasting over 35 years of experience.

• Educational Background and Specialization: Born in Mumbai and a graduate of Oxford University, Shroff specializes in corporate law, taxation, and private equity. With over 80 cases annually, he maintains a 70% success rate.
• Landmark Contributions and Notable Controversies: Shroff played a pivotal role in landmark transactions, such as Tata Teleservices’ $1.2 billion share sale to Bharti Airtel. Despite controversies surrounding the Vedanta-Cairn India merger, Shroff’s influence remains substantial.
• Financial Recognition and Professional Impact: Handling over 80 cases annually with a 70% success rate, Shroff commands an estimated annual salary of ₹20 crore, reflecting his enduring impact on India’s legal landscape.
• Thought Leadership and Legal Innovation: Cyril Shroff’s commitment to legal innovation and thought leadership has positioned him as a guiding force in shaping the future of corporate law, both nationally and internationally.

Lalit Bhasin

Lalit Bhasin, Bhasin & Co.’s managing partner and President of the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF), brings over five decades of experience.

• Educational Background and Specialization: Born in Jhang, Pakistan, and a graduate of Government Law College, Bhasin specializes in corporate law and dispute resolution. Handling around 60 cases annually, he maintains a 65% success rate.
• Key Contributions and High-Profile Representation: Bhasin’s most renowned case involves representing Dow Chemicals in the contentious Bhopal Gas tragedy case. His counsel spans diverse sectors, including mergers & acquisitions, banking, and infrastructure projects.
• Professional Standing and Financial Recognition: Handling around 60 cases annually with a 65% success rate, Bhasin commands an estimated annual salary of around ₹10 crore, reflecting his significant contributions to the legal field.
• Leadership in Legal Advocacy: As the President of SILF, Lalit Bhasin has not only contributed to individual cases but has also been instrumental in shaping legal advocacy strategies, making him a respected figure in the legal community.

Ajay Bahl

Ajay Bahl, the founding partner of AZB & Partners and co-founder, along with Zia Mody, brings over 30 years of experience to his role.

• Educational Background and Specialization: Born in Delhi and a graduate of the Campus Law Center, Bahl specializes in private equity, M&A, and public deals. With around 40 cases annually, he maintains an impressive 80% success rate.
• Landmark Contributions and Noteworthy Cases: Bahl’s most famous case involves representing Etihad Airways in their acquisition of a 24% stake in Jet Airways, marking a significant milestone in the aviation sector.
• Steadfast Presence and Professional Impact: Handling around 40 cases annually with an 80% success rate, Bahl commands an estimated annual salary of ₹12 crore, reflecting his enduring impact on India’s legal landscape.
• Innovation in Deal Structuring: Ajay Bahl’s contribution extends beyond traditional legal practice, as he has been a pioneer in introducing innovative deal structuring mechanisms and setting benchmarks for the industry.

Hemant Sahai

Hemant Sahai, the managing partner of HSA Advocates, boasts over 35 years of experience in competition law, policy advisory work, dispute resolution, and M&As.

• Educational Background and Specialization: Born in Delhi and a graduate of Delhi University, Sahai specializes in competition law and policy advisory. Handling over 30 cases annually, he maintains a 70% success rate.
• Key Contributions and Landmark Case: Sahai’s most popular case involves representing Monsanto against Nuziveedu Seeds in a landmark patent infringement case, showcasing his expertise in competition law.
• Professional Standing and Financial Recognition: Handling over 30 cases annually with a 70% success rate, Sahai commands an estimated annual salary of around ₹9crore, reflecting his significant contributions to the legal field.
• Thought Leadership in Competition Law: Hemant Sahai’s influence extends to thought leadership in competition law, as he has been instrumental in shaping legal discourse and policies in this domain.

Somasekhar Sundaresan

Somasekhar Sundaresan, a partner at JSA (J. Sagar Associates), possesses over 25 years of experience in securities regulations, corporate laws, private equity, and infrastructure financing.

• Educational Background and Specialization: Born in Tamil Nadu and a graduate of New York University, Sundaresan specializes in securities regulations and corporate law. Handling around 20 cases annually, he maintains a 75% success rate.
• Authorial Contributions and Notable Representation: Sundaresan has authored over 10 books on securities and corporate laws. His most renowned matter involves representing an Italian marine against the government of India in an arbitration dispute.
• Professional Standing and Financial Recognition: Handling around 20 cases annually with a 75% success rate, Sundaresan commands an estimated annual salary of around ₹8 crore, reflecting his significant contributions to the legal field.
• Influence on Legal Scholarship: Somasekhar Sundaresan’s role as an author and commentator has not only contributed to individual cases but has had a lasting impact on legal scholarship and education.

Akila Agrawal

Akila Agrawal, the partner and head of the corporate M&A practice at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, brings two decades of experience to her role.

• Educational Background and Specialization: Born in Dehradun and a graduate of Symbiosis Law School, Agrawal specializes in M&A, foreign investments, and funds. Handling over 40 cases annually, she maintains a 65% success rate.
• Professional Contributions and High-Profile Transactions: Agrawal has advised on over 250 domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. Her most famous deal involves representing Facebook in the acquisition of a 9.99% stake in Reliance Jio.
• Professional Standing and Financial Recognition: Handling around 40 cases annually with a 65% success rate, Agrawal commands an estimated annual salary of around ₹7 crore, reflecting her significant contributions to the legal field.
• Leadership in Cross-Border Transactions: Akila Agrawal’s proficiency in managing cross-border transactions has not only contributed to her success rate but has also positioned her as a leader in facilitating seamless global business deals.

Avaantika Kakkar

Avaantika Kakkar, a partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas with over 15 years of experience, excels at advising clients on M&As, PE investments, corporate restructuring, securities law, and regulations.

• Educational Background and Specialization: Born in Delhi and a graduate of Government Law College, Kakkar specializes in M&A, private equity, and securities law. Handling around 30 cases annually, she maintains a 70% success rate.
• Key Contributions and High-Profile Representation: Kakkar’s most popular case involves representing Amazon in the acquisition of More Retail, solidifying her position in the legal arena.
• Professional Standing and Financial Recognition: Handling around 30 cases annually with a 70% success rate, Kakkar commands an estimated annual salary of around ₹6 crore, reflecting her significant contributions to the legal field.
• Innovation in Corporate Restructuring: Avaantika Kakkar’s role in corporate restructuring goes beyond legal advisory, as she has been at the forefront of introducing innovative structures to streamline business operations for her clients.

Top Ten Corporate Lawyers in India- FAQs

Who is known as the highest-paid lawyer in India?

Fali Sam Nariman was widely recognized as one of India’s top attorneys. Additionally, he holds the prestigious position of senior advocate and has served as a judge in the Supreme Court of India.

Which law firm holds the top spot in India?

Leading law firms in India, such as Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., and AZB & Partners, stand out for their expertise in business law, dispute resolution, and intellectual property.

Who is the legal representative for Mukesh Ambani?

Harish Salve, known for arguing the first anti-dumping case in the Supreme Court of India, is a frequent representative for major corporations, including Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Limited.

Who earns more, a chartered accountant (CA) or a lawyer?

While the starting salary at top-tier law firms (T-1) begins around 10 to 14 lakhs per annum, this exceeds the average starting salary of a chartered accountant, which typically ranges from 7-8 lakhs per annum. The CA exams are known for their difficulty, requiring dedication and a 3-year articleship compared to a 3-year LLB.

Who holds the title of the youngest advocate in India?

As the youngest woman attorney to be appointed as a senior advocate in the Indian Supreme Court, Aishwarya Bhati made history.

Note: The information presented on this website is based on our research and available data at the time of publication. While we strive for accuracy, the dynamic nature of information may lead to changes in data over time.