Outstanding Women Lawyers 2022.pdf

The way of business solutions
VOL 06 | ISSUE 08 | 2022
www.insightssuccess.in
Outstanding
Lawyers
Mumtaz
A Young, Vibrant and Distinguished Advocate on Record
REDEFINING NORMS
HOW WOMEN LAWYERS
ARE BREAKING THE STEREOTYPES
AND CHANGING
THE LEGAL PROFESSION?
LADY LAW
HOW THE LEGAL PROFESSION
IS EMBRACING THE
MODERN PHENOMENA OF
GENDER EQUALITY?
Altaf Fathima,
Business's Legal
Counselling Stalwart

Editor’s Note
lthough everyone agrees that change is the only
Aconstant, everybody finds it hard to adopt the
change easily, even if that change is positive. In the
th
United Kingdom, over a hundred years ago, that is on 6
February 1918, women were allowed to vote after the
passing of the Representation of People Act. It paved the
way for enhanced women's participation in society.
Similarly, in 1919, first time in western history women
could become solicitors after the royal approval of the Sex
Disqualification (Removal) Act.
However, the same British Colonial Government has to face
women's suffrage movements in India during 1918 – 1929
that all British Provinces and Princely states could grant
women the right to vote, and in the limited case allowed
them to participate in the local election by standing as a
candidate. Likewise, in 1923, the then government had to
pass the Legal Practitioners (Women) Act which removed
women's disqualification on the only basis of sex or gender,
stating in its affirmation that henceforth no woman will be
disqualified from entering into the legal profession because
CELEBRATING
SPIRITED
VICTORIES OF
GENDER
EQUALIZERS

they were of different sex or gender than men. It further
stated that women could admit or enroll themselves as legal
practitioners and pursue legal professions in the Indian
judiciary.
This was the victory of a Bengali Lady, Regina Guha – of
Jewish Bengali Ancestry – who after getting her MA degree
in 1913, and a Bachelor of Law degree from Calcutta
University in 1916, admitted an application to be allowed in
the District Judge's court of Alipore as a pleader. It was the
first 'person case – women to be qualified as persons just
like men and not their property' in India. Regina's
application was then forwarded to the Calcutta High Court.
Although Regina lost the case, only in the next year did
Sudhanshubala Hazra submit a second 'person case' in
September 1917. Although rejected first-time Hazra filed
the application again in February 1918, that as a Bengalee
Woman by nationality she has every right to appear in the
examination, which was finally given to her by the Calcutta
University. Thus, Hazra passed her pre-law exam in 1919,
and intermediate law exam in 1920. Again, after passing
those exams Hazra had to fight just like Regina to gain
admittance to the court to act as a lawyer which was denied.
However, all these historic events paved the further battles,
and in 1923 when The Legal Practitioners (Women) Act
was passed in the UK, Hazra with widespread praises and
salutations could now become British India's first Vakil of
the Patna High Court.
Insights Success's latest edition of 'Outstanding Women
Lawyers 2022' praises, salutes, and celebrates Modern
women lawyers' courage and daring akin to that of Regina
and Hazra. Flip through the following pages and have a
fantastic read!
Abhishek Joshi
Deputy Editor
abhishek.joshi@insightssuccess.com

CONT
CONT
C o v e r S t o r y
Mumtaz
08
Altaf Fathima
Business’s Legal Counselling Stalwart
14
S p e c i a l p r o f i l e

TENT
TENT
A r t i c l e s
18
P r o f i l e s
Rachika Agarwal Sahey
30
26
REDEFINING NORMS
HOW WOMEN LAWYERS
ARE BREAKING THE STEREOTYPES
AND CHANGING
THE LEGAL PROFESSION?
LADY LAW
HOW THE LEGAL PROFESSION
IS EMBRACING THE
MODERN PHENOMENA OF
GENDER EQUALITY?
Rising Star of the Corporate Legal Arena
Sneh Parikh
Personi cation of the Legal Charisma
22

Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal
Deputy Editor Abhishek Joshi
Managing Editor Gaurav PR Wankhade
Designing Head Sandeep Tikode
Designer Rashmi Singh
Sr. Vice President Megha Mishra
Sr. Sales Manager Tejaswini Whaval
Business Development Lead Neha Bhilare
Sr. Business Development Executive Yogesh Kadam
Technical Head Prachi Mokashi
Technical Specialist Amar Sawant
Digital Marketing Manager Renuka Kulkarni
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Firm Br f
ie
Featuring
Argus Partners
Rachika joined the Firm's Delhi office as a Partner in the Corporate
and Infrastructure practice in 2021. She has worked on a broad range
of deals, particularly in the power, oil and gas and mining sectors.
Rachika Agrawal Sahay,
Partner, Energy and
Infrastructure and Corporate
and M&A
Altaf Fathima is a Partner, at L&L Partners Law Offices Hyderabad
and has expertise in criminal, contractual, matrimonial, corporate
and commercial disputes across a range of sectors and real estate,
among others.
Celia Jenkins is a partner at, and heads Tuli & Co’s product
development, regulatory and corporate insurance practices.
Celia Jenkins,
Partner
Economic Laws Practice
Mumtaz Bhalla is a Partner in the Arbitration and Dispute
Resolution Practice of ELP. She is an AOR with the Hon’ble
Supreme Court of India. Mumtaz has over 13 years of experience in
the field of litigation and dispute resolution.
Mumtaz Bhalla,
Partner
Anand and Anand
Ritika Ahuja is a director at Anand and Anand in Noida. With an
experience of 14 plus years in IP, she specializes in patent
prosecution, patent drafting and patent analysis in the ICT and
medical equipment domain.
Ritika Ahuja,
Director
Sharmil Bhushan,
Partner
HSAAdvocates
Sharmil Bhushan is a partner and corporate lawyer at HSA having
experience in M&A, PE/VC investments, debt funding, corporate
finance, regulatory issues, capital market, financial services etc.
Outstanding
Women
Lawyers
2022
J Sagar Associates
A Partner at JSA, Sneh Parikh focuses on dispute resolution and
handles all types of litigations before the Supreme Court of India,
Bombay High Court, NCDRC, Civil Courts, Sessions Court, etc.
Sneh Parikh,
Partner
Tanu Banerjee Khaitan & Co Llp
Tanu Banerjee is a Partner in the Corporate and Commercial practice
group in Khaitan's Mumbai office. She focuses on technology, media,
entertainment, corporate and commercial laws.
L&L Partners Law Offices
Altaf Fathima,
Partner and Legal Advisor
Tuli & Co

Mumtaz
I handled civil trials, criminal trials,
appeals, writs, consumer cases etc.
which made me a conﬁdent
individual.

I have been IBA’s regional
representative from India in the
Criminal Law Committee from 2019-
2021 and am a member of young
MCIA’s steering committee from 2019.
Outstanding Women Lawyers | 2022

Mumtaz Bhalla is an AOR
with the Hon’ble Supreme
Court of India.

The interest of the client is paramount for me. Moreover, the very fact
that I can handle both civil and criminal trial add to my client’s
comfort as it appears to be a one-stop-shop for them.

A Tech-Transparent Judiciary:
Regarding the latest integration of technology and judiciary,
Mumtaz expresses, “COVID has taught us the importance
of technology.” No one in 2019 imagined that Indian
Courts, especially District Courts, could hear matters
virtually. With the onset of the pandemic, the Indian legal
system seamlessly adapted to the virtual system by using
technology.
By using software to encourage e-filings and mandating e-
hearings, technology has increased the efficiency of legal
offices and the productivity of clerical workers. With the
advent of legal tech, there is greater transparency between
legal firms and clients. Online research databases have
replaced law books, digital contracts have replaced physical
copies, and countless other advancements have transformed
the legal industry.
The client is Paramount:
Some unique specialities and factors make Mumtaz stand
out as an influential personality in the legal profession. Her
out of the box approach, genuine practical advice as
opposed to armchair advice, and the ability to think on her
legs make her excel in her domain.
If a client comes with a totally warped case, Mumtaz does
not lower the client’s morale by telling them that it is
messed up. Instead, she tries to resolve their issues by using
her legal skills in the most expeditious manner. Mumtaz
feels, “The interest of the client is paramount for me.
Moreover, the very fact that I can handle both civil and
criminal trial add to my client’s comfort as it appears to be
a one-stop-shop for them.”
Present Solicitation and Future Counsel:
Mumtaz’s advice to aspiring legal enthusiasts willing to
step into the legal space today is intelligent. She says,
“Don’t be fascinated by the glamour being a lawyer brings
in. The glamour comes in much later after years of arduous
work and luck!”
According to Mumtaz, Indian law firms are becoming more
inclined toward the Counsel practice model switching from
the solicitor’s model. “The system has realised that the
interest of the client is best subserved if they possess both
counsel and solicitor skills,” Mumtaz concludes.

Altaf Fathima
Partner and Legal Advisor
14 | www. insightssuccess.in | JUNE 2022

Altaf Fathima
Business’s Legal Counselling Stalwart
business has to combat challenges on various
Afronts. From its inception to its smooth running
and prospering, it is always constantly battling
with various issues, big or small. Moreover, these
challenges were ampliﬁed during the pandemic, so much so
that many business entities struggled to keep up.
The biggest challenge they still face is legal issues,
including corporate and commercial disputes, real estate
legalities, contractual claims, white-collar crimes, debt
recovery, consumer litigation, etc.
And to solve these problems, they need an expert legal
counsellor who not only understands each issue from every
possible angle but has honed her legal expertise for decades
by actually being a Junior Standing Counsel in Supreme
Court and Counsel practicing at High Courts, Lower
Courts and Tribunals.
Those who had been successfully defended by her know her
as Altaf Fathima. And others in the legal profession
recognise her as the business’s legal counselling stalwart.
Be it criminal, contractual, matrimonial, corporate and
commercial disputes across various sectors, Altaf Fathima
is every corporate entity’s best bet.
Be it criminal,
contractual, matrimonial,
corporate and commercial
disputes across various
sectors, Altaf Fathima is
every corporate entity’s
best bet.

The Perfectly Captivating Advisor
A graduate from the first batch of the NALSAR University
of Law, Hyderabad, Altaf got her degree from the Law
school in 2003 and started her practice before the Supreme
Court of India under the guidance of eminent Senior
Counsel Mr V.R. Reddy and assisted him on a variety of
matters before Supreme Court including the Arbitrations
and Consumer Disputes.
After working with Senior for four years, she started her
independent practice, wherein she appeared before various
forums and Tribunals apart from her regular practice at
Supreme Court. Altaf appeared in various criminal matters
and public interest litigations and carved a niche for herself
by appearing against prominent lawyers of the Supreme
Court as the Junior Standing Counsel for the combined
State of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Having been appointed by esteemed judges of Supreme
Court as amicus curiae in various complicated criminal
matters, she assisted the bench in the appropriate
interpretation of the law as applicable to the underlying
complex set of facts.
After becoming Advocate-on-record in 2013, Altaf shifted
her independent practice to Hyderabad and regularly
appeared before the High Courts, tribunals and appellate
bodies in diverse civil, criminal and corporate litigation at
original and appellate levels for various clients.
Having seen Altaf's plethora and diversity of experience,
L&L Partners Law Offices partnered with her in 2016 to
start its Hyderabad office, and Altaf has been associated
with L&L since then.
With over 18 years of extensive and highly regarded
experience, Altaf’s expertise spans criminal, contractual,
matrimonial, corporate and commercial disputes across a
range of sectors and real estate, among others. She also
advises clients on diverse issues such as contractual claims,
white-collar crimes, debt recovery, consumer litigation, etc.
An Unshakeable Dedication to Clients’ Interests
L&L Partners Law Offices has been consistently noted and
recognised amongst India’s leading full-service law firms
since its inception in 1990. L&L Partners has a team of over
350 lawyers, including 73 partners, with offices
strategically spanning the Indian territory in New Delhi,
Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
Over the last two decades, L&L Partners has assisted
various renowned multinational corporations in setting up
their presence in India, and navigating the complex,
dynamic and ever-evolving Indian legal system.
The Firm regularly advises on transactions and matters
involving diverse business sectors and practise areas,
including but not limited to banking and finance, capital
markets, competition and anti-trust, corporate commercial,
mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution (Litigation and
Arbitration), anti-corruption and compliance, international
trade (WTO) Laws and Policy and Advisory, project
infrastructure and Energy, tax (direct and indirect), real
estate and construction, aerospace and defence
(procurement and production), insurance and reinsurance,
intellectual property - patents and trademarks, oil and gas,
health and pharmaceuticals, private equity and venture
capital investments.
Inspired by Adversities
According to Altaf, a first-generation lawyer who works as
an independent practitioner gets a very limited range of
work due to the general perception of high-end clients such
as multi-national corporations to go to a well-established
lawyer or a law firm for matters involving high stakes.
However, she says, “The difficulties and challenges faced
by me as an independent practitioner for obtaining
expertise in high-stake transactions and advising on
diverse issues is what motivated me to switch to the
business consultancy model.”
Quality of services and striv
ing to add more value by
addressing and assisting
clients in diverse ways are our
key USPs that make us the
preferred one-stop law firm
for our clients.

Close Encounter with the Challenging Times
As per Altaf, operating a law firm in Hyderabad was a
challenge and still continues to be one since clients prefer to
go to independent lawyers considering they are most cost-
effective or prefer hiring law firms from bigger cities such
as Delhi or Mumbai when matters involve high stakes.
She continues, “Quality speaks for itself, and the high
quality and value that we deliver have proven successful in
retaining and augmenting our clientele.
However, creating a balance between our professional fee
versus client expectations and industry standards continues
to remain a challenge that we strive to address in the best
way possible.”
Unique Success Prepositions
Altaf shares, “Quality of services and striving to add more
value by addressing and assisting clients in diverse ways
are our key USPs that make us the preferred one-stop law
firm for our clients.
We work on matters diligently with thorough research and
an in-depth legal and business-focused analysis that is
targeted at the wider aspects of the case. This approach
automatically multiplies the quality and value that we
deliver and maximises client satisfaction.”
Strengthening Up through COVID-19
Altaf states that COVID-19 had a tremendous impact on the
practice of independent lawyers because the courts were not
operating in full strength, and virtual hearing was
addressing only limited matters. This led to an immense
delay in the closure of disputes that would have otherwise
closed and client reluctance in paying fees and engaging
lawyers for new mandates.
Recovering accrued fees from clients was also a huge
challenge considering the lockdown and associated cost
implications. In this scenario, it was extremely difficult for
law firms to meet the fixed operational cost, including the
retainership fees paid to full-time professionals, support and
the expenses for running the offices.
But Altaf reveals, “Having said that, we stood together
during the pandemic and continued to stand by our clients,
our staff, and we came out of that scenario better and
stronger.”
Legal Enterprise Wisdom
As an established leading legal expert, Altaf’s advice to the
budding entrepreneurs and enthusiasts aspiring to venture
into the business consultancy industry is sincere.
She says, “I would recommend that it is extremely
important to be aware of and accordingly strategise your
business venture at par with the applicable industry
standards.”
While relationship-building and business awareness are
necessary, it is equally crucial to be updated about the
recent developments in the legal field and be committed,
sincere, and honest towards the profession to ensure that
quality is delivered and not compromised with. A
combination of the foregoing skills would enable one to
excel in a business consultancy model.
Future Insights
When asked how she envisions further strengthening her
law firm’s stronghold in the future, Altaf concludes with a
smile, “Hyderabad is an emerging market for law firms,
and with the quality of work we offer, we aim and are
confident that we will be able to develop a better clientele
and also be able to retain them by ensuring their confidence
and faith in our deliverables.”
L&L Partners has assisted
various renowned multina
tional corporations in
setting up their presence
in India, and navigating the
complex, dynamic and
ever-evolving Indian legal
system.

HowWomen Lawyers
are Breaking the
Stereotypes and
Changing the
Legal Profession?

Along-standing tradition over millennia or from the
dawn of civilization cannot be broken in a day or
two, or by one or two individuals. A tradition as
strong as gender stereotyping. However, over generations,
Indian women are increasingly breaking these barriers of
stereotyping and joining the ranks of men in every field be
it industry, be it academics, healthcare, or even the
judiciary.
In the field of judiciary or legal profession, presently, there
are 15% of registered advocates out of over 1.7 million,
who are women. The number is not great. It is lower for the
number of High Court judges as there are only 83 judges
out of the present 680, who are women. In percentage
terms, it only comes to 12%. The number is even lower for
the Supreme Court judges as only four out of 33 are
women.
Walking on the Road to Equality
However, it is a start, as the present Chief Justice of India,
NV Ramana has vouched for fifty per cent reservation for
women at all levels in India's Justice System. In very noble
words CJI urges all the women of the world to unite. He
further says doing so they will break the shackles and will
lose the chains binding them.
The collegium, too, this time, broke the record when they
appointed three women judges to the Supreme Court in a
go. Furthermore, projected to become India's first women
CJI in 2027, Justice Nagarathna is looked upon as the
proverbial breaker of that traditional glass ceiling further.
This is the positive mindset change brought by the Indian
constitutional motto of Unity in Diversity, as only
diversification can do societal transformation.
And Indian judiciary is on its way to embracing this drive
of diversification to include more women in its garb. Slowly
but surely it has begun shading its misconceptions,
patriarchal mindset and gender stereotypes. Likewise, in
law schools, women are outnumbering men, and more of
them are now joining the corporate legal sector. Similarly,
women's representation in decision-making bodies,
organizations and institutions is gradually increasing.
Redefining Norms

She shares her own experience as a young child-raising
mother who had to take breaks in between because of her
maternity and she had to work more to break the re-entry
barriers. But she did it. Today, she says that she looks back
at that time as a learning experience which helped us in
becoming and seeing herself as a mainstream lawyer and
not just a women lawyer who is stereotyped and side-
tracked.
A Positive Future Legal Profession
Continuing on Madhavi's experience, Centre for Policy
Research professor Lavanya Rajamani says that it is high
time when the judiciary must compel all its stakeholders to
stop playing the blame game and pointing out women for
their lack of representation. Rather she says that the Indian
judiciary's future lies in converting continuously increasing
women's participation at the lower level of the judiciary
into their career growth as the high court supreme court
lawyers, judges, and finally CJI of India just like the current
contender Justice Nagarathna.
Although women had been battling for a long to set
evaluation criteria based on competition, so that they could
come forth and prove their mettle, all the moves by the
judiciary are signing positively in that regard.
Driving Diversification
Supreme Court of India's sitting judge Justice AK Sikri
emphasised in his keynote the crucial role the Indian legal
profession has to play in transforming the judicial system
inside out so that it could put itself as a role model in front
of society. Along with enhancing the number of women's
representations at the lower level, the process has been set
in motion to clear the path of women towards advancing to
the higher echelons too.
Women lawyers and advocates are very crucial in this
transformation of the legal profession which currently is in
the phase of change due to modernization, digitalization,
expansion of services, and talent retention. First, these
women lawyers are battling the work-life balance. Now
with digitalization and virtual hearing they can manage it
more effectively. Many more are influencing other people to
take notice of the issues and barriers they are facing. That
way they are making a point that the time is ripe to equate
symbolism with affirmative action.
Levelling the Playing Field
A senior advocate Arvind Datar said that it is really heart-
warming to see that women's representation in many
institutions like law schools, corporate law firms, Tax
consultancy and CA firms, is constantly increasing which is
really a positive sign for the future of the Indian Judiciary.
He further stressed the need for more positive approaches
and vital changes to be carried out at all the levels of
decision-making, selection and appointment-making
institutional bodies like the judicial service exam
commission, Bar Association, Lawyers associations, and
collegium, so that hereafter the women representation will
only enhance.
Breaking the Barriers
A supreme court advocate Madhavi Divan said that more
and more people are accepting that law practitioners like
herself are now expected to have more aggression and
tenacity. She also said that these are the necessary virtues
which are crucial when it comes to passing a bar exam as
well as a case in the court of law.
- Gaurav PR Wankhade

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Rachika Agrawal Sahay
The Partner, Energy and
Infrastructure and Corporate
and M&A

Rachika Agrawal Sahay
n the global drive for sustainability, energy and
Iinfrastructure are the two major aspects which get
prominence. The tremendous impetus in the energy
and infrastructure sector and global interest in the area in
our country strengthens opportunities for corporate law
firms to expand their core areas of practice. However, they
need lawyers who not only possess experience in this field
but genuine interest and expertise.
Rachika Agrawal Sahay, Partner at Argus Partners
(Solicitors & Advocates), in the domain of Energy and
Infrastructure and Corporate and M&A, has been
playing the role of an expert legal advisory counsel in this
regard.
An Empowering Corporate Law Attorney
Rachika joined Argus's Delhi office as a Partner in the
Corporate and Infrastructure practice in 2021. She has
worked on a broad range of deals, particularly in the power,
oil and gas and mining sectors. She also has experience in
working on PPP projects for developing infrastructure
relating to transport facilities like rail and ports.
Rachika has handled a broad range of corporate transactions
across sectors including domestic as well as cross border
joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, private equity
investments and foreign direct investments.
At Argus, Rachika is extensively advising both public and
private sector players in corporate/ M&A/ foreign
investments, bids/tender assistance, project development
and advisory, due diligence, contract negotiations and
finalisation including concessions, EPC and O&M contracts
and various other types of project contracts, project
operations, financing, land issues, regulatory and tariff
issues and disputes across various sectors such as:
Ÿ Electricity (Thermal – generation, distribution and
transmission)
Ÿ Ports and Shipping (investments - M&A, development
and financing)
Ÿ Oil and gas (Upstream – Advising on NELP, HELP, PSC
and RSC regime, farm-in, farm-out; Downstream –
pipeline, CGD, gas sales and transmission, PNGRB,
LNG – sales, port terminals, financing and re-gas)
Ÿ Transport and Logistics (Roads/Airports/Bridges/Rail –
Investments- M&A and Joint Ventures, development,
regulatory issues, construction and financing)
Ÿ Mining (concessions, regulatory issues, MDO and
financing)
Ÿ Renewables and Clean Energy (solar, wind, hydro,
biogas – due diligence, project development,
investments-M&A and joint ventures, EPC and O&M
contracts and various other types of project contracts,
project operations, financing, land issues, regulatory and
tariff issues and disputes)

Ÿ Water and other Utilities (concessions, project
development, contracts and operations)
Ÿ Waste and Environment (solid waste, waste to energy,
environment - concessions, project development,
contracts and operations)
Ÿ Urban Infrastructure/Real Estate (bidding, project
development, construction, financing and regulatory
issues relating to various types of urban infrastructure
projects such as residential projects, commercial
projects, convention centres, townships, aero-city,
railway stations, smart cities, etc.)
Ÿ
The Legendary Counsellor
Rachika expresses, “We possess extensive knowledge of the
legal and regulatory framework and the local markets in
order to provide practical and solution-oriented advice,
tailored to suit the commercial needs of our clients.”
Rachika`s prior experience of acting as a General Counsel
of a leading renewable energy company has also played key
role in shaping her commercial approach and also,
becoming a solution-oriented professional.
She is a 2005 graduate from National Law Institute
University (NLIU), Bhopal and pursued her LL.M. from
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE),
United Kingdom.
Rachika’s Expertise Portfolio
Ÿ Advised GMR on its potential investment in a portfolio
of RE projects including both wind and solar.
Ÿ Advised Oakridge Power on structuring its business
model for setting up rooftop solar projects.
Ÿ Advised Sansera on its arrangement with Clean Max
Energy for setting up captive power project for its
facilities including drafting the shareholder’s
arrangement between RE power developer and captive
consumer.
Ÿ Advised Spring Energy on structuring the potential
acquisition of RE project and on issues arising out of
Detailed Procedure issued under Connectivity
Regulations for its existing projects.
Ÿ Advised an Energy major on setting up a captive power
project including drafting the shareholder’s arrangement
between RE power developer and captive consumer.
Ÿ Advised Neera Power on its potential captive power
project in Tamil Nadu including drafting the
shareholders’ arrangement between RE power developer
and captive consumer.
Ÿ Advised GAIL on various Master Sale and Purchase
Agreements including with BP and Mitsui.
Ÿ Advised ACME on repowering related issues under
current PPAs and regulatory due diligence for potential
acquisitions.
Ÿ Advised Renew Power on issues arising out of Detailed
Procedure issued under Connectivity Regulations for its
existing projects.
Ÿ Advised Sembcorp Energy on the bid process for
selecting a vendor for setting up FGD systems to meet
the environmental norms for its coal-fired power plant.
Ÿ Advised HLS Asia Limited (a joint venture of
Halliburton) in relation to the drafting of a
comprehensive compliance checklist for each business
vertical exclusively, i.e., Operations; Bases &
Warehouses; and Office spaces.
Ÿ Advised a renewable energy major on the sale of a 2
GW solar and wind power portfolio.
Ÿ Advised a rooftop solar company on raising funds from
a German crowdfunding platform.
Ÿ Land due diligence for various renewable energy
companies such as Engie, Azure Power and Amp Solar.
Ÿ
Awards and Recognition
Ÿ Recognised by Forbes Legal Powerlist 2021 as Top 100
Individual Lawyers for Energy (Renewable and
Conventional) and Infrastructure and Projects.
Ÿ Rising Star (40 under 40) Legal Era Award 2017.
Ÿ Included in the GC Powerlist India Teams, 2017 by
Legal 500.
Ÿ Regularly invited to be part of panels and training for
discussion on women empowerment and energy laws.
Memberships
Rachika is a member of the Bar Council of Delhi and also,
SAWIE (South Asian Women in Energy).

How the
Legal Profession is
Embracing the
Modern Phenomena
of Gender Equality?
Astartling revelation by Acritas' study titled
'Transforming Women's Leadership in the Law:
Global Report 2020,' stated that globally gender
diversity or diversification in the law firms makes a positive
impact on the success of those law firms. It further
mentions the significance of achieving diversity and global
acceptance of this emerging phenomenon.
Gender diversity or equality provides a wide scope for
acquiring a broader skill set and expert background for the
individual so that they could effectively counter the
particular legal situational difficulties arising in many
scenarios.
Furthermore, diversity and equality play a very crucial role
in the legal profession: the role of giving legitimacy to the
law of the land as a system of equality, fairness, and justice.
This way, everyone sees the law as an institution
representing them and fighting for their basic human rights
irrespective of their status. They also see the legal
profession with tremendous respect.
Today, the legal profession is increasingly accommodating
women in its breadth as Lawyers (aka advocates, attorneys,
barristers, legal counsellors or solicitors in the public or
private or corporate domains); paralegals and legal scholars
(like legal experts), prosecutors (aka District Attorneys –
DA), judges, justices, law school professors, heads and
deans.
Modern times are becoming increasingly favourable and
rewarding for women around the civilized world
encouraging, enhancing, and celebrating their participation
in various professional fields including the field of law.
Gender equality or diversity has been widely seen as the
prerequisite for every society to be called civilized,
economy to be called developing or developed, and global
benchmarks of human growth, development, progress, and
positive transformation. Women are continuously breaking
the age-old barrier, struggling hard through the traditional
stereotypes and social inherent behavioural norms and
proving themselves by becoming equally righteous,
professionally expert, educationally diverse, intelligently
sound, entrepreneurially robust, economically independent
and financially smart.
Not only globally, but in India also, women are increasingly
opting for law education and going further are progressively
choosing the legal profession. Although, after passing their

Lady Law

law degree, they are joining public institutions or private
and corporate law firms, many are discontinuing it after a
small or average stint. The reasons are many and varied but
the primary reasons are gender inequality, disparity, biased,
and prejudice.
Despite all these barrios, struggles, and hardships it is
heartening to see numerous success stories of role models
who are accomplishing higher posts like judges, justices,
and in the future even chief justice. This is because of their
indomitable spirit, tenacious intent, positive approach,
never-to-die attitude, and stubborn nature, which is
traditionally ingrained in them due to the social setup.
Historically, akin to the global trend, in the Indian legal
profession, too, men have always dominated the scene, not
because of any scientific difference but a blindly perceived
one, that of gender inferiority. Before entering into courts
women had to fight a long and drawn-out legal battle. Even
after their winning, it was immensely difficult for them to
even enter the profession. Furthermore, post their entry,
their active participation in higher echelons and decision-
making levels in the upper institutions and law-making
bodies were minimal or equal to zero till the late twentieth
century.
However, opening up our economy to globalization in 1992
opened up the judiciary's doors widely for women. Though
modernization has almost ended the masculine chauvinism
so strongly present until then, the inherent social conscious
and unconscious bias, false pride, and blind prejudice have
created various transparent and many times invisible glass
ceilings, which could still be seen with keen eyes.
Let us take an example of equal human rights, a
foundational concept adopted by the Indian Republic of
India's post-independence constitution. Which gives a
written guarantee to all its citizens. Along with the freedom
they individually receive, they are also treated as equal in
front of the constitution, state, people's and legislative
assemblies, law, administrative system, public and private
law-making and implementing bodies, institutions,
organizations, and finally the judiciary.
This all reads excellent in theory on paper. But in practice,
if we look deeper into it by removing the surface veneer.
Then we will see that practicality is very much different
from those wise affirmations.
Despite the noble golden concepts of the constitutional
intentions, the privileges offered could not reach their final
beneficiary because of widespread illiteracy, poverty, very
strongly restrictive religious, and communal mindsets and
social customs, strictest cast, cultural norms and creed
restrictions, dogmatic practices, and so on and so forth.
Still, today, fifteen percent of the registered court lawyers
out of 1.7 million are women. However, in 2021, the newly
elected Chief Justice of India accepted that the Indian Legal
profession is still somewhat conservative and orthodox
when it comes to embracing gender equality as many of the
present women lawyers have to face tremendous struggle
and hardship inside the profession.
And it is a thing of concern that after seventy-five years of
Independence women's participation in the lower rung of
the judiciary is 15%, but at higher levels, it goes down from
ten to eight percent. Thus, he assured us that now the time
has come to give fifty percent reservation to this long-
oppressed gender.
Though action speaks louder than words, it is the powerful
thought which leads to responsible actions. If the Indian
judiciary and legal profession wish to stand a chance in
future, then they must wholeheartedly embrace the modern
phenomenon of gender equality as soon as possible.
Otherwise, just like the COVID-19 crisis, where the court
had to shift its traditional model of physical hearings to
online and virtual hearings overnight, there will be future
crises which will prove too much for it to handle. Let us
think positive and wish that legal professionals will learn
from their past mistakes and do the needful quickly.
- Gaurav PR Wankhade

Sneh Parikh
Sneh Parikh
Personification of the Legal Charisma
S
erious professional disagreements between
individuals or companies might often lead to disputes
that become difficult to be resolved mutually. In such
cases, people seek resolution through the legal process. It
becomes essential to get a knowledgeable and effective
lawyer who can take up the issue in a court of law and help
get that resolution.
The ideal lawyer is expected to understand the customer’s
point of debate, represent the matter in the form of a case
through the proper legal process, and the expectations from
the judiciary in getting justice. Smart, experienced lawyers
put up the case effectively in the most appropriate format to
get the most effective resolution for their client.
Sneh Parikh is fast emerging as that eminent lawyer whom
business professionals can entirely rely upon. Also, a
Partner in JSA, Mumbai, Sneh, is a hardcore professional
and skilled advocate capable of handling numerous types of
cases from numerous fields in the court.
Sneh Parikh has been a passionate learner and logical
practitioner who has also developed her expertise in
handling domestic and legal arbitrations. In a brief
interview with Insights Success, Sneh revealed her
professional journey through numerous challenges faced,
how she has reached her current position and her vision
ahead.
Tell us about your firm JSA.
JSA is a leading national law firm in India with over 350+
professionals operating in seven offices located in
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurugram, Hyderabad,
Mumbai and New Delhi. Their practice is organized along
service lines and sector specialization.
The firm provides legal services to top Indian corporates,
Fortune 500 companies, multinational banks and financial
institutions, governmental and statutory authorities and
multilateral and bilateral institutions. It is also one of the
best law firms to work with, providing a positive and
supportive work environment to all its professionals.
What inspired you to venture into the legal space?
I have always been a headstrong person with firm views on
what is right and wrong. Growing up, this was what first
drew me to the field of law, which I saw as a manifestation
of my personality.
In the beginning, my first impression of the legal
profession, particularly in court practice, was the sheer
male dominance and the nepotism that was prevalent at all
levels. The struggle to prove myself to be equal to, if not
better than, my male counterparts coupled with no
background of the legal industry, were what catapulted my
drive to work and make a name in the legal profession,
particularly dispute resolution, which is my area of practice.
The only way I saw that a woman could make a mark in the
legal space, particularly dispute resolution in India, is when
they chose to be their own competitor, in an industry which
has otherwise not seen women at the forefront.
Women who seek
to be equal with
men, lack ambition,” has
always been my
belief.

Sneh Parikh
Partner

I strongly believe that ‘Women who seek to be equal with
men lack ambition;’ and it is this belief that has instilled in
me, the determination to make my mark on the legal
fraternity.
What kind of challenges have you faced while entering
the legal space, and what are the challenges now?
The most arduous challenge I faced while entering the legal
space was creating an identity for myself in a very
competitive line of work. Being a first-generation lawyer,
the only way for me to move forward was through hard
work and keeping up with the dynamics in court practice.
Long hours, client demands and changing laws were some
of the rudimentary challenges I kept in mind while plunging
into the field of law. Legal Space is a very demanding line
of work where an advocate or a lawyer will quite frequently
have to put their clients’ needs above theirs.
Although now, being a partner in one of the leading law
firms in the country, the challenges I face hold immense
consequence. The responsibility to be better than yesterday
and provide the best every day can be said to be one of the
biggest challenges I face currently.
Kindly brief us about the various specialized legal
offerings, solutions, or services you provide to your
clientele.
I focus on dispute resolution, and my strength is the ability
to take up matters in all forums, including all types of civil,
commercial, aviation, banking, consumer, testamentary and
real estate litigations before the Supreme Court of India,
Bombay High Court, NCDRC, Civil Courts (Bombay and
Goa), Sessions Court, and Co-operative Court.
Apart from these, I am also handling domestic and
international arbitrations. I specialize in corporate,
commercial litigation and arbitration and appear regularly
for banks and business houses before the Debt Recovery
Tribunal (DRT) and the National Company Law Tribunal as
well. I have handled dispute matters for Banks and business
houses in Delhi, Chennai, Goa, and Lucknow as well.
I have also represented the Central Government in
international commercial arbitrations in proceedings before
the Supreme Court of India. I have acted for several
international and Indian clients in many diverse litigation
and arbitration proceedings, apart from regularly providing
legal opinions.
The Client’s Advocate
Sneh has been assessed as one of the most sincere,
hardworking lawyers dedica ng her top-most priority to
her client’s interests. She has been very efficient in
handling legal ma ers and has ensured that the right
advice is provided at the right me.
Discipline and a high standard of ethics are of utmost
priority, which is demonstrated through her thorough work
and comprehensive and solu on-oriented advice to clients
who insist that she be involved in all their ma ers.
Sneh has also completed the Company Secretary Course
offered by The Ins tute of Company Secretaries of India
(ICSI) and is also mentoring and guiding younger associates
in the team.
Sneh has also assisted the Former Solicitor General of
India, Mr Ranjit Kumar, and has represented the
Government of India in the arbitra on proceedings
ini ated by Reliance Industries Limited before the Supreme
Court of India. In addi on to that, she has also handled
commercial li ga ons for banks and corporate houses
before the Courts in Singapore and Zambia.

What is the impact of technological advancements in the
Law space?
New technology has and will always have a significant
impact on every working industry, and the field of law is no
exception to the list. Technology has removed physical
footprints, which has helped in the flexibility to work across
borders, travel and save significant infrastructure and
maintenance costs.
While some might always question whether the impact of
technology has been a boon or bane to the law field. I
personally think that technological advancements have
played a vital role in the flourishment of the legal space.
New Tech has also given rise to a new area of work,
including cyberlaw, cryptocurrency regulations, and data
privacy laws, which will keep the legal industry occupied.
The traditional firms that do not adapt and flex with the
ongoing trends in technology and digitalization are likely to
be side-lined by the newer tech-savvy firms. I am proud to
say that JSA has been tech savvy in its approach and as a
firm, was fully prepared to handle work and clients
smoothly, even during the peak of the lockdowns on account
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the specialities/factors that make you stand
out as an influential personality in your field?
My ability to take up matters in all forums, withstand any
challenge thrown my way and do my best to win, helps me
stand apart from most lawyers who are restricted in their
approach to taking up matters.
I have the vision to see that JSA is ‘a one-stop-shop, for all
matters legal,’ be it disputes, real estate transaction work,
banking and securitization, or mergers, acquisitions and
other corporate work. I am doing my bit to contribute to the
disputes practice and am confident that this vision is already
seeing the light of the day.
What would you like to advise the aspiring legal
enthusiasts who are willing to step into the legal space
today?
I would like to remind all aspiring legal enthusiasts that
every senior advocate they see was once a naïve young
lawyer, and the story of every lawyer started as a student.
You are the charter of your own course and so long as you
are determined and keep working towards your goal, every
mountain is surmountable. Every budding law student
should put in hard work and observe and emulate what is
being taught.
Be willing to pivot and take risks in your career while
giving your 100% to your work, clients and your seniors in
the profession.
What is the current scenario of the Indian Legal Space
according to you?
Legal Space has and will always be a field which behests
hard work and utmost diligence to be well-informed and
updated with the latest developments in the social, political
and legal arena, especially in a country like India, which
has one of the most diverse sets of Laws which keep
evolving.
The attractive corporate salaries from huge firms are a
prominent paradigm in motivating young lawyers to pursue
their careers in that trajectory. Moreover, the exceedingly
high demand for young lawyers has also altered the
primordial way the hierarchal system worked, where the
senior lawyers were known as knowledgeable.

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