When it comes to legal expertise, India is home to some of the finest minds in the profession. In this blog, we’ll dive into the world of the Highest Paid Lawyers in India, exploring the top 50 legal professionals who command impressive fees.
These experts have made a mark through their exceptional skills, extensive knowledge, and successful cases. From high-profile litigation to corporate advisory, their influence spans various sectors. Join us as we uncover the country’s top-rated legal superstars and what distinguishes them in the competitive area of law.
Approach to Identifying India’s Top-Earning Lawyers
It’s not easy to figure out who is making the most money in India’s legal system. There aren’t many official figures floating around.
How did we manage it? Well, we dug deep. We studied the financial statements of publicly traded law firms to see how much money these big firms are bringing in, and then sharing it with their top attorneys. We spent a great deal of time reading business magazines, legal journals, and news articles to find out what people thought about the big cases and attorney fees.
List of 50 Highest Paid Lawyer in India
| S.No. | Lawyer Name | Area of Expertise |
| 1 | Vineet Aneja | Clasis Law |
| 2 | Manisha Chaudhary | Dispute Resolution |
| 3 | Manjula Chawla | Mergers and Acquisitions |
| 4 | Vaibhav Gaggar | Dispute resolution – corporate, commercial, civil, criminal and inter-personal |
| 5 | Amit Jajoo | commercial litigation and white-collar crime |
| 6 | Anu Monga | (TMT), antitrust/competition and trade and WTO laws |
| 7 | Anshul Prakash | employment law |
| 8 | Abhisshek Singlla | corporate and commercial law, joint ventures, technology, M&A, private equity |
| 9 | Natasha Treasurywala | M&A, debt capital markets, and general corporate law |
| 10 | Asim Abbas | Technology, media and telecommunications |
| 11 | Hiroo Advani | Arbitration & ADR; corporate & commercial; infrastructure; power & energy |
| 12 | Mahesh Agarwal | Arbitration & ADR; corporate & commercial; infrastructure; litigation |
| 13 | Amit Aggarwal | Banking & finance; capital markets; private equity, venture capital & funds; securitisation & structured finance |
| 14 | Akila Agrawal | Corporate & commercial; corporate governance; joint ventures; mergers & acquisitions |
| 15 | Uday Ahlawat | Corporate & commercial; inbound investment; mergers & acquisitions; private equity, venture capital & funds |
| 16 | Ashish Ahuja | Banking & finance; corporate & commercial; private equity, venture capital & funds; white-collar crime |
| 17 | Ruby Ahuja | Commercial litigation; arbitration law; insolvency & bankruptcy law; and competition law |
| 18 | Bijal Ajinkya | Private client; succession planning (family office); taxation; funds |
| 19 | Bharat Anand | Corporate & commercial; joint ventures; mergers & acquisitions; private equity, venture capital & funds |
| 20 | Gagan Anand | Arbitration & ADR; corporate & commercial; infrastructure; litigation |
| 21 | Pravin Anand | Intellectual property; litigation |
| 22 | Rishi Anand | Corporate & commercial; e-commerce, fintech, blockchain & cryptos; mergers & acquisitions; technology, media and telecommunications |
| 23 | Safir Anand | Corporate & commercial; intellectual property; licensing & franchising; mergers & acquisitions |
| 24 | Jatin Aneja | Banking & finance; infrastructure; power & energy; project finance |
| 25 | Vineet Aneja | Corporate & commercial; inbound investment; labour & employment; mergers & acquisitions |
| 26 | Yash Ashar | Capital markets |
| 27 | Sanjay Asher | Capital markets; joint ventures; mergers & acquisitions |
| 28 | Ajay Bahl | Corporate & commercial; litigation; mergers & acquisitions; taxation |
| 29 | Archana Balasubramanian | Corporate & commercial; e-commerce, fintech, blockchain & cryptos; mergers & acquisitions; real estate |
| 30 | Puneet Bansal | Litigation; taxation; export-import policies; legal metrology law |
| 31 | Rajendra Barot | Arbitration & ADR; bankruptcy & insolvency; litigation; white-collar crime |
| 32 | Sumanto Basu | Compliance; corporate & commercial; power & energy; oil & gas |
| 33 | Rajesh Begur | Banking & finance; mergers & acquisitions; private equity, venture capital & funds; technology, media and telecommunications |
| 34 | Probal Bhaduri | Corporate & commercial; labour & employment; mergers & acquisitions; private equity, venture capital & funds |
| 35 | Sandip Bhagat | Capital markets; corporate governance; joint ventures; mergers & acquisitions |
| 36 | MS Bharath | Intellectual property; licensing & franchising; litigation; technology, media and telecommunications |
| 37 | Sai Krishna Bharathan | Infrastructure; mergers & acquisitions; private equity, venture capital & funds; real estate |
| 38 | Ajay Bhargava | Arbitration & ADR; intellectual property; litigation; white-collar crime |
| 39 | Vanita Bhargava | Arbitration & ADR; environment; infrastructure; litigation |
| 40 | Shweta Bharti | Arbitration & ADR; litigation; real estate; restructuring & insolvency |
| 41 | Alka Bharucha | Banking & finance; infrastructure; mergers & acquisitions; private equity, venture capital & funds |
| 42 | Justin Bharucha | Banking & finance; mergers & acquisitions; project finance; employment and human resources |
| 43 | Zarir Bharucha | Arbitration & ADR; litigation; restructuring & insolvency; shipping |
| 44 | Lalit Bhasin | Arbitration & ADR; aviation; corporate & commercial; labour & employment |
| 45 | Abhimanyu Bhattacharya | Capital markets; corporate & commercial; corporate governance |
| 46 | Ravi Bhola | Intellectual property |
| 47 | Marylou Bilawala | Aviation; corporate & commercial; intellectual property; succession planning (family office) |
| 48 | Avik Biswas | Anti-corruption & anti-bribery; compliance; labour & employment; white-collar crime |
| 49 | Mukesh Butani | Arbitration & ADR; international trade & bilateral investment treaties; litigation; taxation |
| 50 | Varoon Chandra | Capital markets; mergers & acquisitions |
1. Fali S. Narman
Charges: INR 10-15 Lakh per appearance
Achievements: Awarded Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award
He has represented several notable individuals and companies, including Union Carbide during the Bhopal Gas Disaster Case. He played a key role in helping to facilitate an out-of court agreement between the company and the victims. He has also appeared in notable cases, such as those involving TMA Pai Foundation or Golak Nath.
2. Harish Salve
Charges: INR 12-14 Lakh per appearance
Salve is best known for his work in legal matters relating to impoverished and underprivileged populations, especially regarding poverty issues and promotion of human rights. Furthermore, he represented Kulbhushan Jadhav before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
3. Gopal Subramanian
Charges: INR 5.5-15 Lakh per appearance
Achievements: Solicitor General of India, Chairman of BCI, National Law Day Award
Gopal Subramaniam is one of India’s wealthiest attorneys and has cemented himself into the legal field over time.
4. K. Parasaran
Charges: INR 10-12 Lakh per appearance
Achievements: Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan award
K Parasaran is one of India’s best-known and successful lawyers, having represented high-profile clients such as Hindu parties involved in the Ayodhya property dispute case and Nair Service Society during Sabarimala court proceedings.
5. Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Charges: INR 6-11 Lakh per appearance
Abhishek Manu Singhvi is an esteemed lawyer with more than four decades of practice under his belt, having represented prominent clients such as Rajiv Gandhi (deceased), the late prime minister. A prolific writer on both political and criminal topics, Abhishek Manu Singhvi also frequently appears as an expert legal analyst on TV channels around India.
6. K.K. Venugopal
Charges: INR 7-10 Lakh per appearance
K.K. Venugopal stands out among India’s highest-paid lawyers in 2024 as an exceptional legal professional, having practiced law for more than three decades and earned his position among India’s elite legal minds.
7. P. Chidambaram
Charges: INR 5-10 Lakh per appearance
Palaniappan Chidambaram, commonly referred to by his initials P. Chidambaram, is an esteemed lawyer and politician in India. Previously serving as Union Minister of Finance as well as lawyering and being elected Member of Rajya Sabha for many terms he holds various political offices. One of India’s wealthiest lawyers, his studies took place at both University of Madras and Harvard.
8. Mukul Rohtagi
Charges: INR 6-9 Lakh per appearance
Rohatgi has also been involved with other prominent cases, including The Best Bakery Case, Sohrabuddin Sheikh’s False Encounter Case and Zahira Sheikh Case. Rohatgi served on the Indian Bar Council and held additional Solicitor General of India duties while Prime Minister Vajpayee led his National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
9. C.A. Sundaram
Charges: INR 4.5 Lakh onwards
With his broad legal knowledge spanning multiple areas, he has successfully navigated complex court cases involving Anil Ambani and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). His exceptional advocacy skills in financial settlement disputes underline his dedication to representing clients effectively.
10. Salman Khurshid
Charges: INR 5 Lakh onwards
Khurshid entered politics in 1991 but remained committed and dedicated to law, handling Supreme Court cases with great professionalism and care. His multifaceted profession showcased understanding and met financial goals; Khurshid now brings great satisfaction through legal practice, lecturing and public service work.
11. KTS Tulsi
Charges: INR 5 Lakh onwards
K. T. S. Tulsi is one of India’s premier criminal law attorneys and an influential politician. Since being admitted to the bar, he has handled hundreds of Supreme Court matters throughout India – now as India’s Additional Solicitor General as well!
12. Sidharth Luthra
Charges: INR 5 Lakh approx
Sidharth Luthra is an esteemed criminal defense Lawyer in India and one of its most influential attorneys. A highly esteemed litigator, Sidharth Luthra has made significant contributions to India’s legal system as a litigator and one of its most influential attorneys. Sidharth Luthra also excels at constitutional law; research proves this expertise through various cases handled.
13. Pinky Anand
Pinky is one of the premier lawyers in India currently. As an Indian Supreme Court Senior Advocate she is widely-recognized and respected. Nominated and winning the “Award of Excellence in Law” in 2007 attesting to this. Additionally she has written and published multiple renowned books and articles while being one of India’s highest-paying lawyers while becoming known for justice, fairness, and upholding the supremacy of law despite political affiliations.
14. Ram Jethmalani
Charges: INR 25 Lakh approx
Ram Jethmalani was an Indian lawyer and politician, serving as Union minister of law and justice before that. Known for his expertise in criminal law and high-profile civil litigation cases such as those brought against Harshad Mehta, Ketan Parekh and L. K. Advani during the Hawala scam scandals.
15. Ashok Desai
Charges: INR 2 Lakh per appearance
Ashok H. Desai was an Indian lawyer practising at the Supreme Court of India. From 9 July 1996 to 6 May 1998 he served as Attorney General of India; prior to that he served as Solicitor General from 18 December 1989 until 2 December 1990. Desai won several accolades, such as receiving both Padma Bhushan award and Law Luminary award; in 2001 North Orissa University also presented him with an honorary doctorate as recognition of his contribution in law and jurisprudence
16. P.P. Rao
Charges: INR 5 Lakh per appearance
Rao had over three decades of experience spanning commercial, contract, and criminal law – garnering him a stellar reputation among his peers as a respected lawyer. His successful representations in high-profile court cases demonstrated his expert grasp of legal intricacies as he navigated complex legal matters successfully. Furthermore, Rao was involved with various professional organizations and featured media outlets due to his legal work, further expanding his reach beyond courtroom litigation.
17. Prashant Bhushan
Prashant Bhushan is an Indian author, and public interest lawyer at the Supreme Court of India. He was a part of Team Anna, a faction within the India Against Corruption movement. Team Anna supported Anna Hazare in her campaign to implement the Jan Lokpal Bill.
18. Majeed Memon
Majeed Memon is a prominent criminal lawyer who has earned a solid reputation for handling cases with high stakes. He is one of India’s highest-paid criminal attorneys due to his extensive experience in courtrooms and his success.
19. S.A. Raj
Solomon Arokia Raj, a lawyer who specialises in criminal, family, and civil law, has become one of India’s rising stars. Solomon Arokia Raj’s strategic approach and expertise in many areas of law has contributed to his growing demand and financial success.
20. Arun Jaitley
Arun Jaitley, while he is best known for his political career, was also a renowned lawyer. Before his death in 2019, Arun Jaitley’s legal expertise, especially in corporate and constitutional law, made him one of the most highly-paid lawyers in India.
21. Soli Sorabjee
Soli Sorabjee, a well-known Indian attorney. Soli Jehangir Sorabjee was his full name. He graduated from Government Law College in Mumbai. Sorabjee became a senior advocate at the Indian Supreme Court, in 1971. His hearing fees ranged from 10 lakhs to 15 lakhs. He received the Justice K. S. Hegde Foundation Award as well as Padma Vibhushan and Kinloch Forbes gold medal.
22. Kapil Sibal
Sibal started his legal career at the beginning of the 1970s. He has been a Senior Attorney in the Supreme Court of India, since 1983. He has held a number of key political positions including the Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology (CIT), Human Resource Development (HRD), and Law and Justice.
23. Manjula Chawla
Manjula Chawla focuses on strategic corporate investments, corporate financing and restructuring, M&As and joint ventures. She also conducts investigations into corruption and compliance, as well as general corporate and commercial issues. She was among the first few lawyers to choose to specialize in corporate law and provide advice on cross-border deals after India’s economy liberalized in 1991. She paved the way for other Indian women lawyers looking for an alternative but who wanted to stay in law.
24. Vaibhav Gaggar
Vaibhav is an arguing lawyer before the Supreme Court of India. He also represents clients in the Delhi High Court, NCLAT, and other tribunals. Vaibhav Gaggar has over two decades of experience and has been involved in a number watershed decisions, especially in the commercial lit., white collar crime(criminal), and competition verticals. Vaibhav currently serves as the chairman of the Disciplinary Committee for the All India Football Federation, a quasi-judicial body that deals with Soccer in India. He was also a former co-chairman of the PHDCCI Law & Policy Wing.
25. Anu Monga
Has handled high-profile matters in the competition law area (including automobile spare parts, real estate, and cement cartel) and represented clients (both informant and respondents) before the Competition Commission of India (CCI), Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT), High Court(s), and Supreme Court of India.
Nominated to GCR Annual Awards in the category “Behavioural matter of the year – Asia-Pacific Middle East and Africa” for CEMENT CARTEL Matter in 2013 and ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE CARTEL Matter in 2014.
Awarded “Deal of the year 2013” by India Business Law Journal for ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE CARTEL. Experience in a wide range of sectors including TMT, Defence & Aerospace, Food, Healthcare and Pharma, Automobile, among others.
26. Anshul Prakash
Anshul was recognized by Legal Era as a Leading Individual Lawyer in Labour & Employment for 2021,2022, and 2023. He also received the top individual lawyer award for Labour & Employment by Forbes India Legal Power List 2020-21 and 2023-24. Anshul has been named among ALB India’s Super 50 lawyers in 2022 and in 2021. He was also recognized by BW Legal World as one of the Top 40 Under Forty “Legal Eagles”, and Honorably ranked by Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific in 2024.
27. Abhisshek Singlla
Abhisshek is a Partner at Burgeon Law, Delhi. He has over 15 years’ experience in the legal field. Singlla is a well-rounded lawyer with a wealth of knowledge in many areas, including corporate and commercial laws, M&As, venture capital and private equity, as well as e-commerce and start-ups. Forbes India Legal Powerlist 2023 – Top Individual Lawyer
28. Asim Abbas
Asim is a specialist in Technology, Media and Telecommunications. He has more than 25 years of experience in TMT, both as a civil service employee in the Department of Telecommunication, a Vice President (Legal), in the corporate office of Bharti Airtel Ltd, and as a partner with leading law offices in India. He has been named among the ‘Top 100 Lawyers of India’ in India Business Law Journal A-List 2020, and is ranked a ‘Notable practitioner’ by Asialaw Leading Lawyers and a ‘Band-2 TMT lawyer’ by Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific.
29. Hiroo Advani
Advani is a highly successful arbitrator, with a record of winning many multi-million-dollar awards both in domestic and international arbitration proceedings.
30. Mahesh Agarwal
Mahesh Agarwal, managing partner at Agarwal Law Associates, is a Delhi-based full-service firm that pioneered the field of dispute settlement in India. He has received several awards from leading organizations for his contributions in the legal world.
Mahesh has more than 29 years’ experience and is highly respected. His expertise includes disputes in insolvency, arbitrage, commercial, banking and intellectual property disputes, corporate disputes, criminal disputes, and regulatory disputes in energy, mining and telecoms. He represents Fortune 500 companies and other top corporate groups in India. Mahesh, a third generation lawyer, is an alumnus of Mumbai’s Government Law College and Shri Ram College of Commerce.
31. Akila Agarwal
Senior partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. Akila is a lawyer with over 19 years’ experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, employment law, general corporate law, and joint ventures. She has handled acquisitions, dispositions, takeovers, delistings, commercial contracts, and SEBI-related matters. Akila is a highly experienced national and international lawyer who has worked with a wide range of clients in a variety of industries.
Chambers Global, Chambers Asia Pacific and Chambers Global have consistently ranked her in Corporate and M&A for many years. Akila is ranked among the top rated Corporate M&A lawyers in India by IFLR and AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers. She was also recognized by Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal and RSG Consulting as an expert in M&A.
32. Uday Singh Ahlawat
Uday is the head of A&A’s Corporate Commercial Practice. His main areas of focus are mergers and purchases, joint ventures, corporate restructuring, private equity, and fund formations. Uday’s clientele is diverse and comprehensive, having spent more than a decade as a lawyer. His main work includes contractual services for Indian embassies, corporate restructuring and advice for the largest facility and security service companies in the World as well as mentoring for start-up ventures.
33. Bijal Ajinkya
Bijal Ajinkya works as a Partner at the Khaitan & Co Mumbai office. She is a member of the Direct Tax practice group, Private Client and Investment Funds. She has a wide range of experience in advising founders and promoters on wealth planning, succession planning, and cross-border structuring. Bijal is regularly featured in Chambers & Partners, Asia Law and Legal 500. She also appears as a leader in Who’s Who Legal, Private Client Global Elite (Asia Pacific), Expert Guides – Tax, Indian Lawyer 250 Law Business Research, International Tax Review, Asia Law. Legal Era has ranked her as India’s Leader Tax Champion and Asian Legal Business has named her one of Asia’s Top 15 Women Lawyers. Bijal was the first Indian-qualified lawyer to be accepted as an international fellow of the The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
34. Bharat Anand
Bharat is a partner in the firm’s Corporate and Commercial group. He is the head of the Firm’s NCR Delhi Office and a member the Firm’s National Executive Committee. He has extensive experience in a variety of industries, including financial services and insurance, renewable energies, telecom, IT, manufacturing, consumer goods, and information technology. He represents financial sponsors and family offices in control deals, growth-capital investments, joint ventures, and exits. He has also advised Indian clients and foreigners on disputes in India.
Bharat has been ranked as a global leader in M&A by Who’s Who Legal and Chambers Asia Pacific for M&A issues. He was also a member of FICCI’s National Executive Committee.
35. Gagan Anand
Gagan Anand has over 20 years of experience as a corporate lawyer. He holds a LLM in Contracts & Mercantile, is admitted as a Solicitor and Patent Agent to India as well as England & Wales. His practice areas include Projects & Energy Laws, Dispute Resolutions, Real Estate Laws, Labour Laws, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Laws, and General Corporate. He began his career as a FDI lawyer and has IPR experience. He is a dedicated and passionate Solicitor who enjoys the trust of the promoters, owners, subsidiaries, and other functionaries of more than 25 Fortune 500 companies and Next 500 India List 2020 companies. He is the Managing partner of Legacy Law Offices. The firm has been recognized as a Leading Law Office for many facets of Corporate Law in publications like the Legal 500.
36. Pravin Anand
Pravin Anand was counsel in many landmark IP cases. These include the first Anton Piller Order (HMV), the First Mareva Injunction Order (Philips), India’s First SEP Litigation in a DVD Player Technology Matter (Philips), the Pre-suit Mediation Litigation with Nokia, the First Norwich Pharmacal Order (Hollywood Cigarettes), Moral Rights of Artists (Amarnath Sehgal), the First order under The Hague Convention (Astra Zeneca), and other significant cases. He has been a speaker at many prestigious events, such as the WIPO, WIPF, MIP- International Patent Forum (Hollywood Cigarettes), GIPC, AIPPI INTA, LES and International Bar Association.
37. Rishi Anand
Rishi is a well-respected practitioner in India. He has extensive experience both domestically and internationally, having been a trusted advisor to many large multinationals, Indian corporations, high net worth individuals and celebrities, including business and political leaders. He has extensive experience in mergers and acquistions, foreign direct investment, joint ventures as well as general corporate, restructuring, and reorganization, with an emphasis on high-end, complex corporate transactions. Rishi’s contribution to the legal profession has earned him: (i), ’30 under 30′ Rising Star Awards 2015; (ii), ’40 Under 40′ Rising Star Awards 2020; (iii), Legal 500 Asia Pacific Recommended Lawyer for TMT and data protection 2022; (iv), IFLR 1000 (2022) Notable Practitioner in Corporate and M&A; (v) ALB India Top TMT/Fintech Lawyer, 2021; and (vi) Legal Era Indian Legal Awards for Technology Lawyer
38. Safir Anand
Safir Anand, a senior partner and head of Trademarks, Commercial & Contractual IP, is credited as India’s top IP attorney. He has over 25 years experience providing inputs in strategy, business models, commercial insights, and a keen understanding of IP laws that include IP protection, IP enforcement, IP contracts, licensing, franchises, monetisation, and due diligence.
39. Jatin Aneja
Jatin has a wealth of experience in projects and project financing transactions, in India, in the areas of urban infrastructure, energy, (conventional or renewable), roads, ports and airports, railways and power. Jatin has advised various Indian and multinational companies in commercial law matters, including the drafting, structuring, and negotiating of joint venture agreements and shareholder agreements. He also worked on financing agreements, EPC contracts and consortium agreements as well as other legal advisory work.
40. Vineet Aneja
Vineet is a seasoned executive with over 26 years’ experience. He has worked in many areas including mergers and acquistions, joint ventures (private equity), corporate advisory, compliance, and employment. He has a wide range of experience in industries such as media, medical devices and fashion. His experience has been praised by clients for its value on both the commercial and legal sides of transactions. He has consistently been ranked among the top lawyers in India by India Business Law Journal and Forbes India.
41. Yash Ashar
Yash is a skilled practitioner of Indian securities law. He has worked on a variety of equity and bond capital market transactions, including initial public offering, qualified institutional placements, follow-on offerings, rights offers, ADRs GDRs, and FCCBs. He has also provided advice on the establishment of various REITs and INVITs in India. He has been involved in several groundbreaking capital markets transactions, involving India’s top corporates, technology firms and international and domestic investment bankers. He advises on securities regulations, such as compliance with listing and insider trading.
42. Ajay Bahl
Ajay Bhal is regarded as India’s leading corporate attorney. Ajay Bahl is also a chartered accountant. This is an advantage in high-profile legal and tax transactions. Ajay advises clients regularly on investigations into fraud allegations and misstatements of financial statements, as well as on tax and regulatory submissions. He is well-known for his expertise on structuring, reorganizing and transfer pricing-related matters. Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific has praised him for his “sharp business mind and ability lead from the front.”
43. Puneet Bansal
Puneet is a lawyer and chartered accountant by profession. He also served as Advocate-on Record in the Supreme Court of India. He has 25+ years of experience in indirect taxation, including Goods and Service Tax, Customs Duty, Foreign Trade Policy, Legal Metrology Law and related laws. He represents clients before different judicial forums and regularly advises them in these areas. He is currently the leader of Price Waterhouse & Co. LLP’s Indirect Tax Litigation practice in India.
He speaks on a variety of topics at various seminars organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and ASSOCHAM. He conducts webinars to provide insights on new issues in indirect taxation. He is a well-informed writer on Indirect Tax issues.
44. Rajendra Barot
Rajendra Barot, who has over 27 years of experience, heads the Firm’s Dispute Resolution Practice. Rajendra has represented and advised clients in institutional arbitrations and ad hoc arbitrations in India and abroad. He has appeared before various courts, including the Supreme Court of India and many High Courts in India, to discuss corporate commercial disputes. These include enforcement and challenge petitions against arbitration awards (domestic and international), monetary suits and administrative writs. Rajendra has worked with leading PE Funds and MNCs as well as insurance companies, global leaders in the mining and telecom sectors, and global leaders of global PE Funds. He advises clients in asset tracing, forensic investigations, and white-collar crimes. Rajendra also advised insurance companies on India entry strategies, particularly those in the non-life, life and health insurance sectors.
45. Rajesh Begur
Rajesh Begur, founder & managing director of BEGUR & PARTNERS. He has been one of India’s top corporate lawyers for over 30 years, with expertise in a wide range of practice areas.
Rajesh BEGUR provides counsel and representation for a wide range of clients in Asia, Australia Europe the Middle East and the U.S., on a variety of practice areas including PE&VC, M&A Banking & Finance, Real Estate. He is well-known for his experience, insight, and perseverance in handling complex and challenging business, legal, and regulatory transactions.
46. MS Bharath
Bharath, or MS as he is known to some, will be the next INTA Board Director for 2024-2026. He is a sought-after IP litigator and strategy.
He is a Councillor of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association since 2019. He has been a member of India Global Advisory Council of International Trademarks Association, INTA, since 2015.
The Indian National Bar Association (INBA), in 2020, nominated him for the Lawyer of the Year award for IPR
His practice encompasses IP litigation in Indian High Courts as well as opposition, cancellation and arbitration proceedings before the Trademark Office (IPAB), Copyright Board, and GI Office. He has been the leading counsel in many appeals, rectifications and original proceedings before High Courts of New Delhi and Chennai, and IPAB, with numerous reported decisions on his credentials.
Bharath uses mediation to resolve complex IPR disputes, including one that involved 250 oppositions, two suits, three criminal proceedings, and some freehold properties. A leading movie star asked his permission to use Bharath’s name on screen while playing the part of a lawyer as a kind of tribute for one of his clients.
47. Ajay Bhargava
Ajay Bhargava, Partner at the New Delhi office and National Capital Region, is a member of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group.
Ajay has represented and advised matters before the Supreme Court, High Courts (both domestic and international), Quasi Judicial Tribunals (National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), and National Green Tribunal (etc.). He provides advice on Constitutional issues, Civil & Criminal Matters, IPR Laws, Employment Laws and corporate -commercial disputes. He advises the Police Investigation Wings in matters relating to corporate criminal investigation and quasi-criminal prosecutions. Ajay provides tactical and advisory assistance in M&A transactions. He provides advice on the prevention of commercial contracts.
48. Vanita Bhargava
Vanita Bhargava, Senior Member of the Dispute Resolution Team at the New Delhi Office. She is also a Supreme Court advocate. She has over 20 years experience in many different areas, including constitutional law, taxation laws (both domestic and international), environment laws (civil laws), corporate laws (mining laws, forest laws), shareholding disputes, arbitration and banking laws.
She has practiced before the Supreme Court, High Court and National Green Tribunal as well as National Company Law Tribunal, Mining Tribunal and National Green Tribunal.
49. Shweta Bharti
Shweta is the Managing partner at Hammurabi & Solomon Partners. She has over 23 years’ experience in law. She is recognized as India’s leading lawyer in the areas of arbitration, dispute settlement, insolvency and corporate compliance. She has represented and advised clients in various sectors and jurisdictions. She is also a Jurisdictional council member of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, a prestigious legal network in the Asia-Pacific Region.
50. Alka Bharucha
Alka is an expert in the telecom industry, having worked with Indian and international telecom companies in mergers and purchases, financing, refinancing and initial public offerings. Alka has also represented several developers in the power industry. She has negotiated, drafted, and negotiated coal supply, wagon leases, and private siding contracts for developers.
Her corporate work involves the creation of mutual funds and providing regulatory advice to foreign investors. This includes foreign portfolio investors, foreign investors in venture capital, brokers, merchant banks, and other financial intermediators. Alka represents transnational corporations in the retail, real estate and defence sectors. All of these have restrictions on foreign investments. The engagements for real estate investment include conceptualising and devising alternative structures to create onshore and offshore fund.
Ingredients of Legal Wealth in India
It’s more than just being intelligent. There are other factors that matter besides intelligence. What kind of law are you practicing? Lawyers that deal with large companies, mergers, and intellectual property, like patents and copyrights, often make the biggest money. These cases are complicated and involve large sums of money.
The next step is experience. You can charge more if you have more experience. Lawyers with experience and who know their field inside out are worth more than gold. Even better if you become an expert in a specific area of the law. Your specialized knowledge will be highly valued by others.
The city you work in is also important. Cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore are home to many wealthy clients and large companies. This means that lawyers who live there make more money.
It’s all in who you know. It’s important to build relationships with wealthy clients and large companies. You’ll make a lot of money if you can convince them to work with you.
It’s not all about the law. It’s also important to have a little business sense. Knowing how to manage a law office, negotiate fees, and market yourself will make a big difference in your earnings.
Ride the wave of change
The legal world doesn’t stand still
Like any job, the world is changing quickly. The technology is huge. Some people are worried that robots may steal their jobs, while others see it as an opportunity to work on more exciting projects. The lawyers who are able to use technology in order to assist their clients will make the most money.
Globalization is another thing that’s causing a stir. India’s rise to prominence on the global stage has led to an increase in international trade. High demand exists for lawyers who are able to handle cross-border deals. Let’s also not forget the economy. Lawyers are very busy when the economy is booming.
What is the bottom line?
Flexible lawyers are needed. Clients expect things to be done quicker, cheaper, and better. Lawyers who are able to adapt and provide clients with what they need will be the most successful.
Conclusion
India’s legal system has changed dramatically. There’s a group of superstar lawyers who are making millions. The highest paid lawyer in India that we have mentioned are among the best in their field – they’re smart, dedicated, and great at managing a company.
Remember, it takes hard work and years to reach the top. There’s no secret formula, nor is it easy. They are living proof that you can have a successful career in law with talent, dedication, and smart planning.
Lawyers need to be on top of the ever-changing legal landscape. The economy fluctuates, technology is a big deal, and clients have high expectations. If you’re able to stay on top of things and adapt, then there are plenty of opportunities for profit.
But it’s not just money that these top attorneys are after. These top lawyers have helped to shape India’s corporate world, and they’ve made a difference. It’s the power that comes from being an excellent lawyer.
