Identify the issue that is causing a problem and to come up with commercial solutions.

Manjula Chawla

Co-founding Partner
New Delhi

Manjula Chawla concentrates in the areas of strategic corporate investments, corporate finance and restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, corruption & compliance investigations, and general corporate and commercial matters.

She was one of the first handful of lawyers who chose to become a corporate lawyer and advise on cross-border transactions soon after the India economy was liberalized in 1991. By doing so, she set a path for many Indian women lawyers who were looking for an “alternate” but wished to remain in the profession of law.

For over 25 years now, she has assisted innumerable multi-national corporations (including many Fortune 500 companies) in establishing their presence in India in a variety of sectors including automobiles, biotechnology, chemicals, energy, financial services, food and beverages, healthcare & pharma, information technology, oil & gas, power and telecommunications.
She has structured, negotiated and drafted a wide range of business transactions for foreign investors and multinational corporations over the years.
She was involved in deals involving privatization of the telecom sector for the first time and one of the major disinvestments by the Government of India from VSNL, the government company having monopoly on international long distance services.
She advises her clients on a wide range of issues faced by them in India involving anti‐corruption laws, competition law, corporate governance, exchange control laws, data privacy and protection, outsourcing, intellectual property protection, labour & employment and real estate.
She has also been involved in certain complex litigation and dispute resolution matters.
She has also represented several foreign and international non-profit organizations in relation to their activities in India on a pro bono basis.

Her client commitment and consistent delivery of high quality services have been recognized by her clients and peers. She was awarded the National Law Day Award - 2000 by the Union Law Minister for "Excellence in Corporate Law and for unique contribution in bringing foreign exchange into India". She also featured in the recently published book “100 Legal Luminaries of India” which throws light on some of the most illustrious legal minds in India. She has been highly recommended as a Leading Lawyer in Corporate /M&A by Chambers & Partners’ Asia’s Leading Lawyers for Business for last several years.

Other notable awards and citations include:

Ranked as a Leading individuals in Corporate and M&A- Legal500 2023.
Manjula has been recognised as 'Women in Business Law' in corporate governance by Legal Media Group Expert Guides
Extensive legal knowledge, ability to communicate, and more than anything, she cares.
‘Manjula Chawla is responsive and takes the time to explain the issues thoroughly.’ Dispute Resolution, Litigation, Legal500 2022.
IFLR1000 quotes Manjula for “Clear communication, solution-based approach and responsive to client need.”
Manjula Chawla has been awarded the prestigious “Visionary Women Counsel of the Year” by the Corporate Counsel Association of India (CCAI) at the Legal Excellence Awards 2021.
“Manjula Chawla is a gifted lawyer who is focused on delivering the best legal solutions to her clients” -Asialaw 2022.
Asialaw Leading Lawyers 2022 recommended Manjula as a Notable Practitioner in Corporate and M&A.
Manjula has been recognised as the ‘Corporate Governance Lawyer of the Year’ at the Women in Business Law Awards 2021, Asia by Euromoney Legal Media Group.
She has been recognized as one of the ALB India Super 50 Lawyers 2021 by Asian Legal Business.
Manjula Chawla has been recognised as a Notable practitioner for Corporate and M&A in Asialaw Leading Lawyers 2021 Edition.
She has been recognized as one of the Most Promising Women Leaders 2021 by The Economic Times.
“She has an in‐depth knowledge of laws and is experienced. She comes up with creative ideas to resolve issues and cares to be involved in the business of the client.” – Asia Law Profiles 2020.
A Recommended lawyer in Corporate M&A ranked by RSG Consulting 2019, she has been considered to be “among the top five lawyers in India”, clients described her as “very dynamic and proactive” and praised her for her “practical” legal advice and “solid” commercial experience.
Manjula Chawla specialises in strategic corporate investment and corporate finance and restructuring. Clients describe her as “very responsive and accommodating” - Corporate/M&A, Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific 2020.
The A-List: India‘s top 100 lawyers, published by Indian Business Law Journal in 2017– 2023.
Woman Lawyer of the Year (Corporate) Award 2018 – from Indian National Bar Association.
Clients praise her ability to “identify the issue that is causing a problem and to come up with commercial solutions”– Chambers and Partners 2018.
“The partners and directors provide practical solutions” notes a client, “and clear decision making in resolving queries.” – Asialaw 2018.
She has been recognised as “The 10 Powerful Women Lawyers in 2018" by Insight Success. Read here.
Recognised in the 2017 Edition of Indian Corporate Counsel Association’s “The Vanguards – Trusted Corporate Lawyers.
Woman of Distinction – Leadership Excellence Awards 2017 from Legal League Consulting.
Women Lawyer of the Year ‐ Legal Era Awards 2015 ‐ Recognition of the Legal Finesse & Accomplishments.
Leading Lawyer 100 – Corporate & Mergers & Acquisitions – Guide list 2012 of Lawyer Monthly.
Leading Lawyer100 – Cross Border law – Guide list 2011 of Lawyer Monthly.
Woman of the Year India 2011‐12 by International Who’s Who Executives & Professionals.

She regularly writes for international journals and publications and makes presentations at various conferences. Her recent work includes can be accessed here.

Current Positions /Memberships

Executive member – Mumbai Centre For International Arbitration’s Users Council for the Automotive Sector.
At-Large Council Member for India – International Pacific Bar Association (IPBA).
India Working Group Member – International Bar Association (IBA).
Member – Legal Services Task Force of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
Patron Member – Bar Association of India.
Member – Delhi High Court Bar Association.
Member – Bar Council of Delhi.
At Large Council Member for India - International Pacific Bar Association (IPBA).
Vice President – North India Council (NIC) of the Indo- American Chamber of Commerce (IACC).
Executive Committee Member – Bar Association of India.
Treasurer – Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF).
Member – DWEN (Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network) India Community, an initiative by Dell.
Member – International Bar Association.