Gravitas Legal Elevates Ajay Kumar As Partner And Onboards Kaynat Sheikh, Apoorva Chandra To Partnership

Gravitas Legal elevated Principal Associate Ajay Kumar as a Partner and onboarded Kaynat Sheikh and Apoorva Chandra to the Firm’s Partnership with effect from May 1, 2024.

With over seven years of association with the Firm, Ajay Kumar will be now strengthening the Restructuring & Insolvency practice of the Firm in his new role as a Partner. Over the years he has gained extensive experience in contentious matters involving complex issues and a variety of financing transactions. With this background, he is primed to further the 
Restructuring & Insolvency practice while continuing to help scale the Projects and Banking & Finance practices. Ajay completed his LL.B. (Hons.) from the University of Lucknow in 2014, followed by his LL.M. in Corporate Laws from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow in 2015. With over eight years of association with the Firm, Ajay Kumar brings a wealth of experience and expertise to drive forward Gravitas Legal’s endeavors with unparalleled dedication and proficiency.

Based in New Delhi, Kaynat will be bolstering the Energy Infrastructure and Dispute Resolution practice at the Firm. Boasting a rich and diversified background in the infrastructure sector on both non-contentious transactions and contentious matters, encompassing areas such as renewable energy, battery storage, green hydrogen, module manufacturing and other infrastructure sectors, she also brings a wealth of expertise in regulatory and other disputes including mediation and arbitration. An alumna of Hidayatullah National Law University, Kaynat has amassed over 12 years of experience in the legal field. Prior to joining Gravitas Legal, she held the position of Legal Head at Vikram Solar, where she played a crucial part in formulating legal strategies to facilitate the company's growth trajectory.

Apoorva Chandra will be part of the Firm’s Corporate & Commercial practice and will be responsible for scaling up the Firm’s offerings in Mumbai. His core areas of specialisation include general corporate and commercial advisory, private equity, acquisitions, government advisory, joint ventures, due diligence, commercial contracts, and real estate. He adeptly guides clients through intricate legal matters, including company law, compliance, allied laws, real estate laws, and foreign exchange laws. Apoorva earned his LLB. (Hons.) from National Law University, Jodhpur, in 2008.

Prior to joining Gravitas Legal, Apoorva was heading the Mumbai office of Sarthak Advocates and Solicitors since October 2022. Tanuj Sud, Founder and Partner, reflected on the promotions, stating, “Since the genesis of Gravitas Legal, our vision has been to foster a team of vibrant achievers. We've persistently strived to broaden and fortify our leadership ranks. These promotions signify a recognition of our team members' expertise, client engagement abilities and, crucially, their dedication to pioneering service initiatives.”

Varij Sharma, Founder & Partner, added, “Our priority remains steadfast: to bolster our service capabilities through the integration and advancement of top legal talent. We aim to cultivate a team of visionary leaders who drive perpetual growth and success for the Firm. Central to our ethos is the recruitment, retention, and elevation of individuals who carry the ability to translate aspirations into tangible achievements. We take immense pride in our team, whose dedication enables us to uphold such ambitious standards. We are thrilled to announce the elevation of Ajay Kumar to Partner and the addition of two exceptional talents, Kaynat Sheikh and Apoorva Chandra, to our team. Their expertise strengthens our ability to deliver top-notch legal services, paving the way for continued growth and success at Gravitas Legal."