India's Top 5 SEBI Expert Lawyers

In the labyrinth of India’s burgeoning securities market, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) stands as the vigilant guardian, ensuring fair play and investor protection. As the market cap of companies listed on the NSE surpassed USD 4 trillion as of 2024, the role of SEBI and SEBI lawyers has never been more critical. However, the regulatory landscape can be as complex as it is vast, often requiring the expertise of legal sherpas to guide companies and individuals through potential pitfalls.

Enter the SEBI expert lawyers — legal professionals whose mastery of securities laws, regulations, and enforcement practices makes them indispensable allies in corporate boardrooms and courtrooms alike. These SEBI expert lawyers don’t just interpret the law; they help shape its application, defending clients in investigations, steering them through regulatory proceedings, and championing their interests in high-stakes litigation.

In this blog, we unveil the top five of India’s long list of SEBI lawyers, each bringing unique strengths to the intricate dance of compliance and strategy. Their stories not only showcase individual brilliance but also underscore a collective commitment to upholding the integrity of India’s financial heart.

At the helm of Finsec Law Advisors, Sandeep Parekh stands as a colossus in India’s financial regulatory landscape. A former executive director at SEBI and now a renowned SEBI lawyer, Parekh’s trajectory from the youngest holder of this prestigious post to founding a top-tier financial sector law firm reads like a masterclass in legal excellence.

Parekh’s arsenal of expertise as a SEBI lawyer, honed through years at the regulatory epicenter, has transformed Finsec Law Advisors into a beacon for corporations navigating the labyrinthine world of securities law. His firm’s meteoric rise to become India’s highest-rated Financial Regulatory Practice in just seven years is a testament to his unparalleled acumen as a SEBI expert lawyer.

Beyond the boardroom, Parekh’s influence as a SEBI lawyer permeates academia. His long-standing faculty position at IIM-A and his seminal work, "Fraud, Manipulation and Insider Trading in the Indian Securities Markets," now in its fourth edition, have shaped a generation of financial minds.

Parekh’s global recognition as a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum and his membership in Mensa speaks volumes about his intellectual prowess, further solidifying his reputation as a leading SEBI lawyer.

Youth combined with expertise makes for a potent mix, as epitomised by Vaneesa Agrawal, founder of Thinking Legal, an expert SEBI lawyer focusing on fund formations. In 2021, she was recognised as part of the BW Legal World Elite 40 Under 40 Club of Achievers by Businessworld. The Legal 500 directory notes that, "Vaneesa Agrawal heads up the firm, and has a strong record as a fund counsel and in early-stage transactional work."

Agrawal’s trajectory — from a first generation woman lawyer to a recognised authority on SEBI matters — is as impressive as it is inspiring.

Vaneesa Agrawal’s team of SEBI expert lawyers at Thinking Legal mirrors her multifaceted outlook. "We’re SEBI lawyers who are focused on fund formations and regulatory advisory," she notes. This diversity shines through in their handling of complex matters, such as setting up angel funds, fund of funds and venture capital funds..

In one of the webinars she was part of, Vaneesa Agrawal represented Thinking Legal and advised on the entire gamut of the early-stage investment ecosystem through SEBI-registered funds, starting from setting up angel and venture capital funds, to deployment across various series transactions. It’s this blend of technical know-how and practical foresight that positions her as a rising star in the legal world as an expert SEBI lawyer focusing on funds.

Manan Lahoty, partner at IndusLaw and with over two decades of experience, specialises in capital markets, particularly in SEBI-regulated transactions, reads like a playbook for corporate excellence.

Lahoty’s expertise as a SEBI lawyer has been instrumental in shaping some of India’s most prestigious public offerings, including those of Coal India, Zomato, and Paytm. His dual qualification to practice in both India and England & Wales adds a global perspective to his counsel, making him a go-to SEBI expert lawyer for domestic and international investment banks alike.

Beyond the boardroom, Lahoty’s influence permeates the legal community. Chambers and Partners lauds him as "one of the best capital markets lawyers in India," while Forbes India Magazine recognizes him among the country’s Top 100 Great People Managers.

Vasudha Goenka stands as a colossus in India’s securities regulatory landscape. A former Deputy General Manager at SEBI, Goenka’s trajectory from handling contentious proceedings at the regulatory epicentre to joining a top-tier law firm reads like a masterclass in legal excellence.

Goenka’s arsenal of expertise, honed through 16 years at SEBI, has transformed her into a beacon for corporations navigating the labyrinthine world of securities law. Her extensive experience in quasi-judicial proceedings before SEBI and SAT, coupled with her deep knowledge of various SEBI regulations, speaks volumes about her capabilities as a SEBI lawyer.

Beyond the courtroom, Goenka’s influence permeates the legal community. Chambers and Partners lauds her as "one of the best capital markets lawyers in India," underscoring her reputation as a premier SEBI lawyer.

A Partner specializing in this intricate field, Ganesh Rao as a SEBI lawyer presents a repertoire that reads like a playbook for navigating the complex world of investment funds.

Rao’s arsenal of expertise as a SEBI expert lawyer, honed through years of advising both general and limited partners, has transformed him into a beacon for clients ranging from development financial institutions to family offices. His adept handling of special situations, including fund disputes and manager removals, speaks volumes about his capabilities as a funds expert and SEBI lawyer.

Beyond standard practice, Rao’s influence as a SEBI lawyer permeates the investment community. His recognition as one of ’40 under 40 India Inc’s Top Young Leaders’ by the Economic Times underscores his visionary approach in SEBI-related matters.

Rao’s consistent Band 1 ranking in Investment Funds by Chambers and Partners, and his distinction as an outstanding legal professional by Asian Legal Business, testify to his unparalleled acumen as a SEBI expert lawyer in this specialized field.

As SEBI’s mandate evolves — with recent forays into fund formations, startup listings, and social media’s impact on markets — the value of specialised SEBI lawyers intensifies. The lawyers profiled here don’t just interpret these changes; they help clients turn regulatory shifts into strategic advantages.

Choosing the right SEBI lawyer transcends win-loss records. It’s about finding a partner who grasps the nuances of your business, anticipates regulatory headwinds, and crafts bespoke solutions. Whether it’s Parekh’s regulatory acumen, Agrwal’s innovative drive, Manan’s global prowess, Gornka’s contentious mastery, or Rao’s investment savvy, each brings a vital instrument to the symphony of SEBI compliance.

For more information on this topic and other legal and regulatory developments in the financial sector, please visit the Thinking Legal blog hub.