Noor Anand Chawla

Why they matter: From visionary jurists to fearless advocates, and even the most judicious judges, India’s legal landscape is shaped by these constitutional savants. Journalist Noor Anand Chawla delves deep into the lives of those who balance the scales of justice.

Haigreve Khaitan

What does it take to transition a 112-year-old regional law firm from Kolkata to one of India’s top four? A quiet determination to succeed, a humble acceptance of one’s position and stellar management skills. All of these characterise Haigreve Khaitan, senior partner and the leader of the firm’s corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity practices, who counts amongst India’s leading legal names.

Khaitan most certainly is a skilled lawyer with a sound knowledge of his craft, yet people who know him well also laud him for his role in steering the firm to its current successful status. In a somewhat daring business move, he co-founded the firm’s Mumbai office in 2000, and it has now grown to include a countrywide practice with over 1,000 lawyers and 200 partners.

What sets him apart from everyone else in the field? His respectful manner, humble personality and nose to the grindstone work ethic, as pointed out by his competitor colleagues in an interview to Fortune India. Cyril Shroff said Khaitan is “easy to deal with as he’s genuinely humble and very respectful.”

Shardul Shroff recalled that he has never witnessed Khaitan being aggressive, adding that “he even leans towards being deferential to seniors in the business environment, which may be a cultural trait for him.”

To see who else is on the list, grab the copy of HELLO! India’s August 2023 issue right here!