Our People
Sarosh Zaiwalla
Senior Partner
Sarosh Zaiwalla founded Zaiwalla & Co in April 1982, and remains as Senior Partner, overseeing all the firm’s activities. Over the years, he has been involved in over 1000 International Energy, Maritime and Construction Arbitrations in London and Worldwide, either as a solicitor, Counsel, Party-Appointed Arbitrator or Sole Arbitrator. He has acted for clients ranging from the President of India, the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Iranian Government to The Bachchan and Gandhi families in India.
Sarosh is a former member of the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC, Paris, (1990 – 2002) and a CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) mediator. In 1998, Sarosh was made a Freeman of The City of London by the Lord Mayor of The City of London. In October 2002, he was awarded with India’s Annual National Law Day 2002 by the Indian Prime Minister for his outstanding contribution to the field of International Arbitration Law. In June 2008, he was appointed an Arbitrator to the Panel of Arbitrators by the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board.
Pavani Reddy
Partner
Pavani has been the Managing Partner of the firm since 2005 and specialises in international arbitration, commercial dispute resolution and litigation. She has handled multi-million pound arbitration and litigation matters involving energy, commodities, shipping, construction, company disputes and commercial issues for clients including some Fortune 500 companies. Pavani handles high value commercial cases in the London High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of England and Wales. She has also handled cases under various sets of arbitration rules including ICC, LCIA, DIFC, GAFTA and AAA and has a depth of experience in making applications, arising from Arbitrations, to the English Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal.
Pavani is currently involved in various cases in the General Court of the European Union concerning challenges by private banks, and individuals, against restrictive measures directed by the EU Council under the regime of sanctions against Iran.
Pavani is a member of the Indian Bar Council as an advocate of Delhi High Court. She is also a member of IMA (Indian Maritime Association), a supporting member of the LMAA (London Maritime Arbitrators Association) and IBA (International Bar Association). Pavani also advises on UK Immigration law. She attends various international arbitration conferences on behalf of the firm.
In October 2010, Pavani was awarded the Gold Award for Women of the Year at the Asian Achievers Awards ceremony held at London’s Wembley stadium.
Dennis Cooper
Litigation Consultant
Dennis joined Zaiwalla & Co in January 2011.
Freya Zaiwalla
Solicitor
Freya trained at the niche London construction firm, Shadbolt LLP (since merged with Clyde & Co), and spent six months of her training in the Corporate law department of AKO Law Chambers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. After joining Zaiwalla & Co LLP she has been involved in a variety of cases ranging from banking litigations, family and employment matters to Serious Fraud Office investigations.
Freya is currently involved in six separate cases filed in the General Court of the European Union challenging the European Council’s restrictive measures against Iran.
Kartik Mittal
Solicitor
Kartik Mittal is a Solicitor and a member of the Indian Bar.
He has been involved with the handling of various International Commercial Arbitrations governed by the ICC, GAFTA, LCIA and DIAC, where he has successfully acted for corporations such as Indian Oil Corporation, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, PEC Limited and Nav Bharat International Limited.
He is handling various litigations in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
These include: Jivraj -v- Hashwani; Shah -v- HSBC; Imerman -v- Tchenguiz; and Rayden -v- Edwardo.
Kartik is currently acting for an Iranian private bank in UK Supreme Court proceedings against HM Treasury relating to the Iran sanctions regime.
Kartik has a Masters in Law from Warwick University, a Diploma in Indian Corporate law as well as a WIPO certificate in International intellectual property rights.
Zoya Burbeza
Solicitor
Zoya joined the firm in 2009 and heads our Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Desk, which has been in operation since 2009. This desk assists our clients who operate in CIS countries. She works with Russian and Ukrainian companies, as well as other international clients, and deals with general commercial disputes, international arbitrations and shipping matters. Zoya also speaks Russian, Ukrainian and Polish.
Zoya is currently involved in six separate cases filed in the General Court of the European Union challenging the European Council’s restrictive measures against Iran.
Kinshuk Chatterjee
Lawyer
Having qualified in 2007, Kinshuk joined the Supreme Court of India and was posted as a legal assistant to The Honerable Mr Justice Dalveer Bhandari. Thereafter he moved to the UK for a Masters degree specialising in corporate governance. Kinshuk has been involved in corporate litigations, breach of confidentiality claims and also advises on start-ups and privately owned businesses.
Saurabh Bhagotra
Lawyer
Saurabh has firsthand experience of Civil Procedure and Matrimonial Law and advises foreign nationals and Non-Resident Indians on devising strategies to invest in India. Before joining Zaiwalla & Co in April 2010, Saurabh previously worked with a Senior Counsel in the Indian High Court and thereafter obtained a Master’s degree in International Corporate Law from The University of Warwick. Saurabh is a member of the Arbitration and Shipping team at Zaiwalla & Co.
Arthur Dedels
Legal Assistant
Before joining Zaiwalla & Co in March 2012, Arthur worked in a commodity brokerage company where he gained insight into international trade. He also undertook a number of work experience placements in other law firms including those located in the City of London, Moscow and Kiev.
Arthur is a Bachelor of Laws with first class honours and a Master of Laws with distinction in International Commercial, Corporate and Maritime Law.
Arthur’s mother tongue is Russian.
Mark Townsend
Practice Manager
Mark has been the Practice Manager since June 2009 when he joined us from Blackstone Chambers. Previously Mark worked as a Clerk at the renowned Human Rights set, Matrix chambers for more than three years. As a keen snowboarder he tries to get to the mountains whenever he can. He also plays cricket for Hampstead Cricket Club.
mtownsend@zaiwalla.co.uk
Susan Tuff
Legal Accountant
Sue joined Zaiwalla & Co LLP from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert in October 2011. She has over 20 years of legals accounting and we welcome her to the firm.
Charlotte Webb
Administrative Assistant
Charlotte joined Zaiwalla & Co in November 2011 as an assistant dealing with administrative duties having previously worked at Pearson solicitors and Davis Simmonds & Donaghey, both in Kent.
