Meet the Team
At the core of Frontline Law Partners is a team of seasoned professionals bringing a wealth of experience and expertise across diverse legal disciplines. With deep international exposure, a client-focused approach, and a commitment to excellence, our partners provide strategic guidance to navigate complex legal landscapes. Their multidisciplinary expertise and leadership drive our mission to deliver exceptional results for our clients, both domestically and globally.
Partner, Dispute Resolution, Arbitration & Real Estate
SNEHA NAGARAJ, FCIArb
(she/her)
Sneha is a skilled litigator, arbitrator and mediator, specializing in complex commercial disputes, who read arts and law at Christ College of Law (Bengaluru, India) graduating with a dual degree viz. B.A. LL.B. She has further distinguished herself by becoming only a handful of women in India accredited by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators U.K. (Ciarb) as a Fellow (entitling use of the 'FCIArb' post-nominal), an Accredited Mediator by CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution U.K.) and an IMI Certified Mediator. These credentials underscore her expertise in alternative dispute resolution methods. Her practice encompasses a wide range of areas including civil and commercial litigation, corporate litigation, domestic and international arbitration, insolvency and bankruptcy, and real estate disputes. Sneha has represented clients before the Supreme Court of India, various High Courts, trial courts, arbitrations (ad hoc as well as institution), National Company Law Tribunal (NCLTs) and various other fora across various sectors, demonstrating her versatility, depth of knowledge and experience. Sneha also accepts appointments as an Arbitrator and Mediator. She is highly experienced in conducting internal corporate investigations covering a wide range of issues including employment discrimination, disciplinary issues, misconduct, and negligence. She also serves as an external member on Internal Complaints Committees for domestic and multi-national companies, conducting investigations on sexual harassment complaints in compliance with POSH. This diverse experience allows Sneha to bring unique and valuable perspectives to complex legal challenges with commercially practical solutions. As an emerging leader in her field, Sneha regularly speaks on real estate laws and arbitration at professional fora and educational institutions. She is also passionate about promoting gender diversity in the legal profession, often addressing this important topic across various platforms. Sneha founded Frontier Legal in 2017 prior to starting Frontline Law Partners, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to legal excellence.
Partner, Corporate & Regulatory Practice
GAUTHAM GURURAJ
(he/him)
Gautham read arts and law at National Law School of India University (NLSIU, Bengaluru, India) graduating with a dual degree viz. B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) His two-decade long practice focuses on corporate advisory and transactions, acquisitions and joint ventures, corporate governance, foreign exchange laws (FEMA), foreign contribution laws (FCRA), start-up and venture capital funding and cross-border investments. He regularly advises both Indian and overseas clients, including corporations, international non-profit organisations, high net worth individuals and family offices on these complex areas of law. In addition to his corporate law expertise, Gautham has developed a significant practice in regulatory, corporate governance and white-collar crime matters. On one hand, he advises clients in ensuring their organizations are being operated and managed as per best governance practices and in compliance with regulatory norms, while on the other hand, he also represents and advises clients on matters involving corporate fraud and bribery, money laundering, and violations of foreign exchange laws. Gautham's experience also includes assisting clients during investigations by regulatory authorities such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) as well as representational work before the ED and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). His approach combines a deep understanding of corporate operations with intricate knowledge in specialized laws, enabling him to provide comprehensive and strategic counsel to corporations and individuals facing regulatory investigations and white-collar crime allegations. Prior to founding Frontline Law Partners, Gautham was a Partner at Frontier Legal, where he led a team handling a diverse set of corporate laws and transactional matters. Before that, he spent significant time at Luthra & Luthra Law Offices in New Delhi, working in the corporate advisory, regulatory and transactions team. In addition to his legal practice, Gautham has contributed to legal education by teaching foreign exchange laws at his alma mater and commercial laws at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan (Bengaluru, India). He is also a frequent speaker at corporate seminars and professional institutes, sharing his expertise with the wider legal fraternity and business community.
International Counsel
Illarion Igorevich Girs
(he/him)
Illarion is a seasoned international lawyer and IMI Certified Mediator with a broad multidisciplinary skill set in practice since 2003. Well-versed in civil law and with a good command of the English law of contract and a proven ability to navigate the intricacies of different legal systems, Illarion is a true all-rounder, making him an excellent strategist for the Firm's clients. Illarion's main specialisation is in commercial transactions and dispute resolution across various industry practices, including real estate and construction, BFSI, hospitality and tourism, media, iGaming, and 'Tax Havens' harboured businesses. Moreover, his usefulness to business comes enriched by his impressive experience in constitutional, administrative, criminal, and human rights law matters. He also worked a lot with politically charged and media-hyped cases. This rare combination for commercial lawyers brings a special in-depth assessment of legal and political risks, especially to businesses entering foreign markets. Illarion has lived and worked in different political, international and intercultural environments, including India, Russia, Britain, and the Maldives. This life experience helps clients bridge the differences associated with doing business abroad. Illarion has joined the Firm as an Of Counsel to assist on cross-border matters, especially when Indian business goes abroad, and foreign investors need professional support to enter the Indian domain.