The Making of a Corporate Law Leader

The Making of a Corporate Law Leader with Kinjal Champaneria | Koffee Conversation @TEIF

Estimated read time: 1:20

Summary

Join us for an enlightening episode of the Koffee Conversation Show, featuring Kinjal Champaneria, a seasoned partner at Solomon and Company. With more than 18 years of experience, Kinjal shares his journey from an associate to a renowned partner, dealing with high-profile mergers and acquisitions, and navigating the evolving landscape of corporate law. He discusses his approach to balancing legal risks with business practicality and advises startups on the importance of legal compliance. Kinjal's insights into the fast-changing world of corporate law, along with his personal anecdotes and leadership style, provide a fascinating glimpse into the life of a corporate law leader.

Highlights

Kinjal Champaneria discusses the fine line between legal risk and business practicality, offering strategies to mitigate liabilities. ✨
The legal landscape is rapidly evolving, with significant changes in corporate laws over the last decade, Kinjal explains. 🌩️
Key industries such as agri-tech and solar energy offer promising investment opportunities, Kinjal highlights. 🌍
Kinjal shares wisdom on the necessity of startups maintaining legal compliance to attract investor confidence. 🚀
Insight into M&As where quick thinking is crucial to closing deals, according to Kinjal. 🔄
Personal anecdotes about leadership style and maintaining work-life balance from Kinjal. 🎯

Key Takeaways

Understand the importance of balancing legal risk with business needs through strategic negotiation. ⚖️
Stay informed about frequent changes in corporate laws for better decision-making. 📜
Recognize the growing legal complexities that startups face, especially in compliance. 🚀
Learn about the evolving opportunities in industries like agri-tech and defense for foreign investments. 🌾
Embrace technology and continuous learning to stay ahead in the legal profession. 💼

Overview

In this episode of the Koffee Conversation Show, Kinjal Champaneria, a prominent figure in corporate law, takes us through his impressive journey. From his formative years to leading significant mergers and acquisitions, Kinjal provides valuable insights into the world of corporate law. His story is one of dedication and strategic thinking, influencing both his career path and the industry.

Kinjal's expertise lies in his ability to balance legal risks with business needs. He elaborates on how he guides clients through regulatory challenges while advising them on practical business matters. His discussion on the fast-paced changes in corporate law highlights the importance of staying updated and adaptable in this dynamic field.

With a focus on opportunities in sectors like agri-tech and the importance of technology, Kinjal stresses on future-proofing one's legal career through continuous learning. His leadership style as a mentor who guides rather than just teaches, and his emphasis on the value of experience and dedication over time, provides a roadmap for young legal professionals.

Chapters

00:00 - 02:30: Introduction and Professional Journey Overview The chapter introduces the Emerging Lawyer Series at the Coffee Con Show, organized by the Emerging India Forum (TIFF) with support from tech partner Prime Infot Solution. The focus is on how a corporate law leader is made, featuring guest speaker Kinjel Champaneria, a partner at Solomon and Company. Champaneria discusses his experiences managing significant mergers and acquisitions and providing guidance to foreign entities.
02:30 - 04:29: Balancing Legal Risk and Business Practicality The chapter explores the professional journey and personal insights of an experienced corporate lawyer, Kel, who has over 18 years of experience in the field. It discusses his expertise in navigating the complexities of corporate law, particularly in mergers and acquisitions. The chapter also provides a glimpse into his personal side, beyond his legal career, at an AWF co-working space event that occurs on a Saturday.
04:30 - 07:14: Changes in Corporate Law Over the Years The chapter titled 'Changes in Corporate Law Over the Years' discusses the evolution and transformations in corporate law, but the provided transcript doesn't focus on this topic directly. Instead, it introduces a special episode of a show that features a guest named Kel. The episode is structured into three segments: professional journey, personal journey, and a rapid-fire fun round. The conversation is light-hearted and aims to engage viewers with entertaining content, while possibly weaving in discussions about corporate law within these segments.
07:15 - 08:59: Future Opportunities for Foreign Investors Lameir Virani, a legal tech evangelist at Prime Infix Solution, discusses the future opportunities for foreign investors. He introduces himself as an author of 15 books and a provider of world-class technology solutions for law firms, corporates, startups, and SMEs. During a conversation, he asks Kinjel about her professional journey and the key defining moments in her career.
09:00 - 11:59: Legal Misconceptions in Startups The author discusses their career journey, highlighting their tenure of over 18 years in the same firm and practice area. They express satisfaction with their professional journey and identify becoming an associate partner in 2012 as a transformative milestone. This achievement brought a sense of recognition and accomplishment as clients acknowledged their contributions.
12:00 - 16:11: Complexities in M&A Transactions The chapter begins with a discussion on the transition from being a junior team member to assuming a leadership role. This accomplishment is portrayed as a significant step in one's career journey. The individual reflects on their advancement to partnership status and describes this progression as amazing, expressing a desire to continue growing professionally. The focus then shifts to a dialogue on balancing legal risk and business practicality when advising clients. This section seems to delve into the complexities encountered in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions, suggesting that the task involves navigating the intricacies of legal frameworks while maintaining business efficacy and practicality. Throughout, there is an emphasis on the challenges and responsibilities associated with reaching a partner-level position in this domain.
16:12 - 19:30: Leadership Style and Career Growth The chapter titled 'Leadership Style and Career Growth' discusses different types of risks faced by businesses, particularly focusing on legal and regulatory risks. It explains that regulatory risks arise from laws that restrict or permit specific actions under certain conditions. Businessmen are usually aware of these regulations. The chapter also highlights the concept of legal risk associated with business contracts and potential liabilities, such as indemnity clauses, which could pose threats to business operations.
19:31 - 22:00: Role of Technology in Legal Work The chapter discusses the integration of technology into legal work, emphasizing the close relationship between business goals and legal responsibilities. The legal team aids the business by navigating through liabilities, providing solutions to mitigate risks such as imposing limits on liability or setting cap percentages.
22:01 - 24:59: Advice for Young Lawyers The chapter discusses strategies for young lawyers, focusing on mitigating business risks. It emphasizes educating clients about potential risks and exposures in business dealings. The importance of understanding the evolving legal landscape is highlighted, reflecting on significant changes witnessed in the field.
25:00 - 28:29: Personal and Family Background The chapter titled 'Personal and Family Background' provides insights into the narrator's 18-year journey in corporate law. It highlights significant changes and events in the field, including the replacement of the companies act in 2003, the introduction of a new criminal code last year, and major changes to the FDI policy. Overall, the narrative illustrates the turbulent and rapidly evolving nature of corporate law over the past decade, likening it to a cyclone or hurricane.
28:30 - 33:29: Educational Background and College Experience The chapter discusses changes in non-debt instrument regulations and overseas investment policies. It highlights numerous updates in foreign investment advisor regulations over the past decade, describing it as a turbulent period requiring constant vigilance.
33:30 - 38:19: Hobbies and Personal Life The chapter discusses the dynamic nature of the law profession and how it involves continuous learning and adaptation. The speaker expresses a consideration of returning to law school due to the evolving legal landscape and the enjoyment derived from understanding and interpreting new laws and their implications on clients. The speaker finds being in the law field interesting because of these ongoing changes.
38:20 - 44:14: Professional Influences and Career Path The chapter explores the professional influences and career achievements of an individual named Kel, particularly focusing on his involvement in India. It addresses his insights into entry and foreign investments, highlighting industries he predicts will offer significant opportunities for foreign investors. Kel emphasizes the agritech sector, noting the growing interest in contract farming due to its perceived potential in India.
44:15 - 46:59: 2025 Plans and Career Goals The chapter titled '2025 Plans and Career Goals' discusses the potential for agricultural growth based on favorable soil and climate conditions, which allow for the cultivation of diverse crops. It also highlights the rising demand in the dairy sector, driven by increased consumer awareness about the purity and hygiene of dairy products. The chapter suggests significant opportunities in both crop diversification and dairy production as part of future plans and career goals.
47:00 - 49:59: Personal Description and Adaptability The chapter discusses the hot topic of defense spending, mentioning a recent government order worth 54,000 crores, signifying the sector's growing importance. It also touches upon the concept of SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company), which is currently a topic of discussion. SPACs are more prevalent in the US and involve companies that use an already listed entity for acquisitions.
50:00 - 60:00: Rapid Fire and Conclusion The chapter discusses the activities surrounding the raising of funds and acquisition processes. The narrator mentions helping a client establish a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) that is listed on NASDAQ. They are also assisting in acquiring technology companies in India. Additionally, there is mention of potential regulatory changes by the government concerning SPACs, which are still under discussion. The chapter briefly touches on topics like electric vehicles (EV), solar energy, and infrastructure.

The Making of a Corporate Law Leader with Kinjal Champaneria | Koffee Conversation @TEIF Transcription

00:00 - 00:30 welcome to the emerging lawyer series at the coffee con show powered by the emerging India forum TIFF and a tech partner prime infot solution theme is the making of a corporate law leader We have with us guest speaker Kinjel Champaneria partner at Solomon and Company From handling highstakes mergers and acquisitions to guiding foreign
00:30 - 01:00 investments in India Kel has spent over 18 years shaping the corporate legal landscape He has navigated the complexities of corporate law mergers and acquisitions with precision and expertise But beyond the legal briefs and boardroom negotiation who was Kinjal in this episode we explore his journey insights and the person behind the profession Friends we are at AWF co-working space and on a Saturday
01:00 - 01:30 afternoon on Honeyimon Janti uh we wish all our viewers So uh this is special episode So welcome Kel to today's coffee conversation Thank you So let me explain you the flow and the format There are three rounds Professional journey personal journey and uh fun round the rapid fire for which you have to be witty fun and quick And here's your gift but you have to be win it Sure
01:30 - 02:00 So friends I'm Lameir Virani hosted coffee conversation and a legal tech evangelist at Prime Infix solution author of 15 books We help law firms corporate legal startups SMEs with world-class technology software licensing and tech training solutions So my first question for your professional journey round kinjel how has the journey shaped up and any key defining moments you had uh my journey uh shaped up very well uh because I started my career and I've continued and so I started in uh
02:00 - 02:30 2007 and now it's been more than 18 years I'm working in the same firm uh same practice area So I am loving that journey and it has shaped up very well uh the milestone moment or what we say transformative moment I would uh say that when I became an associate partner that was in 2012 uh that shaped my that gave me an uh sense of achievement because that's where uh clients recognizes you you get
02:30 - 03:00 a team to lead before that you are just a junior and you are working under some person but once you get that designation then uh there is a you know that's a first step of achievement And later then uh as you can see that I've become a partner So I think that journey was really amazing and I hope to continue it and you know grow it further Wow Beautiful So Kel how do you balance the fine line between legal risk and business practicality when advising clients so when we talk about uh uh
03:00 - 03:30 legal risk uh so I I see that two type of risk One is a regulatory risk which is like there are certain laws where you cannot do something where you have permitted to do something or there are some conditions to do it and uh so that uh that is very clear So I think the all businessman knows it and the legal risk is always on the business side where they enter into some contract and there are certain uh liabilities which may come up like for example there are indemnity clauses M so there's always a
03:30 - 04:00 very thin line between your business and uh legal uh business team or you know business wants to do the business uh but they do not like to take a liability So in that case uh we try to help them you know uh navigate through a pathway where there's a midway uh where you know there are certain we try to give them options on how to mitigate that indemnities uh like uh you know giving them limitation of liability cap or certain percentage
04:00 - 04:30 of whatever we receive So that's how we mitigate So I think that that risk part uh typically it's more on the business risk and once we we we make the client understand you know what may be the risk So at that time he understands okay if I'm doing something this may be my exposure So I think that that's way it's better to handle it uh for the business part Wow So Kel the legal landscape is evolving rapidly Yeah what are the biggest changes you have witnessed in
04:30 - 05:00 corporate law over the past uh or I would say in your 18 years journey so I think uh past decade what like it's like a cyclone or hurricane uh if you see the events I think 2003 there was entire replacement of companies act and then uh in few years there was like uh I think last year they have introduced a new criminal code uh before that they have changed this entire FDI policy and in place of FDI now they have introduced
05:00 - 05:30 non-debt instruments regulations uh then they have changed this entire overseas investment policies uh so and then there are new investment advisor regulations there have been lot of changes in foreign investment advisor uh regulations FI uh so uh I think last decade has been uh quite uh stormy or what we can say it's like we had to be on our toes Uh in fact at one moment we
05:30 - 06:00 also thought of joining law school again because I think most of thing what we have learned has been replaced So so I think that last decade and it's still very dynamic right now Um but then it's always fun because then you got to know new things and then that's that's our job you know to interpret new laws and how it will impact the clients you know that's that's what uh we are here So I think that's where it's interesting to be in the law field So given your
06:00 - 06:30 experience Kel in India entry and foreign investments what are some industries you see as the next big opportunities for foreign investors so I I think u if we look at the industry part so there's lot of uh activity in the agri tech where you know there are a lot of uh people are interested in contract farming and you know they because they see lot of potential because our
06:30 - 07:00 uh the conditions soil conditions and the climate conditions have uh you know capabilities of growing much more and you know very diverse kind of crops So that is one tag Uh of lately I am seeing lot of uh what do we say in the dairy dairy sector because you know there's lot of demand for dairy products with like and now people are more conscious about purity and you know that hygiene part So I have seen lot of into dairy
07:00 - 07:30 and as everyone knows defense is always uh hot right now It's uh it's very because of the and recently I think government have given orders of 54,000 crores or something So defense has always been a hot other what uh aspect I see is the spack which is uh right now it's on the discussion stage you know spack is like a special purpose acquisition company so like company will uh and this is more prevalent in US where they have a entity which is listed
07:30 - 08:00 there they raise the fund and they acquire now uh we have been u assisting one of our clients who have established a spec in US that is listed in NASDAQ and we are helping them acquiring some tech companies in India So I think that and spec I think government is into try planning to pull take out uh you know regulations and it's in still in discussions So apart from that I think uh EV solar solar manufacturing infra
08:00 - 08:30 infra is also logistics also is going to grow So I think most of the sectors are covered I think because looking at the auto and also considering the tariff part which is now I think India is standing on the most beneficial stage right now So I think that would change the entire dynamics of the sectors Wow Beautiful So Kel thank you for leading me What's one legal misconception businesses or startups often have and how do you help them navigate it so
08:30 - 09:00 often startups what we have faced is um they more concentrate on business and they they they keep legal as secondary uh I think for some time it's fine because then you have to grow the business but you cannot totally ignore uh so many times what we have seen in startups like they have uh faced issues uh legal after some time when they have when when there's a time to grow So in that case you know what uh
09:00 - 09:30 simple example is in case if you're not compliant then what happens is uh if a investor wants to invest in the company and they are always in need of capital So at that time you know seeing lot of non-compliances raises lot of red flags So that doesn't give confidence to the investors So what we suggest is that you have to be compliant at least for the basic level We understand that you will need to grow the business uh but uh one
09:30 - 10:00 thing it is legal is also important and you can outsource it and uh because u I think I can share you few of the examples where you know we have faced issues and recently also we see lot of issues but then we cannot comment because that's the way of doing the business like one example what we have seen is they uh the company wants wanted money so so they just issued convertible preferences at some very minor value and
10:00 - 10:30 they have given they have raised lot of money Now when we entered as a representative of the investor uh when we do the with the due diligence at that we time realize that if that investor converts that preference shares into equity shares the promoters will lose control and to unwind now that company has grown because they have taken funding at a very uh startup stage Now once the company grows the value of the shares grows to so to unwind that transaction
10:30 - 11:00 either they have to purchase the shares or they have to convert it which which they cannot do it So I think because of that that deal went didn't went through because the investors was not confident M so I think uh my thing is uh for the startups whatever you do we understand that you are in need of money or you need to do uh you know business but you have to think two step ahead in future what would the implication uh also interesting thing what I am observing
11:00 - 11:30 right now is there are a lot of uh online uh you know investment uh advisor who like they do crowdfunding type like they invite uh investors with very nominal amounts like if you have five lakhs 10 lakh rupees you can go in investment So what they do they collect 10 to 15 investors and they go and invest in the company Now in that what happens is uh the entity which is collecting the money is just a face front and is just managing the investors
11:30 - 12:00 but the actual shareholding in the company is so high like you'll find uh 15 to 20 shareholders holding five shares 10 shares you know that capital structure is so bloated and when the new investor comes in he's like quite hesitant because then he doesn't want to deal with so many people Mhm So I think uh that thing also they need to structure and we always suggest that whenever startup comes you have to do a sellers due diligence where you know sellers is like uh when a company wants to raise funding the buyer or investor
12:00 - 12:30 will do due diligence So on that uh part we do it as if we are like doing it looking at the compliance part what they need to do and and we always suggest that if there are less uh red flags there is a more confidence in investors to invest in the company So I think that is what we help them out to startups to you know take over that legal compliance part Wow Beautiful So Kel M&A can be complex Can you share an instance where you have to
12:30 - 13:00 think on your feet to close a deal successfully so u if I go by the transactions uh all transactions are complex Um so I can I can break it up into two stages One is like structuring stage where we need to finalize the structure and that has to withstand the legal scrutiny So that is stage but then that is not that in that you have to have the legal knowledge about what is happening in the law in the market and what is the law So that is a simple part
13:00 - 13:30 The other part is on the transaction you always have to be on the toes Now in normal M&A transaction there are three stages one is like documentation negotiation uh closing that is signing and then closing and be between signing and closing there's a conditions precedent stage So if I'll tell you that complexity uh during uh negotiation we have to be on our toes because we are
13:30 - 14:00 sitting in the one room or even on the call and we have to finalize on the language So that is always we are on the toes Now once we sign it then comes the part of a CP uh CP also there are a lot of uh back forth on documents because then we provide certain things then there would be some objections then we have to revise it and then in that case uh it's always the responsibility of the partner to uh you know see whether everything is proper the language is proper uh we are not overcommitting or
14:00 - 14:30 we are not uh providing anything extra what they needed so that that process keeps on going and once that is complete uh then comes the closing part So closing is much more simpler uh but uh even on the time of execution there are a lot of issues because we have to see that the resolutions are in place stamp duties have been paid signatures are done properly and there are small small issues which come up you know who's the signary what documents we require to attach so I think uh from the
14:30 - 15:00 transaction perspective uh it's always we are on the toes and we have to like think two steps ahead uh what would be the next step because then uh with that we can actually pre-plan and uh you know uh close the transaction smoothly and that's where the expertise comes in When you do two three transactions then you'll come to know you know what will come next Wow Have there been any instance where uh startup founders have been uh little
15:00 - 15:30 not understanding and uh not uh coming to the negotiation side and how do you deal it sorry it means negotiation side in the sense from other side Uh what my question is key have you faced any challenge like dealing with the startup founders because they come with a particular mindset and taking them what is your
15:30 - 16:00 uh suggesting to them this is in their favor and uh they are able to understand Kai you are for them Uh that's I think that's a very good question Uh because you know when when you speak of startups they are very passionate about their work So so when they go out in the market for getting some investments uh so it's like uh you are taking some part out of it So they are very hesitant at first stage but that is a part of their life So we have to explain them that we
16:00 - 16:30 are uh we are protecting your uh interest uh but then that is the way how the market works because once the investor comes in he has certain expectations about the business plan about the targets about what rights he has in the company So we try to explain them that these are kindly standard and if which are not standard and if it's commercially then we can we tell them that you commercially you know decide whether it's feasible for you if not then you can give us an option so we can you know have a midway so it's not like whether you have to take it or leave it
16:30 - 17:00 there's always a midway to it where you know we can uh agree on something which which is acceptable to both the investors and also to startup So that's how we deal it but it's initially it's difficult and the documentation is too huge So once they get the documents it's like 40 50 pages document which gives them a cold feed you know because they have to go through it They have not gone through it although it's part of our job but for for them it's very new So it becomes very difficult and then but we have to tell them that this most of them
17:00 - 17:30 it's standard and then then we explain him you know how the process next after the investment would be you know how because there's a kind of a conduct you have to do if you are doing uh if you're doing business with your own money it's fine you can do whatever you want but then if you are doing with the investor's money definitely he's like to have some control and he likes to know what is going on so we we we brief them you know what are the next steps how to do it We many times give them a compliance calendar also what you need to do in case if you are doing this then
17:30 - 18:00 you have to take a consent So we help them out with this process Wow So Kel you have been with Solomon company for over 18 years going from associate to partner What's been the most transformative moment in your journey yeah I think the most transformative like I said earlier it was like when I became an associate partner uh because that's that's where the achievement comes into picture where you get the recognition although you have been working on the transactions with your partners seniors and but
18:00 - 18:30 you're guiding them but uh once you become an associate partner that's a first step in the letter and then afterwards you know what I have seen the expectations also increases the moment your designation grows there's a partic certain level of expectation from the client so then you have to live up to that expectation So I think uh being an associate partner was the first step and then I always try to
18:30 - 19:00 give something extra and you know try to get that impression or you know satisfy the clients So that's my always the duty or what I feel is like we have to do it So that's I think the client we have it's more important to meet the client expectation and as and when the designation grows it grows higher and higher So you have to live up to that and you have to work more hard because it's very easy to be senior but once you start handling matters on your own then there's lot of pressure then you have to work hard you have to ensure that
19:00 - 19:30 everything is in place so I think that's that's also interesting journey which keeps you motivated you know to work and you know improve yourselves each and every day Wow So how has your leadership style evolved over 18 years uh leadership style I have a very different style of working Uh I know mother you must have done some uh cast with other lawyers but I never teach my juniors which I I always had a fight
19:30 - 20:00 with my colleagues you know who like to train them mentor them but I never teach my juniors Mhm Because I'm firm believer that u you have to learn by yourself Mhm and you are the creator of your own destiny And also I I I make myself clear to them that I will not teach you but I am there to guide you and I'll take responsibility of your work If you're going wrong I'll tell you where you're going wrong but I will not sit and teach you that you have to do this way You are
20:00 - 20:30 a postgraduate now You have done law You are expected to uh know certain things which we are not supposed to teach you I think so that's more interesting part and I think I have been more successful in that approach because what happens is the associate gets the time to grow because everyone cannot like grow at this speed everyone has their own pace of learning and adaptation So I always give them time and space So and um I can
20:30 - 21:00 proudly say that uh over the period of 18 years none of my associate or juniors have left with my complaint That's that's an achievement what I can proudly say that not a single person has left has said that you know I was not comfortable working with with him and I'm leaving the job So I think I think that approach is uh working very well for me and uh I always try
21:00 - 21:30 to preach others you know that this is the way you have to work and I I'm happy about it Wow Beautiful So Kel how has technology helped you and how has your experience been using the different legal tech software tools u honestly I have not been using I just you word PowerPoint u but what I have seen right now after COVID there's been lot of legal technologies which has come up u even this AI has come up which is
21:30 - 22:00 like uh disrupting the legal arena at least for juniors which is uh which I have not yet used it because I feel that I am from the old school type although not that old school where I require a print out but do everything online but um I have not used it but I have seen it u I think after covid there has been like dramatic change in the approach uh earlier you know litig litigation councils judges uh never used to work
22:00 - 22:30 online but after covid now they also much much addicted to online part they want everything online the councils want online uh but luckily I think corporate it still follows that uh other than that normal CRM or data management uh corporate I don't think so that they have come up with some extraordinary feature where you know they can help us other than this uh AI tools wow So my last question if a young lawyer
22:30 - 23:00 wanted to follow in your footsteps and build a career in corporate law and stay in a law firm like you for 18 years what's the one piece of advice you should give them so I think um one thing which I strongly believe is there's no shortcut to success Uh you have to work there's a ladder of success you have to climb Now it's up to you how fast you do it I
23:00 - 23:30 personally feel the faster you do the work the more you learn because um what I have experienced is if I would have sat on the one matter for one week and you know just easily you know my life is easy with some few matters I would not have grown you know this is like you are adding drop each and every drop of knowledge into your career by doing a by doing work so the faster you complete your work the faster you will grow the faster your knowledge will grow So I
23:30 - 24:00 think the my best advice would be to for initial five years don't uh think of any life try to work as much as possible because that that is the stage where you have an opportunity you have stamina you have energy to do it u and so you have to give your full 100% I would say 110 or 120% And so and and I think stability is also more important because what I have seen is I I have worked for 18
24:00 - 24:30 years People ask me how how are you working there for 18 years So I simply say and what's the problem in working for 18 years i have a good uh senior I have a good working environment I have good facilities I have good colleagues Uh what else i know I have a good uh variety of matters So I I don't have any reason to switch because I'm happy with my work because uh on the work pattern also what happens is like legal field is very dynamic So after every 2 three years something new comes up So it's
24:30 - 25:00 always it's always you on the toes and with 18 years at least people now know me uh they have a recognition okay when they when people see my name they say okay he's from Solomon and company So I think that is what I have earned for it and I I like that means it's it's it's not question it's just u about happy of being doing the work and growing the firm and also one thing which I'm also very proud that I was the first one in the corporate team So I have seen that
25:00 - 25:30 entire practice growing from one to more than 50 associates with partners in different fields So I think that that is I feel proud of it uh because you know just going growing seeing things growing uh it's always and you're part of it that gives you a sense of achievement That's impressive Okay let's go to next round and understand Kel as a person Tell us about a family and your formative years Uh family was like um my father was a
25:30 - 26:00 businessman Um so during uh initial days only by when I was in 9th 10th we used to do banking works like going deposit money withdrawing money so we always been involved in the practice for you know business aspect not in the business aspect So that way we were not like uh just happy go but we used to work a lot for you know business part So that gave us a good exposure about how things and
26:00 - 26:30 you know we were meeting people banking people So that also gave us a gave us a good exposure and after that I think my dad uh made very clear that uh you do not enter into this business and you have to do on it on your own So he has made it clear uh with me also and my brother also So we were not we didn't have any expectation that there is something you know backup for us where we have to you know we we can fall back
26:30 - 27:00 and we can do the business So it was always in our mind that we have to do something different and on our own and that's the reason like uh my brother did a chartered accountant he's a CA I did law and we both are like in separate fields and unfortunately it had business closed down but then my dad has been doing some others you know stuff like astrology and other stuff so things have been like uh I think it has went as planned and I think that's that's the
27:00 - 27:30 most the transformative little thing like we we were made we were given the vision that you have to go do something outside Ah beautiful So let's go to your uh college days Casec Law College what are experience memories and how did it help shape your career kc law was a very different uh experience uh I would say uh from that sense because if you see if you in the college we are like uh very free and we are very playful we are not
27:30 - 28:00 concerned about the career but once we are in the post-graduation college uh and I have like uh we have been very good friends and um what my experience is that it we never had enemies or we never used to fight because all were like more mature and we are eager to help each other and um we are good friends we are always helping each other even today I have lot of friends and who
28:00 - 28:30 have been doing very well in the industry uh sometimes we meet up and we share the and so it's uh totally different experience and since we are part of the bigger law community and it's always very helpful and you know because whenever we have some trouble we always approach each other uh so I think that was the experience with Casey The Casey college is good Their staff is very cooperative and we had a really good time you know we didn't have that stress of you know of you know some
28:30 - 29:00 colleges may have uh we had good time we enjoyed learning and then we had good friends now they are successful so it's I think that's a good thing we have about the KC So Kel after a long day what's your go-to way to unwind uh nothing as such So at best you go and watch a movie or you go out for dinner Uh nothing special as such At best uh listen to music I sometimes play
29:00 - 29:30 guitar So it's all depends on mood like there are like 3 months I'll be playing guitar then 3 months I'll be reading books So it's all depends on the mood and how the workload is because whenever there's a high workload then definitely the most relaxing part is to sleep Otherwise then if you have some relaxing time then we can do something else otherwise it's just like we and I always believe that you have to save your energy for the next day Yeah Because then you never know Uh there are
29:30 - 30:00 instances where you know uh I had to work after Diwali party for the entire night and I was like sitting in that ka and pa which was not at all comfortable and I have worked entire night and I've completed that So it's always like uh you have to save the energy and there are like weekends where you can be relaxed and you can be free whatever you want but during the working days at least I feel that uh you know although there are people go to party and all that but for my part it's like
30:00 - 30:30 be at home spend time with family Wow So what's one book or movie that has left uh impacted you uh personally and professionally um I would say none as of now because I I just watch it from the entertainment perspective Uh although there are a lot of videos motivation videos which nowadays it's there on uh ch this social media which I watch it I always try to
30:30 - 31:00 watch which something gives a value addition to my knowledge Suppose something is in finance you know some ways to do a particular thing uh of lately I've just seen one movie uh not movie it's a series I think murder mindfully which is also a story of a lawyer he is like a representative to a mafia dawn which you know disrupts his life and then how he gets out it with going to some consultant so I think that was the movie which they have actually shown a life of a lawyer how stressful
31:00 - 31:30 it is and how he can overcome it with you know how we have to mindfully do certain acts and you know how he has to behave what what he has to do in a particular situation So I think that series I would recommend at least to watch it It's a very light-hearted series Uh but then that is very you can relate as a lawyer you will able to relate it you know the stress of work and how to do it but it's a it's a different kind of thing but then at least you will get certain benefits out of it Wow So Kel law is a demanding
31:30 - 32:00 profession How do you make time for yourself outside of work any non-legal passion you individual uh so as I said uh there's no passion as such the only thing is time to we have to enough time to relax and then sometimes I play guitar sometime books so that's how it is like it's all depends on workload and what my mind is saying so it's not that fixed that I have to do a particular thing I just go by the flow if I'm happy
32:00 - 32:30 or if I get some satisfaction from reading so I'll read books books or if I get something by playing guitar or listening to music or watching a movie I'll do that So there's nothing as such passionate if I had some passion then definitely I would not be a lawyer Okay Suppose uh you had that luxury of having one week away from work with uh not dealing with the startup founders
32:30 - 33:00 not crack up not cracking the deals What would you do and why the same thing like I would like to go out and spend time with the family uh where there's no but I think it it would be only one week after that you know it's like what you'll do after one week so then again you'll have to try to get back to work but yeah uh from my perspective I would always I always like to spend time with the family I don't go anywhere outside after the office work I straight away go home I like to spend time with the
33:00 - 33:30 family uh I think that's the only thing which is relaxing more and if I get an opportunity like this definitely it would be a vacation Wow So who has influenced you personally and professionally from your uh family friends um uh no one it was like a decision by accident because uh honestly speaking I was not uh even if you see my career
33:30 - 34:00 path after BCOM I joined a law firm but I was in the billing department So at that stage uh it was one of the top most law firm and in corporate So it was a big law firm and I have seen their associates how working how they working and I was always amused and impressed by the lifestyle what they were having So I on the back of the mind I always had that I have to reach at somewhat at this stage or you know something like this
34:00 - 34:30 So after that I pursued MCOM which I didn't pursue it further and then I did some marketing and then I got a call from a council He wanted a steno and administrator as a part-time at that time I decided that I'll do law I went and spoke to him that uh I'll join you uh but I would uh be doing law and then I'll work with you So at so I think that was the point where I thought now I think it's a time to do law and then during my college days I used to work
34:30 - 35:00 with him and I think that helped me a lot you know after graduation because I've been working for 3 years with a lawyer and attending all conferences visiting courts listening to them how they do it how to do the drafting and how to do research so I think I think that three years was a very crucial for And that actually helped me in my career when I started in Solomon company and that's where you know it's like things
35:00 - 35:30 were much more easier for me after joining here and then as you can see then the growth Wow So what are your plans for 2025 personally and professionally uh professionally now I'm looking into more sectors now I'm I'm trying to get into capital markets because that is a very niche you know and and luckily we have got some opportunities in that uh and definitely growing the existing firm
35:30 - 36:00 u we want to grow more lawyers and that's that's the objective right now uh want to do lot of other meetings and you know trying to create a environment where you know things are mostly automated like you know there are precedents available and I always now work it from future whenever I work on any agreement or document I make try to make sure that it's uh at least you can for next three or four assignments after
36:00 - 36:30 that uh you don't have to make much more revisions so I always do it and one thing what I have started practicing uh from last 2 3 years is whenever uh there's a standard transaction which is going on I always try to add two to two or three new things in that you know like improvising that so that has helped me a lot you know in like gaining the knowledge and you know uh improvising on existing things what I do so I think I
36:30 - 37:00 would also suggest that even for everyone who we are doing it many things are quite standard nowadays you know there are precedents you have to pick up but then try to add something new or you know something new which you can think of out of the box uh so at least that you can keep growing and you're not stagnated in their field Wow So my last one is a googly one Describe Kel in one line Uh I am like uh water you can say
37:00 - 37:30 although my name suggests it's a petal uh kal if you say it's meaning is petal uh petal of a flower but I am like water I adapt in any situation I I I don't see if you tell me to work anywhere even if it's hot humid I really it doesn't make any matter my focus would be on the work I don't need any facilities I just need some comfortable seat and laptop or
37:30 - 38:00 whatever it is but basic things So that's what I can adapt to any situations Uh also on in this field I have learned to adapt you know how to manage your time and you know because uh there's always an emergency matter which may come up and you may have to uh sit long hours So mentally you have to be prepared you know So at any given time I'm always mentally prepared that today it might be the day where I have to So I like I I adapt a lot uh with the
38:00 - 38:30 existing scenario and I think that's uh that's what it is Wow So let's go to the next round and have some fun The rapid fire round Your go-to comfort food sambar Your favorite color uh blue Early mornings or late nights early mornings Favorite business leader or legal mind you admire
38:30 - 39:00 my senior who aaron Solomon Because viewers don't know Okay One word to describe your work style Uh cool Uh I think that's the designation what all have given me I'm like uh captain cool kind of thing I never get angry but I try not to get angry but I never get angry Uh and also like I never take more stress in a
39:00 - 39:30 situation because that's where you have to keep calm and you have to go ahead and if you ask any person in my uh firm they'll say he's the coolest partner we have ever worked with So I think that's the thing they have given me as a captain cool Wow Okay Your dream travel please Um nothing I said I think uh London or Europe I think that's does my wife have
39:30 - 40:00 been there So she said that it's very beautiful and she's insisting that we will go So I think I hopefully be planning for next one or two years Best piece of advice received Uh that's a very interesting one So one of my senior which I worked with he always given me that advice that ina in if you want to impress your senior you know you have to follow this mantra it's it's very weird and it's I think it has
40:00 - 40:30 affected uh it has you know I I have applied that and it has been more effective the mantra is you have to just convey to your boss I like you and I am like you Wow So so that's uh and and I I was thinking on this So what happens see see one person is like if you're working on a matter you'll trust yourself Mhm But uh having a trust from others it's very difficult So you have to convey
40:30 - 41:00 that I am working like you and I am like you and I like you So and I have always uh it has been like my advice to others also You have to adapt your senior style of working If you are a new joiny you you should not have your own style You should blindly adapt his style of of style of working because after adapting his style he will gain confidence in you because then he is seeing his shadow in you So at that time that is the big you know fastest way to gain trust and on
41:00 - 41:30 the style of working it will come after when you start your own practice or when you independently handle matters you'll automatically detect So there's no need to be like uh worried worry about that Uh the only thing is like just you have to gain trust and that is the mantra I like you and I am like you Beautiful Yes So my last one tea or coffee to recharge tea Let's raise it Cheers
41:30 - 42:00 I know I'm on the show with the coffee but I'm saying tea It's fine Well I think that's a fact with all most of the people Tea is their lifeline So you did well and here's your gift Oh thank you Thank you Yeah And it has been autographed also I know you would correct it So it was nice speaking with you Let me sum up Yeah Okay Friends it was a lovely conversation on a Saturday uh
42:00 - 42:30 evening with Kel Champaneria uh where he has shared his journey and how being at a law firm for 18 years he has shared great insights three things good environment good team and a variety of work So all those young legal professionals out there select a law firm where you want to h uh stay for the rest of your life like Kel will be doing that uh
42:30 - 43:00 and he's in the field of startups corporate law M&A which is what do you say high intensive so follow watch his episode and get inspired like all those 400 coffee speakers have shared in in uh the coffee conversation episodes and if you want to be featured like Kel visit our website or a ling company page the emerging India forum and our team will invite you to have coffee conversation Thank you everyone
43:00 - 43:30 Thank you