Parnika Chaturvedi

Iam a Partner at King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) with expertise in high value, cross border Dispute Resolution with a particular focus on: international commercial arbitration; litigation across common law Courts (Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), and Courts of England & Wales), and navigating the onshore civil law system applicable in the UAE.

I have represented a number of clients, including government entities, multinationals, financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies and high net-worth individuals, in a wide range of financial, corporate, and commercial disputes across various sectors, including financial services, healthcare, retail, trading, insurance, hospitality, construction, real estate, cryptocurrency, pharmaceuticals, and commodities.

I have also had the privilege of being recognised for my work. I am ranked in Chambers & Partners UAE, Legal 500 UAE and Legal 500 Arbitration Power List Middle East.

Over the years, my role has entailed devising and executing complex strategies before Courts and Tribunals to achieve the best possible results for my clients. I have conducted arbitrations under various institutional rules and have substantial experience before the DIFC and ADGM Courts, as well as the Courts of England and Wales. I also work with regional experts on disputes before the UAE Courts and across the GCC. I have had the opportunity to work on a number of interesting projects and matters. This has included advising on a new legal framework for a new jurisdiction in Saudi Arabia, which spans all legal aspects of the requirements of a modern, smart city jurisdiction; representing China state-owned companies in connection with various disputes, including the construction of one of the largest dams in Angola; acting for senior management of major FTSE companies; representing major international construction company in the UAE regarding road construction disputes, and representing clients in supply chain disputes and business interruption events. Being able to contribute to key projects such as these is incredibly rewarding. I am always honoured to be able to offer advice and expertise.

Another aspect of my role has been mentoring junior team members and other professionals in the field. The opportunity to guide other team members in their career development is a real highlight for me. I consider mentoring to be essential, and I contribute a large part of my success to my mentors. My aim is to have the same impact on my team. As a mentor, I take an active pastoral role, ensuring associate development and well-being. I believe that mentoring does not only help with the growth and development of the mentee but is also an essential learning tool for the mentor, and a step in progression. With my passion for mentoring, I am also involved in several external mentoring programmes and regularly take part in a CSR initiative to mentor and train visiting lawyers as part of the International Lawyers for Africa (ILFA) programme.

KWM has provided me the platform and support to grow and excel. At KWM, women are empowered to excel in their careers. I have received extensive support from both peers and clients, which paired with hard work, technical knowledge and key eye for detail, has helped me develop my skills, knowledge and expertise, and enabled me to be where I am today in my career. For me, teams excel when they work together and demonstrate commitment, dedication and expertise in strategic thinking.

I take my role as an ambassador for KWM very seriously. I take joy in leading client initiatives and speaking at external conferences and seminars. As a legal professional, I have always had a thirst for knowledge and finding ways to excel in my career. I hope to potentially inspire both women and men alike.

To support women in the legal industry, I am an active member of the internationally recognised Arbitral Women initiative. I am also a partner of the Dubai Legal Affairs Department and volunteer to undertake pro-bono work in addition to our current client base. I am a firm believer that, as a senior practitioner, it is important for the business to adopt socially and environmentally aware practices in our day-to-day operations. I am proud that my firm, KWM, is ahead of the curve with our pro bono advice initiatives, efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of dispute resolution and adoption of the Green Pledge in the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations. In 2023, I want to continue my growth and learning and devote more time to self-development. In order to do better, I plan to achieve more and give more. My advice to woman looking to enter into the legal profession is to be honest and passionate about their work, and own the credit that they deserve. It is vital for women to work with people and organisations that respect them as a professional and help guide and support their growth. As professionals, it is important to focus on creating and developing relationships from the very start, both internally and externally, as every single one counts. Also, one should never be afraid to ask for help when needed, as it is how we all grow.