Veteran lawyer Vyapak Desai leaves Nishith Desai Associates to launch independent practice

Vyapak Desai, a senior legal professional and head of the international arbitration and dispute resolution practice at Nishith Desai Associates (NDA), is leaving the firm after nearly two decades to start his own independent chamber practice.

Alumni of Gujral University, Desai, a pioneer of India’s international arbitration space, will now focus on building his individual practice and will appear before the Bombay High Court, the Supreme Court of India, and in domestic and international arbitration tribunals.

“It’s the beginning of a new chapter,” said Desai. “The decision to start my own practice was driven by a long-standing desire to be on the frontlines of dispute resolution, both in courts and arbitral forums,” he added.


He joined Nishith Desai Associates in 2005 and rose through the ranks to lead its disputes practice. During his tenure at the firm he handled several high-profile cross-border arbitration and litigation matters, particularly in the TMT, infrastructure, energy, and financial services.

Apart from being part of NDA, Desai is also a co-chairs at Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA) as well as at Society of Construction Law & Arbitration. He is also vice president at Arbitration Bar of India (ABI). Also, he is director at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) India branch.