Sahil Kanuga

Sahil focuses on internal investigations, white-collar crimes and disputes and has about 20 years of experience.

He regularly advises foreign and domestic clients on internal investigations into compliance violations and in matters pertaining to whistle-blower complaints, for corporations and financial institutions, ABAC compliance and regulatory compliance. He also has considerable expertise in advising on corporate governance, cross border disputes, financial crimes, fraud related issues, regulatory and governance issues.

Relevant Experience:

Experience listed below is that of the partner before joining the firm

Internal Investigations / ABAC / Compliance:

• Advised a leading US company in an ethics and compliance investigation initiated on a whistle-blower complaint covering issues such as governance and anti-corruption in India. Advised on gaps in the client’s internal code of conduct as well as provided Policy framework on addressing governance and ABAC policy concerns and assistance in drafting fair disclosure policy and practice guidance on internal controls, ethics, and compliance.
• Advising a global Business Process Management leader in an internal investigation into allegations of anti-corruption and bribery compliances, cross-border internal compliance and major corporate governance issues the regarding allegations concerning employee misconduct, including misappropriation, and kickbacks from vendors including potential FCPA violations.
• Advised an Indian subsidiary of a multi-national pharmaceutical company in an internal investigation into certain allegations levelled against senior management and their involvement in bribery and corruption issues.
• Advised a US software company in two internal investigations in relation to allegations against their employees and vendors with respect to alleged bribery, ethical compliance and corruption issues.
• Advised and assisted one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies in an internal investigation into its Indian joint-venture entity pertaining to a former employee’s complaint on hostile treatment and retaliation.
• Advised a global non-governmental organization in a strategic internal investigation in its Indian operations.
• Advised an Indian technology company that provides cloud-based enterprise software and services in an internal investigation pertaining to non-disclosure of conflict of interest and ancillary issues.
• Advised a US based company with regards to ABAC and AML checks as part of a due diligence carried out for acquiring a target company based out of India.
• Advised a reputed U.S. Company on issues emanating out of breach of fiduciary duties and a larger conspiracy by the Managing Director and other employees of its Indian subsidiary and ancillary litigation.
• Advised a reputed listed US company in an internal investigation pertaining to allegations about a toxic workplace and culture, in breach of company policies.
• Advised a reputed listed US company in an internal investigation pertaining to allegations about a misbehaviour and harassment by the Managing Director of its Indian subsidiary.
• Advised an Indian media house in a matter pertaining to a criminal investigation against the company and its shareholders, with allegations involving illegal gratification of public officials.
• Advising a multi-national corporation involved in the IT sector in an internal investigation into allegations of bribery, fraud, embezzlement of funds and anti-corruption laws by an ex-employee.
• Advised on several large internal investigations and regulatory investigations with international law firms and forensic teams, having potential ramifications under the FCPA and UKBA.
• Advised one of world’s largest media-services provider, in respect of allegations of sexual harassment against a member of a media production company it was affiliated with.
• Advised an Indian-promoted global company on whistle-blower allegations pertaining to toxicity of certain senior management persons.

Corporate Governance and Advisory:

• Advised several listed and unlisted companies on corporate governance matters under company laws, foreign exchange control laws and securities law.
• Advising an international non-profit organisation engaged in community development projects in the education sector in an investigation into allegations of breach of governance, bribery, anti-corruption issues. Assisting the company in implementing good governance practices and compliances.

Dispute Resolution & International Arbitration:

• Advising a Chinese pharmaceutical company in relation to an-going dispute arising out of supply of API’s to leading world-wide pharma giant in India.
• Advised a Jordanian infrastructure company in respect of enforcement of a Paris-seated arbitral award against an Indian entity.
• Advised a Japanese infrastructure company in in respect of enforcement of a Singapore-seated arbitral award against an Indian entity.
• Successfully enforced a Singapore-seated, multi-million-dollar SIAC arbitral award in India for the award holder, a leading Japanese company.
• Advised the minority shareholder of a reputed precious gems certification business in a global dispute which included litigation proceedings instituted in various jurisdictions including Mauritius and Dubai.

Memberships

• Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa, 2005
• Member, Asia Advisory Committee of American Arbitration Association-International Centre for Dispute Resolution
• Member, Singapore International Mediation Centre’s Specialist Mediator Panel (India)
• Member, Sub-Committee of the Ministry of Law & Justice, Department of Justice, Government of India, (dealing with implementation of Pre-institution Mediation and Settlement)

Awards & Recognition:

• Recommended Lawyer’ Dispute Resolution: Arbitration & Litigation for Legal 500 APAC Rankings, 2024
• ‘Litigation Star’ at Benchmark Litigation 2023-2024
• Who’s Who Legal Guide as ‘Arbitration Future Leader – Partners 2024’
• Benchmark Litigation and RSG