Darshan Upadhyay is the founding & Managing Partner of Stratage Law Partners. He has over 20 years of experience covering a vast spectrum of practices.
He has advised several Fortune 500 companies on their entry into India, joint ventures, acquisitions and other commercial transactions. He also advices several private equity funds on fund set-up and investments. He enjoys public market transactions, strategizing commercial disputes and advising on governance related matters. Over the years, clients have sought his counsel for succession planning and family settlements.
Darshan has in-depth knowledge of exchange control regulations, SEBI and general corporate law which enables him to evaluate, structure and implement some of the most complex transactions, shareholders dispute and insolvency matters.
He is highly regarded by his clients and peers for his ability to provide “simple solutions to complicated problems” in any transaction. One of the leading legal publications regarded him as ‘Focused approach and ability to always see the big picture’.
Darshan has acted for clients across sectors, such as, healthcare, pharma, hospitality, logistic, financial services, aviation and IT. He serves as an independent director on the boards of several companies.
Prior to Stratage, he was a Partner with a leading law firm in India, co-heading its Corporate and M&A Practice.
Darshan is recognized by many leading legal publications including The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Asialaw Profiles, IFLR 1000, Chambers Asia-Pacific and RSG India Report.
- Represented JCI Inc. on its global joint venture with Hitachi Appliances Limited resulting in triggering indirect open offer in India and consequent negotiations, regulatory disclosures and compliances. The joint venture is said to be world’s largest commercial air conditioner provider. The deal was recognised as one of the Deals of the Year by Inhouse Community’s Asian Mena Counsel in its Deals of the Year award.
- Acted as co-counsel to Jet Airways on the acquisition of 24% stake by Etihad Airways. This deal was awarded M&A and Joint Venture Deal of the Year by IBLJ.
- Represented Ispat Limited and its Promoters on takeover and joint venture with JSW involving restructuring and also public offer. The deal was awarded the Capital Markets Deal of the Year by IBLJ.
- Represented SAMHI Hotels Limited and its promoters on multiple rounds of investments from Goldman Sacs, Equity International, GTI and IFC.
- Represented Edelweiss Crossover Fund in many of their investments including National Stock Exchange, Future Lifestyle Limited, CAMs, Sapphire Foods.
- Represented Samara Capital in many of their investments, including SMT, Blue Heaven, SMS and others.
* Also includes experience prior to establishing Stratage Law Partners.
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Mergers & Acquisitions
Corporate Governance
Shareholder Disputes
Private Client Practice
B.Com and L.L.B. from Mumbai University and a Company Secretary from Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
Member of Bar Council for Maharashtra & Goa.
Ranked as Leading Lawyer for Corporate/M&A and Private Equity by Chambers and Partners in 2022, 2023 & 2024
Recognised as Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer of the Year in India by Corporate INTL Global Awards, 2024
Ranked as ‘Recommended Lawyer 2023’ for Private Equity & Investment Funds and Commercial, Corporate & M&A by The Legal 500, 2023.
Recognised as Highly Regarded for for Private Equity and M&A by IFLR1000 Asia-Pacific 2023 Rankings
Recognized as one of the Top Lawyers in India and an A-List Member 2023-24 & 2022-23 by the India Business Law Journal (IBLJ).
Recognized as Notable Practitioner for Corporate/M&A & Private Equity by Asia law Leading Lawyer, 2022 & 2023.
Ranked as a “Leading Lawyer” for Corporate/M&A & Private Equity by Asialaw Profiles 2014 to 2018.
Highly Recommended for his expertise by The Legal500 Asia-Pacific 2016, 2017, 2020.
Highly Regarded in IFLR1000 Financial & Corporate 2017, 2018 & 2019.
Up and Coming lawyer for Private Equity by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2017, 2018 & 2019.
Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific 2019: “He is an outstanding, highly solution-oriented professional who develops a deep understanding of the client’s transaction objectives, which flows through in every interaction with us or the counter-party.”
Legal 500 2020: ‘Focused approach and ability to always see the big picture’.
RSG India Report: “Excellent commercial understanding,” “quality of advice” and “specialist knowledge.” He has also been described as ‘innovative’, ‘practical’ and ‘deal orientated’. With a ‘commitment’ to his clients and ‘easily approachable’.
English, Hindi, Gujarati