Darshan is a Founding and Managing Partner of the firm. He is a top-ranked Indian lawyer with over two decades of experience spanning diverse areas of practice. He is renowned for his ability to navigate complex, high-profile transactions and deliver practical solutions.
He has extensive experience in foreign investments, fund formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory advisory—particularly in exchange control regulations, company law, and SEBI regulations. Darshan is also adept at handling contentious shareholder arrangements and understanding family dynamics for effective succession planning.
He has advised companies across a wide range of sectors, including financial services, chemicals, hospitals, QSRs, e-commerce, fintech, hospitality, and retail. Over the years, he has contributed to policy initiatives, assisted NGOs, mentored promoters, served on company boards, and participated in the committee of the Indian Law Association.
Darshan holds a commerce degree and a law degree from the University of Mumbai. He is also a qualified Company Secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
- 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.
“Leading Partner” – Commercial, Corporate and M&A (Mumbai) and “Recommended Lawyer”- Private Equity Funds (including Venture Capital) – Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
“Notable Practitioner” – Corporate and M&A – LegalEra Leading Lawyer Rankings 2025-26
“Leading Lawyer”- Corporate /M&A (Mumbai-based) and Private Equity – Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2026
“Highly Regarded” Lawyer – Private Equity and M&A – IFLR 1000 Asia-Pacific (2023 to 2025)
“Top-Tier Lawyer” – Corporate/M&A: Mumbai – Chambers and Partners Global (2022 to 2025)
“Leading Lawyer” – Corporate/M&A and Private Equity – Chambers and Partners (2022 to 2025)
“Leading Partner” – Private Equity & Investment Funds and Commercial, Corporate & M&A – The Legal 500 2025
Private Equity and Corporate and M&A – AsiaLaw Rankings (2022 to 2025)
Top Lawyers in India and an A-List Member by the India Business Law Journal (IBLJ) (2023 to 2025)
Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer of the Year in India – Corporate INTL Global Awards, 2024
“Recommended Lawyer” – Private Equity & Investment Funds and Commercial, Corporate & M&A – The Legal 500, 2023
“Notable Practitioner” – Corporate/M&A & Private Equity – Asialaw Leading Lawyer, 2022 & 2023
Highly Recommended for his expertise – The Legal500 Asia-Pacific 2016, 2017 & 2020
Recognized as “Highly Regarded” – IFLR1000 Financial & Corporate 2017, 2018 & 2019
Recognized as “Up and Coming lawyer” – Private Equity by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2017-2019
Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific 2026: “Darshan is a thorough professional and understands the importance of commercials.”
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