I’m a counsel specialising in arbitration, corporate law and commercial disputes. Before setting up my independent practice, I founded JusContractus, India’s first and only all-women law firm. I also maintain a substantial pro bono practice on women’s issues and am empanelled with the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee.

I serve on the Board of the Nani Palkhivala Arbitration Centre, the Chamber of Arbitration at the India International Arbitration Centre, and the Executive Committee of the Arbitration Bar of India. Forbes India named me one of its “Thinkers to Watch Out For”, and I’ve spoken at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., on bridging the gender gap and access to justice.

Earlier, I served on the Judicial Commission headed by Justice Usha Mehra (Retd.) after the Nirbhaya case, which deepened my lifelong commitment to women’s rights. I’m a Rotary Scholar, a Russell Baker Fellow and a recipient of the University of Chicago International House Grant, and studied at the University of Chicago Law School, the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, and St. Stephen’s College.

I write and speak on arbitration, disputes and gender, and host the podcast Navigating Commercial Disputes.

Payal Chawla