Ms Pavani Reddy, managing partner of Zaiwalla & Co Solicitors, was named the ‘Best in Legal Services’ at this year’s prestigious British Indian Awards (BIA) 2014 ceremony held at The St Johns Hotel, Birmingham. The event recognises and celebrates the determination and the significant role that British Indians’ have in UK society.
In a glittering ceremony, Ms Reddy, who was born in Andhra Pradesh in India, was awarded for her outstanding contribution for taking Zaiwalla & Co Solicitors’ Litigation and International Arbitration division to the heights of its industry. The division handles multi-million pound disputes in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of England and Wales.
Ms Reddy is reputed as a leading expert in arbitration having recently won three London arbitrations for Indian clients’ worth over £10 million each. Ms Reddy has also been involved in managing the cases of high profile clients before the UK Supreme Court and EU Courts surrounding the Iran nuclear programme sanctions imposed by the EU and UK. She is part of a senior team handling the case for Iran’s largest private bank, Bank Mellat. The firm is representing the bank in its $4 billion damages claim, and has successfully had sanctions imposed on the bank by the UK government overturned.
Commenting about her award win, Ms Reddy said, “I am delighted and honoured to have been chosen for the award ‘Best in Legal Service’. I would like to thank the panel of judges for voting for me.
“I am extremely proud of this achievement and grateful to be sharing this success with Zaiwalla & Co Solicitors. I owe this recognition to my team and our founding partner, Sarosh Zaiwalla, for their support and commitment to develop and take the firm further. We have great plans for the firm and I am confident that we can achieve these goals with the sort of talents and expertise that make us a success.”
Ms Reddy was born and qualified in India as an advocate. She then came to the UK where she transferred her qualification to that of an English Solicitor with Zaiwalla & Co solicitors. She became Partner in 2005 and is now the Managing Partner. Since joining, Pavani has driven the firm to bigger and better heights with her innovative mind and her fearless ability to tackle even the most complex legal issues.
Ms Reddy is also an Associate of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a supporting member of the LMAA (London Maritime Arbitrators Association), a member of the IBA (International Bar Association) and IMA (Indian Maritime Association) and is a Member of the Indian Bar Council as an Advocate of the Delhi High Court. She attends and speaks at various international arbitration conferences on behalf of the firm.
Zaiwalla & Co Solicitors was established by international lawyer Mr Sarosh Zaiwalla 30 years ago. He was the first Asian to set up a city law firm in London. The firm continues to thrive with a diverse client portfolio ranging from multinational companies, overseas governments, property magnates and ship owners. The firm has also acted for several high profile figures including The Dalai Lama, The Ghandis as well as the Russian Federation and the Chinese government. Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in fact had his work experience at Zaiwalla & Co in maritime law.