AU: The Gold Standard in Legal & Corporate Excellence
Gold has long been revered as a symbol of purity, resilience and intrinsic value, qualities that define AU, a legal and corporate advisory firm committed to setting the gold standard in legal services. Just as gold undergoes meticulous refinement to achieve its highest form, AU embodies a practice honed by precision, deep legal insight and an unwavering commitment to its clients.
In the intricate world of corporate law, insolvency and financial restructuring, every decision carries significant weight. AU stands as a beacon of reliability, offering legal strategies that are not only robust and solution-driven but also timeless in their impact. Much like how gold retains its value across centuries, our firm ensures that legal solutions stand the test of time, adapting to dynamic regulatory landscapes while safeguarding the interests of our clients.
“Justice is the constant and perpetual will to give each one his due.” – This age-old legal maxim forms the foundation of AU’s approach. Whether navigating the complexities of debt syndication, structuring corporate transactions or resolving intricate insolvency cases, we believe in delivering equitable and well-strategized solutions that uphold the principles of justice, fairness and commercial pragmatism.
The legal realm, much like the financial world, demands an unshakable foundation. At AU, we recognize that businesses require legal counsel that is not just reactive but proactive, anticipating challenges and mitigating risks before they arise. Our expertise extends across sectors, providing clients with bespoke legal solutions that cater to the evolving needs of corporations, investors and financial institutions.
“Law is not law if it violates the principles of eternal justice.” – Lydia Maria Child. Guided by this philosophy, AU ensures that every case, every argument and every negotiation aligns with ethical, strategic and legal integrity.
Gold does not lose its brilliance, nor does AU waver in its commitment to excellence. We don’t just practice law—we refine it, strengthen it and elevate it to a level that mirrors the enduring value of gold.
At AU, we are more than legal advisors—we are custodians of trust, architects of strategy and above all, the gold standard in legal excellence.
AUCL is the brainchild of Mr. Akshat Khetan, who is a renowned corporate and legal advisor with
decades of experience in corporate debt restructuring and insolvency under his belt. He brings to
the table a unique fusion of experience-driven business acumen and an unconventional approach to
empower clients to conclusively address their problems. This operational tenet is fortified by a
firm belief in value creation, enabling him to facilitate turnarounds, whenever and wherever
possible.
Akshat firmly believes that any presented challenge can be approached with multiple perspectives and
strategies. This 360-degree thought process allows him keen insights that help clients implement
managerial, operational, strategic, and organizational reforms to realize the targeted results.
What further strengthens Akshat’s standing in the legal ecosystem is the fact that he does not
subscribe to any specific narrative with regards to India’s economy. He believes that economic
policies should be inclusive, encouraging, and enabling in nature instead of being prohibitive or
regressive in order to truly allow enterprises to accelerate their growth. Profit and income, he
insists, are variables that drive the generation of meaningful value for all members of society.
The strategic advisory services provided by AUCL helps clients to capitalize on opportunities,
mitigate risk and achieve desired business objectives. AUCL is an expert at including regulatory,
compliance, policy development and implementation, director’s duties and corporate governance, share
capital and other distribution matters such as share rights, redemption, transfers, buybacks and
dividend declarations, capital distributions, intellectual property rights registration, protection
and enforcement.
AUCL has a track record of working with firms in various industries, major corporations, emerging
businesses and banks to provide solutions to problems that are multifaceted and complex. Driven by
experienced partners and a customer-centric approach, AUCL has solutions to all dynamic issues
facing various sectors.
We've always got your back!
AU Corporate is proud to boast of a customer centric culture. Our firm is driven by experienced
partners, combining the powers of expertise and personal touch. Championing our clients' interests
is at the heart of everything we do. Each member of the firm possesses diverse specialized skills
and can handle a broad range of legal and financial areas.
Feel free to get in touch with us and let us take it from there.
Umesh Sonavane, Chief Financial Officer at AUCL, is a dynamic financial strategist with over three decades of experience shaping the financial backbone of leading organizations. Renowned for his precision, integrity and visionary approach, Umesh has seamlessly navigated diverse industries, excelling in cash flow optimization, forensic audits, regulatory compliance and corporate governance.
With a sharp eye for detail and an unwavering focus on fiscal discipline, he has consistently transformed financial operations into engines of growth. His mastery in interpreting complex financial statements, steering high-stakes audits and ensuring regulatory alignment has fortified AUCL’s financial resilience.
As a trusted advisor and strategic leader, Umesh not only safeguards AUCL’s financial stability but also propels its long-term vision, making him an invaluable force in the company’s journey of sustained excellence.
Meghnesh Birwadkar is a seasoned legal professional and serves as Senior Associate at AUCL, where he brings a deep focus on commercial, banking, and corporate law. His core expertise lies in drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial contracts, providing airtight legal frameworks that safeguard client interests while enabling smooth business operations.
A significant part of his practice involves arbitration and dispute resolution, where he has successfully steered numerous cases with a strategic blend of legal acumen and pragmatic business insight. Meghnesh has represented clients across high-stakes matters before esteemed judicial and quasi-judicial forums, including the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT), and the Hon. Bombay High Court. His litigation experience is complemented by strong advisory capabilities, allowing him to deliver holistic solutions that balance compliance with commercial objectives.
What distinguishes Meghnesh is his sharp analytical approach, meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to client success. He is known for his ability to anticipate challenges, mitigate risks and craft strategies that align with long-term business goals. His contributions make him a cornerstone of AUCL’s legal team, reinforcing the firm’s reputation for excellence, reliability and innovation in the legal and corporate advisory space.
Preeti Shukla is a highly accomplished Senior Associate at AUCL, with a strong specialization in insolvency and corporate litigation. She has extensive experience navigating complex legal matters under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), Companies Act and SARFAESI Act, offering clients clear, strategic and results-driven legal solutions.
Her practice spans a wide spectrum of corporate disputes, including insolvency resolution, debt recovery, restructuring, shareholder disputes and regulatory compliance challenges. Preeti has successfully represented clients before multiple judicial forums of national significance, including the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT), various High Courts, and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
Recognized for her exceptional advocacy, meticulous drafting and persuasive litigation skills, Preeti combines deep legal insight with a practical, client-focused approach. Her ability to navigate high-stakes disputes with precision and clarity makes her a trusted advisor for corporates, financial institutions and stakeholders.
At AUCL, Preeti plays a pivotal role in strengthening the firm’s insolvency and litigation practice, ensuring that clients receive robust representation, strategic foresight and uncompromising excellence in every matter.
Trisha Banerjee is a dynamic Senior Associate at AUCL, bringing extensive expertise in criminal and corporate litigation. She is particularly recognized for her proficiency in handling high-stakes cheque dishonour cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, where her sharp advocacy and meticulous preparation have consistently delivered favorable outcomes for clients.
Her practice extends across a wide range of criminal and corporate disputes, including matters before the High Courts, National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT). Trisha’s ability to blend procedural rigor with strategic foresight enables her to craft legal solutions that are both innovative and practical.
Known for her exceptional drafting, persuasive courtroom presence and result-oriented approach, she has built a strong reputation for navigating complex legal challenges with precision and dedication. At AUCL, Trisha plays a vital role in fortifying the firm’s criminal and corporate law practice, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive representation and effective resolution strategies.
Her commitment to excellence, coupled with her dynamic problem-solving skills, makes her an indispensable asset to AUCL’s legal team and a trusted advisor to the clients she represents.
Krunal Jadhav is an emerging force in criminal law and white-collar crime litigation, serving as an Associate at AUCL. With a strong academic foundation and practical courtroom exposure, Krunal has quickly established himself as a reliable advocate for clients navigating complex criminal proceedings.
He specializes in bail applications, criminal writ petitions and appellate practice, bringing precision and persuasive advocacy to matters before sessions courts and magistrate courts. Krunal’s ability to anticipate procedural challenges, conduct meticulous legal research and present compelling arguments sets him apart as a detail-oriented and result-driven professional.
Beyond litigation, Krunal demonstrates skill in client advisory and negotiations, ensuring that individuals and corporates facing high-stakes criminal matters receive well-rounded, pragmatic and effective legal strategies. His experience spans matters involving economic offences, fraud and corporate mismanagement, where he combines technical knowledge with a hands-on, problem-solving approach.
With a deep passion for justice and integrity, Krunal contributes significantly to AUCL’s criminal law practice, reinforcing the firm’s reputation as a trusted advisor in sensitive and high-value criminal litigation.
Adv. Lajree Sagar Kondvilkar is a dedicated legal professional based in Mumbai, with hands-on experience across litigation support, legal documentation and client advisory. Her career reflects a strong foundation in both criminal and civil law, combined with a passion for legal research, drafting and courtroom practice.
She has interned with Hon’ble Justice Shri. Milind Jadhav and Hon’ble Justice Smt. Manjusha Ajay Deshpande at the Bombay High Court, where she contributed to drafting judicial orders, researching substantive legal issues, and proofreading judgments. These opportunities provided her with valuable exposure to judicial reasoning, courtroom procedures and the intricacies of the Indian legal system.
Lajree worked extensively on litigation matters, drafting complaints, legal notices, anticipatory bail applications, domestic violence petitions and arguments under various statutes including the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Domestic Violence Act and POCSO. She has appeared alongside senior advocates in the High Court, Sessions Courts, Magistrate Courts and Family Courts, ensuring procedural compliance and effective case management.
Her professional strengths lie in meticulous drafting, strong research abilities, time management and effective client interaction. She has also guided interns, mentoring them on court procedures, e-court operations and judgment research.
She has also completed a certified course on Advanced Legal Drafting from Into Legal World Institute, further refining her drafting expertise.
With her diligence, punctuality and deep commitment to the legal profession, Lajree Sagar Kondvilkar stands out as a promising young lawyer dedicated to delivering excellence in every matter she undertakes.
Manish Jadhav is a seasoned professional at AUCL, serving as Senior Associate – Accounts & Administration, where he plays a pivotal role in ensuring financial accuracy, statutory compliance and smooth operational governance. His expertise lies in managing GST and TDS compliance, financial reconciliations, tax filings, and internal audits, all of which are critical to maintaining AUCL’s strong financial discipline.
A graduate in Banking & Insurance from Mumbai University, Manish blends academic expertise with practical industry know-how. Proficient in ERP platforms and advanced financial management tools, he ensures efficiency, transparency and accountability in AUCL’s financial systems. His results-driven approach supports the firm in meeting not only regulatory requirements but also long-term strategic goals.
In addition to finance, Manish contributes to administrative operations, leveraging his organizational and analytical skills to streamline workflows, coordinate inter-departmental functions and optimize resources. His precision and foresight enable AUCL to operate with agility, resilience, and regulatory soundness.
Manish’s dedication, coupled with his ability to integrate financial discipline with operational excellence, makes him a pillar of AUCL’s accounts and administration team, ensuring that the firm continues to scale with efficiency and compliance at its core.
Sayli Pawar serves as Associate – Communications at AUCL, where she is entrusted with driving the firm’s public relations, strategic messaging and stakeholder engagement initiatives. With an innate ability to craft narratives that resonate, Sayli ensures AUCL’s voice remains consistent, credible and impactful across multiple platforms.
Her expertise spans media relations, press release drafting, social media management, event planning and external communications strategy. Sayli has successfully executed campaigns and outreach programs that highlight AUCL’s thought leadership, strengthen its market presence and foster meaningful connections with clients, regulators, industry peers and the larger community.
With years of experience in communications and branding, Sayli brings a keen understanding of how reputation and perception shape organizational success. She works closely with AUCL’s leadership team to design communication frameworks that not only enhance visibility but also position the firm as a trusted voice in legal and corporate advisory sectors.
Sayli’s dynamism lies in her ability to balance creativity with strategic precision. Whether it’s managing high-stakes media interactions, curating stakeholder communications or organizing corporate events, she ensures AUCL’s reputation is continuously enhanced.
As a result, Sayli has become an integral part of AUCL’s growth story, strengthening its identity as a forward-looking, client-focused and industry-leading advisory firm.
Mukesh plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless day-to-day operations of AUCL. As an Office Administration Associate, he is responsible for managing internal processes, coordinating between teams and maintaining efficient workflows that support the firm’s dynamic pace.
With a strong background in administrative management, Mukesh oversees scheduling, documentation and operational support, ensuring that all departments function with precision and clarity. He is known for his reliability, organizational skills and problem-solving abilities that keep office systems running smoothly.
Beyond routine administration, Mukesh also assists in vendor coordination, facilities management and logistical planning, making him an indispensable support system for both the legal and accounts teams. His proactive approach ensures that the office environment remains professional, efficient and conducive to productivity.
A dependable and detail-oriented professional, Mukesh brings not just efficiency but also a positive and collaborative attitude to AUCL, embodying the firm’s values of diligence, precision and teamwork.
Arun Balmiki is a trusted member of AUCL’s support team, handling everyday office tasks with sincerity and care. His commitment to keeping operations smooth and organized makes him a dependable backbone of the firm’s daily functioning.
Pradeep contributes to the smooth functioning of AUCL through his dependable support in daily office operations. With a disciplined and organized approach, he assists in administrative tasks, coordination and logistics, ensuring that the team’s work runs seamlessly.
Office No. 63, 6th Floor, B-Wing,
Mittal Court, B.R.P Road,
Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021
Email : admin@aucl.in
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