This article is written by Team LawSikho.

2017 was the year when the much debated Real Estate (Regulation and Development Act), 2016 came into existence with promises for weeding out irregularities in the real estate sector. A lot has been achieved since the establishment of the RERA authorities. The media has been talking about the pros and cons of the act and its implementation in depth since its inception.

The recent rulings regarding the registration of complaints with both NCDRC and RERA, citing their concurrent nature is another step that is increasing work for real estate lawyers. 

Interestingly, whether real estate industry is going through a boom or bust, real estate lawyers are always in high demand. In fact, as the real estate industry went through a down cycle since the last couple of years, the demand for lawyers in the industry has only increased. As the number of cases involving builders have steadily gone up, so has the demand for lawyers.

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If you are a lawyer looking to diversify your practice in real estate matters or a young law student looking to make a mark in this area, consider that going through this list will give you a lot of ideas about the biggest names in the practice based in Mumbai, the biggest real estate market in India. You will also understand the gaps in your current level of knowledge and where you need to add new skills in your repertoire to succeed as a real estate lawyer or even get a well paid job in this area of work.

And as always, we are always available at LawSikho to help with your skill development journey.

There is no official ranking of the top 10 Real Estate lawyers based in Mumbai. A search via Google for the best real estate lawyers lists down compilations with contact details by various portals. However, there are lists of rankings published by reputed organizations such as London-based The Legal 500. We have tried to give a picture of the kind of work the real estate lawyers do by compiling profiles of a few prominent lawyers involved in the leading case laws of Maharashtra RERA in the last few years.

The numbering here does not reflect that one lawyer in better than another. 

#1 Tanuj Lodha

Tanuj Lodha is one of the top real estate lawyers in Mumbai and also a Chartered Accountant. He is a partner at the firm Lodha and Lodha and also holds an MBA degree from the Indian School of Business.

He has profound knowledge of real estate laws and specializes in RERA(Real Estate Regulatory Authority), Insolvency and Tax matters. He has obtained several landmark judgments in favor of homebuyers.

In addition to taking up cases in RERA, he also represents the interest of homebuyers in NCLT. The most noteworthy and recent case where Mr. Lodha represented the interest of Homebuyers in Maharashtra RERA, where the adjudicating authority had ordered the developer to refund 7.10 Cr along with interest to the homebuyers which is one of the highest payout order by the housing regulating authority.

#2 Harsh Parikh

Harsh Parikh is one of the finest minds in the legal profession all across India. He is a Partner at one of India’s leading law firm Khaitan and Co. 

Mr. Parikh specializes in property matters which includes title reports, due diligence. He also advises on various redevelopment projects such as Slum Rehabilitation, MHADA Layout redevelopment, and IT Parks.

#3 Sai Krishan Bharathan

Sai Krishan Bharathan is one of the top names when it comes to legal advisory matters in Real Estate. He is a Senior Partner of one of the top law firms in India, AZB Partners. He has advised on various infrastructure projects in India in the airport, power and road sectors and has been involved in the drafting and negotiation of project documents, both as the project counsel and lender’s counsel. 

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Sai Krishan holds a good name in the real estate legal market. He was also awarded as a notable practitioner by IFLR 1000 in real estate practice.

Sai has also been ranked among the top lawyers in the real estate sector in India by Chambers Asia-Pacific. He has been consistently rated as a leading lawyer for ‘Construction, Real Estate & Project Finance’ by Asialaw Leading Lawyers 2014 & 2015.

#4 Sarthak Shah

Sarthak Shah is also a renowned name in real estate litigation. He holds a good position in advisory and documentation of all kinds of property matters. He is a Senior Partner of a boutique firm Siddhartha Shah and Associates. He is one of the greatest legal minds who holds a good position in advising on different kinds of property matters and commercial litigation. He also specializes in structuring Private and Public trusts and family funds.

#5 Ameet Hariani

Ameet Hariani is among the top real estate advisors based in Mumbai. He is also the managing partner of the firm Hariani & Co. and holds immense experience in Real estate and infrastructure laws. He has also been recognized as one of the top advisors in real estate matters.

Mr. Hariani is a master in advising issues relating to RERA and other real estate legislation. He has acted for a range of clients, including real estate owners, developers, purchasers, housing finance companies, tenants, on a range of transactions.

#6 Shailesh Vaidya

Mr. Shailesh Vaidya is a practicing Advocate and Solicitor. He is a partner in Kanga & Company, a reputed firm of Advocates & Solicitors, founded 126 years ago in Mumbai, India. He specializes in Real Estate matters. He has been in legal practice for more than four decades now and he has been involved in several landmark property deals. His name and firm features in the “Guide to the World’s Leading Real Estate Lawyers” published by Legal Media Group, United Kingdom and also in “The Legal 500” and Chambers Asia Pacific Guide to Asia’s Commercial Law Firms as leading law firm for Real Estate in Mumbai.

#7 Chirag Kamdar

Chirag Kamdar is one of the big names in RERA cases who is also an NLSIU Graduate. Chirag Kamdar holds several RERA successful orders in his name. He deals with all sects of real estate litigation. Chirag Kamdar is a well-known figure among the Bar as well as the Bench of Bombay High Court. Chirag Kamdar has appeared for cases involving big names.

#8 Chetan Raithatha

Chetan Raithatha is one of the great lawyers who possess extensive knowledge of real estate matters. Raithatha is the first choice of most of the developers for the legal battle in court or tribunal. With a compelling legal acumen in understanding property legal issues, Raithatha holds the position of one of the top real estate lawyers.

#9 Vikram Trivedi

Vikram Trivedi is the Managing Partner of the firm Manilal Kher Ambalal and Co. and he is in the industry for almost four decades now. His clientele includes high net individuals, including many business leaders and celebrities. 

Vikram’s sharp skills have led him to successfully representing high profile in civil and criminal litigation including in the areas of real estate.

#10 Nimay Dave

Nimay Dave who is practicing more than a decade now holds a very good name when it comes to RERA Litigation. Nimay Dave specializes in Real estate litigation.

He regularly appears in Tribunals and High court for Real Estate matters. A well-established lawyer in the Bombay High Court, Dave holds the reputation of being a successful and prominent career in litigation.

We hope that the list shall help you in getting a better understanding of the real estate law scenario, and the nature of their work, particularly in Mumbai.

If you are still confused about how to go ahead with a career in real estate laws, download our free course material on it here or give us a call for a free career counselling session.

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