Devyani Ashra

Devyani Ashra is a distinguished solicitor and advocate with over 27 years of experience in the legal field. She is the managing partner of Ashra Associates, a prominent law firm in India known for its comprehensive legal services and expertise in various areas of business law. Throughout her career, Devyani Ashra has made significant contributions to the legal profession, particularly in handling complex corporate disputes, arbitrations, and business negotiations. Her work has earned her several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Nirman Award and the Indira Gandhi Sadbhavana Award for Outstanding Individual Achievements and Distinguished Services to the Nation.
==Early Life and Education==
Devyani Ashra completed her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (B.A., LL.B.) from the University of Calcutta. She quickly established herself as a capable and determined legal professional, embarking on a career that would see her rise to prominence in India's legal community.
==Professional Career==
Devyani Ashra serves as the Senior Panel Advocate for the Union of India before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. She has also held the position of Additional Standing Government Counsel representing the Government of India at the Calcutta City Court. In these roles, she has handled numerous high-profile cases, particularly in the areas of corporate law, arbitration, administrative law, and business negotiations.
As the managing partner of Ashra Associates, Devyani Ashra oversees the firm's operations across its offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Established in 1997, the firm is recognized as one of India's leading law firms, specializing in various domains such as arbitration, corporate settlements, company law, securities regulations, foreign trade, finance banking, insurance, and debt recovery. The firm's clientele includes some of India's corporate leaders as well as international clients with interests in India.
Ashra Associates is known for its client-cantered approach, providing integrated legal services with specialists in nearly every area of business law. The firm's vision is to be renowned for its ability to resolve demanding business challenges, nurture legal talent, and contribute to the community. With a team of over 10 lawyers and a network of more than 100 associate lawyers across various courts in India and abroad, Ashra Associates is well-equipped to handle a wide range of legal issues, including civil and criminal litigation, constitutional law, intellectual property rights, corporate governance, and international contracts.
==Legal Expertise and Major Cases==
Devyani Ashra has a broad legal expertise that covers numerous areas including administrative law, admiralty and maritime law, appellate practice, banking, bankruptcy, business litigation, civil litigation, real estate disputes, consumer law, copyright violations, corporate partnerships, environmental issues, family law, finance foreclosure, insurance, intellectual property, international law, labour disputes, land use, libel and slander, malpractice, patent and trademark law, personal injury, products liability, securities arbitration, and more. She is an empanelled Advocate for a number of Public Sector Undertakings, including ESIC.
She has successfully managed and negotiated several major disputes, particularly in the oil, petroleum, shipping, power, coal, and telecom industries. Her firm has been involved in significant arbitration and adjudication cases, contributing to its reputation as a leading law firm in India.
==Activism and Political Involvement==
In addition to her legal career, Devyani Ashra is an active women's rights activist and politician. She holds the position of National General Secretary for the Nationalist Mahila Congress, the women's wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). She has also served as a Star Campaigner for the NCP during the 2024 State Election campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, further demonstrating her commitment to social and political causes.
==Awards and Recognitions==
====Devyani Ashra's outstanding contributions to the legal profession and society have been recognized through numerous awards, including:====
* International Excellence Award (2002), Nepal
* Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award for Economic Development (2004), Bangalore
* Indira Gandhi Sadbhawana Puraskar (2004), Hyderabad
* Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Award (2006), Bangalore
* International Gold Star Millennium Award (2007) by the Indo-Nepal Council for Friendship & Economic Cooperation, Kathmandu
* Mahila Siromani Award (2008) by the Institute of Economic Studies, Bangalore
* Mother Teresa Award for Outstanding Services for Social Upliftment (2009), Kolkata
* Devi Award (2021) by Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad, Vishwa Gujarati Sakhi Samaj, and Sahitya Times
==Publications==
Devyani Ashra is also an accomplished author, having written a legal non-fiction book titled "Rights of The Wrongs", which delves into various aspects of law and justice in India.
==Memberships and Affiliations==
====Devyani Ashra is affiliated with several prestigious organizations and holds memberships in:====
* Supreme Court Bar Association
* Bar Council of India
* West Bengal Bar Association
* Delhi High Court Bar Association
* International Jurist Council
* FICCI
* ASSOCHAM
* Bharat Chamber of Commerce
Additionally, she is involved in several community and social organizations, reflecting her commitment to social causes and community development.
Category:Solicitors
Category:Advocates
Category:Indian people