Shashank Gautam

Practice Areas

• M&A

• Competition Law

• Regulatory Laws

• Corporate Advisory

• Litigation

Career

In a distinguished career spanning over 18 years, Shashank Gautam has established himself as a leading expert in competition, corporate, and regulatory law, advising clients on an array of complex legal matters.

Academic Excellence

1. LL.M. in Competition Law: Shashank holds an LL.M. from the prestigious New York University School of Law, where he graduated as a Dean’s Scholar. During his time there, he served as a research assistant to Professor Eleanor Fox, contributing to the editing and authorship of “The Design of Competition Law Institutions - Global Norms, Local Choices.”

2. LL.B. Achievements: He topped his batch at Government Law College, Mumbai University, earning the M.C. Chagla Gold Medal for his outstanding academic performance.

Extensive Client Representation

3. Shashank has represented clients across a diverse range of industries, including e-commerce, FMCG, retail, steel, glass, automobiles, auto components, payments, banking travel, chemicals, media, pharmaceuticals, energy, and construction.

4. His expertise spans cartel defense, abuse of dominance, and merger control matters, representing clients before the CCI, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (“NCLAT”), and the Supreme Court of India.

Impact on Competition Law Jurisprudence

5. Mr. Gautam has made significant contributions in the field of complex constitutional and administrative law challenges before the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts, which have shaped the country’s competition law jurisprudence, including the scope of the CCI’s powers.

6. In addition to representing private clients on matters involving significant questions of law, he also represents the CCI in matters that are poised to determine India’s position in relation to key competition law issues. For example, he represented the CCI before the Supreme Court of India in a matter that will likely set the jurisprudence on treatment of discounts under Indian competition law.

Policy and Legislative Contributions

7. Mr. Gautam has been deeply involved in the formulation of India’s competition policy:

• He assisted the Competition Law Review Committee in drafting recommendations for amendments to the Competition Act, 2002.

• He has also supported P&A clients in engaging with the Standing Committee on Finance on critical issues, including:

• The Finance Committee’s report on anticompetitive practices by Big Tech Companies.

• Submissions related to the Competition Amendment Bill.

Broader Legal Expertise

8. Beyond antitrust law, he has extensive experience in corporate and commercial law, with expertise in regulatory laws, insolvency law, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in India. His practice extends to strategic merger control matters, multijurisdictional contentious competition litigation, and complex antitrust investigations.

Recognition and Honors

9. Mr. Gautam stands out as one of the most recognized legal practitioners in the country, consistently ranked by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, and Benchmark Litigation for his leadership and impact. His rise has been marked by high-profile distinctions, including Legal Era’s coveted “40 Under 40 Rising Star” award (2020) and a place in the Forbes India Legal Powerlist (2022–2023), underscoring both his professional excellence and market influence.

Professional Memberships

• Bar Council of Delhi