“If you are determined to do something, you can overcome all challenges. The secret is- keep doing, keep doing, and never give up.
Zia Modi is an Indian legal advisor. She is known for her expertise in corporate mergers and acquisitions law, securities law, private equity, and project finance.
She is the founder of AZM & Partners which is ranked 1st among top law firms for mergers and acquisitions.
Zia Modi is one of India's leading corporate lawyers. She is recognized for her contribution to the legal world in India and internationally. She has worked with GE, Tata Group, Reliance Industries, Aditya Birla Group, and Vedanta Group. She is also an advisor to large private equity houses including KKR, Bain Capital, and Warburg Pinks.
Zia Modi ranked 1st among the Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs by Fortune India in 2018 and 2019.
Zia Modi, daughter of renowned Indian jurist and former Attorney General of India, Soli Sorabjee, revealed in an interview that while growing up, the law was the only topic of discussion at the dinner table in her family. She had decided to make her career in law only. Naturally, her father is his inspiration and mentor.
Zia Modi says that “Women understand things, be honest with your work, sometimes some things are difficult. I think the organization needs to be a little more flexible. Which is important for women as well as for men. You cannot make women second-class citizens, that too just because they have more responsibilities. Even today there are very few women in the legal profession, but it will definitely increase their number in the coming times.
Zia Modi gives the credit for her success to her husband and family.
This journey of Zia Modi was not easy at all, for one it was a male-dominated area during that time. In such a situation, her struggle and continuous efforts are no less than an inspiration.
So let's know, the success story of Zia Modi...
Early Life
Zia Modi was born on 19 July 1956 in a Parsi family. She is the daughter of former Attorney General of India, Soli Sorabjee, being a Parsi, she is an active member of the Bahá'à community.
Her early education took place at Elphinstone College in Mumbai. She studied law at Selwyn College, Cambridge, followed by a master's degree from Harvard Law School in 1979. She passed the New York State Bar exam and qualified as an attorney in New York.
Before returning to India, she worked for five years with Baker & McKenzie in New York City.
She is married to a business tycoon, Jaydev Modi, chairman of Delta Corp. They have three daughters, Anjali, Aarti, and Aditi.
Why has the attachment to the law increased
Zia Modi had made up her mind to get legal education as soon as she finished high school. As per a report she says,
“I was greatly influenced by my father. He used to work continuously. All legal matters and other aspects of the law were discussed at our dining table. My love for the law was instilled in me since childhood.
Early Career
After Harvard Law School, Zia Modi returned to India for her wedding. After marriage, she returned to America. There she joined one of the world's largest law firms, Baker & McKenzie.
In New York, she worked for Baker and McKenzie for five years. 'Norman Miller' became her mentor there and trained her.
Zia Modi decided to come to India after five years. When she came back, there were no legal firms in India. She started her career in India as a junior counsel to Obed Chinoy in the Bombay High Court.
Those times were difficult, as there were hardly any women lawyers in the court. Clients did not want women lawyers for their cases.
It was stressful in the beginning, but Zia Modi did not give up and it is the result of her persistent efforts that today she is a well-known figure in her field.
When you keep working hard, difficult doors and opportunities keep opening up for you. If you are committed to something, then you are able to overcome all the challenges.
Launch of AZM & Partners
Zia Modi founded the firm AZM & Partners in 1995 and decided to become a corporate lawyer.
On the subject of entrepreneurship, Zia Modi believes, “When you are a lawyer, you are someone's junior. She wanted to do something better for herself. The time of 1990 was just right, at that time India was changing due to liberalization. Many foreign companies were getting established in India. At that time the corporate world of India was emerging rapidly.
Her early clients were Americans, whom she met through American friends and old associates.
She started at a time when many legal changes were taking place in India. She kept on improving her work policies every day. She was starting from a small scale and gradually managed to win the trust of the customers.
Zia Modi always tried her best in terms of time and commitment. With the passage of time, her reputation started increasing and she started getting more and more work.
She was featured in the Forbes list of "Power Women in Business" and in the list of Top 50 Most Powerful Women published by Fortune India.
Other Contributions
Zia Modi is serving as the Vice-Chairman and Director of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Hong Kong.
She is also a member of the Governing Board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA).
She is a designated foreign arbitrator on the Panel of Arbitrators of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and is also a member of the CII National Council.
Zia Modi was also one of the panels of experts constituted by the Law Commission of India on 'Amendment to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996' to review the provisions of the Act (2014) in view of several deficiencies found in the working of the Act.
Member, Reserve Bank of India Committee on Comprehensive Financial Services for Small Businesses and Low-Income Households.
Zia Modi Ministry of Corporate Affairs (2012) and World Bank Administrative Tribunal, Washington D.C. She is also a member of the Godrej Committee on Corporate Governance set up by (2008-2013).
She also served as Vice-Chairman and Member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) from 2010-2013 and as Vice-Chairman and Non-Executive Director of the HSBC Asia-Pacific Board.
Achievements
Zia Modi has been praised in the RSG India Report, 2017 for M&A, Securities Law, Private Equity, and Project Finance. Clients have hailed him as “One of India's Leading Corporate Lawyers, Problem Solving, Meticulously, Thoroughly Delivering Results. She is oriented and quick-witted. Customers also commented that she was easily 'accessible'.
She was recognized by Akritas Star 2018 as one of the top 13 women in Akritas Star globally.
Also, Zia Modi was recognized as a "Leading Advocate" by IFLR 1000 Women Leaders 2018 as one of the 300 Leading Women Transaction Specialists.
Zia Modi has been classified as a 'Leading Person' in the Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2018 for Banking & Finance, Corporate & M&A, and Investment Funds.
He won the “Professional of the Year – 2017” at the inaugural UK India Awards.
Additionally, she has been recognized as the “Market Leader” for Mergers & Acquisitions by IFLR1000 Financial & Corporate Guide 2018 and the “Market Leading Lawyer” for Corporate / M&A by Asia Law Profile 2016 to 2018.
Prize
- “India Managing Partner of the Year – 2016” by Asian Legal Business (Thomson Reuters) |
- Legal 500 Leader for Banking, Finance, Corporate & M&A & Investment Funds in Asia-Pacific 2016 |
- Star Individual for Corporate / M&A |
- Band 1 Advocate for Banking & Finance 2012 to 2016 |
- Band 1 Counsel for Private Equity 2012 to 2015 by Chambers & Partners Global |
- She won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Euromoney Asia Women in Business Law Awards 2015.
- Business Today listed Zia Modi as one of India's 25 most powerful businesswomen several times from September 2004 to 2011.
- Financial Express Knowledge Professional of the Year Award |
- She was named one of India's 100 Most Powerful CEOs by The Economic Times in 2004 and 2006.
- She is also a recipient of the Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence as Businesswoman of the Year 2010
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