Exclusive: Saraf & Partners loses two Banking & Finance Partners to CMS INDUSLAW

In a significant lateral move, Abir Lal Dey and Satyadarshi Kunal, both Partners in the Banking & Finance and Projects practice at Saraf & Partners, have resigned to join CMS INDUSLAW.

Abir is joining as Equity Partner and Kunal as Partner to bolster the firm's Banking & Finance and Projects, Energy and Infrastructure Practices (including Project Finance).

The duo is taking a team with them, including Senior Associate Arnav Sinha and couple of associates.

Saraf & Partners' founder Mohit Saraf confirmed the departures, saying,

"We wish them all the very best."

Abir advises top-tier domestic and international lenders, financial institutions, developers, and sponsors, drawing on a strong track record in banking and finance, project finance, infrastructure, insolvency and restructuring, and debt capital markets.

He excels in structuring deals, drafting agreements, allocating risks, and negotiating for borrowers and lenders across diverse sectors like renewable energy, logistics and warehousing, infrastructure, aviation, highways, oil & gas, transmission, ports, and real estate. His playbook spans the full spectrum of lending products in project finance and banking.

Abir brings extensive experience of more than 20 years, working across leading law firms and in-house positions, with significant regulatory exposure, including contributions to a SEBI working group and collaboration with banking and finance heavyweights.

Prior to Saraf & Partners, Dey worked at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Luthra & Luthra, and Link Legal.

On his move, Abir Lal Dey said,

“I am delighted to join CMS INDUSLAW, a firm renowned for its innovative approach and client-centric solutions, bringing my expertise in banking, project finance, infrastructure and structured deals. With the strength of CMS’s global network across more than 50 countries and 90 offices, we are well positioned to deliver seamless cross-border solutions, driving transformative deals across key sectors and navigating India's dynamic regulatory landscape with world-class support.”

Satyadarshi has deep experience advising complex infrastructure and energy transactions, including project development, concession frameworks, risk allocation, financing structures and regulatory issues across the lifecycle of large-scale projects. His practice spans a broad range of sectors such as roads, ports, power (renewable and conventional), shipping, manufacturing and technology-enabled infrastructure.

Satyadarshi, being part of the Projects and Project Finance Team has regularly advised developers, sponsors, lenders and public authorities on domestic transactions, including structuring and documentation of project financing, drafting and harmonisation of model concession and project agreements, and supporting infrastructure projects through complex regulatory and contractual challenges, gaining significant exposure to large-ticket project finance transactions and public-private partnership frameworks.

Speaking on these hires, CMS IndusLaw Co-founder Gaurav Dani said,

"We welcome the addition of Abir and Kunal to the Banking & Finance Practice of CMS IndusLaw. They are a great fit and bring with them a 360-degree banking & finance experience. We look forward to working with the team."

Avimukt Dar and Suneeth Katarki (Founding & Senior Partners) said in a joint statement:

“We welcome Abir and Kunal to the partnership. They and their team will further strengthen our banking and finance practice, infrastructure project expertise as well as our Mumbai presence.”

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