One of India's top corporate lawyers, Zia Mody is whom most executives turn to for legal advice.
Mody who is the legal consultant to many investment banks
and specialises in mergers & acquisitions was awarded the Knowledge Professional of the Year.
An advocate of the Mumbai High Court she handles commercial litigation in corporate and civil property law and arbitrations. She advises foreign multi-nationals with regards to joint ventures, licensing and
works with foreign institutional investors and venture capital funds with regards to investment into India.
An alumnus of Harvard and Cambridge, Mody says she knew she wanted to be a lawyer from the time she was five.
"20 years ago when I entered the court room there were just two or three women in the profession. I wore glasses though I didn't have any eyesight problems. I came to court even when my daughter had chicken
pox. I had to show that I could work as hard or better than the men around," says Mody.
Reliance vice-chairman and managing director, Anil Ambani, gives away the Professional Manager of the Year award to Zia Mody