Waseem Ismail Pangarkar is a Senior Partner at MZM Legal LLP, where he heads the Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, and Insolvency Practice. In addition to this Waseem has been lead on many high profile mandates of White Collar Crime and Complex Investigations. With over 15 years of distinguished experience, he has built a reputation as one of India’s most dynamic and trusted legal strategists in high-stakes contentious matters.
Waseem’s practice spans a wide spectrum of disputes, including cross-border commercial conflicts, international and domestic arbitrations, fraud and financial crime investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, corporate governance disputes, insolvency & restructuring, family law disputes, Labour & employment related disputes and high-value litigation before courts and tribunals across India. He has represented an extensive roster of clients, including Fortune 100, 500, and 1000 corporations, multinational conglomerates, financial institutions, promoters, HNWIs, start-ups, and government-linked entities.
He frequently advises clients on strategic dispute management, crisis mitigation, corporate risk, compliance frameworks, and pre-litigation strategy. His litigation acumen is marked by his ability to navigate complex factual scenarios, multi-jurisdictional legal issues, and sensitive corporate situations requiring discretion and strategic foresight.
Beyond practice, Waseem founded Chambers for Justice (CFJ), an access-to-justice initiative dedicated to supporting individuals from marginalized backgrounds. He remains an advocate for strengthening legal literacy, professional ethics, and community-focused legal services.
Known for his strategic thinking, sharp courtroom presence, and calm leadership, Waseem continues to advise on some of the most challenging and high-value disputes in India, shaping the future of arbitration and dispute resolution.
Practices
Experience
Waseem’s leadership at MZM Legal has been instrumental in strengthening the firm’s Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation, and Investigations practices. His journey from joining MZM Legal as an intern in 2010 to becoming one of its youngest Senior Partners reflects his dedication, legal acumen, and commitment to institutional growth. He also co-founded the firm’s forensic investigation vertical in 2021, strengthening its ability to handle multi-disciplinary and complex mandates.
In the field of International Arbitration, Waseem has been involved in substantial arbitrations governed by SIAC, ICC, CEITAC, VCCA, MCIA, UNCITRAL, and other Indian institutional rules. His experience includes representing clients in disputes relating to shareholder agreements, construction and infrastructure contracts, joint ventures, technology disputes, international supply arrangements, and investment-related conflicts. He is known for combining technical legal expertise with commercial pragmatism, ensuring seamless coordination across legal teams, forums, and jurisdictions.
A respected practitioner in White Collar Crime and Investigations, Waseem has acted in significant matters involving allegations of money laundering, corporate fraud, financial misappropriation, regulatory breaches, and offences under the Companies Act, PMLA, FEMA, Insolvency Code, and other specialised statutes. He regularly advises boards, promoters, and senior management on crisis response, internal investigations, and regulatory strategy.
Waseem has completed a comprehensive course in International Commercial Arbitration certified by the Columbia Law School and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. His membership in various International Arbitration Institutions/Centres is a testament to his credentials. He is also a designated Member of CIARB and has been recognised as an Accredited Dispute Resolution Professional (Arbitrator and Mediator) by the Federation of Integrated Conflict Management.
Awards and Recognition
Over the years, Waseem has received numerous accolades and recognitions for his professional excellence. He has been consistently acknowledged by reputed legal directories and industry publications for his contribution to litigation and arbitration. Recently, he was named among the “40 under 40 Industry Leaders” by World Brand Affairs, with the recognition widely covered by leading news platforms. His work has also been featured in Forbes India, highlighting his career trajectory and impact in the legal ecosystem. Waseem has been recognized and ranked by leading legal ranking directories and platforms for his commendable work in different areas of practice
