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NAVIGATING

THE GREY

High-powered lawyer Kunal Sachdev

brings glamour to playing by the rules.es.
brings glamour to playing by the rul

BY SHRUTI KOTHARI
Photos and video by Auttapon Wichai and Channarong Chooarom

orn in New Delhi and raised in Thailand, lawyer Kunal Sachdev was
promoted to Regional Senior Legal Adviser and Deputy Head of
Regional Banking and Finance Practice Group at DFDL Legal & Tax
Bbefore he hit 30. You would expect tales of childhood passion to fuel
such an impressive career arc. However, as I listen to his refreshingly candid
outlook, it becomes clear to me that practicality, tenacity, and sheer intelligence
have been the driving forces behind his success.

“As with most Indian migrant kids, my career options were doctor, accountant,
engineer, or lawyer. Alas, I didn’t get into medical school, to the disappointment
of my parents and the good fortune of my would-be patients. So, I did my
undergraduate degree in Adelaide, and postgraduate degree in Sydney, before
being admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales. I was still
reluctant during the first two years, but I had a eureka moment.” I wait for him
to tell me about the thrill of arguing in court, but instead, Kunal surprises me
by sharing, “I was sitting in a lecture on enforcing commercial contracts and
discussing various drafting methods. I suddenly realised that so much weight in
the world is borne by these (sometimes unwritten) pieces of paper.”

I ask Kunal why he chose to return to Bangkok to practice. “Bangkok is home,”
he states. “Having worked in Singapore, Cambodia and Lao PDR, I always find
myself coming back. I grew up watching this city develop into the metropolis it
is today, and now, I am honoured to be a part of that process.”

So what exactly does his work entail? “Meeting billable targets. I joke!
Historically, I was the work executioner, but I have recently been transitioning
to managing some large regional clients and taking a more supervisory role in
terms of legal work by overseeing teams and deadlines across certain countries.
This has opened up some time in the day to develop DFDL’s technology practice
(given my fintech experience), and also bring new clients into the firm. I’m still
adjusting but I’m always con fident in my abilities.”

Such confidence is necessary for someone who is simultaneously dealing with
21 cases across countries with different legal systems, although he assures
me that he doesn’t look at each of those every day. His cluttered desk, which

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