Arun is a founding partner at Keystone Partners, and has versatile experience across a number of the firm’s areas of practice. He leads strategy in several complex commercial, civil, corporate, and regulatory disputes, and is frequently engaged for his expertise in trial litigation and advocacy, and in arbitration.
Arun graduated from the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru in 2007, where he was awarded gold medals for excellence in various disciplines (including business and corporate business laws, constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law, and jurisprudence). A former McKinsey consultant, his particular interest lies in helping investors and founders navigate shareholder disputes and corporate control battles.
Arun’s notable mandates include his successful representation of a resolution professional before the Supreme Court, establishing critical precedent under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) regarding the eligibility of promoters of MSME companies to act as resolution applicants; his successful representation of an industrial tenant of inam property in pursuing claims under the Mysore (Religious and Charitable) Inams Abolition Act, 1955 in respect of a high value land parcel in Bengaluru; and his ongoing representation of an iconic global trade organization in trademark litigation and termination proceedings against a major Indian licensee in the wake of widespread project defaults and criminal breach of trust allegations.
Arun maintains an extensive practice before the Delhi High Court, the Karnataka High Court, the NCLTs/NCLAT, and before arbitral tribunals. His clients include multinational corporations, listed Indian companies, and prominent startups across the technology, e-commerce, projects, and infrastructure sectors. Beyond his practice, he is a frequent guest lecturer at various universities across the country, and serves as an advisor and external peer reviewer for academic journals on arbitration and commercial law.
B.A., LLB. (Hons.) (National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, 2007)
Eight Gold Medals, including for Best Outgoing Student, and best performance in Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law, and Business Laws
Admitted to the Karnataka State Bar Council (2008)
Representing a leading Indian real estate developer in defending an INR 580-crore enforcement of a London-seated ICC award, involving numerous high value indemnity claims and complex demerger disputes with a major Middle Eastern conglomerate
Representing a market-leading online gaming company before the Supreme Court, in its challenge to the constitutionality of a 2025 Parliamentary statute banning online real money games
Representing the promoters of a premier South Indian automotive manufacturer in high-stakes litigation for corporate control, defence of rights share allotments, and the protection of majority shareholder interests
Acted for three Irish aircraft leasing entities in execution proceedings against a listed Indian aviation major before the Delhi High Court, successfully obtaining injunctions against a proposed business demerger to secure a settlement exceeding INR 200 crores
Represented India’s leading manufacturer of three-wheelers in proceedings before the Supreme Court, seeking revision of a historical Court-imposed cap on unit sales of three wheelers in the NCT of Delhi
Representing a leading warehousing services provider in arbitration proceedings instituted by a major bank before a sole arbitrator appointed by the Bombay High Court
Representing a leading e-commerce platform in multiple arbitrations before tribunals comprising former Chief Justices and Supreme Court judges, including matters under the LCIA (India) rules
Acting for a leading construction and projects company in multiple arbitration and enforcement proceedings against public sector undertakings, arising from projects for the execution of civil and structural works at thermal power stations
Acting for various contractors in fitout works-related arbitration proceedings, including before tribunals comprising of former Supreme Court and High Court judges
