This interview has been published by Anshi Mudgal and The SuperLawyer Team
How did your academic journey from earning a B.A., LL.B. at Karnataka State Law University to completing an LL.M. in Business and Finance at The George Washington University Law School shape your approach to international transactions and corporate advisory work?
By my third or fourth year of law school, I knew that I wanted to be a corporate transactions lawyer. I didn’t know much about the field back then, but I knew this was the path for me. Interning with top-tier Indian law firms during college gave me a strong foundation and later working in those firms helped sharpen my skills.
When I decided to pursue an LL.M., I wanted to expand my horizons. At George Washington University, my focus was Business and Finance Law, but the university also had a strong International Law program. This gave me the perfect blend. I studied U.S. corporate law and international investment law side by side.
The exposure I got there, especially learning from professors who worked with major international companies and firms, helped me develop a more global, practical, and mature approach to law, something I continue to apply every day at Team Counsel.
In the early phase of your career at a law firm, what were some of the key experiences that enhanced your understanding of the law? How would you describe those formative years in practice?
The early years were intense but transformative. I was in the trenches doing due diligence, legal research, drafting contracts, and attending negotiation meetings, all of which helped shape my legal thinking.
One lesson stood out: the 10,000 hours matter. There’s no shortcut, you have to show up, keep your head down, and learn the craft patiently. Those formative years were very impactful, they shaped who I am today. They also gave me the foundation I needed to make the most of my LL.M. and continue building a better, more thoughtful practice.
While working as a research assistant to Mr. Marcelo Vázquez-Bermudez at the United Nations’ International Law Commission, what insights did you gain that shaped your perspective on international investment law and cross-border legal frameworks?
Assisting Mr. Marcelo Vázquez-Bermudez, the Special Rapporteur for the UN International Law Commission, provided invaluable insights into international law. I contributed to a landmark research project on general principles of law under Article 38(1)(c) of the ICJ Statute, focusing on their application within the Indian legal system as both a domestic and international source of law. This experience deepened my understanding of how legal frameworks are developed and influenced across different jurisdictions.
During the same time, I was selected for a semester-long externship at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), part of the World Bank Group, where I was exposed to investment guarantee transactions in Asia and Africa. To better understand the real world implications of my research project, I also had the opportunity to help organize a discussion event at MIGA with the Special Rapporteur.
All these experiences helped me understand international law and investments from a global, systems-level perspective, something that continues to inform how I support clients navigating cross-border issues today at Team Counsel.
After working with various top-tier law firms and international organizations, what motivated you to establish your own practice? What was your vision behind founding Team Counsel, and how do you see it evolving in the future?
I always knew I wanted to start my own consulting practice, but I thought it would happen much later. Life had other plans.
Just before the pandemic, I was finishing up my LL.M. and preparing to take the New York Bar, with plans to join a global law firm abroad. But COVID changed everything. I returned to India and joined a top law firm, amazing team, big-ticket deals but deep down, something felt off.
Shortly thereafter, I left Big Law, and joined a global venture capital fund, supporting venture growth investments across India, Southeast Asia, and the U.S., which gave me deep insight into cross-border deals and the startup ecosystems around the world. I helped close over 45 investments worth USD 12 billion across India, Southeast Asia, and the U.S within a period of a year or so.
It was exciting work, but I realized I wanted more. I wanted to work with startups and use my experience to help them grow. And, I wanted to build something of my own.
But most importantly, I wanted to disrupt legal for the startup ecosystem with innovative and client centric service models.
That’s how Team Counsel was born from two clear goals:
1. Make world-class legal support accessible to startups without burning their budgets.
2. Build transformative legal solutions that help startups operate more efficiently and grow sustainably.
The startup ecosystem has been so welcoming. Today, we have supported 20+ startups and investors, guiding them from start to finish, and we are just getting started! Most importantly, we have built a passionate team that’s hungry for more wins. Much like in my favorite poem, “The Road Not Taken” choosing the road less traveled and starting Team Counsel has made all the difference for me.
You’ve closed over 80 high stakes deals across multiple jurisdictions. What has been the most complex transaction you’ve worked on, and how did you overcome its challenges?
Over my decade-long career, I have worked on numerous complex high-value M&A, PE, and venture-growth deals, closing almost 90 transactions worth USD 20 billion across 8+ jurisdictions, including India, Southeast Asia, and the U.S.
But honestly, I find the most challenging deals are often the early-stage ones. That’s because founders and investors are new to the game. There’s a lack of clarity, experience, and sometimes, even awareness. A big part of my role is to educate both sides, helping founders understand investor expectations and
guiding investors on what really matters at that stage. It takes patience and step-by-step effort to bring everyone on the same page.
With your membership at New York Bar Examination and experience in cross-border transactions, how does dual qualification enhance your ability to advise clients on international legal matters, especially between India and the U.S.?
While I’m not yet a New York bar qualified Attorney, I am eligible and had planned to take the exam before COVID hit. Travel restrictions delayed everything and I got busy with work, but it’s still on my list, hopefully next year!
That said, my U.S. education and work experience already help me a lot. At Team Counsel, we work with clients in the U.S. and other jurisdictions regularly. Being familiar with both Indian and U.S. legal systems gives me an edge in handling cross-border matters more effectively from understanding regulatory expectations and deal structures to anticipating potential risks across jurisdictions.
There’s real value in being dual-qualified, especially in today’s global economy where startups and investors are constantly crossing borders. It builds trust, adds credibility, and allows me to bridge legal systems with confidence.
You’ve advised across a wide range of sectors, from renewable energy and pharmaceuticals to media and education. When working with startups both domestic and international, what do you see as the major legal challenges they face in navigating regulations, particularly in India?
Startups face a very different landscape compared to large corporates. When I worked with global enterprise clients, they typically had experienced legal teams and established processes in place. But for most startups, especially in India, the reality is quite different, there’s often a lack of awareness about legal obligations, limited access to quality legal support, and no tailored regulatory framework designed specifically for early-stage businesses.
One of the biggest challenges is helping founders recognize that legal compliance isn’t just about avoiding problems, it is a key driver of long-term value. At Team Counsel, we work closely with startups to simplify the complex, break things down into actionable steps, and guide them through building a strong legal foundation. Our focus is on making them investor ready, helping them scale with confidence, and ultimately supporting the creation of sustainable, high impact businesses.
Outside of your legal career, you enjoy reading and spending time with your pet. How do these personal interests help you maintain balance and resilience in such a demanding profession?
I love reading and spending time outdoors with my boy, Rocky. These simple joys help me stay balanced. They allow me to disconnect from the day-to-day rush, clear my head, and come back with a fresh perspective.
In a profession that can be all consuming, it is important to have something that grounds you. For me, these moments are a reminder that there’s more to life than just deadlines and deals and that clarity makes me better at what I do.
What advice would you give to young lawyers and law students aspiring to build an international legal career like yours? Are there any specific resources or habits you’d recommend for staying ahead of the curve in this dynamic field?
As a first-generation lawyer, I started out with no roadmap, just a lot of questions and a strong sense of curiosity. What made the difference was staying committed, being open to learning, and finding mentors who guided me along the way. If you are passionate and ready to put in the work, you absolutely can build a successful international legal career.
My biggest advice is to be proactive, read industry reports, keep up with global legal and business trends, and show up at events that push you out of your comfort zone. Also, the legal profession is evolving rapidly with the rise of AI and tech, so it’s crucial to always plan with a long-term mindset, think five years ahead. And most importantly, don’t be afraid of your weaknesses; if you embrace them, they can become your greatest strengths. That’s where your edge lies.
Get in touch with John Mathew –
