Poonam has been actively involved in the disputes and corporate practice of the firm with primary focus in the Energy and Transportation Sector. For over a decade with the firm, Poonam has specialized in Power and Aviation Sectors.
Poonam has a lead role in the Aviation practice of the firm. She has been instrumental in spearheading the Civil Aviation practice. She has been consistently advising and representing Federation of Indian Airlines, International Air Transport Association amongst individual airlines on legislative, policy and regulatory issues. She represents the clients before various fora (Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India, the Director General of Civil Aviation, the Appellate Tribunal, the High Courts and Supreme Court) on issues relating to interpretation of agreements executed pursuant to PPP tendering processes, determination of aeronautical tariff, single till and other charges being levied by the Airport Regulator on Airlines.
Poonam is a litigator who covers the whole spectrum of advisory, risk analysis and arguing matters before specialized Commissions, Tribunals, various High Courts and the Supreme Court of India.
She has submitted her views from time to time on the Model Concession Agreements issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for introducing PPP for six airports, on National Civil Aviation Policy, Civil Aviation Authority Bill etc. Poonam has been consulted on urgent issues by International Air Transport Association and Federation of Indian Airlines, Association of Power Producers on several occasions for legal opinions.
She has been regularly representing the country’s big corporate houses, government institutions and industry associations on several landmark and sectoral issues arising in the two sectors, for instance, issues arising out of Power Purchase Agreements, Concession Agreements, Transmission Service Agreements, Operations, Maintenance and Development Agreement and State Support Agreement based on Model Private Public Partnership (PPP) Agreements issued by the concerned Ministries of the Government of India.
Poonam is a regular participant and speaker in nationwide conferences conducted from time to time by Centre for Aviation, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Indian Industry on energy and aviation sector related issues.
She has been practicing law since 2004. Before joining JSA, she worked with Chambers of Mr. Amarjit Singh Chandhiok, Senior Advocate and ex-President of the Delhi High Court Bar Association for two years.
Memberships
- Member of Academic Review Council of Indian School of Public Policy
- Member of Advisory Board of University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun
- Asia Pacific Jurist Association
- Delhi High Court Bar Association
- Bar Council of Delhi
- Saket Bar Association
- Delhi Bar Association
Publications
- Authored an article titled ‘Why air travel is set to become costlier from August 31’ published in ET Travel World (August 2022).
- Quoted in an article titled ‘Why is everyone gung-ho about aviation industry’ published in The Week (July 2022).
- Authored an article titled “Green Hydrogen Policy – An ambitious effort to achieve net zero carbon emission target” published in India CSR (April 2022).
- Authored an article titled “Sustainability, Waste Management and Clean Power Generation in India” published in The CSR Journal (April 2022).
- Quoted in Travel Trends Today in an article “Mixed Reaction From The Industry To Budget 2022-23” (February 2022).
- Quoted in The Economic Times in an article “Aviation sector disappointed with no support in the Budget” (February 2022).
- Quoted in The Hindu, Tech Live, Urban Press, Crime Today, Press reader & Dani Post in an article “Will changes in AERA Act help smaller airports?” (August 2021).
- An article titled “Amended Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2021: Relief to Prosumers” published in The Times of India (August 2021).
- Quoted in Mint, Hindustan Times, United News of India, Big Newz, MSN, Daily Hunt, The Hindu Times, India Talks & Evening News in an article “The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021 passed in Parliament” (August 2021).
- An article titled “Foes may have to become allies to survive post Covid-19” published in The Hindu Business Line (February 2021).
Awards
- Recognized as ‘India Super 50 Lawyers 2021’ by Asian Legal Business
- ‘Asia 40 under 40’ award in October 2021 from Asian Legal Business
- “The Young Legal Eagles” of the Indian Legal Ecosystem organized by BW Legalworld 40under40 India Awards, 2020.
- ‘India’s Rising Stars’ award in September 2020 from Asian Legal Business.
- ‘India’s Rising Stars’ award in September 2019 from Asian Legal Business.
Education
- B.A.LL.B, Army Institute of Law, Mohali (1999-2004)
- Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights from WIPO Worldwide Academy, 2004.
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Bengali