Ankita Verma
A combination of qualities like drive, commitment, diligence and understanding makes Ms. Ankita Verma not only a successful legal professional but also an esteemed one. After completing a 5-year long integrated law course from I.L.S. Law College in 2010, she was ready for some hands-on experience to help broaden her understanding and help hone her skills as a legal professional. … In her short career span, she managed to scale the corporate ladder quickly and went on to become the Managing Partner at D.M. Legal Associates. In these years, she has perfected her skills in various aspects of the legal profession including, Court Procedures, Arguments, Strategisation of deals and Finalization of Contracts and Agreements. As a result-oriented legal professional, Ankita also demonstrates exceptional soft skills and competencies such as relationship building, service orientation, teamwork, leadership, communications, and negotiation, to name a few. Being a contributing member of society, she has also been actively involved in bringing about positive social changes.
Expertise
- Case Study & Analysis
- Management & Administration
- Scrutiny & Finalisation of Contracts, Agreements, and Legal Documentation/Statutory Compliance
- Liaison & Coordination
- Organisation Building
- Networking
- Leadership
Qualification
internships & Moot Court
- Interned with Lok Satta Movement of Foundation for Democratic Reforms, Mumbai (March 2006-June 2006)
- Interned with Hariani and Co. in Pune (July 2007-September 2007)
- Interned with D. M. Legal Associates in Mumbai
(March 2008-May 2008 & November 2008) - Qualified Speaker, Inter-College Debate Society (2007-2008)
- Qualified Speaker/Researcher, Inter-College Moot Society (2008-2010)
- Completed Articleship as Articled Clerk, Solicitors with Mrs. Daksha Bharat Raghani of Haridas & Co. in 2012
ILS Law College, Pune
- BSL LLB from I.L.S. College, Pune (2005-2010)
- Diploma in Corporate Laws from I.L.S. College, Pune (2008-2009)
- Foundation of Law Course (2008-2009)
- Certificate Course in Feminist Jurisprudence (2006-2007)
- Course in Human Rights, Law & Development (2008)
Asian School of Cyber Laws, Pune
- Diploma in Law Relating to Corporate Mergers,
Acquisitions & Restructuring (2006-2007)
GMGC in Association with Patent Office, Mumbai
- Certificate Course in Patents (2008)
The Activist
After establishing herself as a successful lawyer, Ankita was ready to address matters that are closer to her heart. She took on several state and national campaigns that led to positive changes in the judicial system.
Active Member of the Lok Satta Party
• Ankita is an Ex-Officio Member of the National Council.
• She volunteered to campaign for Mr. Adolf D’Souza, the first citizen candidate Corporator in terms of local self-governance module of ward no. 63 in 2007.
• She was even elected internally to contest Municipal Elections in 2012 from Thane wherein she came 3rd among the 25 contesting candidates.
Yuva Satta, Pune
• Ankita spearheaded the Jaago Re! One Billion Votes campaign in 2008. She successfully built a team that undertook the registration of nearly 3 lakh first-time voters in Pune. To raise awareness about the campaign, she even held presentations at organisations like Wipro, Infosys, KPIT Cummins, etc. and also gave interviews to television and print media journalists.
• She co-founded the Zero Tolerance Against Sexual Harassment in 2012. It is rated as one of the top five
...campaigns in the world for bringing about grassroot level change in the field of women empowerment. This campaign was responsible for bringing about changes to IPC Sections 354 and 509.
• Ankita co-founded ‘The Vote Project’ – an initiative to help eligible voters identify their constituencies, register to vote, rectify information, etc.
The Litmus Test Project (LTP)
• Ankita co-founded The Litmus Test Project, a collective of individuals working towards sustainable social impact by implementing relevant technology in 2016.
• LTP was instrumental in developing the Maha Voter Campaign in consonance with the Maharashtra State Election Commission. The campaign was successful in increasing voter turnout from 43% to 55%.
Core Member of India Against Corruption (Mumbai Unit)
• Ankita was responsible for building and organising teams and support for India Against Corruption.
• She planned and managed various initiatives which involved organizing rallies, procuring police permissions, managing media interactions, etc.
Volunteering with the Lok Satta Movement (Foundation of Democratic Reforms)
• As a volunteer for the Vote Mumbai Project, Ankita ran successful signature campaigns throughout the city.
• She played a vital role in the drafting of Model Police Reforms.
...• She was chosen as to be the official Indian delegate for International Youth SAARC Conference in November, 2018.
• She was on the panel of members recommending changes in the Lok Pal Bill to a select committee of Rajya Sabha in September, 2012.
• She was on the panel of members recommending changes in the Prevention of Corruption Bill 2013 to a select committee of Rajya Sabha in January, 2014.
• She was on the panel of members recommending feasibility of Simultaneous Elections in the Centre and State.
CNBC TV18
13th April 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKo5KjWHMUQ
IBN
21st January, 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6gNUoSOCm0
CNN IBN
6th November, 2011: http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/199813/eve-teasing-rally-for-brave-hearts-in-mumbai.html 16th December, 2013: http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/439968/reactions-across-india-on-delhi-braveheart-a-year-after.html
Times Now
29th December, 2012: Panellist discussing the sentiments of youth and demands to have better security for women in the aftermath of the Delhi Gang Rape Case. http://www.timesnow.tv/videoshow/4417766.cms http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-23-yr-old-braveheart-no-more---2/videoshow/4417767.cms https://www.timesnownews.com/Debate-23-yr-old-braveheart-no-more---3/videoshow/4417768.cms
TImes Now
22nd September, 2012: http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/294039/mumbai-applauds-pms-speech-demands-the-full-picture.html 19th October, 2012: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/keenanreuben-case-one-year-on-justice-eludes-mumbai-bravehearts/301259-3-237.html
Professional Experience
For Ankita, learning has always been an ongoing process. While pursuing her professional BSL LLB degree in 2010, she also managed to study and achieve diplomas in Corporate Laws, Corporate Mergers, Acquisitions and Restructuring. She also completed Certificate Courses in Patents and Feminist Jurisprudence.
Ankita started her illustrious career as an intern with D.M. Legal Associates in the year 2008. During her tenure there she was able to gain ample experience in the drafting of Corporate Documents, Red Herring Prospectus, Schemes of Mergers Acquisitions and Takeovers, Joint Venture Agreements, Escrow Agreement, Financial Transaction Documents (including debt and equity), Debenture Trust Deeds, Guarantees, Pledge of Shares and Due Diligence for Companies, Drafting and Conveyance of Immovable Property including Agreement, Conveyances, Leases, Mortgages, Leave and Licenses, Gifts, Development Agreements, Permanent Alternate Accommodation Agreements, Slum Related Matters, etc., and other testamentary and non-testamentary matter. Within 8 years, Ankita went from learning the ropes of the trade to taking on the responsibilities of the business as the Managing Partner at D.M. Legal Associates.
Here she adeptly handled the structuring of Contractual Deals and Documentation, including deals relating to the media and hospitality sectors. Ankita even assembled and led a team of professionals who drew up the arguments for Lok Satta Aandolan against the State, MCGM, BCCI and other concerned authorities for Water Conservation and proper policy for Water Consumption for recreational activities, which led to the shifting of the IPL games outside Maharashtra for the year 2016.
Ankita’s love for her work made her take up role of Vice President (Legal) at Jaycee Homes Private Limited in the year 2014. She was responsible for handling all legal matters relating to all the group’s housing projects. During her stint here, she was successful in reducing the pending litigations by nearly 45%, which in turn reduced the company’s litigation expenses considerably. Ankita then went on to set up a specialised legal team from scratch and was also able to consolidate all the company’s scattered data, helping to get a clearer picture of the group’s actual status.
Accolades
- Wrote an article on Roll Back of Rail Fare for the Times of India edition published on 26th March, 2012
- Awarded Best Researcher, 6th Justa Causa National Law Festival, Nagpur (2008)
- Winner of Best Speaker, 1st State Level Moot Court Competition at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College of Law, Nagpur (2007)