[Mr. Guneet Gudh is currently a Principal in Governance, Investigations & White Collar Defense team at Panag & Babu. He has completed his Bachelors in Law from Jindal Global Law School]
Interviewed by Vedika Kakar
1. Could you please share insights into your professional journey, from your early aspirations to your current position as a leading white-collar defence lawyer? Were there any pivotal moments or challenges that shaped your career?
To put my journey into perspective, I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and growing up in that environment trained me early on to think critically about business challenges and decision-making. Problem-solving became second nature to me, and today, having the privilege to apply that skill in defending my clients is deeply rewarding. Stepping into the world of business misconduct investigations and white-collar defense came with immense responsibility. Every case presents a delicate balance—ensuring fairness, maintaining ethical integrity, and navigating legal complexities, all while understanding the business realities at play. The nature of this work means that strategies evolve rapidly; in high-stakes matters, new findings, regulatory shifts, and client priorities can demand multiple strategic pivots in a single day.
White-collar defense is more than just legal representation—it is about crisis management, risk mitigation, and protecting reputations. Whether advising on internal investigations, compliance frameworks, or defending clients against regulatory scrutiny, my focus has always been on providing pragmatic, strategic, and ethically sound counsel. Every engagement reinforces my belief that legal expertise alone is not enough; it must be coupled with sharp business acumen, adaptability, and the ability to anticipate risks before they escalate. These principles continue to define my approach as a white-collar defense lawyer, ensuring that clients receive more than just legal guidance—they receive a strategy for resilience in an evolving regulatory landscape.
2. In what ways did your legal education influence your professional trajectory and what inspired you to specialize in corporate governance and white-collar crimes?
A strong educational foundation accelerates professional growth by sharpening analytical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to navigate complex legal frameworks. At Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), I developed a multidimensional approach to law, engaging with legal issues beyond statutes to focus on business realities, regulatory frameworks, and global enforcement trends. My exposure to London School of Economics (LSE), Augsburg University, and other renowned institutions further broadened my understanding of corporate compliance, governance, and risk management—all essential to my work in white-collar defense.
What drew me to corporate governance and white-collar crime defense was the intersection of law, business ethics, and risk mitigation. Ensuring businesses operate within legal and ethical boundaries requires proactive compliance, strategic investigations, and regulatory foresight. White-collar defense is more than litigation; it’s about crisis management, protecting reputations, and safeguarding business integrity. Beyond education, I believe expertise comes from deliberate practice—if you dedicate 1,000 hours to a subject, you develop deep mastery. My career has been shaped not just by formal learning but by continuous engagement with complex cases and evolving regulatory landscapes, ensuring my clients receive strategic, forward-thinking legal counsel.
3. What skills or qualities would you consider indispensable for lawyers aspiring to work in this domain?
White-collar defense demands more than just legal expertise—it requires strategic thinking, business intelligence, and crisis management skills. Lawyers in this domain must be critical thinkers who can analyze complex financial and regulatory issues, adaptable problem-solvers who can pivot strategies under pressure, and effective communicators who can distill intricate legal matters for clients, regulators, and stakeholders. Understanding global enforcement trends, corporate compliance, and reputational risks is crucial, as is maintaining unwavering ethical judgment in high-stakes scenarios. As I see it, “A lawyer in white-collar defense is not just a legal expert, but a trusted strategist—anticipating risks, managing crises, and safeguarding business integrity before legal trouble escalates.”
4. How do you stay updated on developments in your field? Are there any journals, blogs, or other resources you find particularly useful?
Staying informed starts with choosing platforms that match your reading style and
reporting preferences. The key is to build a personalized list of reliable sources that provide
sharp, relevant insights. My recommendations include The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg,
and X (formerly Twitter) for global trends, while Economic Times (ET), Mint, and Business
Standard offer deep coverage of India’s financial and regulatory landscape. Tracking stock
markets, corporate disclosures, and regulatory updates helps assess financial trends that
often shape enforcement actions. The right mix of business news, market data, and legal
developments ensures a comprehensive understanding of emerging risks and compliance
challenges.
5. What advice would you give to law students or young professionals who wish to pursue a career in white-collar crime or corporate governance? Are there any specific internships, certifications, or experiences you would recommend?
The key to excelling in any practice, including white-collar crime and corporate governance, is to know your law. Many students graduating from law schools lack a strong grasp of legal fundamentals, and this isn’t something you can afford to “learn on the journey”—it needs to be solid from day one.
Yes, internships are crucial, but they should be part of a structured plan. During the first 40% of your law course, focus on exploration—understanding different practice areas and figuring out what excites you. But for the remaining 60%, you should have a clear idea of where you want to specialize and start targeted internships in law firms, regulatory bodies, and corporate teams to build relevant experience. Along with this, stay updated on the business front—understanding market trends, corporate strategies, and financial developments will give you a stronger edge in navigating white-collar cases and governance issues effectively.
6. Finally, if you had to share one principle that has guided you both personally and professionally, what would it be?
Discipline and consistency have been the foundation of my personal and professional growth. Success isn’t about chasing something new every day—it’s about doing the same thing over and over, but with better understanding, sharper execution, and greater accuracy each time. Mastery comes from repetition with refinement, not just experience. Whether it’s analyzing a case, structuring a defense strategy, or navigating regulatory complexities, the ability to show up, stay focused, and improve with every iteration is what
truly sets professionals apart.
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