Indian law firm Trilegal has strategically launched a focussed risk and compliance practice, with the addition of Nishith Mehta as its leader. Mehta was previously the co-head of APAC compliance and operational risk at Bank of America.
Mehta’s hire comes as the firm looks to build a strong regulatory practice in an “ increasingly complex governance landscape.” With a risk and compliance practice, Trilegal aims to strengthen its advisory services across multiple domains, including the development of comprehensive governance models, compliance frameworks, and regulatory risk management strategies for its diverse client portfolio. Mehta’s appointment is expected to enhance the firm’s ability to deliver integrated risk and compliance insights that add greater value to client engagements, while providing specialized support to boards and senior leadership teams seeking to align their compliance systems with broader business objectives and navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.
The risk and compliance practice will collaborate closely with Trilegal’s partners, focusing on enterprise-level risk management, governance, and compliance solutions. These will complement the firm’s legal and regulatory advisory services, equipping clients with practical and operational strategies that meet Indian and global regulatory standards, the firm said in a statement.
Mehta has 25 years of experience in compliance and regulatory leadership in banking and capital markets, advising on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters across Asia Pacific. His career spans broker-dealer operations, investment banking, credit and structured products, wealth management, non-banking finance, and fixed income and currency trading. He has held senior roles with Lehman Brothers, Kotak Mahindra Goldman Sachs’ investment banking, and Edelweiss Capital, where he advised businesses on comprehensive regulatory risk management and governance frameworks.
In his role with the BoA, Mehta has worked closely with regulators including the Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Reserve Board, helping institutions navigate evolving regulatory expectations while safeguarding strategic business priorities.
“His extensive experience aligns with our goal of building a pre-eminent regulatory practice. As financial regulation becomes more complex and risk-sensitive, his expertise will be a strong asset for our Partners and clients,” said Nishant Parikh and Sridhar Gorthi, partners and members of Trilegal’s management committee.
“Nishith’s extensive industry experience will further enhance our capabilities in navigating complex situations and driving impactful outcomes”, added Shruti Rajan, partner in the firm’s financial regulatory practice.
“Trilegal’s ability to combine legal excellence with strategic risk and compliance insights will be a real differentiator in the market,” said Mehta in a statement.
