Sanjay Notani
Sanjay Notani, Senior Partner at Economic Laws Practice (ELP) and Co-Head of its International Trade and Customs practice, has built a distinguished professional journey at the intersection of law, business, global trade, technology and public policy. His career reflects the importance of curiosity, adaptability and being willing to explore emerging areas of law. Beginning with […]

Sanjay Notani, Senior Partner at Economic Laws Practice (ELP) and Co-Head of its International Trade and Customs practice, has built a distinguished professional journey at the intersection of law, business, global trade, technology and public policy. His career reflects the importance of curiosity, adaptability and being willing to explore emerging areas of law. Beginning with three years as a paralegal in corporate and M&A, he subsequently moved into tax and litigation before developing a deep interest in international trade. As ELP grew its strong tax and trade practices, Sanjay recognised the significance of understanding the regulatory frameworks that shape global commerce. What began as an opportunity to explore a relatively less-discussed area of law evolved into a specialised practice that continues to engage him.

International trade law, as Sanjay explains, is much more than understanding agreements and regulations. It requires lawyers to appreciate the commercial realities of businesses, the products they deal in, the markets they operate in and the challenges they face. His work spans customs, tariffs, trade remedies, anti-dumping and countervailing duties, non-tariff barriers, licensing and international trade commitments. He has witnessed the changing global trade environment, from the multilateral framework shaped by the World Trade Organization to a landscape increasingly influenced by geopolitical developments, national security, sanctions, protectionism and free trade agreements. His experience representing multiple entities across 32 jurisdictions in a complex trade remedial investigation demonstrates the strategic thinking and coordination required in cross-border matters. He also considers it an honour to represent India in WTO disputes, contributing to matters that can inform the country’s policy-making and regulatory approach.

Sanjay’s professional engagement extends beyond client advisory work. Through platforms such as the American Bar Association, Inter-Pacific Bar Association and Customs and International Trade Bar Association, he has built relationships with legal professionals and policymakers across different jurisdictions. He believes that international exposure is valuable not simply because of the platforms one joins, but because of the relationships built and perspectives gained. His participation in discussions at the WTO Public Forum 2026 brought into focus another defining challenge: the relationship between artificial intelligence, technology-enabled services and international trade rules. As technology transforms how goods and services are produced, delivered and traded, existing regulatory frameworks will need to evolve. At ELP, his own experience with AI and legal technology tools has reinforced the importance of selecting solutions suited to different practice areas and validating the data they generate. For him, the future is about combining artificial intelligence with human intelligence, experience and professional judgement.

Beyond his expertise in trade and policy, Sanjay’s approach to leadership is grounded in responsibility, discipline, openness to criticism and accountability. He acknowledges the importance of mentors, particularly ELP’s founding partners, who helped shape his understanding of entrepreneurship, focus, transparency, client relationships and professional integrity. His advice to young lawyers is to remain open to learning, reading, experiencing and meeting people from different backgrounds. Personally, he enjoys gaming, simulation and strategy games, movies, documentaries, travel and conversations with friends outside the legal profession. His reading interests include Chip War, The Box, Underground Empire and Team of Teams, reflecting his curiosity about technology, supply chains, global networks and leadership. His guiding philosophy is simple: never believe that you have reached your full potential. As he puts it, there is always another mile to learn. His journey offers an important perspective on what it means to be a global lawyer in a world where law, commerce, technology and geopolitics are increasingly interconnected.

Key Highlights of the Koffee Conversation with Sanjay Notani

  • The Making of a Global Lawyer: From corporate and M&A to tax, litigation and international trade.
  • Discovering International Trade Law: How curiosity and exposure led him towards a specialised legal practice.
  • Understanding Global Trade: The evolving role of the WTO, global agreements and changing trade relationships.
  • Customs and International Trade: Insights into tariffs, valuation, trade remedies, anti-dumping duties and regulatory frameworks.
  • India’s Free Trade Agreements: How FTAs can create market access and opportunities for Indian businesses.
  • Managing Complex Cross-Border Disputes: Lessons from a trade remedial investigation involving 32 entities across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Geopolitics and National Security: Why businesses must prepare for changing regulations, sanctions and protectionist measures.
  • Litigation Beyond Courtrooms: Understanding regulatory disputes and India’s representation in WTO proceedings.
  • The Lawyer’s Role in Public Policy: Why policy change requires patience, collaboration and an understanding of multiple stakeholders.
  • Building Global Relationships: How international legal platforms broaden perspectives and strengthen professional networks.
  • AI and the Future of Global Trade: Why technology-enabled services are reshaping traditional trade frameworks.
  • AI + Human Intelligence: How legal technology can accelerate research and data analysis while lawyers retain responsibility for validation and judgement.
  • Leadership Through Accountability: Why discipline, transparency, responsibility and openness to criticism matter.
  • Mentoring the Next Generation: Why young lawyers should embrace diverse experiences, remain curious and never stop learning.
  • Beyond the Legal Profession: His interests in gaming, travel, books, family and the importance of staying grounded.

▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube on The Koffee Conversation Show – The Emerging Lawyer and explore Sanjay Notani’s journey across international trade, customs, technology and public policy. Discover his perspectives on global business, geopolitical shifts, WTO disputes, AI-driven trade and the evolving role of the modern lawyer.

🎧 Listen to the complete podcast on Spotify: The Koffee Conversation Show – The Emerging Lawyer and gain insights into the world of international trade law, cross-border regulations, global legal relationships, AI and professional leadership. Hear why the global lawyer of tomorrow must combine legal expertise with commercial understanding, cultural awareness and a lifelong commitment to learning.

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