Insolvency, governance, and corporate law may be complex worlds, but Dr. Ashish Makhija makes them feel like powerful narratives of justice, discipline, and impact. With over 35 years spanning litigation, policy-making, teaching, authorship, and international research, he is one of India’s most respected authorities on insolvency and corporate regulation. As Managing Partner at AMC Law Firm and Adjunct Faculty at IICA, he has shaped boardrooms, classrooms, and legal reforms with equal conviction.
A chartered accountant, cost accountant, registered insolvency professional, policy contributor, global trainer, and author of 14 books—Dr. Makhija embodies the rare blend of academic depth and courtroom clarity. His journey is a testament to relentless learning, global exposure, and service to the legal ecosystem. Whether mentoring future practitioners or advising institutions, he continues to inspire with humility, precision, and purpose-driven leadership.
Dr. Makhija didn’t choose insolvency—insolvency chose him. While friends admired balance sheets, he was drawn to what happens when those sheets collapse. Early in his career, he became Standing Counsel for the Official Liquidator at the Delhi High Court, handling high-stakes matters where every file carried a human heartbeat. From representing homebuyers to navigating liquidation battles, he saw firsthand that insolvency is not about shutting companies—it’s about shutting down injustice.
His global journey continued with an LL.M. in International Bankruptcy from Emory University right after the Lehman Brothers collapse—an experience that expanded his worldview and deepened his commitment to India’s insolvency evolution. When the IBC arrived in 2016, it felt like a full-circle moment. Since then, he has trained global leaders, worked on policy committees, taught thousands, written bestselling books, and shaped future-ready governance practices rooted in integrity, independence, and informed judgment.
Key Highlights of the Koffee Conversation with Dr Ashish Makhija:
- Insolvency didn’t lure him—curiosity anchored his lifelong career path.
- Being Standing Counsel for the Official Liquidator taught him that behind every file lies a human story.
- A courtroom moment where a judge questioned promoters about “Tihar bags” still stays vivid.
- IBC 2016 was a transformational milestone—India finally caught up with global insolvency frameworks.
- Adjunct faculty roles help him bridge textbook theory with courtroom reality.
- His teaching mantra: concept clarity first, application next.
- A World Bank training taught him the biggest lesson—attention is the new currency.
- Writing 14 books is his form of reflection—writing refines understanding more than reading ever can.
- A director’s seat is not a throne—it’s accountability defined by independence, integrity, and informed judgment.
- Boards fail not because of bad people but because good people stay silent.
- AI will transform insolvency research—trained systems allow instant extraction of facts, issues, and ratio.
- His advice to young lawyers: don’t wait for the right time—start now and read beyond headlines.
- Lifelong learning keeps him adaptable—knowledge expires the moment you stop updating.
- Formative lessons from his math teacher helped him become a gold medalist and later a rank-holder.
- Golf keeps him grounded—it teaches patience, focus, and humility.
Watch the full episode on YouTube and experience how Dr. Ashish Makhija turns insolvency, governance, and leadership into a masterclass in clarity, courage, and lifelong learning:
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