Reuben Chacko

For Reuben Chacko, Partner at S&R Associates, capital markets is far more than IPOs, transaction documents and closing ceremonies. Leading the firm’s capital markets practice in the southern region, Reuben has built a career advising companies across public offerings, QIPs and major capital market transactions, with experience spanning NBFCs, banking, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, real estate […]

Interestingly, law was never Reuben’s first choice. Growing up in Kochi in a family of lawyers—his father a retired judge and his sister a lawyer—he initially imagined a future in science and even considered becoming an architect. His legal career began at Nishith Desai Associates, where he found an invaluable early mentor in Nishith Desai. A subsequent move to Delhi introduced him to capital markets, and what began as an unfamiliar practice area gradually became a professional passion.

What makes Reuben’s perspective distinctive is the way he sees taking a company public. To him, an IPO is a team sport—and even an orchestra. Founders, promoters, boards, investment bankers, accountants and lawyers must work together, each playing their part at the right moment. His role is that of an orchestrator: keeping stakeholders aligned, managing timelines and bringing together the many moving parts required to reach the final listing.

Yet beyond transactions lies the person behind the lawyer. Reuben values relationships, learning, mentorship and teaching. His move to S&R Associates after nearly two decades at CAM represents a new chapter—one he describes as having “a bit of a startup feeling in an established firm.” His philosophy is equally relevant to young lawyers: accept the beauty of monotony, remain persistent, keep learning and understand that the most exciting lessons often emerge from the smaller percentage of work that challenges you.

Key Highlights of the Koffee Conversation with Reuben Chacko

Reuben never initially planned to become a lawyer; science and architecture were once closer to his ambitions.
His first professional chapter was at Nishith Desai Associates, where he describes Nishith Desai as an exceptional mentor.
Capital markets was unfamiliar territory when he entered the practice, but he gradually developed a deep passion for it.
Mumbai taught him professionalism, punctuality and agility; Delhi taught him culture, style and poise; Bengaluru taught him simplicity and groundedness.
He compares taking a company public to a team sport, where multiple professionals must work together toward one goal.
He also compares an IPO to an opera, with the capital markets lawyer acting as an orchestrator coordinating different participants at the right moments.
What interests him about different sectors is understanding how companies make money and the value they create for society.
One transaction that remains special to him is the public listing of Aster DM Healthcare, where a professional relationship developed into a lasting personal connection.
For Reuben, the quality of people he works with matters more than transaction size.
His move to S&R Associates marks an exciting opportunity to build a capital markets practice in the South.
His leadership has evolved from controlling every detail himself to trusting, delegating and mentoring his team.
Reuben believes AI can make legal work more efficient, but it cannot replace the intellect, judgment and responsibility of a lawyer.
He warns lawyers to be careful with AI-generated information, particularly because of the risk of hallucinations and unreliable precedents.
His advice to young lawyers is to accept that much of professional life can be repetitive while recognising that the exciting moments create continuous learning.
Reuben enjoys teaching law students because it allows him to share the practical realities of transactions that cannot always be learned from textbooks.

▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube on The Koffee Conversation Show – The Emerging Lawyer and discover the journey, philosophy and personality behind the capital markets lawyer.

🎧 Listen to the complete podcast on Spotify: The Koffee Conversation Show – The Emerging Lawyer and hear Reuben Chacko share his professional journey, lessons and experiences beyond the IPO.