Chithra Nirmala, is the Founder of Skanda Legal. With nearly three decades of combined experience in banking law and independent advocacy, she has established herself as a dynamic leader in the field of civil, commercial, and financial litigation & Arbitrations. Her motivation stems from a commitment to blend rigorous legal scholarship with practical solutions, ensuring that clients receive both clarity and results in complex disputes.

Her distinguished career includes 20+ years with the State Bank of India, where she specialized in commercial, construction, infrastructure, financial, and corporate laws, leading high‑profile litigation involving complex and high-stake economic disputes. She played a pivotal role in representing banking consortia in matters governed by fugitive economic laws and proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, securing substantial recoveries for creditors. She also pioneered the first banker’s application under PMLA before the Special Court in Mumbai an achievement that reflects her forward-thinking approach to financial and regulatory litigation.

With her extensive prior experience in commercial, financial, and corporate laws gained during her long tenure with the State Bank of India, she has seamlessly transitioned into independent practice since 2020. She has been actively appearing before the High Court of Karnataka, NCLT/NCLAT, DRT/DRAT, consumer forums, family courts and civil courts across Bengaluru, Chennai, and beyond. Her expertise spans the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, Debt Recovery laws, arbitration, property disputes, service matters, and constitutional writ jurisdiction. She is widely recognized for her strong legal drafting skills, incisive client advisory, and effective representation of resolution professionals and liquidators in insolvency proceedings.

Beyond litigation, she has authored a handbook on DRT, SARFAESI, and Legal Services Act for bankers, served as a POSH committee member in leading institutions, and delivered lectures and training sessions on banking and commercial laws. Her accomplishments have been honoured by senior leadership of the State Bank of India, reflecting her stature as both a practitioner and mentor.