Adani Group Enlists Legal Heavyweights Including Trump's Lawyer for US Securities Fraud Defense
The Adani Group has assembled a formidable legal team in the United States to counter serious allegations from regulatory authorities, bringing together some of the most prominent attorneys in white-collar defense. Chairman Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani have retained influential US lawyers, including one of former President Donald Trump's primary counsels and a former prosecutor who successfully dismantled New York mafia families.
High-Profile Legal Representation
According to court filings dated 30 January, Gautam Adani has appointed the prestigious law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, with Robert Giuffra leading his defense team. Giuffra represents one of the most sought-after white-collar crime defense attorneys in America, having represented both Donald Trump and German automaker Volkswagen in landmark cases.
Giuffra is currently leading Trump's appeal against his conviction in the hush money case, where a Manhattan jury found the former president guilty of falsifying business records. His extensive experience includes negotiating Volkswagen's $14.7 billion settlement in the 'diesel-gate' emissions scandal and successfully defending Goldman Sachs in class action litigation stemming from the 2008 financial crisis.
Former Prosecutors Join Defense Team
The Adani defense team includes another notable Sullivan & Cromwell attorney, Nicolas Bourtin, who previously served as an assistant US attorney for the Eastern District of New York—the very district where the Securities and Exchange Commission is pursuing its case against the Adani family.
During his tenure as a public prosecutor, Bourtin successfully prosecuted senior leadership of multiple New York City mafia families for serious crimes including racketeering, murder, and extortion. His experience on both sides of the courtroom provides strategic insight into government prosecution tactics.
Three additional Sullivan & Cromwell attorneys—Suhana Han, James McDonald, and Andrew DeFilippis—will also represent Gautam Adani according to court documents.
Separate Representation for Sagar Adani
Sagar Adani has retained Timothy D Sini, a partner at Nixon Peabody LLP with significant public prosecution experience as former Suffolk County District Attorney. Sini specializes in matters involving government investigations and regulatory agency charges, particularly those brought by the SEC.
The younger Adani has also appointed Sean Hecker, founding partner of boutique law firm Hecker Fink LLP, who gained prominence representing E. Jean Carroll in her successful lawsuits against Donald Trump. A jury verdict in May 2023 found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, ordering him to pay $5 million in damages to Carroll.
The Allegations and Investigations
The legal battle stems from serious allegations made by US authorities in November 2024. Prosecutors claim that approximately $250 million in bribes were paid to unnamed Indian officials between 2020 and 2024 to secure favorable terms on solar power contracts awarded to Adani Green Energy Ltd and Azure Power Global Ltd.
The US Department of Justice has indicted eight individuals in connection with these alleged bribery schemes, while the SEC has initiated parallel proceedings against the Adani family members and separately against Cyril Cabanes, a former Azure Power executive.
According to the indictment, Adani Green Energy raised approximately $2 billion from US and foreign investors based on what authorities claim were false and misleading statements about the company's anti-corruption and anti-bribery efforts. This has triggered both criminal investigation by the Department of Justice and civil investigation by the SEC.
Previous Legal Representation and Denials
Gautam Adani had previously engaged Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP for legal representation. However, his first submission to the court last month was drafted by Sullivan & Cromwell attorneys, though it remains unclear whether the earlier firms continue to be retained.
The Adani Group has consistently denied all allegations, describing them as "baseless" while reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance and compliance. Neither the attorneys involved nor the Adani Group responded to requests for comment regarding the new legal appointments.
This high-stakes legal battle represents a significant challenge for one of India's largest conglomerates, with potential implications for international investor confidence and cross-border regulatory enforcement. The case is expected to proceed through what legal experts anticipate will be a protracted court process in the United States.
