J Sagar Associates (JSA) Mumbai salaried partner Vikrant Patwardhan has joined the world’s largest independent steel trader Stemcor as its general counsel India.

When contacted, Patwardhan confirmed his joining but declined to comment further.

Patwardhan was promoted to salaried partner at JSA only in April, alongside five others in Mumbai and three others across India.

The 1995-University of Mumbai physics graduate, switched to law at J Sagar Associates (JSA) in 2006 after nearly 10 years at the Indian Customs service. Between 2011 and 2012, Patwardhan had a brief stint as a principal associate at Amarchand.

London-headquartered Stemcor is one of Britain’s largest companies and the world’s largest independent steel trader, spanning finance, logistics and stockholding, acting as an interface between producers and buyers of steel.

JSA Mumbai partner Dina Wadia commented in an email: “Vikrant has left the firm to pursue opportunities in the corporate sector and we wish him every success.”