Key people

Kiran Paudel is the Founder and Managing Partner of Wisdom Law Associates and a leading authority on public procurement and dispute resolution in Nepal. A top-ranked achiever in the Nepal Bar Council Exam (2017), Kiran brings a rare blend of academic excellence, sector-specific insight, and extensive experience to his practice. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Sharda University, India, with a research focus on pre-arbitration procedures in public procurement disputes, a field in which he is widely recognized as a specialist.
Kiran is FIDIC-certified across major contract frameworks (1999 & 2017 editions) and has handled over 600 court cases and more than 200 arbitration proceedings, making him one of the most active and sought-after legal professionals in the field. His clientele spans national and international construction companies, energy and infrastructure developers, and public entities involved in high-stakes procurement and contract disputes. He has acted as both arbitrator and lead counsel in complex commercial and infrastructure-related arbitrations, including proceedings seated in Singapore under ICC and UNCITRAL rules.
In addition to representing clients before the Supreme Court, High Courts, Dispute Boards, and Arbitration Tribunals, Kiran has advised on major infrastructure projects such as hydropower, expressways, international airports, urban development schemes, and cross-border transmission lines—often with values exceeding billions of Nepalese rupees. His advisory work includes over 65 legal opinions for multinational corporations, government agencies, and joint ventures operating in Nepal, making him a trusted voice in public infrastructure law and international commercial arbitration.
Kiran is a Central Executive Member of the Nepal Bar Association, a member of the Pokhara High Court Bar Association, and affiliated with the Dispute Resolution Centre Nepal (DRCN); registered as non-profit under the office of Company Registrar. His professional training includes certification from the Nepal Council of Arbitration (NEPCA) and participation in international legal conferences, such as the IBA Asia Pacific Regional Forum in Singapore. Known for his analytical rigor, precise legal drafting, and results-oriented approach, Kiran has built a practice defined by clarity, strategic counsel, and client trust.
Beyond the courtroom, Kiran is an avid golfer and life member of the Royal Nepal Golf Club and Gokarna Forest Golf Resort.

Ashankan Malla is the firm’s lead counsel in complex litigation, renowned for his strategic clarity and deep command over Nepal’s corporate and commercial dispute landscape. A graduate of the prestigious National Law School of India University, Bangalore, Ashankan has argued precedent-setting cases across all tiers of Nepal’s judiciary. With over 100 reported judgments to his credit, his litigation practice spans shareholder disputes, securities regulation, intellectual property rights enforcement, and cross-border enforcement actions. Respected for his courtroom presence and persuasive advocacy, Ashanka is often engaged in matters involving high financial stakes and regulatory sensitivity.

Criminal Law /Corruption/ Cyber Crime

Rastra Bimochan Timalsena is a prominent criminal defense lawyer and Partner at Wisdom Law Associates, where he leads the firm’s Criminal Law, Anti-Corruption, and Legal Crisis Management practice. A graduate of the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, he is frequently engaged in high-profile criminal and regulatory cases involving white-collar offenses, public procurement fraud, financial misconduct, and compliance violations. He has a notable track record representing clients before Nepal’s Special Court in corruption-related matters brought by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). His practice also extends to the emerging fields of cybercrime and cryptocurrency disputes, where he advises on digital fraud, data breaches, and blockchain-related offenses. Known for his tactical precision and courtroom clarity, Rastra brings strategic depth to matters that carry serious legal, financial, and reputational risks.
Beyond litigation, Rastra is widely regarded as a celebrity lawyer and one of Nepal’s most visible legal voices. He is the founder of a well-known YouTube legal commentary platform, where he demystifies complex legal issues for a broad audience, analyzes landmark cases, and contributes to public legal awareness. His influence extends to academia as well he serves as the Assistant Principal of National Law College in Kathmandu, mentoring the next generation of legal professionals. With a practice that bridges traditional criminal law, digital innovation, and public engagement, Rastra exemplifies the modern, multidimensional legal practitioner.

Corporate Law | Transactions | Legal Risk Management

Nida Doon Malla leads the Firm’s Corporate Team. She specializes in Legal Risk Management with a focus on transactional law and is also a respected arbitration counsel. Nida is a graduate of the National Law University, Delhi. Nida holds the position of Membership Chair for the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Young Entrepreneurs Forum (CNIYEF) and is a member of the Dispute Resolution Centre Nepal.

Constitutional Law| Family Law

Bhabesh Gautam leads the firm’s practice in Constitutional Law, Writs, and Family Disputes. He brings his extensive expertise to cases involving constitutional issues and family matters.

Arbitration | Construction Contracts |Energy and Infrastructure Law

Manasvi Koirala specializes in Construction Contracts, Arbitration, and Energy and Infrastructure Law. She earned her B.A., LL.B. from The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, India. Known for her contract management Manasvi leads the firm’s Energy and Infrastructure Law practice.

Sagar Adhikari is a Chartered Accountant and leads the Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, and Advisory services in Nepal and India. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).

Taxation | Arbitration | Procurement Law

Sharad Prasad Koirala is a Senior Advocate of Nepal with over 30 years of experience. He specializes in Corporate Law, Business Law, Commercial Arbitration, Taxation, and White-Collar Crimes, and has over 1,300 reported judgments to his credit. He serves as a Consulting Partner at Wisdom Law Associates.