with requisite expertise in tackling cyber threats. The move to make ZOOM IN |LE
disclosures on the competency of the board of a company in the
cyberspace will serve as a harbinger for regulators around the world standards will prod companies
to introduce similar disclosure requirements in their country. to look into the best practices in
While it would be ideal for regulatory measures in connection with protecting their digital assets.
cybersecurity to be applied to both listed and unlisted companies, such The SEBI has set the ball
actions would be seen as an act of regulatory overreach. Therefore, rolling by suggesting that ESG
the strengthening of the cybersecurity infrastructure needs to begin mutual funds can invest only in
with the companies acknowledging that reliance on competent companies which make BRSR
resources, both internal and external, is no longer an option but a disclosures. While the pressing
necessity. Companies also need to voluntarily constitute committees need is to prescribe ESG
which exclusively deal with cyber threats and precautionary measures standards, as a matter of urgency,
to be adopted to thwart cyber attacks, and the boards of directors a voluntary implementation of
need to discuss cyber threats and security measures regularly in their the best governance practices
meetings. Therefore, self-regulation should be the governing-principle combined with rules mandating
for currently unregulated entities, whereby they strive to adopt the investment only into companies
highest standards in assessing and dealing with cyber attacks. which make their ESG practices
While it is important for companies to strengthen their cybersecurity transparent will go a long
as a measure of good corporate governance, it is all the more way in increasing the value of
important for cybercriminals that companies don’t. A specific mandate sustainable businesses, and, in
by the regulators to include cybersecurity as one of the core-ESG ESG, cybersecurity ought to
take as much precedence as
other burning issues in making
the decision to become a
shareholder of a company.
ATBHOUET Author: Dorothy Thomas
Designation: Partner
AUTHOR
Ms. Dorothy Thomas is a Partner at the Chennai office of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, and is
ranked as one of the leading corporate lawyers in Tamil Nadu. Her practice focuses on General
Corporate, especially FDI into the State of Tamil Nadu, and Real Estate. She holds an impressive
track record of over 25 years of hands-on experience in India, UK and USA and has served as lead
consultant for several Fortune 500 companies based in North America and Europe.
Author: Abhishek Mahendran
Designation: Senior Associate
Mr. Abhishek Mahendran is a Senior Associate at the Chennai office of Shardul Amarchand
Mangaldas & Co. He holds an LL.M. in Corporate Law from Pune University. He specializes in
general corporate law including mergers and acquisitions and corporate advisory services and has
advised several clients who are primarily in the healthcare, construction, non-banking finance, IT
and manufacturing sectors.
Disclaimer – The views expressed in this article are the personal views of the authors and are purely informative in nature.
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 51
LE | ZOOM IN
Applicability Of The
“Single Economic Entity”
Concept To Cartels
Section 3 of the Competition Act, 2002 (as amended) (“Act”) prohibits agreements that
cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India. The CCI’s jurisprudence on
Section 3, and specifically cartels, has become quite nuanced and mature. However, an
issue that remains unsettled between the CCI and parties defending allegations of anti-
competitive conduct is whether agreements between a corporation and its “group”2
entities can be investigated and enquired into under Section 3 of the Act.
It is often argued that entities falling within the same group are essentially part of a single
economic entity (“SEE”), and hence, agreements among group entities cannot be scrutinized under
1 Explanation (b) of Section 5 of the Act defines “group” as two or more enterprises which are, directly or indirectly,
in a position to:
a. exercise 26% or more of the voting rights in the other enterprise; or
b. appoint more than 50% of the members of the board of directors in the other enterprise; or
c. control the management or affairs of the other enterprise.
2 Exclusive Motors Private Limited v. Automobili Lamborghini S.P.A., Order dated 6 November 2012 in Case No. 52
of 2012.
52 JUNE-JULY 2022 www.legaleraonline.com
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An issue that remains unsettled between the CCI and
parties defending allegations of anti-competitive
conduct is whether agreements between a corporation
and its “group”1 entities can be investigated and
enquired into under Section 3 of the Act…
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 53
LE | ZOOM IN Section 3 of the Act. The SEE defense emanates from the principle that a
corporation cannot collude or conspire with its own group enterprises, as a
SAGARDEEP RATHI result of common interests, joint functioning, and lack of independence of
Partner such enterprises. The SEE concept has been previously considered by the
CCI in several cases, but with divergent interpretations.
ARMAAN GUPTA
Associate CCI’s Decisional Practice so far
54 JUNE-JULY 2022 In the Exclusive Motors3 case, the CCI examined allegations of an anti-
competitive agreement under Section 3 of the Act between Automobili
Lamborghini S.P.A. (“Lamborghini”) and Volkswagen Group Sales Private
Limited (“Volkswagen”) and observed that agreements between entities
constituting one enterprise could not be assessed under the Act. The CCI
noted that as long as Lamborghini and Volkswagen formed part of the same
group, they would be a SEE and an internal agreement between them would
not be considered as an agreement for the purposes of Section 3 of the
Act. Notably, the erstwhile Competition Appellate Tribunal (“COMPAT”)
upheld the CCI’s findings on SEE after highlighting the parent company’s
significant shareholding in the subsidiary.
Similarly, in the Shamsher Kataria4 matter, the COMPAT concurred with
the CCI’s observations on certain automobile manufacturers’ overseas
agreements with their parent companies / affiliates abroad. It concluded
that the respective manufacturers and their parent / affiliates could be
termed to be part of a SEE since they belonged to the same group where
the affiliate’s decision-making was largely influenced by the parent’s
policy. On this basis, the COMPAT determined that the internal overseas
arrangements between the parent companies and their affiliates were
excluded from scrutiny under Section 3(4) of the Act.
Keeping up with this trend, the CCI assessed claims of contravention of
Section 3 of the Act in Kansan News5, but refused to hold the entities, which
were part of the same group, liable under Section 3(3) of the Act. It opined
that they could not form a cartel.
The CCI further clarified its views in the Public Sector Insurance Cartel6
case. Bid rigging in a tender floated by the Government of Kerala was
alleged against certain public sector insurance companies (“PSICs”).
The PSICs asserted that they constituted a SEE as the Government of
India, through the Ministry of Finance (“MoF”), held 100% shareholding
in them and controlled their management and affairs. Nevertheless,
the CCI rejected their claims while observing that (i) the PSICs placed
separate bids in response to the tender, and (ii) the PSICs participated in
the tender independent of the MoF, through independent decision-making
3 Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited v. Competition Commission of India, Order dated
9 December 2016 in Appeal No. 60 of 2014.
4 Kansan News Private Limited v. Fastway Transmission Private Limited, Order dated 3 July
2012 in Case No. 36 of 2011.
5 In Re: Cartelization by public sector insurance companies in rigging the bids submitted
in response to the tenders floated by the Government of Kerala for selecting insurance
service provider for Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna, Order dated 10 July 2015 in Suo
Motu Case No. 02 of 2014.
6 Delhi Jal Board v. Grasim Industries Limited and Others, Order dated 5 October 2017 in
Reference Case Nos. 03 and 04 of 2013.
www.legaleraonline.com
ZOOM IN |LE
and strategies. After establishing these facts, the CCI noted that the MoF held that the concept of group or
did not exercise any de facto or de jure control over the PSICs’ business SEE is inherently unknown and
decisions in submitting the tender bids. The CCI observed that the PSICs inapplicable to cartel proceedings.
were separately incorporated, competing entities with separate balance
sheets and concluded that they could not constitute a SEE. Aftermath
Comparably, in the Delhi Jal Board7 case, while countering bid rigging
allegations, Grasim Industries Limited (“GIL”) and Aditya Birla Chemicals The shift in the CCI’s standpoint
(India) Limited (“ABCIL”) contended that, as part of the same group, in the Shipping Lines Cartel
they constituted a SEE, with common decision makers, management order has resulted in significant
/ employees, promoters, directors, customers, logo, central marketing ambiguity in the applicability of
team, etc. and could therefore not be held liable for cartelization. The CCI the SEE defense to proceedings
highlighted that despite being part of the same group, GIL and ABCIL bid under Section 3 of the Act. If
as separate entities and behaved like competing companies in the market the CCI decides to adopt such a
as well as before the procurer. The CCI ascertained that, GIL and ABCIL, view in future cases, agreements
by submitting different bids, consciously decided to represent themselves between subsidiaries and their
as independent decision-making centers to the procurer and accordingly parent enterprises could become
refused their SEE claims. The CCI, in addition to its factual analysis, went subject to antitrust scrutiny. This
a step further and distinguished bid rigging cases in public procurement may adversely impact the ease
from previous cases that dealt with SEE. It highlighted that the definition of doing business in the country,
of “group” under Section 5 was applicable only to merger control and could with corporations being required
not be applied to proceedings under Section 3 of the Act. CCI’s distinction to reassess their internal group
of the SEE concept in bid rigging matters can also be seen in a subsequent arrangements from a competition
order8, where the CCI dismissed claims of bid rigging against entities of the perspective. The Shipping Lines
same group, primarily because the procurer was specifically informed that Cartel decision can potentially
the bidding entities were related. expose corporations to motivated
The CCI, however, switched its position in its recent decision in the Shipping and frivolous complaints before the
Lines Cartel9 case. Inconsistent with its previous orders, the CCI explicitly CCI, with the unforeseen scrutiny
of agreements within a group.
7 NLC India Limited v. M/s Phoenix Conveyor Belt India Private Limited and Others, Order dated 9 November 2018 in Case No. 42 of 2018.
8 In Re: Cartelisation by Shipping Lines in the matter of provision of Maritime Motor Vehicle Transport Services to the Original Equipment
Manufacturers, Order dated 20 January 2022 in Suo Motu Case No. 10 of 2014.
ATBHOUET Author: Sagardeep Rathi
Designation: Partner
AUTHOR
Sagardeep Rathi is a Partner in the Competition / Antitrust practice group in the New Delhi office. He
regularly advises clients on a variety of competition law issues on agreements, abuse of dominance
and merger control filings in various sectors. He is also actively involved in conducting competition
compliance trainings for clients in diverse sectors. Sagardeep also has extensive experience in
relation to leniency applications filed at the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and assisting
clients in dawn raids.
Author: Armaan Gupta
Designation: Associate
Armaan is an associate in Khaitan & Co’s Delhi office. He has more than two years’ experience of
competition enforcement and merger control. He has represented clients in diverse sectors including
investments, banking, healthcare, cement, automotive parts and technology.
Disclaimer – The views expressed in this article are the personal views of the authors and are purely informative in nature.
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 55
LE | INJUNCTURE
11th Annual Indian Legal Awards 2021-22
56 JUNE-JULY 2022 www.legaleraonline.com
EXCLUSIVE |LE
Celebrating Individual Excellence And Excellence Of Each Other
Legal Era Presents The Gala 11th Annual
Legal Era Awards 2021-2022
Recognizing Legal Finesse, Innovation & Accomplishments
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 57
All the legal luminaries enjoying the 11th Annual Legal Era Awards 2022 evening
a glittering high-profile hybrid awards
ceremony on 7th May in the spectacular
environs of Hotel Shangri-La, New Delhi
attended by an international gathering of law
and industry stalwarts across time zones, Legal Era proudly
hosted its flagship 11th Annual Legal Era Awards 2022.
The grandeur of the show was a much-awaited occasion to
celebrate Legal Finesse, Innovation, and Accomplishments in
the most impactful way - a unique mix of gravitas and gala.
Legal Era - Legal Media Group has done it again - acknowledging
the painstaking work undertaken by law firms, legal teams,
and legal practitioners in India and abroad. The eminent
Legal Era Awards Jury evaluated a staggering volume of
entries from Legal Practitioners, In-House Teams, and Law
Firms for thoroughness and sensitivity to 2021-22’s diverse
circumstances and experiences while also noting incredible
work by young lawyers leading the way.
The categories of Awards were categorized into Four Segments.
The First Segment showcased the Best Law Firms 2022 for
their legal finesse, innovation and accomplishment, and this
year also for their resilience. The Second Segment recognized
Best Legal Teams 2022 (In-House). The Third Segment was the
58 JUNE-JULY 2022 www.legaleraonline.com
Exclusive
Legal Era Premier League Segment recognizing Individuals for
their par Excellence & Outstanding Contribution in the field of
Law. And the Final Segment Recognized the Best Legal Minds
for their best work in 2022 from In-House & Law Firms.
in a post-pandemic world,
Legal Era was increasingly
about community building
and working hand-in-hand -
globally.
Aakriti Raizada
Founder, Legal Era
Legal Media Group
The event began with an earnest welcome address by Aakriti
Raizada, Founder, Legal Era - Legal Media Group. Aakriti noted
that meeting in person after two whole years was not just
thrilling but also a moment of gratitude. She highlighted that
today, in a post-pandemic world, Legal Era was increasingly
about community building and working hand-in-hand - globally.
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 59
Aakriti dedicated the Legal Era Awards 2022 to celebrate the togetherness of the legal
fraternity, and she urged the luminous gathering to firepower this single think tank of
lawyers and business leaders so that we can move forward and take the legal industry
and our society to a different level.
Dr. Lalit Bhasin, President, Society of Indian Law Firms, addressed the gathering and
said that Indian Lawyers are second to none “The winners’ list is the culmination of a
meticulous research methodology of selection. The task was rendered difficult as the
nominees out of whom winners were selected were of highest caliber and repute. The
applications went through layers of exhaustive research to ensure thoroughness and
sensitivity to 2021’s diverse circumstances, opportunities, and experience.”
Esteemed presenters graced the gala evening with their addresses and a healthy exchange
of views: Justice Vikram Nath - sitting judge SC, Justice Deepak Verma (retired Judge
SC), G.R. Raghvendra, Joint Secretary, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice,
Government of India, Amarjit Singh Chandhiok, Senior Advocate among others.
The task was rendered
difficult as the nominees
out of whom winners were
selected were of highest
caliber and repute.
Dr. Lalit Bhasin
President, SILF
Former President of Bar
Association Of India
Leadership Excellence Award for Outstanding Excellence & Contribution in The Field of
Law, was received by Manish Sansi, Chief Legal Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited. Legal
Excellence Award for Professional Social Responsibility (PSR) as a Senior Counsel, was
Awarded to Rajiv Dutta, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India. Manan Kumar Mishra,
Senior Advocate, Chairman, Bar Council of India was felicitated with the Leadership
Excellence Award as a Official Leader of the Indian Bar.
The Award of the Evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award honored to Dushyant
Dave, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India & The Lifetime Achievement Award (from
Law Firm) was honored to Jyoti Sagar, Chairman & Founder, JSA. Senior Counsel of the
Year was Gourab Banerji, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India & The Star Senior
Counsel of the Decade was honored to Mukul Rohatgi, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court
of India.
60 JUNE-JULY 2022 www.legaleraonline.com
Exclusive
Justice Vikram Nath Justice Deepak Verma
Sitting Judge of the Supreme Court Former Judge
of India; Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India
Gujarat High Court and former Judge
of Allahabad High Court
When the Legal Era Awards 2021-2022 awardees received their coveted recognition,
they expressed their thrill and applauded Legal Era for organizing such a meaningful
event. Many also shared the prime challenges they faced during the pandemic and
recognized the intense team effort behind their winning on-stage moment. The very
successful awards evening closed with group photographs of the winners and a great
camaraderie over cocktails and dinner.
Legal Era has set yet another benchmark for rewarding the top talent of the legal industry
with global visibility and relationship-building opportunities like no other. In a borderless
digital-first world and fast-growing economy, Legal Era has always taken a collaborative
approach to taking the legal industry along, whether it be to contribute to the country
G.R. Raghvendra Amarjit Singh Chandhiok
Joint Secretary, Department President Elect
of Justice, Ministry of Law & Bar Association Of India
Justice, Government of India
or the legal industry. We can only imagine Legal Era Awards 2021-2022 Awardees to
wear this formidable badge of pride and honor as the awards have acquired a distinctly
international flavor.
The next edition and the potential for opportunities are set to expand and
flourish.
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 61
(L-R) Shardul Shroff, Executive Chairman, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. receiving
the Insolvency & Restructuring lawyer of the Year Award from Justice Deepak Verma,
Former Judge, Supreme Court of India; Dr. Lalit Bhasin, President, SILF; Jyoti Sagar,
Chairman and Founder, JSA Advocates & Solicitors, Managing Partner, K&S Partners,
Intellectual Property Attorneys & Aakriti Raizada, Founder, Legal Era - Legal Media Group
(L-R) Rajiv Dutta, Senior Counsel, receiving Legal Excellence Award for Professional Social (L-R) Pallavi Shroff, Managing Partner,
Responsibility (PSR) as a Senior Counsel from Justice Vikram Nath Sitting Judge of the Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co with
Supreme Court of India; Former Chief Justice, of the Gujarat High Court and former Anand Desai, Managing Partner, DSK Legal
Judge of Allahabad High Court; Dr. Lalit Bhasin, President, SILF & Former President of Bar
Association Of India; Amarjit Singh Chandhiok, President Elect, Bar Association of India
62 JUNE-JULY 2022 www.legaleraonline.com
Exclusive
Star-Studded Gala Evening
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 63
Padma Shri Dr. TK Viswanathan, Chairman, (L-R) Amit Kapur, Joint Managing Partner, JSA & Ameet Naik, Founder
Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee & Managing Partner, Naik Naik & Co
(L-R) Debolina Partap, Senior Vice President Legal & Group General (L-R) Pulin kumar, Sr. Legal Director, Adidas India with
Counsel, Wockhardt Group; Pravin Anand, Managing Partner, Anand Tejal Patil, Senior Legal Advisor, OYO Hotels
and Anand
64 JUNE-JULY 2022 The guests giving a standing ovation to the Lifetime Achievement Awardees
www.legaleraonline.com
Exclusive
Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award Virtually
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 65
(L-R) Shardul Shroff, Executive Chairman, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co; Justice Vikram Nath, Sitting Judge,
Supreme Court of India, honoring Jyoti Sagar, Chairman and Founder, JSA Advocates & Solicitors, Managing Partner, K&S
Partners, Intellectual Property Attorneys, along with Dr. Lalit Bhasin, President Society of Indian Law Firms; Amarjit Singh
Chandhiok, President Elect, Bar Association of India & Vishal Sharma, Managing Partner, Bluewater Advisory Services LLP
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
JYOTI SAGAR
Chairman and Founder, JSA Advocates &
Solicitors, Managing Partner, K&S Partners,
Intellectual Property Attorneys
A law practitioner since 1976, Jyoti Sagar founded J. Sagar
Associates (JSA) in December 1991, in New Delhi as a solo
practitioner. JSA now has more than 360 lawyers in seven offices
around the country.
In 1994, Jyoti founded an intellectual property law boutique
practice which is now known as K&S Partners. The startup team
of three professionals has grown to more than 120 professionals
in five offices in India. His practice focuses on foreign investment
and Intellectual Property.
His singular contribution to the contemporary profession of
law in India is the pioneering role in changing the paradigm of
ownership and management structures in law firms in India.
Both the firms, JSA and K&S introduced features that are
unique in the Indian context. These include a “no family” rule,
admittance to Partnership without requirement of payment
for goodwill, retirement age for partners, performance-based
partner compensation plans, and an institutional practice driven
by purpose, mission, and espoused core values.
Jyoti is Associate President of the Society of Indian Law Firms.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee of
the Asian Patent Attorneys Association, Tokyo, among others.
66 JUNE-JULY 2022 www.legaleraonline.com
Exclusive
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
DUSHYANT DAVE
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Dushyant Dave is a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and
commands practice across India. He has been at the Bar for over 30 years. He
is presently a member of the International Council of Commercial Arbitration
(ICCA), Board of American Arbitration Association (AAA), foundation for
International Arbitration Advocacy of Switzerland (FIAA); and Vice-Chair of the
Arbitration Committee in the International Bar Association (IBA). He was part
of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) between 2003-2008
and is presently President of Asia Pacific Users Council of LCIA. He has also
been a Member of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) constituted
under the Act of Parliament for promotion of legal aid.
His practice is comprehensive and includes Commercial, Arbitration, Corporate, Constitutional and Administrative Laws. He
represents some of the largest corporations from within and outside India. He has also represented the Government of India,
various State Governments and large Public Sector Corporations and Banks from time to time.
STAR SENIOR COUNSEL OF THE DECADE
MUKUL ROHATGI
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Mukul Rohatgi, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, is equally highly
regarded in political, constitutional and corporate litigation. One of the
busiest lawyers in the Supreme Court, he has appeared in litigation across
constitutional law, commercial and corporate law, criminal law, property law,
arbitration law, personal law, maritime law, anti-dumping, taxation, armed
forces, service law and intellectual property law including patents, trademarks,
copyright and industrial designs.
Mukul was admitted to the rolls of the Bar Council of Delhi as an Advocate in
May 1978. He was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Delhi High Court in
1994, at a relatively young age of 39 years. In November 1999, he came to be
appointed as an Additional Solicitor General of India by the Government of India; the tenure ending only in May 2004 with
a change in Government. As a law officer of the Government of India, he handled myriad matters in the Supreme Court and
various High Courts, not only for the Union Government but also various State Governments and Public Sector Enterprises.
In June 2014, he was appointed as the Attorney General for India.
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 67
68 JUNE-JULY 2022 SENIOR COUNSEL OF THE YEAR
GOURAB BANERJI
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Gourab Banerji is one of the few senior counsel, who, apart from being a well-
known senior advocate of the Supreme Court and a former Additional Solicitor
General of India, has established a reputation for himself internationally in the
field of arbitration. After stepping down as a Law Officer of the Union of India in
the Supreme Court in 2014, he was one of the earliest Indian Senior Advocates
to join the barristers’ chambers in London - joining Essex Court Chambers (a
magic circle set) as an Overseas Associate.
A veritable professional, he is known as a lawyer’s lawyer with his meticulous
attention to detail. It is widely acknowledged that he does not appear unprepared
in any matter even if it is likely to be adjourned. His careful use of language and
drafting skills sets him apart. Though a senior advocate, he is renowned for his
cross-examination skills in the industry.
LEGAL EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR
PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
(PSR) AS A SENIOR COUNSEL
RAJIV DUTTA
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Rajiv Dutta, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, has over 45 years of experience.
Rajiv is presently a Member of the Panel of Arbitrators at the Singapore International
Arbitration Centre (SIAC); Panel Arbitrator at the ASSOCHAM International Council
of Alternate Dispute Resolution (AICADR), New Delhi; Panel Arbitrator at the Indian
Council of Arbitration (ICA); and Panel Arbitrator at the Delhi International Arbitration
Centre (DIAC). He has acted as an Arbitrator under the United Nations Commission
on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) model rules, and in ICC International
Commercial Arbitrations.
Rajiv is a Supreme Court-trained Mediator actively involved in the conduct of
mediations at the Supreme Court Mediation Centre. He is a Country Representative
for India at the International Bar Association (IBA) Mediation Committee. He has
been appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Sports Law Committee of the International
Bar Association (IBA); and to the Panel of Arbitrators of the Pacific International
Arbitration Centre (PIAC), Vietnam. He is also an Associate Member of the Chartered
Institute of Arbitrators, and has been elected Vice-President of the Bar Association
of India.
www.legaleraonline.com
INSOLVENCY & RESTRUCTURING Exclusive
LAWS LAWYER OF THE YEAR
JUNE-JULY 2022 69
SHARDUL SHROFF
Executive Chairman
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co
Shardul S. Shroff is the Executive Chairman of the Firm and also
heads the Firm’s Insolvency & Bankruptcy practice. Shardul has been
instrumental in developing and driving the Firm’s vision that is focused
on enabling business by providing solutions as trusted advisors,
through excellence, responsiveness, innovation and collaboration.
He spends his time on guiding the Firm’s strategy and Partners in
building strong relationships with clients and each other internally
across the Firm. Shardul’s four decades of experience span across
a wide spectrum, including expertise in Insolvency and Bankruptcy,
Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities Law, Government Regulations,
Disinvestment & Capital Markets, and Debt Recovery, helping build a
pole position for the Firm in many of these practice areas. Shardul is
a thought leader in the legal domain and consistently rated a leading
corporate lawyer by several international fora and publications.
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING
EXCELLENCE & CONTRIBUTION
IN THE FIELD OF LAW
MANISH SANSI
Chief Legal and Commercial Officer,
Vodafone Idea Limited
Manish Sansi is the Chief Legal and Commercial Officer at Vodafone Idea
Limited. He heads the Pan India Legal function (including contracting,
litigation, compliance, fraud and security & commercial) of VIL. He has
taken result-oriented and time-specific initiatives resulting in massive
cost savings both within the legal & commercial framework. He has
successfully executed several high value commercial contracts. He has
ensured governance compliance with the help of established governance
principles. He has put in place a stringent process of fraud risk and security
management which has helped in detection and prevention of several
frauds/breaches/violations. He handles several complex legal aspects
concerning regulatory matters of VIL.
www.legaleraonline.com
70 JUNE-JULY 2022 MANAGING PARTNER OF THE YEAR
PALLAVI SHROFF
Managing Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
Pallavi Shroff is the Managing Partner of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co and
heads the Dispute Resolution Practice at the Firm. She is also the Chief Mentor
for the Competition Law Practice. Pallavi has been a driving force in further
enhancing the positioning of SAM & Co as India’s premier full service law firm
ever since she took over as a Managing Partner in 2015. Under her guidance,
the Firm has grown to become more than a 100 Partner entity with diversified
practice offerings, accelerated its pan-India presence with offices in seven cities
and embraced technology initiatives such as use of Artificial Intelligence to
transform the way it works. Pallavi has been instrumental in establishing a number
of special initiatives for women that include versatile work arrangements, flexible
timings, women-centric events and fostering women lawyers to advance to
leadership roles. With over 38 years of extensive and highly regarded experience,
Pallavi’s expertise spans across Dispute Resolution, Competition Law and White
Collar Crime. Focused on commercial dispute resolution, Pallavi advises clients on
large trials in formal proceedings but also actively evaluates new or alternative
resolutions to disputes at an early stage, including counseling them during the life
cycle of projects to restrict issues from developing into disputes and, if that does
happen, to ensure the clients have the best legal advice and are well prepared in
the event of litigation or arbitration.
MANAGING PARTNER OF THE YEAR
AKSHAY CHUDASAMA
Co-managing Partner, Shardul Amarchand
Mangaldas & Co.
Akshay is a part of the General Corporate Practice Group, counseling
clients on Corporate / Private Equity transactions, particularly cross-
border transactions at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. Akshay is
particularly noted for his expertise in Construction and Real Estate, IT,
Telecommunication and Media Laws. He has advised on various marquee
transactions including one of the largest PE acquisitions of a strategic
stake in PRL Developers Private Limited by Warburg Pincus; Blackstone’s
acquisition of a stake in the commercial/office space real estate portfolio of
the K Raheja Corp Group, India.
Akshay’s skills and expertise draw from a great depth of experience, handling
landmark deals in a multitude of industries. He is regularly sought after by
a roster of major private equity funds, to whom he offers his expertise in
large private equity transactions, both inbound and outbound. His client
base includes a roster of major private equity funds, to whom he offers his
expertise in large private equity transactions, both inbound and outbound.
www.legaleraonline.com
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWYER Exclusive
OF THE YEAR
JUNE-JULY 2022 71
PRAVIN ANAND
Managing Partner & Head of Litigation, Anand and Anand
Pravin Anand is the Managing Partner at Anand and Anand. In a career
spanning over four decades, Pravin has emerged as an IP trailblazer. He has
strengthened India’s IP jurisprudence with a practice encompassing all areas
of IP litigation, including patents, copyright, design, trademarks, enforcement
and dispute resolution.
Pravin joined Anand and Anand in 1979 as an extension of the law firm
established by his grandfather in 1923. From a one-room office in Old Delhi,
he took the firm to new heights with offices in four major cities and a diverse
gene pool of 400 professionals.
His approach in and out of court broke new grounds in Intellectual Property
Rights and today, from Christian Louboutin to Cartier, from pharma to tech
majors to policymakers and from art to entertainment, Pravin represents most
famous brand owners, leading industries and eminent personalities who rely
on his matchless experience for protection of their Intellectual Property.
LITIGATION LAWYER OF THE YEAR
AMEET NAIK
Founder & Managing Partner, Naik Naik & Co
With over two decades of experience in the fields of dispute resolution,
international arbitration, and general corporate advisory, Ameet Naik is a
lawyer with a rare combination of skill sets and brings varied experience
that allows him to provide bespoke advice to clients, enabling them to
achieve their business and commercial objectives within the contours
of law. He is regarded as a ‘Litigator Par Excellence’ and carries several
important reported judgments and landmark decisions to his credit.
Ameet has been at the forefront of several high-stake litigations and
has represented one of the major Indian stock exchanges in its dispute
against SEBI. In the International Arbitration space, Ameet has handled a
variety of claims from shareholders’ disputes to representing international
players from key industry sectors like oil & gas. Ameet has advised Future
Group over the years including on the ongoing dispute with Amazon.
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72 JUNE-JULY 2022 DISPUTES RESOLUTION
LAWYER OF THE YEAR
ANAND DESAI
Managing Partner, DSK Legal
Anand Desai is the Managing Partner at DSK Legal since it was founded in
April 2001. Recognized as a leading practitioner in India, Anand has over 30
years of extensive domestic and international experience, being a trusted
counsel to several large multinational and Indian corporates and high net
worth individuals, including many business leaders and celebrities.
An astute litigator and negotiator, Anand has developed a strong track
record of successfully representing many high profile clients in criminal and
civil litigation including in the areas of real estate, commercial disputes,
intellectual property, and anti-trust and information technology, as also
getting several large commercial deals concluded. Clients look forward to
his innovative and strategic inputs to optimize their strategy, and his counsel
is deeply valued by several HNIs and celebrities for their professional and
personal legal requirements.
PRIVATE CLIENT LAWYER OF
THE YEAR
RAJESH NARAIN GUPTA
Managing Partner, SNG & Partners
Rajesh Narain Gupta is practicing for the last 33 years and his area of
specialization includes Banking and Finance, Commercial Laws, Real
Estate and Private Client Practice.
Rajesh has been a pioneer in the area of private wealth laws and advised
Ultra HNIs and HNIs on matters connected with Business and Personal
Succession Planning. He is also founder – shareholder of Warmond
Trustees and Executors. His areas of specialization include Banking and
Finance, Commercial Laws, Dispute Resolution, Real Estate and Private
Client Practice. He is an advisor to a number of Foreign and Indian Banks,
Financial Institutions, Corporate and Industrial Houses and Real Estate
players. Private Client Practice which includes Business Restructuring,
Succession Estate Planning is one of his significant practice areas.
Closely connected with the banking and financial industry for over three
decades, he has worked closely with the top management in setting up
new banks, including branches of foreign banks in India, NBFCs AIFs.
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Exclusive
PATENT LAWYER OF THE YEAR
MANISHA SINGH
Founder and Partner, LexOrbis
Manisha is a Founder and Partner of LEXORBIS, India’s premier
Intellectual Property (IP) practice headquartered in New Delhi.
As an IP Attorney, she has the unique distinction of practicing
IP at the prosecution and enforcement levels. She has extensive
experience in the post lodgment prosecution of all forms of IP
assets. She has also been acting as a litigating counsel both at
the original and appellate side in relation to IPR cases. She is a
member of various Indian and International IP based professional
bodies.
CORPORATE & M&A LAWYER OF THE YEAR JUNE-JULY 2022 73
HAIGREVE KHAITAN
Senior Partner, Khaitan & Co
Haigreve Khaitan is a Senior Partner and leads the Firm’s Corporate, M&A and
Private/Equity practices. He is an elected member of the National Executive
Committee of the Firm, which is responsible for the Firm’s strategic growth
and development. He is also one of the co-founders of the Firm’s Mumbai
office. He advises companies, boards of directors and financial institutions on
a wide range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private
equity investments, corporate governance, corporate restructuring and other
corporate and securities laws matters.
Haigreve has been involved in some of the most high-profile and complex M&A
and private equity transactions in India and is sought after for his expertise
by some of the most prominent Indian promoters, Indian and international
companies, Indian regulatory agencies as well as some of the largest global
funds investing in India. He advises a range of large Indian conglomerates and
multinational clients in various business sectors, including financial services,
manufacturing, retail, infrastructure, steel, and software and information
technology. Haigreve is counted among the top lawyers of the country.
www.legaleraonline.com
74 JUNE-JULY 2022 CORPORATE & M&A LAWYER
OF THE YEAR
RAGHUBIR MENON
Regional Practice Head – Mumbai, M&A and Private
Equity, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co
Raghubir Menon is a Corporate, M&A and PE Partner at the Firm.
He is an expert on matters pertaining to Mergers & Acquisitions and
Private Equity. Raghubir advises numerous corporates, sovereign
wealth funds and private equity funds, MNCs, and strategic corporate
clients on a variety of domestic and cross-border transactions. He has
also represented clients in a large number of complex public M&A
acquisitions for listed Indian companies. Raghubir actively represents
large corporate clients such as the National Stock Exchange, One97
Communications Limited, Walmart, Flipkart, Vodafone, Sembcorp and
blue chip PE and SWF clients such as Blackstone, KKR, the Canada
Pension Plan Investment Board, General Atlantic, GIC, Temasek, ADIA,
Vista Equity Partners, Silver Lake Capital and the National Investment
and Infrastructure Fund. Prior to joining Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Co., Raghubir has worked with White & Case LLP, in London and
Singapore, for five years.
TRADEMARK LAWYER OF THE YEAR
SAFIR ANAND
Senior Partner and Head of Contractual &
Commercial IP, Anand & Anand
Safir Anand, Senior Partner and Head of Contractual Commercial IP at
Anand & Anand is accredited as one of India’s Top Attorney’s with over
25 years of experience in providing inputs on strategy, business models,
marketing and commercial insights blended with an astute understanding
of IP law that encompasses IP protection, IP enforcement, IP agreements,
licensing, franchising, monetization and due diligence.
He very actively works as an IP advisor and works towards providing Inputs
towards strategy, Business models, marketing and Commercial Insights
blended with an astute understanding of the IP law. He has taken several
initiatives to create IP awareness across all. Also, he was a part of the Andhra
Pradesh Govt Task Force, Dept of Information Technology, Electronics and
Communications Dept to work on setting up India’s first CYBER School.
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YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR Exclusive
(LAW FIRM 42 YRS & BELOW)
JUNE-JULY 2022 75
PARIDHI ADANI
Partner & Head, Cyril Amarchand
Mangaldas, Ahmedabad
Paridhi Adani is one of the youngest lawyers in the firm who has
achieved a lot in her young age. Based out of Ahmedabad, Paridhi
heads the Firm’s Gujarat office which has been expanding rapidly. She
has been active in incubating the Firm’s practice and the opening of
the CAM office in GIFT City. She is also part of the France desk at the
firm. Paridhi has an elite group of clients like Adani Group and Google.
Paridhi is active on the L&D side of the Firm and the profession and
assists the Firm’s management on many of its initiatives in this space.
According to Paridhi, a Successful lawyer is the one who understands
client needs and who is technically strong and comes up with creative
solutions for complex issues.
YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR
(LAW FIRM 42 YRS & BELOW)
DEEP ROY
Managing Partner, Equilex
Deep Roy is the founding partner at Equilex. Deep has extensive experience
in the banking and finance space and has received recognition from
several international legal rating agencies. Deep’s experience includes
trade finance, structured finance, acquisition finance, asset finance,
project finance, restructuring (whether on stressed assets or otherwise),
asset reconstruction and other syndicated lending transactions. Such
debt transactions include cross-border structures including matters
dealing with external commercial borrowing regulations, overseas direct
investment regulations and their respective security and contractual
comforts. He has also been assisting clients with legal advice on their
product structuring (including retail products) and providing standard
documents in relation to the same. He has gained experience on advising
clients in the fintech sector and collaborating with banks and financial
institutions in this space. In addition to the banking practice, he has
also been providing regulatory advice to clients on exchange control
regulations in India and on other regulations issued by the Reserve Bank
of India (“RBI”).
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76 JUNE-JULY 2022 GLOBAL GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR
VINEET VIJ
Global General Counsel, Tech Mahindra Ltd
Vineet Vij is currently serving as the Global General Counsel of Tech Mahindra
Group, a US$ 6 Billion Indian multinational enterprise providing a diversified array
of service offerings across IT, ITeS, Consulting and BPO domains to its clients
worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies. He leads a team of 100 passionate
and business-focused lawyers spread across the globe with presence in India,
US, Mexico, UK, Netherlands, Israel, etc. He along with his team are responsible
for taking care of the legal and regulatory aspects to support the organization’s
growth along with due compliance to applicable laws. This involves supporting
multi-billion cross-border commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions,
disputes and litigations, global compliances, legal policy and regulatory, IPR,
and strategic legal support with the overall responsibility to safeguard the legal
business interests of the company and its principal officers. As part of the overall
department structure, the legal teams of group companies worldwide, namely,
Comviva Technologies, Born Group, Target Group, Tech Mahindra Business
Services and LCC also work under his supervision and guidance.
GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
RAJEEV CHOPRA
Managing Director – Legal, Accenture Global Delivery
Centres and Head – Legal for Accenture India, The
Philippines and Sri Lanka
Rajeev Chopra, currently in the 27th year of his career, has been a litigation
lawyer, worked in law firms and been a General Counsel for reputed Indian
and Multinational Corporations. His rich blend of experience in various roles,
adds various perspectives in evaluating legal matters. He started his career with
private practice in the Delhi High Court, before moving to law firms in corporate
commercial practice. He has been the General Counsel and led legal teams in LG,
Airtel and Dell, before joining Accenture in 2007. As Managing Director – Legal,
Rajeev holds ultimate responsibility for legal support to Accenture Global Delivery
Centers whilst also being head of legal for India, the Philippines, Bangladesh and
Sri Lanka. Rajeev steers a team of 17 legal professionals in India and is further
supported by a team of 22 legal professionals from the Global Legal Network.
Rajeev has earned trust and respect from his internal clients, by consistently
delivering strategic support to business and operations. Rajeev has set a high
standard of ethical behavior for the team, organization and in the marketplace.
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GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR Exclusive
BHASKAR CHANDRAN JUNE-JULY 2022 77
Group General Counsel, GMR Group
A highly regarded General Counsel, Bhaskar Chandran is the Group General
Counsel of one of India’s topmost Infrastructure giants – the GMR Group,
heading its legal function spanning their Airports, Energy and Transportation
Urban Infrastructure sectors. Bhaskar has held leadership positions in several
Indian conglomerates (Tata Group) or global groups (Monsanto, Syngenta, etc.).
He is an expert on dispute resolution management and has been involved in
multiple complex arbitrations, both domestic and international. He brings
with him over 3 decades of rich experience in the legal and regulatory fields,
in particular, Regulatory Strategy, Corporate Governance, Legal Compliance,
Secretarial, Litigation Management and Structured Transactions in large Indian
and multinational companies. He is well known for his focus on complex disputes
and arbitrations (domestic and international) in highly regulated sectors and his
prodigious experience in dispute resolution management over the years, has
accorded him a forte in dispute resolution strategy. He has worked extensively
with top Indian & International Law Firms on several complex transactions and
litigations. His varied experience and accomplishments makes him one of the
highly talented General Counsels in India.
GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR
SORMISTHA GHOSH
Group General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer,
Strides Pharma
Sormistha Ghosh is a qualified lawyer from India having almost 25 years of
experience. She was a consulting lawyer for almost a decade before transitioning
to in-house roles with Indian subsidiaries of Global MNCs. Sormistha has been
in Strides Pharma, amongst the top 500 listed companies in India with global
operations, for over five years, currently in the roles of Group General Counsel
and Chief Risk Officer.
In her current role, she oversees the functions of legal, secretarial, compliance and
enterprise risk management. It is a perfect example of exercising equal efforts for
strategy, operations, collaboration, risk management and creating a legal center
of excellence, bringing value to the Group operations as board member of the
US entity (a material subsidiary outside India), where board members consist of
independent director also. As a Chief Risk Officer, she is responsible to the Risk
Management Committee and the Board of Directors for reporting pro-actively all
the risks identified for the corporation globally.
www.legaleraonline.com
78 JUNE-JULY 2022 POLICY & REGULATORY LAWYER
OF THE YEAR
ABHISHEKH KANOI
Head of Legal & Group Company Secretary, PDS Limited
Abhishek Kanoi has rich and diverse in-house corporate experience of over 16
years in Corporate Legal and Commercial Space across various industries such as
law firm, hospitality, manufacturing, automotive, media entertainment and non-
banking financial institutions with special reference to emerging technology and
convergence. His wide array of specialization includes Legal Affairs, Corporate
Secretarial, IPO Listing, Regulatory Compliances, RBI FEMA Matters, Merger
& Acquisition, Listing Compliances (India Overseas Entities), Venture Capital
Investments, Cross-Border and Domestic Transactions, Intellectual Property
Rights, Copyrights, Media and Entertainment Laws.
He was adjudged as Chief Compliance Innovator of the Year by UBS Forum in
the year 2019 and Young Achiever of the Year by Legal Era in the year 2021. He
helped develop a new global legal and governance framework for the company
while ensuring its overseas expansion is brought into line with this centralized
approach. Abhishek Kanoi is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Company
Secretaries of India. He is also an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute
for Securities & Investments, United Kingdom.
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT
LAWYER OF THE YEAR
SACHIN KALRA
Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, HT Media
Limited (Group)
Sachin Kalra is the Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, HT Media Limited
(Group). Sachin holds a specialization in Corporate Law and Intellectual Property
Rights Law. Sachin started out as a faculty of law in Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune.
Subsequently, he decided to pursue a career in litigation as a practising lawyer &
thereafter a corporate.
Sachin in his prior assignments headed & represented the legal function of Bharti
AXA, Bharti Retail, SAMSUNG (South-West Asia), Vodafone India and has had wide
experience of handling a diverse range of legal matters in different industries like
Insurance, Telecom, FMCG, Retail, Real Estate, Electronics, Consumer Durables,
Education and Media.
Always open to challenges and learning, Sachin has never been coy of taking up
new tasks in any environment. His career he says is and will always be a means of
learning and exploring the unconventional.
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MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT Exclusive
LAWYER OF THE YEAR
JUNE-JULY 2022 79
PRIYANKA CHAUDHARI
Director, Litigation, Content Grievances & Intellectual
Property, Netflix India
Priyanka Chaudhari joined Netflix Entertainment Services India LLP in May
2019. She was hired to lead the Intellectual Property Team of India which later
expanded. Today, she leads legal verticals of Intellectual Property, Litigation and
Content Grievances for Netflix India.
As a Media & Entertainment lawyer, she got an extraordinary opportunity to
launch & build a specialist legal team for Netflix India to manage all things related
to Media & Entertainment laws that spread across the lifecycle of a title and at
times even after a title goes live on Netflix. Her team handles everything from
chain of title due diligence, title clearances, production clearances of content,
assessing legal sensitivities in the content, advising on content and IP related laws
and regulations, enforcement actions, content & music related claims, content
grievances and litigation etc. Her team’s prime motto as the lawyers working on
content is to support creative freedom & creator’s vision and expression.
TELCOM LAWYER OF THE YEAR
THOMAS JOSEPH
Vice President Legal, Vodafone Idea Limited
Thomas Joseph is the Vice President – Legal in Vodafone Idea Limited’s
Enterprise segment which is the B2B model of sales to various enterprises and
carriers across the domestic and international market. He started his career as
an in-house lawyer with Crompton Greaves Limited in 2000. His keen interest
is to solve business legal problems across all business segments making him
grow in leaps and bounds in corporate where he found his calling, and he
has never looked back since then. He is a seasoned Legal Counsel with more
than 22+ years of experience working in the Telecom, Manufacturing, Pharma
Sectors.
Thomas’ ability to combine business, law and technology has been hallmark of
his career. He thrives on building teams and systems and processes to enable
scale the organization to the next level which he achieved in high growth
organizations as well as large organizations. His business partners invariably
compliment him for his ability to speak the language of business while solving
legal problems keeping the organization’s interest and value in front.
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80 JUNE-JULY 2022 YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR
(42 YRS & BELOW)
SAHIL VOHRA
General Counsel & VP Legal, Times Internet
Sahil Vohra is the Vice President and General Counsel of Times Internet, India’s
largest digital products company and the flagship of the Times of India Group.
Equipped with his diverse experience in providing expert counsel and directing
business policy on a broad range of legal matters, Sahil currently oversees legal
and policy for the organization. Starting his career with one of India’s top law
firms, Amarchand Mangaldas, Sahil has served as the General Counsel for Asia’s
leading internet group, the Smile Group, and as the Head of Business & Legal
Affairs for the Fox & Geographic Channels in India, before joining Times Internet
in 2020. He has over 15 years of rich experience dealing with corporate legal
matters including incubation, fundraising, mergers & acquisitions, and asset sales
for successful global businesses such as WPP, Ogilvy, Yahoo!, and Airbnb Inc.
A well-regarded professional in the blue-eyed sector of start-ups and IT Sahil’s
proficiencies include private equity & venture capital, foreign exchange laws,
corporate commercial advisory, regulatory compliance, and end-to-end in-house
legal management.
YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR
(42 YRS & BELOW)
RIDIMA BHARGAVA
General Counsel & Head, Public Policy, FamPay
Ridima Bhargava is the General Counsel and head of the Public Policy
division at FamPay. Often referred to as the ‘Structuring lawyer and founder’s
counsel’, Ridima has more than 12 years of experience in the industry.
After having worked with noted law firms as capital markets, structuring cross-
border transactions, private equity, mergers, acquisitions and regulatory
lawyer for the first 6 years since graduating law school, Ridima received a big
break fairly early in her career when she was offered the role of Head – Legal
at OLA Cabs, one of India’s largest and earliest ride hailing companies.
When Ridima joined OLA, the company had started the fund-raising from
DST Global which led OLA into the unicorn club of India. Besides this, she led
fund-raising transactions from marquee investors, such as, Soft Bank Group,
Stead view Capital, Tencent Holdings, Mr. Ratan Tata, Mr. Arun Sarin. Under
Ridima’s leadership and able guidance, OLA entered into significant and key
partnerships with entities such as Ericsson, Wipro, Grofers, Zomato.
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Exclusive
RECOGNIZING BEST LAW FIRM 2021
BEST LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (OVERALL)
SHARDUL AMARCHAND MANGALDAS & CO.
Team Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. receives the Best Law Firm of the Year Award
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, among India’s pre-eminent law firms, is built on a century of excellence. SAM’s
multidisciplinary teams with global exposure and in-depth knowledge are frequently sought after by leading national and
international organizations for qualitative, legal and business-critical advice. Committed to investing in the brightest legal
talent, the Firm has more than 684 lawyers who, with 132 partners, offer solutions across diverse practice areas for industries,
the central government and states, regulatory bodies, industry chambers and non-profit organizations. SAM’s offices are
spread across New Delhi, Mumbai, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. SAM delivers original and
exceptional solutions in the fields of mergers & acquisitions, tax, competition law, dispute resolution arbitration, regulatory
litigation, capital markets and private equity practices. We are an exclusive member firm of Lex Mundi in India, which helps
clients access our partner network across more than 125 countries.
PRIVATE EQUITY LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
AZB & PARTNERS
Team AZB & Partners receives the award from Nilanjan Singh, General Counsel, ICICI Bank
The Firm has a formidable Private Equity practice and has represented some of the largest Private Equity firms in the world in
establishing their India presence and in making investments, including advising on structures for efficient investment routing
and exit, advising on tax planning, advising on regulatory procedures required for making an investment (and assisting in
obtaining such approvals), negotiating the terms and conditions of individual investments with portfolio companies, conducting
due diligences, and providing advice from time to time on monitoring and maintaining investments. Ashwath Rau, who has
over 19 years of experience, is a leading M&A, private equity and funds practitioner.
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 81
BANKING & FINANCE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
SNG & PARTNERS
Team SNG & Partners Sanjay Gupta receives the award from Nilanjan Singh,
General Counsel, ICICI Bank
SNG works closely with a number of Multinational Banks, Private and Public Sector Banks, and leading NBFCs in the areas of
Corporate Banking, Institutional Banking, Private Banking, Consumer Banking, Custodial and Financial Services, Trade Finance,
Microfinance, etc. The Firm has to its credit many transactions in the field of Acquisition Finance, Structured Finance, Structured
Trade Finance, Leveraged Transactions, Debt Capital Market Transactions, Custodian and F1 transactions for its clients in India
and overseas. The Firm has acted as a Lender’s Counsel in several transactions including ECBs. SNG has regularly assisted several
domestic banks, branches of foreign banks and NBFCs to standardize their lending documentation, draft and frame various policies
under the applicable laws, prepare, review and standardize the policy and process on lending and security documentation as well
as the Due Diligence process.
BANKING & FINANCE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
KHAITAN & CO
Team Khaitan & Co. receives the award from Khaitan & Co’s Banking & Finance practice has a formidable
Nilanjan Singh, General Counsel, ICICI Bank reputation in developing innovative solutions for clients and
advising on complex financing transactions. The team advises
its clients across the full spectrum of financing transactions,
including: Cross-border financing (including external commercial
borrowings and overseas direct investments), Acquisition finance,
Construction and real estate finance, Corporate and Bank Finance,
Debt capital markets, Insolvency and restructuring, Export/import
finance, Bilateral and syndicated financings, Aviation finance,
Mezzanine financing, Banking and NBFC regulations, Consumer/
retail banking products, Securitization, Factoring, Trade credits,
Derivatives (transactional, advisory and litigation), Regulatory
advice. Providing diverse and exhaustive sectoral expertise within
the same firm, the key factor that distinguishes the firm’s Banking
& Finance practice from its competitors is the composition of the
team which comprises very well experienced professionals on the
domestic as well as cross-border transactions. The firm stands
out for its ability to seamlessly draw upon its vast industry and
regulatory experience in diverse sectors such as infrastructure,
capital markets, real estate, direct and indirect tax, intellectual
property etc.
82 JUNE-JULY 2022 www.legaleraonline.com
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TAX LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
LAKSHMIKUMARAN & SRIDHARAN
Team Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan receives the award
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan started in 1985 in a single room set up by the two founders with no prior experience working
in a law firm. Even today, the firm prides itself for its commitment towards knowing the law and encouraging its professionals
to be at the forefront of the latest legal developments. An early choice that the firm made was to combine the knowledge
of law with the highest ethical practices. It allows the firm to set clear boundaries within which the professionals operate
with freedom. The diversity of people makes the firm. Many of their professionals are dual qualified having studied science,
engineering or accounting as their primary qualification. They work with professionals who have had significant industry
or policy experience. Some of the brightest lawyers from law schools are part of the firm. A diverse mix allows the firm to
collaborate effectively, address areas where law combines with technology or accounting and design solutions for the clients.
The firm believes in technology as a driver for legal services in the future.
COMPETITION & ANTI-TRUST LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
P&A LAW OFFICES
P&A Law Offices (P&A) is a Trusted Advisor of large MNC Sreemoyee Deb, Partner, Competition Law,
and Indian Companies in the field of Competition Law in P&A Law Offices receives the award for P&A
India. P&A’s Clients are spread across many sectors that
are deemed critical for the Competition/Antitrust Law Law Offices
Enforcement in India and the World, Including Technology,
Retail, Automobile, Electronics, Media and Entertainment,
Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals and Financial Markets. P&A’s
Practice is built around Highly Qualified Lawyers, a majority
of them are working with P&A for several years and are fully
aware of both the Local and International. P&A’s Lawyers have
provided Expert Competition Advice and Representation to
both Defendants and Informants, as well as the Competition
Commission of India, on the Full Scope of Antitrust and
Competition Law issues, including Cartel Investigations and
Litigation; Antitrust related Investigation and Litigation;
Merger Clearances; and Compliance Counseling and Training
Programs. The Competition Team at P&A is led by its Managing
Partner, Mr. Anand S. Pathak who has over 30+ Years of
Experience as a Legal Practitioner Across the US, Europe and
India.
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 83
CORPORATE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
CYRIL AMARCHAND MANGALDAS
Corporate Practice forms the core of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas across its offices. The corporate practice’s in-depth
understanding of a problem allows the team to deliver comprehensive and long-term solutions to their clients. The practice
is fully integrated, with expertise in specialized areas like investment funds, anti-trust, employment, real estate, intellectual
property, and taxation law. The breadth of its sectoral expertise complements its transactional experience to deliver strategic,
disciplined and commercial advice across sectors. Some of these sectors include healthcare & pharma, manufacturing, financial
services, insurance, retail, power, FMCG, telecom, media & technology, education, engineering & capital goods, hospitality,
defense and other highly regulated industries. The practice is consistently recognized for its work in domestic and cross-
border deals. Multi-jurisdictional transactions form a significant part of the Firm’s corporate practice. The lawyer’s ability to
handle complex multidimensional corporate transactions in a time-bound manner is unmatched. The Corporate M&A and
Private Equity are consistently ranked as ‘Band 1’ by Chambers & Partners and ‘Tier 1’ by Legal500 and IFLR1000.
WHITE COLLAR CRIME LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
AZB & PARTNERS
Team AZB & Partners
Every white-collar crime matter requires two separate perspectives to address it: the investigation, and legal advice on the
investigation and its findings. AZB is the only large Indian law firm with these end-to-end capabilities, which pool the skills
and expertise of their dedicated in-house forensic investigators and their corporate, employment and litigation practices, to
deliver holistic advice on complex investigation and compliance matters. Their white-collar crime professionals help clients
respond rapidly to instances of alleged fraud, bribery, corruption and other misconduct, addressing legal issues and risks that
may arise, including advice on disclosures and responding to regulatory authorities. In addition to existing clients, they have a
large number of fresh inquiries or referrals through foreign law firms. The white-collar crime matters that they see are usually
high-stake matters involving multiple sensitivities. They are able to give clients a complete roadmap on how their matters can
evolve, and the potential pitfalls. Their deep experience and honest, practical advice builds lasting client relationships.
84 JUNE-JULY 2022 www.legaleraonline.com
Exclusive
M&A LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR Khaitan & Co’s Public M&A practice is an all-
encompassing one-stop shop from transaction
KHAITAN & CO advisory, execution of trades, tax advisory
to regulatory interface. Their team routinely
Prasenjit Chakravarti, Partner M&A, Khaitan & Co. receives the advises on new capital raise (preferential
award from Sanjeev Dawar, General Counsel, Indian Oil Corporation allotment, rights issues, QIPs and the like),
securities acquisitions (including by way of
& Rajiv Dutta, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India block deals, bulk trades, on-market purchases
and off-market deals), take-private transactions,
carve-out transactions, co-operative or hostile
takeovers, buybacks, court approved mergers,
amalgamations, demergers and restructuring,
leveraged buy-outs and management buy-outs.
They have a highly specialized team that focuses
on Public M&A transactions. Several of their
partners have been part of committees set up
by the Securities and Exchange Board of India
and various stock exchanges, and therefore,
enjoy deep understanding of the regulatory
framework.
CAPITAL MARKET LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
CYRIL AMARCHAND MANGALDAS
Team Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas receives the award from Gourab Banerji,
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
The Capital Market practice at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas’ is widely and consistently acknowledged as market leaders. The
practice has advised on some of the most high-profile transactions and several market firsts. For close to three decades, the
practice consistently been at the forefront of every equity capital market innovation in India and has demonstrated thought
leadership time and again by advising a wide range of stakeholders on pioneering and significant transactions in India. The
practice has regularly collaborated with the securities market regulator, the SEBI, as well as the RBI, the CCI, the MCA and
the Ministry of Finance. The clients include some of the most sophisticated companies and groups, investment banks, private
equity houses and fund managers. The practice provides bespoke solutions by working with multi-disciplinary teams and
regularly draws on general corporate and mergers and acquisitions, tax, regulatory, employment and other areas of expertise
of the Firm as required.
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CAPITAL MARKET LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
S & R ASSOCIATES
Team S&R Associates receives the award from Gourab Banerji, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
S&R Associates is well-equipped to advise large domestic and international clients on debt and equity transactions. Over the
years, the team has established its strong position in the market by handling numerous market first transactions, including the
first preferential issue by an InVIT. Sandip Bhagat specializes in public offerings, private placements, high-yield debt offerings and
block trades. Juhi Singh and Venkatesh Vijayaraghava frequently act for issuers and investment banks in relation to IPOs, QIPs,
rights issues and buy-backs. The team welcomed Jitesh Shahani who joined its Mumbai office from L&L Partners Law Offices.
LITIGATION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
NAIK NAIK & CO.
Team Naik Naik & Co receives the award
Over the years, the Firm remains unmatched in handling litigation and dispute resolution. Their litigation practice is ever
evolving and continues to transgress geographical boundaries. Their litigation team has the bandwidth and expertise to
represent clients in courts and forums at all levels, ranging from the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, District Courts,
National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRT),
Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT), Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT), Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI),
Competition Commission of India (CCI), Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT), Central Board of Film Certificate (CBFC),
Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) and Appellate
Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). Within dispute resolution, the expanse of their practice is wide to include Commercial
Disputes, Corporate Litigation, White Collar Crime, Frauds Scams, Cyber Crimes, Consumer Protections Disputes, Debt
Recovery Matters, Domestic and International Arbitrations.
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DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
P&A LAW OFFICES
The dispute resolution team of P&A Law
Offices represents and advises clients in India
and abroad on a broad range of Indian and
European competition law and commercial
dispute resolution issues including international
commercial arbitration, international investment
arbitration and litigation, with a particular
expertise in commercial and criminal litigation. The
team is headed by Mr. Anand S. Pathak, a leading
legal professional in the Indian dispute resolution
practice who has over two decades of experience
in representing Fortune 500 companies, large
Indian conglomerates, multinational corporations,
Indian and international banks, and governmental
and multilateral organizations. The firm actively
pursues all avenues of dispute resolution available.
The firm has appeared in several high-profile cases
in the year 2016-2017.
Team P&A Law Offices
INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY & PROJECTS LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
JSA
Team JSA
JSA’s experience ranges across the entire spectrum of public and private-sector development and construction activity. JSA
has vast experience in dealing with these issues and provides advice to clients to address issues arising in relation to building or
engineering projects. The team also provides legal advice on varied aspects of construction and engineering law and undertakes
contentious (Litigation, ADR, and Arbitration) and non-contentious (Advisory) works. The Firm provides legal advice on all aspects
of Turnkey Projects, Infrastructure Projects and other heavy construction works including EPC Contracts, Supply Contracts,
Installation & Commissioning Contracts, Design & Build Contracts, Joint Bidding & Joint Venture Agreements.
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REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
DSK LEGAL
Anand Desai, Managing Partner, DSK Legal along with Partner Rishi Anand
receives the award from Padma Shri Dr. TK Viswanathan, Chairman, Bankruptcy
Law Reforms Committee
DSK Legal’s Real Estate & Construction practice is led by Deputy Managing Partner, Mr. Sajit Suvarna and includes Partners
Mr. Niraj Kumar, Mr. Sagar Kadam, Ms. Saloni Mody, Mr. Bhushan Panse and recently joined partners B.R. Srinivas, Brijita
Prakash and Karan Ajitsaria, with a team of over 45 advocates. DSK Legal’s Real Estate practice is widely regarded as one of
the best in the country. A leader in the market, the team advises marquee developers and funds such as the Shapoorji Pallonji
Group, Piramal Group, Prestige Group, Schindler India, Apollo Asia, Godrej Properties and Mahindra & Mahindra, as well as
investors and lenders like HDFC, Brookfield and several others. The Real Estate practice focuses on all aspects of property and
real estate laws. The team specializes in, not only the traditional form of real estate but has also extended its practice to the
modern day commercial real estate, involving corporate, structuring and financing issues. The practice also advises on fund
structures and on real estate investment trusts.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
ANAND AND ANAND
Pravin Anand, Managing Partner & Head of Litigation, Anand and Anand along with Anand & Anand team receives the
award from Aravamudhan K, Executive Director, Government Relations at The Walt Disney Company, G R Raghavendra,
Joint Secretary, Department of Law & Justice, Ministry of Law, Government of India
Anand and Anand is among the largest practices specializing in Intellectual Property laws in India and is ranked among the
Top Tier Intellectual Property Law Firms in Asia. It is a full-service IP law firm, providing end-to-end legal solutions covering all
cross-sections of Intellectual Property and allied areas. In a first-of-a-kind registration in India, Anand and Anand brainstormed
with the TAJ GROUP and advised it to request the Trade Marks’ Office to grant shape-mark recognition to the hotel’s design.
Anand and Anand’s diligence and persistence saw trademark status being conferred to the hotel within 7 months, and so, the
Taj Mahal Palace (Hotel) became India’s first building to receive statutory trademark recognition.
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MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
NAIK NAIK & CO.
Team Naik Naik & Co receives the award
The firm has one of the largest Media teams with 2 Equity Partners, 3 Associate Partners and a team of about 20 Lawyers
at different levels of hierarchy M & E practice is widely recognized for the gamut of services that it offers within the domain
which includes Media Convergence, Internet of Things (IoT) and content-related issues for digital and OTT broadcasting
platforms. Partners are specialists in this space and are focused to provide highly skilled and innovative service offerings to
the clients. In the traditional areas of practice, the firm has continued to deepen its domain expertise and foothold. Right from
the release of 83 and Suryavanshi, to representing producers of big ticket films such as Gangubai, Bellbottom, Jhund etc. in
court, the team has spent countless hours supporting its clients in the creation of good content and their timely release. The
firm has also expanded its scope of advisory to many family offices, thereby ringfencing the legal and business interests of
many esteemed names in the Indian film industry.
TMT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
SAIKRISHNA AND ASSOCIATES
Team Saikrishna and Associates receives the award from Aravamudhan K, Executive Director, Government Relations at The
Walt Disney Company, G R Raghvendra, Joint Secretary, Department of Law & Justice, Ministry of Law, Government of India
The Firm’s TMT practice retains industry experts allowing it to draw on substantial domain expertise. This ability is coupled
with the Firm’s cutting-edge litigation, transactional, prosecution, and policy development expertise offering clients practical
and innovative solutions. The Firm’s expertise spans a wide array of sectors such as films, music, broadcast radio, television,
print and e-publishing, gaming (including AR/VR), digital media, online intermediaries, live entertainment, websites, web
TV, mobile TV, advertising, online payment regulations and sports rights among others. The Firm’s members are considered
experts in the media sector. As a testament to their standing, during the recent amendments to the Copyright Act, 1957,
members of the Firm were invited as an expert witness by the Parliamentary Standing Committee. The Firm’s Policy reform and
advocacy expertise support client aspirations and expectations by making effective cases for legislative change or restraint.
The Firm’s professionals have valued advisors to Industry leaders and associations and are actively involved in advising trade
organizations representing the Film, Music, Print Publishing sectors.
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PATENT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
LEXORBIS
Team LexOrbis receives the award
LexOrbis is a highly specialized, market-leading IP boutique fielding a sizable team of 9 partners, 85 lawyers and over 60
patent attorneys and is amongst the fastest growing IP firms in India having offices at 3 strategic locations i.e. Delhi, Mumbai
and Bengaluru. LexOrbis’ dedicated patent department offers expert advice on patent work, covering filing, prosecution
and litigation. The firm has a strong patent prosecution practice group including professionals from Engineering and Life
Sciences fields. In 2019-2020, the patent attorneys drafted over 6,000 new patent applications for inventions originating in
India, Indian companies and institutions and prosecuted over 50,000 patent applications before the Indian Patent Office and
assisted prosecution in over 7,500 patent applications at other major Patent Offices. LexOrbis has secured the grant of over
25,000 patents in a wide range of technology fields including telecommunication, oil, gas, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and
automobile, has managed the design portfolios for large companies in over 100 countries and is managing global trademark
portfolio for large Indian companies.
TRADEMARK LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
ANAND AND ANAND
Team Anand & Anand receives the award
The firm provides services to a multi-faceted set of clients including Fortune 500 corporations, small and medium enterprises and
start-ups across different industries. They have a rich history of developing the trademark jurisprudence in India and have been
consistently recognized through several awards and accolades. Trademark law in India is well-settled and offers a robust protection
and enforcement regime for right holders. The range of protection encompasses words, labels, devices, shapes, sounds, colors,
textures, etc. amongst others. India is a first to use jurisdiction and priority in use takes precedence over priority in registration.
At the same time, trademarks can be registered without actual usage in India on an intent to use basis. India is a member of the
Madrid Protocol which enables right holders to protect their trademarks in multiple countries through a single application. The
Firm provides comprehensive services which include Brand Development, Protection, Enforcement and Commercialization.
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INSOLVENCY & RESTRUCTURING LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
SHARDUL AMARCHAND MANGALDAS & CO.
(L-R) Misha, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. & Anoop Rawat, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
& Co. receives the award from Padma Shri Dr. TK Viswanathan, Chairman, Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee &
Manish Sansi, Chief Legal and Commercial Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co has been at the forefront of the new insolvency law, and has been involved in almost
all major cases of insolvency under the new law. Their experience covers the entire range of this practice, starting from
restructuring under formal and informal procedures towards revival for corporates with early signs of distress, to processes
involving actual liquidation and winding down of businesses. They advise clients at the pre insolvency stage or during the
corporate insolvency resolution process (advising the committee of creditors or the resolution professional), to acquisition
of the stressed asset via an insolvency process. Their integrated approach comprehensively addresses diverse aspects of
an insolvency matter including acquisitions, deal structuring, drafting the resolution plan, conducting legal due diligence,
conducting meetings with resolution professionals to address concerns and clarify queries. They also represent before the
National Company Law Tribunal on behalf of the acquirer to see the matter through to its conclusion. Shardul Shroff, Executive
Chairman of the Firm, leads their highly regarded and diversified insolvency and bankruptcy practice.
INSOLVENCY & RESTRUCTURING LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
DSK LEGAL
Team DSK Legal receives the award from Padma Shri Dr. TK Viswanathan, Chairman, Bankruptcy Law
Reforms Committee & Manish Sansi, Chief Legal and Commercial Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited
DSK Legal’s dedicated team of lawyers has significant experience in restructuring, having had the opportunity to work on
many challenging transactions in India. Their early cautionary advice has helped maximize results for various creditors and
shareholders and has in the process, established DSK Legal as a trustworthy partner to clients. Their detailed and comprehensive
solutions address a wide range of issues that are faced during restructuring by under-performing or distressed companies in
the private and public sector. They leverage their capabilities in their dispute resolution, finance and corporate practices to
deliver comprehensive and seamless legal services to their clients. They are recognized by clients for being thorough in their
approach to investigations and pragmatic in their strategy towards litigation and asset recovery. Their advice includes not
only formal restructuring under statutes and regulations but also informal restructuring driven by lenders. Their clients include
investors, lenders, banks as well as corporate directors and trustees.
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LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
KHAITAN & CO
Team Khaitan & Co receives the award from Padma Shri Dr. TK Viswanathan, Chairman, Bankruptcy Law Reforms
Committee & Manish Sansi, Chief Legal and Commercial Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited
Khaitan’s ELB practice helps employers meet the myriad challenges posed by the modern Indian workplace. They are
experienced in advising on all forms of employment law matters and contracts; their expertise also lies in advising on complicated
labor issues. Their lawyers provide commercially oriented and practical advice on areas and events around business sale and
acquisitions, change of ownership, employee benefits including equity based incentive schemes, employment agreements
and policies, workplace diversity and discrimination issues. They routinely conduct staff training on workplace ethics and
anti-bribery issues. They also work closely with clients on CXO recruitment, exits and separation agreements, secondment
and consulting agreements, employee disputes and disciplinary inquiries and investigations and sexual harassment related
situations. They also specialize in contract labor and alternate employment arrangements, whistle blower complaints,
employee grievance redressal, workforce restructuring, staff re-classification and mobility, workplace health and safety issues
as well as immigration advisory.
WTO/INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
LAKSHMIKUMARAN & SRIDHARAN
Team Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan receives the award from Padma Shri Dr. TK Viswanathan,
Chairman, Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan’s (L&S) International Trade and WTO practice was started in the 90s and is the earliest such
practices in law firms in India. Today, L&S has one of the largest dedicated Trade teams in the country with specialist professionals
comprising lawyers, chartered accountants, economists and engineers as well as professionals having dual qualifications in
one or more of these fields. Over the last two decades, the team has accumulated knowledge and experience, by successfully
representing governments, Indian producers, foreign producers/exporters as well as Indian users and importers before the
Indian investigating authority as well as investigating authorities in foreign jurisdictions. This broad portfolio of representation
enables the team to have a holistic understanding of the investigative process. Having handled more than 350 trade remedy
investigations dealing with anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguards, in India as well as other jurisdictions like Australia,
Brazil, Canada, China, European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and the United
States – the team is recognized for its expertise in the area of trade remedial investigations and disputes.
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MID SIZE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
CHANDHIOK & MAHAJAN
(L-R) Vikram Sobti, Partner, Chandhiok & Mahajan & Karan Singh Chandhiok & Mahajan (C&M), recognized as one
Chandhiok, Practice Head, Competition Law And Dispute Resolution, of the fastest-growing firms in India, is a business
law firm founded in 2013 offering a full range of
Chandhiok & Mahajan Advocates & Solicitors receives the award legal solutions. The firm is the culmination of its
founding partners’ belief in providing bespoke
and commercially viable solutions to its clients.
The firm has seen tremendous growth since
its inception. C&M has a presence in the three
major Indian cities considered commercial hubs:
New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The firm
is also well connected with market-leading law
firms and other professionals across the globe to
provide seamless service to its clients wherever
they operate. The rapid pace of the firm’s growth
is a testament to the confidence clients place in
its responsiveness and the quality of its work.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR INNOVATION, STRATEGIES &
CONTINUOUS GROWTH
CYRIL AMARCHAND MANGALDAS
Team Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas receives the award from Padma Shri Dr. TK Viswanathan, Chairman, Bankruptcy Law
Reforms Committee & Manish Sansi, Chief Legal and Commercial Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas foresight, expertise and innovation are at the core of everything they do. With 850 lawyers, six
pan-India locations, an office in IFSC (Gift City) and Singapore, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas are India’s largest full-service law
firm, staying ahead of the curve with their ability to provide future-focused, end-to-end solutions, through both domestic and
international collaborations. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas highly experienced teams advice a large and diverse set of clients,
including domestic and foreign commercial enterprises, financial institutions, private equity funds, venture capital funds,
start-ups, government and regulatory bodies. What sets Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas apart is how they leverage technology
across practices. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is the first Indian law firm to adopt AI technology to drive delivery. This in turn
has allowed Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas to identify challenges and explore relevant solutions with increasing efficiency.
Hence, by combining innovative thinking and legal technology, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas are able to consistently deliver
solutions that set precedents in today’s complex market paradigm.
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LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (AHMEDABAD)
CYRIL AMARCHAND MANGALDAS
Team Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas receives the award from Rajeev Chopra, Managing Director - Legal, Accenture,
Bhaskar Chandran, Group General Counsel, GMR Group & Vineet Vij, Global General Counsel, Tech Mahindra Ltd
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas was founded in May 2015 to continue the legacy of the 100-year-old Amarchand Mangaldas
Suresh A. Shroff & Co., whose pre-eminence, experience and reputation of almost a century has been unparalleled in the
Indian legal fraternity. With a long and illustrious history that began in 1917, the Firm is the largest full-service law firm in
India, with over 750 lawyers, including 120 partners, and offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad
and Chennai. The Firm and several of its professionals have been recognized as leading practitioners by global publications
like Chambers and Partners, International Financial Law Review, Asia Legal 500 and Euromoney.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (HYDERABAD)
TATVA LEGAL
Team Tatva Legal receives award from Rajeev Chopra, Managing Director - Legal, Accenture
& Bhaskar Chandran, Group General Counsel, GMR Group
Tatva Legal is the largest full service law firm in the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh with offices in Bengaluru, Chennai,
Gurugram, Hyderabad and Mumbai. The Hyderabad Office of Tatva Legal provides comprehensive legal services and solutions
and has consistently been recognized as a leading legal firm in the region. Having advised most of the leading business groups
and having completed several market leading transactions, Tatva Legal’s Hyderabad Office has gained substantial understanding
of local laws, practices, markets, environment and sensitivities. Tatva Legal’s Hyderabad Office clientele comprise national and
international corporates (including several Fortune 100 companies), business groups, financial institutions, private equity
funds (including sovereign wealth funds), Indian and foreign governments, and several nongovernmental organizations.
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LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (CHENNAI)
SHARDUL AMARCHAND MANGALDAS & CO
Dorothy Thomas, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. receives the award from Rajeev Chopra, Managing Director - Legal,
Accenture & Bhaskar Chandran, Group General Counsel, GMR Group & Vineet Vij, Global General Counsel, Tech Mahindra Ltd
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, among India’s pre-eminent law firms, is built on a century of excellence. As one of India’s
marquee law firms, they help their clients grow, innovate and thrive. They find the most relevant and highly tailored solutions
to their clients’ composite legal challenges. With a constantly evolving legal, regulatory and business environment, they are
determined to help their clients embrace change and stay ahead. Their multidisciplinary teams with global exposure and
in-depth knowledge are frequently sought after by leading national and international organizations for qualitative, legal and
business-critical advice. Committed to investing in the brightest legal talent, the Firm has more than 684 lawyers who, with
132 partners, offer solutions across diverse practice areas for industries, the central government and states, regulatory bodies,
industry chambers and non-profit organizations. Their offices are spread across New Delhi, Mumbai, Gurugram, Bengaluru,
Chennai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. They deliver original and exceptional solutions in the fields of mergers acquisitions, tax,
competition law, dispute resolution & arbitration, regulatory litigation, capital markets and private equity practices.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (BENGALURU)
LEXORBIS
Team LexOrbis receives the award from Rajeev Chopra, Managing Director - Legal,
Accenture, Bhaskar Chandran, Group General Counsel, GMR Group
LexOrbis is a highly specialized, market-leading IP boutique fielding a sizable team of 9 partners, 85 lawyers and over 60 patent attorneys
and is amongst the fastest growing IP firms in India having offices at 3 strategic locations i.e. Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The firm is
a one-stop shop for all Intellectual Property related needs and provides practical solutions and services for various legal issues faced by
technology companies, research institutions, universities, broadcasters, content developers and brand owners. LexOrbis’ dedicated patent
department offers expert advice on patent work, covering filing, prosecution and litigation. The firm has a strong patent prosecution
practice group including professionals from Engineering and Life Sciences fields. LexOrbis’ dedicated trademarks team is fully equipped
to advise on trademark matters including strategic advice on trademark applications and protection. Its thorough and comprehensive
advice on trademark mandates is widely recognized. LexOrbis stands out for its broad industry expertise. The team has developed
particularly strong expertise and experience in the pharmaceutical, chemical, electronic, electrical, mechanical, biotech and IT sectors.
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LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (MUMBAI)
NAIK NAIK & CO.
Team Naik Naik & Co receives the award for Best Law Firm of the Year (Mumbai)
Established in 2004, Naik Naik & Company is a leading full-service law firm focused on providing strategic, innovative and holistic
legal solutions to its clients. The firm houses about 50 highly skilled legal professionals in two of its offices in Mumbai. Primary areas
of the firm’s practice include banking & finance, corporate & commercial advisory, intellectual property, litigation & arbitration,
mergers & acquisitions and private equity. Their expertise in these areas is complemented by their entrenched industry sector
knowledge, giving them the edge to advise their clients in true context of their respective industry. Their vision has always been
to concurrently grow their service lines and provide industry focused services, enabling them to offer bespoke solutions to their
clients, who consistently benefit from such convergence. The strength of the firm emanates from the able leadership of Mr. Ameet
B. Naik, Founding & Managing Partner, who is a visionary and has been widely recognized as a lawyer par excellence.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (NEW DELHI)
JSA
Amit Kapur, Joint Managing Partner, JSA along with Team JSA receives Best Law Firm of the Year Award (New Delhi)
from Rajeev Chopra, Managing Director - Legal, Accenture, Bhaskar Chandran, Group General Counsel, GMR Group
JSA is a leading national law firm in India with over 350+ professionals operating out of 7 offices located in: Ahmedabad,
Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. Their practice is organized along service lines and sector
specialization that provides legal services to top Indian corporates, Fortune 500 companies, multinational banks and financial
institutions, governmental and statutory authorities and multilateral and bilateral institutions.
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EMERGING LAW FIRM OF Jyoti Singh, Founder, AJA Legal and Associates receives
THE YEAR (0 TO 3 YEARS) the award for the Emerging Law Firm of the Year
AJA LEGAL AND
ASSOCIATES
AJA Legal and Associates is a research-based, solution-oriented
boutique set-up providing niche legal services to financial
institutions and corporate houses. Jyoti A Singh, the founder
of AJA Legal and Associates has two decades of noteworthy
corporate advisory and dispute resolution experience and she
regularly appears before various courts and tribunals in and outside
Mumbai for financial institutions, corporates and HNI clients from
various business sectors. Having worked in distressed space over
two decades, Jyoti has advised and represented some of the
largest banks and financial institutions, insolvency professionals
and large corporate houses and appeared in proceedings before
various Tribunals, High Courts and the Supreme Court of India.
Jyoti has advised and acted for multinational companies on the
issues of corporate fraud and other economic offenses. She has
advised and acted for large corporate houses in tender disputes
with various government departments and has also advised
and represented arbitrations concerning contractual disputes
amongst shareholders, government departments and NBFCs.
YOUNG & PROMISING LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (5+YEARS)
FALCON LEGAL
Suhail Shariff, Managing Partner and the co-founder of Falcon Legal receives the
award for Young & Promising Law Firm of the Year
Falcon Legal was designed from scratch to optimize quality, teamwork and innovation, without the inefficiencies of the
conventional law firm model. Their greatest strength is their in-depth understanding of legal, regulatory and commercial
environments, on-ground experience, their dept. of local, well-qualified lawyers in India and elsewhere. They guide their
clients through difficult issues, bringing their insight and judgment to each situation. Their innovative approaches create
original solutions to their client’s most complex domestic and multijurisdictional deals and disputes. Falcon Legal has earned
the reputation of being one of the most innovative law firms in the country, consistently recognized for its excellence, expertise
and teamwork in the metro cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata.
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BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
LEX FAVIOS
Sumes Dewan & Colleague Tanya receives the award for Boutique Law
Firm of the Year
Lex Favios is one of the fastest growing Law Firms, and since its inception, has been undertaking key transactions in multiple
areas of practice such as M&A, Private Equity, Project Financing and Banking. The Firm has key accomplished legal counsels and
industry experts in different areas of practice. It has grown as a Firm in diverse practice areas ranging from Mergers & Acquisitions,
Private Equity to Project Finance, Hospitality and Real Estate demonstrated by its significant transactions in these respective areas.
The Firm’s list of key transactions for the year 2021-22 demonstrates the Firm’s ability to handle large ticket transactions and
representation of some of the top corporates in the Industry in India and some of the top global corporates. As the second title goes
for being “The Most Promising Law Firm of the Year”, Lex Favios have demonstrated their performance throughout these years and
specifically in the year 2021-2022 when they were dealing with/closing key transactions as illustrated above.
LEGAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (OVERALL)
ITC LTD
Team ITC receives the award from Pallavi Shroff, Managing Partner, Shardul
Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
The ITC Corporate Legal Team comprises 41 legal managers who are all qualified lawyers and extend legal services to various
business divisions of the Company and corporate functions. All litigations filed by or against the Company are handled by the
corporate legal team. This involves strategizing approaches for the Company, briefing external counsels including Senior Counsels,
attending hearings, etc. The management of various business divisions of the Company work closely with the legal team and obtain
advice from the team on day-to-day operational activities as well as on specific business transactions. The operational aspects of
the businesses involving compliance or risk assessment for the said business divisions are handled by the legal team. The support
extended by the legal team includes interpreting, analyzing and advising on a gamut of laws concerning mergers and acquisitions,
trademarks, tax laws, labor laws, real estate and commercial laws. The legal team also has subject matter specialists who advice on
specialized areas of laws such as IP laws or indirect taxes centrally.
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LEGAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (START-UP & INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES)
OYO ROOMS
Tejal Patil, Senior Legal Advisor, OYO Hotels and Homes; Rakesh Prusti, General Counsel, OYO & Team OYO receives the award
from Pallavi Shroff, Managing Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. & Anand Desai, Managing Partner, DSK Legal
The OYO legal team has members from diverse backgrounds, such as leading law firms and large international corporate houses.
The OYO legal team has a dedicated operations support team, IP enforcement team, tech support team, legal and secretarial
compliance team and deal team. The in-house deal team of OYO has closed several strategic partnerships, business restructuring
activities and JVs and fundraises without external support, starting with due diligence, term sheet, definitive documents,
negotiation, signing and closing, integration of target’s business with the Company. The operations support team, apart from
driving and supporting the day-to-day business of the organization, also overlooks and drives various initiatives of the company
such as measures for enhanced safety and security of Customers, Patrons and Customer retention, ESG, diversity and inclusion,
CSR etc. The compliance team of OYO, with the help of technology and online tools, monitors and tracks implementation of
all compliance programs across the OYO universe; the corporate secretarial compliance team works towards ensuring and
implementing industry best corporate governance practices.
COMPLIANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR
WOCKHARDT LIMITED
Team Wockhardt headed by Debolina Partap, Senior Vice President Legal & Group General Counsel,
Wockhardt Group receives Compliance Team of the Year Award
Wockhardt is a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology organization, providing affordable, high-quality medicines for a
healthier world. It is India’s leading research-based global healthcare enterprise with relevance in the fields of Pharmaceuticals,
Biotechnology and a chain of advanced Super Speciality Hospitals. Wockhardt is a true Indian Multi-National Company with
a multi-ethnic workforce of 8,600 Wockhardt Associates from 21 different nationalities globally. It has 3 research centers
and 12 manufacturing plants, with businesses ranging from the manufacture and marketing of Pharmaceutical and Bio-
pharmaceutical formulations, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Vaccines. The legal team helps the other teams in
achieving the company’s overall objectives.
www.legaleraonline.com JUNE-JULY 2022 99
BANKING & FINANCE LEGAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
ICICI BANK
Team ICICI Bank receives the award
The legal group at ICICI Bank has always been a cohort of talented members. This is evident from the fact that several
prominent BFSIs and law firms have alumnus of ICICI Bank. The legal team at ICICI Bank has always been at the forefront of
change, embracing new and advanced technologies, and continuously adopting industry best practices. Keeping the customer
at the center, the team has been working on initiatives to decongest and simplify the legal and regulatory environment.
The legal team at ICICI Bank is firmly committed to the Bank’s twin principle of “Fair to Customer, Fair to Bank” and “One
Bank, One RoE”.
BANKING & FINANCE LEGAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
THE SOUTH INDIAN BANK LTD (RUNNER UP)
Team South Indian Bank receives the award
The In-house legal team at The South Indian Bank Ltd., presently comprises 68 members (23 Legal Officers+45 Para-Legal/
Non-legal members) led by Mr. Mohan T M. Carrying on the legacy and heritage of being established way back in the year
1952, the team has attracted some exceptional legal talents over a period of time, who later went on to decorate some of the
coveted posts in the field of Judiciary, echelons of Corporate world, large Public Sector and Foreign Banks. The team has seen
Banking in India evolve from nationalization to privatization, the opening up of the Indian economy in the 90s and the advent
of Fintech and technological advancement in the Banking space.
100 JUNE-JULY 2022 www.legaleraonline.com
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Legal Era Magazine June-July 2022
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