Overview
Dua Associates is a full-service Indian law firm recognised for its established disputes, competition, intellectual-property and employment practices. With a presence across key commercial centres in India, the firm advises domestic and international corporations, financial institutions, government bodies and industry associations on matters requiring a combination of sector knowledge, regulatory insight and courtroom experience. Its national footprint allows teams from different offices and disciplines to work together on mandates spanning transactions, investigations, compliance and contentious proceedings.
Dispute resolution is a central strength of the firm. The practice handles high-value commercial litigation, domestic and international arbitration, insolvency proceedings, regulatory enforcement and white-collar matters. It is particularly experienced in disputes involving natural resources, financial services, infrastructure and manufacturing, as well as the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in India. The team regularly appears before the Supreme Court, High Courts and specialist tribunals and is accustomed to managing parallel proceedings across multiple forums.
The disputes team is also distinguished by its work for international clients and sovereign or quasi-sovereign entities. Its lawyers advise on questions of jurisdiction, non-arbitrability, foreign judgment enforcement and the interaction between regulatory powers and contractual rights. In international trade, the team acts in anti-subsidy and countervailing duty proceedings, combining technical analysis with appellate advocacy. This breadth enables the firm to devise litigation strategies that account for enforcement, regulatory and commercial consequences rather than treating each proceeding in isolation.
Dua Associates’ competition practice advises on merger control, investigations, compliance and competition-related litigation. The group assists with transaction assessments and filings before the Competition Commission of India, while also acting in cartel, abuse-of-dominance and procedural challenges. Its experience in sectors such as cement, lubricants and paper manufacturing gives the team an informed understanding of industries subject to sustained regulatory scrutiny. The practice also advises trade associations on information sharing, meeting protocols and other safeguards designed to reduce competition risk.
The intellectual-property practice provides support across trademarks, patents, copyright, designs and related commercial arrangements. It handles prosecution, portfolio management, licensing and enforcement, together with the intellectual-property aspects of investments and joint ventures. The team’s contentious capability is illustrated by its work on trademark ownership, copyright disputes and urgent evidence-preservation measures. Its ability to pursue advanced enforcement remedies beyond India’s principal commercial courts is particularly valuable to international brand owners seeking protection across a geographically diverse market.
Labour and employment is another significant component of the platform. The firm advises on workforce restructuring, employee benefits, statutory compliance, internal investigations and employment aspects of corporate transactions. The team also conducts contentious work involving retrenchment, contract labour, employee classification and workplace complaints. Its experience across technology, manufacturing, financial services and life sciences enables it to adapt advice to different operating models and state-level requirements.
Senior solicitor Shiraz Patodia is a prominent figure in the firm’s disputes, international trade, intellectual-property and white-collar practices. Key partners include Amit Dhingra in constitutional, commercial and energy disputes; Rajdeep Panda in disputes, arbitration and insolvency; and Gautam Shahi in competition and antitrust. The employment practice includes N U Subaya, Angad Varma and Prateek Bedi, while V D Gulwani and Ritu Singh Ghumman are central to the intellectual-property offering. Other senior practitioners include L K Bhushan, George Joseph, Munawwar Naseem, Ashish Singh, Juhi Chawla, Divya Sharma, Janini Somiah, Rahul Goyal and Toyesh Tewari. The firm has strengthened its wider platform through the additions of corporate partner Himanshu Narayan, disputes and real-estate counsel Bhaskar Mishra, and corporate and employment partner Rudra Srivastava.
Client feedback
“The advice is precise, costs are fairly predictable and execution is flawless.” – Competition/antitrust
“Very crisp, timely, understand the business in addition to understanding the law and always available for clients.” – Corporate and M&A
“The team is ethical, client-centric, committed to its assignments and transparent in its approach.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm's main focus is on client satisfaction. The team is highly instrumental and professional.” – Dispute resolution
“Dua Associates demonstrates strong expertise in intellectual property law and provides practical, business-oriented legal advice. The team is responsive, knowledgeable, and attentive to detail. They manage our IPR matters efficiently, communicate clearly, and offer reliable support throughout the filing and prosecution process. Their ability to address complex legal issues in a clear and commercially practical manner is particularly valuable.” – Intellectual property
“The team provides detailed legal clarification.” – Regulatory
Amit Dhingra
“He is extremely knowledgeable and cooperative.”
Subaya NU
“He listens carefully and provides constructive solutions, explaining risks without causing unnecessary alarm.”
Tejas SR
“He is committed, client-centric, ethical and transparent.”
Shreema Sarkar
“Shreema is professional, responsive, and highly dependable in her interactions. She demonstrates a clear understanding of legal and commercial requirements, communicates instructions effectively, and is proactive in addressing matters requiring attention. Her attention to detail, collaborative approach, and commitment to achieving timely outcomes contribute significantly to the smooth handling of our IPR matters.”
Janini Somaiah
“She provides detailed legal advice.”
“Super polite, always reachable, excellent communication and client management skills. Always meets the deadline, accommodates urgency and gives advice that creates an equilibrium between the law and business needs.”
