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Former JSA partner Vishnu Nair set up Aarambh Legal three years ago. The corporate and commercial boutique is based in Bangalore, and has a focus on fintech, data privacy and technology matters. Core practice areas of the firm include M&A, private equity, venture capital, advisory and employment. Since the firm’s inception, the team has been busy assisting companies across various stages of growth and industry sectors, as well as servicing social impact funds and private investors. Apart from Nair, partner Aishwarya H is a key contact.
Client feedback
“Aishwarya and Vishnu are quite seasoned lawyers who are able to quickly drill down to the essential issues, even when there are multiple moving pieces. They also do not lose track of the many issues and were completely on top of the whole transaction.” – Corporate and M&A
“Hard-working, firm, knowledgeable and accessible.” – Investment funds
“Mature and balanced outlook, thorough analysis and work. High responsiveness.” – Investment funds
“They are a small nimble outfit that is extremely responsive to client's needs.” – Regulatory
“Good professionalism, timeliness and proactive communication.” – Technology and telecommunications
Aishwarya H
“Able to stay completely on top of complex transactions. Knew the ins and outs of every single document, and was able to patiently work towards a consensus, and suggest potential solutions to bring together parties who had very different viewpoints.”
“Excellent knowledge and communication skills.”
“Puts the customer first. Communicates well. Understands legal intricacies.”
Vishnu Nair
“Very confident. Wins points on logic. Well-read and well-respected.”
Advaya Legal is a full-service firm with strengths in the aviation sector, IP, employment and corporate advisory and M&A work. This year the firms ascends in the ‘Highly Recommended’ tier for its aviation expertise. Managing partner Ramesh Vaidyanathan is the key contact and a former general counsel of the Mumbai International Airport. Partner Laxmi Joshi is the contact for corporate and M&A matters since the departure of Sharanya Ranga earlier this year.
Aekom Legal is a corporate law firm that has a strong track record working on general corporate matters, dispute resolution, M&A and restructuring and insolvency transactions. The key contacts are managing partner Satwinder Singh, and partners Kalpit Khandelwal and Lokesh Dhyani.
Agama Law Associates has a well-rounded offering that provides legal and regulatory support to corporations that are setting up, operating and growing in India. Its two practice area pillars are corporate and M&A and dispute resolution, with a strong private client service ranging from business advisory to succession and estate planning. The M&A department has developed a strong focus on startup clients such as advising e-commerce entities, marketplace sellers, service delivery partners, and ISPs on online contracts, terms of use and privacy obligations. The team has utilised innovative deal structures for acquisitions in the healthtech and fintech startup sectors.
Two partners are the key contacts: corporate practitioner Archana Balasubramanian and disputes specialist Nitin Jain.
Client feedback
“Recommended for their clarity of legal advice, business orientation, and quick and personalised service.” – Corporate and M&A
“Always very professional and precise.” – Corporate and M&A
“Puts our interest at the centre with transparency while dealing with them.” – Privacy and data protection
“Experienced, responsive and quality work.” – Privacy and data protection
Archana Balasubramanian
“Her knowledge about corporate law as well as M&A is impeccable and her ability to understand business needs and connecting them with legal solutions is really good.”
“She is an active listener. Whenever we seek advice, she has interacted proactively and with excellent problem-solving ability. She looks at issues from a holistic point of view and then advises us on the course of action.”
“Good listener and problem-solver.”
Agrud Partners is a commercial firm with a core disputes practice helmed by managing partner Sajid Mohamed, and partners Sumit Raghani and Meghna Talwar. It was formerly known as PDS & Associates. On the corporate advisory side, the firm works with public and private companies in structuring, documenting and negotiating on a wide variety of corporate finance, capital raising, recapitalisations and corporate debt restructuring transactions. On the litigation front, the team is experienced at all levels of courts in the country. Agrud’s client base encompasses a diverse range of clients, including development and investment financial institutions, ultra-high net-worth individuals, non-banking financial companies, public sector banks, brokerage firms, technology and outsourcing businesses, as well as biotech and manufacturing companies.
Ahlawat & Associates is a well-rounded firm that has core strengths in its corporate and M&A, private equity, and technology and telco offerings. The firm advises middle-market clients as well as multinational corporations on their cross-border investment and acquisition transactions. Its TMT practice has steadily gained footing with a loyal client base seeking the team’s counsel on various regulatory matters over the years. The team additionally deals with nuanced issues pertaining to blockchain, the internet of things, the cloud, and artificial intelligence, among others. Key contacts include corporate specialists Uday Singh Ahlawat and Sheena Ogra, disputes experts Avnish Ahlawat and Apoorv Misra, employment specialist Tania Ahlawat, and IP and TMT expert Gaurav Bhalla.
AJA Legal and Associates is the three-year old firm founded by dispute resolution and insolvency specialist Jyoti Singh. The firm focuses on insolvency, finance, white collar crime and commercial disputes, with clients spanning banks, corporations, resolution professionals and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). Recently, it expanded its practice to tackle increasing corporate transactions and advisory work, dispute resolution in the securities, insurance, cyber and IP spaces, and further foray into the media and entertainment, hospitality and IT sectors. Singh branched out on her own after more than a decade spent at Phoenix Legal and Dhir & Dhir Associates. All of the submitted matters were confidential this year.
AKS Partners is a leading firm known for its robust dispute resolution practice. The firm has an impressive track record in handling complex commercial litigation, arbitration, and regulatory matters across a diverse range of sectors, including infrastructure, automotive, aviation, and consumer goods. The firm excels at navigating intricate legal challenges, often involving government entities and high-stakes contractual disputes. For instance, the firm successfully challenged an arbitral award on behalf of the Airports Authority of India, raising critical questions around arbitrator impartiality and the finality of awards. At the helm of the firm's dispute resolution practice is Sonal Kumar Singh, the managing partner. He leads a team of talented lawyers, including associate partners Ratik Sharma and Sukanya Lal.
Alaya Legal was established over two decades ago by Divjyot Singh and Suniti Kaur. The firm’s core areas are corporate transactions and advisory, and dispute resolution. Sectoral focuses include energy, infrastructure and oil and gas. Its boutique energy practice covers areas such as upstream, midstream and downstream, gas infrastructure, refineries, petrochemical operations and marketing, crude oil, gas, LNG and petroleum products sales, and aviation fuel farms. The litigators have a deep bench of experience in multiple Indian jurisdictions and at all levels of court, fora and tribunals.
Client feedback
“Quick response and quality assessment.” – Aviation
“Quick turnaround, domain knowledge and access to partners.” – Banking and finance
Suniti Kaur
“Knowledgeable, problem-solving approach and domain expertise.”
“Strong knowledge and attendance.”
Capital markets-focused Alliance Law Firm has carved out a niche offering seasoned advice on and defence against enforcement actions by financial regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. It also has a lengthy track record working with clients on their IPOs, rights issues, buyback offers and de-listings. The firm is helmed by managing partner RS Loona and partner Ankur Loona. The former is a securities litigation expert. They were joined in April 2024 by associate partner Himanshi Khanna from Sterne India.
Full-service law firm ALMT Legal has a wide range of practices including banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, labour and employment, and private equity. Its disputes offering covers all commercial litigation and arbitration, and handles criminal matters. Senior partners Sameer Tapia, Aliff Fazelbhoy, S Arun, Ryna Karani, Statira Ranina, Dhanya Menon and Prashant Popat preside over two offices in Mumbai and Bangalore.
Client feedback
"The team demonstrated excellent communication skills and was always available, adapting to our time zone to ensure smooth interactions. They approached their work with thoroughness and rigour, showing respect for our needs throughout the process. Notably, the team exhibited empathy and patience, especially given that we were navigating an unfamiliar context. They were also direct about the process, helping us maintain realistic expectations. Overall, the entire team was a pleasure to work with." – Private client
"ALMT demonstrates strong expertise in land title diligence and thorough research. They are detail-oriented, reliable, and efficient in handling complex property matters. Their professionalism and clear communication make the process smooth and trustworthy." – Real estate
"They are very thorough in their approach. They don't stop at the first, obvious answer but investigate and research cases and law in a detailed manner. They are very client-supportive and are very accessible." – Regulatory
Siddhi Doshi
"She maintained consistently clear communication throughout our collaboration. She was compassionate and attentive to my needs, demonstrating a strong commitment to understanding my goals. Her rigorous approach to the work was evident, and her dedication and hard work contributed significantly to my success. "
Ryna Karani
"Ryna has a strong command of the subject matter, bringing senior-level expertise to the table. Their communication is clear, concise, and effective, which adds significant value to the work they do."
Statira Ranina
"Exhibits high level of integrity and professionalism, highly knowledgeable, adheres to deadlines, offers strategic advice and guidance. She is thorough in her research, an excellent professional, highly knowledgeable, very empathetic and accessible. Her advice and input are also very timely. She owns clients' issues and treats them with care and concern."
Founded in 2012, Alpha Rajan & Partners is a full-service law firm with offices in New Delhi and Bengaluru. It has a corporate and commercial focus, with much work centred on M&A, restructuring and insolvency, dispute resolution, real estate and private equity. The key contacts are managing partners and co-founders Rajan Gupta and Akshat Vikram Pande. The firm has friendly firm collaborations with European law firm Bajer and Bajerova Advokati and Vietnamese firm ALB & Partners.
Established in 2011, Amicus started as a boutique transfer pricing firm headed by its founder, Ashutosh Mohan Rastogi. Since then, it has expanded to offer a full range of corporate and commercial legal services with four partners and 20 other fee earners. The firm’s tax practice, though still best recognised for its transfer pricing expertise, has become an end-to-end purveyor of all taxation areas ranging from direct tax and international tax to goods and services tax. Clients come from the financial services and real-estate sectors, and the firm has seen an uptick in its early-stage private equity work. Other key partners include corporate and PE specialist Shivi Rastogi and litigation specialist Kinshuk Chatterjee.
Anand and Anand stands tall as one of the most highly esteemed IP law firms in India. It is widely regarded as a trailblazer in the field, with exceptional litigation capabilities across the full spectrum of IP. Managing partner Pravin Anand is the go-to name for high-stakes IP litigations, particularly on the patent side. The firm offers the entire spectrum of IP services, from trademark and patent prosecution to its famed litigations. A notable evolution was the collaboration between its Western India practice and Naik Naik & Co to form “Anand and Naik” as a market-leading media and entertainment practice.
The recent overall filing of patents at the firm is up by 25% compared to the national average of 8%. The firm won over 120 lawsuits last year. Along with Pravind Anand, key partners at the firm are Safir Anand, Dhruv Anand, Archana Shanker and Vaishali Mittal. A coup for the firm’s launch of its new digital group was its recent hiring of Ajai Garg, a former senior director in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. In addition to the digital group offering, the firm also launched its end-to-end branding practice. This group focuses on creation, brand identity, risk mitigation, brand extension by product or geography or category, protection, monetisation, commercialisation to legal tools and advisory for brand valuation and protecting its value.
The firm is heralded for its landmark victories in high-stakes patent cases. In one notable matter, Anand and Anand represented Vifor Pharma and successfully secured a "product by process" order for its iron deficiency treatment drug, Ferric carboxymaltose. The Delhi High Court's Division Bench overturned a previous decision, establishing key principles for product-by-process claims in India for the first time. This ruling aligned Indian patent law with global standards and enhanced protection for innovative products.
In another significant case, the firm represented popular actor Jackie Shroff and obtained an interim injunction from the Delhi High Court to safeguard his personality and publicity rights. The court restrained various entities from misappropriating Shroff's name, image and voice without his consent, recognising the need to balance legitimate interests of creative expression and freedom of speech.
Anand and Anand's commitment to innovation is further exemplified by the launch of its digital group, focusing on cutting-edge areas like artificial intelligence, data protection and blockchain. This strategic move positions Anand and Anand as a leader in the digital space, reflecting the firm's proactive approach to evolving legal landscapes.
Founded in 2020 by competition specialists Anu Monga and Rahul Goel, the firm is quickly ascending into the upper echelons as one of the top antirust legal offerings in the country. The team is at the forefront of competition jurisprudence-shaping cases, acting in numerous constitutional challenges to the Competition Act. The team is working towards settling the interpretation with respect to several procedural aspects relating to powers of the Directorate General and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) during investigation and adherence to due process. This involves interpretation of the Competition Act, Code of Civil Procedure and Constitution of India.
Client feedback
“Practical, ethical and efficient.” – Regulatory
“To the point, high quality and good pricing.” – Technology and telecommunications
Rahul Goel
“Ethical, hard-working and commercially aware.”
Anu Monga
“Cool and collected.”
Leading employment specialist Manishi Pathak founded Anhad Law in early 2021 after his departure from IndusLaw. The firm is one of the few law firms in the country to house a dedicated and standalone labour and employment practice. It covers the full spectrum of services for companies and employees, from advisory to mediation and litigation.
In addition to its employment pillar, the firm has branched out into offering a full suite of services on all legal aspects of real estate and construction. The team covers non-contentious and contentious real-estate matters, ranging from litigation, large-scale real-estate project investments and financing, to purchase-sale, leasing and conducting detailed land title due diligence. The firm recently launched its IP practice, covering prosecution, transactional and contentious matters. Partners Ranjan Jha and Ruchika Tandon are also key contacts.
Client feedback
"The team demonstrates a strong understanding of the organisation's perspective and responds accordingly. They are quick to turn around responses, ensuring timely communication. Overall, their support is exceptional and greatly appreciated." – Corporate and M&A
Manishi Pathak
"Quick responses and accurate guidance."
Established in the summer of 2021, Anirudh Associates is a Bangalore-based multi-service firm with a focus on restructuring and insolvency. It has partners also dedicated to corporate and M&A, banking, and project development as well. With respect to its R&I practice, the team is experienced with the full spectrum of work related to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and undertakes all manners of corporate restructuring work. The key contact is seasoned litigator Anirudh Suresh.
Full-service law firm ANM Global was founded in 2009 and has offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. Best known for its premier media and entertainment expertise, the teams also routinely work on intellectual property, corporate, finance and disputes matters across a variety of industries. These include technology, power, insurance, real estate, pharmaceuticals and transportation. Founder and managing partner Nidhish Mehrotra helms a team of 10 partners that includes equity partner Anushree Rauta and head of IP Rahul Dhote. In the past year, five new partners joined from a spate of various firms including Shikha Goenka Ginoda from Dua Associates, Khushboo Butail Karol from KBK Legal and Rahul Mehta, who previously worked with Singhania & Co.
Client feedback
“The positives are plenty and that is why we have been using their services for over a decade. But what makes them stand out is not only their attention to detail but also their time management in dealing with matters.” – Media and entertainment
Anushree Rauta
“Anushree has an in-depth subject-matter knowledge on the functioning of the industry and that is why her value in negotiating deals is unparalleled.”
Established in late 2019 by a founding partner of Trilegal, Anand Prasad, AP & Partners aims to service clients in sophisticated, high-stakes and high-value matters. Its corporate expertise rests in M&A, particularly those that are complex, distressed or contentious, and it has a growing expertise in technology matters. The department provides a full suite of services to clients that include domestic and international public and private companies, entrepreneurial startups, mature multinational corporations, as well as significant financial institutions, insurance companies, pension funds and venture capital funds. The team frequently acts for Indian companies, their founders and management in M&A deals as well as other corporate transactions such as joint ventures, equity and debt financing, mergers and business transfers. It is also kept busy advising a number of major corporations on their corporate governance matters. The New Delhi-based firm currently has seven partners and nearly 20 fee earners. Apart from Prasad, the key contacts at the firm are corporate and private equity partners Arjun Sinha, Dushyant Kumar and Moksha Bhat.
Full-service law firm Archer & Angel is headquartered in New Delhi with offices in Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune. It counts both domestic and international companies as clients and offers the full spectrum of commercial and corporate advice, including IP and real estate. Senior partner Sanjay Chhabra leads the team that includes partner Bharti Ahuja.
Energy and infrastructure boutique Archeus Law was established in 2016 by projects specialist Ranjit Prakash. The core focus of the team has been advising and representing clients in disputes arising in the infrastructure, energy and commodities sectors. It has a steady international client base, including a number of Chinese project developers, and it has been retained by a major EPC contractor that is executing one of the largest ongoing metro projects in India. Prakash and partners Arun Mani and Rajdeep Choudhury are the key contacts and energy, infrastructure, and oil & gas specialists.
Founded at the beginning of 2024, Areete Law Offices is a full-service firm known for its expertise in corporate and M&A transactions. Led by experienced partners Amit Singhania and Rupali Singhania, the firm has a strong track record of advising clients across diverse sectors, including renewable energy, fintech, information technology, infrastructure and manufacturing.
Aretha Legal is a full-service law firm headquartered in New Delhi with an associate office in Bengaluru. The firm was founded in 2022 by veteran lawyers Ray Vikram Nath, Prashant Kumar, and Nitin Gera, bringing decades of collective experience in the legal industry.
Aretha Legal's litigation practice is renowned for its expertise across a wide range of sectors and industries. The firm's seasoned litigators specialise in commercial disputes, intellectual property, real estate, and labour matters, developing tailored strategies to address each client's unique challenges.
Argus Partners enjoys market-leading practices for banking and finance, and restructuring and insolvency. The firm’s core practices also cover corporate and M&A, and dispute resolution. Recently, the team has experienced growth in infrastructure and real-estate funding, and in special situations investments. On the corporate and M&A side, the firm regularly advises blue-chip clients on governance, structuring and compliance issues. The firm has a pan-India presence with six offices in Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Krishnava Dutt, the firm’s managing partner, specialises in banking and finance, corporate and M&A, and restructuring and insolvency. Partners Aastha, Arka Majumdar, Abhinav Bhalaik, Adity Chaudhury and Namitha Mathews are other key contacts.
ASC Legal is a tax specialist firm headed up by Aseem Chawla, the former tax head at Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co. The firm works with large corporate clients on a variety of tax matters including international tax, inbound and outbound tax structuring, cross-border tax issues and tax litigation. In addition to the corporate tax practice, the firm regularly handles real estate and succession planning, and trusts and private client work for high-net-worth individuals and trustees, family offices and financial institutions.
Intellectual property specialist firm Ashwathh Legal was founded in late 2020 by a group of seasoned IP experts. The offering spans trademarks, copyright, patents, designs and customs to investigations, enforcement and dispute resolution. The firm also advises on data privacy and protection, content protection and anti-piracy, white-collar crime and trade regulatory. Managing partner Prabhu Tandon leads a group of veteran professionals, including partners Lalima Tandon, Kripa Pandit and Kanika Aeri. The firm enjoyed a number of new client wins, including Adani Cements, Novartis, HT Media, Dalmia Bharat, Bajaj Electricals and Quess Corp.
Full-service national law firm ASP Advocates is based in New Delhi, but over the years has rapidly expanded its network of associate offices to include Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Gangtok and Patna. It offers a wide range of corporate and commercial, and dispute resolution services for international and domestic clients. More specifically, the practitioners are adept at contentious and advisory matters related to M&A, antitrust, banking and finance, aviation and maritime, and capital markets, among others. Its general corporate commercial work includes transactional support, labour and employment, IP protection and enforcement, and regulatory and policy. A key pillar is the disputes and arbitration group, led by partners Abhixit Singh and Abhishek Seth.
Atlas Law Partners maintains a strong showing in our banking and finance, corporate and M&A, real estate and private equity rankings. It debuts in the dispute resolution table on the back of a significant addition to the group, prominent disputes specialist and senior partner Ritu Bhalla. She joined from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co in late 2022. The firm won numerous mandates last year despite the pandemic impact, acting on no less than 20 debt-related and M&A transactions. In the private equity space, the team is particularly specialised in handling startup investments on behalf of both funds as well as target companies. Co-founders and senior partners Harry Chawla and Niti Paul are key contacts.
AZB & Partners is renowned as one of the top full-service law firms in India with leading practices across every category, including banking, capital markets, corporate and M&A, and private equity. With offices in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, the firm is strategically positioned to handle complex legal challenges that intersect multiple industries and jurisdictions.
The firm’s sterling reputation for M&A and private equity makes it a first port of call for heavyweight international and domestic clients hoping to secure its services for big-ticket deals. The firm comprises over 90 partners across six pan-India locations. Founding partners Zia Mody, Ajay Bahl and Bahram Vakil are legends in the market for their corporate and finance specialties. Corporate partners Anil Kasturi and Ashwath Rau are two of the most prominent M&A and private equity lawyers in the country. In a notable change, former equity partner Aditya Vikram Bhat departed to establish AVB Chambers, while former Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas partner Juvraj Singh Bindra made a return to AZB & Partners, further strengthening the firm's expertise.
Apart from its fame in corporate law, the firm has robust and dedicated practice areas across every niche. For example, the infrastructure practice is well-known for its work advising clients on significant projects and regulatory frameworks. In the energy sector, the group has established itself as a go-to firm for clients looking to invest in and develop energy projects. The insurance practice is another key strength, offering comprehensive legal advice on regulatory and transactional matters. In the media and entertainment space, its lawyers demonstrated its capability through high-profile transactions. The firm is recognised for its ability to provide tailored legal solutions that meet clients' business objectives while navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
Over the past 12 months, AZB & Partners has seen several significant developments. Notably, Shagoofa Rashid Khan was promoted to senior partner, alongside the elevation of Dhruti Dholakia to partner in the Mumbai office and the promotion of four lawyers to partnership across the firm's corporate-M&A and tax practices. Additionally, nine lawyers were promoted to counsel, reflecting the firm’s commitment to professional growth and development.
The firm has been actively involved in major transactions, advising on significant deals such as the sale of a controlling stake in VIP Industries to Multiples PE and its consortium members, as well as Peer Capital’s investment in House of Vaaree. The firm also represented Wave Beverages in a Re10 billion ($115 million) acquisition by Kandhari Global Beverages and provided counsel in various high-profile matters, including a case before the Delhi High Court and an internal reorganisation for Termomeccanica.
The corporate team successfully advised Citigroup Global Markets India Private and Goldman Sachs Securities Private on the sale of a 2.5% stake in Tobacco Manufacturers, and represented the Wikimedia Foundation before the Supreme Court of India. They also acted on Schneider Electric's substantial $6.4 billion stake acquisition in Schneider Electric India from Temasek.
Corporate and finance law firm Begur & Partners has offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Led by managing partner and founder Rajesh Begur, the firm focuses on M&A, private equity and venture capital, banking and finance, real estate, capital markets and TMT-related work. Additionally, the team has a growing and active investment funds practice, particularly launching alternative investment funds. This year the firm moves up a notch in the private equity rankings. Since its inception in 1996, the firm has handled more than 20,000 transactions.
With offices in Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru, Bharucha & Partners is an established full-service firm that handles complex, high-level matters. The firm has a stellar reputation in the market for its disputes work, with partners MP Bharucha and DP Singh lauded by peers. In the wake of this consistent recognition, the firms climbs into the top tier for dispute resolution his year. Key partners of the transactions practice group are Alka Bharucha, Justin Bharucha, Vandana Pai, Vishnu Dutt, Swathi Girimaji and Rohit Sharma. The firm welcomed former JSA partner and transaction specialist Sindhu Nayak this year.
BMR Legal is a boutique tax firm with expertise in policy, disputes, transaction advisory, alternative dispute resolution and transfer pricing law. Managing partner Mukesh Butani is a renowned tax practitioner, highly respected for his decades of experience, intricate knowledge of the subject matter, and courtroom mastery. In addition to the core tax areas, the firm supports clients on alternative dispute resolution, including advance pricing agreements, mutual agreement procedure and advance rulings, and acts as expert witness on treaty and transfer pricing law. The firm is committed to and engaged in thought leadership and research to improve the overall tax policy infrastructure of the country. Partner and GST specialist Tarun Jain is another key contact. International tax specialist Seema Kejriwal and customs and trade expert Shankey Agrawal round out the leadership.
Four-year-old Bombay Law Chambers has offices in Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi. The firm has steadily made inroads in banking and finance and private equity, offering clients high-calibre solutions from veteran lawyers. The private equity practice has a stellar roster of regional and international clients, with industry strengths in e-commerce, logistics, gaming, agritech and medical technology, among others. Peers have acknowledged the firm’s “good work” and rise in prominence. Key contacts and founding partners are Karan Kalra and Dipanshu Singhal. Other names to note are partners Abhinav Harlalka, Parag Srivastava and Poonam Sharma.
BTG Legal offers transactional and dispute resolution services from its offices in Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore. Its core sector strengths include aerospace and defence, energy and infrastructure, financial services, life sciences, industrials, real estate and transport. Its projects team is regularly engaged by various domestic and international companies to assist them through the whole life cycle of energy generation projects in India. Corporate partners Parveen Arora and Juhi Mehta are the key contacts. The latter joined from Samvad Partners last year.
Burgeon Law stands out as a dynamic legal practice with a multifaceted approach to corporate and commercial law across India. Led by key partners Ketan Mukhija and Abhinav Agnihotri, the firm has demonstrated particular strength in infrastructure, labour and employment, and dispute resolution practices. The firm's client roster includes a diverse range of companies from technology startups to established infrastructure and energy firms, reflecting their adaptability and depth of expertise.
Based in Chennai, Calibre Legal is a full-service law firm founded by corporate specialist Mohammed Shadaan Saipillai. The firm covers a broad range of practice areas like M&A, real estate, general corporate advisory, dispute resolution and both direct and indirect tax. In addition to Saipillai, another key contact is partner Arun Kurian Joseph.
Client feedback
“Calibre Legal's professionalism and the ability to provide timely responses to client requirements stand out.” – Corporate and M&A
“Well-organised and efficient in providing service.” – Corporate and M&A
“Quick response time and quality work.” – Dispute resolution
“We appreciate their advisory, calmness, patience and ability to direct questions to scout for answers.” – Labour and employment
“They were able to advise us and bring to our notice clauses which were detrimental to us. They also provided us insights on what the various points in the contract. Most importantly they were able to provide us with additional points to safeguard our interests which we also didn’t think of. They helped us create a fair and watertight contract.” – Private client
Shadaan Saipillai
“He is intelligent, proactive and provides value for money.”
“All was good from him and he did well in all aspects of our requirements.”
“Accommodating to our ad-hoc schedule calls and patience in explaining the pros and cons.”
“Shadaan is highly professional and ensures timelines are met.”
“He thinks ahead and has the best in mind for the clients.”
Chadha & Co is a dynamic law firm with a reputation for providing innovative and pragmatic legal solutions. Headquartered in New Delhi, the firm's expertise spans a diverse range of practice areas, including corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, labour and employment, and more. Its client base spans SMEs to international Fortune 500 companies from all business sectors, such as automotive, food and beverage, and hardware and electronics. The firm combines deep local knowledge with an international outlook, serving clients from diverse industries such as infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, technology, shipping and manufacturing. The partners are involved in every matter, working for the client in a hands-on manner to ensure high-quality delivery throughout. A unique offering is that the firm has several foreign desks with Japanese and European staff.
At the helm of the firm is managing partner Rahul Chadha, who leads a talented team of lawyers. Chadha is widely respected for his strategic acumen in handling complex transactions, government policy matters, and regulatory challenges across various industry sectors, including infrastructure, manufacturing, BFSI and healthcare.
The firm’s corporate and M&A practice is spearheaded by Chadha and Neeraj Prakash, who have successfully guided several high-profile joint venture formations and cross-border M&A deals. Thea team has a track record of advising prominent multinational clients, especially Japanese and European companies, on complex cross-border transactions and regulatory challenges. For instance, the firm played a key role in helping a Japanese industrial compressor manufacturer enter the Indian market through a joint venture, combining advanced technology with local expertise to produce and market products regionally and globally. Similarly, they are advising a Japanese pharmaceutical and synthetic resin manufacturer in a joint venture to expand manufacturing capabilities in India.
In the dispute resolution arena, partner Savita Sarna has showcased her prowess in handling intricate commercial disputes and international arbitration cases. She represented the Japan International Cooperation Agency in a writ petition before the Madras High Court, successfully defending the legality of the eligibility criteria set forth in a loan agreement with the Indian government. Sarna also led the firm's efforts in contesting a declaratory suit filed to set aside a fraudulent transfer of immovable property, involving complex cross-border insolvency issues.
Sarna additionally spearheads the firm's labour and employment practice. The team routinely offers comprehensive advice to multinational clients on a wide range of matters, including employee termination, gratuity payments, and compliance with Indian labour laws. Her team has also conducted training sessions for clients on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, ensuring their policies and practices adhere to the relevant regulations.
Chadha & Co combines strategic legal insight with practical execution, supporting clients through cross-border deals, regulatory hurdles, litigation, and workforce management challenges. Its strong presence in New Delhi and expertise in handling complex, multi-jurisdictional matters makes the firm a trusted partner for both Indian and international businesses operating in India.
Chandhiok & Mahajan is recognised by the market for its competition and antitrust expertise and is growing in prominence in the restructuring and insolvency sphere. The firm is active for its big tech and e-commerce clients, for example representing Google before the competition regulator. Another highlight is the firm’s extensive experience in leniency mandates, powered by its win for a client in the first-ever decision by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in relation to leniency where 100% immunity was granted. The firm also has numerous seminal antitrust law achievements under its belt. It is at the forefront of competition policy development, with name partner Karan Chandhiok as the co-chair of the Assocham National Council on Competition Law. Chandhiok and co-founder Pooja Mahajan are key figures at the firm. Other names to note are antitrust partners Deeksha Manchanda and Avinash Amarnath.
In the past 12 months, the firm made a series a high-profile recruitments to bolster its M&A and disputes groups, including M&A partner Shafaq Uraizee Sapre and capital markets expert Niruphama Ramakrishnan from JSA, contentious insolvency partner Himanshu Vidhani from Khaitan & Co, new head of disputes and advocate-on-record Rahul Narayan, corporate counsel Mitesh Shah from Krishnamurthy & Co, and disputes counsel Zubin Poovathinkal from Karavadi & Co.
Client feedback
“The team is very good. Sujoy's always a phone call away to ideate and provide in-depth legal insight, commercial guidance or practical inputs. With Sujoy on board, you can rest assured that your international clients are in safe hands.” – Corporate and M&A
“Chandhiok & Mahajan consistently demonstrates several positive attributes that enhance our collaboration. Their legal team is known for providing thorough and strategic legal advice, which is crucial for navigating complex real estate transactions and disputes. They excel in offering timely and proactive solutions, which helps in making informed decisions efficiently. Additionally, the firm has shown a strong commitment to understanding the specifics of the real estate sector, tailoring their advice to fit not only legal requirements but also commercial realities. Their attentiveness to changes in regulations and their impact on our business is particularly noteworthy. This combination of industry knowledge, timely advice, and professional integrity makes them a valuable asset to any real estate business.” – Dispute resolution
Sujoy Bhatia
“He brings a wealth of experience, a lot of market knowledge, legal insights and practicality in deal making.”
Mehul Parti
“Mehul consistently exhibits several commendable attributes as a counsel at Chandhiok & Mahajan. Additionally, Mehul demonstrates excellent communication skills. He articulates legal strategies clearly and effectively, ensuring that all parties are well-informed and that there is a clear understanding of the course of action. This skill is particularly crucial in maintaining transparency and trust with clients. Mehul's dedication to his clients is evident in his thorough preparation and persistent approach to achieving the best possible outcomes for them. He is also known for his professionalism and integrity, maintaining high ethical standards in all his dealings, which fosters trust and respect from clients and colleagues alike.”
After the decoupling of Universal Legal and IC Legal, Universal Legal is now rebranded as Chugh Universal Legal (CUL). CUL is known for its comprehensive legal services across various sectors. With offices in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and New Delhi, the firm has a strong, established presence in India, catering to a diverse clientele, including businesses and individuals. The firm is particularly known for its proficiency in Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity transactions, venture capital transactions and providing strategic legal counsel on complex corporate and commercial matters.
Clasis Law, with offices in Delhi and Mumbai, is a full-service Indian law firm that works with domestic and international clients on various aspects of law across industry sectors and practice areas. The firm has recently been active in corporate, labour, disputes and restructuring and insolvency matters. It moves up a tier in the corporate and M&A table. Managing partner Vineet Aneja and litigation partner Mustafa Motiwala are key contacts.
Clavius Legal stands out as a powerhouse in dispute resolution, particularly in construction and regulatory disputes across India. Led by partners Sooraj Sharma, Vipul Agrawal, Jatin Kochhar and Arjun Kant, the firm has quickly established itself as a go-to legal practice for complex, high-stakes litigation. The firm's approach combines deep industry knowledge with strategic legal insights, allowing it effectively to navigate complex legal landscapes. With a dedicated team of skilled professionals, Clavius Legal operates from its main office in New Delhi, serving clients across various sectors, including real estate, infrastructure, energy and financial services. The firm’s client roster includes major corporations like Citigroup, CBRE, Viridian RED, and various state-owned enterprises, demonstrating its ability to handle both private and public sector complex legal challenges. With a focused team of 30 lawyers and a strategic approach to dispute resolution, Clavius Legal has rapidly positioned itself as a leading legal practice in India.
Key individuals at the firm include partners Sharma, who specialises in dispute resolution and regulatory matters; Agrawal, known for his construction expertise; Kochhar, who focuses on international arbitration; and Indresh Upadhyay, who brings significant experience in regulatory and public law.
Over the past 12 months, the firm has made significant advancements, including the hiring of Gaurav Singh and Siddharth Sijoria as Of Counsels. Their addition enhances the firm's expertise in insolvency and public law. The firm has also expanded its practice areas to include more comprehensive services in construction and infrastructure. Additionally, the firm has established new client relationships with major players like Larsen & Toubro and Viridian RED, reflecting its increased influence in high-profile projects. These strategic moves position the firm effectively to address complex legal challenges and reinforce its reputation in the construction and dispute resolution sectors.
Client feedback
"Clavius Legal demonstrates outstanding expertise in providing tailored construction law solutions." – Construction
"Clavius Legal impresses with sharp insight, dynamic expertise, and wide-reaching influence. They brilliantly tackled our construction arbitrations and litigations across arbitral tribunals, the Supreme Court of India, and High Courts, while expertly handling insolvency cases before the NCLT, NCLAT, and Supreme Court." – Construction
"Clavius Legal excels at delivering legally sound, commercially sensible, and highly reliable contract support. It is backed by strong communication and an intuitive grasp of business priorities." – Corporate and M&A
"Provides commercially sound advice and highly responsive." – Corporate and M&A
"Professional, hardworking and client-centric approach to cases. Highly responsive and transparent." – Dispute resolution
"Well-organized, transparent, responsive and client-focused." – Dispute resolution
"Clavius Legal stands out for its sharp legal strategy, strong courtroom presence, client-centric mindset and multi-sector expertise. Overall, Clavius Legal delivers high-quality legal work without unnecessary posturing – just solid, dependable execution." – Dispute resolution
"Collaborative, professional and focused." – Dispute resolution
"Clavius Legal excels in delivering client-focused service with deep expertise in international arbitration and commercial disputes, crafting bespoke strategies, and managing high-stakes disputes across jurisdictions like India, Singapore, and the UK. Their use of technology and meticulous preparation ensure efficient, positive outcomes." – Dispute resolution
Vipul Agrawal
"Vipul demonstrates strategic brilliance and exceptional problem-solving skills, excelling in handling complex arbitration cases with smart, practical solutions. His ability to unravel intricate disputes and present clear, winning arguments makes him a standout in commercial disputes."
"Top-notch, master strategist, sharp intellect, and deep expertise with domain knowledge."
Arjun Kant
"Arjun brings a unique mix of legal acumen, entrepreneurial instinct, hands-on leadership and sharp execution to the table."
"Arjun brings a rare combination of technical proficiency, business acumen, and collaborative professionalism, making working with him both effective and seamless."
"Absolutely excellent, as he is great with clients and very hardworking."
Sooraj Sharma
"Sooraj is fantastic, a true star, and the perfect lawyer to have by your side – his expert guidance during my complex case was invaluable."
"He is a pleasure to work with."
"Accessible, diligent and sees the bigger picture."
"Sooraj is an absolute powerhouse in international disputes, blending razor-sharp expertise with an unwavering commitment to clients that blows the competition away. I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend his world-class dispute resolution expertise!"
Indresh Upadhyay
"Indresh is a terrific trial lawyer – strategic, eloquent, and exceptionally effective in the courtroom."
IndusLaw is a modern full-service firm that is rapidly coming up the ranks as a challenger to the established order of top legacy firms. In total, the pan-India coverage includes offices in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Gurugram. The firm takes pride in its growing prominence among sophisticated clients for its dispute resolution, private equity and TMT work. It specialises in working with investors across the full funding lifecycle and on a variety of funds including sector-specific ones such as technology, life sciences, e-commerce, retail and infrastructure. The key contacts are founding partners Avimukt Dar, Gaurav Dani, Kartik Ganapathy, and Suneeth Katarki.
The biggest news for the firm came in June, when global law firm CMS announced its alliance with IndusLaw. The latter has joined the CMS network, adopting the joint branding of CMS IndusLaw, while remaining an independent entity. This collaboration is set to be fully operational by the end of 2025 and does not constitute a merger, joint venture, or partnership.
This alliance is significant for several reasons. For CMS, it establishes a substantial foothold in the rapidly expanding Indian legal landscape. Conversely, IndusLaw gains the advantage of offering world-class legal solutions that incorporate a global perspective, thereby enhancing its capacity to serve clients looking to scale internationally. Clients of both firms will benefit from an integrated approach to legal services, combining IndusLaw's deep understanding of Indian law with CMS's international expertise across various fields, including corporate transactions, regulatory matters, disputes, capital markets, technology and intellectual property.
The alliance also heralds a new era of international collaboration within the Indian legal market, potentially stimulating further partnerships between Indian and foreign firms and fostering a more competitive and dynamic legal environment. Key benefits include the provision of seamless cross-border services, enabling CMS to deliver coordinated legal solutions for complex international matters. Additionally, IndusLaw's lawyers will support multinational clients of CMS looking to operate in India, while CMS's lawyers in over 45 countries will assist clients seeking to expand from India. This partnership facilitates knowledge sharing and expertise exchange, providing IndusLaw's lawyers with valuable international exposure.
The alliance is driven by the ongoing liberalisation of the Indian legal market, which has become increasingly open to foreign law firms, and by India's robust economic growth, which positions it as a significant player in the global economy. As the fourth-largest economy, projected to become the third-largest by 2027, India presents a burgeoning need for international legal advisers equipped with local insights. Overall, this collaboration positions CMS to capitalise on emerging opportunities in India, enhancing its competitive advantage in the region.
Bangalore-based Counselence boasts deep industry know-how in the TMT sector. It was set up to provide business legal services to corporate clients by two former senior in-house counsel at a major IT company. The firm is full-service with notable specialties in advisory, M&A, and labour and employment within the technology industry. Founding partners Biju Varghese and Padmanabhan Ananth are the key contacts. Varghese is a corporate, disputes and regulatory specialist, while Ananth’s practice focuses on labour, corporate and disputes.
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) continues its reign as one of the most recognised full-service law firms in India, a top-tier choice for its panoply of international and domestic clients, with a longstanding reputation for handling the country’s most complex, high-value and innovative transactions and disputes. CAM operates from offices across India’s major cities – Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Noida – as well as international locations in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and at the International Financial Services Centre in GIFT City. This broad presence enables the firm to serve a diverse client base, including large Indian conglomerates, multinationals, global investment funds, banks, financial institutions, and fast-growing technology and digital businesses.
CAM is especially recognised for its bench strength in banking and finance, corporate and M&A, private equity, competition (antitrust), dispute resolution, technology and telecommunications, real estate, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, and regulatory and financial services. The firm is regularly sought out to advise on market-defining deals and cases, and is known for being the first call for “first of their kind” transactions in India. Clients trust the firm not only to execute deals but to help create new legal and business structures that often become industry standards.
The firm has been deepening its expertise in distressed asset M&A and bid-side insolvency resolution, and has established a specialised corporate governance practice. The firm houses elite partners and leaders in their fields like Cyril Shroff, L Viswanathan, Reeba Chacko, Avaantika Kakkar, Namrata Kolar and Yash Ashar. The firm also has a unique bench of retired senior bureaucrats from key Indian regulators, such as Reserve Bank of India and Securities and Exchange Board of India, to provide an extra layer of expertise.
The firm’s banking and financial services team routinely advises both Indian and international lenders and borrowers on project finance, corporate finance, external commercial borrowings, debt restructurings, high-yield bonds, securitisation and derivatives. Notable clients include State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Bank of Baroda, and major infrastructure and energy companies. CAM has recently advised on several of the largest refinancings and infrastructure financings in India, such as the Re110 billion ($1.26 billion) lease discounting facilities for Brookfield’s real estate group companies and a $1.59 billion cross-border financing for Adani Group’s acquisition of Ambuja Cements warrants. The firm also played a key role in complex transactions involving InvITs, renewable energy projects, and bond issuances, working with a mix of Indian and global financial institutions.
The competition law team, led by Avaantika Kakkar, is widely recognised for handling high-profile merger control filings and antitrust investigations. CAM regularly advises on some of the most significant antitrust matters in India, including multi-jurisdictional deals for global funds like Warburg Pincus, Advent International and Blackstone, as well as large corporates such as Google, Reliance, Tata and Thyssenkrupp. The team handled over 30% of merger notifications filed in India last year, and has been instrumental in precedent-setting cases involving digital markets, pharmaceuticals, and new sectors like green hydrogen and AI. The practice is also involved in cutting-edge issues such as big tech platform investigations, and recently secured India’s first unconditional competition clearance for a genAI investment by Google in Flipkart.
In dispute resolution, CAM is the go-to firm for large corporates and financial institutions facing high-stakes litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings. The disputes team, led by Indranil Deshmukh and international arbitration specialist Shaneen Parikh, regularly acts before the Supreme Court, High Courts, and key tribunals. They have recently advised on headline disputes such as the shareholder battle at Byju’s, restructuring and insolvency-related litigation for Blackstone and Max Estates, and regulatory investigations for the Adani and Jindal groups. CAM also represented clients in precedent-setting cases, including Supreme Court clarifications on certified copies for appeals, cross-border asset tracing and insolvency, and high-profile family and shareholder disputes.
The technology, media and telecommunications practice, led by Arun Prabhu, is highly regarded for advising on transactions, regulatory compliance and strategic issues facing India’s digital economy. The firm is regularly engaged by global tech giants like Meta, Google, Amazon and Microsoft, as well as Indian unicorns and startups. Key work includes advising on data-protection compliance, cross-border tech investments, fintech platforms, and evolving issues in online marketplaces, AI and blockchain. The TMT team is also recognised for policy work, having advised the Government of India on drafting landmark digital and data privacy legislation.
In real estate, CAM has a nationwide presence with specialists in every major office and an extensive track record in large commercial, residential and industrial projects. The team, led by Namrata Kolar, Rishiraj Bhatt and others, routinely handles title diligence, project development, transactions, and regulatory issues for both domestic and international clients. Recent transactions include multi-crore land and building acquisitions for global investors, India’s largest branded residential developments, and substantial warehousing deals with institutional investors such as Blackstone and Hillhouse.
CAM’s pharmaceuticals and life sciences practice, headed by Ashwin Sapra and Biplab Lenin, is a standout for regulatory, transactional and litigation work in this specialised sector. The team advises on product approvals, clinical trials, pricing, compliance and major M&A deals, and is regularly engaged by leading global and Indian pharma companies. Recent highlights include advising on the $5.08 billion merger of Aster DM Healthcare with Blackstone-backed Quality Care, one of the largest hospital sector deals in India, and representing Johnson & Johnson in significant product liability litigation.
Regulatory and financial services work is another core strength. The firm’s Financial Institutions Group, led by L. Viswanathan and Anu Tiwari, offers deep experience in regulatory strategy, M&A, enforcement, fintech and policy matters. CAM’s close connections with former regulators and policy experts allow it to advise on new market entry, licensing, compliance and regulatory challenges for banks, NBFCs, fintechs and payment system operators.
Over the past year, CAM has expanded with key partner hires, notably strengthening its capital markets, disputes and real-estate teams with senior laterals from top rival firms. For example, the blockbuster addition of capital markets guru Manan Lahoty and his massive team of 48 from IndusLaw rattled the Indian legal space last summer. The firm has also deepened its coverage in regulatory and fintech, and opened new offices in India’s emerging business hubs.
Established in 2018, D&T Juris is a full-service law firm that offers clients an expansive range of services that encompasses legal advisory, business formation, corporate compliance, intellectual property, real estate, and dispute resolution. The team prioritises rapid responsiveness, ensuring its senior partners are actively involved in the majority of client matters. Managing partner Nishant Datta is the key contact. His primary focus is on real estate and private client disputes.
Client feedback
“The firm is highly recommended for these reasons:
Diligence – they studied my case well and helped me to compile all documents that were needed to build and file the case.
Clarity – at the outset, they discussed how the overall case was going to proceed and what the certainties and the uncertainties are. That helped me set the expectations for myself.
Documentation – all the documentation for the filing of the case and other follow-ups were of the highest standard. They gave me ample time and opportunity for my review and incorporated necessary changes in time before submission.
Communication – they sent me formal communications of the proceedings after every court date and what needs to be done for the next one. That helped me in effectively preparing for the next action.
Counselling – they guided me through the progress and helped me when I was losing my patience and was becoming restless because of slow progress of the case. They gave me clarity on some dos and don'ts which helped me to hold on to my case with care and patience.
Effective remote working management – I am remote and do not have in-person interactions with them or with the court. They ensured me that I could trust them and was comforted to know that despite all the limitations of remoteness, my case was handled carefully.
Personal touch – they always kept a personal touch beyond the normal course of transactions. I regularly receive pleasantries on local festivals and other events of social relevance.
Guiding beyond the contract – when I wanted help from them for supporting me in the Supreme Court of India because the defendant had taken the case there, they supported me by introducing me to a senior lawyer and helped in fees negotiations etc., which helped me to get a favourable verdict in that court. Similarly, they helped me in putting up a police case in my local police authorities to bolster my ongoing case. I did that and got a formal police complaint, and a suit filed against the builder.
Fees – their fee structure is simple with no ambiguity and that helped me in planning my cash outflow over a period of time.” – Dispute resolution
Nishant Datta
“Knowledge on the subject-matter, clarity in communications, quality of documentation, personal touch with his clients, non-ambiguous fee structure and responsiveness.”
The market holds Dentons Link Legal in high regard for its strengths in aviation, construction, energy and infrastructure work. The firm is a first port-of-call for infrastructure players due to its vast experience in large scale, long-term infrastructure projects, regulator relationships, and ability to go beyond transaction basics into extra layers of service like financing insurance. Atul Sharma and Nusrat Hassan are key partners for energy and infrastructure, and corporate and M&A, respectively. Managing partner Anand Srivastava is also a projects and finance contact. Five new partners recently joined the firm to shore up its corporate, disputes and projects practices.
Dhaval Vussonji & Associates celebrates its 12th anniversary this year. The real estate-focused boutique law firm houses over 60 lawyers in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi. Four of its six partners are real-estate specialists, with managing partner Dhaval Vussonji also being a chartered accountant. The firm has helped many offshore real-estate clients enter the Indian market, providing regulatory counsel and working on funding requirements. Vussonji’s accountancy background adds the extra dimension of tax advice and implications for clients. In addition to Vussonji, the key contacts are managing partner Prachi Dave, banking specialist Manisha Paranjape, real estate partner Minal Sampat and litigation specialist Sonam Mhatre.
Dhir & Dhir Associates is best known for its restructuring and insolvency, and capital markets practices. The firm was one of the first entrants into the stressed assets advisory space back in the early 1980s. Thus, its long-standing experience of nearly four decades in the insolvency realm makes it a go-to firm with clients appreciating its substantial, well-rounded contentious and non-contentious practice. The firm is currently handling more than a quarter of the non-performing assets insolvencies in the country. In the last year, the firm successfully handled the first completed case of the pre-pack insolvency resolution process, among other notable precedent-setting matters. The firm has steadily been growing its restructuring advisory and contentious practice. The in-depth and expansive legal knowledge the firm possesses has helped various clients resolve their financial stress without seeking intervention of any court proceedings.
The banking and finance team has witnessed a lot of focus on project finance matters as improving infrastructure is a key government mandate. It is working with clients in foreign direct Investments, re-financing, conventional financing and ECBs, and offer guidelines to foster equity, especially in startups. The core practices of managing partners Alok Dhir and Maneesha Dhir are in restructuring and insolvency, and corporate and M&A. Alok Dhir is also known for his expertise in real estate and private equity, while Maneesha Dhir is active in telecommunications, media and technology as well as dispute resolution.
DMD Advocates is a full-service firm that is heralded for its strong tax expertise. The other core areas of the firm are dispute resolution, corporate, regulatory, competition and IP rights. The pan-India firm houses more than 120 lawyers, including 26 partners, across its principal offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, and associate offices in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. Founders Anuradha Dutt, Fereshte Sethna and Vijayalakshmi Menon are the key contacts for transactional work. Other names to note in the tax department include senior director Rupak Saha, and partners Shashank Shekhar and Tushar Jarwal.
Full-service firm DSK Legal has a strong reputation in the market for quality work with pockets of top-tier offerings in several areas. With offices in key cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, the firm has established a strong national presence, serving a diverse client base that includes multinational corporations, financial institutions and startups.
Under the guidance of top-flight real-estate partner Sajit Suvarna, the firm’s real-estate offering is regarded as one of the strongest in Mumbai. With an added capacity on the corporate side from recent additions, the firm posted a strong showing by closing over 50 sizable M&A deals. The firm’s specialised media and entertainment department is also well-received by the market. It boasts many A-list Bollywood film stars as clients, along with local and international media houses and platforms like Disney and Star India.
The firm is reputed for its deep understanding of the Indian regulatory landscape and its ability to navigate complex transactions and disputes across a plethora of sectors. DSK Legal excels in providing tailored legal solutions that align with clients' strategic objectives, ensuring compliance while maximising business opportunities. Its strong reputation in the banking and financial services sector is complemented by a robust practice in competition.
Key contact and managing partner Anand Desai is a venerable figure in the legal industry for banking and finance, corporate and M&A, disputes, and media and entertainment. Deputy managing partner Suvarna is a banking and real estate specialist. Other key names include corporate partners Anjan Dasgupta, Aparajit Bhattacharya and Ajay Shaw, and competition specialists Rishi Anand and Kanika Nayar. Srinivas BR, Harvinder Singh, Nakul Batra, Jayesh Kothari and Mayank Mehta are other names to note.
In the past year, DSK Legal has made several noteworthy updates. The firm has strengthened its team by adding skilled partners and associates, enhancing its capabilities across various sectors. This includes the introduction of new initiatives aimed at expanding its service offerings, particularly in emerging sectors like renewable energy and technology. The firm has also secured several significant clients, reflecting its growing influence and reputation in the legal market.
Client feedback
"DSK is prompt in their revert and they give practical and business-friendly solutions. They understand the commercial nuances involved in a transaction and are able to balance the legal and commercial aspects of funding." – Banking and finance
"The firm was great." – Banking and finance
"The team was full of experienced, solution-oriented professionals." – Banking and finance
"The lawyers were responsive, attentive to details and understood our needs." – Banking and finance
"They are good with advising and finding solutions to issues. They pay attention to details and are proactive." – Capital markets
"DSK Legal has an extremely responsive set of lawyers who are not only always available but also provide quality advice which is to the point and commercially sound. We have interacted a lot with Kanika Nayar, who is very approachable, has a tremendous amount of knowledge of the subject and provides very sound and clear advice." – Competition/antitrust
"Very customer oriented." – Construction
"They are very diligent in what they do. I have had very positive experiences working with Siddharth [Suresh] in particular." – Corporate and M&A
"Great sector knowledge, client attention and professional approach." – Corporate and M&A
"They are responsive and provide practical advice." – Corporate and M&A
"They are very approachable, have a good command of the subject, and provided valuable insights on our project and the overall data. " – Dispute resolution
"Intelligent, approachable, sincere, and assertive team." – Dispute resolution
"The lawyers advised not only on the legal analysis but also on negotiation strategy from a practical viewpoint." – Dispute resolution
"They are very good." – Labour and employment
"Great skill and experience across various sectors, the best media practice in the industry." – Media
and entertainment
"Thorough work and in-depth knowledge." – Private client
"Excellent feedback." – Real estate
"Gave excellent advice from the financial aspect regarding debentures underwriting, advice on real estate business, contract negotiations, and negotiations for contract conclusion." – Real estate
Rishi Anand
"Excellent relationship management."
"We had excellent support and an amazing partner in Rishi Anand."
Abhishek Singh Baghel
"Good team building and speed of reaction."
"Very responsible and practical."
Aparajit Bhattacharya
"Great sector knowledge."
Anjan Dasgupta
"Great sector knowledge."
Parag Kabadi
"On the ball and knows what to do."
Sagar Kadam
"Very cooperative with problem-solving skills."
Roochi Loona
"She is great."
Chandrima Mitra
"Extremely experienced, very intelligent and great understanding of the law as well as media business."
Saloni Mody
"Accurate advice based on deep knowledge and experience, and executed contract negotiations that fully supported our company."
Kanika Nayar
"She is well read on antitrust laws and precedents on competition matters."
Ashish Pahariya
"Articulate and solution oriented."
"Responsive, technically proficient and understands client’s needs."
Dinesh Pardasani
"Dinesh exemplifies excellence in the legal sphere through unparalleled expertise and a profound understanding of intricate legal frameworks. Known for his accessibility and approachability, he has cultivated a reputation for being a trusted advisor to us. His strategic brilliance is reflected in meticulously crafted legal approaches that anticipate challenges and leverage opportunities, ensuring the most favorable outcomes."
Ajay Shaw
"Sound advice and quick implementation."
Mahip Singh
"Good team leader."
Payal Sinha
"Payal is adept at what she does. She is also aware of all the latest updates in the field of RERA/finance laws. She has years of good experience with many deals and can provide quick solutions to any issues."
Siddharth Suresh
"Transparent, diligent and consistent."
Akanksha Tiwary
"She is very good."
Pranav Vyas
"He is sharp, intelligent, hardworking and always approachable."
Full-service firm Dua Associates is best known for its litigation and arbitration offering, and its restructuring and insolvency practice is growing from strength to strength. The dispute resolution team has over 150 lawyers spread out across its offices in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune. Notably, the firm has a robust Supreme Court presence through its sister firm Dua Associates AoR, which is a firm registered with the top court and stacked with advocates-on-record that work in tandem with the Dua Associates partners. Dispute resolution specialist and senior partner Shiraz Patodia is a main contact, as is firm chairman and corporate expert Ranji Dua.
Client feedback
"Proactive, thorough knowledge of law, great team." – Corporate and M&A
"Very accessible and quick turnaround time. There are personalized responses from the whole team, from the partners down to associates." – Corporate and M&A
"Prompt response, good research work, team of competent attorneys, and good success rates in dispute resolution and litigation." – Dispute resolution
Nityashjit Kaur
"Very accessible. Prompt. A pleasure to work with."
Shiraz Patodia
"Shows leadership, knowledge of law and empathy."
Vimla Pinto
"Diligent with good attention to detail, drafting skills, research skills and prompt advisory services."
As one of the top law firms in India, Economic Laws Practice is highly ranked across the banking and finance, competition/antitrust, dispute resolution, regulatory and tax practices. This year it moves up in the pharmaceuticals and life sciences, real estate, and labour and employment categories. It has seven offices across India, in Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Gift City. The firm’s renowned tax group is acknowledged by peers as a market leader. This practice is led by tax specialists Rohit Jain, Nishant Shah, Harsh Shah, Kumar Visalaksh and Gopal Mundhra. Firm managing partner and main contact Suhail Nathani is often a lead partner in competition cases, as well as on private equity and M&A deals.
Founded over a decade ago, Ediplis Counsels has its roots in intellectual property. Since then, it has slowly added multiple verticals including general corporate and M&A, insurance, private equity and dispute resolution. Five senior partners lead the firm: IP specialists Nishant Kewalramani, Ashima Chalia, Aditi Verma Thakur, and insurance expert Vishal Jain. The firm has four offices in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur.
Launched two years ago, multi-service firm Emerald Law Offices has offices in Delhi and Bengaluru. Its leadership comprises partners who have years of experience at other top-tier domestic law firms. The firm has exponentially grown over its short existence, expanding its practice area offerings and its client base, along with the deal sizes and complexities. The firm has advised clients in deals worth more than Re40 billion ($458 million). In particular, the team’s real estate strength is noted. Managing partner and real estate specialist Sachit Mathur is the key contact
Founded by a former Economic Laws Practice partner in 2019, Equilex is a restructuring and insolvency-focused firm. It also has a robust offering for debt and financing work, fundraising transactions, and banking and regulatory advisory. The firm regularly advises all parties on IBC matters, including advising clients in restructuring transactions outside of the IBC process. Its client roster ranges from public banks and resolution professionals to non-bank financial companies, funds and multinational corporations. Insolvency specialist Deep Roy is the key contact.
Eshwars is a boutique firm based in Chennai that focuses on IP, corporate and commercial advisory, and dispute resolution. On the IP side, its specialties include trademark, copyright, industrial design, patent, semiconductor layout, domain name protection, and distribution and franchising. It has also assisted domestic businesses in their outbound ventures into the US, Middle East and China, for example. It has offices in Bangalore, Hosur and Kerala. Managing partner Eshwar Sabapathy and partner NV Saisunder lead the firm.
Client feedback
“Very prompt in their responses, which are always delivered with clarity and precision.” – Intellectual property
Eshwar Sabapathy
“He pays strong attention to detail, is a good listener and provides the correct solution to the problem at hand.”
IP boutique Fidus Law Chambers is led by five partners, including managing partner Shwetasree Majumder. All leaders are IP litigation specialists and peers have recognised its growing prominence in the contentious space. Its litigation prowess pertains to trademarks, designs, copyright, patent, trade secrets and geographical indication. It assists clients in civil as well as criminal proceedings in courts across the country. In addition to handling court matters, the firm offers the full range of IP prosecution and commercial services. The GSK Group has consolidated much of its India IP work with the firm. In the past few years, the firm featured in several landmark cases such as Snapdeal v. Amway India, GSK Consumer Healthcare v. EG Pharmaceuticals and Steelbird Hi-tech India v. Asia Fibre Glass Products. The firm launched a pro bono arm in 2020 named ProFidus.
Client feedback
“Quick, efficient and cost-effective.” – Intellectual property
Shwetasree Majumder
“She is smart, innovative and honest.”
Finsec Law Advisors has a well-regarded financial services regulatory practice that sits in the top tier of the regulatory rankings. It specialises in advising clients in the areas of financial, securities and investment laws. Clients include every player in the financial services space such as listed companies, intermediaries and exchanges, who seek counsel on complex matters spanning transaction and business structuring, investment and wealth management, regulatory engagement, corporate governance and investor activism, fintech regulatory registrations and developing internal policies. The firm provides banking regulatory advice along with litigation representation in courts of all levels. The partners are regarded as some of the top Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) specialists in the market. The firm also contributes to securities and financial market reform projects and policy work.
The firm has successfully handled numerous high-profile cases, providing legal representation and advisory services to major players in the financial sector. Its role in advising firms on regulatory compliance, particularly regarding SEBI regulations, positions it as a go-to firm for clients dealing with complex legal requirements in financial markets. It previously advised parliament’s standing committee on finance on securities law amendments and routinely interacts with regulators to improve regulatory structures.
The firm is actively pursuing several new initiatives aimed at expanding its influence and service offerings within the legal landscape. One key area of growth is the firm’s focus on fintech and digital finance, reflecting the rapid evolution of financial technologies in India. This includes enhancing its advisory services for startups and established companies navigating the regulatory challenges associated with innovative financial products and services.
Additionally, the firm is developing its capabilities in areas such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance. As businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability and responsible governance, the firm is positioning itself to offer specialised legal support that aligns with these emerging priorities.
The firm is also investing in technology and legal innovation, utilising advanced tools to streamline its operations and improve client service. This includes implementing digital solutions for case management and client communications, allowing for more efficient legal processes and enhanced responsiveness to client needs.
Key individuals at the firm include managing partner Sandeep Parekh and partner Anil Choudhary. Parekh specialises in regulatory compliance and advisory services, focusing on banking and financial regulations. He is known for his strategic approach to problem-solving and his ability to guide clients through intricate legal challenges. Choudhary also brings substantial expertise in regulatory matters, particularly in financial services, making him a vital asset in advising clients on compliance issues and transactional support.
All the submitted work matters this year remain confidential.
Foresight Law Offices is a New Delhi-based full-service law firm with a robust dispute resolution practice. Led by managing partner and founder Varun Singh, the firm has built a strong practice across various sectors, including real estate, IT and fintech, consumer goods and FMCG, and financial services. He has a proven track record of successfully representing clients in high-stakes litigation and arbitration matters.
Fox & Mandal is a full-service law firm that has roots going back to 1896. It has a team of over 100 lawyers in Kolkata, New Delhi and network associates pan-India and boasts a strength in regional real-estate work. The firm is active in corporate and M&A, private equity, dispute resolution, and restructuring and insolvency matters. With over 15 partners and 120 professionals across its offices in Kolkata, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, Fox & Mandal leverages deep industry knowledge to provide effective legal solutions. Key individuals include Debanjan Mandal, a managing partner specialising in real estate and pharmaceuticals, and Kunal Vajani, a joint managing partner focused on energy and infrastructure disputes.
Fox Mandal has a full-service offering and is best known for its real estate and IP practices. It is a well-known and trusted law firm with an established history and strong name recognition among multinational corporates and domestic players. Recently, the firm has been busy building up its client portfolio in the healthcare, retail, IT and real-estate sectors.
In real estate, the firm offers comprehensive legal services that cover all aspects of property transactions, development and management. Its expertise spans residential, commercial and industrial properties, making it a go-to firm for clients involved in real-estate investment, development and leasing. The firm assists clients with land acquisition, title verification and due diligence, ensuring that all legal requirements are met before any transaction is finalised.
Fox Mandal’s real-estate practice is particularly noted for its work in public-private partnerships and infrastructure projects, where it provides legal support for the development of significant facilities such as highways, airports and urban infrastructure. The firm effectively navigates complex regulatory environments, helping clients comply with local and national laws. Its ability to draft and negotiate contracts, including joint development agreements and lease agreements, is highly regarded.
In the realm of intellectual property, the firm is recognised for its comprehensive approach to protecting clients’ IP rights. The firm handles a wide range of IP matters, including trademarks, patents, copyrights and trade secrets. Its services include registration, enforcement and litigation related to various forms of IP, making it an essential partner for businesses looking to safeguard their innovations and brand identities. The IP group has been honing its focus on startup players, even offering pro bono advice as their clients work their way up.
The firm’s IP practice is particularly strong in providing strategic advice on IP portfolio management, helping clients maximise the value of their intellectual assets. It conducts thorough IP audits and assessments, identifying areas for improvement and advising on the best practices for IP protection. This proactive approach is crucial for clients in competitive industries, where intellectual property can be a significant business asset.
IP litigation is another core strength, with the firm’s lawyers representing clients in disputes over infringement, misappropriation and licensing issues. Its team is adept at navigating the complexities of IP law, ensuring that clients receive effective representation in court or arbitration settings. The firm’s experience in handling high-profile cases enhances its reputation and attracts clients seeking robust legal support.
The firm boasts a team of highly experienced lawyers, each specialising in different practice areas. Key individuals include Shuva Mandal, who leads the corporate and M&A practice, and Rajesh Vellakkat, noted for his expertise in dispute resolution. Purnima Kamble specialises in corporate law as well, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, while Ramanathan Chandrasekaran is recognised for his work in infrastructure projects. Their collective experience allows the firm to provide well-rounded legal solutions that meet client needs across various sectors.
Recently, Fox Mandal has made significant strides in expanding its capabilities. The firm has welcomed new partners with extensive experience in corporate law and dispute resolution, strengthening its position in the market. The firm has also been proactive in adapting to industry demands, particularly in technology and renewable energy sectors. Its involvement in high-profile projects, such as the establishment of renewable energy plants and negotiations for technology transfers, positions it as a leader in these emerging fields.
Ramanathan Chandrasekaran
"Understands the facts and the client's requirements. Does proper study and research and gives the best advice to the client."
Goswami and Nigam is a boutique law firm based in Gurgaon. It is known for its expertise across a range of practice areas, including real estate, labour and employment, and intellectual property. Led by experienced partners Himanshu Goswami and Nishant Nigam, the firm has built a reputation for delivering strategic legal solutions and effectively navigating complex regulatory landscapes. The firm’s real-estate practice spans comprehensive legal services, including conducting thorough due diligence, structuring agreements, and mitigating risks associated with leasing, licensing and property acquisitions. The firm's employment practice is renowned for its expertise in developing comprehensive HR policies, handling workplace disputes, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Founded in 2015 with offices in Delhi and Mumbai, Gravitas Legal offers bespoke, quality representation on projects, investments, M&A, disputes and real-estate matters. In recent years, the firm expanded its reach into the areas of insolvency, securities and white-collar crimes. It has niche experience advising private-equity funds and working on pure fund-structuring mandates. In addition to regular project finance and corporate finance documentation, the firm excels in novel and atypical transactions around the 5/25 flexible structuring scheme and strategic debt restructuring. Gravitas is empanelled with several banks and financial institutions including PTC India Financial Services, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India and L&T Infra Finance. Banking and insolvency partner Tanuj Sud is a key contact at the firm. Other notable personnel include corporate partner Varij Sharma and disputes specialists Rajeev Aggarwal and Rahul Gaikwad.
GSL Chambers is dispute resolution boutique with a strong reputation for handling complex legal challenges across various industries. The firm is particularly recognised for its expertise in contentious banking and financial services, infrastructure, and technology law. Its key partners include Abhinav Shrivastava and Arjun Garg, both of whom are co-founding partners with extensive experience in dispute resolution. Shrivastava focuses on high-stakes litigation and regulatory matters, while Garg brings a wealth of knowledge in financial services and infrastructure-related disputes.
Hammurabi & Solomon Partners is a respected, established firm that offers a range of corporate law advice from M&As and foreign investments, to restructuring and insolvency matters. Its unique public policy and regulatory practice is well-regarded by clients for its government relations initiatives. The firm routinely undertakes research projects in the law, regulation and public policy space, leading to the preparation of white papers, draft legislations, theme discussions, support on emerging laws and regulations, and commissions of enquiry. The firm’s government relations practitioners have an in-depth understanding of the statutory and regulatory framework, and they maintain strong ties with executive agencies. Managing partner and key contact Shweta Bharti is a corporate and disputes specialist. The firm recently launched new offices in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.
Client feedback
"They work along as a business partners and provide logical and practical solutions." – Corporate and M&A
"Their ability to look at a client's problem from divergent viewpoints and address the matter from an academic, strategic and I dare say NOT mundane approach, sets them apart. Needless to say, their diligence is part of the course." – Dispute resolution
"Timely response, quality work" – Dispute resolution
"The most positive attributes of Hammurabi & Solomon, they understand the issues quickly, suggest the required relief, revert quickly and understand their due diligence." – Infrastructure
Shweta Bharti
"Her ability to understand the core issues at hand and reach aggressively for solutions using strategy and experience"
Ashutosh Das
"He understands the work and requirements of a general counsel and accordingly advises with practical solutions."
Ankit Konwar
"Responds to feedback, patient."
Boutique law firm Hitesh Sanghvi Law Offices was founded in 2010 and is based in Mumbai. It is active in the banking and finance, general corporate, regulatory and construction areas. Its major clients include businesses from a range of sectors, including industrials, electrical equipment, healthcare, medical equipment, financial services, and regulatory bodies. Key contact and eponymous partner Hitesh Sanghvi counts the Reserve Bank of India as a loyal client for regulatory issues and he has rendered honorary advisory services to the World Bank Group on domestic law.
HSA Advocates has a commanding reputation in the market as a preferred firm for energy, construction and infrastructure work. Sophisticated clients know this is the firm for complex, multi-party, long-term infrastructure projects, as it has decades of experience working with all stakeholders from the beginning to the end of a project life-cycle. The firm provides a complete suite of solutions for development, financing, transactions, restructuring and dispute resolution support. The firm is routinely found advising on power, road, port, airport, oil, gas, clean energy and special economic zone projects. Founding partner Hemant Sahai is a key contact.
IC RegFin Legal is a dynamic law firm has offices in several key locations across India, including Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Gandhinagar GIFT City, and Mumbai. With a team of over 125 lawyers and specialists, the firm excels in areas such as banking, finance, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and technology law. Its reputation is built on delivering precise, insightful legal guidance that helps clients navigate challenging regulatory landscapes.
One of the firm's key strengths is its deep expertise in asset management and regulatory practices. The firm is recognized for its thorough understanding of complex regulatory frameworks, which allows it to assist clients in making informed decisions about their investments and operations. This is particularly valuable in an environment where regulatory changes can significantly impact business strategies. The firm is also well-regarded for its work in corporate law, particularly in facilitating mergers and acquisitions, where it brings a strategic approach to deal-making.
Fund formation guru Tejesh Chitlangi is a prominent partner at the firm. His achievements include leading complex M&As, as well as advising on regulatory compliance for financial institutions. He has played a pivotal role in navigating intricate legal frameworks, helping clients mitigate risks and seize opportunities in a rapidly changing market. Chitlangi is particularly noted for his strategic insights into private equity, venture capital and investment funds, making him a sought-after advisor for startups and established firms alike.
Recently, the firm has expanded its practice areas, particularly in technology law, reflecting the growing importance of digital transformation in business. This move positions the firm to better serve clients in an era where technology and law increasingly intersect. Additionally, the firm has made strategic partner hires to enhance its capabilities in private equity and venture capital, further solidifying its reputation in these high-stakes areas.
Imperial Law Offices specialises in banking and finance, and corporate law. The firm is well-versed in structuring high-value financing deals and handling intricate legal matters across various sectors. It is particularly renowned for its ability to facilitate large-scale financing arrangements, often involving multiple stakeholders and jurisdictions. Key individuals at the firm include co-managing partner and project finance specialist Amit Prakash and co-managing partner, Vasudev Velga, a corporate specialist. Amit Shrivastava is another co-managing partner who brings expertise in dispute resolution.
India Law Offices is a full-service law firm that was founded in 2003. Headquartered in New Delhi, the firm is present across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa, and Pune. It has deep experience in a variety of industry sectors, including aviation, automobile, healthcare, IT, real estate, food and beverage, banking, energy, infrastructure, insurance, media and telecommunications. Corporate specialist and managing partner Gautam Khurana is the main contact at the firm.
Client feedback
“Efficient and provide excellent service.” – Corporate and M&A
“Efficient and professional.” – Corporate and M&A
“They know their job very well.” – Dispute resolution
Abishek Han
“He is responsive and professional.”
Gautam Khurana
“Always gives prompt attention and advice.”
“He is an extremely knowledgeable person.”
Intellectual property boutique Inttl Advocare is a well-known name among peers and clients for its heavyweight litigation practice. It is headquartered in New Delhi with a branch office in Mumbai. Eminent IP litigator Hemant Singh runs the firm and has handled more than 2,000 cases over his three decades of experience in all elements of IP – from trademarks and patents to copyrights and industrial designs. He has worn multiple different leadership hats at prestigious India IP associations and committees over the years and he played a pivotal role in the matter where the Supreme Court extended the term of Justice Manmohan Singh as the chairman of Intellectual Property Appellate Board for another year. The firm has featured in several landmark IP judgments delivered by the Indian courts. Managing partner Singh and senior partner Mamta Rani Jha are the firm’s key intellectual property litigators.
Client feedback
“Great price, responsive and easy to deal with. All-round good service.” – Intellectual property
Yashwant Grover
“Very personable and easy to deal with.”
IP boutique InventIP Legal Services is led by partners Rahul Parmar and Ankush Bedi, and it specialises in IP strategy and performing IP audits. It also provides core IP prosecution handling of trademarks, patents and designs. Its client base straddles multinational corporations, startups, SMEs, individual inventors, and universities and research institutes. Three of the top five IT company patent filers are clients and the team drafted more than 500 patents over the last five years, prosecuting over 1,000.
Jerome Merchant + Partners offers a full range of corporate law services, including banking and finance, and corporate and M&A. With a well-respected banking practice, the firm’s real estate offering is worth noting, as it debuts in the rankings this year. It has grown its presence for clients in financial services, media, technology, healthcare and consumer goods. In the M&A space, the firm has deep experience in the automotive and real estate sectors. Partners Sameer Sibal and Vishnu Jerome lead on key deals, while disputes partner Murtaza Somjee handles litigation and arbitration cases.
JoyceLaw was established in 2018 by private-equity specialist Deepak Joyce, a former L&L Partners corporate partner. The firm bills itself as a boutique PE practice acting for some of the country’s best-known and up-and-coming startups. The team prides itself on its deep understanding of the regulatory landscape as well as the sensitivities of Indian promoters, and PE and VC funds. The firm’s strength and work has evolved over the years, from focusing on primarily smaller fundraising rounds in the early days to being counsel for the sell-side in several large later-stage funding rounds led by sophisticated financial investors represented by top Indian and international law firms. Joyce and his team have been very active advising clients in the area of financial services regulation related to digital lending, credit, debit and pre-paid cards, and payment aggregation. Its VC practice has grown from strength to strength over the years.
JSA is a leading, pan-India full-service firm that excels in a number of areas including energy, infrastructure, technology and telecommunications, banking and finance, and construction. Its regulatory practice is well-regarded due to the firm’s strong credentials with telecoms, energy and infrastructure authorities. This year the firm made notable strides in the rankings, rising into the top tier for its competition and disputes offerings. It additionally ascended a notch in the aviation and media and entertainment rankings. The firm operates in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Gurugram.
Last year the firm shored up its core practice areas to enhance its competitiveness among India’s premier full-service firms. In two blockbuster moves that shook the legal industry, the firm recruited competition doyenne Nisha Kaur Uberoi and her 25-strong team from Trilegal, as well as a sizable M&A team from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. Today, the competition team remains at the top of its game, securing major merger approvals for clients like Apple and UltraTech Cement. The team has expanded its expertise to address competition issues arising from digital and tech sectors, reflecting the evolving regulatory environment.
Other key moves to reflect the firm’s growth include its strategic hires late last year, including capital markets specialist Anuj Pethia, and projects, infrastructure and real-estate partners M Arun Kumar and Deepak Chowdhury. In April 2025, JSA further demonstrated its commitment to talent development by promoting 70 lawyers, including 12 to the position of retained partner.
The firm has also been actively involved in major advisory roles, successfully guiding clients through critical transactions. Recent highlights include advising Truemeds on its Series C fundraising, facilitating the IPO of All Time Plastics, and supporting Steel Infra Solutions in their IPO. Additionally, JSA played a key role in advising Vertis Infrastructure Trust on a sustainability-linked bond issuance and acted on behalf of Schneider Electric in a significant stake acquisition in Schneider Electric India.
Jupiter Law Partners is a full-service law firm with a specialty in intellectual property law. The lawyers forming the IP and IT team cumulatively have over 80 years of experience and are highly adept at all issues pertaining to trademarks, patents, designs and copyright. The firm specialises in banking, retail, automobile, heavy vehicle industry, real estate, sporting goods, and fashion and luxury sectors. Co-founding partner Meera Chature is the main contact.
Juris Arena was founded in late 2020 by corporate and transactions partner Soumitra Banerjee. The firm specialises in corporate work, with niche focuses on corporate commercial and corporate finance. The team is particularly adept at working with clients in the banking and financial services sector, with offerings including advice on syndication and other loan arrangements, facility letters, security documentation, letter of credit and financial services regulations, project finance, guarantee arrangements, performance bonds and bonding facilities. The corporate department specialises in transactional work, contractual support, real estate and regulatory compliance. Its corporate client base spans various sectors such as FMCB, IT and ITES, AI, pharmaceuticals, R&D, manufacturing, agro-tourism and digital marketing, among others.
Full-service firm Juris Corp excels in banking and finance, and capital markets. It features a robust trade and commodity finance practice, a rarity in the market, and is well-regarded for its debt issuance offering. The firm remains steady in the top tier of the banking table for its prowess in this space. In the past 12 months, the banking practice experienced a number of intricate and highly structured cross-border trade and commodity and receivables financing deals. There was also an uptick in real estate and shipping financing work. The firm has worked on more than 150 financing transactions spread across a wide array of sectors and practice verticals, with deal values ranging from $50 million to $3.5 billion. Senior partner Jayesh H is known for his diverse expertise in banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, private equity, and restructuring and insolvency. The firm has offices located in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.
K Singhania & Co is a boutique law firm that has been active in the Mumbai market for over 25 years. It provides a wide array of legal services, but is best known for its shipping, IP and dispute resolution work. It specialises in the aviation, maritime, logistics, infrastructure, telecoms, and oil and gas sectors. The key contacts are founder and managing partner Krrishan Gopal Singhania, litigation head Archana Deshmukh and senior partner and corporate head SN Verma.
Client feedback
“I recommend their team and experience.” – Corporate and M&A
“Their commitment to client service is evidenced by the industry goodwill enjoyed by Mr. Krishan Singhania, the firm's managing partner. His decades-long experience in the field of dispute resolution helps bring a new perspective to seemingly difficult problems.” – Dispute resolution
“They handle legal problems with a compassionate touch and believe in dispute resolution.” – Dispute resolution
“K Singhania & Co are easy to deal with and give practical advice. I have usually dealt with Srishti Singhania, and she is highly competent and knowledgeable about commercial litigation in general, as well as intellectual property rights.” – Intellectual property
“Appreciate their opinion about trademarks matters.” – Intellectual property
“They have in-depth knowledge of intellectual property, they are easily accessible, and hand-hold their clients throughout the process.” – Intellectual property
“The firm has consistently been approachable and highly responsive to all our queries. They offer comprehensive feedback and suggestions, always guiding us toward the best course of action.” – Intellectual property
“The firm has experienced and skilled lawyers, who have a very client-centric approach and provide innovative solutions to every issue. I have observed that they have a track record of successful cases, and a global network for handling cross-border issues.” – Intellectual property
“They have a very positive attitude towards every issue and provide top-notch advice on any issue. They are very understanding and provide tailored solutions depending on the circumstances and the query raised.” – Intellectual property
“They have clear and consistent communication regarding the matters. They always provide personal attention to client needs.” – Intellectual property
“They have a talented and dedicated team of legal professionals who are well versed in the intricacies of law and extend guidance and hand-holding support to the client up to the final resolution through the relevant court.” – Private client
“Very professional.” – Shipping
“K Singhania & Co is filled with competent lawyers that are always ready to connect over a phone call to address our smallest queries. They are solution-oriented and extremely helpful throughout the process.” – Shipping
Archana Deshmukh
“Well-versed in law and ability to present the case forcefully.”
Omair Khan
“Followed the cases until the end and well-prepared the documents involved.”
Avni Singhania
“She is empathetic towards her clients and can handle pressure situations calmly.”
Krrishan Singhania
“He is prompt in responding and has a strong knowledge of the IP sector.”
“Very soft-spoken and knowledgeable.”
Srishti Singhania
“Srishti is a keen learner of the law. Her inquisitive approach coupled with her problem-solving skills help deliver great results for the client.”
“She has a very good depth of knowledge. She is solution-oriented and always meets deadlines.”
“She is very professionally driven and knowledgeable with respect to IP laws.”
“She is attentive and tries to explain complex legal procedures in as lucid language as possible. She has an eye for detail and tries to find solutions.”
“Great accessibility and client management skills.”
“Most importantly, she gives time to hear one out and makes suggestions that are relevant. This is very important as many lawyers jump to the conclusion without fully listening to the client.”
“She is very approachable and is an expert in the field. She has in-depth knowledge about IPR and always guides us in innovative ways.”
“She is very approachable and can comprehend her clients’ issues very well. She is results-oriented and has always delivered more than what we expect at the given time. She also advises us on the next steps.”
“She is very understanding and calmly understands the queries and provides immediate solutions to them. She is very hard-working and always makes sure to meet the deadline.”
K&S Partners remains strong in the ‘Outstanding’ tier for IP. The IP specialist firm excels on all fronts of the industry, from trademark and patent prosecution to trademark and copyright contentious. Founded in 1994, the firm has niche specialties in engineering, chemical, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and biosciences. It is also a leader in geographical indications and border enforcement of IP rights. The firm employs more than 120 fee earners – including 26 partners – spread across offices in Gurgaon, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi. The firm has handled multiple landmark cases over the years, including successfully challenging and cancelling the turmeric and Basmati rice patents in the US on behalf of the government of India, representing the winning parties in the ground-breaking judgments of Myspace v. Super Cassettes India and Microfibers v. Girdhar. Legal industry giant Jyoti Sagar, while retired from JSA, remains an active chairman of K&S Partners as one of the firm’s founders. Other notable names include managing partner Ravi Bhola, Anupam Trivedi, Sanjeev Tiwari and Latha Nair.
Kan and Krishme is a prominent IP law firm in India. The firm is renowned for its expertise in patent and trademark matters, offering comprehensive legal services to clients across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, technology and telecommunications. Its strength lies in its deep understanding of complex IP issues and its ability to navigate the intricacies of the Indian legal landscape. The firm is led by key individuals such as Sharad Vadehra, the managing partner, who focuses on chemical and pharmaceutical IP, and senior partner Kshitij Saxena, who focuses on electrical and electronics IP. The firm has celebrated numerous successes in high-stakes IP disputes, setting precedents in local IP law for some, and is credited for its strategic approach to patent prosecution.
Kanga and Co is known for its expertise in banking and finance, capital markets, and real estate. The firm has built a reputation for its comprehensive legal services, particularly in high-stakes transactions and complex regulatory matters. It is particularly well-regarded for its deep expertise in real estate, where it provides legal support for large-scale property developments and financing. Senior partner Preeti Mehta is a key contact.
Kapil Sapra & Associates is a prominent law firm with offices in New Delhi and Bangalore. The firm specialises in dispute resolution. Known for its robust legal expertise and strategic approach, the firm has cultivated a reputation for effectively handling complex disputes across various sectors, including technology, pharmaceuticals and media. The firm’s disputes practice is led by key partners, Kapil Dev Sapra and Vikas Dutta. Sapra is a seasoned attorney who excels in arbitration and litigation, particularly in high-stakes cases involving contractual disputes and regulatory challenges. Dutta specialises in commercial disputes and has a proven track record in representing clients in arbitration proceedings and court litigations.
Karanjawala & Co is a leading exclusive boutique litigation firm based in New Delhi, where it has three offices. It was founded in 1983 and now comprises about 100 lawyers. It has a stellar reputation in the market as a go-to for precedent-setting, landmark matters. The firm features in more than 625 reported judgments of the Supreme Court and has filed and dealt with more than 25,000 matters to date. Though historically the firm began its practice with a predominantly Supreme Court and High Court emphasis, it has now expanded to have a presence in all the subordinate courts and tribunals in the National Capital Region and routinely handles litigations on a pan-India basis. The leadership team comprises 10 partners who are all respected and seasoned litigators.
Karanjawala’s criminal practice has grown substantially in the past six years, and its teams appear in a number of high-stakes and high-profile matters. Recently, the firm has also carved out a niche practice for itself in the fields of consumer protection and real estate regulatory authority litigation. The group’s practice focuses not only on general consumer litigation but also on medical negligence and real estate, with the firm representing a wide range of clients before various tribunals, ranging from the district forums to the National Commission. There is also a consumer team that has filed more than 1,000 cases in the National Commission, with a high success rate. The firm’s insolvency group has extensive experience in dealing with high-profile matters while appearing for corporations and financial institutions.
Managing partner Raian Karanjawala serves as the head of the 13-partner-strong disputes department. Other key figures are co-founding partner Manik Karanjawala and senior partners Nandini Gore, Ruby Singh Ahuja, Sandeep Kapur, and Debmalya Banerjee.
The firm counts domestic powerhouse corporates and multinational banks and companies as loyal clients. It has recently worked with Adani Group, Ambuja Cement, Astro, Coca-Cola, Colgate, Disney Broadcasting, Morgan Stanley, Procter & Gamble, Star TV, Tata Steel, Twitter, Unilever, Vodafone and Wadia Group.
Dispute resolution boutique Keystone Partners was formed by a group of first-generation lawyers who specialise in commercial litigation, international arbitration, construction disputes and contentious regulatory matters. Each partner has a particular focus, allowing the team to cover a varied suite of disputes practice areas, and one partner is an Advocate on Record of the Supreme Court. The firm also routinely handles contentious energy, technology and trade sector matters. Keystone has offices in Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi. Senior partner Pradeep Nayak leads a strong disputes group that includes notable names such as Sita Kapadia, Pritha Srikumar Iyer, Arun Sri Kumar, Sulabh Rewari, Anupama Hebbar and Vikas Mahendra.
Established in 1911, Khaitan & Co remains in the ‘Outstanding’ tier for nearly all the core practice areas, such as banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution and private equity. Its IP and labour and employment teams are also renowned in the market for their depth, breadth and size. The firm is a reliable top-tier choice for its many international and domestic clients, part of the fraternity of the country’s largest, most famous corporations. It has a pan-India presence with offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Kolkata. In particular, the firm’s investment funds practice is extolled by peers as a true pioneer for fund formation and structuring work. The corporate practice features luminaries such as Haigreve Khaitan, Bharat Anand and Rabindra Jhunjhunwala.
Khaitan Legal Associates is a highly regarded law firm in India, recognised for its expertise in multiple practice areas, including dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency, insurance, and banking and finance. The firm is led by prominent individuals such as Sakate Khaitan, an expert in insurance and banking and finance; Smiti Tewari, specialising in dispute resolution and insolvency; Dhiraj Mhetre, known for his work in commercial litigation and corporate matters; and Varsha Jalan, who focuses on banking and finance. Together, they helm a team of experienced lawyers who bring specialised insights to sectors like infrastructure, energy, financial services, technology and manufacturing.
Khurana & Khurana has offices located in key cities across India, including Delhi, Greater Noida, Gurgaon and Chandigarh. The firm stands out for its strong focus on IP rights, corporate legal services and financial regulations. One of its key strengths lies in its intellectual property practice, led by Tarun Khurana, who specialises in patents and commercial litigation. The team effectively safeguards clients' IP rights, handling complex trademark disputes and patent litigations.
King Stubb & Kasiva is a well-regarded law firm with offices in New Delhi and Bengaluru. The firm is full-service but has notably robust dispute resolution and intellectual property practices. The firm is best known for its expertise in arbitration and litigation, where it has successfully represented high-profile clients across diverse industries. Key individuals include disputes partner Smita Paliwal and IP specialist Sukrit Kapoor.
Based in New Delhi, KKL Partners is a full-service law firm with strengths in real estate, corporate and M&A and aviation work. The team routinely advises offshore and onshore clients looking to create business synergies through international tie-ups via equity or debt investments or technology alliances. The firm is led by founding partner Aashish Vats.
Client feedback
“Very prompt service and quick turnaround time on the entire transaction. Also, the negotiations on term sheets were superb.” – Private equity
Aashish Vats
“He takes the best interest of the client and has the ability to meticulously negotiate with reason in transactions.”
KNM & Partners has offices in Delhi, Gurugram and Mumbai. It is recognised for its expertise in dispute resolution and real-estate law. The firm has built a strong reputation for handling high-stakes litigation and arbitration, offering clients a strategic approach to complex legal challenges. Key individuals at the firm include senior disputes partners Mukesh Kumar. The firm’s lawyers possess sharp litigation instincts, strategic thinking, and thorough understanding of regulatory frameworks. They are particularly well-regarded for their capabilities in commercial litigation, arbitration, regulatory disputes and insolvency proceedings. The team has effectively represented clients across various industries, including real estate, healthcare and manufacturing.
Kochhar & Co has a pan-India presence and excels in a multitude of practice areas, from dispute resolution to real estate. Its technology and telecommunications practice is lauded as one of the best in the country. Stephen Matthias is a leading technology lawyer who heads the firm’s first-rate team. Managing partner and litigation specialist, Rohit Kochhar is the main contact.
A unique firm in the market, Krida Legal is a New Delhi-based boutique that specialises in sports and gaming law. Its key pillars are corporate and M&A, dispute resolution and IP. It was founded in 2014 and the 15-strong team is led by Vidushpat Singhania, a long-time trusted legal counsel by many of the country’s various sporting boards and associations. For example, the firm is a member of the regulatory commission of the Indian Super League, Sportscom’s managing committee, the legal committee of the All India Gaming Federation, the E-Gaming Federation and the election oversight panel of World Athletics, among many others.
Krishna & Saurastri is a respected intellectual property firm. It is known for its extensive experience in IP litigation, transactions and protection, making it a go-to firm for clients navigating complex legal landscapes in these areas. Additionally, it boasts a successful track record in IP litigation, having filed and represented over 80 new commercial suits across various courts in India, including significant cases in trademark and patent law.The firm’s strengths extend to trademark protection, where it filed over 3,000 new applications and managed more than 7,000 prosecutions, ensuring robust protection for clients’ brands. In patent law, it has filed over 2,000 new applications and handled significant prosecution work, including pre-grant oppositions, demonstrating their proactive approach to safeguarding intellectual property rights. Key individuals at the firm include managing partner Anshul Sunil Saurastri, and senior partners Sunil Krishna and Manish Saurastri.
Mid-sized firm Krishnamurthy & Co offers full corporate and commercial transactional services. It is best known for its intellectual property practice, but has corporate and M&A and private equity practices that are growing in prominence. This year the firm advances up the infrastructure and dispute resolution ranking tables. The firm boasts a roster of elite clients. Senior partner Nikhil Krishnamurthy chairs the intellectual property department and he is a key contact. Other leaders at the firm include founding partner Naina Krishnamurthy, managing partner Shwetambari Rao, senior partners Ayush Agarwala and Rashmi Deshpande, and partner Rukmini Roychowdhury. Dispute specialist Aditi Mittal departed for Kochhar & Co in December.
Client feedback
“We value the team’s knowledge of the subject matter, speed of response, turnaround times and attention to detail.” – Corporate and M&A
Shwetambari Rao
“Extremely quick responses, attention to detail, fast turnaround of docs, quality of response, thorough, solution-oriented and innovative.”
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (LKS) is a leading full-service law firm with over three decades of experience. It operates across 14 major cities and employs more than 500 professionals, including lawyers, economists, and technical experts. Known for its expertise in corporate and commercial law, taxation, dispute resolution, and intellectual property, the firm serves a diverse clientele, ranging from small businesses and startups to large Indian corporations and multinational companies. It has built a reputation for its in-depth knowledge across both traditional and emerging industries. The teams have worked with sectors like pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and automobiles, as well as modern fields such as e-commerce, renewable energy, and big data.
For IP, the firm remains in the top tier. It is famed for its contentious patent know-how, where the subject matter requires deep and detailed knowledge. The firm is a market leader in plant genomics and plant variety protection. The IP group has demonstrated expertise in handling complex patent litigation and advisory matters, particularly in cases involving pharmaceuticals and technological innovations. The firm’s robust and historical tax practice is particularly well-regarded for its work in taxation, including GST, customs, and direct tax matters. Its insights into tax reforms and compliance are frequently sought after, and the firm has developed practical tools like a GST Toolkit to assist businesses with implementation and compliance. The firm’s international trade and WTO practice has also positioned it as a preferred advisor for businesses navigating global trade regulations and disputes.
Recently, LKS has been recognized for its commentary on critical legal developments, including changes in GST rate structures and procedural timelines under tax laws. It has also provided detailed analysis of rulings in areas such as process patent infringement and dual proceedings by state and central authorities under the CGST Act.
The firm’s ability to blend technical expertise with practical application is a defining feature. For example, it has been actively involved in advising on the taxation of derivatives, intermediary services, and the implications of artificial intelligence on investment trends in healthcare. The team’s ability to connect legal frameworks with industry-specific challenges makes them trusted partners for businesses facing complex regulatory environments.
Key firm contacts are IP practice head Malathi Lakshmikumaran, who is a specialist in the biotechnology, chemistry and pharmaceuticals sectors. Managing partner V Lakshmikumaran is a go-to name for tax matters. Notable clients in the arbitration arena occupy the steel, power, consumer goods, hospitality and tourism, and infrastructure sectors.
Bengaluru-based Law Square Advocates & Solicitors is recognised for its expertise in dispute resolution and intellectual property rights. Known for its prompt and effective solutions, the firm has built a strong reputation among clients in various sectors, including consumer goods, technology, real estate and pharmaceuticals. Key individuals at the firm include founding partner Sanjay Sethiya, who focuses on disputes and real estate, and IP partner Sheetal Sethiya.
Boutique firm Legacy Law Offices is a top choice for disputes in connection with infrastructure projects. Its leadership team of five are experienced counsels in construction arbitrations that have worked on numerous landmark mandates in the past. The firm has an enviable track record of arbitration success, winning 98% of cases on behalf of claimant clients. Managing partner Gagan Anand and senior partner Sadiqua Fatma are the key contacts. Other names to note for construction work are co-managing partner Shalini Munjal and partners Amarendra Gogoi and Eshjyot Walia. Disputes partners include Parveen Moudgil, Roopali Chaturvedi, Ishan Khanna and Ramanjit Singh.
Client feedback
"The quality of the work carried out by the law firm is impeccable. They are competent, diligent and precise with their work and can proficiently manage complex construction projects." – Construction
"They have attained great expertise and experience especially in the general corporate sector with avid experience of developing PPP projects across different sectors and providing requisite and significant legal advisory for the same." – Construction
"The key point is that Legacy is advising us correctly. Whether we choose to follow their advice depends on our own judgment. They have no concerns regarding our decisions, but they are guiding us properly and promptly." – Private equity
Gagan Anand
"Gagan is known for his expertise and experience in the field of project development and has served as an indispensable part in the development of marque PPP projects both nationally and internationally."
"Mr. Anand is an expert in the field of construction and can provide practical advice on contracts. Being the vice-chair of the FIDIC Committee, his knowledge of infrastructure contracts is unmatched, which is reflected in his work. We have availed his services in project advisory, arbitration, and contract management on many infrastructure projects and have always been appreciative of the value additions made by him."
Naman Anand
"Naman is a very positive person who always listens to us carefully and provides the right feedback. He is not concerned about his own business or financial gain. Instead, he consistently makes decisions that prioritize the client's best interests."
Amarendra Gogoi
"Amarendra has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence, marked by subject matter expertise, professionalism, and a solution-oriented mindset."
Legal Scriptures Advocates was founded in 2017, with dispute resolution as a core pillar of its offering. Its coverage includes commercial litigation, arbitration, white-collar crimes and criminal litigation, among others. With regards to civil, commercial and corporate litigation, the firm specialises in writ petitions, money recovery suits, consumer complaints, real-estate litigation, company and insolvency petitions, and matters related to MSME and negotiable instruments cases. Its caseload reflects a high volume of government representation. The team is led by partners Abhijit Mittal and Anukalp Jain.
Key clients
American Express, Procter & Gamble, Western Union, Itron, Orion Group, Samsung Data Systems India, Galaxy Group, Punjab National Bank, LG Chem Life Sciences
New Delhi-based Lex Alliance has established itself as a prominent player in the labour and employment sector. The firm is renowned for its deep understanding of the complexities of employment law, particularly in dispute resolution and compliance matters. Key individuals include managing partner Jitesh Pandey. His expertise, coupled with a dedicated team, enables the firm to navigate intricate legal challenges effectively. The firm is particularly noted for its robust representation in high-stakes labour litigation and its ability to provide strategic advice to clients across various industries.
Lex Favios is a full-service firm with a proven track record helping offshore companies with their investments into India. Its core pillars include M&A, private equity and FEMA work. The firm remains consistent in our banking and finance, and corporate and M&A rankings. The firm, the exclusive India member of Legal Netlink Alliance, brandishes industry strengths in financial services, hospitality, real estate, power, renewable energy, oil and gas, and defence. Managing partner Sumes Dewan is a corporate and finance specialist. Senior associate Yashita Gulati joined from the Singhania & Partners in January.
LexOrbis is a specialised IP firm with offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. It houses nine partners, 85 lawyers and over 60 patent attorneys. Its team of highly experienced lawyers focus exclusively on IP rights and cover the full spectrum of services: IP clearances; procurement of patent, design, trademark, copyright, domain names, geographical rights, and registrations; maintenance and renewal of IP assets, transactional and commercial IP matters; IP litigation and enforcement; domain names; and contentious IP, such as oppositions and cancellations.
The firm is well-placed as a ‘Highly Recommended’ firm in our table, a testament of its consistent activity for top-notch clients in significant prosecution and contentious matters, including technology companies, research institutions, universities, broadcasters, content developers and content owners. Industry stalwart and managing partner Manisha Singh is the key contact. Other core partners and IP specialists include Abhai Pandey, Joginder Singh and Rajeev Kumar.
Literati Juris is a full-service intellectual property boutique firm. With four offices across India, Mumbai, Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Delhi, the firm has a team comprising lawyers, patent agents, investigators, data analysts and forensic experts. Its coverage includes TMT, sports & gaming law, cyberlaws, data protection & privacy, and IPR investigations and raids. The key partners and firm founders are TMT specialist Rahul Dhote, and technology and health sciences specialist Ragini Shah.
Client feedback
“The strength of the firm is in its service and client satisfaction. The firm is highly motivated, committed and devoted to their clients.” – Intellectual property
“Responsiveness and clarity on deliverables were the most positive attributes about this firm. They do patent drafting very well.” – Intellectual property
Ragini Shah
“Ragini's strength is the commercial and legal strategy. Her client care is excellent and her integrity is unparalleled in the legal profession.”
“Clarity in communication.”
Formerly known as PDS Legal, Lumiere Law Partners is a full-service firm that specialises in helping international companies form joint ventures and make entries into India. Its aviation specialty is notable. Managing partner Probal Bhaduri helms the team alongside aviation partner Vihang Virkar. The firm has experienced an uptick in restructuring and insolvency, and labour and employment matters.
Client feedback
“They are very reactive with a good knowledge of India's public and private sector environment. They provide very practical advice and are good at handling crisis management.” – Dispute resolution
Vihang Virkar
“Very responsive, business-minded, and he knows the legal environment well.”
Luthra and Luthra Law Offices is a well-rounded full-service firm that has been a market leader in multiple practice areas over the past two decades. Since the passing of founder Rajiv Luthra, the firm has been rebuilding its ranks over the past year. The firm is proud of its market-leading clean energy practice, prioritising niche deals that have a positive environmental or social impact. Key contacts for the corporate side include managing partner Harry Chawla and partner Niti Paul. Both joined in the summer of 2023 from Atlas Law Partners. The firm’s famed projects and infrastructure team is led by partners Deepak Kumar Thakur, Girish Rawat and Karan Mitroo. Partner Avirup Nag departed for Saraf and Partners at the end of 2023.
Client feedback
“Recommend the firm for its knowledge base and the quality of partners leading the firm.” – Banking and finance
“Great commercial sense.” – Corporate and M&A
“Provides solutions within the legal framework.” – Dispute resolution
“They provide amazing support and have deep legal knowledge. They think from the client's perspective, and not just to maximise their fees.” – Private equity
“The lawyers are very prompt and thorough, have excellent strategy and deliver quality legal advice.” – Tax
Karan Mitroo
“Excellent industrial knowledge and vast experience.”
Anshul Sehgal
“Provides excellent support.”
Maheshwari & Co offers the full range of commercial legal services to onshore and offshore clients. In particular, its strengths are in the banking and finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, infrastructure and energy sectors. The firm operates three core offices in New Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow and has network offices in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Goa, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Pune, Surat, and Shimla. Managing partner Vipul Maheshwari is a corporate specialist and he heads the leadership team of six partners that includes head of corporate Jyotsna Chaturvedi.
Majmudar & Partners is a medium-sized, high-quality corporate and financial law firm that excels in corporate and M&A, private equity, and labour and employment areas. On the deal side, the firm is not a volume player as its clients engage the team for sophisticated and complex transactions. The firm and its managing partner Akil Hirani are well regarded in the Mumbai market. In the past 12 months, the firm has seen good growth in the NBFC sector on regulatory advice, fintech, finance deals and M&A transactions. In addition, the team’s banking litigation and IP practice continues to develop.
Client feedback
"Strong experience in litigation in India." – Construction
"Exudes professionalism." – Dispute resolution
"We received appropriate advice." – Dispute resolution
Rukshad Davar
"He provided proactive support."
Akil Hirani
"He always provides good solutions after carefully thinking through."
"Highly competent and professional."
Dispute resolution firm Mansukhlal Hiralal & Co was established over 110 years ago and has offices in Mumbai and Delhi. In addition to a full array of transactional practices, the firm is known for handling the complete spectrum of contentious work from civil and criminal litigations up to the Supreme Court to international arbitrations. The Securities and Exchange Board of India is a key client, trusting the firm for many of its litigations. Managing partner Rajendra Shah, commercial disputes partner Bhushan Shah and real-estate disputes specialist Purvi Asher are the firm’s key contacts.
IP-focused firm Mason & Associates was established in 2006 and is recognised in the market for its copyright expertise. It has branched out to specialise in IT and internet law as well, and this year it scales up a notch in the technology and telecommunications ranking. The firm has offices in Delhi and Hyderabad and is acknowledged for its innovative work in cyber issues such as those relating to e-commerce platforms, search engines, internet-based platforms and applications. Founder and managing partner Neel Mason is the main contact. He is the vice president of the India chapter of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property.
MDP & Partners is recognised for its work in the banking and finance, and real estate spheres. It is empanelled with the Securities and Exchange Board of India and has offices in Mumbai and Delhi. Managing partners Nishit Dhruva and Ashok Paranjpe, and senior partner Ashok Mishra are all banking and finance specialists, with the former two also focusing on real estate and disputes. Last year the firm managed to conclude over 20 loan-related transactions.
Mettle Legal was founded in 2020 by two former IP partners from Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. It is a boutique IP firm, handling all matters related to prosecution and litigation to complex cross-border commercial transactions. Rekha Dabas and Ranjan Negi are the key contacts.
Client feedback
“We have worked with Ranjan and Rehka for many years, at Mettle and their previous firm before that. They are our preferred associates in India. The service is always extremely responsive and the quality of the advice we receive is a cut above the majority of other firms we've experienced working with in India.” – Intellectual property
Ranjan Negi
“Ranjan really embodies the qualities I already referred to above for Mettle in general, and has long been our number one go-to attorney in India. His knowledge, experience, and ability to provide focused, commercially-minded advice is second-to-none in that market.”
MRP Advisory is a well-regarded law firm based in India and Dubai, recognised for its strong expertise in construction, dispute resolution, arbitration, real estate, energy and infrastructure. The firm has built a solid reputation for handling complex legal matters, particularly in sectors critical to India's economic development. One of the firm's key strengths lies in its extensive experience in construction law. The firm is known for navigating large-scale infrastructure projects and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. Its lawyers have a deep understanding of the unique challenges in the construction sector, making them adept at resolving disputes efficiently.
Client feedback
"MRP has very experienced partners handling serious and complicated construction disputes. They are highly skilled litigators and know how to strategise for dispute resolution." – Construction
“Extremely good at assembling and managing high powered teams for major litigations or arbitrations regarding construction and infrastructure disputes.”- Construction
"They are extremely hard-working, highly knowledgeable, and easy to get on with. They are efficient and very good value." – Dispute resolution
Rishabh Jogani
"Very strong in construction arbitrations, good understanding of construction law."
"He is extremely knowledgeable and hard-working. He is very good with clients."
"He is very responsive and works hard. He knows his jurisdiction and market very well. He knows how to resolve disputes efficiently and to the client's satisfaction."
Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe is a recognisable name in the market for its curated and specialised shipping practice. Its banking and insurance prowess is also well regarded. The firm, which houses over 80 fee earners and has offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, has expanded into the areas of subsea, oil and gas exploration and pipeline replacement projects. HDFC Bank is a notable loyal client of the firm. Key partner Shardul Thacker is one of the country’s leading shipping experts.
Client feedback
“They respond fast, provide good legal arguments and reasonable prices.” – Oil and gas
“The lawyers are very professional in their operation and provide elaborate advice. They are knowledgeable concerning the regulations and they stay up-to-date and give fast responses.” – Regulatory
“Strong legal team and responsive.” – Shipping
Shardul Thacker
“Very responsive and an excellent legal strategist.”
“Very skilled, knowledgeable and professional.”
“Focused and attentive.”
MV Kini & Co is best known for its strong aviation offering. It works with carriers, MRO, ground handlers and assets owners on a range of operational matters, including financing and regulatory concerns related to aircraft and engine leases, sale and lease back of assets, specialised airline IT services, deregistration and export procedures of aircrafts and assets. It counts Air India and its subsidiaries, as well as AIX Connect, as regular clients. The firm also counts capital markets and securities law as among its core practice areas. Managing partner and aviation specialist Ravi Kini is the key contact. Senior adviser BD Bhandary covers the firm’s banking and finance work.
MZM Legal is a prominent firm with offices in Mumbai and Delhi. It has a market-leading white-collar crime practice group, and robust dispute resolution and labour and employment practices. The firm is known for its strategic approach to complex legal challenges and its commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for clients. Part of the firm’s strength lies in its deep understanding of the legal landscape and its ability to navigate and offer innovative solutions to intricate cases involving high stakes. Key individuals include Waseem Pangarkar and Nadiya Sarguroh, both senior partners specialising in dispute resolution, and Parvez Memon, a senior partner focusing on employment issues. Their extensive experience and tactical insights enable the firm to address multifaceted legal issues effectively.
Naik Naik & Co basks in its reputation as one of the foremost specialist firms for media and entertainment matters. It homes one of the largest dedicated teams in the country to this growing industry and is well-regarded for the range of services it offers, such as media convergence, Internet of Things and content-related issues for digital and OTT broadcasting platforms. It formed a unique alliance with IP behemoth Anand and Anand to cover IP litigation in Western India. Founder and managing partner Ameet Naik is recognised by the market as one of the premier experts in the media and entertainment space. He is supported by notable partners Abhishek Kale and Madhu Gadodia.
Tax specialist firm Nangia Andersen has recently diversified its offering beyond tax and transfer pricing to include other verticals such as ESG and advisory in the IT, defence, power, cybersecurity and forensics sectors. The team boasts over 800 professionals in India alone, and it is a member firm of Andersen Global in India. It has eight offices in Noida, New Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Dehradun, and Pune. The team is led by chairman and founder Rakesh Nangia. He is an international tax and litigation specialist. Five new partners joined last year from various firms including Capgemini, KPMG and Grant Thornton.
Neeti Niyaman is a mid-sized firm based in New Delhi that specialises in dispute resolution and regulatory advice, particularly in the energy sector. The firm is best known for its deep expertise in regulatory matters, offering strategic counsel to effectively navigate the intricate landscape of energy law, including renewable energy, power purchase agreements, and regulatory compliance. Key individuals at Neeti Niyaman include Sakya Singha Chaudhuri, Avijeet Lala and Astha Sharma.
Nishith Desai Associates prides itself on being a domestic firm with an international presence, with offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Singapore. It has market-leading practices covering labour and employment, media and entertainment, private equity, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, regulatory, tax, and technology and telecommunications. In the frontier space of technology, the firm has been a pioneer and cultivated a leading presence in privacy and data protection, crypto-assets and blockchain, payments, media, education, life sciences, and gaming and gambling. Key individuals include Ashish Kabra and Shweta Sahu. Dispute resolution leaders Vyapak Desai and Alipak Banerjee departed in August to set up their own advocate practices.
Eight-year-old boutique tax firm Nitya Tax Associates is primarily focused on indirect tax advisory and related litigation. The firm recently added a new office in Mumbai, adding to its existing presences in Bangalore and Delhi that house more than 50 tax professionals overall. The firm holds the achievement of being one of the very few tax firms that successfully represented clients in obtaining favourable orders from various authorities for advance ruling under the newly introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. A few years back, the firm expanded to focus on matters of international trade and commerce, including advice on the recently introduced Customs Rules 2020 and Remission of Duties or Taxes on Exported Products Scheme. Managing partner Puneet Bansal is an indirect tax specialist with particular experience in the automobile, consumer goods and services, and pharmaceutical and health sciences sectors.
ZBA is a boutique firm best known for its banking, shipping, dispute resolution and debt capital markets capabilities. The firm specialises in complex commercial disputes, with a focus on maritime law. It works with owners, offshore contractors, banks, mortgagees, charterers, cargo underwriters, insurers and reinsurers, protection and indemnity clubs, shipyards, commodity traders and financial investors. Managing partner Zarir Bharucha is a respected figure for shipping disputes. He is often nominated as an arbitrator for shipping-related arbitrations in the London Court of International Arbitration and he is a member of the maritime sub-committee of the IBA. Partner Niloufer Lam leads the transactional practices.
Client feedback
“Provides timely responses.” – Insurance
“Very proactive and efficient.” – Shipping
Zarir Bharucha
“Intelligent and proactive.”
“Zarir is very experienced, not only in the law but also in a commercial sense, and understands what our member is looking to achieve.”
“Personable, articulate, professional and commercially minded.”
“Very positive and subject-specific knowledge.”
Boutique law firm NovoJuris Legal specialises in private equity work, while its intellectual property and M&A offerings continue to gain momentum. In the past seven years, the team – led by two partners – has executed more than 270 private equity-related transactions for both investor and company clients. According to Venture Intelligence reports, the firm is India’s 15th most active legal counsellor in the M&A space. The firm has four mainstays of expertise: Indian startups going the IPO route, alternative investment funds, externalisations and internalisations of entities, and business digital transformations. The firm recently hired IP specialist Varalakshmi Makyam to bolster its IP offering. Founder Sharda Balaji and partner Ashwin Bhat are the key contacts.
Client feedback
“Solution-driven, high involvement from the founder, client-friendly and delivers on time. The team helped us in networking with various other companies.” – Corporate and M&A
“NovoJuris Legal has been very prompt in answering all my queries. Their solution-oriented approach consistently provides strategic and pragmatic guidance tailored to my business needs.” – Intellectual property
Sharda Balaji
“Client-focused, solution-focused and timely delivery of projects.”
“She is a seasoned expert and has always been available whenever I needed guidance from her.”
Emerging disputes-focused firm Numen Law Offices continues to feature in our construction, dispute resolution and restructuring tables this year on account of its portfolio of interesting work for numerous sophisticated clients. It debuts in the real estate ranking. The firm is currently handling over 45 disputes of renowned real estate developers such as the Lotus Group and Ansal API. Four partners steer the firm: Arush Khanna, George Thomas, Lakshmi Raman and Chaitanyaa Bhandarkar.
Obhan & Associates is a five-partner firm with strengths in corporate and M&A, IP, and media and entertainment. The corporate practice specialises in joint ventures, acquisitions, foreign direct investment, regulatory compliance and contracts, among other areas, and its private-equity workflow is steadily increasing. The firm provides end-to-end legal services to a diverse clientele that includes both domestic businesses and international corporations. It has built a strong reputation for handling complex legal issues across industries such as technology, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, consumer goods, fashion, media, and manufacturing. It has an impressive client roster of international publishers and media houses. As data protection and GDPR compliance take centre stage for many corporates, the firm has been active advising clients on this front.
The firm is particularly well-regarded for its work in intellectual property laws. Its services include patent drafting, prosecution, litigation, and portfolio management. It handles trademarks, copyrights, design laws, and plant variety protection, making it a one-stop shop for companies aiming to protect and monetize their IP assets. The team has also gained recognition for advising on licensing transactions and providing strategic counsel on intellectual property commercialization. The litigation team is experienced in resolving disputes related to patents, trademarks, copyrights, and designs, representing clients in courts across India. A marquee example of the team’s prowess was in its representation of Nuziveedu Seeds in a landmark patent dispute with Monsanto Technology, which has had significant implications for IP law in India.
On the corporate side, the firm’s services include mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, regulatory compliance, and general corporate advisories. It is known for structuring investments, facilitating divestments, and drafting commercial contracts. The firm also assists with employment law, real estate matters, data privacy, and banking and finance, demonstrating its ability to handle a variety of legal needs for businesses.
The firm has also been at the forefront of advising on regulatory developments, including recent changes in India’s gaming laws and evolving standards for contracts and force majeure clauses. Its blog serves as a resource for businesses to navigate these legal shifts, offering insights into matters like shareholder agreements, patent hearings, and IP litigation strategies.
Obhan & Associates has made significant strides in client engagement and legal representation. The firm has advised on various technology and telecommunications agreements, including SaaS and platform development contracts for clients such as Mountain Valley Springs and International Carbon Exchange. In the realm of investment transactions, the firm assisted Homage Ventures with substantial investments aimed at enhancing India's position in the electric mobility sector. Additionally, the firm successfully represented clients in high-stakes disputes, including patent challenges and negotiations with major corporations like Honeywell and Tata Chemicals.
The firm is led by a team of distinguished professionals, each bringing a wealth of expertise across various practice areas. Managing partner Essenese Obhan specialises in intellectual property, dispute resolution, technology and telecommunications, and corporate law. He is also a well-known patent attorney with a mechanical engineering background, making him a leading expert in patent-related matters, particularly in the fields of mechanical, chemical, software, and telecommunications. Senior partner Ashima Obhan focuses on corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, media and entertainment, and TMT.
P&A Law Offices is a legacy corporate, commercial, financial and litigation law firm with an admirable list of market firsts. Founded in 1996, the firm has a stellar reputation among top Indian conglomerates, Fortune 500 companies, household-name multinationals, and government and multilateral organisations. This year, the firm scales up in the competition table for its market-leading work. The team is helmed by eight partners who advise on all types of transactions and disputes across the entire spectrum of industry sectors. Untethered to a particular niche, the lawyers are focused on assisting their renowned clients in all types of high-level, complex, and high-stakes matters. Its competition practice is well regarded in the market with the firm’s practitioners helping draft the current competition rules. An interesting statistic pegs its deals as having a combined value of more than $75 billion. Managing partner Anand Pathak has been the chairman of the task force on competition law of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, was a member of India’s government-appointed committee on national competition policy and investment, and he is currently the vice chair of the IPBA on Indian competition law. Other key partners include antitrust experts Shashank Gautam and Sreemoyee Deb, and dispute resolution experts Gaurav Mahajan and Vijay Purohit.
Established in 2017, the Law Offices of Panag & Babu has roots in white-collar crime, compliance and investigations. It has a notable regulatory practice as well, tackling issues in data privacy, technology and telecommunications, corporate advisory and structure transactions. The team provides advice on a broad array of transactions related to technology, licensing arrangements, data transfers, digital solutions and services, including software, a variety of “as-a-service solutions”, distributed ledger and blockchain, cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens, and other digital assets, the metaverse, artificial intelligence and open-source software. The key contact for this non-contentious work is partner Akash Karmakar.
Client feedback
"Very clear and sound advice provided and transparent in their working." – Privacy and data protection
"Listens to our problems and provides bespoke solutions rather than templated answers which other law firms do." – Regulatory
"The firm understands technology and the internet of things. Their advice is thus not merely legal but strategic and commercial as well. Akash Karmakar is a true thought-leader, and we are very grateful to have his counsel, as he is a true partner and strategic advisor. Unfortunately, most Indian law firms restrict themselves to only privacy law which is not the need of the hour for organizations like us." – Technology and telecommunications
Akash Karmakar
"He listens well, demonstrates empathy, comes prepared, proposes solutions that offer long-term benefits, and explains concepts clearly."
"Very knowledgeable and clear on the law and the aspects affecting the industry. Very reliable and trustworthy."
"Akash Karmakar is a true thought leader in the TMT space and is probably the best lawyer I have worked with. He gets into the weeds of the matter, has exceptional experience and becomes a sounding board during deals in a way nobody else in India can."
Phoenix Legal is a full-service firm that is recognised for its banking and finance, infrastructure, insurance, dispute resolution, labour and employment, and restructuring and insolvency practices. Specifically, the group has honed its experience in syndicate lending, structured finance and debt capital markets. It boasts an impressive client roster of domestic and offshore banks, financial institutions, multilateral and international financial institutions, export credit agencies, non-banking financial companies, micro financers, small finance banks, universal banks, development finance institutions, foreign portfolio investors, mutual funds, private-equity funds, alternative investment funds, and government bodies. The four co-founding partners are the main contacts: Manjula Chawla, Saket Shukla, Abhishek Saxena and Sawant Singh. Other kay partners include Aditya Bhargava, Gautam Bhatikar and Harsh Arora.
Pioneer Legal was established in 2019 by Satish Kishanchandani, Narendra Dingankar and Pritha Jha. The firm houses over 50 fee-earners, with the firm rapidly gaining recognition for its high-quality corporate and private-equity work. The Pioneer team works across a swathe of sectors including education, advertising, healthcare, pharma, financial services and logistics. Apart from the corporate focus, the firm is also active in employment, insurance, IP, infrastructure, project finance and TMT matters. The firm has carved out a niche in handling complex commercial disputes, corporate frauds, and white-collar crime cases, making it a go-to choice for clients facing serious legal challenges. Its reputation for providing tailored, effective solutions quickly and cost-efficiently sets it apart in the competitive legal landscape. Other key partners and corporate specialists to note are Shoubhik Dasgupta and Anupam Shukla.
The firm recently launched several new initiatives and expanded its focus on specific practice areas to adapt to evolving market demands and enhance client service. One key initiative is the integration of technology into its legal services. The firm is investing in legal tech solutions to streamline processes, improve efficiency and enhance client communication. This includes the adoption of project-management tools and case-management software, allowing for better tracking of cases and ensuring timely responses to client inquiries.
In addition to technological advancements, the firm is placing a stronger emphasis on sectors such as technology, healthcare and renewable energy. The firm recognises the rapid growth and regulatory complexities in these industries and is bolstering its expertise to provide tailored legal support. This includes advising clients on compliance with emerging regulations, intellectual property issues, and employment matters specific to these sectors.
Pioneer Legal is also focusing on expanding its capabilities in international arbitration and cross-border transactions, recognising the increasing globalisation of business. It is also actively developing its environmental, social and governance practice, assisting clients in navigating the regulatory landscape related to sustainability and corporate responsibility. This includes advising on compliance with environmental laws and helping businesses implement best practices for sustainable operations.
Poovayya & Co is well known in the market for its robust dispute resolution and real-estate practices. With offices in Delhi and Bangalore, the firm has worked extensively with technology companies, on both the buy-side and the sell-side. The team is well versed in domestic litigations and has been instructed in multi-billion-dollar disputes across various jurisdictions including the US, the UK, the UAE and Mauritius. The firm’s disputes team is led by partners Manu Kulkarni, Ankit Parhar and Dharmendra Chatur. The corporate and real-estate departments are led by partners Siddhartha George and Dharani Polavaram.
Priya Rao & Associates is a specialised IP rights and IT law firm. Founded in January 2021, the firm has quickly established itself as a leading boutique practice, leveraging extensive experience to provide tailored legal solutions. The firm operates from its office in Gurgaon, where a team of dedicated professionals collaborates to navigate complex legal challenges. Founding partner Priya Rao brings over 26 years of diverse experience in IP and technology law. She is well-regarded in her field and has received numerous accolades. The firm is best known for its expertise in trademark registration, copyright issues and technology-related legal matters. The firm has a unique capability in handling high-stakes cases involving counterfeit products, helping clients protect their brands through effective enforcement strategies.
Delhi-based Prosoll Law is a respected criminal law boutique, featuring three experienced advocates. The key contact is founder Harsh Sharma, a seasoned criminal lawyer with several landmark judgments under his belt. Within the criminal law space, the firm handles all practices ranging from anti-corruption matters, money-laundering issues, regulatory disputes, white-collar crimes, fraud and economic offence-related litigation, constitutional challenge disputes and civil litigation. Recent clients include company directors, medical professionals and government officials. Last year the firm welcomed associate partner and contentious IP specialist Arjit Benjamin from Law Offices of Panag & Babu. With his joining, the firm has taken on caseloads and commercial work related to IP.
PSL Advocates and Solicitors is a New Delhi-based boutique with a focus on commercial arbitration, insolvency, tax, corporate advisory and commercial litigation. The firm sits on multiple government panels, such as State Bank of India, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and the Airports Authority of India, and it uniquely has specialist Russia, Israel, Japan, Dubai and Turkey desks. The firm recently expanded and opened up in Bengaluru to add to its roster of offices in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh. Founder and managing partner Sameer Jain and partners Suvigya Awasthy and Soayib Qureshi are key contacts. Sandeep Bajaj departed in the summer of 2023 to start his own counsel practice.
Rahul Chaudhry & Partners (RCP) is an IP specialist firm and its experience stretches back four decades – it was first known as Lall Lahiri & Salhotra. The team spans three offices in Delhi, Gurugram and Mumbai, and comprises no less than 57 lawyers and 16 partners. RCP is particularly well-known for its strategic approach to protecting and managing IP rights, ensuring that clients' innovations and brands are safeguarded against infringement.
RCP services a diverse and large set of domestic and global clients on contentious and non-contentious matters relating to various IP assets such as trademarks, copyrights, patents, geographical indications and design, and plant varieties and biodiversity. Its offering includes IP analytics, strategy, innovation management and protection, IP and non-IP litigation, operational strategies and data protection, domain name disputes, third-party negotiations and investigations, due diligence for acquisitions and divestitures, anti-counterfeiting and anti-infringement actions, global filing strategies and corporate IP transactional agreements.
The firm boasts extensive network of international associates further enhances its capability to protect IP rights beyond Indian borders. Apart from Indian IP laws, the firm also assists its clients on the protection of their IP rights in other neighbouring jurisdictions such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Myanmar.
Key individuals at the firm include managing partner Rahul Chaudhry, who specializes in trademark prosecution and management, with extensive experience across multiple industry sectors like FMCG and pharmaceuticals. Founding partner Anuradha Salhotra focuses on both IP and non-IP litigation, bringing her expertise to high-stakes disputes, particularly in the life sciences and technology sectors. IP litigation partner Ekta Sarin is recognized for her work in enforcing IP rights and navigating complex legal landscapes, while partner Ravi Chadha specialises in trademarks and has significant experience advising clients in the fashion and luxury goods sectors.
The firm is notable for its extensive library, the Blanco White Library, which houses a vast collection of intellectual property resources, making it a valuable asset for both attorneys and clients alike. This repository supports the firm’s analytical capabilities and strengthens its consultative approach to IP management. Recent updates from the firm include the strategic hiring of several senior lawyers, enhancing its depth of expertise. The firm has also expanded its practice areas to include more comprehensive services related to technology and telecommunications, reflecting the growing importance of these sectors in the current legal landscape.
Regius Legal was established in its current form in 2018 after firm founder Kiran Jain, who began his legal practice in 1991 as a sole proprietary concern, structured the business as a partnership. The firm is now led by two equity partners, Jain and senior partner Ish Jain, and they head up a team of 40 lawyers. The firm’s main pillar remains dispute resolution, but it has also branched out into other areas such as corporate advisory, real estate, aviation and space law, art and sports law, maritime law and project financing. Ish Jain is particularly noted for his expertise in white-collar crime litigation.
Remfry & Sagar has been a leading IP firm for nearly two centuries, having been established in 1827. It consistently ranks in the top tier for both non-contentious and contentious trademark and patent work. With over 115 experienced lawyers and 150 professional staff, it’s no surprise the firm wins nearly 20% of all inbound IP work from clients of the highest calibre. It has more than 8000 active clients spread out across more than 70 countries. The firm opened its fourth office in Mumbai in April 2021 to complement its existing locations in Gurugram, Bengaluru and Chennai. Managing partner Ashwin Julka and partners Brijesh CA, Shukadey Khuraijam, Swarup Kumar, Samta Mehra, and Mohini V are just a few to note from the 18-strong leadership team.
Resolut Partners was launched in 2022 by the Mumbai founders of Touchstone Partners, Ruchir Sinha and Shreyas Bhushan. The team is highly regarded in the market for its leading private equity, and banking and finance practices. Since the start of 2023, the firm has advised on over $4.6 billion and tackled the full spectrum of issues that arise for early and late-stage PE players. The banking practice is focused on advising global credit funds and special situation funds on primary and secondary credit investment opportunities in India. The lawyers are skilled and experienced in designing innovative products and structures for large institutional investors and global sponsors investing in structured credit products. The firm is a leader in infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) transactions.
IP specialist firm RK Dewan & Co has a competitive edge in the pharmaceuticals and life sciences sector and this year remains steady in the top tier of the IP rankings. The 175-strong firm – where 60% of the team comprises women – has been active in the IP field for over 80 years and boasts a strong domestic client base, with over 70% of its work being for onshore companies. The firm has over 5,000 clients from around the globe and in the last 12 months filed over 1,400 patents, 1,613 trademark applications and nearly 1,000 copyright and design applications. The firm has a liaison office in Dallas, US and celebrated the four-year anniversary of its China office in Dalian, which has been instrumental in generating a growing roster of loyal Chinese clients. Key contacts are principal Mohan Dewan and head of patent Niti Dewan.
Client feedback
Mohan Dewan
"He provides solid, cost-effective and practical solutions for my issues."
RNA Technology & IP Attorneys was founded in 2004 by managing partner Ranjan Narula. The firm’s reputation has escalated in recent years, with many in the market acknowledging the firm’s strong work at the intersection of IP and technology. It is a full-service IP specialist firm now, though it started out focusing mainly on trademarks. Last year, the firm filed over 200 trademark applications, handled 80 litigations and over 200 oppositions and cancellation matters. The firm additionally manages a portfolio of over 750 patents. In addition to Narula, there are four partners that lead the firm.
Founded in 2015 through the restructuring of an 85-year-old commercial law chambers, RPV Legal is a boutique firm with a broad commercial and white-collar defence and investigations practice. The lawyers have long track records acting on commercial disputes across a number of sectors such as aviation, banking, construction, infrastructure, real estate, energy, life sciences and technology. They have acted as counsel in multiple landmark litigations and complex domestic and international arbitrations. In particular, the team specialises in high-value international and multi-jurisdictional arbitrations under ad hoc and institutional rules. The firm’s roster of clients comprises sovereign states and state corporations, business conglomerates, non-governmental organisations, trusts, banking and financial institutions and several high-net-worth individuals in India. The firm is headquartered in New Delhi and has a strong presence in the appellate courts and the Supreme Court. The key contacts are managing partner Kunal Verma, senior partner Yugan Jha and counsel Waheb Hussaini.
Founded in 1993, S Majumdar & Co is a well-reviewed IP law firm with notable strength on all matters pertaining to patents across a wide spectrum of industries such as technology, engineering, telecoms, software, electronics, chemistry, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. The firm has 22 patent agents and 28 attorneys-at-law. It also has eight patent engineers/analysts. It is present in three cities across the country, namely, Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai. Managing partner Subhatosh Majumdar is a highly-regarded IP litigator.
Formerly known as Singh & Associates, S&A Law Offices was established in 2002 by Manoj Singh. The full-service law firm is recognised for its corporate and M&A and dispute resolution offerings. The firm now houses over 300 legal professionals across its four offices in Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai and Bangalore. Sector experience includes infrastructure, real estate, green energy, power, oil and gas, shipping, mining, manufacturing and transportation. Transportation government authorities are loyal clients. Key contacts are disputes specialist Singh, joint managing partners Daizy Chawla and Gunita Pahwa, and senior partners Vijay Singh and Nilava Bandyopadhyay.
Client feedback
“Their legal knowledge and process-oriented arbitration process stand out among several other qualities they possess.” – Infrastructure
“Nimble, good understanding of the business of infra and excellent knowledge of legal matters. The lawyers have good experience.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Daizy Chawla
“Accessible, responsive and trustworthy.”
Manoj Singh
“Proactive and tops in legal knowledge.”
S&R Associates has market-leading capital markets, and corporate and M&A practices, a regular choice for selective clients. Its competition, disputes and insolvency practices are growing from strength to strength every year and perform well in their respective categories in our rankings. The firm is not a high-volume outfit but features on big-ticket mandates that require sophisticated lawyering. Highly-respected partners Sandip Bhagat, Rajat Sethi and Niti Dixit lead the capital markets, M&A and dispute resolution teams, respectively.
Client feedback
“They possess in-depth knowledge of capital market laws and provide seamless, effective advice to clients. The best part is that their commitment to perfection in their work and their ability to manage deadlines make them the best capital market lawyers." – Capital markets
"We found a team led by Niti Dixit, and Abhishek Tewari to be very responsive. The advice was clear and actionable. They were often proactive in raising potential issues in advance that the client needed to consider and preemptively address." – Dispute resolution
"We find them well versed in banking and debt transaction space. Their inputs on dealing contours and documentation around the same are extremely helpful. Turnaround time to close transactions is quick." – Real estate
Sanjeev Adlakha
"Sanjeev is a patient listener, curious to know more about the business and diverse legal dimensions of the matter under discussion, brilliant in simplifying complex problems and he is always resolution oriented."
Niti Dixit
"Her advice was clear, easy to understand, pragmatic, and actionable. She was very proactive in raising potential issues in advance that the client needs to preemptively address."
Sudip Mahapatra
"Sudip is a seasoned lawyer with a wealth of M&A experience and the ability to translate complex issues into easily understandable format and then find the best solution possible."
Ajinkya Mishra
"Ajinkya excelled in navigating bureaucratic processes with Indian customs authorities, ensuring adherence to protocols while strategically advocating for client interests. This includes preparing meticulous legal submissions and leveraging procedural nuances to expedite resolutions."
Bengaluru-headquartered Saakshya Law is recognised for its expertise in dispute resolution across various sectors, including energy, infrastructure and real estate. With its headquarters in Bengaluru, the firm has established a strong presence in the legal landscape, particularly in the south Asian region. The firm employs a strategic approach to complex legal challenges, providing tailored solutions that meet client needs effectively. The key contact is managing partner Aditya Narayan, a dispute resolution practitioner with sectoral expertise in energy and infrastructure.
Nine-year-old firm Saga Legal offers legal services across the full scope of practice areas. One of its core areas is dispute resolution, where is represents domestic and international clients in arbitration and litigation. Its strong relationships with briefing counsels in Delhi have made it a trusted partner to several other domestic firms that don’t have a presence in the national capital region. Saga teams up with them and provides assistance in briefing counsels and jointly representing their clients in Delhi forums and the Supreme Court. Managing partner and disputes practitioner Gaurav Nair, alongside co-managing partner and corporate partner Sanika Mehra, are the key contacts.
IP boutique Sagar Chandra & Associates was established in 2009 and it focuses on all non-contentious and contentious IP matters for domestic and international clients. The team covers trademarks, copyrights, patents, designs, geographical indications, domain names, trade secrets, unfair competition, and entertainment laws. The firm currently houses 25 fee earners and actively files litigation suits across all regional markets within India. Last year, the firm was bolstered by the hiring of two new senior associates and two associates from top ranked peers. Founding partner Sagar Chandra and managing partner Ishani Chandra are the firm’s key contacts.
Sagus Legal was founded in early 2020 by ex-Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co corporate partner, Shruti Kanodia. The firm’s core strengths are corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, and energy and infrastructure work. It has offices in New Delhi, Odisha and Gurugram. The key partners are Kanodia and disputes expert Anand Kumar Shrivastava.
Samisti Legal is a start-up eight lawyer boutique corporate and transactional firm led by private equity specialist and co-founder Prashant Kumar Jain. The firm’s core areas include corporate and M&A, investment funds and private equity.
Client feedback
“We appreciate their detailed report on subject matter with relevant case law, adherence to timelines and professionalism.” – Capital markets
“Samisti's team understood the key requirements and aspects of the deal and ensured that our interests were not compromised.” – Corporate and M&A
Prashant Jain
“Prashant understood our requirements and ensured that our interests were not compromised. He was very clear in his thoughts and explanations and provided appropriate rationale for the actions proposed.”
Samvad Partners is a multi-specialist law firm with market-approved corporate and dispute resolution offerings. The firm’s core litigation areas encompass commercial, employment, competition, intellectual property and financial disputes. The team regularly appears in high-stakes cases before the High Courts, Supreme Court and all relevant tribunals. The litigation and arbitration team comprises four partners and nearly 20 associates spread across the firm’s five offices in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. The corporate M&A and private equity teams are helmed by 10 partners, including Vineetha MG, Ashwini Vittalachar, Natasha Mahajan and Ekta Bahl. The dispute resolution group includes top litigators Poornima Hatti and Ankur Singh. Arjun Krishnan departed to open up his own advocate practice, while Rohan George moved on to establish a legal technology company.
Established four years ago by a group of partners from Luthra and Luthra Law Offices, Saraf and Partners has established itself well as a highly-regarded full-service firm with core strengths in projects, corporate and M&A, private equity, and restructuring and insolvency. The team consists of no less than 34 partners and over 180 personnel. The firm has established a strong presence with offices in major cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Its competitive edge lies in a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and a client-focused approach that integrates legal expertise with practical business solutions. Key contacts include founder Mohit Saraf, and senior partners Bikash Jhawar, Vaibhav Kakkar, Vikrant Kumar, Sanjeev Sharma and Saroj Jha. Disputes partner Manmeet Singh left for Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas at the beginning of 2025.
Client feedback
"Saraf and Partners is very sound when it comes to legal advice, and they combine it very well with vast experience and practical, solution-oriented insights." – Banking and finance
"The law firm has specialized knowledge and expertise in specific areas of law, such as disputes resolution, corporate law, real estate work and intellectual property. They have a client-centered approach. The law firm is committed to providing tailored legal solutions that meet the unique needs of our company. The firm is super-responsive to our inquiries and concerns. They follow ethical practices and maintain standards of professionalism." – Dispute resolution
"The domain knowledge and solution-oriented approach of the lawyers is very helpful." – Technology and telecommunications
Sahil Arora
"Working with Sahil is an absolute pleasure and he exceeds all expectations. From the outset, Sahil demonstrated a profound understanding of the legal intricacies surrounding the matter with his sheer wealth of legal knowledge, commercial acumen, and top-notch legal and regulatory expertise being self-evident. It was apparent that he was invested in our journey with complete dedication to achieve the best possible outcome for us. What truly sets him apart is his innate ability to provide insightful guidance and strategic advice, keeping in mind commercial realities, especially in areas where the law is nebulous. The regulatory framework in India is complex and ever-changing, but his ability to feel the pulse of the regulator allows us to navigate the landscape with ease."
Aroop Das
"Aroop is detail-oriented and strategic, with the foresight to anticipate issues and prepare effective alternatives. He leads his team well, communicates clearly, and balances legal knowledge with practical and commercial advice. He is very approachable and open to suggestions which further enhance his effectiveness."
Sanjeev Kumar Sharma
"Sanjeev is a highly skilled lawyer with specialized expertise in various areas of law, including dispute resolution and corporate law. His commitment to continuous learning ensures he stays updated with the latest legal developments, providing clients with the most informed advice. Sanjeev's strong communication skills enable him to explain complex legal concepts clearly, while his active listening ensures he fully understands his clients' concerns. Known for his dedication and work ethic, Sanjeev goes the extra mile to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients. He adheres to high ethical standards and maintains honesty and transparency in all his communications. Sanjeev's analytical skills and creative problem-solving abilities allow him to develop effective and innovative legal strategies. His client-centered approach, marked by personalized service and empathy, makes him a trusted advisor."
Sarthak Advocates & Solicitors has extensive experience working on energy and infrastructure projects and is noted for its corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, and restructuring and insolvency practices. This year the firm moves up a tier for its energy work. The firm is empanelled with public sector undertakings Bharat Heavy Electricals, Engineers India and Shipping Corporation India. Managing partner Abhishek Nath Tripathi leads the firm’s corporate and M&A, projects, infrastructure and project finance, and bankruptcy and insolvency practices, while senior partner Mani Gupta oversees the dispute resolution team.
Client feedback
"The firm understands the requirements very well and are open to multiple rounds of discussion and iterations as and when requested" – Corporate and M&A
"We appreciate the accessibility of the team, their understanding of legal winnability scenarios and getting the client’s interest achieved." – Corporate and M&A
"Sarthak Advocates & Solicitors excel in delivering precise and practical legal solutions, particularly in due diligence and transactional work. Their key strengths include deep expertise in Indian real estate and regulatory frameworks, as demonstrated in their thorough land due diligence. The team, led by partner Anubhav Tiwari, is highly responsive, client-focused, and adept at simplifying complex legal issues, ensuring timely and cost-effective outcomes." – Real estate
Mani Gupta
"He argues aggressively and shows effective litigation management, paying close attention to detail.”
Anil Khanna
"Anil, a key member of Sarthak Advocates & Solicitors, exhibits exceptional professionalism, responsiveness, and expertise in real estate law. His ability to navigate complex legal frameworks with clarity and precision, as demonstrated in the meticulous land due diligence, ensures robust risk mitigation and project success. Anil excels in client communication, providing timely updates and practical solutions tailored to our needs. His collaborative approach fosters trust and strengthens client relationships. Additionally, Anubhav’s deep understanding of regulatory requirements and his proactive problem-solving skills make his team a standout in delivering efficient and high-quality legal services."
Utkarsh Mishra
"He is understanding, accessible, problem-solving and responds to urgent matters as expected."
Abhishek Tripathi
"Patience to listen to client's requirements and advising team on ‘to go’ and ‘no go’ parameters and ensuring deal closure."