The Legal 500

Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co advised on the INR105bn sale of Satyam Computer Services and the induction of a strategic buyer, which completed in April 2009. The practice also acted for Eicher Motors in a joint venture to set up a company with Volvo.

AZB & Partners' clients include HSBC Securities and Capital Markets. The practice has a ‘good’ reputation amongst other firms practising in the M&A area. Zia Mody is considered to be particularly good.

J Sagar Associates’ corporate team of ‘excellent’ and ‘responsive’ commercial lawyers acted for Reliance in the acquisition of Ultra Mega Power Project transmission system in India. This deal, coupled with several other key acqusition deals and a string of clients including Asia Pacific Breweries and Tyson Foods, typified the team’s work.

‘Very well connected’ and staffed with ‘reliable and dependable’ lawyers, clients recommend Luthra & Luthra for businesses seeking corporate and M&A advice who are new to India. The practice typically works on high value acquisitions and capital investments, and in April 2009, acted for Unitech regarding Telenor’s $1.8bn acquisition of a 60% stake in the company. Acting on behalf of the acquirer, the practice was sole counsel to GMR in its $1.4bn acquisition in a stake of Intergen.

P & A Law Offices provides ‘valuable advice on M&A and dispute resolution relating to corporate issues’ according to clients. A highlight for the firm was acting for Daiichi Sankyo in the biggest foreign direct investment in a public listed company in India, the $4.8bn acquisition of a major private equity stake in Ranbaxy. The firm was also involved in advising Tech Mahindra on its purchase of a $351m 31% stake in Satyam and tender offer for a further 20%. Anand S Pathak and Nitin Wadhwa are singled out for their ‘deep knowledge’ and reliability.

The nine-partner practice at Trilegal was involved in a string of key mergers and acquisitions, including acting for Telenor in its $1.8bn acquisition of a stake in Unitech Wireless. Acting for Heineken on its indirect acquisition of a stake in United Breweries was another highlight. The practice also advised Bank of America and Merrill Lynch on the aspects of their merger.

Significant projects handled from DSK Legal’s New Delhi office include acting for investment funds with investments in India, such as Clearwater, Schroder and Asian Debt Fund. The work for Clearwater included assisting the company with providing a $150m loan to Saraya Industries. The two partners in the New Delhi corporate practice are Gopika Pant and Piyoosh Gupta. Anand Desai splits his time between the Mumbai and New Delhi offices.

Dua Associates provides a ‘quality service’ in the corporate and M&A area. High profile work includes advising the rail division of United Group on its joint venture in India with a domestic company.

Headline clients for FoxMandal Little include US/French telecoms equipment supplier Alcatel-Lucent and Gresham Private Equity, 3i and Alchemy Partners. Managing partner Som Mandal and Vineet Aneja are recommended.

A recent highlight for Hemant Sahai Associates - Advocates was advising RFCL and ICICI Venture Funds Management on the 
sale of the Vetnex animal healthcare division 
of RFCL worth $70m. The practice advised CK Jaipuria Group on two transactions in 2008, including the sale and disinvestment of its shareholding in Creambell Ice Creams and the Asia Pacific arm of Heineken respectively. Also significant was acting for National Textile Corporation on the $500m privatisation of textile mills across India.

Managing partner, Harvansh P Chawla at K. R. Chawla & Co is highly regarded in the market. Past clients include The Eat Out Group and India China Pre-IPO Equity (Mauritius). Sumesh Dewan is also recommended.

‘Very responsive and responsible’, Kochhar & Co represented several companies in connection with acquisitions and financial restructuring. A highlight in 2008 was representing a Fortune 500 company in connection with the acquisition of a stake in an Indian television channel, which included structuring and due diligence. Another significant transaction was restructuring Panasonic’s Indian operations.

Seth Dua & Associates offers an ‘amazing’ level of service according to clients. Atul Dua is ‘supportive and approachable’ according to clients, and particularly strong in ‘matters related to seeking government approvals’. Karnika Seth’s legal expertise ‘is remarkable’ say clients. Amit Mehta is also ‘excellent’.

A highlight for Titus & Co’s corporate practice was acting for Itochu concerning the development of a $2.4bn telecom service project in India. Another highlight was acting on behalf of Wrigley’s in its $30m acquisition of Joyco. Ikea was another significant client for the practice, advising on the establishment of its operations in India.

The corporate practice at Vaish Associates leaves clients ‘fully satisfied’. The practice was involved in some major acquisitions, including SPX’s acquisition of a 100% shareholding in Johnson Pump. Another instruction was from Tellabs in acquiring a majority stake in Fibcom India. The team also advised Panacea Biotech in acquiring a 14.5% stake in PharmAthene. Vinay Vaish, Satbinder Singh and Vijay Dalmia are all ‘very good’.

Bhasin & Co corporate and M&A practice centres primarily on the aviation, hospitality and property sectors. Recent work includes advising on the merger of two leading industrial companies.

Headed by Avimukt Dar, Indus G&D Law’s corporate practice acted for a number of clients on acquisitions, joint ventures and capital raising in 2008 and 2009. Acting for Gefran in its 100% acquisition of Pune based V3 Control Solutions was a highlight of the year, as was advising Brindco on its acquisition of a stake in Grover Vineyards, and advising Planet Retail on its acquisition by Marks & Spencer Reliance.

Kachwaha & Partners is recommended for experience in advising foreign clients, with particularly strong South Korean client base.

A recent highlight for Khaitan & Co. was acting for a private holdings company in July 2009 in the $8.31m sale of its capacitors and holdings business. The practice also advised on several key deals, including a steel company on its acquisition of a steel plant, and a manufacturer of sanitary products on the acquisition of companies in Europe.

Advising GMR Infrastructure regarding the acquisition of a 51% stake in Kakinada Refineries Petrochemicals was a highlight for Link Legal. The practice also advised Steel Authority of India in its amalgamation with Bharat Refractories. Also significant was acting for IOT Infrastructure in relation to its $40m acquisition of a Canada-based company.

A recent highlight for O.P. Khaitan & Co. Solicitors and Advocates was advising a trustee of Singapore on a proposed acquisition of a 49% stake in a hotel group.

Karam Daulet-Singh heads Platinum Partners’ New Delhi practice. A recent highlight was acting for Deutsche Telecom with regards to its $75m investment in a multimedia company. The practice also advised MTN on its proposal to merge with Bharti Airtel, and another aborted merger with Reliance Communications, each worth in the region of $20bn.

International corporate and transactional work is central to Rajinder Narain & Co’s practice. Its Mumbai office recieves instructions from IT service providers and hospitality clients.

S&R Associates provides an ‘exceptionally good level of service’. A recent highlight was acting for D E Shaw in its private equity investments. Advising Henderson Equity Partners in its investment in Sharda Worldwide Exports was also a highlight. Another key client for the firm was Vodafone Essar. Rajat Sethi is ‘particularly good’. Tanya Agarwal and Niti Dixit are also ‘particularly strong’.

Key to Singhania & Co’s corporate and M&A practice was acting for real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle concerning its acquisition of Meghraj Tramell Crow. Also significant was the practice’s instruction from Manchester United, advising on setting up a franchise in India.

APJ- SLG Law Offices’ corporate practice is led by Joseph Pookkatt. Its expertise includes advising on the formation of businesses and associations, tax structuring, public and private debt financing. It also advises on corporate governance issues, reporting and disclosure requirements, limitations on foreign investments, and various structuring alternatives, such as joint ventures and minority acquisitions.

Hitachi, Toshiba and BGS Smartcards Systems were all significant clients of Chitale & Chitale Partners in 2008. Acting for BGS Smartcard Systems on a foreign direct investment was a highlight of the year. The practice also represented Government of India’s Central Warehousing regarding state legislation.

‘A rare find’, clients praise Archer & Angel for being ‘very responsive and client focused’. Acting for Oracle on its $150m acquisition of Relsys was a key transaction for the firm. Another highlight was from ClickSoftware Technologies on the asset purchase of the management of Machitra Services. Srijoy Das is ‘outstanding’ and offers ‘sound advice’ according to clients.

Associated Law Advisers’ expertise includes international standing, handling general transactional work and corporate restructuring.

Dhir & Dhir Associates acted for Spanco Telecommunications in relation to its successful bid for a government tender. The practice was also successful acting for IFB Autoliv in a dispute against joint partner Autoliv. Significantly, the practice acted for the Serious Fraud Investigation Office in investigations into corporate frauds.

India Juris advises clients from the manufacturing, mining, IT and retail sectors. It is experienced in advising on joint ventures alliances and restructurings, with expertise in carbon credit work.

With clients in the manufacturing, food and drink, transport, consumer goods and healthcare sectors IndoJuris Law Offices is also experienced in oil and gas-related work.

Jafa & Javali acted for Adapt Software on the restructuring of the company. Advising Comecer on the establishment of a subsidiary in India was also a highlight.

KSB Partners provides an ‘excellent’ level of service according to clients. Acting for an AIM listed fund in a $90m transaction was a highlight of the 2008 and 2009 period. Samir Bedi and Srinivas Kilambi are ‘good’.

Clients regard Kaden Boriss Legal LLP’s corporate lawyers as ‘extremely professional’ and ‘excellent on all counts’. Hemant Batra, Manila Munjal and Preet Sethi are ‘very capable’.

King, Stubb & Kasiva is renowned for its vast client base that covers a range of industries and business sectors including governments, banks, insurance and financial institutions, and professional firms.

LexCounsel has a ‘strong team’ and ‘excellent’ level of service,. Alishan Naqvee is ‘highly recommended’ by clients as especially ‘helpful’.

Established in 2000, N South’s past client base includes HSBC Private Equity Advisors and Caparo India. Managing partner Ranjeev C Dubeyis recommended.

A recent highlight for P H Parekh & Co was acting for NJJW on an INR6bn joint venture between Hindustan Construction and Imrelegio.

With eight offices across India, Singhania & Co also have offices in the UK and New York. Its expertise includes inward investment, including M&A, company formations, BPOs and joint ventures.

Swarup & Company’s expertise lies particularly in projects-related corporate and M&A work. It is also recommended for investment fund structuring for both domestic and overseas clients.