The Legal 500

Full-service firm AZB & Partners handles a substantial amount of project work for its corporate client base, with a particular focus on project financing. The firm is particularly active in the power sector.

As India’s largest law firm, Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co has the resources to cover a range of industry sectors. Project finance is a major source of work for the team, which also advises on project documentation and regulatory matters. Recent work includes advising Ogden Energy in relation to a 400MW hydroelectric power project at Maheshwar in the state of Madhya Pradesh, which involved reviewing the EPC contracts and financing agreements. Jatin Aneja is a key partner.

HSA Advocates has ‘good industry knowledge’ and ‘strong technical ability’, with an emphasis on the energy and infrastructure sectors. The firm has a strong track record acting for government entities; recent work includes advising the government of Gujarat and International Finance Corporation in connection with the development of two rooftop solar power projects in Gandhinagar, the first project of its kind in India. The ‘excellent’ Hemant Sahai provides ‘commercially focused advice’. The ‘very good’ Pranav Singh is also recommended.

J Sagar Associates’ projects practice works across various sectors, including energy and natural resources, transport, aviation and infrastructure. The firm advises developers, investors, suppliers and contractors on all aspects of project development, and excels in project finance matters, where its ‘legal acumen is hard to match’. Recent work includes advising BHP Biliton Petroleum on various contractual issues for its 7-8 upstream blocks in India; and advising HEGCPL with respect to project financing for the development of a 2500MW, gas-based power plant. Sumanto Basu and Amit Kapur are key lawyers.

Luthra & Luthra maintains a strong presence in projects work, in which it advises both international and domestic clients on financing and project development issues, as well as regulatory matters. Recent work includes acting as borrowers’ counsel to the joint venture companies formed by ALSTOM Power Holdings and Bharat Forge, in relation to two inter-linked project finance transactions. Aniket Sengupta led the team on that matter, and is recommended alongside Sameen Vyas.

The ‘very good’ Trilegal has a broad-ranging projects practice that works extensively in the areas of energy, transport and infrastructure. Saurabh Bhasin was promoted to partner in August 2011, and led the team representing Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners in its investment into Continuum Wind Energy. Other highlights included advising Mytrah Energy on a multi-annual agreement with Gamesa Wind Turbines for wind power projects up to 2,000MW across India. Sitesh Mukherjee is recommended for energy regulatory matters.

Link Legal advises on the establishment and development of infrastructure projects, representing both domestic and international developers, contractors, equity investors, and multilateral agencies. Dinesh Pardasani, who joined the New Delhi office in 2011, dedicates a significant portion of his practice to projects work. Ajay Sawhney is another name to note, and is currently advising on the Hyderabad metro rail project, a flagship project planned to be developed under a PPP model.

The ‘responsive’ Seth Dua & Associates provides ‘a good level of service’ across a range of energy and infrastructure projects. Sunil Seth is a driving force behind the practice. The ‘excellent’ Amit Mehta is also recommended. The firm recently advised Veolia Water on water PPP projects, and also continues to represent Genting Energy on the development of a 92MW wind power project in the state of Gujarat.

Singhania & Partners’ solid projects and energy practice covers transport, infrastructure and energy matters. Dipak Rao and Rohit Jaiswal lead the practice, which is particularly strong in the public sector. Rao, along with senior partner Shilpa Shah, acted as legal counsel to engineering consultants URS Scott Wilson on the Karnataka state highway implementation project to upgrade the state highways through World Bank funding, which involved the first BOT annuity documentation in India. Other key clients include the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India.

In conjunction with its Mumbai office, DSK Legal’s New Delhi office handles a number of projects across the energy, oil and gas and telecoms sectors.

Swarup & Company has significant experience in projects-related M&A, and draws on the significant expertise of name partner Shailendra Swarup.

Titus & Co’s projects practice is focused on representing domestic and international clients in energy projects, handling all aspects of project development, negotiations and financing. Diljeet Titus heads the practice, whose key clients include Electric Power Development Corporation and Solar Ventures.

Bhasin & Co’s very strong reputation for aviation matters extends to advising clients on aviation sector projects. Experienced name partner Lalit Bhasin is the name to note.

Chitale & Chitale Partners’ projects expertise covers infrastructure and energy, where it can call upon the significant experience of Suchitra Chitale, particularly in contentious projects matters.

Kochhar & Co has developed a strong following in the energy sector, where it frequently advises on regulatory issues and the negotiation of relevant project development documentation. Senior partner Krishna Vijay Singh recently advised Green Gas on the preparation of contracts for the supply of piped gas in two cities in Uttar Pradesh.

LexCounsel represents a range of clients in the power and telecom sectors. It also represents a research and development company focused on manufacturing energy saving devices and equipment, and machines for pollution control. Other clients include D1 Oils PLC, MP Power Trading Company and Power Machines India. Alishan Naqvee is recommended.

O.P. Khaitan & Co. Solicitors and Advocates handles all stages of infrastructure projects across a range of sectors. The firm has also been involved in the acquisition of mines for a number of international clients.

P & A Law Offices benefits from the extensive network of contacts built up by key lawyer Anand Pathak, who has considerable experience in oil and gas and infrastructure matters.

Rajinder Narain & Co. Legal LLP works across the power, telecoms and construction sectors, and frequently advises on finance structuring and regulatory matters.

In an illustration of KSB Partners’ project finance strength, 2012 saw the firm act as lead counsel in a $90m project refinance transaction relating to the borrower’s electricity generation project in the state of Chhattisgarh, India.

Platinum Partners has advised several of its international clients on projects-related financing and investment. Karam Daulet-Singh has significant projects experience.

AZB & Partners’ clients include Reliance Industries, Tata Motors, and Tata Steel. Bahram Vakil is rated for his projects expertise.

Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co is highly recommended for its projects and infrastructure practice. L Viswanathan is the key name.

Desai & Diwanji advises Indian banks on projects matters. Vishwang Desai is recommended.

Recent highlights for Economic Laws Practice include advising BLA Power on the contracts for the design, construction and supply works relating to a power plant being in Gadarwara. Sujjain Talwar is recommended.

HSA Advocates acted for MMRDA on a detailed feasibility study and bid process management for the selection of a developer and concessionaire for the Mumbai trans harbour link project, and for The City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra on the development of three super-speciality hospitals in Navi Mumbai. Ajan Dasgupta is recommended.

Khaitan & Co.’s ‘excellent’ team ‘truly goes the extra mile’ for clients, and acted for Haldia Energy, as borrower, on the establishment and commissioning of a 600MW coal-based power project in West Bengal. It also advised ICICI Bank on a loan facility to Jayaswal Neco Industries for the backward integration of steel manufacturing capacity in Chattisgarh. Sudip Mullick and Amitabh Sharma are key names.

Luthra & Luthra acted for Alstom Bharat Forge Power, as borrower on a term loan facility and a working capital facility, and for The Export Import Bank of United States on the Samalkot Project and its expansion of existing facilities. Aniket Sengupta is the key name.

Wadia Ghandy & Co has a good name in road infrastructure projects, where it acts for clients including Hindustan Constructions Company, Sadbhav Infrastructure Project, and 3i India Infrastructure. It also acts on large-scale real estate and energy projects, and handled an important PPP sports development project. Dhawal Mehta is a key figure.

Crawford Bayley & Co advises on a number of large-scale energy and real estate project finance matters.

DSK Legal is recommended for its projects and infrastructure expertise.

Gagrats has an excellent reputation, and advised Infrastructure Leasing Financial Services on the Cuddalore power project, and Greenergy Renewables on its wind power joint venture with Solar Total. Rustam Gagrat is recommended.

India Law Services is recommended for projects and infrastructure matters.

Kanga & Company Advocates and Solicitors has expertise in the projects sector.

Majmudar & Partners’ clients include activated carbon manufacturer United Carbon Solutions Private Limited, and Green Energy Group AS, a Norwegian renewable energy company. Managing partner Akil Hirani is the name to note.

Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe is recommended.

SJ Law Advocates & Solicitors is a boutique firm with a growing reputation in the projects and infrastructure field. Samir Jagad is recommended.

Trilegal acts for clients including Tata Power, Sithe Energy, and CLP Power India. It advised Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners on its investment in Continuum Wind Energy.

Udwadia, Udeshi and Argus Partners notably advises on projects in the highways and telecoms sectors.

Advani & Co has expertise in the energy infrastructure sector.

Bharucha & Partners is recommended for its project finance and infrastructure practice.

Brus Chambers, Advocates & Solicitors’ team advised Sadara Chemical Company on a procure-and-construct contract involving a project in Saudi Arabia. Shikant Hathi is recommended.

Clasis Law acted as lenders’ counsel for Axis Bank and others on a 300MW wind project.

Dua Associates’ team acts principally for developers. Munish Sharma is recommended.

J Sagar Associates’ ‘formidable, successful and highly regarded’ team is ‘strong across the board’. It has expertise in power, oil and gas, transport, renewables and telecoms. Abeezar Faizullabhoy is recommended.

JBSS & Co has assisted World Bank, as part of a consortium led by Powertec Engineering, to provide legal and technical assistance to the municipal corporations and councils of Thane, Navi Mumbai and other large urban areas. Amritha Ahuja is recommended.

Law Point is a boutique real estate firm, with projects and infrastructure expertise. It is acting in slum rehabilitation matters, and in the development of Special Economic Zones. Joyita Sabharwal is recommended.

Rajani Associates’ Prem Rajani is recommended.

Talwar Thakore & Associates’ clients include ICICI Bank and BP, and the firm often advises foreign corporates on Indian matters. Narayan Iyer is recommended.

Vaish Associates’ clients include Gestamp Asetym Solar, and Enercon (India). Martand Singh is recommended.