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.