India > TMT > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Praised for offering 'a complete one-shop-stop solution', Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas' TMT practice has the scope to handle matters across several sectors. With 'rich experience and know how' in the telecoms sector, Asim Abbas is leading a team acting for Reliance Jio Infocomm on its substantial acquisition of assets from Reliance Communications. The group is also instructed by Microsoft Corporation on a range of matters including interconnection and cloud computing-related issues. Rahul Goel, Arun Prabhu, and Abbas jointly head up the New Delhi-based team.

Kochhar & Co. attracts praise for its 'depth of experience and level of interest in technology matters'. The team is instructed by Fedex to advise on its courier tracking device, which includes obtaining approvals from the Department of Telecommunications. The practice is also acting for Akamai on a range of matters, including advising on data protection, net neutrality and regulatory matters. With 'deep industry understanding', practice head Stephen Mathias has been highlighted as 'very effective counsel for international clients looking for clear, concise advice'.

The 'proactive' Naik Naik & Company offers a combination of 'outstanding value for money' and 'excellent understanding' of the media and entertainment industry. The TMT group is known for its dispute resolution expertise, and successfully defended a motion picture production and distribution company over allegations a film defamed the judiciary and the legal profession as a whole. Managing partner Ameet Naik heads up the practice alongside Madhu Gadodia – who boasts 'excellent technical knowledge and great problem-solving skills' – and Ravi Suryawanshi.

The intellectual property and information technology practice at Nishith Desai Associates is instructed on a range of advisory, transactional and contentious matters across the TMT sectors. Bangalore-based practice head Vaibhav Parikh is leading a team representing the Internet and Mobile Association of India before the Supreme Court of India challenging a circular prohibiting banks and other regulated entities from supporting trading exchanges or the purchase and sale of crypto-assets. The group is instructed by a social media company to periodically analyse social media posts which the government seeks to take down, requiring a balance of freedom of speech with other provisions of law. Clients also include Netflix, Flipkart and telecoms company Singtel. Co-head Gowree Gokhale (based in Mumbai) is another key name to note.

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co is frequently instructed by clients in the media, information technology and media sectors, particularly in relation to M&A transactions. Pallavi Shroff heads up the practice and led a team advising Vodafone India on its merger with Idea Cellular. The group also represented Zee Entertainment Enterprises in its acquisition of 9x Media Private. Other clients include One97Communications and Videocon.

Helmed by Bangalore-based Rahul Matthan, Trilegal's TMT team is recommended for providing 'specialised advice in this field'. Nikhil Narendran led a team instructed by Hewlett Packard Enterprise on the spinning-off of its enterprise business in India, as part of a global restructuring and merger with Computer Sciences Corporation. In the media sector, the group advised Vice Media on its proposed joint venture with Times Group for the launch of a new television channel. Counsel Nirupama Jayasimha is another key name to note.

The TMT practice at Majmudar & Partners is recommended for providing 'comprehensive, clear and unambiguous advice at competitive rates'. The group is particularly well known for acting on behalf of clients in the technology and e-commerce sectors in a range of matters from advisory and regulatory issues to transactions and disputes. Mumbai-based practice head Akil Hirani led a team advising AI-powered analytics company Lumiata Inc on technology-related and IP protection matters. Based in Bangalore, N Raja Sujith heads up the south India practice and is a key name for outsourcing transactions.

The TMT department at Advaita Legal is led by Atul Dua and has experience advising clients on a range of  regulatory and technology considerations for the telecoms industry. The group is instructed by Aon Consulting on issues relating to the setting up of a data recovery centre. It is also assisting Wipro with licences issues by the Department of Telecoms for providing services at Delhi airport.

ALMT Legal's TMT practice spans the firm's Mumbai and Bangalore offices, and has particular experience handling commercial transactions in the telecoms sector and advising on a range of issues in the entertainment industry. The team is jointly led by Arun Seebe Raj and Statira Ranina, both based in Mumbai. The Bangalore-based Souvik Paul Mazumdar is a key name for media sector matters. The group's clients include SS Majestine Enterprise and Danish Sait. Hitesh Jain left the practice to join Juris Corp.

Recommended for providing 'practical and commercially aware' advice, the 'responsive' TMT and e-commerce practice at AZB & Partners boasts a client roster including Intel Corporation, 21st Century Fox and the STAR Group, and American Tower Corporation. In a recent work highlight, Bangalore-based Chetan Nagendra assisted Google with the launch of the mobile payments service Google Tez. The practice – which is headed up by Gautam Saha in New Delhi and Srinath Dasari in Bangalore – has also been instructed by Bharti Airtel on several transactions, including on its proposed acquisition of 100% stake in the share capital of Tikona Digital Networks.

HSA Advocates is highlighted for its experience handling commercial, transactional and regulatory matters in the IT and telecoms space. The group has been advising on infrastructure projects and related matters, and recently acted for a private equity company in the acquisition of a substantial sub-sea cable business. In the entertainment sector, the group also acts for prominent clients such as Yash Raj Films.

IndusLaw's TMT practice boasts a client roster ranging from start-ups to large corporates such as Microsoft India, Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Yahoo! India. The group acted for PayU Credit on its investment in the fintech company Paysense Pte. In another work highlight, Avik Biswas led a team which assisted Zynga Inc with its global licence sale and distribution model and contracts. Other key names to note include Srinivas Katta and Suneeth Katarki.

J Sagar Associates' technology law practice group acts for creators, licensors, buyers and sellers of information and other technology. Bangalore-based practice head Sajai Singh focuses on cross-border transactions, particular in the IT space. Clients include Reliance Mediaworks, Tata Teleservices and Accenture Services. Former head of the Communications (Telecom & Broadcasting) practice Mansoor Ali Shoket left the practice to establish RegLaw Chambers alongside Nitin Kala.

The team at Khaitan & Co LLP is frequently instructed in commercial and M&A matters by clients in the TMT sectors. A team, jointly led by Ganesh Prasad and Vinay Joy (both based in Bangalore), advised Flipkart on the acquisition by Walmart of a majority stake in the company. In addition, the group has been engaged by telecoms sector clients in transactions. The practice also handles contentious matters and represented NTT Docomo in enforcement proceedings in relation to a shareholders agreement with Tata Sons. Key names to note in the Mumbai office include Vineet Shingal and Rahul Dutt, particularly for cross-border transactions and telecoms sector matters respectively. Associate partner Harsh Walia is also highlighted.

The technology and media practice at Advaya Legal has experience advising advising clients in the technology and media sector on a range of legal and regulatory issues. Sharanya Ranga heads up the practice and led a team advising Herald Logic Private on commercial aspects of the company's tech offerings.

ARA LAW's multidisciplinary team represents clients across the technology, social media and entertainment sectors in a range of commercial issues. Practice head Rajesh Begur led a team advising Moonfrog Labs on regulatory issues associated with entering into a distribution agreement for distribution of virtual poker chips for their online game, Teen Patti Gold. The group also advised the same client on its fan content policy for the use of the company's intellectual property rights.

Dhir & Dhir Associates is recognised for handling regulatory disputes in the media and telecoms sector. Practice head Maneesha Dhir is instructed by the Telecom Regulatory Of India in challenges brought by broadcasters, including Sony Pictures Network. The group also frequently represents Bharat Sanchar Nigam in contentious matters.

The Mumbai-based TMT practice at DSK Legal handles advisory, commercial and M&A transactions and disputes. Head of the media and entertainment Anand Desai led a team which advised Aamir Khan Productions on its arrangement with Netflix for streaming rights for the film Dangal. In another work highlight, the group successfully represented the Broadcast Audience Research Council before the Delhi High Court, resulting in the dismissal of a writ petition to prohibit the council from releasing the target rating point ratings for several TV channels. The team also assisted Dentsu Aegis Network on its acquisition of the SVG Groupi. GroupM and Adobe Systems India are also clients. Satish Kishanchandani has left to open new firm, Pioneer Legal.

Dua Associates' TMT team boasts national reach with individuals based across the firms eight offices, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. The group represented the All India Digital Cable Federation as intervener for the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India before the Madras High Court in response to two writ petitions filed by large broadcasters. It has also been advising Atria Convergence Technologies on compliance matters.

The TMT team at Gagrats is frequently instructed to handle contentious and non-contentious, commercial and contractual issues arising in the media and technology sectors. Rustam Gagrat heads the team alongside Haseena Tapia, Sheetal Sabnis and Rajnni Kuttyy.

The TMT department at LexCounsel was instructed by Hitachi on registration of three centres under terms set by the Department of Telecommunications. Dimpy Mohanty led a team assisting Adsert Web Solutions over a legal notice issued by Broadcast Audience Research Council with respect to the TV viewership data it collated and released.

Link Legal - India Law Services' TMT group is highlighted particularly for disputes across this sector. Ravi Varma heads up the team which also includes Prasad Dhande and Siddharth Srivastava.

The 'good value for money and highly specialised' TMT practice at Mani Chengappa & Mathur is singled out for its 'business acumen' and particular expertise in the technology sector. The group is instructed by iBus Network and Infrastructure on a range of matters, including telecoms regulatory, data protection and licensing matters. Samuel Mani – who heads up the team alongside Utham Chengappa and Neil Mathur  – has been described as 'a testament to the strengths of the firm and a trusted adviser'. Paysense Services India and Tetra Media are both clients of the practice.

Manilal Kher Ambalal & Co Advocates, Solicitors and Notary's media and entertainment team, led by Rashid Boatwalla, has particular experience advising high-profile individuals in the industry. The group acted for singer Asha Bhosle in relation to live performances across the US and Canada, as well as advising on the payment of royalties by the copyright societies in India.

The TMT practice at Phoenix Legal counts Groupon and NTT Communications Corporation among its clients. The team recently advised Volaris Group on due diligence aspects relating to its acquisition of the Indian subsidiary of Sicap Schweiz AG. In another work highlight, Manjula Chawla led a team assisting Dell International Services India on contractual and regulatory issues.

Rodney D Ryder heads up the TMT practice at Scriboard, which is instructed by Facebook Inc to handle a range of litigations. The group has particular expertise acting for retailers, such as Levi Strauss India and Adidas India Marketing, on a range of issues including those relating to e-commerce and IT. The department's impressive client roster also includes Amazon Seller Services, General Motors India and Livonics Infotech.