The Legal 500

AZB & Partners’ impressive transactional experience includes working on a number of significant TMT-related M&A deals. In New Delhi, Guatam Saha recently advised Netmagic, India’s largest pure-play managed IT-hosting company, on all corporate and regulatory issues concerning the sale of equity shares to Japanese company NTT. Senior associate Amrita Patnaik also advised on that deal.

Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co counts a number of high-profile TMT clients among its extensive client base, which it advises on transactional, regulatory and litigation matters. The firm is particularly active within the telecoms sector, but also has a significant media practice, recently acting as sole legal adviser to Bollywood film producer and distributor Eros International Plc, on its acquisition of a 76% stake in digital broadcasting firm B4U Television Network. Puja Sondhi, who made partner in October 2011, advised on that deal.

Seth Dua & Associates’ formidable reputation in TMT is complemented by a ‘responsive and helpful’ approach, and a team that provides ‘very good advice’. Led by Atul Dua, its market-leading telecoms practice advises clients such as Wipro, Seacom and Vodafone India. The firm is also increasingly involved in the technology sector, and is advising online gaming licensee Sachar Gaming on the installation and maintenance of its servers.

The ‘truly excellent’ team at HSA Advocates was significantly boosted in 2012 by the recruitment of Salman Waris, who previously headed FoxMandal Little (now Fox Mandal)’s TMT practice. The ‘very responsive and thoughtful’ Waris is a ‘very impressive individual’. Recent work includes advising Harris Communications Inc on its on all corporate and TMT-related matters concerning its Indian business.

As a niche technology firm, Pavan Duggal Associates Advocates is a rare commodity in the market, and accordingly excels in cyber law and e-commerce matters alongside more standard contentious and advisory matters. Managing partner Pavan Duggal is praised for his IT litigation expertise.

TMT continues to be S&R Associates’ strong suit. The ‘extremely responsive’ firm has a good reputation for its transactional capabilities, and recently advised Ericsson in its $1.1bn acquisition of Telcordia Technologies. Vodafone is another key client which the firm has advised on all local TMT matters. The ‘knowledgeable’ Sandip Bhagat and Uday Walia are recommended.

J Sagar Associates’ extensive client base includes a number of media, telecoms and IT clients, which the firm represents in significant transactions. The firm recently advised Swedish technology company Connecta in its 100% acquisition of Adylan Technologies, a Bangalore-based company. It also advised Cinestar Advertising Private and its shareholders in the sale of 100% of their stake in Cinestar and Imagine to Reliance Broadcast Network.

Khaitan & Co.’s New Delhi team represents a number of major players in the domestic IT and telecoms sectors, as well as high-profile international investors. Recent work includes advising Jagran Prakashan, one of India’s largest media conglomerates, in its acquisition of a 100% stake in Suvi Info Management. Rajat Mukherkee advised on the matter. Telecoms specialist Asim Abbas is also recommended.

LexCounsel handles transactional and day-to-day TMT matters for a range of clients. Highlights included advising The Coca-Cola Company on the information technology and media-related advertising laws relating to its business in India. Seema Jhingan is recommended.

Link Legal’s thriving sports law team recently assisted GMR Sports in preparing the terms and conditions and privacy policy of the official website of its franchise Delhi Daredevils. The firm also constructed the sponsorship agreement with Panasonic for sponsoring the Delhi Daredevils team in the IPL League tournament. The firm also advises media and IT clients on regulatory and license acquisition matters. Ravi Varma is recommended.

Luthra & Luthra regularly represents corporate clients within the telecoms and technology industries in M&A and contentious matters. Recent work includes advising Collective Media on its acquisition of the shares and assets belonging to Tumri and Tumri Software Technologies. Samir Dudhoria advised on the matter.

Established by Rodney Ryder in 2010, Scriboard specialises in technology, cyber law and related IP matters. The firm is quickly gaining traction in the market, and acts as legal counsel to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the government of India and to the National Internet Exchange of India.

Titus & Co’s burgeoning TMT practice advises a number of international clients on TMT-related regulatory and contentious matters. Clients include Limelight Inc, Red Bull and Seagate technology.

Trilegal’s New Delhi TMT practice focuses predominantly on regulatory work for high-profile telecoms companies, while the Mumbai and Bangalore offices handle other TMT-related matters.