International private client work is a core area of expertise for AZB & Partners. The team has a particular focus handling matters involving Indian-origin individuals living in the UK, USA and Singapore; Bangalore-based practitioner Shreya Rao has a particular specialism in such work. In Mumbai, Anand Shah is a regular advisor to high-net-worth individuals on matters of intergenerational wealth transfer, family governance, and estate and succession planning. Mumbai-based co-founder of the firm and managing partner Zia Mody also specialises in estate and succession planning matters, as well as family disputes work. In New Delhi, fellow co-founders and managing partners Ajay Bahl and Hardeep Sachdeva come highly recommended.
Private client in India
AZB & Partners
Practice head(s):
Ajay Bahl; Anand Shah; Shreya Rao; Hardeep Sachdeva
Other key lawyers:
Zia Mody
Testimonials
‘AZB is one of the top law firms in India and Zia Mody, who heads the firm, is a lawyer of immense repute and a well-known figure in legal circles in India and abroad.’
‘We have consulted AZB on various occasions and been provided with sound advice.’
‘They are well-versed in the laws relating to Foreign Exchange which governs Indian enmities establishing overseas subsidiaries. They were well-prepared at every meeting. We believe AZB are second-to-none.’
Key clients
Goldman Sachs
Kotak Mahindra
JP Morgan
Entrust Family Office
Griffin Family Office
DBS
Merrill Lynch
Edelweiss Wealth Management
Centrum Wealth Management Limited
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
The renowned team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas undertakes a range of high-value private client matters across India. Managing partner Cyril Shroff
has significant corporate experience which he brings to bear in cross-border family succession, governance and other private wealth matters. Rishabh Shroff is a regular advisor to high-net-worth individuals on matters involving family constitutions and settlements, trusts, wills and succession planning, as well as charitable and philanthropic endeavours. Shroff and Shroff head up the practice with estate and succession planning expert Radhika Gaggar. The three are Mumbai-based. Another name to note is Shaishavi Kadakia for her emerging focus on the southern region of India; she splits her time between Bengaluru and Mumbai.
Practice head(s):
Cyril Shroff; Rishabh Shroff; Radhika Gaggar
Other key lawyers:
Shaishavi Kadakia
Work highlights
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co‘s New Delhi-based practice is the first port of call for notable family businesses, promoters of large corporate houses, high net-worth individuals and non-Indian residents on various assignments, including estate and succession planning, family settlements and the creation of wills and private trusts. The team combines its experience to work across the manufacturing, automobile, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, IT and financial services sectors. Department head Divi Dutta specialises in trusts, wills, estates and private wealth planning for high-net-worth individuals. Other recommended individuals include senior associate Mohona Thakur and associate Navya Mehrotra, who often support Dutta on key matters.
Practice head(s):
Divi Dutta
Other key lawyers:
Mohona Thakur; Navya Mehrotra
Testimonials
‘Vast experience in this field.’
‘Solutions-oriented.’
‘Divi Dutta and her team provided trusted, timely advice and solutions for the wide-variety of issues that arose in our international matters; helping us to resolve all issues and ultimately facilitating a result that exceeded our expectations.’
‘It was particularly helpful to have the support of Divi Dutta and such a reputable firm that could provide advice on both tax and private estate matters and represent our interests directly with third parties when required.’
Key clients
Berger Group
Work highlights
- Assisted an individual with the setup of an offshore private trust, in addition to ongoing advisory to the trust from an Indian law perspective.
- Advised an individual on understanding the concept of an undivided Hindu family; the legacy of the family; the sale and distribution of assets within the family; and its partition.
- Advised two individuals on structuring, drafting and overseeing the execution of a family arrangement charter between the promoters of UK Paints (India) Private Limited, Berger Paints India Limited and Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited.
SNG & PARTNERS
SNG & PARTNERS‘ experienced private client practice works across New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Managing partner Rajesh Narain Gupta is a pioneer in the area of succession and estate planning, with a particular focus on business succession and private wealth planning for high-net-worth individuals. He leads the team with Anju Gandhi, who is an advisor to Indian and overseas clients on business and personal estate planning, in addition to the wealth management teams of large banks and family offices. Another name to note is associate partner Jahnavi Dwarkadas, whose expertise further spans family settlements and governance, charitable and philanthropic endeavours, and disputes; she is further noted for her crucial role as a member of the firm’s ESG group.
Practice head(s):
Rajesh Narain Gupta; Anju Gandhi
Other key lawyers:
Jahnavi Dwarkadas; Avni Gupta
Testimonials
‘I’ve had the privilege of encountering SNG & Partners quite a few times who continually redefine excellence.’
‘Their commitment to innovation, tireless dedication, and unwavering integrity distinguish them as remarkable professionals. More importantly the partners excel in their relevant fields of expertise.’
‘The private client team is experienced, has a good understanding of client requirements, is abreast with the latest legal requirements, and is insightful and efficient. Most importantly, the advice offered is fair and practical.’
‘I value their clear and proactive advice.’
‘Rajesh Gupta is the most outstanding private client lawyer I have dealt with. After dealing with him and SNG I have not dealt with any other private client firm.’
‘Rajesh is unique: he is straightforward and capable, empathetic and tough-minded, all at the same time.’
‘I appreciate Anju Gandhi and Jahnavi Dwarkadas’ understanding of the subject, their quiet professionalism, and their grasp of detail (without losing sight of the bigger picture). I strongly recommend them for the clear, accurate, and thorough advice and services that they have provided in this practice area.’
‘The team is very professional in dealing with clients. They provide very apt structures, carefully considering clients situation and facts. They are very empathetic to clients’ requirements.’
Work highlights
- Advised a well-known family engaged in the business of packaged food, on creating a family charter to ensure business succession planning and wealth preservation.
ALMT Legal
Under the leadership of the Mumbai-based duo Aliff Fazelbhoy and Sameer Tapia, ALMT Legal is a regular port of call for contentious matters in the private client arena. The team represents clients in various disputes, including divorce proceedings, the dissolution of the public trusts and power of attorney matters concerning estate succession, in addition to the drafting of wills and estate planning.
Practice head(s):
Aliff Fazelbhoy; Sameer Tapia
Testimonials
‘They are very professional in their practice. All questions asked were answered in a timely manner.’
‘Very professional and knowledgeable in their field.’
Work highlights
Maheshwari & Co. Advocates & Legal Consultants
Headquartered in New Delhi, the private client team at Maheshwari & Co. Advocates & Legal Consultants has extensive experience in sectors including automotive, healthcare, e-commerce, financial services, infrastructure, IT and telecommunications. Areas of recent focus include succession matters and property disputes before the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). Dharmender Verma, an expert in white collar crimes, heads up the practice with managing partner and litigator Vipul Maheshwari.
Practice head(s):
Vipul Maheshwari; Dharmender Verma
Work highlights
Mansukhlal Hiralal & Company
With the Mumbai-based duo Rajendra Shah and Purvi Shah Asher at its helm, Mansukhlal Hiralal & Company is a regular advisor to domestic, foreign and Indian-origin clients living overseas on family constitutions. It handles wealth management, estate succession, planning and protection matters. The team also acts for the Indian Securities Market Regulator in regulatory matters, often before the Securities Appellate Tribunal and Bombay High Court. Bhushan Shah comes recommended for his 15 years’ worth of experience in the field.
Practice head(s):
Rajendra Shah; Purvi Shah Asher
Other key lawyers:
Bhushan Shah
Testimonials
‘MHCO truly stands out from the rest.’
‘The team surpasses the conventional law firm image, embodying innovation, collaboration, and a client-focused philosophy.’
‘The firm adeptly merges legal tradition with modern practices. The entire team is entirely committed to securing optimal outcomes for our benefit. Their swift response time ensures that concerns are promptly addressed.’
‘Their dedication to collaboration ensures that we benefit from diverse perspectives. All in all, their performance is truly outstanding.’
‘The dedication to delivering exceptional services by the MHCO team is truly remarkable.’
‘Purvi Shah Asher’s deep understanding of legal matters and innovative problem-solving approach offers instructive insights. Her proficiency in both local and global commercial procedures has played a critical role in guiding us through complex and meaningful cases. Her extensive expertise and systematic approach to tackling legal challenges ensure positive outcomes.’
‘An exceptional level of service is provided by the legal team. The team handled challenges with tact and strategy, and I have continued to channel all of my personal, corporate legal matters and any other litigation matters pertaining to the team.’
‘The team has an exceptional capacity to approach problems from an entirely novel angle.’
Key clients
Kyrus Industries
Work highlights
- Represented the Creado Family to safeguard their rights against the claim of the owner of the adjacent property for the right of an easement over the land belonging to the Creado family.
- Represented one of the co-owners of a family-owned property known as Tanna House, initiating eviction proceedings against Usha Transport under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999 on behalf of the client.
- Filed a securitisation application for Gokulam Buildcon in response to proceedings initiated by a non-banking financial company.