The Legal 500 > Asia Pacific > India > Projects and energy

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is a go-to destination for lenders, project sponsors and developers which seek advice on project finance transactions as well as governments and multilateral institutions in relation to the development of pan-Asia infrastructure. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) for the development, operation and maintenance of ports, railways and airports is a key area of specialty for the team, whose sectoral expertise further covers mining and energy. Of particular note, the team is regularly the counsel of choice for acquisitions in the renewable energy segment as well as EPC contracts and regulatory issues. L. Viswanathan is a name to note for project finance, while Santosh Janakiram handles renewable energy mandates. Ramanuj Kumar focuses on electricity regulations and infrastructure projects.

The energy, infrastructure and resources team at Khaitan & Co LLP fields a pan-India offering which apart from project finance and development, also includes advice on M&A, private equity (PE) investments and concession agreements. The team is adept at assisting with regulatory and policy issues, offering representation to clients in complex disputes arising out of engineering and infrastructure projects. Clients range from project sponsors and PE investors to governmental entities, developers and lenders. Dibyanshu Sinha has advised on several transactions in the renewable energy and mining sectors. Akhil Bhatnagar and Gahan Singh are key contacts for financial and strategic investors. Furthermore, Shivanshu Thaplyal specialises in PPP projects, while Swathy Ramanath has in-depth knowledge of the power, urban rail and airports verticals. Akshay Malhotra has recently joined from HSA Advocates.

L&L Partners Law Offices has longstanding experience in the projects, energy and infrastructure sectors, acting as legal counsel to private and public entities. The group is well-equipped to assist with the full range of mandates, including financing transactions, development matters, concession agreements as well as EPC contracts and power purchase agreements. Mohit Saraf has thorough experience advising on projects in the energy, telecoms and airports sectors. Focusing on financing matters, Pallavi Bedi is noteworthy for projects pertaining to renewable energy, mining and oil & gas. Deepak Kumar Thakur, who recently joined from HSA Advocates, is knowledgeable of the PPP framework, and a seasoned practitioner in nuclear and renewable energy. Another key individual is Priyanka Singh, who assists with project development and financing.

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co offers advice to the entire array of stakeholders, including governmental bodies, multilateral agencies, developers, contractors and investors, on  the negotiation of innovative security structures and project documentation. One of the first destinations for financing mandates and PPP projects, the team is also adept at representing developers and industrial consumers in regulatory proceedings, and assisting with privatisation transactions. Practice head Jatin Aneja  has strong transactional credentials in the oil and gas sector, while V. R. Neelakantan is experienced in power transmission projects, concerning traditional and renewable energy sources. Deepto Roy is extremely active in this field, bringing together litigation, regulatory and transactional expertise. Project finance is one of Prashant Sirohi's core legal specialisms.

The infrastructure, energy and natural resources practice at AZB & Partners brings together multidisciplinary expertise across M&A, funds, capital markets and dispute resolution, providing comprehensive services in relation to green and brownfield projects in India and abroad. The team generally acts for domestic and international players in the financing, development and acquisition of projects in the power (including renewable and nuclear), oil & gas, mining, transport, telecoms and urban infrastructure sectors. Prashanth Sabeshan, who is also a qualified solicitor in the UK, focuses on the energy and infrastructure sectors. Another core member of the team is Qais Jamal, whose experience includes EPC contracts, power purchase agreements as well as concession agreements. Senior associate Swathy Pisharody has left the firm to join Trilegal.

With particular strength in the transport logistics network sector, Bharucha & Partners is often retained by Indian corporations, leading power and energy players as well as foreign multinationals to assist with public procurement, project finance and dispute resolution, including regulatory proceedings. Another area of activity for the firm is private equity transactions involving infrastructure projects, with a special emphasis on the ports, railways and roads segment. The department is jointly led by Alka Bharucha, who focuses on project finance, and Justin Bharucha, who regularly advises on power projects.

Offering representation to lenders, public and private players, DSK Legal is adept at advising on the implementation of greenfield and brownfield projects. Energy is at the core of the projects practice, which is a solid performer in the field of climate change projects, energy trading schemes as well as trading of renewable energy certificates. Apart from assisting with financing issues, the department is well versed in providing support in relation to EPC contracts, concession agreements, and contractual disputes. Anjan Dasgupta has a strong track record in the development of domestic and foreign infrastructure projects, including roads, ports, railways, mining and power plants. Ajay Shaw often acts for governmental entities, having led on several smart city and urban infrastructure projects. Dinesh Pardasani, who recently joined from Link Legal – India Law Services with a team of lawyers, has a wealth of experience of assisting renewable energy clients on  contractual and regulatory issues.

Demonstrating particular strength in M&A, IndusLaw also excels in project development mandates, namely in the power (including renewable energy) and infrastructure sectors. Construction and procurement contracts, as well as financing, restructuring and supply agreements also feature on the team's workload, which includes India and foreign project development matters. Avirup Nag attracts instructions from leading funds, and international and domestic companies, which are active in the renewable energy and transport sectors. Concession agreements are an area of focus for Nishant Singh, who is also involved in M&A and project finance. Arun Kumar stands out for work pertaining to renewable power projects, while Deepak Chowdhury has advised on numerous PPP structures.

Kochhar & Co. provides pan-Indian support to some of the largest infrastructure and energy players from the private and public sector. The firm handles the entire array of projects work, ranging from financing, to dispute resolution and development; lawyers are proficient in a variety of segments, including urban infrastructure, highways and railways, as well as oil & gas pipelines and renewable power projects. Department leader Krishna  Vijay Singh is adept at handling contentious matters, which is also an area of activity for Raheel Kohli and Manish Dembla, who also has strong corporate advisory capabilities.

Enjoying a strong reputation in the infrastructure arena, Link Legal advises on all aspects of large scale and long-term projects, including but not limited to risk analysis, EPC contracting, project finance, restructuring, regulatory issues and dispute resolution. The team is also a solid performer in M&A and PE investments, demonstrating sector-specific expertise across airports, roads, railways, waste management and energy. The firm draws upon close ties with international firms located in strategic jurisdictions (i.e. Japan), which places it as a go-to choice for foreign companies and funds. Practice co-head Atul Sharma is noted for his experience in the transport sector, assisting with infrastructure development and contentious matters. Fellow co-leader Anand Srivastava is also proficient in dispute resolution and concession agreements.

Phoenix Legal acts for lenders and borrowers in project finance transactions, and is adept at handling M&A deals involving infrastructure assets. The practice also assists with the preparation of concession agreements, PPP structures, EPC contracts, regulatory aspects of projects and dispute resolution. On the energy front, practitioners attract mandates on the legal issues of the entire supply chain, covering gas, LNG and conventional and renewable power. Sawant Singh leads matters pertaining to project finance, while Abhishek Saxena has significant experience in cross-border deals, PPP models and tender processes in relation to energy projects. Pranav Srivastava focuses on transactional work involving the energy sector and infrastructure disputes.

Advaita Legal brings together regulatory experts and transactional lawyers to offer wide-ranging legal solutions in the fields of contracts, infrastructure and projects. Bid process management, regulatory advice and contentious claims are focus areas for the department whose track record includes advising on project documentation pertaining to various sectors, such as airports, mining, railways, energy, and social infrastructure. Shailendra Singh, who is experienced in project development and litigation, oversees the department with Monali Dutta, who has been involved in several PPP projects in India.

Dhir & Dhir Associates is skilled at assisting with contractual negotiations and regulatory issues, as well as project finance and structuring. Project developers, investors and governmental entities seek the practice's assistance in relation to transactions and development of infrastructure and energy projects concerning sectors such as mining, oil & gas, power, railways, roads, airports, and water & waste management. Restructuring expert Alok Dhir leads the department along with project finance specialist Girish Rawat. EPC contracts and PPP projects are notable areas of practice for Guranpreet Sarna.

Fox Mandal acts for developers, turnkey contractors, investors and lenders in relation to infrastructure projects across India in a range of sectors, such as ports, roads and logistics. On the energy front, the team is primarily involved in matters pertaining to renewable energy, including wind and solar projects, which is a particular area of expertise for Jeevanandham Rajagopal. R Chandrasekaran's key legal specialisms include PPP projects and EPC models of infrastructure investments.

Gagrats acts for Indian and foreign clients in a range of infrastructure projects and energy matters. The team is particularly active assisting privately or publicly-held power companies, but is also adept at advising infrastructure projects, including airports and those pertaining to the telecoms sector. Noteworthy practitioners include Rustam Gagrat and Uma Nagarajan.

Halder & Associates acts predominantly for international clients on their infrastructure and energy projects in India, assisting with bankability issues, the structuring of transactions, and financing agreements. The practice has been increasingly active in the renewable energy space, having recently advised on offshore wind power projects; lawyers are also regularly instructed by multilateral agencies in relation to social infrastructure projects on PPP basis. Department leader Ajoy Halder has a wealth of experience in handling projects in India and across Asia, including railways, airports, highways and ports.

Juris Corp has particular expertise in the project finance space spanning multiple sectors, including railways, roads, manufacturing facilities, mining and power projects. Typical mandates also include advising on the structuring and negotiation of EPC and O&M contracts and PPP models. The department is overseen by three partners: Jayesh H excels in derivative and structured finance deals; banking and finance specialist Nand Anand also has specialist knowledge of power purchase agreements and concessions; Pratish Kumar is a name to note for debt restructuring.

Legacy Law Offices is noted for its longstanding expertise in infrastructure law. The team, which is well equipped to advise on projects in India and abroad, has been involved in the development of a diversity of projects, including railways, transport terminals, roads, ports, social and urban infrastructure. With an impressive track record in PPP and EPC projects, the practice is also active in power generation and transmission mandates. Dual qualified Gagan Anand is experienced at handling project development on PPP basis and public procurement issues, which are also specialist areas of interest for Shalini Munjal.

The projects and energy practice at Singhania & Partners LLP  has been particularly active advising on the financing structures of projects in the sectors of renewable energy (with an emphasis on solar power), railways and roads.Typical mandates also cover concession agreements, dispute resolution, bid process management, regulatory and compliance issues. Dipak Rao and Ravi Singhania excel in project finance transactions, while Vikas Goel handles contentious matters. Abhimeet Sinha has extensive experience in energy mandates, especially in the electricity and renewables sectors.