Mr Mathew Chacko > Spice Route Legal > Bengaluru, India > Lawyer Profile

Counting an extensive range of businesses, from large conglomerates through to start-ups in its client roster, the ‘dynamic’ team at Spice Route Legal is well-versed in managing complex tech disputes and innovative regulatory structuring. Steering the practice is seasoned practitioner Mathew Chacko, who handles a myriad of issues from outsourcing and software deals to AI for notable clients such as Disney+. Fintech expert Ankita Hariramani further strengthens the practice, meanwhile Aadya Misra is especially knowledgeable in relation to data and AI law, handling a diverse range of issues such as compliance, software programs and licensing issues.

Offering a team of ‘seasoned professionals with extensive experience’, Spice Route Legal‘s strengths lie in handling private equity and venture capital mandates arising from regulated sectors, such as tech, energy and life sciences, while also demonstrating significant cross-border capabilities. Mumbai-based Praveen Raju and Bengaluru-based Mathew Chacko jointly helm the team; the former is well-versed in issues surrounding alternative energy, healthcare and life sciences, and the latter principally focuses on tech and media related deals.

Ankita Hariramani and Mathew Chacko jointly oversee the fintech practice at Spice Route Legal, which combines its notable tech sector expertise with a strong regulatory offering to advise both fintech companies and domestic and international banks on the full range of matters. Hariramani, who was promoted to the partnership in April 2024, leverages her in-house experience from the fintech industry to advise on the full range of regulatory matters, including payments, settlements, and lending regulations. Founding partner Chacko attracts praise for his ‘astute commercial sense’ and has extensive experience advising on novel areas of law and emerging regulations in the industry. Aadya Misra advises fintech companies on data privacy and protection, a core area of work for the group.

Spice Route Legal houses broad offering, which regularly advises a diverse range of clients on the full gamut of contentious and non-contentious data and cyber governance matters, from data transfer agreements to cybersecurity and regulatory enforcement mandates. The co-founder Mathew Chacko leads the practice from Bengaluru and handles domestic and cross-border projects involving DPDPA, CCPA and GDPR issues, as well as compliance matters. Aadya Misra is an expert in the data implications of technology transfers, and counts data protection regulators and technology companies among her key clients. Pune-based Ankita Hariramani is well-placed to advise on financial services data transfers.

The breadth of its know-how and depth of team renders Spice Route Legal a go-to firm. The practice is headed by Praveen Raju, whose focus is corporate law, M&A, JVs and related commercial contract such as licences. The practice serves international clients in all the life sciences sectors, healthcare/healthtech, pharma and those who invest in them. Mathew Chacko has a well-established practice representing healthcare/hospital and biotech companies, particularly in M&A and PE deals that revolve around technology, data, and intellectual property matters. He also advises on the many regulatory issues. Aadya Misra is a data protection and cybersecurity specialist who devotes a significant amount of her time to assisting clients in the data-heavy life sciences and healthcare industries while Renuka Abraham is a corporate and regulatory specialist who assists pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and health-tech clients. At the senior associate level, Swarna Jain is a key team member with specialisms in the food, cosmetics and nutraceuticals sectors.

Spearheaded by Bengaluru’s Mathew Chacko and Mumbai’s Praveen Raju, Spice Route Legal frequently advises on a plethora of mandates, ranging from multifaceted M&A to direct investments. The team fosters a diverse offering across tech, media and financial services, and is more than capable of advising on cross-border transactions. Raju thrives on both the public and private sides of M&A and Chacko is well-positioned to advise on tech, media and life sciences. Another key name to note is Ankita Hariramani, who primarily focuses on financial services.

Operating out of Mumbai and Bengaluru, Mathew Chacko and Praveen Raju jointly lead a dedicated IP team at Spice Route Legal, concentrating primarily on the TMT and energy sectors. Advising global corporations and Indian conglomerates, the firm’s IP work spans commercial negotiations and IP litigation, covering trademark and copyright issues alongside patent and design work.