Banking and finance Tier 1

With a particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas' team specialises in project finance, corporate finance, debt restructuring, ECB arrangements and various other debt transactions. L. Viswanathan focuses on project finance transactions, in which he often acts for syndicates of lenders involved in large-scale transport and energy projects. Leena Chacko advises banks and NBFCs on structured debt transactions, mezzanine debt structures and securitisation deals. Amey Pathak has notable experience in project financing in the infrastructure sector. Partner Richa Roy joined the practice in 2019, whereas former partners Nikunj Maheshwari and Jimmy Joseph left the practice to join AZB & Partners and Trilegal, respectively.

Capital markets Tier 1

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas' practice is particularly well known for its work in complex, novel or extremely high-value capital markets transactions, including rights issues, preferential issues, IPOs and DCM transactions. The firm's work in the burgeoning REIT and INVIT sectors is particularly notable, insofar as it involves meeting with regulators and industry participants to discuss regulatory matters in pertinent areas, such as the legal framework of depository receipts. Yash Ashar leverages his expertise in securities law to advise clients on IPOs, follow-on public offerings, FCCBs and various other equity transactions. Arjun Lall has a strong track record in market firsts, including the first sponsored ADR programme and the first formation of a REIT.

Corporate and M&A Tier 1

One of the first ports of call for domestic and foreign companies undertaking M&A in India, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is regularly involved in high stakes transactional work in highly regulated industries. The team further brings together expertise in corporate governance and distressed assets M&A, catering legal services to a client roster operating in a variety of sectors, including financial services, technology, energy, infrastructure and pharmaceuticals. Managing partner Cyril Shroff has more than three decades' experience in this field. Reeba Chacko and Nivedita Rao lead on corporate law issues, while mergers and acquisitions work is overseen by Akila Agrawal.

Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas' team handles domestic and international arbitration proceedings spanning various major industries, including construction, financial services, oil and gas and steel. Indranil D Deshmukh remains very active in the field of litigation. Among his ongoing highlights, Deshmukh is acting for Ajay Mehra in his opposition in an arbitral award proceedings before the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court. Shaneen Parikh specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration, including cross-border disputes. Aditya Mehta is presently active in multiple ad-hoc commercial arbitrations taking place in India. Principal associate Shalaka Patil  is also a key member of the practice.

Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 1

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas' 'hugely experienced' team specialises in corporate and commercial disputes, spanning competition, insolvency and bankruptcy, intellectual property, white-collar crime, data privacy and various other areas. Gauri Rasgotra is known for handling high-stakes litigation, including insolvency proceedings, bankruptcy cases, corruption and contractual disputes. Among her significant ongoing mandates, Rasgotra is representing the new directors of IL&FS in proceedings relating to the recent crisis faced by the company. Shaneen Parikh acts for clients in a wide range of commercial disputes and arbitration proceedings, relating to joint venture agreements, shareholder issues, construction projects and white-collar crime.  Anuradha Mukherjee has represented private sector and public sector companies in major civil, commercial and corporate disputes throughout her 27 years in practice.

Private client Tier 1

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advises HNW domestic and international clients on governance issues, succession and estate planning, the establishment of trusts, and various other areas of wealth management. Cyril Shroff specialises in advising family businesses on corporate governance and succession issues, including cross-border matters. Rishabh Shroff advises clients on tax structuring, estate planning and complex trust issues, such as settler reserved powers and appointment mechanisms. Principal associate Tanmay Patnaik has notable expertise in estate planning and the structuring of charities expanding into India.

Private equity and investment funds Tier 1

Ravindra Bandhakavi heads the private equity practice at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, handling transactions for global funds clients operating in the financial services sector, and sovereign wealth funds in the infrastructure sector. Shagoofa Khan leads a team handling fund formation and structuring, and also leads on fund of funds mandates. The team regularly advises on the establishment of AIFs, retail funds, joint venture funds, venture capital funds and distressed fund restructurings. In the REIT space, Arjun Lall recently advised on the restructuring, due diligence and acquisition of a real estate portfolio leading to a landmark listed REIT. The expansive bench of corporate partners, including co-heads Reeba Chako and Nivedita Rao, adds strength to the downstream investment phase.

Projects and energy Tier 1

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.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas undertakes the entire gamut of work involving stressed assets, restructuring and insolvency law, demonstrating sector-specific expertise in key areas which have witnessed recent large-scale insolvencies, such as steel, telecoms, power, financial services and construction. The team primarily acts as lead counsel to banks, private credit funds and resolution professionals, showcasing an impressive track record in landmark IBC cases as well as complex restructuring matters. Managing partner Cyril Shroff co-heads the practice with L Viswanathan, who is actively involved in several proceedings under the Insolvency and Banruptcy Code (IBC). In addition to corporate insolvency resolution processes, Dhananjay Kumar further brings to the table in-depth knowledge of debt restructuring and recovery of loans.

TMT Tier 1

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas' practice guides clients through technology and media transactions and provides regulatory advice in various areas, including e-commerce,  digital banking and virtual currencies. The firm also boasts notable expertise in data protection and disputes arising from data and privacy breaches. Arun Prabhu is well-known for his transactional and advisory work for TMT companies, which includes product development, procurement, outsourcing, licensing and M&A. Bharat Vasani   advises media and entertainment companies on all of their operations, including major transactions. Associate Shabareesh Suresh is a go-to contact for clients undergoing acquisitions and investments in various industries, including e-commerce and information technology.

Antitrust and competition Tier 2

Under the leadership of competition practice head Avaantika Kakkar, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is a notable name for large-value merger control procedures. Recent team highlights saw Kakkar, Anshuman Sakle and principle associates Kirthi Srinivas and Dhruv Rajain obtaining CCI approvals for market-entry exercises and global M&A deals. The client roster comprises multinational corporates and private equity funds spanning the retail, pharmaceuticals, heavy industry, media and entertainment, investment management and IT sectors. Extensive competition analysis for joint ventures are also handled, with ongoing engagements being handled for automotive and auto-components clients.

Insurance Tier 2

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas provides the full range of insurance support for its client list of domestic and international insurers and reinsurers. Key partners include Indranath Bishnu and principle associate Pranjita Barman, who advise on market-entry strategy, joint venture structuring, minority and majority stake acquisitions, investment structuring and IPOs.

Labour and employment Tier 2

The labour and employment practice at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is currently engaged by a suite of high-profile corporate clients to assist with high-stakes employee provident fund issues, including internal compliance updates and appearances before the authorities handled by Richa Mohanty Rao and practice head Rashmi Pradeep. The practice is also noteworthy for generating high-value, employment-driven transactional work, recently for global pharmaceuticals companies. Recently elevated partner Abe Abraham applies his extensive regulatory knowledge to benefits structuring, POSH guidance and the implementation of internal grievance mechanisms.

Real estate and construction Tier 2

With a strong presence in Mumbai and Bengaluru, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas’s team, which is split across other offices in New Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad, is particularly sought after for its corporate capabilities in the context of real estate transactions. Practitioners are often engaged by international funds in relation to financing and investments in the sector, but also showcase strength in property development and tittle investigation mandates. Namrata Kolar combines experience in dispute resolution, and commercial and residential projects development. Special townships, agricultural land,  IT parks, and special economic zones are all key areas of expertise for Abhishek Sharma. Mridul Kumbalath leads advice to a range of clients, including developers, real estate financiers and funds.

Tax Tier 2

Key names at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas for tax advice include S.R. Patnaik, Mekhla Anand and Daksha Baxi, who lead teams focused on direct, indirect and international tax issues respectively. The bulk of instructions pertain to complex transacting structuring (domestic and cross border) and corporate reorganisations across a broad range of sectors, from banking and finance and insurance to FMCG and healthcare. Though primarily focused on non-contentious issues, the team has witnessed a rise in tax disputes instructions, and is currently involved in direct tax litigation regarding income tax assessments.

Intellectual property Tier 4

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas provides commercial IP advice encompassing portfolio acquisitions, enforcement, protection and monetisation. Former practice head Ranjan Negi joined newly established IP boutique Mettle Legal.