Capital markets Tier 1

IndusLaw's practice expanded significantly in October 2019, with five partners and thirteen associates from L&L Partners Law Offices' capital markets practice joining the firm's offices in Mumbai and Delhi. Manan Lahoty specialises in public offerings and securities law, having advised numerous major corporates and financial institutions throughout his career. Vishal Yaduvanshi is well versed when it comes to assisting underwriters and issuers undergoing QIPs, rights issues, buybacks and various other equity deals. Manshoor Nazki, who previously worked in the policy division of SEBI, has notable expertise in equity and debt offerings. In a recent highlight, the firm advised the lead managers (Kotak Mahindra, IIFL Securities and JM Financial) in the $107m IPO of Ujivan Financial Services, which was over subscribed 160 times.

Corporate and M&A Tier 1

With great geographical reach, the corporate team at IndusLaw is engaged by buyers and sellers in relation to M&A transactions in a diversity of industry sectors. Joint ventures, corporate restructuring, and private equity deals are all areas of specialist interest for Suneeth Katarki. Dual-qualified Nishant Singh, who is admitted to practice in India and New York, is a solid performer in transactions involving multiple jurisdictions. Furthermore, Avimukt Dar is a name to note for commercial and corporate disputes, as well as exit strategies. The practice was strengthened by the arrival of Manish Gupta from Link Legal - India Law Services, who brings to the team a strong background in venture capital transactions.

Data protection Tier 1

IndusLaw routinely advises domestic and international companies on data collection, storage, privacy and protection matters across India in various sectors, including information technology, diagnostics and gaming. The firm is also currently advising numerous clients on the potential implications of the new data protection bill going through parliament. Namita Viswanath has a wealth of experience advising fintech clients and major technology companies on regulatory matters, including data usage and data security. Avimukt Dar is instructed by clients to handle issues regarding data governance, consent requirements and data processing. Suneeth Katarki has a strong reputation in data privacy mandates.

Labour and employment Tier 1

IndusLaw fields a strong bench of labour and employment experts covering all disciplines, from co-head Avik Biswas’ expertise in drafting HR guidance policies and internal regulatory compliances, to associate Ivana Chatterjee’s critical investigations skillset concerning hostile environment and misconduct allegations. Co-head Manishii Pathak leads on issues pertaining to unionised workforces, having recently handled industrial disputes on behalf of global FMCG companies and union negotiations concerning workforce terminations. Further contentious matters handled by Pathak include entitlement disputes and criminal fraud actions. The practice routinely advises global corporate clients on POSH matters, workforce restructuring and downsizing, employee benefits drafting and M&A due diligence.

TMT Tier 1

IndusLaw advises technology, media and telecoms clients on complex regulatory matters, product development and roll-out, commercial contracts and M&A, among various other areas. Avimukt Dar advises corporates and PE investors in relation to TMT transactions. Srinivas Katta advises clients on corporate governance, fundraising, acquisitions, investments and exits. Namita Viswanath provides full-service advice to start-ups and established technology companies in India, including e-commerce, data security and outsourcing. Tanu Banerjee joined Khaitan & Co LLP in January 2021.

Banking and finance Tier 2

IndusLaw advises lenders and borrowers in relation to domestic and international financing, showing particular expertise in the energy, infrastructure, natural resources and fintech sectors. Nishant Singh, who is dual qualified in New York and India, assists large national banks and corporates with various banking and finance transactions. Sudipta Routh often advises clients on leveraged finance, syndicated, bilateral and restructuring transactions. Routh is also very active in large-scale insolvency proceedings. Jinni Sinha frequently advises issuers in financing transactions.

Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

IndusLaw’s 'accessible and hardworking' practice has strengthened its position in the market with the recruitment of two new litigation partners: Petrushka Dasgupta from Haresh Jagtiani & Associates, and Mayank Mishra from J Sagar Associates. The team’s broad ambit of work includes commercial, insolvency, constitutional law and IP disputes. Lomesh Kiran Nidmuri is particularly experienced in shareholder disputes, contractual disputes and insolvency litigation. Amit Jajoo has a strong track record in complex civil and commercial litigation. Mayank Mishra represents clients throughout India’s court circuit, focusing mainly on commercial litigation.

Private equity and investment funds Tier 2

A number of new partner hires and promotions - including Manish Gupta and Mayukh Datta - further strengthened IndusLaw’s formidable private equity practice, which also includes key partners Suneeth Katarki and Gaurav Dani. The team advises both company promoters and investors on deal structuring, early-stage and late-stage investments, consolidation transactions and exits. Recent high-value engagements were in the energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, retail and e-commerce sectors.

Projects and energy Tier 2

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.

White-collar crime Tier 2

Co-head Avik Biswas of IndusLaw’s white-collar crime practice leads on cross-border assessments and audits into internal corporate structures, recently for clients in the pharmaceuticals, financial services, IT and manufacturing sectors. Recent highlights for co-head Avimukt Dar involved representing clients’ interests before the SEBI and other regulatory bodies on financial fraud allegations involving forensic audits into historical financial misstatements. The team also assists clients with responding to whistleblower complaints involving fraud and embezzlement allegations. Founding partner Kartik Ganapathy co-heads the practice, adding strength to the internal investigations offering.

Antitrust and competition Tier 3

IndusLaw provides a full-service antitrust and competition practice for a broad corporate client roster which includes names in telecoms, e-commerce, healthcare, media and entertainment, manufacturing, and agriculture. Avimukt Dar is the key name for non-contentious engagements. Ongoing work in this space includes merger control applications for M&A transactions and equity investments, advice on business competition practices, and risk management advice.  Rahul Goel and Anu Monga left the firm in December 2020.

Intellectual property Tier 3

IndusLaw’s IP practice co-head Aditi Verma Thakur specialises in trade mark and copyright enforcement and defence actions, and recently advised clients in the e-commerce sector on copyright infringement guidance pertaining to opensource software content. Co-head Amit Jajoo, who recently joined from HSA Advocates, further enhances the team’s litigation strength, including for patent infringement engagements, while co-head Lomesh Nidmuri fields expertise in 3D design misuse disputes. Brand restructuring and IP portfolio acquisitions are field of focus for co-head Suneeth Katarki.