Dhir & Dhir Associates > New Delhi, India > Firm Profile

Diversity

Dhir & Dhir Associates is the first law firm in India to set up a dedicated ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) practice desk. ESG has gained significant recognition, acceptance and momentum across the globe, especially in the financial markets. Under the S component of ESG falls Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DE&I), forming an integral part of the Social aspect of the ESG framework.

We, at Dhir & Dhir Associates, are firm believers of imbibing a culture that is aligned with ethical and conscious business conduct. Our purpose is not to simply promote the propaganda but instead implement within the firm’s DNA, a diverse, equal and inclusive culture. ‘Practicing what we preach’ is our motto and we intend to reflect that through our work culture. We are desirous of encouraging the corporate world on integration of a strong DE&I setup, while being able to project our beliefs through our internal standing on the subject matter.

Embracing elements of DE&I in our day-to-day working is expected to yield substantial long term opportunities and a best in practice kind of a work culture for the firm. Some of our efforts towards promoting the agenda include –

1. Recognizing the importance of the tone at the top, the firm is led by Mr. Alok Dhir and Ms. Maneesha Dhir, Founders and Managing Partners, and Ms. Poonam Bisht, CEO. The leadership echoes the support at every level of the firm to have diversity, equality & inclusion element. Zero tolerance policy to grievances on DEI in the firm is practised.
2. The firm has well demonstrated its thought leadership on DE&I by signing synergy partnership MOU with globally recognized DEI organization ‘everywoman.com’;
3. The ratio of male to female talent at the firm is well distributed, thus, demonstrating our commitment to the cause.

The firm is equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on grounds of gender, race ,religious beliefs , physical disabilities or  sexual orientation.

The firm has clear short term, medium & long term goals to be the preferred choice as an employer and as a service provider on high quotients of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion .

Some of the notable initiatives include –

• Organising the first of its kind “The Virtual Legal Marathon on ESG – 24 hour Live Research Lab” where more than 450 aspiring law students registered from around 94 law colleges & universities and generated insightful research papers. This initiative was also registered as a UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) Event for World Environment Day Celebrations 2021. The Inaugural Ceremony was flagged off on 3rd June 2021 and witnessed encouraging participation under the patronage of notable industry experts which included Keynote Address by Cherie Blair CBE, QC, Co-Founder, and Chair, Omnia Strategy LLP.
• As a way to promote and contribute towards corporate ESG alignment, Dhir & Dhir Associates released the Indian and Global versions of the ESG Almanac on 15^th July, 2021. It is a first of its kind proprietary tool developed by the firm and constitutes a set of sample framework for businesses to interpret and ascertain a definite annual agenda in line with the ESG journey.

As the famous saying goes, ‘Diversity is being invited to a party; whereas inclusion is being asked to dance at that party’. We believe it is our moral duty as professionals to ensure that in no way do our actions, whether professional or personal, result in any form of human rights risks or violations.

Notable cases

Known as leaders in restructuring and insolvency, the firm is one of the first entrants in stressed assets advisory space. Mr. Alok Dhir, Managing Partner is a trained Chartered Accountant and a lawyer, who started the practice of insolvency laws in the early 80s when distress asset advisory was practically unknown in the Indian context.  The firm has been a leader for the last four decades in all the legal and regulatory structures relating to resolution of corporate insolvency including BIFR, CDR, S4A, SARFAESI, DRT and M&A in the distressed assets.  This experience and expertise have propelled the Firm to become one of the leading law firms practicing in the corporate advisory and Litigation.

The firm has been advising multiple stakeholders such as Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd, Jaypee Group, Trident Infra Homes Pvt. Ltd, Romano Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, Jain Irrigation, REC Limited, Murli Industries Limited, Wind World India Limited, Gati Infrastructure Ltd, Alchemist Township Ltd, MB Power (Madhya Pradesh) Ltd, India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited, First Step Ventures PTE Ltd, Essar Steel, Amtek Auto, Eight Capital India Recovery Fund Ltd, Avantha Holdings, Binani Cement, Essar Steel, Jindal Steel, Binani Industries, besides other clients. Some of the key deals include:

• The firm represented and advised Amtek Group, one of the largest integrated component manufacturers in India, in a matter wherein various Banks/FIs initiated action against the Companies forming part of the Amtek Group as well as its Promoter Mr. Arvind Dham under IBC2016.
• The firm represented Deccan Chargers in an arbitration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). BCCI lost an arbitration award to Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd worth USD 64 billion in a landmark judgement. The award was passed in favour of Deccan Chronicle by a court appointed arbitrator in Mumbai on premature termination of franchise.
• We have drafted pleading, advised and represented EPC Constructions India Ltd. (Essar Group) before NCLT, Mumbai against a petition filed by Bank for default of USD128 million approximately. Also advised and represented the Promoter suspended Board of Essar Steel on various legal issues, which are arising during the insolvency proceedings.
• Drafted the resolution plan for the Corporate Debtor i.e. IREO Fiverriver Private Limited under the provisions of IBC2016.
• Advised Decathlon Sports for acquiring leasehold rights on many units situated in Gurugram, Haryana. The deal involved drafting of documentation/agreement including comprehensive due diligence of the land, consultation on legal compliances, laws, regulations, permits and consents as part of the land acquisition process.
• The firm acted as the Lenders’ Legal Counsel to REC Limited, one of India’s leading public Infrastructure Finance Company in India’s power sector, for the financial assistance of up to USD158 Million approx. as rupee term loan to ACME Heergarh Powertech Private Limited, for the purposes of part financing the estimated project cost of one 300 MWac/450 MWp solar PV project in the State of Rajasthan.

Client testimonials

CLIENT: Kamal Samtani~
COMPANY/FIRM: Simbhaoli Sugars Limited
TESTIMONIAL: We are delighted to thank Dhir & Dhir Associates, Advocates and Solicitors and appreciate the efforts of Ms. Jayashree Shukla Dasgupta along with the team of experts who have thorough and comprehensive knowledge to handle and provide need-based solutions in the corporate legal matters. The team has a well-integrated structure, which enables it to provide organised professional services and tend to be highly responsive in clarifying all queries on time. Wish them good luck and all the and there was being taken up and great success in future assignments.

CLIENT: Jayesh Damle
COMPANY/FIRM: BramhaCorp
TESTIMONIAL: Dhir & Dhir Associates has a well-integrated structure which enables it to provide organized, top notch Professional Services, and tend to be highly responsive in clarifying all queries on time which is really helpful. The GO-TO firm when you don’t want to take any chances with your Court matters.

CLIENT: Ajeet Shukla, V.P (Legal)
COMPANY/FIRM: Monnet Ispat & Energy Limited
TESTIMONIAL: We have been associated with Dhir and Dhir Associates for some time now. They continue to surpass our expectations with their proficiency, knowledge and professionalism. Regardless of the matter’s complexities, the firm diligently balances legal strategies with business practicalities. The innovative litigation strategies help us to achieve our business and commercial objectives.

CLIENT: Sanjeev Garg
COMPANY/FIRM: J K Cement Ltd
TESTIMONIAL: We can say without hesitation that your firm and its associates have exceeded our expectations, both in time and services. The service and experience has been very exceptional. Once again our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.

CLIENT: A M Saleem
COMPANY/FIRM: BPL Limited
TESTIMONIAL: We, BPL Limited & associate companies have been associated with M/s. Dhir & Dhir Associates, Advocates & Solicitors, on various legal matters for over a decade. We can undoubtedly state that we have always experienced a high level of professionalism and commitment from their end. Their team’s efficient and effective internal and external coordination have tremendously benefited us in getting good results. We are indeed proud to be associated with Dhir & Dhir Associates and look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with the firm.

CLIENT: Manoj
COMPANY/FIRM: SYNERGIES Castings Limited
TESTIMONIAL: The team at Dhir & Dhir has done an extraordinary work on our case and we are very appreciative of that.