Firm Profile > Phoenix Legal > New Delhi, India
Phoenix Legal Offices
1-3 floor, 254 ,
okhla phase 3
NEW DELHI
110020
India
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Phoenix Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings
India > Banking and finance Tier 2
Phoenix Legal provides a syndicated lending practice regularly sought out by domestic and foreign financial institutions for a breadth of transactions, including syndicated loans, secured financing and inter-bank financings. Co-heads Sawant Singh and Abhishek Saxena take the lead on corporate and project financing deals for lenders and borrowers alike. With co-head Aditya Bhargava, the team houses an experienced structured finance expert active across the gamut of sectors and instructed by multinational lenders, sponsors and arrangers. The addition of Harsh Arora who joined from HSA Advocates enhanced the firm's banking, structured finance and project finance capacity.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Northern Arc Capital Limited
Vivriti Capital Private Limited
Dutch Development Bank (Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO)
AAV Sarl and Masala Investments Sarl
United States International Development Finance Corporation
Ess Kay Fincorp Limited
Kanakadurga Finance Limited
Kogta Financial (India) Limited
Calvert Impact Capital, Inc.
UGRO Capital Limited
Avendus Finance Private Limited
India Shelter Finance Corporation Limited
CredAvenue Private Limited
Dhanvarsha Finvest Limited
Fourdegreewater Private Limited (d/b/a Wint Wealth)
India > Corporate and M&A Tier 2
In recent corporate and commercial highlights at Phoenix Legal, co-heads Saket Shukla and Sriram Ramachandra executed target-side investment deals for major fintech unicorn Pine Labs, whereas co-head Pranav Srivastava with assistance from senior associate Nikhil Pareek conducted investments and related corporate restructurings in the solar power sector. Extensive knowledge of Indian regulatory laws is applied to M&A transactions and investments in the renewable energy, mining and telecoms industries. Co-head Abhishek Saxena regularly advises Fortune 500 companies on cross-border joint ventures.
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Testimonials
‘Phoenix Legal has been a one-stop solution to all our legal requirements, from company compliance to trademark to litigation, they have great diversity in terms of domain and deep knowledge in each of the domains.’
‘Pranav Srivastav from Phoenix Legal is our point of contact and he has been able to guide us in multiple issues. He has always been approachable and has maintained high professional standards in terms of handling the work and relation with us.’
‘I found the team to be responsive, friendly and commercial – a rare combination in any market.’
‘In my experience Phoenix Legal has been extremely diligent and ahead of the curve in a tricky policy space. The laws and policy around the digital ecosystem in India has been unpredictable and fluid and hard to negotiate. PL has the right mix of experts who can deal with the laws on this. Also they have great partners on litigation and consultants who work with them.’
‘Saket Shukla has been an outstanding advisor and expert on media policy and legal repercussions of news reporting. He has been quick to respond and dealt with the intimidation and lawsuits that come our way expertly and effectively. Sawant Singh has been fantastic with advice on company structure and growth strategy. ’
‘Phoenix Legal has excellent resources and all required expertise on this area of practice. The team’s strength is its practical advisory capabilities and expert execution skills. The firm is reasonable and careful with its billing system and provides great legal support in cost efficient manner.’
‘We are happy with the professional, competent and consistent responsiveness of Ritika Ganju and her team and highly recommend her for corporate transaction and advisory support.’
Key clients
Quaker Chemical Corporation
Asesorias e Inversiones Benjamin S.A./ South Lake One, LLC.
Pine Labs
Volaris Group
Harris Computers
Linamar Corporation
Intuitive Surgical
Zorg Industries
Anant Raj Global Limited
Apis Partners LLP
Navis Capital
Ciena Communications
Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.
BYD Company Limited
Precigen
Visteon Corporation
Sojitz
Next Events Private Limited
Belectric Group
ASTA Energy
India > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2
Phoenix Legal’s litigation practice handles public interest litigation, white-collar crime cases, and corporate disputes. In New Delhi, Vasanth Rajasekaran has a track record of acting in corporate and commercial litigation, procurement disputes and antitrust litigation, and co-founding partner Saket Shukla is another key contact. Gautam Bhatikar joined the Mumbai office from LEGASIS PARTNERS ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS in November 2020, bringing expertise in international trade, energy and projects disputes. The team also specialises in crisis management and has handled several politically sensitive cases. The department has faced a number of senior departures, with Mrinal Ojha, Trinath Tadakmalla, and Debarshi Dutta leaving the partnership in April 2021 to set up a new firm.Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Phoenix Legal are excellent at handling Indian matters for international clients.’
‘Saket Shukla manages the whole operation. He is the go to.’
‘Professional and collaborative team.’
‘Gautam Bhatikar is a good manager of cases.’
‘Manjula Chawla is responsive and takes the time to explain the issues thoroughly.’
‘The team has expertise and experience. Answers are clear and to the point. They are true professionals.’
Key clients
ARG Outlier Media Private Limited
Mr. Arnab Goswami
Intervet India Private Limited
News Laundry Media Pvt. Ltd. (newslaundry.com)
UAB “Garant Service”
Wizdoms Naik International Limited
Jones Lang Lasalle Building Operations Pvt. Ltd.
JCDecaux Advertising India Private Limited
Sojitz Corporation
News Broadcasters Federation (NBF)
India > Insurance Tier 2
As co-head of Phoenix Legal‘s insurance practice, Saket Shukla takes the lead on non-contentious mandates including investments, M&A, restructuring, and regulation for insurers and reinsurers. Co-head and dispute resolution practitioner Gautam Bhatikar is sought out for multi-jurisdictional maritime disputes, ranging from vessel arrests and cargo claims to joint venture arbitrations before London and international forums; recent highlights involved representing clients in proceedings in the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration. Further team skill sets include life insurance policy drafting and insured-side coverage disputes.Practice head(s):
Key clients
Nagarjuna Agrichem Ltd
India > Projects and energy Tier 2
The team at Phoenix Legal assists with the full breadth of transactional, project development and contractual (including PPPs and consortium agreements) matters across the infrastructure and energy industries. Abhishek Saxena, Vasanth Rajasekaran and Pranav Srivastava advise on all stages of the project lifecycle, while Sawant Singh acts for lenders and borrowers in project financing negotiations. Gautam Bhatikar and a string of associates joined from LEGASIS PARTNERS ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS, expanding the team’s commercial litigation and arbitration offering specific to maritime, oil and gas and construction. The team also welcomed project finance specialist Harsh Arora who joined from HSA Advocates in October 2021.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Phoenix Legal have a deep understanding of projects and energy area.’
‘Abhishek Saxena is a dream lawyer for a client; Saxena stands out for his in-depth knowledge, a methodical approach and critical partner-level involvement for critical issues‘.
Key clients
Think Gas/ I Squared Capital
HPCL Shapoorji Energy Private Limited
Asesorias e Inversiones Benjamin S.A./South Lake One, LLC.
Höegh LNG AS
ICICI Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
Toshiba
GSPC LNG Limited
Petronet LNG Limited
JGC Corporation
ClearMedi Healthcare
India > Shipping Tier 2
The November 2020 arrival of Gautam Bhatikar and a four-strong team from Legasis Partners has significantly broadened the scope of Phoenix Legal‘s shipping practice, particularly on the contentious side. The team’s workload typically concerns vessel arrests and releases, as well as high-profile marine accident and insurance-related cases. Bhatikar recently secured ad interim relief for Russian charterer and operator M-Shipping, following an assignment agreement claim, and is representing the client in ensuing proceedings before the Calcutta High Court. Saket Shukla, counsel Zoeb Cutlerywala and senior associate Vikram Kamath are other key players.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A very professional team. Quick reactions to the client’s requests. Flexibility in the billing policy.’
‘Gautam Bhatikar is a good manager and professional lawyer.’
Key clients
UAB “Garant Service” (Instructed by Marine Legal Bureau, Russia)
KSR Marine
WizdomsNaik International Limited
OOO (Limited Liability Company) M-Shipping
Milaha, Qatar
Milaha Maritime and Logistics Integrated LLC
Avantgarde Shipping Pte Ltd
L&T Hydrocarbon & Engineering Ltd (LTHE)
Larsen & Toubro Limited
Höegh LNG AS
India > Labour and employment Tier 3
Phoenix Legal‘s labour and employment practice benefits from ‘a number of reliable lawyers’ who handle the HR side of M&A, business transfer and reorganisation transactions, along with advice on compliance, terminations and retrenchments. Team co-heads Manjula Chawla, Abhishek Saxena, Sawant Singh and Vasanth Rajasekaran also handle collective bargaining and trade union-related negotiations, while clients identify Saket Shukla as ‘absolutely excellent’ – particularly for Indian market inceptions or exits. The firm has a niche in representing factory workers as well as companies from the service sector.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘The firm has a number of reliable lawyers and has the necessary credentials for delivering the work.’
‘They are responsive and identify the issue fast and with precision.’
‘Saket Shukla is absolutely excellent.’
Key clients
Monster Energy Company
Cooper- Standard Holdings Inc.
Choice Hotels
Visteon Corporation
Quaker Chemical Corporation
Höegh LNG AS
Linamar Corporation
India > Real estate and construction Tier 3
Phoenix Legal advises on commercial real estate leasing and other corporate transactions. Large multinational retailers, telecoms companies and other corporates instruct Saket Shukla, Siddharth Hariani and Manjula Chawla on site acquisitions and long-term leases in prime commercial locations. The team also acts for investment funds on their investments into real estate projects across India.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Turnaround time of the team, deeper analysis and opinion is valuable.’
‘Saket Shukla, associate Maryam Naaz Quadri, and senior associate Vikram Kamath manage good turnaround time for client queries.’
Key clients
Valmet Technologies Pvt Ltd (Valmet)
Anant Raj Global Limited
India > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3
Phoenix Legal assists with corporate restructurings and reorganisations for creditors and distressed companies alike. Regarding the latter, Saket Shukla recently assisted clients in infrastructure sector on complex schemes sanctioned through the NCLT while Abhishek Saxena advised on global restructuring options for fashion and retail companies. The team advises investors on restructurings and carve out of target companies.Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Professional attitude, knowledge, straightforward point-to-point answers.’
Key clients
Quaker Chemical Corporation (QCC).
L Brands Inc
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon)
Asesorias e Inversiones Benjamin S.A./ South Lake One, LLC.
Anant Raj Global Limited
S C Lowy
Sojitz Corporation
India > Tax Tier 3
Phoenix Legal‘s expertise lies in cross-border reorganisations and advisory work often pertaining to GST, transfer pricing and tax avoidance agreements. Abhishek Saxena, Pranav Srivastava and Saket Shukla have recently advised on restructuring agreements between domestic subsidiaries of multinationals and their overseas group companies, as well as the outright tax structuring of new investments into India. Manjula Chawla is another key name to note, acting for a client roster that features names from the manufacturing, energy, retail and technology sectors. In September 2021, the team was bolstered by the arrival of Jatin Arora who joined from PwC India to lead the indirect tax practice.Practice head(s):
Manjula Chawla; Abhishek Saxena; Saket Shukla; Pranav Srivastava; Jatin Arora
Key clients
Intuitive Surgical
Navis Capital
Anant Raj Global
Volaris Group
Harris Computers
Linamar Corporation
L Brands
Pratham Books
ASTA Energy Transmission Components
Belectric Group
Asesorias e Inversiones Benjamin/South Lake One
India > TMT Tier 3
Phoenix Legal‘s TMT practice advises clients on a sweep of matters ranging from software development to regulatory compliance, foreign direct investment, e-commerce, and licensing issues. Telecoms legislation and policy analysis is also a core competency. New Delhi-based Manjula Chawla is a key contact for cross-border transactions and strategic investments.Phoenix Legal > Firm Profile
The firm: Phoenix Legal was founded in 2008 by Ms Manjula Chawla, Mr Saket Shukla, Mr Abhishek Saxena, and Mr Sawant Singh. It is a leading full service/multi-disciplinary Indian law firm offering transactional, regulatory, advisory, dispute resolution, and tax services. With its principal offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, the firm advises a diverse clientele including domestic and international companies, banks and financial institutions, funds, promoter groups, and public sector undertakings.
It is committed to developing strong client relationships, engaging capable and dedicated professionals, and investing in technology. Enthusiasm, energy, and a drive for excellence influence the way the firm works. It invests time in understanding clients’ businesses, which enables it to provide commercially oriented and innovative legal solutions to achieve clients’ goals.
It believes that its lawyers are its greatest resource and its philosophy is to attract and retain quality professionals. It encourages entrepreneurship to enable its people to fully realize their potential. Its belief is that clients will benefit from the success of its people.
A few characteristics which set it apart from a conventional firm are a high degree of partner involvement and availability; top-quality commercially-oriented legal advice; attention to detail; and responsiveness.
Areas of practice: The firm is a full-service Indian law firm offering transactional, regulatory, advisory, dispute resolution, and tax services and has regularly acted on some of the most complex and cutting-edge work in different practice areas. Many of the firm’s deals and transactions have made headlines. The firm has acted on transactions with a value in excess of $1bn nearly every year of its existence. Even the deals and transactions that are not high-value, and therefore may not make headlines, involve complex and innovative structuring and regulatory issues. The firm has significant experience in advising its clients on deals and transactions in heavily regulated sectors, such as insurance, financial services, mining, pharmaceutical, multi-brand retail, infrastructure, and natural resources.
The firm’s clients include some of the largest and well known global corporations including Fortune 100 companies. Apart from the above factors, the firm believes its approach to client service to be superior to its peer firms and makes it stand out and justifies its better ranking. Partners at the firm have substantial or complete involvement in any client work that is undertaken by the firm. Additionally, it is aggressively responsive and always available to clients, provides commercial advice in a language that the client can understand and provides advice that is legally enforceable but without the legalese.
The solutions that we provide to our clients to help them achieve their business objectives have their basis in intense and detailed legal research. While we do keep abreast of market practices applicable to legal interpretation, they are adopted and recommended only if they are supported by a prevailing legal and regulatory framework.
In a sense, we don’t fully believe in a precedent-based approach. While we have a database and do pass the benefit of our experience to our clients, we do tend to tailor our advice to meet our clients’ requirements and do not believe in offering templatized solutions.
Towards this end, we continue to grow our team of qualified professionals with experience in diverse areas of law and the capability to provide fully integrated services to support all our client’s legal needs.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Manjula Chawla | manjula.chawla@phoenixlegal.in | +911149830000 | |
| Mr. Saket Shukla | saket.shukla@phoenixlegal.in | +911149830000 | |
| Mr. Abhishek Saxena | abhishek.saxena@phoenixlegal.in | +911149830000 | |
| Mr. Sawant Singh | sawant.singh@phoenixlegal.in | +912243408500 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
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Mr Aditya Bhargava | Aditya is a partner based in the Mumbai Office of the Firm… | View Profile |
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Mr. Gautam Bhatikar | Gautam is a partner based in Mumbai and is dual-qualified in India… | View Profile |
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Ms Manjula Chawla | Manjula is the co-founding partner of Phoenix Legal and concentrates in the… | View Profile |
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Ms Ritika Ganju | Ritika is a partner based in the New Delhi office of the… | View Profile |
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Mr Siddharth Hariani | Siddharth, a partner based in the Mumbai office, focusses on the firm’s… | View Profile |
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Mr Vasanth Rajasekaran | Vasanth is a partner based in the Delhi office of Phoenix Legal.… | View Profile |
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Mr Sriram Ramachandran | Sriram Ramachandran is a partner in the Mumbai office of Phoenix Legal.… | View Profile |
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Mr Abhishek Saxena | Abhishek Saxena is a co-founding partner based out of New Delhi office… | View Profile |
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Mr Saket Shukla | Saket Shukla’s practice specialises in M&A, JVs, private equity and complex corporate… | View Profile |
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Mr Sawant Singh | Sawant Singh is a co-founding partner based in the Mumbai office. His… | View Profile |
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Mr Pranav Srivastava | Pranav is a partner based in the New Delhi office of the… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 75 at this office : 40Languages
English Hindi TamilDiversity/Community
We believe in creating an environment that encourages out of the box thinking, teamwork, and trust which contribute towards ensuring that we provide top quality services to our clients. Therefore, as one of the core founding principles of our firm, we place a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusiveness. We believe that this approach encourages different perspectives towards work, leadership styles, view points and equips our lawyers to provide novel and innovative solutions for our clients.
As a top Indian Law Firm in a country that itself is so diverse and inclusive – in terms of geography, people, language, culture and religion, and in so many other ways, we believe that Inclusion is an ongoing process and requires us to create a culture where everyone is valued and contributes to their true potential.
Our Management Committee under the leadership of our Founders and particularly, Ms. Manjula Chawla (Co-Founder) undertakes various initiatives to ensure we employ, groom, and retain a diverse pipeline of talent. A culture of Diversity & Inclusiveness is an inherent part of the firm’s value system, right from the hiring stage. This is a key part of not just our recruitment processes but also our internship and traineeship programmes through which we provide equal opportunity regardless of financial, cultural or other backgrounds. We have been able to put together a diverse team of young and committed professionals through this approach.
Our team comprises a set of lawyers from varied cultural and regional backgrounds. We have a particularly strong gender diversity ratio with an incredibly talented pool of women lawyers and staff that constitute 29 male/31 female half our overall strength. We are sensitive towards the need for a flexible working environment conducive to the growth of our women lawyers.
As a socially responsible law firm, our Diversity & Inclusiveness Policy creates an environment that emphasizes on supporting social issues that promote diversity and inclusiveness free from any forms of prejudices whether towards gender, ethnicity or religious beliefs.
This has helped us build a cohesive and strong team over the years with a strong commitment to create a liberal and an equal society.
Notable Cases
Client name: Federation of Indian Airlines (comprising (1) Interglobe Aviation Limited (2) Jet Airways (India) Limited (3) Go Airlines Limited (4) Spicejet Limited)
Description: The case involves multiple commercial entities challenging an order for conversion of all vehicles at the Delhi airport to run on CNG. The Firm regularly handles disputes for large corporates over commercial matters before various courts.
The Firm instrumental in driving litigation strategy where large number of stakeholders are commercially affected by directions passed by Government authorities. The Firm achieved success in the matter through an unconventional strategy of approaching the Supreme Court rather than seeking a review before the National Green Tribunal. The strategy was formulated keeping in view the firms experiences and knowledge base regarding the functioning of the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court.
The Firm secured an interim stay on the National Green Tribunals direction for conversion of all vehicles and equipment at the IGI airport to CNG. The Firm also secured permission to file an appeal against that direction, when the clients were not parties to the underlying proceedings before the National Green Tribunal. All client airlines can continue to run their vehicles on their usual fuel and operations at the IGI Airport will not be hampered.
Client name: Federation of Indian Airlines
Description: The firm is representing the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) (comprised of leading air carriers in India IndiGo, Spicejet, Jet Airways and Go Air) in its intervention in a disposed of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and consequent reconsideration of an Order passed by the Delhi High Court in that PIL which prohibited exemptions, extensions or variations of Flight Duty Time Limitations of pilots in India. The Federation of Indian Airlines (or any of its member airlines). Due to the prohibition, rigid adherence to flight duty time limitations was causing industry-wide problems in exigent circumstances such as inclement weather and runway closure. The firm was instrumental in securing FIAs intervention, a reconsideration of the prohibition (which is pending) and pendente lite relief of carving out exceptions to the prohibition.
Client Testimonials
CLIENT: SHALINI SAXENA
COMPANY/FIRM: PINE LABS
TESTIMONIAL: We have worked with Phoenix for the last couple of years on investment into the company deals and have been very satisfied with the level of expertise and attention provided. The team assigned have maintained utmost professionalism and focused on resolving issues to the interest of all and overall deal. They have all been very insightful and an expert in their field. Truly professional and marvellous individuals.
My experience with the firm was excellent and a large part of it is due to Saket who is someone I go back a long way in the past. Saket has always given us all the time and attention that was needed to be successful in these kinds of deal. He was a calming and confident presence. I very much appreciate the knowledge and support I received from Phoenix.
CLIENT: Marine Legal Bureau
COMPANY/FIRM: Phoenix Legal, India, Mumbai
TESTIMONIAL: We work in the field of maritime law.
Before I met Mr Gautam Bhatikar (Partner of Messrs Phoenix Legal), our company worked with another law firm from India. Often we were not satisfied with speed, quality of services.
But thanks to destiny, I met Gautam and we started to work together in Indian cases – ships arrest cases and huge court cases in the court of Calcutta. These cases need a lot of human resources and professional knowledge.
And I have seen absolutely another result – professional team, professional management by Mr Bhatikar, professional actions with opponents and in the courts, prompt reaction to all our needs and requests.
Best regards,
Edward Kuznetsov
Marine Legal Bureau CEO
CLIENT: Sanctum Wealth Management Private Limited
COMPANY/FIRM: Phoenix Legal, India
TESTIMONIAL:Phoenix legal have been providing legal services to Sanctum Wealth for several years, mainly around support for fundraising and regulatory matters. In our dealings with various professionals at Phoenix over the years, including Sawant Singh, Sriram Ramachandran, and Aditya Bhargava, the standout elements have been the thoroughness of the work, the team’s willingness to go the extra mile, and the attention of senior partners. Further, it always feels like they are acting in our best interests even when the commercial implications might be unfavourable for them. With Phoenix, there is a feeling of genuine partnership.
CLIENT: Mr. Haruhiro Yoshizawa/ Sojitz Corporation (HQ in Japan)
COMPANY/FIRM: Sawant Singh/Partner | Phoenix Legal
TESTIMONIAL: Truly Professional, Efficient, and so Personable. Having Sawant Singh, Phoenix legal in our team brought us amazing outcome. He was a calming and confident presence during very difficult negotiations. Thanks to his expertise and the help of the firm, we were able to concluded successful deals in India far away from our city in Japan. I would definitely recommend him and the firm.