Phoenix Legal > New Delhi, India > Firm Profile
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)
Work highlights
- Advised Northern Arc Capital Limited on a pooled bond issuance by six issuers of upto INR 3,200,000,000, subscribed by a foreign portfolio investor under the “voluntary retention route” of the Reserve Bank of India.
- Advised Vivriti Capital Private Limited on a listed invoice-backed securitisation undertaken by an entity engaged in providing agricultural supply chain solutions pursuant to the guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Board of India in respect of securitized debt instruments.
- Advised Ess Kay Fincorp Limited on its issuance of covered market linked non-convertible debentures up to INR 1,250,000,000.
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.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
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
Work highlights
- Advised South Lake One (a Delaware company) on an investment in the SunEdison group in India involving restructuring of SunEdison group to carve out its under-development solar power projects into separate holding entities in India and the UK and investment by South Lake in the holding entities.
- Advised Pine Labs, a unicorn that provides merchant platforms and software for POS machines, on a $100m fund raise from Lone Pine Capital.
- Advised Anant Raj group on a reorganisation and restructuring of its promoter holdings, businesses and assets amongst the two founders of the group.
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)
Work highlights
- Acted for Arnab Goswami before the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court of India in proceedings seeking his interim bail and the challenge to criminal proceedings for abetment of suicide.
- Represented Intervet before the Bombay High Court in proceedings concerning land title which ensured that the court allowed the use of the land and plant for the manufacturing of Covaxin.
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
Work highlights
- Represented Nagarjuna Agrichem in two connected arbitrations against Oriental Insurance Co Ltd. (OICL) involving claims towards material damage and business loss of profit under Standard Fire and Special Perils Policies and Loss of Profits Policy issued by OICL.
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):
Other key lawyers:
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
Work highlights
- Advised Höegh LNG on chartering of Höegh LNG’s Floating, Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), Höegh Giant, for H-Energy’s LNG import terminal in Jaigarh, in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.
- Advised South Lake One on an investment in the SunEdison group in India involving the restructuring of SunEdison group to carve out its under-development solar power projects into separate holding entities in India.
- Advised Think Gas on the drafting of its gas sales and purchase agreement.
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
Work highlights
- Represented WizdomsNaik International Limited in successfully arresting the defendant vessel (DSV Gerimal) for the satisfaction of maritime claims.
- Representing M-Shipping, a Russian company, before the Calcutta High Court in a claim arising out of an assignment agreement.
- Represented UAB Garant Service (Russia) in a Bombay High Court claim against the vessel M.V. Hamburg for supply of necessaries.
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):
Other key lawyers:
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
Work highlights
- Assisted in divesture of Cooper-Standard’s Indian rubber fluid transfer and specialty sealing business to Mutares SE & Co. KGaA (Mutares).
- Advised Höegh LNG on all Indian law aspects; licenses and permissions required under the various employment laws like the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, Factories Act, 1948, Contract Labour Regulation and Abolition Act, 1970, Shops and Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Act, 2017; and structuring of the bareboat charter and the operation and services agreement to reflect the division of responsibilities between the two parties with respect to the compliance employment laws.
- Advised on extension of the employee stock option plan adopted by Monster’s US based holding company, Monster Beverage Corporation to the employees of Monster Energy India Private Limited (Monster India).
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):
Other key lawyers:
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
Work highlights
- Advised Valmet Technologies on a site acquisition including advising on specific regulatory matters, as applicable to the identified site.
- Advised Anant Raj Global Limited on a reorganisation process including structuring, preparing and finalising the scheme, to dealings with stock exchanges and regulators and obtaining consents and approvals.
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
Work highlights
- Advising BNY Mellon in its claim as a financial creditor in the REI Agro’s liquidation process initiated under directions of the National Company Law Tribunal, Kolkata.
- Advised South Lake on an investment in the SunEdison group in India (ultimately owned by SunEdison Infrastructure Limited, a listed company). The deal involved restructuring of SunEdison group to carve out its under development commercial and industrial solar power projects and certain other businesses into separate holding entities in India and the UK and investment by South Lake.
- Advised Anant Raj group in successfully completing a complex reorganisation and restructuring of its promoter holdings, businesses and assets amongst the two founders of the group.
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
Work highlights
- Advised South Lake One (a Delaware company) on an investment in the SunEdison group in India, including on direct and indirect tax aspects of the deal involving the restructuring of the SunEdison group to carve out its under-developed solar power projects into separate holding entities in India and the UK.
- Advised Padmini VNAon a joint venture with Vitesco Technologies, aContinental (a listed German company) group entity to offer selected powertrain technologies for the Indian market that meet the new emission standard Bharat Stage VI.
- Advised Anant Raj group on a reorganisation and restructuring of its promoter holdings, businesses and assets amongst the two founders of the group.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mr Aman Avinav | Aman is a partner based in the Delhi office of Phoenix Legal.… | View Profile |
|
| Ms Pallavi Bedi | Pallavi is a Partner of Phoenix Legal who specializes in the area… | View Profile |
 | Mr Aditya Bhargava | Aditya is a partner based in the Mumbai Office of the Firm… | View Profile |
 | Gautam Bhatikar | Gautam is a partner based in Mumbai and is dual-qualified in India… | View Profile |
 | Ms Manjula Chawla | Manjula is the co-founding partner of Phoenix Legal and concentrates in the… | View Profile |
 | Gaurav Dudeja | Gaurav is a Partner based in the New Delhi office of Phoenix… | View Profile |
 | Ms Ritika Ganju | Ritika is a partner based in the New Delhi office of the… | View Profile |
 | Mr Siddharth Hariani | Siddharth, a partner based in the Mumbai office, focusses on the firm’s… | View Profile |
 | Mr Vasanth Rajasekaran | Vasanth is a partner based in the Delhi office of Phoenix Legal.… | View Profile |
 | Mr Sriram Ramachandran | Sriram Ramachandran is a partner in the Mumbai office of Phoenix Legal.… | View Profile |
 | Mr Abhishek Saxena | Abhishek Saxena is a co-founding partner based out of New Delhi office… | View Profile |
 | Mr Saket Shukla | Saket Shukla’s practice specialises in M&A, JVs, private equity and complex corporate… | View Profile |
 | Mr Sawant Singh | Sawant Singh is a co-founding partner based in the Mumbai office. His… | View Profile |
 | 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: In-house Counsel of a French MNC
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: Manjula Chawla from Phoenix Legal comes across as a highly experienced advisor in navigating the Indian legal regime – she offers an effective combination of a solid legal advisory role on the legal and regulatory issues with a very pragmatic approach to some of the practical issues faced by the clients, which comes from a long experience of focussed and customised legal assistance to their clients. We have had the benefit of working closely with Phoenix Legal and Manjula on some of the restructuring and M&A topics in the region.
CLIENT: Anil Arora
COMPANY/FIRM: Print Packaging
TESTIMONIAL: It has been a good experience to work with Phoenix Legal team on corporate transactions and advisory. We are happy with the professional, competent and consistent responsiveness of Ritika and her team and highly recommend her for corporate transaction and advisory support.
CLIENT: Kevin McCormick
COMPANY/FIRM: Groupon
TESTIMONIAL: Phoenix Legal has provided responsive and sound legal advice to Groupon over many years in support of its operations in Chennai and Bangalore. Their attorneys have a wide array of expertise on a number of subject matter areas critical for foreign companies looking to operate in India.
CLIENT: Clarios
COMPANY/FIRM: Phoenix Legal
TESTIMONIAL: Manjula Chawla and her team at Phoenix Legal are our first and only stop across almost all practice areas in India. Manjula is not only an expert, her devotion to her client’s and her willingness to ALWAYS go above and beyond, are hallmarks of what separates Phoenix Legal from all other Tier 1 firms in India.
CLIENT: Celia Wu
COMPANY/FIRM: Visteon
TESTIMONIAL: Phoenix Legal has very solid legal professional team with expertise in various areas, and provides high quality legal services to help our business and operation in India. Their experience and work in corporate matters, merger & acquisitions, labour related advice, in particular, are tremendous. Phoenix legal is an accountable firm, and we very much enjoy working with Manjula Chawla, partner of Phoenix legal.
CLIENT: Visteon Corporation
COMPANY/FIRM: Phoenix Legal
TESTIMONIAL: The Phoenix team, and in particular our lead contact Manjula Chawla, is great to work with. Not only does Manjula and the rest of the team provide pragmatic advice regarding our general corporate and commercial needs in India but they do so in a very efficient and cost effective manner.
CLIENT: Kimberly Van Bockstael*
COMPANY/FIRM:Keppel Seghers
TESTIMONIAL: We are very satisfied with the support of Phoenix Legal during contract negotiations and execution of our projects. Phoenix Legal’s team (which included Ritika Ganju) provides concise advice, is solutions-oriented and responds on short notice.
CLIENT: Amit
COMPANY/FIRM:FCI-CCM
TESTIMONIAL: “We have always found your advise (and Phoenix Legal’ advise) and deliverables fast, accurate and painfully detailed….but we understand it is always in our interest….Excellent work always….”
CLIENT: Freek Kortekaas
COMPANY/FIRM: Triple Jump
TESTIMONIAL: Phoenix Legal has been assisting our company for a number of years to great satisfaction. Their advice is concise, to the point and highly valuable. Most importantly, Phoenix Legal staff, including the Partners respond in a very timely fashion and are available for off-the-clock consultation. I can highly recommend their services to anyway doing business in India.
CLIENT: SAMHI Hotels Limited
COMPANY/FIRM: COMPANY
TESTIMONIAL: We always turn to Phoenix Legal for their commercially sage advice. Saket and his team are through and solution oriented, and can be counted on to deliver in a timely manner. A unique combination of agility and legal and business acumen.
CLIENT: Rajive Ranjan, Managing Director
COMPANY/FIRM: Techno Design GmbH (Germany) / s.Oliver India Fashions Ltd.
TESTIMONIAL: I have known Mr. Saket Shukla and Phoenix Legal for over 10 years and hold him as well as his law firm in the highest regard. He has been continuously providing sound legal solutions, without losing focus on commercial aspects of the business. He has been a valuable strategic advisor in various matters, particularly in the area of Corporate Law and M&A. Saket is a man of high integrity and good character. He is one of the most qualified attorneys I have known and worked with and would highly recommend Saket and Phoenix Legal.
CLIENT: Newslaundry
COMPANY/FIRM: News Laundry Media Pvt Ltd.
TESTIMONIAL: Phoenix legal has been not just a legal representative and consultant but a partner in the growth of our organization. Being a news media company our work inevitably provokes powerful interests into taking us to court or looking for weaknesses to hamper or inconvenience us. Phoenix Legal has demonstrated repeatedly that not only can we trust them for their commitment to our interests but their excellent ability and area expertise in doing the job well.
CLIENT: REPUBLIC MEDIA NETWORK
COMPANY/FIRM: ARG OUTLIER MEDIA Pvt. LTD.
TESTIMONIAL: Republic is a TV and Digital News Network setup by a career journalist and the most popular News Television face in India. The Year 2020-21 has been a year of constant litigation challenges for the Company and Team Phoenix Legal has spearheaded the legal defence of the Company over the course of the 12 months through numerous matters, with over 200 Police First Information Reports (FIRs) mostly, from remote areas, a Television Rating Points (TRP) related complaint and then proceedings involving the arrest and grant of bail to a key managerial personnel, in the reopening of a closed 2018 abetment to suicide case, before the Hon’ble Bombay High Court and Supreme Court which culminated in the Supreme Court intervening to enforce the legal process. Over the 12 months period, Phoenix Legal has been the dynamo helping and guiding the Network to take the right legal defence and protect its interests. Very often, the reaction time was few hours to at best a few days; no deadline was missed, no representation was delayed and overall, Phoenix Legal has helped the Network hold its ground on pure legal merit.
CLIENT: Confidential (various clients)
COMPANY/FIRM: Khushaal Ved, khushaal.ved@hoganlovells.com +65 8726 0207 at Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee RE: Phoenix Legal
TESTIMONIAL: Phoenix Legal are the preeminent firm in the India investigations space. Saket Shukla and his team are responsive, nimble to local issues and international demands, and prepare client-accessible advice. They have experience in Indian litigation, local regulator e.g. Police enquiries, and employee misconduct. Saket is a star and should be recognised as such. They have helped advise Fortune 100 and regional entities with navigating Indian issues. Please feel free to contact me for more details.
CLIENT: Jesal Doshi
COMPANY/FIRM: B Medical Systems Sarl
TESTIMONIAL: Phoenix Legal is the pre-eminent firm of choice that we use when it comes to any legal matters in India. Not only are they extremely knowledgeable and responsive; but they think very pragmatically by putting themselves in the shoes of the business owner. I find this approach rare in most legal firms and would unflinchingly recommend them for any work across any sector/domain.
CLIENT: Charles Severs
COMPANY/FIRM:DLA PIPER
TESTIMONIAL: I have worked with Saket Shukla and Phoenix Legal on a variety of matters this year and have been delighted with the service. The Phoenix team has always been responsive, commercially aware and cost conscious and that combination is hard to find in any market.
CLIENT: Navis Capital Partners
COMPANY/FIRM: Phoenix Legal
TESTIMONIAL: Phoenix is Navis’ “go to” advisor for all India foreign direct investment, banking, regulatory, and general commercial matters. Blessed with a team of first class lawyers in Delhi and Mumbai, Phoenix always deliver and a pleasure to work with even on extremely demanding and complex matters. Notable practitioners include:
- Saket Shukla is brilliant, razor-sharp and hands-on. He knows exactly what clients want and has the innate ability to navigate the myriad of India laws with consummate ease.
- Sawant Singh is recognised as one of the best financing lawyers in India – he impresses with his formidable expertise, solutions-focus approach and impeccable advice.
- Pranav Srivastava is an excellent lawyer who provides sound commercial advice and first class service. He impressed on Navis’ recent divestment of its tertiary education business.
- Aditi Sharma is a rising star and one to watch. She is part of Phoenix’s “A Team” and is highly-regarded for her commercial-mindedness and work ethic.
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: Rajeev Trehan
COMPANY/FIRM: Anantraj Global
TESTIMONIAL:Phoenix Legal is a preeminent corporate practice, which has some of the most amazing and cohesive lawyers who intensely focus to offer strategic and comprehensive advise. As a corporate practice they have played a pivotal role advising us on matters relating to mergers and acquisitions, investments and takeovers with a focused approach on continuing success.
TARC Limited has been privileged to work with Phoenix Legal for almost a decade and has found them extremely reliable, interactive, insightful and truly professional in resolving certain complex matters. Saket Shukla, Co-founding Partner at Phoenix Legal is a marvelous individual and thought leader and brings to the fore the sophistication that only an extensively experienced professional can. His team of associates, in particular Akshay Sachthey, is outstanding, efficient and turns around pretty fast. We wish Phoenix Legal the very best.
CLIENT: Mohamed Toorani (Partner – Head of Bahrain office of DLA Piper)
COMPANY/FIRM: DLA PIPER MIDDLE EAST LLP
TESTIMONIAL: “It is refreshing to see a seasoned full-service Indian law firm offering transactional, regulatory and advisory services. Phoenix Legal are fully hands on with their work, understand client needs and above all, are transparent with their expertise. They have carried out works for several of our clients without any setbacks or delays. The quality of their deliverables are second to none. They are highly responsive and have assembled the right team with grit and determination. We are proud to work alongside the firm when instructed on advisory matters in India and very much look forward to continue working with them in the near future.”
CLIENT: Vance G. Camisa, Counsel
COMPANY/FIRM: MSD
TESTIMONIAL: Saket Shukla and his team at Phoenix Legal have been working with our in-house team for some time on a very complex and continuously evolving real estate related matter. The Phoenix Legal team has at all times provided excellent support, in terms of local-law/regulatory guidance, business-context guidance, drafting and negotiating. The Phoenix team has worked very collaboratively with our team, and quickly adapted to our particular approach to transactions as well as our hot-button issues. I have been more than happy with the support.
CLIENT: Kraftsamla Programme
COMPANY/FIRM: The Swedish Chamber of Commerce India
TESTIMONIAL: The team at Phoneix Legal supports our endeavour to make a positive impact on society and always give clear and researched advise. They make themselves available to answer any question we might have, always with an attitude of wanting to serve and help. We are grateful for their continuous support.
CLIENT: Confidential
COMPANY/FIRM: Confidential
TESTIMONIAL: Phoenix Legal is highly skilled and efficient relating to mining laws and regulations and related commercial agreements including long term purchase and supply contracts. They form a balanced view which helps both parties reaching agreement easily. Phoenix Legal have also successfully helped us settle substantial matters with multinational companies and safeguarded our interests by ensuring that our point of view was seen in the right perspective and risks associated with the manufacturing was properly allocated and accepted by the other parties.
CLIENT: Yamini Roy
COMPANY/FIRM: Bechtel
TESTIMONIAL: “Phoenix Legal has provided us timely and sound advice which was especially appreciated when the Covid-19 related national lockdowns commenced in India. With the constantly changing orders and reading of employment laws that did not support work from home situations, Phoenix Legal’s Saket Shukla and his team assisted with clarifying the uncertainty on labour and employment laws during such time. The team is extremely responsive and provide thoroughly researched, commercially balanced and quality assistance enabling us to shape our contractual asks in contracts, focus on core business needs and develop sound strategies and policies. We continue to look to Saket for his clear, well-rounded and concise legal advice which does not compromise on detailed and thorough research.”
CLIENT: Benchmark Broadcast Systems (S) Pte Ltd
COMPANY/FIRM: Phoenix Legal
TESTIMONIAL: Benchmark has known and worked with Mr Saket Shukla from Phoenix Legal for a number of years for commercial and contractual related matters. Mr Saket Shukla and his highly skilled professional team are experienced, reliable, timely, efficient and friendly. We would recommend them, without any hesitation, to anyone in need of legal counsel.
CLIENT: Elina Teplinsky, Partner
COMPANY/FIRM: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
TESTIMONIAL: I have had the chance to work with Saket Shukla and his colleagues at Phoenix Legal a number of times where I’ve needed advice under Indian law to support my clients on issues such IP protection, liability and insurance. The advice was also extremely timely, comprehensive, and reflected deep knowledge in the subject matter by the attorneys who prepared it. The advice was also much appreciated by clients. I feel confident in consulting with Phoenix law on any matter under Indian law.
CLIENT: Marina De Rosa
COMPANY/FIRM: Merck Animal Health, Intervet USA
TESTIMONIAL: Merck was in a difficult situation moving on a project in India. We have hired Phoenix when another legal firm in India was incapable of helping us or recommending us a feasible solution. Phoenix stepped in, figured out fast what was the status of the projects, assessed all risks and opportunities and suggested a path forward. I’ve been working on this project for 3 years. As soon as Phoenix stepped in, we managed to make a significant breakthrough. We closed the deal just recently with restless support of Phoenix team, that was working with us overclock, and over the weekends.
CLIENT: Arnab Goswami
COMPANY/FIRM: Editor in Chief, Republic Media Network
TESTIMONIAL: It gives me great pleasure in writing a few lines about Phoenix Legal, which has been our law firm for the Republic Media Network since the inception of our media group in December 2017. As a media startup with ambitious plans, we needed to ringfence ourselves legally from legal cases, IP related issues and attacks by competitors in the Indian media space in the first year of operations. Phoenix Legal, and its co-founding partner Saket Shukla, worked around the clock with the top management and editorial team at our network to ensure that the debut of the channel was the most successful ever in the Indian Media space. Phoenix has been part of multiple investment rounds and advised us on issues regarding equity dilution, due diligence of partners and investors, as well as played a major role in the buyback of the majority shares of our first investor which was successfully concluded in January 2020. The share buyback included negotiations with ten other investors who came in, and in that sense was a first in the Indian news media space. In more recent months, as the channel came under attack from vested interests resulting in a large number of criminal cases against employees and management, Phoenix Legal stood behind us like a rock, playing an incredible role in identifying the best lawyers, and ensuring that our litigation needs at multiple forums on a complex range of issues, including constitutional issues, and issues of malafide, were argued in depth and with conviction. Phoenix works very closely with lawyers in our editorial team, and there is a seamlessness between our respective teams that is of the strengths in our corporate and editorial growth story. I expect Phoenix to be a long term partner in our future growth and look forward to working with them as our network expands across India and globally in the future.
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.