Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Argus Partners

Argus Partners is based in Kolkata and recently opened a new Mumbai office in June 2011. The firm is making gains in the country, with many a client offering praise. “There’s a sort of togetherness about that firm, with people who stick together and expertise that sticks together. That’s the sign of a good future,” says one. A notable transaction for the firm was advising of Tega Industries in a US$40 million investment from TA Associates. The deal completed in May 2011.

Global Jurix

Global Jurix is a full service law firm with connections in regions across India. The firm employs 50 legal professionals across its New Delhi headquarters, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Nagpur and Ahmedabad offices. It is also part of an international network of associated firms in the UK, China, South Africa, the US and Australia. The lawyers at Global Jurix provide advice in industry sectors such as power and energy, real estate, infrastructure and banking.

Hitesh Sanghvi Law Offices

Hitesh Sanghvi Law Offices combines personal attentiveness with quality with strong technical ability. The firm is ably led by Hitesh Sanghvi, who is noted by a peer as “a rising star in the industry”. Sanghvi led a firm team representing prominent engineering company Gearspect Group in the setting up of a subsidiary company as part of its entry into the Indian market. This transaction was completed in February 2011.

India Juris

India Juris is a growing firm with a pan-Indian network combined with a solid corporate presence. Acting for a range of clients, such as ApnaCircle Infotech, S M Wireless Solutions and E2E Networks, the firm is looking to expand its practice in the future. The firm possesses a range of legal expertise, with peers noting the strength of its labour and employment capabilities in particular.

OP Khaitan & Co

OP Khaitan & Co provides legal advisory services for both domestic and international companies and possesses considerable expertise on cross border transactions. One notable deal in the past year was the firm’s representation of Korean company GS Home Shopping in its acquisition of a stake in TV18HSN of TV18 Group. Partner Gautam Khaitan was the lead on this transaction. Other clients include Infotech Design Systems, Clinirx Research and Contisteel India.

Rajinder Narain & Co

Rajinder Narain & Co is a “firm with both history and prestige in the market”, says a market commentator. First established in Delhi following the country’s independence in 1947, the firm maintains offices in Delhi and Mumbai. The firm has been rebranded as RNC Legal in recent years, and boasts a growing dispute resolution practice encompassing litigation and arbitration work for both domestic and international clients. Its aviation practice is highly regarded in the market, with one competitor noting: “It’s been a standout part of its overall practice.”

Singhania & Partners

Singhania & Partners has a notable corporate practice, with one peer noting: “We definitely see the firm in this area of practice.” It also has experience in supporting areas such as competition law. For example, in one high profile matter, the represented itself against Microsoft before the CCI. Another notable transaction for the firm in the past year has been its work for IFCI in the setting up of a domestic venture capital fund for private equity investment in companies in the infrastructure sector. This matter is yet to complete and is valued at INR20 billion.

Swarup & Company

Swarup & Company is guided and managed by partner Shailendra Swarup, who has a substantial reputation in the legal industry. The firm has two partners, and is involved in corporate work in the country. Swarup led a firm team representing Indian basmati rice maker Kohinoor Foods in its joint venture with US company McCormick for marketing and selling the client’s food and rice products in India. Advised by J Sagar Associates, McCormick is expected to invest US$115 million for an 85% stake in the joint venture.

Titus & Co

Titus & Co regularly advises international and domestic companies on matters of corporate law. The firm acted for Knorr-Bremse in a share purchase agreement involving the acquisition of shares from its domestic joint venture partner. The work included advising on issues regarding the Companies Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act. This transaction was led by RS Mittal and Monica Bansal.

International Law Affiliates Pasrich & Company

International Law Affiliates Pasrich & Company boasts a full service set up for its many clients domestic and abroad. The firm advised Turkish Airlines in matters regarding lease negotiations and the preparation of a turnkey agreement. The team led by Priyanka Dwadash Shreni and Amir Singh Pasrich secured a long term lease arrangement for the client’s new office. This matter completed in July 2011.

Singhania & Partners

Singhania & Partners advised Kribhco Infrastructure in a development project for a land container depot, specifically relating to land acquisition. The firm assisted the client on matters ranging from drafting the collaboration agreements to the sale deed with landowners. This transaction was led by partner Vika Goel and completed in May 2011.

Titus & Co

Titus & Co advised Italian company Danieli in the structuring of its business operations in India, counselling on labour law and real estate issues. The firm assisted the client in due diligence on properties in Kolkata, and provided advice on local and municipal laws. This transaction was led by partners Abhixit Singh and Achint Singh Gyani.

Chitale & Chitale Partners

Chitale & Chitale is guided by partner Suchitra Chitale, who can call on over two decades of experience in dispute resolution. The firm advises clients across various sectors, including banking, construction, funds, media and entertainment, oil and gas, power, and telecoms. Some high profile clients in the past year include Colgate Palmolive and Morgan Stanley.

International Law Affiliates Pasrich & Company

International Law Affiliates Pasrich & Company works closely with international corporates and has accumulated an enviable collection of blue chip clients over the years. A high profile matter for the firm was its successful representation of Delta Airlines, as appellant, against a National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission judgment of October 2004. This matter was completed in 2010 and was a rare judgment from the Supreme Court in the aviation field.

OP Khaitan & Co

OP Khaitan & Co represents a range of international clients and one of its strengths is in dispute resolution and arbitration. The firm advised Ansaldo Energia in the past year in its arbitration with Neyveli Lignite and the Madya Pradesh State Electricity Board. A notable transaction this year was its representation of Bharat Explosives in arbitration against Biazzi.

Singhania & Partners

Singhania & Partners represented National Highways Authority of India in a dispute with UEM-Essar relating to an escalation in exchange rates. The claim has been valued at over INR2 billion. The firm is also advising prominent South African defence equipment manufacturer Denel in international commercial arbitrations regarding the cancellation of defence procurement contracts by the Indian government.

Titus & Co

Titus & Co acted for Real Networks India in its dispute with IMI Mobile India, and successfully obtained a favourable order from the City Civil Court, Hyderabad regarding a Section 9 Petition under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. The firm also acted for Knorr-Bremse in continuing arbitration proceedings against Escorts Limited India for breach of patent rights and a licence agreement.

IPR International Services

IPR International Services is an IP boutique firm based in Delhi offering the full range of IP services. The firm provides services to both international and domestic clients, and its main expertise lies in its prosecution work. Some of the sectors that the firm operates in include: biotechnology, chemistry, electronics, electrical, mechanical and pharmaceutical.

Obhan & Associates

Obhan & Associates is an “up and coming IP firm”, say peers. The firm maintains the entire IP portfolio of Caterpillar, a global construction and mining equipment company. Founding partner Essenese Obhan is highly regarded by peers, with one saying: “He is probably one of the better patent lawyers in the country today. The firm is absolutely superb in that area.” The firm advises Tata Chemicals on various matters, including its Swach water filter project.

Singhania & Partners

Singhania & Partners has a considerable IP practice headed by senior partner Dipak Rao. The firm advises companies such as Tata McGraw Hill Education, Standard & Poor’s and Innovis Telecom Services. A notable transaction was the firm’s representation of US company Spitfire in the registration of its unique design in the shape of a dispenser. This design was registered in a record time of seven months.

SS Rana & Co

SS Rana & Co has possessed IP expertise since its inception in 1989. The firm boasts specific expertise in areas such as semiconductors for clients like Freescale Semiconductor, as well as experience in more conventional areas of IP like trade mark work for companies such as McDonald’s and Starbucks Coffee. A notable transaction in the past year was its representation of Hyatt International in a case involving trade mark infringement of the client’s Hyatt name. The court passed an interim injunction and restrained the alleged infringers from using the trade mark. This matter was led by partners Vikrant Rana and Sohan Singh Rana, and closed in March 2011.

United Overseas Trademark Company

United Overseas Trademark Company, together with sister firm United Overseas Patent Firm, has been a part of the IP market since 1992. Its expertise includes patent prosecution and trade mark prosecution experience. The parental firm Delhi Registration Services is led by KG Bansal, who boasts over five decades of experience in IPR law. Lead partner Shravan Kumar Bansal manages the trade mark arm of the practice, and has plenty of experience in the global IP space with exposure to groups and associations such as APAA, AIPPI and INTA.

YJ Trivedi

YJ Trivedi is an Ahmedabad based firm with decades of experience in the IP industry. The firm offers the full range of IP legal services, and is involved in IP work in domestic cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Surat and Rajasthan. It even has a presence abroad in Canada. One peer notes: “The firm has made a name for itself in the state of Gujarat.”