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

Finsec Law Advisors

Finsec Law Advisors was founded as a securities and financial services boutique by Sandeep Parekh. The firm employs a small team of experienced lawyers that advise on both the regulator and practitioner side. One client says: “Taking technical ability and responsiveness into consideration, it is entirely possible the firm would come out higher than other law firms because it’s willing to go the extra mile and work closely on any transaction.” The firm represented Claris Lifesciences on its IPO in December 2010.

MV Kini & Co

MV Kini & Co is known for its work in the banking and project finance areas. The firm advises clients such as the Punjab National Bank and the Bank of Baroda. A highlight for the firm this year was acting for the latter in the drafting of project finance documentation for credit facilities for the Moradabad Bareilly Expressway. This transaction was valued at INR13.2 billion (US$296 million).

Seth Dua & Associates

Seth Dua & Associates is a full service firm with considerable experience on cross border transactions. The firm advised Genting Group of Malaysia in setting up a 92 MW wind power project in the state of Gujarat. The transaction is valued at US$600 million and is yet to be closed. It is reported to be one of the largest FDIs in the new and renewable energy sector in India.

SJ Law

SJ Law specialises in project finance, and has been recommended by market observers as a “top class project finance firm”. Though the firm was only created in late 2008, it has found itself on some top transactions acting for State Bank of India, Vedanta Aluminium and Infrastructure Development Finance Company. One high profile deal for the firm was its representation of a consortium of banks, with State Bank of India as the lead lender, in Adani Power’s expansion of a supercritical thermal power project. The transaction was completed in June 2011 and valued at US$1.4 billion. One client says: “It’s the only law firm with a dedicated service directed towards infrastructure practice.”

“MV Kini & Co has a well established reputation in the market,” says one peer. The firm represents National Highways Authority of India on a regular basis. Some notable transactions in the last year include its work on the tender documents and execution of the concession agreements for sections of India’s highway system. The firm also played a role in advising on the financial close of these projects. Both transactions were valued at over US$543 million each.

MV Kini & Co has developed a strong presence in energy work over the years. A peer comments: “I’ve come across the firm quite often in this area, and the lawyers there have a great sense of regulatory side expectations.” The firm advised Brihan Mumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking on a quadripartite agreement, the government’s restructured accelerated power development and reform programme. Managing partner Ravi Kini took the lead on this matter, with the firm a regular adviser to the client on energy issues.