Overview

Abhishek Emmanuel Kisku currently serves as a Partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India and is part of the Dispute Resolution practice. He possesses expertise in mainly civil disputes including corporate and commercial disputes, insolvency & bankruptcy matters, and alternate dispute resolution.

His specialization includes arbitrations, special leave petitions and writ petitions, debt recovery proceedings through proceedings before the DRT, civil suits or ADRs, banking and financial matters including proceedings before the NCLT under IBC. Abhishek has also assisted clients in criminal matters, particularly white-collar crimes and cross-border enforcement of decrees and awards, assisting foreign corporations, including international banks, in enforcing foreign awards and decrees within the Indian legal system.

Throughout his career, Abhishek has appeared before various Courts and Arbitral Tribunals across India, including the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and several High Courts. He has also represented clients before National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), National Company Law Tribunals (NCLT) in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Kolkata, Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRT) at Delhi and Jaipur, Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DRAT), among others.

Experience Statement

• Representing Kroll Group, which is a global financial and risk advisory firm, in a civil suit filed for recovery of monies based on damages under torts to the tune of USD 5 Billion, alleged to have caused destruction of large diamond business of the Plaintiff. The law involved is Indian Law along with the usage of international convention and treaties. The case is significant as this is one of the first and few cases in India which deals with the issue of breach under tort at this scale, which includes the tort of conspiracies against the client including authorities of the Government of India and will lay down jurisprudence on this subject.
• Represented Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) in litigation in Hyderabad against Hestia Holdings which is a wholly owned subsidiary of a company in Hyderabad. The said litigation was for the enforcement of a foreign decree obtained by MCB directing Hestia to repay the loan of USD 20 Million. The case is one of the few cases which deals with the enforceability of a foreign decree in India, involving issues such as what is a decree on merits, under what circumstances an ex-parte decree can be enforced etc. which has been upheld by the Supreme Court of India.
• Advised and assisted Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre Limited before the Sole Arbitrator Mr. Justice (Retd.) Madan Lokur, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India in an arbitration proceeding initiated against it for an alleged wrongful termination of several pharmacy agreements. In the same proceedings, he has also successfully argued client’s Counter Claim and achieved a favourable Award on the same.
• Advised and represented ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Ola Cabs) in a number of litigations pending adjudication across various jurisdictions in India in relation to disputes over the regulatory framework within which Ola cabs is to operate. Matters includes a Writ Petition before the High Court of Calcutta challenging ban orders against Ola issued by the Government of West Bengal as well as the applicability of the existing taxi licensing scheme to Taxi Aggregators such as Ola.

Overview

Abhishek has represented the Central Government in high value matters including sensitive white-collar crime, policy, treaty investment and enforcement matters over the last few years. He is well versed with the Civil, Commercial, Corporate as well as Criminal Laws of India. His main areas of practice are Arbitration (Domestic & International), Criminal Law, Commercial laws, Indirect Taxation, Foreign Trade Policy Matters, Constitutional law, Company Laws, Intellectual Property Laws, Corporate Law, Banking and Finance, Land & Property laws, Labor laws, Cyber laws & E-commerce, Consumer Laws & Anti-Competitive law to name a few. He has also successfully represented major international and national clients.

Experience Statement

• Advising and assisting India’s state-owned gas enterprise in a USD 4 Billion international energy arbitration arising on account of Russian Sanctions.
• Advising and representing a global technology public company in its disputes enumerating out of its investment in a tech start-up.
• Representing India’s largest hydropower development organization in its arbitral disputes arising out of its hydropower projects.
• Representing a market leading innovative gas solutions and technologies company in its dispute with an Indian central public sector undertaking under the ownership of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.
• Represented and advised the Client before the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) tribunals as well as various allied litigations spread across the globe, including England, Mauritius, Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, Dubai, and India. He also handled two multi-million-dollar international arbitrations, seated in Geneva, administered by the LCIA, arising out of a dispute between a Private Equity (PE) Investor and majority shareholder/promoter (in the FMCG space).

Abhishek Mathur is a Partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India, a leading Indian Law Firm, with about 22 years of experience in legal advisory, negotiating and structuring commercial transactions, drafting commercial contracts and dispute resolution. His areas of expertise include corporate-commercial laws, property laws, estate planning and commercial disputes. Mr. Mathur graduated in law from National Law School, Bangalore and is a university gold medallist. Mr. Mathur also attended the advanced programme on negotiation and dispute resolution by Stanford University, USA.

Experience Statement

• Advised Blackstone Real Estate Partners on a transaction involving a large foreign direct investment into/ development of real estate projects across various jurisdictions in India including Gurgaon, Pune, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Hadapsar, Noida and Ghaziabad.
• Advised Lehman Brothers Real Estate Partners on a large private equity transaction pertaining to foreign direct investment into a joint venture with a leading Indian real estate company, for development of large real-estate project in Mumbai under Maharashtra’s slum redevelopment programme. This project was among the first and largest slum-redevelopment projects in India.
• Advised FIRE (First Indian Real Estate) Capital Fund in relation to its investments, on a pan-India basis, in a large number of real-estate projects including in cities such as Jaipur, Indore and Chennai.
• Advised Arcelor Mittal in relation to their proposed acquisition of a large mining project in the State of Chhattisgarh.
• Advising one of the world’s leading steel manufacturing companies (name withheld) in relation to its large foreign direct investment in a joint venture with a leading Indian steel manufacturer for setting up a steel plant in Odisha over land admeasuring approximately 900 acres.

Arindam has more than 18 years of experience in advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital financing, overseas investments, joint ventures and strategic collaborations. His work in this area predominantly consists of advising clients on both buy and sell sides regarding high value mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, private equity and venture capital financings, debt financings, outbound and inbound cross border investments, joint ventures and strategic collaborations. A seasoned negotiator with strong legal and analytical skills, he has successfully led and managed multiple large-scale transactions over the course of his career. His experience encompasses corporate transactions across sectors as diverse as healthcare, education, technology, media and entertainment, gaming, financial services, defence, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, FMCG and others. Arindam has advised clients ranging from early stage start-up enterprises to global business powerhouses, private equity and venture capital funds, angel investor networks and high net-worth individuals on structuring of businesses and corporate re-organizations, capital financing, growth through mergers and acquisitions, cross border investments (both inbound and outbound), exchange control regulations and general corporate matters.

Arindam is a 2006 graduate of the National Law School of India University, Bangalore.

Experience Statement

• Advised a major Indian manufacturer of agricultural machinery in their joint venture with a Japanese conglomerate, and also their strategic acquisition of another Indian company operating in an ancillary space, with a transaction value of approximately INR 150 Crore.
• Advised a NASDAQ listed entity technology services company in its acquisitions of multiple Indian target companies, including majority stake in a BSE listed company, for a consideration of approximately USD 170 Million.
• Advised and represented the founders on their exit from one of the largest joint venture clinical diagnostics chains in India, by acquisition of their shareholding by the other joint venture partner, for a purchase consideration of approximately INR 350 Crore.
• Advised one of the largest global education-technology companies headquartered in India, over successive institutional financing rounds commencing from Series A till Series F investments, from multiple institutional investors, amounting to more than USD 500 Million.
• Advised and represented the founders of one of the oldest and largest Indian restaurant chains, in its receipt of private equity investment amounting to INR 200 crores, and thereafter, also in the eventual exit of the founders from the business, with such exit being effected at a purchase consideration of approximately INR 400 Crore.

Overview

Astha Nigam is a seasoned practitioner in the Dispute Resolution practice at the Firm, with over a decade of experience in corporate and commercial disputes, regulatory disputes, white collar crime disputes, and arbitration disputes. She specializes in litigation and dispute resolution across diverse sectors, including banking and finance, insolvency, regulatory affairs, infrastructure, administrative issues, and white-collar crimes.

Astha has represented a wide range of clients, both Indian and multinational, across various forums, such as the Supreme Court, High Courts, NCLAT, NCLT, DRAT, DRT, Electricity Commissions, APTEL, quasi-judicial tribunals, and domestic and international arbitration panels.

She has managed high-profile cases, including pioneering cases of mismanagement, and has successfully secured favorable outcomes in numerous commercial arbitration matters. Additionally, Astha has adeptly handled complex insolvency issues, achieving positive results for her clients. She has also achieved favorable rulings from APTEL and various Electricity Commissions on behalf of her clients.

She was recently interviewed by Super Lawyer, emphasizing the importance of meticulous preparation, effective communication, and strategic negotiation in their legal practice.

She has also authored an article on the revised criminal laws, including the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) which came into effect on July 1, 2024, restructuring offenses, introducing new definitions, increasing penalties and addressing issues such as sedition, organized crime and terrorism, published on Legal Era.

Experience Statement

• Representing various companies and Individuals before the Benami Tribunal, involving drafting of the petition, appearances and compliance of the provisions of the Prohibition of Benami Property Transaction Act, 1988.
• Representing JK Fenner (India) Limited before APTEL.
• Representing individuals against Delhi Public Gambling Act, 1955, the Public Gambling Act, 1867 and other relevant gambling and betting regulations and anti-gambling provisions under the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
• Representing India Power Corporation Limited, one of the leading power generation and distribution of power company, in an Arbitration pertaining to contractual disputes amounting to INR 4000 Crore.
• Represented M3M India against whom Insolvency was invoked under Section 7 and 9 of the Code and also represented in an Arbitration pertaining to contractual disputes amounting to INR 250 Crore.

Overview

Harish Kumar, Partner with Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India, a full-service law firm [formerly L&L Partners], is accredited with over 23 (twenty-three) years of diversified experience in dealing with complex legal issues and enabling solutions and implementation for businesses and clients. His expertise pans a wide range of corporate, and legal matters including mergers & acquisitions, corporate restructuring, insolvency, joint ventures, fintech, corporate disputes, employment, anti-corruption and advising on varied aspects concerning corporate governance and regulatory interface.

Harish brings a unique blend of business thinking and strategy to structuring, negotiating, and closing complex commercial and corporate transactions. His background in commerce and corporate laws helps bringing a realistic and risk based holistic approach which seamlessly and effectively helps in delivering the best solution to the clients. During his professional journey, Harish has advised a number of domestic and multinational companies, including various Fortune 500 companies, in his dynamic practice areas.

Aside, Harish has extensively dealt with various ministries and departments of Government of India, including Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Competition Commission of India. His advisory role also extends to various advice given to Government of India and key industry associations like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM on various practical & legal issues being posed by industries from time to time. Harish has also been a regular speaker at various seminars/workshops being conducted by professional and government bodies.

Overview

Harry Chawla has extensive experience in the areas of Banking & Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Real Estate. Harry has advised clients in the banking and financial services sector, real estate sector as well as the hospitality, health care, automobile, aviation, telecom, IT, ITES, consumer goods sectors.

He has represented some of the largest players in the Indian real estate market, including several Indian companies as well as foreign investors. He has also assisted the Government of India as well as State Government(s) in the drafting of legislations in this sector.

Harry has worked closely with a large number of international and domestic corporations with respect to their business in India and abroad, in the areas of general commercial advice, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, corporate restructuring, joint ventures, fund raising and commercial contracts, etc.

He has advised and represented clients on issues pertaining to corporate finance (both domestic and cross border), debt restructuring and refinancing, securitization, acquisition finance, structured finance, bonds and similar instruments. He has acted for both lenders and borrowers and been involved in complex transactions involving multiple lenders across jurisdictions.

He has also participated in the evolution and formulation process of business strategies with several clients, vis-à-vis their new ventures and business initiatives and has advised in establishing, operationalizing and implementing such business strategies of the clients. He has also advised several clients on strategizing in dispute resolution, negotiation and settlement etc.

Overview

Itee Singhal is a Partner with the Corporate and Commercial team at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India. Her area of specialization includes company law, securities law, corporate restructuring, fintech, financial services, gaming, legal diligence and general corporate advisory. 

She has extensive experience of advising wide range of domestic and multinational clients, including Fortune 500 companies and key Navratna companies, on a various corporate, legal, and regulatory matters, including related to fintech and financial services regulatory, online gaming, schemes of arrangements, takeover, buy back, winding up, fund raising, foreign – inbound and outbound investments, entry and exit strategies, etc. 

With prior working experience with leading Chartered Accountancy and Company Secretaries firm, she brings a unique mix of finance, corporate law, structuring, strategy, governance and corporate secretarial practice. She has also extensively dealt with various ministries and government departments such as RBI, SEBI, DEA, Registrar of Companies, and MCA. She has also represented on various contemporary legal issues before organized institutions like FICCI, CII, ICSI etc. 

Itee has also authored several research based and op-ed articles on various contemporary subjects in the domain of corporate, securities, fintech, financial services and gaming. She is also a regular invitee for the sessions / seminar on recent legal developments.

Overview

Kedar Sharma is a Partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India. He is working in the firm since 1998 and have 24 years of post-qualification experience. He specializes in the areas of General Corporate, Real Estate, Regulatory, Private Client Practice and Compliance. He has conducted a large number of legal / corporate due-diligence and possesses extensive experience in handling and liaison with the Governmental and Regulatory Authorities. He has often worked or liaison with the officials of Ministry of Finance (MoF), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Department of Telecommunication (DoT) and various other Ministries & Govt. departments for various clarification / approvals / licences etc.

Overview

Maureen Z. Ralte is a Partner in the M&A and Corporate Practice of the Firm. She has over 15 years’ experience in mergers & acquisitions, private equity, real estate and general corporate advisory. She has worked on a wide variety of corporate transactions across sectors including real estate, hospitality, automobile, renewable energy, banking & finance, tourism, entertainment, marketing, information technology, etc.

She has represented domestic and multinational companies in the negotiation, structuring, preparation and review of transaction documents, in the areas of general commercial advice, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, corporate restructuring, insolvency, joint ventures/ collaborations, fund raising and commercial contracts. She has advised clients on issues relating to general corporate compliances, corporate governance issues, real estate and exchange control laws.

Maureen has worked closely with the in-house departments of leading corporate houses and routinely advises them on complex legal issues.

Niti Paul is a partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India, specializing in general corporate law and mergers and acquisitions. With extensive experience, she represents a diverse range of domestic and international clients in M&A transactions across India.

Her expertise spans multiple sectors, including manufacturing, renewable energy, retail, hospitality, healthcare, financial services, real estate, entertainment, publications, and telecommunications. Niti advises on all facets of joint ventures, mergers, corporate restructuring, foreign investments, regulatory compliance, and employment law. Niti plays a pivotal role in transactional matters, focusing on structuring and advising foreign entities on market entry strategies, joint ventures, acquisitions, and corporate takeovers. She regularly advises on conducting due diligence, navigating foreign equity restrictions and caps, options and vehicles, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements related to investment, environmental, operational, and employment issues.

In addition, Niti has significant experience in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, particularly in carbon markets. She has guided clients on both domestic and international carbon market transactions, including the sale and purchase of verified emission reductions (VERs) and futures trading, while also addressing regulatory concerns.

Niti has also been appointed to a working group committee by the Indo German Energy Forum and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, where she advises on implementing the PM Kusum Scheme to boost farmers' engagement in Agri Photovoltaics projects.

Experience Statement

• Advised Agilion Energy Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between AES Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation, in the sale of 10MW battery energy storage and related facilities to Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited.
• Advised Cognisphere Solutions Limited on their carbon credit purchase and project development agreements for the sale of their Verified Emission Reduction Units and Verified Carbon Units administered by Verra and Gold Standards.
• Advised AES Group on Indian law issues pertaining to its various Group entities in India including structuring, foreign exchange laws, exit options, compliances etc.
• Advised Atria Power Group on all aspects of establishing renewable power projects including contracts related to supply, erection, installation and commissioning, development of projects/ shared services, operation and maintenance of renewable power assets and shared services, wheeling and banking, long term open access, and power purchase agreements.
• Advised Trinity Capital (One) Limited, a Mauritius based entity with respect to the sale of their entire shareholding in Uppals IT Projects Private Limited, an India based entity.

Overview

Pooja is a corporate and insolvency practitioner, with extensive experience advising on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital funding, fund formation and registration, as well as complex insolvency resolutions. She brings a commercial and solutions-driven approach to general corporate advisory work across a wide spectrum of industries, including luxury fashion, healthcare, specialty chemical manufacturing, e-commerce, algorithmic trading, insurance, logistics, education, information technology, media, and satellite propulsion systems.

In 2024, Pooja was seconded with the Tokyo office of Nishimura & Asahi for six months. As a member of the India desk, she focused on multi-jurisdictional investment transactions, particularly strengthening Indo-Japan commercial ties and has a deep understanding of Japanese legal and business culture.

Experience Statement

Corporate & Commercial

Pooja has advised on numerous inbound and outbound transactions, including joint ventures, market entry strategies and exit options and advisory for Indian and international clients. She has extensive experience supporting business leaders, established promoters, and entrepreneurs in both domestic and cross-border matters, with a strong track record of providing pragmatic and strategic counsel on structuring and crisis management.

Cross Border M&A, PE/VC Funding

Advised on acquisitions, investments and structuring for Indian and international clients. Apart from working on domestic and global corporate structures, her experience ranges from the inception of funds to investment at various different stages.

Insolvency

In the insolvency space, Pooja has acted in some of India’s more famous insolvency actions and has represented various stakeholders. She has also authored and published well-received monographs, articles, videos, and presentations on the subject matter.

Awards and Recognitions

Recognized as Rising Star by Asian Legal Business - Thomson & Reuters (ALB).

Publications

IBC Ordinance - In Service of the Economy (IBC Ordinance – In Service Of The Economy - Insolvency/Bankruptcy - India)

Swiss Ribbons and Its Implications - The Supreme Court on the Constitutionality and Key Provisions of the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (Swiss Ribbons And Its Implications - The Supreme Court On The Constitutionality And Key Provisions Of The Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code - Insolvency/Bankruptcy - India)

Supreme Court Upholds Equitable Value Maximization Under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. (Supreme Court Upholds Equitable Value Maximisation Under The Insolvency And Bankruptcy Code - Insolvency/Bankruptcy - India)

Pradnesh Warke is a Partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices with over sixteen years of experience. A qualified attorney enrolled with the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, Pradnesh is a competent and versatile legal professional with varied large transaction and advisory experience. He has worked with reputed laws firms as well as holds substantial in-house experience, handling various critical and high value transactions from leadership positions.

Pradnesh expertise lies in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare, MedTech and Healthtech, data privacy, medical tourism, wellness and mental health, outsourcing and R&D, global capability centres, food/FMCG, technology, cosmetics, fashion, agriculture, ecommerce, logistics.

He holds significant experience in investment structuring, legal due diligence, ethics and compliance, regulatory experience and representations before several Authorities, capital equipment investment and revenue share models, distributor model and supply chain solutions. advisory, structuring and documentation related to bulk supply of products on revenue share models, logistic solutions, growth solutions and manpower solutions structuring and documentation between companies and medical institutions or hospital chains, investment in Start-ups, review of marketing and advertising campaigns and material, data privacy advisory, trainings and compliance review for agreements, policies, and various other issues, employee and distributor ethics and compliance review, training and monitoring, policy drafting and updating with current changes in the laws for ethics and compliance, data protection and privacy etc., clinical trials issues, advisory and documentation, product recall and related advisory, marketing compliance (UCPMP Code, Drugs and Magic Remedies, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)).

Overview

Pranshu Paul, is a Partner Designate in the Disputes practice and is based out of Delhi. He comes with a rich experience of navigating complex trials and has worked on several high stake litigation mandates, including several ‘bet-the-company’ disputes simultaneously spread across various jurisdictions and forums. Pranshu possesses a wide range of experience and expertise in civil and commercial disputes including arbitrations (both domestic and international), insolvency & bankruptcy matters, succession and inheritance related practice and legal advisory including contracts drafting and formation.

Pranshu through his career has appeared before various Courts, Arbitrations, and Tribunals across India and has both argued as well as assisted several distinguished senior counsels across India.

Some Notable Matters

• Representing Kroll Group (a global financial and risk advisory Firm), in a civil suit filed for recovery of monies based on damages under torts with a claim of over 5 Billion USD, based on the allegation of destruction of a large diamond business. The law involved is Indian Law along with the usage of international convention and treaties. The case is significant as this is one of the first and few cases in India which deals with the issue of breach under tort at this scale, which includes the tort of conspiracies against the client including authorities of the Government of India and will lay down jurisprudence on this subject.

• Representing Aditya Birla Finance Limited, in a complex and heavily contested recovery proceedings before the Calcutta High Court and other forums including the National Company Law Tribunal and Debts Recovery Tribunal. Due to the intervention of the firm, the client was able to secure a hard fought settlement for a majority of the claim, and is in pursuance of the remainder of the claims. The dispute resulted in several judgements including a widely reported judgement accepting the exception under Section 14 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 for unilateral appointment of an arbitrator.

• Successfully represented Monsanto Group in more than 10+ domestic arbitrations, having a financial implication of 500+ Million USD, being vital to the business in India. The arbitrations included extensive trial and evidence, leading to the entire claims being allowed in favour of the client. The arbitrations were of vital importance to the client to continue their current and future business in India.

• Advised Life Insurance Corporation on several aspects of law for the Initial Public Offering including providing opinions (including briefing several former judicial members for their opinions) having a direct implication of 2.7 Billion for the client and resulting in the filing of its successful IPO.

• Successfully represented the Resolution Professional in the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process of Binani Cements across various forums and courts in India, leading to a rare and unique recovery of around 2 Billion USD for the lenders.

• Successfully represented Kroll Group in a proceeding before the High Court of Delhi involving the interpretation and implementation of ‘Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters’ being of vital importance to the client. This was a unique and uncommon proceedings filed in India, and which may have had a large impact on the client and its future business in India.

• Representing a large Construction company (Name withheld) in construction arbitrations for several projects across the country having a financial implication of around 50 Million USD.

Rajeev focuses primarily on commercial litigation, consumer litigation, arbitration, company law and regulatory issues. He has considerable experience in dealing with complex litigation matters and has been a recommended counsel for many multinational corporations doing business in India and abroad. Rajeev advises a broad spectrum of clients, working primarily with institutions, private equity funds, PSU’s, banks and multinational companies. He also acts for a number of Indian companies, particularly in the context of high profile commercial litigation and dispute resolution.

Some of the clients that Rajeev advises include Piaggio Auto, CCL Product India (Continental Coffee), Spicejet, Sai Lifesciences, Standard Chartered Bank, Syndicate Bank, IDBI, HPCL, Ashok Leyland, Aditya Birla Group, Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry, ITC Limited, Tata  Motors, Tata Motors Finance, Jubilant Foodworks, Grow Asia Pte Ltd, Mukand Ltd, Usha International Limited, Amara Raja Batteries, Centillion, IL&FS, Soma Constructions, Strides, Arvind Fashions, Cloudtail India, Sterling Holidays, Mahindra Holidays and Toyota Kirloskar Motor, etc.

Experience Statement

• Advising and appearing before the High Court of Telangana on behalf of a German infrastructure giant in a complex litigation matter involving grant of injunction against encashment of unconditional Bank Guarantees.
• Advised and represented a major public sector oil and gas company in arbitration proceedings before the Karnataka Arbitration Center at Bangalore.
• Advised a global technology giant in the setting up of glow sign boards for their outlets in Bangalore in compliance with BBMP norms. This transaction involved negotiations between the stakeholders of the Company and various BBMP personnel.
• Advised an UK based client having its 100% subsidiary company in India, in acquiring 100% stake in an existing company in India from the existing shareholders. The company is engaged in testing, assayers and other similar activities.
• Advised and represented a French optical products major in proceedings before the Regional Director, Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Overview

Ritu Bhalla is a Partner in the dispute resolution practice of the Firm. In her career spanning over 3 decades, she has gained extensive experience in corporate commercial disputes, arbitration matters and specialises in litigation and dispute resolution in areas such as banking & finance, insolvency, regulatory, infrastructure, administrative, white-collar, etc.

She has represented both Indian and multinational clients in various fora including Supreme Court, High Courts, NCLAT, NCLT, DRAT, DRT, quasi-judicial tribunals, domestic and international commercial arbitrations, and has also led teams in undertaking investigations and legal forensic assignments.

She has handled high stake matters and has represented clients in several commercial arbitration matters, successfully obtaining favourable awards for her clients. Ritu has also advised clients on critical litigation strategies.

Sharad has over 16 years of diverse and rich experience as a legal professional in Banking & Finance, Projects, Infrastructure advisory and General Corporate matters.

Sharad has handled complex transactions in Banking & Finance matters which include project finance, lease rental discounting matters, external commercial borrowings, onshore syndication, consortium transactions, structured financing, securitizations, factoring, ISDA, debenture issuances, and real estate financing.

Sharad regularly represents various lenders and companies and is also involved in providing opinions and advisories on various banking and corporate laws. In addition, he has significant experience in drafting EPC, O&M, FIDIC based construction contracts, and other allied contracts for various infrastructure projects.

Sharad has also successfully negotiated and closed M&A transactions for various infrastructure projects.

Experience Statement

• Acted and advised a multinational bank in relation to an external commercial borrowing transaction, with a green shoe option, extended to IIFL Finance.

• Acted as legal counsel to State Bank of India (SBI)-
  • in relation to fund based and non-fund-based facilities granted to Myrayash Hotels Pvt. Ltd. for construction and development of a 5-star hotel awarded by Goa Tourism Development through a concession agreement.
  • in relation to a term loan facility to part finance a project awarded to an operator entity through a supply – cum – operation and maintenance agreement for procurement of electric buses and the construction, operation and maintenance of depots, awarded by Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport.
• Represented a listed FMCG entity in relation to acquisition of non-food-based business of another entity on a slump sale basis.

• Advised on a securitization transaction involving NeoGrowth Credit Pvt. Ltd. (as Issuer) and Goldmansachs (India) Finance Pvt. Ltd. (as PTC Investor).

Overview

Sudipta’s career spans over 25 years, in diverse settings. He started as an in-house, transitioned to private practice, acquired foreign qualifications, moved to international English Law practice, founded his own firm, and then merged his practice with a top-tier firm.

Sudipta’s practice is presently focused on Cross-border M&A, Banking & Finance, Corporate Advisory, Fund Formation, and Insolvency & Restructuring.

Over the last 25 years, Sudipta has cherished a lead role in high value “pink paper” transactions and business development. In recent years, it has been more the deals that he has managed to stop, restructure/ re-strategize that have added greater value to clientele. His practice has evolved from transactional, to strategic counselling, consensus building and operating as a close confidante - to business leaders, boards, promoters, and entrepreneurs.

He is quoted often and published regularly and speaks frequently in national and international forums and on television talk shows.

Overview

Varun comes with over a decade of experience in M&A, private equity and general corporate advisory. Varun’s involvement in various transactions help both the investors as well as the target company navigate a very uncertain regulatory environment and close large investment rounds. He has played instrumental role in bringing clarity on certain grey areas of the regulatory framework, for instance, surrounding restructuring of such ECB Loans. His insights and legal advisory on transactions in relation to private acquisitions of assets during ongoing insolvency of the asset owner’s group companies has been incredible. Varun’s approach towards solving client’s problem is one of his strongest forte. He brings solution-oriented mind set to the table, helping client navigate the transactions in the most reasonable and timely manner and simultaneously creating space for his team to learn, adapt and grow into an even better professional

Experience Statement

• Advised IFFCO and reviewed financing documentations and corresponding amendments thereto, arising out of the restructuring of the credit facilities amounting to USD 850 Million availed of by IFFCO’s foreign subsidiary i.e. Jordan India Fertilizer Company.
• Advised a leading real estate company on the resolution and eventual acquisition of a landowning company owning 110 Acres of land valued at over USD 140.5 Million under the pre-packaged insolvency regime.
• Advised M3M India Private Limited (M3M) on INR 900 Crore debt infusion by Oaktree Capital through subscription to NCDs.
• Advised Apollo Hospitals in its INR 450 Crore hospital asset acquisition in Gurugram, Haryana.
• Advised by Kunshan Q Tech Microelectronics (India) Private (QTech) Limited on USD 20 Million external commercial borrowings (ECB).

Overview

Vipin's focus areas of practice are mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity foreign investment, general corporate and commercial matters. In his legal experience of a decade, Vipin has structured, negotiated and drafted a wide range of private equity transactions and M&A transactions for foreign and domestic clients across the sectors such as energy and infrastructure, renewables, e-commerce, real estate, etc.

Vipin advises foreign investors and multinational corporations on a wide array of legal issues relating to acquisitions, joint venture agreements, private equity investments, foreign direct investment policy, company laws, etc.

Overview

Vivek K. Agarwal is a Partner with Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India with over 15 years of diversified experience and has dealt with clients across continents and specializes in dealing with wide array of legal and associated business issues and offers solutions to business and legal needs of clients. He has the experience of advising on wide range of corporate legal matters including advising on India entry/ set-up and exit/ insolvency, corporate governance issues, restructuring, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions.

Vivek has extensively dealt with various ministries and departments of the Government of India including the Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Reserve Bank of India and has also been a contributor to the Government in its efforts to bring about changes in policies and business landscape in India from an ‘Ease of Doing Business’ perspective. He is also a regular contributor to the World Bank in conducting its ‘Ease of Doing Business’ study in India.

Vivek has advised various multinational as well domestic clients in areas of corporate and commercial laws and has helped a number of clients’ set-up their India presence and strategize their business closure and India exit and also on obtaining relevant government approvals. His experience brings in a mix of effective implementation strategy and legal expertise and he strives to deliver the best solution to clients with his practical approach and efforts to balance risk with desired client objective.

Experience Statement

• Acted at the behest of one of the largest steel manufacturers in the world in its acquisition of the distressed steel business of the Essar group in India under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
• Assisted the monitoring agency in negotiations and implementation of the resolution plan of an Indian listed steel major in acquisition of another listed entity in the steel business under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
• Assisted in completing the acquisition of the shares of the Indian subsidiaries of a leading identity management solutions provider in the United States following which the acquirer became the world leader in biometric identity solutions.
• Assisted a Chinese business house in completion of their asset and business acquisition of Brakes business units from a premier supplier of automotive chassis products to OEMs in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
• Assisted in setting-up of the successful venture which holds the exclusive right to organize and stage the hugely successful ‘Pro-Kabaddi League’.