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

Akshit Kapoor has extensive experience in areas of real estate laws, mergers & acquisitions, private client and family office practice, banking and finance, capital markets, PE investments, insolvency and bankruptcy and corporate restructuring.

Akshit has represented and advised both Indian and International clients on general corporate matters, M&A, joint ventures and commercial contracts across various business sectors like health care, automobile, telecom, consumer goods sector etc.

He has closely collaborated with a wide range of international and domestic corporations, advising them on their business operations in both India and abroad. As being part of the Firm’s real estate practice, he has advised some of the largest real estate companies in India and has been involved in advising numerous international clients for their projects in India.

Akshit has represented and advised HNIs and HNFs, business owners, family offices, corporate fiduciaries as well as charitable and not for profit entities on restructuring, creation of trusts and wills, migration of residency and change in citizenship.

Akshit has advised on private placements and public offerings by issuers across a wide range of industries. He also regularly advises companies for their Initial Public Offerings (IPO) as well as on Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP).

Akshit possesses a profound grasp of the intricate commercial and legal intricacies surrounding land ownership, land acquisition, land use and conversion, regulatory and approval matters, foreign investments, and more.

As part of the Firm’s insolvency and bankruptcy practice, Akshit has gone on to advise clients on exit strategies, refinancing, debt restructuring, distressed sale etc. Akshit specializes in representing distressed funds, bidders’/resolution applicants, lenders / Committee of Creditors, and insolvency professionals in the context of restructurings, insolvency resolution processes, and liquidations governed by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

Overview

Arjun deals with intricate and complicated competition issues and assists in rendering strategic solutions in terms of the Indian Competition Law including the use of economic theory to put forth arguments before the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and the Supreme Court of India (SC), in addition to making merger filings before the CCI.

He has been involved in numerous high-profile merger transactions, contentious litigations across multiple industries, including fast moving consumer goods, steel, cement, tyre, broadcasting, real estate, auto-parts, agro-chemicals to name a few. He has also represented some of the largest international corporations in cartel and abuse of dominance investigations. He regularly advises clients on comprehensive competition compliance programs and helps train top-management of companies so that they are in compliance of competition laws of the country and has specific experience in preparing clients for ‘dawn raids’.

He is a regular contributor to various international and Indian journals and his articles have appeared in various peer-reviewed journals including in publications of the American Bar Association.

He has been recognised by Legal500 in the competition / anti-trust space and clients say ‘Arjun Nihal Singh provides excellent support to the practice with great subject knowledge. He is always accessible and available for discussion on strategy.’

Overview

Avisha has over 12 years of experience and specializes in Technology laws including Fintech, Data Privacy, and host of other emerging technologies such as E-Commerce, Cloud based Services, OTT Platforms, AI, Crypto Currencies, Blockchain, IoT, Health Tech, and Digital Maps.

She has advised some of the largest global and national technology companies, start-ups and banks/NBFCs on regulatory issues, licenses and approvals, policies and contracts. Some of these include Google India, Airtel Payments, ANI Technologies (Ola), Yum Brands. 

She also has extensive experience in advising on corporate law issues including securities laws and foreign exchange.

Apart from corporates, Avisha often works with regulators and industry associations on policy issues, such as IAMAI and RBI on Payments Vision (Nov 2021); FICCI and Ministry of Corporate Affairs on M&A Rules (May 2019); SEBI on policy changes to Takeover Regulations (Aug 2016), meaning and scope of “Control” and reclassification of promoter (Sep 2015).

Avisha is frequently quoted in media articles and writes for financial dailies on issues around legal developments for The Economic Times, Financial Express etc. She also regularly delivers guest lectures at business schools - MDI Gurgaon (Sep 2020, Dec 2019, Aug 2019 – MBA and Executive MBA Programs), Jindal Global Business School (Apr 2019), Shiv Nadar University (Feb 2019), Start-up Leadership Program (Sep 2017).

Experience

• Advised Lamborghini S.p.A on software systems to be installed in vehicles from privacy and information technology laws of India.
• Advised Audi Ag on Indian privacy and data protection laws.
• Advised Google India on Fintech laws particularly collection, storage and sharing of KYC details related issues.
• Advised RapiPay Fintech in compliance and structuring related aspects under the Fintech laws and setting up and operationalizing neo banks.
• Advised Microsoft Corporation on mapping policy of India including on collecting/ selling/ licensing map data in India and on ‘remote sensing data’ under the Remote Sensing Data Policy.

Overview

G. R. Bhatia is a Partner in the Competition Law practice area at the Firm. A former Additional Director General of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the erstwhile Monopolies & Restrictive Trade Practices Commission, he underwent intensive training in ‘Anti-monopoly Laws in Japan’ organized by the Japan Fair Trade Commission and has also attended training program on ‘Unilateral Conducts and Cartelization’ organized by the Korean Fair Trade Commission in Seoul. He was also associated with the amendments which were made to the Competition Act in 2007, and spearheaded the Firm’s team that advised the FTC and the DoJ in aligning the U.S. antitrust internal reference materials with Indian laws and circumstances.

In recognition of his in-depth experience in the field of competition law, Mr. Bhatia was appointed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, as an Expert on the National Committee on Competition Policy.

Prior to his stint at the MRTPC, Mr. Bhatia also served as the Registrar of Companies and the Official Liquidator of Patna High Court.  Mr. Bhatia is a faculty with the Indian Institute of Chartered Accountants and Indian Institute of Management for competition law and policy.

He is Consulting Editor of Manupatra Competition Law Reports and also a Member of Editorial Board of Chartered Secretary. He regularly contributes articles on Corporate and Competition law issues. 

Mr. Bhatia represents and appears before the CCI and the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) on competition issues. He is an Ombudsman for several German majors on issues relating to anti-competitive and anti-corruption in the Indian jurisdiction. He has appeared as a Competition Law Expert in various courts including the London Court of International Arbitration.

Experience Statement

Abuse of Dominance and Anti-Competitive Agreements

• Represented and defended Jaiprakash Associates Limited one of the largest real estate developers in an abuse of dominance inquiry before the Commission.
• Represented Flipkart - India’s leading e-Commerce organization with respect to competition complaints relating to online sales.

Cartel Investigation & Leniency Matters

• Representing Jet Airways before the CCI in respect of competition concerns emanating from dynamic pricing of airline tickets.
• Represented one of the world’s leading airline groups in an enquiry before the CCI on matters pertaining to the adoption of a zero commission policy by airline operators.
• Represented one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers as well as the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association in a cartel investigation before the CCI.

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

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.

Suprio’s career spans over 30 years, in diverse settings. He started his career with United Nations before moving to academics, then in-house and finally transitioned to private practice from general counsel practice of more than 2 decades.

Suprio’s focus areas of practice are mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, general corporate and commercial matters, intellectual property, technology, media & telecommunication, labour & employment, ESG, real estate, anti-corruption & compliance, data privacy and litigations/dispute resolution for clients across the sectors such as pharmaceuticals, life sciences, healthcare, technology, media, entertainment, telecommunication, energy and real estate, etc.

Experience Statement

• Advised Board of the listed companies of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Schneider Electric India, Honeywell JVs in India.

• Advised Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories in M&A and business deals with Wockhardt, UCB, Astra Zeneca, etc and Securities Class Action, Anti-trust litigation and Pricing litigations in the USA and India.

• Advised Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals in pharma statutory compliances, FCPA compliances and data privacy compliances.

• Advised Glenmark Pharmaceuticals in prosecution matters with the Dept. of Justice, USA and IP class actions in USA.

• Advised Schneider Electric in power and renewable energy projects both in utility and solar sectors.

• Advised Honeywell in SEZ related matters, real estate deals, global integration in various acquisitions and technology transfer to NAL and other aerospace commercial deals.

• Advised GE and Honeywell in cross border IP transactions, technology transfer, patent protection, licensing, anti-counterfeit strategy & actions and statutory compliances.

• Advised the Government of India in legislative drafting, profit sharing model for CSIR laboratories, IITs and IISc.

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).

Zeeshan has a vast experience in the Intellectual Property (IP) practice. His work spans IP litigation and enforcement before Courts and law enforcement agencies, filing and prosecuting Trademark, Copyright and Design applications as well as Customs registration and enforcement, and handling Domain Name disputes before WIPO and NIXI. His expertise includes advising clients for protecting and enforcing their rights and appearing before Courts.

He has represented nearly 50 Fortune Global 500 companies, advising clients across a wide range of industries, including FMCG, automobiles, oil & gas, retail, fashion, sports, clothing & footwear, hospitality, textiles, food & beverages, toys & games, pharmaceuticals, electronics & appliances, insurance, and financial services.

He regularly appears before various Courts including the Hon’ble High Courts at Delhi, Bombay, Kolkata and Madras and also before the Registrar of Trade Marks and has a host of reported Judgments to his credit.