Super Lawyer

Tag: Mergersandacquisitions

  • Fostering a collaborative and productive work environment is important for keeping the teams motivated, interested and invested in their work, take ownership of the work and contribute positively to the firm- Akshat Pande, Partner and Head-Corporate Practice at Fox & Mandal Solicitors and Advocates

    Fostering a collaborative and productive work environment is important for keeping the teams motivated, interested and invested in their work, take ownership of the work and contribute positively to the firm- Akshat Pande, Partner and Head-Corporate Practice at Fox & Mandal Solicitors and Advocates

    This interview has been published by  Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

    Can you share with us your journey and how you ended up pursuing a career in law? What inspired you to choose this path?

    After completing School, I chose to appear for CS and CA foundation exams. Since CS foundation results are released before CA foundation results, I qualified and got through CS, although I had appeared for CA foundation also and passed both of them. While studying for CS exams, I got keenly interested in law as a subject. My curiosity for law increased and I would often find myself dedicating hours to reading law books and cases. I found it extremely interesting and intellectually fulfilling and fell in love with law. After completion of CS, I enrolled myself for LLB with Delhi University. I am a first-generation lawyer in my family and I thank my stars to have landed in a profession that I like.  

    With over 18 years of experience in corporate and commercial law, you must have encountered various challenges and rewarding moments. Can you share one of your most memorable cases or experiences in your legal career so far?

    Quoting a single example from work is difficult as there have been many instances which were challenging in the beginning and rewarding when I got done with them. One of the most profoundly rewarding experiences in my career was setting up Alpha Partners in 2012. As a first-generation lawyer, my passion for creating something extraordinary from scratch fuelled my drive. However, it also presented an immense challenge—bootstrapping a startup law firm. From its inception until our merger with Fox & Mandal, I continuously grappled with the hurdle of elevating the firm to the next level, hiring talent, and enhancing practice verticals in the firm with new partners. For first-generation lawyers like me, to scale law firms to the next level without any avenues to raise finances to fund talent acquisition has been the biggest challenge. 

    As the Partner and Head of the Corporate Practice at Fox & Mandal, Delhi, you lead a team of more than 10 lawyers. What strategies do you employ to foster a collaborative and productive work environment within your team?

    Fostering a collaborative and productive work environment is important for keeping the teams motivated, interested and invested in their work, take ownership of the work and contribute positively to the firm. Few basic tenets like effective communication, clear goals, trust and collaboration, rewarding and recognising good work, encouraging learning and performance evaluation are most important and should be kept in mind by any team leader. 

    In order to instill the above in young associates, I follow Dr. House’s methods. Every assignment or transaction is discussed threadbare with the full team working on it in a 1-2 hour session so that no aspect is left out to be discussed. Such sessions are not a monologue by me but everyone is supposed to give their inputs and ask questions. Sometimes, these sessions happen in two sittings if something has to be researched and then discussed. At the end of the session, each member of the team is given a particular aspect of the assignment to complete but the team is supposed to coordinate amongst themselves and not work in silos, such as drafting is done by someone, research by others, compliances by third etc. Each one is also given a deadline also. The Senior Associate involved in the assignment is supposed to supervise and check on the work so that it is done in a timely manner. Once this delegation is over, I step aside and let the team work on the assignment. Thereafter before the deadline, an update meeting is done and questions if any are answered. Final review of the deliverables is done in a joint meeting of the team.  

    I am of the firm view that delegation is extremely important to make a strong team of good corporate lawyers. If the lawyers are not given room, they will never grow professionally and that will affect the overall efficiency and performance of the firm. It also enables them to work as a team and collaborate with each other rather than against each other. I also make sure that in every assignment, the roles of the team members are reversed so that no monotony sets in and each lawyer is getting trained in each aspect.            

    Your areas of expertise include private equity, venture capital, M&A, joint ventures, and more. Could you highlight a particularly complex or intricate deal you’ve been involved in and explain how you navigated its challenges?

    There are many such instances where deals were particularly complicated and required structuring to achieve efficiency and commercial feasibility. Typically exits become complicated, especially when it is a strategic buyout of the company through which exit is being given to investors. A lot of interests need to be balanced. Once such deal involved around 20 institutional and individual investors who were getting shares in the acquirer’s entity and the investors were sitting in an externalised holdco structure. In other M&A transactions, exits or JVs that I have handled, more than legal issues, it is the balancing of the interests of various stakeholders which requires delicate handling. Also, in case of cross border joint ventures, it is extremely important to understand cultural differences and business practices of the partners who are coming together to form the joint venture as most issues arise because things are handled differently by people from different countries and neither one is incorrect.   

    You have extensive experience in assisting multinational companies doing business in India and the UAE/MENA region. What are some unique legal considerations or cultural aspects that companies need to be mindful of when operating in these diverse jurisdictions?

    UAE is an extremely interesting jurisdiction. I have been working closely with UAE firms and clients and the experience has been extremely enriching. UAE is not very different from India culturally because of the historic cultural and business ties as well as the fact that both the jurisdictions have been influenced by the British common law system. UAE has modernised itself in its systems, processes and government dealings and there is a huge emphasis on use of technology in every aspect of governance and in general life. UAE is welcoming investors both at entity and individual level and has all necessary elements of a modern and business friendly country with congenial living standards. 

    In your experience, what are the key factors that contribute to a successful commercial transaction or project? How do you ensure that all parties involved are aligned and satisfied with the outcomes?

    As a lawyer, it is my job to protect my client’s interest to the best possible extent and so are the counsels of the other side. I believe that if all parties involved are adequately represented by lawyers, the alignment and balancing is more or less achieved. It is imperative for all types of clients to be adequately represented in this present day and age when contracts and compliances are getting more complicated and intricate. Corporate lawyers are not merely “punctuation correctors” but play an extremely important and strategic role in transactions and ensuring that clients are legally compliant, which collectively contributes to better corporate discipline, governance and makes our government’s job easier to govern.   

    With a background in advising clients across various sectors, such as healthcare, hospitality, e-commerce, and technology, how do you stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and legal developments that may impact your clients?

    Read, read and read more. There is no replacement for reading for lawyers and there is no other secret sauce. If in today’s time and age someone says that “I didn’t know” about something, that means she/he has not made an effort to read about it because information is freely available everywhere and you cannot have an excuse that something was not out there. 

    Other than reading, one should also be connected with relevant stakeholders, in-house lawyers, chartered accountants, CS’s and more importantly lawyers from other law firms and keep exchanging ideas, information and must have discussions on legal issues. In fact, I believe that corporate lawyers should make legal discussions part of their social lives so that nothing is missed out. Information monopolies have been broken down by the internet and now is the era of sharing more and more information rather than keeping it with oneself. 

    Throughout your career, you’ve been involved in assisting government organizations with real estate and infrastructure projects. What are some of the challenges and rewards that come with working on projects of such scale and importance?

    Working on government projects presents unique challenges and rewards. While the commercial compensation for lawyers may sometimes be limited and/or delayed, the experience is truly exhilarating.

    Typically the real estate and infrastructure projects that we have undertaken are large scale projects involving multiple legal, commercial and strategic issues. The tussle between remaining fair and just which is a requirement for government instrumentalities and at the same time ensure that the projects are commercially successful for them is something which needs intricate balancing. Also, the commercial expectations of the government from a particular project needs to be balanced against market realities.   

    As a prominent figure in the legal industry, you were recognized in the Forbes Legal Powerlist as one of the top 100 individual lawyers in 2022. What does this recognition mean to you, and how do you continue to strive for excellence in your profession?

    Any recognition is a validation for one’s hard work and receiving such accolades is humbling. At the same time, I guess every day is a new day of learning and one should endeavour that each day is better than the previous one. 

    Considering your diverse background in law and business, what advice would you give to fresh law graduates who are just starting their legal careers? What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for success in today’s legal landscape?

    I have few tips which may be relevant for fresh graduates:

    1. It’s not a job, it’s a profession. So treat it likewise and train yourself for that;
    2. Read, read and read. If reading makes you tired, you are in the wrong place;
    3. Have a problem solving attitude. Not creating, not fixing, but solving a problem is what is required.
    4. Go for post-graduation only when you have identified a particular area or areas of law in which you are confident you can work for long term;
    5. Do not depend on anyone else’s version of research, not articles, blogs, not even chatGPT. Find your own answers to a problem and don’t stop till you do or understand it entirely. Read, discuss, read, repeat. 
    6. Be very clear about how much money you want from your employer/firm. There is no market standard and your peers or consultants don’t decide what you get, you do. Remember, working for less is more important than asking more and not working. 
    7. Become a generalist but grab one area of expertise or industry or niche practice area and try becoming best in that. Prioritise this over money or any other alternate career options.
    8. Don’t take it too seriously if things don’t work out. Its OK not to be the best.   

    Finally, looking back on your journey and achievements, is there any specific piece of advice or life lesson that has had a profound impact on you, personally or professionally, that you’d like to share with our audience?

    Someone once told me “Be sincere, not serious’ ‘. I guess that was the most useful advice I got which I have used in my life.  

    Get in touch with Akshat Pande-

  • The initial years shape your personality as a lawyer and it goes a long way in creating an impression on others- Akshay Pathak, Principal Associate at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

    The initial years shape your personality as a lawyer and it goes a long way in creating an impression on others- Akshay Pathak, Principal Associate at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

    This interview has been published by Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

    Sir, our audience would like to know about your journey before you joined Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

    I was born and brought up in Patna and did my schooling from Patna (Don Bosco Academy and St Michael’s High School). Just like any other middle class household, focus of my parents had always been on education. During school and even college I had just been an ‘above average student’. Whilst I was never the batch topper, from as long back as I can remember, I always wanted to actively participate in any event that came my way, which was related to public speaking. This was maybe the decisive factor in me opting for law. I completed BA LLB (Hons) from GGSIPU, Delhi in 2016. Before joining Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, I have worked with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and briefly with Dentons Link Legal, Delhi office (Link legal was a campus placement). During my law school tenure, I had the opportunity to work as an intern under the able guidance of excellent general corporate teams of some of the best law firms in the country. I am currently working as a Principal Associate with Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. My practice area primarily includes domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, and general corporate matters including restructurings.

    How were your initial years as a junior associate?

    There is a general perception that the initial years are tough if you are working with a law firm. Irrespective of whether you are working with a law firm or working with a senior in a chamber etc. you need to work really hard as a junior. This is inevitable and every fresher has to face this, and even I was no exception. The fear of the unknown, fear of making a mistake used to be perpetually there. As a fresher everything you are doing is new to you. There is a huge gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical application.  Hence, a junior has to spend more hours and there is no short cut to that. The initial years shape your personality as a lawyer and it goes a long way in creating an impression on others. This profession demands hard work (irrespective of the designation) and the sooner you accept this the better it is.

    Hard work and sincerity will always be given preference over just intelligence. Infact I firmly believe that if the initial years are too comfortable (in terms of work quality, number of hours etc.) it will in some way or the other adversely impact your professional growth. I was fortunate to start my journey under the guidance of some of the finest corporate lawyers of the country. If you have good seniors, you feel motivated to push yourself and give your best. Hence, I believe that role of a senior is also crucial for the growth of a fresher. People mostly quit bad seniors and not the organization or the work. A lot has been written and said about having a ‘work life balance’. This is something very subjective. Someone may get free at 7 in the evening and may feel the lack of motivation to pursue any other hobby, while the other may get free at 10 in the night and may be able to pursue a rejuvenating hobby.

    What is your take on the on-going discussions in relation to mental health issues being faced by young lawyers?

    Each of us may have issues which we may not be able to or be willing to share with everyone (specially office peers). Waking up every morning, separating your personal and professional life and going out, giving your 100 percent is never easy, in such a situation. Mental health should be taken very seriously by each individual and by peers as well. Specially in a profession like ours where you need to always give your 100 percent, not just to thrive but even to survive. It is nearly impossible to work efficiently if there are things effecting your mental well being (reasons could be personal or professional). Allowing your peers and team members that space to open up, talk about such issues can go a long way in not only increasing overall work efficiency but also in building strong bond between the team members.

    Sir, you have carved out a career in one of the best law firms in India. What were the things you did right (and wrong) in your journey so far?

    I would break this answer into two halves- one being the time spent in law school and the other half being the time spent as an associate in law firms.

    During law school, specially during the 4th and 5th year, I realized the importance of internships. If you are not from the top 5-6 national law schools, there is no other way to start working with good law firms. An internship gives you an excellent opportunity to show case your hard work and sincerity, and I believe every law student should take up internships very seriously and never intern merely for a certificate or just to fill up CV. I personally took my internships very seriously and tried to make the most out of them. Infact the team I have been working with from the past 6 and half years is the same team I interned with in my final year in law school.

    Once you start working, the first thing which you should do is try to develop dependency, and learn to be accountable for your work. ‘Being available to help’ and ‘working hard’ are the two most important attributes. You may not be the smartest one in the room, but you can work harder than the majority. That is totally under your control. Every criticism should be accepted with a positive frame of mind. As a junior one is bound to make mistakes. The most important thing is how you outgrow your insecurities and learn from your mistakes. One should never try to settle for less, specially during the formative years as a lawyer and try to always push your limits. If you start giving too much importance to work life balance in the initial stage of your career, some way or the other your professional growth may get hampered. However, I see this as a choice- one may prioritize work life balance coupled with gradual and slow growth over sharp growth over a short span. Hence, it should always be a personal decision. 

    The major part of your career revolves around corporate law. Which aspect of this thrills you the most?

    Every aspect of my work thrills me to be honest. If you don’t love what you are doing, there is something wrong with either what you are doing, or your career choice. As a corporate lawyer you get to work on some of the biggest M&A deals happening in the country. You get to engage with, work with some of the sharpest minds across various sectors. You grow not just professionally but also personally. That I believe is the most satisfying aspect of the work I majorly do.  For students / professionals who want to work with law firms, the motivating factor should always be good quality of work, better learning curve, experienced seniors to work with. One should never get carried away by hearsay negative feedback about an organization or law firms in general. At the same time never get carried away by the ‘Harvey Specter’ effect where you get enticed by other lesser relevant factors (clothes, cars, money). In long run everything follows if you are motivated and willing to work hard. ‘Overnight success’ doesn’t exist. Each day counts.

    You have effectively facilitated some major Mergers and Acquisitions. What are your key learnings while dealing with those cases?

    In my limited experience what I have understood and learnt so far is that working hard, staying updated and on your toes, are not just the only areas where you need to be good at. In addition to the above, meeting client expectations and being able to meet deadlines (internal as well as external) is something which is very important. All the hard work, sincerity is of no use if you fail to meet expectations of your senior or the client. I believe majority of the success one attains in one’s professional journey comes from being able to ‘understand and deliver as per the expectations’. Efforts which are channelled always meet better results. Hence, before working on any deliverable, understanding expectations of your client / senior is of utmost importance. 

    Internships in Tier-1 firms have been the hardest yet most desired by budding law graduates. Can you share a few suggestions which could help them to materialize the same?

    Networking and visibility is the key. Law students, specially from tier 2 and tier 3 law colleges should make it a point to mark their presence both physically and virtually in legal space. This can be by way of being physically present for seminars and conferences and being active on Linkedin. Students should keep themselves updated and actively write articles/ papers/ blogs on legal issues and changes. One cannot expect approaching anyone directly without any prior interaction, and getting an internship at one go. Students should follow a two way approach for getting internships – (1) applying well in advance (6-7 months atleast) to atleast 30-40 law firms and following up regularly (sending just 1 email for internship is as good as not applying for an internship) ; (2) building a strong presence of Linkedin by way of writing articles/ blogs, getting in touch with seniors, alumni, sharing your work with them on a regular basis, and then approaching them for internship.

    What do you think is the best for a law student to do with respect to internships? Short-term internships over several genres of law or long-term internships in a specific field of law?

    Interning multiple times with the same organization, in the same practice area with the same team preferably is better than interning 10 times with 10 different firms across different practice areas. Interning in the same practice area multiple times helps you to hone your skills and build your knowledge base in that specific practice area.

    Do non-NLU graduates stand a chance as freshers with Top notch law firms?

    Yes, absolutely. As I said earlier, internships are the best way to showcase your hard work and sincerity. If you meet the basic threshold set by a team for a fresher, and are able to demonstrate the hunger to work hard, learn and grow, college will not matter. I am also not from any NLU for that matter.

    Sir, you have a myriad of journal publications under your name. How important do you think publications are for a law graduate, both as a student and as a professional?

    Research papers become a talking point in your interview. No law firm will hire you just because you have 5 good publications. However, it does demonstrate that you have good research skills and that you were able to analyse a legal point. In an interview if you are able to substantiate on that legal issue, it can go a long way in creating a positive impression in the mind of the recruiter.

    What is the importance of moot court competitions in a CV?

    Just like a paper publication, no moot court competition can get you a job. Even if you end up winning 5 moots, no law firm will hire you solely on that ground. Participation/ winning a moot court competition demonstrates that you have good research skills and again it would be a talking point in your interview. However, I would encourage all law students to actively participate in moot court competitions and write research papers. In law school you would get to learn application of law mostly by way of your participation in co-curricular activities. 

    Lastly, what advice would you like to give to Non-NLU graduates who have big aims to get into prominent tier-1 law firms? 

    With my limited experience in legal space, the only advice I can give to anyone is to have faith in hard work, and sincerity. Hard work and sincerity would always be preferred over intelligence. Have short term goals for each semester and decide how many papers you want to write, where do you want to intern, how many research papers you wish to publish and then act accordingly. Belief in hard work more than destiny should be the mantra.

    Get in touch with Akshay Pathak-

  • The best way to approach a tricky case is to fully understand the client’s case and the context of the disputes- Vyom Shah,Counsel, Bombay High Court

    The best way to approach a tricky case is to fully understand the client’s case and the context of the disputes- Vyom Shah,Counsel, Bombay High Court

    This interview has been published by  Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

    Sir, please tell us about your educational background and how you got started in the legal profession?

    Soon after tenth grade, I decided to become a lawyer. With this idea in mind, I finished my Junior College and started the five year law course in Government Law College, Mumbai. While studying, I joined the law firm Desai & Diwanji and I signed my Articles with them. This was my first experience of the legal profession and it was mostly corporate transactional work. I cleared my Solicitors exam in Mumbai and then decided to experience litigation in the Supreme Court, for which I moved to Delhi to work with Mr. Gourab Banerji, Senior Advocate. I enjoyed litigation and realized I wanted to practice as a Counsel. I moved back to Mumbai in June 2017 and since then have been in the Chambers of Mr. Zubin Behramkamdin, Senior Advocate and am practicing in Mumbai.

    How did you decide to specialize in arbitration, civil and commercial litigation, securities, and real estate litigation?

    My specialisations are a result of my interests. I was fortunate to do a fair amount of arbitration and commercial litigation while in Delhi and I found it very interesting. I have continued doing such work since. When I moved back to Mumbai, I also ended up doing a lot of civil and real estate litigation in Bombay High Court and Tribunals. My practice in securities litigation has been more recent but it has always been of interest to me since my time pursuing a corporate practice with Desai & Diwanji.

    Can you describe a particularly challenging case you worked on and how you approached it?

    I think all cases have their own challenges. According to me, the best way to approach a tricky case is to fully understand the client’s case and the context of the disputes. The client’s case is almost always based on their honest assessment of the facts and context and this understanding makes the cases much more manageable. I have also observed that sometimes, very difficult cases acquire their own dimensions as the trial progresses and they become much easier, if handled correctly from the beginning.

    You have worked in both Bombay High Court and Supreme Court. What differences have you noticed between the two courts?

    The differences are many. A major difference is that the Supreme Court essentially looks at matters that involve substantial questions of law and this warrants a lot more focus on the relevant laws and judgments. The facts have already been decided by the Courts below. On the other hand, the legal proceedings such as suits and arbitration petitions filed in the Bombay High Court generally involve disputed questions of facts, which are being agitated in the first forum. The facts are still not decided and therefore, the arguments tend to be more factual. Appeals in the High Court definitely involve more law but also often relate to disputed questions of fact.

    You have also worked in the United States as a visiting attorney. Can you share some of the differences you noticed between the legal systems in India and the US?

    I have pursued my LLM in the University of Chicago Law School, US and practiced as a visiting attorney with a law firm in New York for a short while after that. There are many differences but one that really stood out to me was the difference in the manner of drafting pleadings, pleadings are a lot shorter in the US. There is also a lot more focus on the discovery process of documents in litigation there and of course, one of the most interesting differences is the significant difference in the law of evidence that is applicable to trials with juries in the US.

    You have worked on drafting reports and recommendations for various government bodies. How did you get involved in these appointments, and what was that experience like?

    I was interested in the topics and I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time, I think. The experiences were incredible and I cannot be grateful enough to the distinguished members of the various committees for it. I learned so much from their discussions and deliberations. I started looking at the law from a different perspective because while suggesting amendments, the Committees were also considering the practical difficulties of the relevant laws.

    You have published several papers on legal issues. Can you tell us about one of your favorite papers and why it was meaningful to you?

    I think one of my favourite papers was the paper on carrying on microfinance in India. The concept is fantastic and I only fully understood and appreciated it after commencing the research for the paper. The idea itself is very noble because it provides cheaper loans to the people who need them the most. While there may be some disadvantages, I think those disadvantages are a result of the faulty application of the concept and hopefully, they are resolved sooner than later.

    Looking back on your career, is there anything you would have done differently?

    Honestly, I don’t think so. I did spend a lot of time in various different cities and countries pursuing different types of legal practice at the beginning of my career. Some may recommend starting and continuing one kind of practice from day one. However, the experience I got from each of those practices has been rewarding and I believe, has enriched my thought process. I am a product of all of those experiences and after trying various things, I am also quite sure that the legal practice I am now pursuing is the kind that I enjoy the most.

    Coming to the last question, can you offer any advice for aspiring lawyers who are just starting their careers?

    I think it is most important that you enjoy the practice because it is a demanding profession, which takes a lot of time and effort. I also find that it helps to not make the profession all about the ultimate goals but to take your practice one day at a time, that makes things less stressful and more fun. I also think striking a good work – life balance is essential for lawyers but also very difficult. I am still trying.

    Get in touch Vyom Shah-

  • We all lawyers are fortunate that ‘skill’ is paramount and most valuable factor to be successful and survive in the legal industry- Ambuj Sonal, M&A, PE & VC, IBLJ Future Legal Leader, Forbes Legal Powerlist ,Next Generation Partner-The Legal 500, Associate Partner at Link Legal

    We all lawyers are fortunate that ‘skill’ is paramount and most valuable factor to be successful and survive in the legal industry- Ambuj Sonal, M&A, PE & VC, IBLJ Future Legal Leader, Forbes Legal Powerlist ,Next Generation Partner-The Legal 500, Associate Partner at Link Legal

    This interview has been published by  Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

    How did you end up pursuing a career in law, and what inspired you to specialize in corporate and commercial law, M&A, joint ventures, private equity, exchange control and foreign investment?

    I completed my schooling from a very small town, Bokaro in Jharkhand. I was a science student until my 12th Board, however, I did not find interest in continuing with science and was hoping to change my stream. I started applying for journalism courses in Delhi and thought that this career path is the most suitable for me. I came to know about National Law Schools through my brother and decided to explore both journalism as well as law. I got selected for both, however decided to opt for law.

    I was selected for an internship in 2011 with DH Law (which merged its practices with Link Legal in 2016). During this internship, I worked on a lot of assignments relating to M&A, joint ventures and researched a lot on companies, businesses and regulatory issues. This created a vast interest in continuing in the same field and I was fortunate to receive a job offer from DH Law, Mumbai, post completion of my B.A. LL.B.(Hons.) in 2012. While I was ready to start my career in any given practice area, I found interest in this particular area after I was involved in all the stages of an acquisition deal in 2013. Thereafter, I decided to continue this area of practice.

    Can you walk us through your experience working as an Associate at DH Law Associates and Senior Associate at Link Legal, Mumbai? What were some of the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

    I started with DH Law as an Associate in 2012. It was a smaller set up with great mentors. I had an opportunity to work on various assignments including deals, international arbitration, litigation as well as advisory. The challenge at the initial stage was to learn by yourself and deliver in time. As a fresh graduate, who had no experience of even an internship in a bigger law firm, the major challenge was to meet the quality of deliverables with market standards. With the guidance of the partners of DH Law coupled with my own passion and hard work, I think I was able to meet the required deliverables. Once a law student is required to work as a qualified lawyer, the main challenge is to understand the right issue involved in any assignment. Framing of the right issue is challenging initially, however, if you learn that art, you will succeed in profession.

    DH Law merged its practices with Link Legal in 2016 and I also became a part of Link Legal and worked as a Senior Associate. The main challenge of a Senior Associate is to own the assignment, lead the transaction and simultaneously start training the juniors in the team. Delegation is the key when you take up major responsibilities. There are always late working hours depending upon the work load, however, you need to put that extra effort and concentrate on your value addition on the entire transaction.  

    As the Deputy General Manager (Legal) at Lodha Group, how did you manage to handle the legal responsibilities for one of India’s largest real estate developers? What were some of the significant projects you worked on, and how did you add value to the company?

    The decision to move to Lodha Group came after a lot of thought where I wished to experience the challenges of an in-house counsel. I would say that the legal team in Lodha Group consisted of one of the bests lawyers whose professional approach was top notch. As an in-house counsel there are several challenges with more accountability on whatever you advise and strategies for the company. Lodha Group is one of the largest developers and were in the phase of expansion which required a lot of investments, joint ventures and commercial arrangements with big real estate funds, investors and banks. During my time at Lodha Group, I worked on assignments including setting up of infrastructure park, structured financing deals, debt investment assignments and joint ventures on regular basis. I think my transactional experience working with DH Law and Link Legal helped me to add value in these transactions and achieve the objectives of my team in timely manner.

    You have been recognized among the top individual lawyers for corporate and commercial law in the Forbes India Legal Power List 2021. How did you achieve this recognition, and what advice would you give to young lawyers aspiring to follow in your footsteps?

    I felt delighted and humbled after being recognized by Forbes India amongst the top lawyers (less than 10 years’ experience).  There was no planning to achieve this, frankly, it happened due to the visibility and experience you gain in the market. The client’s feedback is of utmost importance in any feet you achieve. Post this recognition, in 2022, I have also been named as a ‘Future Legal Leader’ by India Business Law Journal and as a ‘next generation partner’ by Legal 500. All these recognitions come only when you are recommended by your clients which means that you have to give your hundred percent on whatever assignments you are working on. A piece of advice to the younger lawyers would be to focus on quality of your deliverables and automatically your visibility and client recommendations will increase.  

    Can you describe your role as an Associate Partner at Link Legal, Mumbai, and the most exciting projects you have worked on in this capacity?

    As an Associate Partner at Link Legal, Mumbai, my role is to work as a leader of assignments within the team, be responsible for client deliverables, business development, managing your resources and work allocation. Some of the exciting transactions that I have worked in this capacity are –

    • Advised Auctus Advisors and its shareholders on its acquisition by YCP Solidiance International, a subsidiary of YCP Holdings, which is a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
    • Advised JSW Foundation in setting up of the Skill India Impact Bond, a first of its kind and India’s largest impact bond, launched by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The other funding members of the SIIB includes, British Asian Trust, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, HSBC India and Dubai Cares, with FCDO (UK Government) & USAID as technical partners.
    • Advised Doncasters Group of Companies in relation to the Indian element of its global acquisition of Uni-Pol Group of Companies.
    • Advised Howen International Fund SPC, a Cayman Island fund, in its pre-series A investment in Sundaravijayam Automobiles Services Private Limited (known as Ready Assist).
    • Advised Almas Global Opportunity Fund SPC, a Cayman Islands based fund, in its investment of approximately USD 4 (Four) Million through primary and secondary investment in Jupitice Justice Technologies Private Limited, a justice technology company based in Chandigarh, India.

    How do you keep up with the constantly evolving legal landscape, and what resources do you rely on to stay informed about the latest developments in your field?

    There are several ways to keep yourself updated. The first and foremost is to read the newspapers every morning. Newspapers capturing the business updates are very crucial and reading articles provides you with the sectoral knowledge and the relevant updates. As a transactional lawyer, you need to religiously start your day by visiting three important websites of the regulators – Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Securities and Exchange Board of India and The Reserve Bank of India. This habit will keep you updated in this constantly evolving legal landscape.

    What advice would you give to the young professionals who are at the struggling phase of their respective careers?

    It is important for young professional in this field to learn as much as they can and develop their skills as a lawyer. We all lawyers are fortunate that ‘skill’ is paramount and most valuable factor to be successful and survive in the legal industry. This is a knowledge-based industry and if you have the knowledge, you will keep getting the work and keep growing in the legal industry, irrespective of your personal/professional background.

    Get in touch with Ambuj Sonal-

  • Personally, as a senior lawyer at the firm, I feel a great sense of responsibility towards training and mentoring younger lawyers- Akshay Sachthey, Associate Partner, Phoenix Legal

    Personally, as a senior lawyer at the firm, I feel a great sense of responsibility towards training and mentoring younger lawyers- Akshay Sachthey, Associate Partner, Phoenix Legal

    This interview has been published by Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

    To start the conversation, please tell us about your decision to pursue law. You graduated with an Honours in Economics. What made you choose the legal profession?

    Pursuing law was somewhat of a passive decision. My grandfather and uncle were both Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court. Although I did not have much first-hand exposure to the profession with them, given that law runs in the family, it was always in the mix for me. So when I completed my Economics degree and was considering my next move, naturally, law was one of the options. My father nudged me to enrol at the Faculty of Law at Delhi University and that was that.   

    What drew you to corporate law instead of litigation?

    I did intern with a few litigation chambers but most of my time was spent with corporate firms, the longest stint being at Phoenix Legal. I was instantly drawn to the extremely professional set up of the firm and the finesse and sophistication with which the firm’s lawyers were able to advise businesses. I was also fascinated by how corporate law allows you to have an insight into the entire workings of a business. A corporate lawyer plays a key role in advising a business through its entire life cycle – from setting up, operationalizing and carrying on day-to-day activities to shutting shop.

    You have been with Phoenix Legal since you started practising and have risen up the ranks at the Firm. You have also earned accolades from global ranking agencies. According to you, what does it take to make a successful corporate lawyer?

    I have been rather fortunate, having had the right guidance, exposure and support from my colleagues and clients and I think these factors go a long way in shaping the career of a young  lawyer. Having said that, the usual ingredients of hard work, focus and dedication are pre-requisites in our professional without a doubt. Clients expect their lawyers to be professional, responsible and reliable. The journey can be a grueling one and so it is important to hold on to something that keeps you driven and motivated. This could be anything – a knack for problem solving, a competitive streak or something else.

    How important is it for young lawyers to have a mentor to guide them and look up to?

    Extremely. I have been privileged to have been surrounded by accomplished and well-rounded professionals from the start of my career and have drawn guidance and inspiration from them. So personally, I feel a great sense of responsibility towards training and mentoring younger lawyers. In my view, this is key to building a strong ecosystem and a successful corporate practice. A young lawyer’s formative years can be gruelling and it is important for them to have the right guidance. I believe it is also important for leaders and senior lawyers to build an EQ. Something that is surprisingly uncommon in our profession.

    You have diverse experience in different areas of corporate laws. What are your thoughts on the generalist vs. specialist debate?

    Given the pace at which the legal and regulatory environment is evolving in our country, the specialist lawyer undeniably has relevance today. But for me personally, being a generalist has been what I enjoy most about my practice and I’ve been fortunate enough to have had that exposure from ground zero. From advising on an M&A deal one day to dealing with a tax or regulatory proceeding the next, it keeps me on my toes. I am constantly exposed to new areas and issues of law which I feel has given me a well-rounded perspective. I feel that clients do see value in a professional who is able to provide a holistic take on a business problem.

    What do you find most rewarding about your work?

    The satisfaction that comes with resolving a business problem for a client. This could involve something as big as achieving a successful outcome in an M&A transaction or legal proceeding or something as small as providing a clear response to a client’s query.


    Where do you think the practice of corporate and commercial law is headed in the years to come? How do you see things evolving?

    I think legal as a function is being viewed more and more by businesses as a business-enabler rather than a cost centre. There is a flurry of regulatory activity across the country and businesses are more compliance conscious than ever before. In-house legal teams have grown in size and are increasingly active. AI and legal tech already has heads turning and will undeniably make an impact. At a macro level, I feel that a lot of the inefficiency that exists in the system will be weeded out. My sense is that clients and businesses will tend to look more for strategic and high-level advice and corporate advisory as a practice will grow. This brings a big smile to the face of a corporate advisory lawyer like me.

    As a corporate lawyer in private practice, you must have a busy schedule. Please tell us how you maintain a work life balance. 

    That’s simple – I don’t ! But on a serious note, ‘pockets of time’ has been my mantra. You will often hear me throwing around this term with a younger lot of lawyers. As corporate lawyers, we are constantly struggling to find the right balance. I feel that both during the busy phases and lighter ones, it is important to find and utilize those pockets of time, however fleeting they may be, to recharge. What works best for me is listening to music, playing the guitar, taking time out for a run or spending time with my family. With a bit of planning, efficiency and a supportive team, this is achievable in most situations.

    Finally, what advice do you have for our audience of young lawyers eager to make careers in corporate law?

    Take ownership of your work. Deal with every task as if you alone are responsible for it. Think like a Partner from day one. This is one the best pieces of advice I’ve received. My own two bits you ask? Work hard but also work smart. You will deal with a variety of clients and colleagues and different things will make them tick. Be adaptable and perceptive.

    Get in touch with Akshay Sachthey-

  • Harsha Rathore, Legal Manager at Cinepolis India In a FireSide Chat with SuperLawyer On Role of In-House Counsel

    Harsha Rathore, Legal Manager at Cinepolis India In a FireSide Chat with SuperLawyer On Role of In-House Counsel

    This interview has been published by Prabhjot Singh, Priyanka Karwa and The SuperLawyer Team

    Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a career in corporate law?

    I am born and brought up in Delhi. Despite being amongst the toppers in my school, I was not sure what I wanted to pursue professionally. I took up Biology with Maths in XIIth in order to keep my options open. After passing out of school, still unsure of what I wanted to do, I zeroed in on studying Business Administration on a whim, as I did not want to pursue medicine or engineering, which was the most opted for career option back then.

    It was during graduation days that I discovered my love for law when I was introduced to Business Laws as a subject. I also realized then that my natural personality traits were aligned with being a lawyer, when I used my skills to negotiate and convince my Professors and HODs to help my friends who ran into trouble with them for multiple reasons.

    Of course, being amongst the good books of my teachers helped to a certain extent in that.

    This naturally progressed into me opting for law when I cracked Delhi University’s entrance exam and studied law in the prestigious Campus Law Centre. Thereafter, I was a practising lawyer for a few years before I chose to move In-House with a Company.

    During my very enriching stint as a first-generation lawyer, where apart from handling cases for individuals, I also got to work closely with several Companies while handling their litigations and arbitrations, I got fascinated by the multi-faceted workings of a Company and the various factors that played part in assisting the top-management take crucial business decisions.

    This piqued my interest in corporate law, and life came a full circle when Business Laws subject in BBA helped me discover my inclination towards law, and after practising law and building my base in understanding the workings of a court, I moved In-House.

    What are some of the most challenging aspects of your job as an In-House Counsel?

    Law is a demanding profession, and whether you are a practising lawyer or an In-House Counsel, every day comes with new challenges, and with each challenge, comes a new opportunity. To pin-point the most challenging aspects would be difficult, as every day is different.

    The job is to assist the Company in all legal affairs, and it can involve anything and everything under the Sun.

    A regular day as an In-House counsel involves a wide spectrum of activities ranging from handling aspects of general corporate advisory, looking after the litigations of the Company, interacting with external lawyers for the same, attending matters, drafting and red-lining of pleadings and agreements, negotiating on closing deals for the Company, briefing senior counsels, interacting with several departments for assisting them in dealing with regular operational issues and commercial transactions, and so on and so forth.

    Simply put, the challenge is to align business objectives with the legal standpoint to the best benefit of the stakeholders, both internal and external, but that is also where the fun lies.

    What strategies do you use to stay abreast of legal developments in the corporate world?

    Frankly, I found it easier to stay abreast of the latest developments in law when I was a practising lawyer, as daily interactions with colleagues outside Courtrooms while waiting on matters to reach would organically help in exchanging new information.

    I did not realize the importance of relevant information just coming to you without you making conscious efforts towards the same. It is a tad bit tougher for an In-house counsel and it requires conscious efforts to stay abreast with the new developments, both in the dynamics of law and business.

    My learnings from my practise days is what works for me in staying aware of the new developments in the corporate world.

    Just that my casual chats with my colleagues outside courtrooms is now replaced with interactions with my colleagues from various departments of the Company, who enlighten me with their knowledge and new developments in their respective fields, and collectively, that gives me a bird’s-eye view of developments in the corporate world.

    Thereafter, my curiosity about the new information pushes me to read extensively on the new developments from a legal standpoint, and as a legal professional, the research skills acquired during my internship and practice days help a great extent in gathering the relevant knowledge.

    Now we are all surrounded by legal tech tools that help in contract drafting and in so many other forms as well, how do you see these tools changing the world of lawyers? What do you think the future of corporate law when AI and the role of legal tech is added on as well?

    These tools are contributing a huge deal in reducing the burden on lawyers. The contract drafting tech tools save up on a lot of time by giving a format to start with. The same, of-course, has to be worked on to suit the specific needs and requirements of the business, and in my view, the legal expertise in doing so cannot be replaced by the Artificial Intelligence behind these tools.

    Besides contract drafting tech tools, there are several other tech tools that help manage the MIS of the multiple litigation’s in a Company and helps In-House counsel in keeping a track of the matters. These tech tools also help in providing data for analyzing the reports for strategizing plans and actions of handling various matters. I see these tools as very important helping hands in assisting lawyers and In-House counsels to work in a more effective and efficient manner.

    What do you consider to be the most important skill for a successful In-House Counsel, and any roadmaps for the same?

    I am still learning new skills every day, and I think the quest to keep learning is the most important skill for a successful legal professional, whether In-House Counsel or a practising lawyer.

    Apart from that, what I have learnt till now is that it is important to put your thoughts into actions. As lawyers, we develop the skill to formulate multiple strategies and plan of actions, but it is crucial to execute the plans in a timely manner to suit the needs of a fast-paced environment of a Company. I feel there is no fixed roadmap for the same, and all ways to achieve the same are the right ways, given one is consistent, conscientious, and persistent towards it.

    Harsha, what do you consider to be the most rewarding part of your job?

    I consider the contentment I derive after a good day’s work where I feel that I contributed towards meeting the Company’s objectives and assisting the various business functions in taking important business decisions, as the most rewarding part of my job.   

    Lastly, any 4 pieces of advice for our young law generation.

    Law is an intellectually rewarding field and is an extremely demanding one as well. It is important to understand that in this field, knowledge is power, and the learning is never-ending.

    A few of my learnings that I would like to share for young professionals:

    1. Go to Courts. I know Corporate Law has been glamorized enough with the multiple perks it comes with as compared to the challenges one faces as a practising lawyer, but I cannot stress enough on knowing the basic functioning of courts before joining a Company as an In-House counsel. The courts are where all the action is, and the learnings you gather there will help you in the longer run. Once you know the drill, you would not be taken for a ride by others, and you would be a better asset to the Company. Your initial few years as a practising lawyer would also give you clarity on which industry appeals to you.
    2. Take responsibility. That’s the way you learn at the beginning of your career. There could be days when you could not present your case before court, because the clerk did not reach on time with the file, or any such fiasco. It helps to internalize the situation instead of pushing the blame on others. Analyse what you could have done better to avoid the situation, learn, and not repeat in future. Pushing on the blame or justifying yourself before your senior would only stagnate your individual growth, while taking complete responsibility would make you adept at better handling such practical problems that you may face.
    3. Don’t be afraid to fail. A cliché, but your failures will teach you more than your successes.
    4. While we are students, exams are held once or twice annually, but once you are a professional, every day is an exam, minus the syllabus. So brace yourselves for the challenges, and have fun while at it.

    Get in touch with Harsha Rathore-